Chapter 482 - 277: Bidding Farewell to the National Preceptor
In no time, the news of Zhong Nan’s disappearance spread through every street and alley, quickly reaching the entire nation.
Many people were incredulous upon hearing this news.
At first, there was skepticism until some boldly claimed the truth; it was only then, under the witness of a group, that Zhong Nan truly fell. This news was finally confirmed.
With Zhong Nan’s demise, the major forces in Cangling Ancient Country were gravely disturbed.
However, this impact has yet to reach Celestial Realm City.
Lin Chen and his companions guarded Zhong Nan’s spiritual body for an entire day and night, and the next day, Zhang Jin appeared.
Dressed in black, with a white ribbon on his head, he carried a coffin and walked forward.
He did not speak, only bowing to the crowd.
Lin Chen and others returned the salute without talking.
Then, Zhang Jin respectfully kneeled in front of Zhong Nan’s spiritual body, opened his trembling voice, and said:
"Teacher, I’m here to take you home!"
....
After placing Zhong Nan’s spiritual body into the coffin, Zhang Jin slowly closed it. At this moment, the Great Elder stepped forward and said, "After returning to the capital, many things will change; you must be mentally prepared."
"I understand." Zhang Jin nodded and bowed to the Great Elder.
Finally, under the watch of everyone, he carried the coffin away.
Witnessing this scene, everyone’s heart felt sorrowful.
After most of the day passed, the Great Elder found Lin Chen and said, "With Zhong Nan gone, there will certainly be changes in the Celestial Capital. I must return to the Spirit Academy with the Tree Ancestor to respond to potential upheavals."
Lin Chen nodded; he couldn’t be of much help at the Spirit Academy either, so this time, he planned to return to Jiuxing City.
Firstly, he hadn’t visited for a while; secondly, he was worried about Lee Zhen’s matter.
Lin Chen briefly explained to the Great Elder; the latter didn’t object, but the Great Elder still said, "In this Celestial Realm Mountain conference, you gained too much fame, and now the situation is complex. After you’re done, return to the Spirit Academy quickly."
"Alright."
Lin Chen nodded.
That evening, Lin Chen bid farewell to the Great Elder and Tree Ancestor, as Wu Chen also returned to the Celestial Capital.
As for Fang You and others, they left with the Great Elder.
To some extent, Lin Chen still had the mark of the Dragon Transformation Skill, so when faced with crises, he had some degree of self-preservation ability.
Actually, Lin Chen understood that, to these existing forces and higher-ups, apart from internal power struggles, what they fear most is the Demon Race.
In this duel, though Zhong Nan died, the Nine Netherworld Snake undoubtedly fared poorly.
But once it recovers, will it indeed launch an offensive against the Human Race as it said?
The next day, Lin Chen studied the route, preparing to return to Jiuxing City as planned, unexpectedly just as he stepped out, Sun Ji informed him someone was there to visit.
"Looking for me?" Lin Chen pondered, then said, "Please tell them I am not available."
"He said it won’t take long." Sun Ji said.
"Who is it..."
"The City Lord of Thunder City." Sun Ji replied.
Lin Chen was taken aback; isn’t Thunder City just Bear City?
It seems the person is here for the Big White Bear.
Clearly, Sun Ji’s relationship with the City Lord of Thunder City is good; hence Lin Chen decided to attend to this matter properly.
Shortly, under Sun Ji’s introduction, Lin Chen met this City Lord of Thunder City:
Xu Pingzhi.
Xu Pingzhi appeared very capable, meeting Lin they exchanged pleasantries, and then Xu Pingzhi said, "Lin, your spirit beast’s talent is indeed astonishing. Our Thunder City has researched Law Evolution, yet our developed abilities pale in comparison to yours."
"You’re too kind, Xu." Lin Chen replied.
Xu Pingzhi laughed and said, "This time, I’m here merely to invite you."
"Invite?"
"Every four years, Thunder City holds a Bear King Competition, scheduled at the end of next year. Every third session, we host it grandly. Next year will be one such occasion, and we’re inviting beastmasters from across the world to join us." Xu Pingzhi said, "As for the contest rewards, they surely won’t disappoint you."
Upon hearing this, Lin Chen promptly said, "I will remember. If I have time, I will surely attend."
"I’ll take that as your acceptance." Xu Pingzhi laughed, tossing a token, saying, "When you arrive at Thunder City, with this token, come directly to me."
"Thank you, Xu."
Lin Chen bowed again.
After some more polite exchanges, Xu Pingzhi eventually took his leave.
After he left, Sun Ji commented, "Xu Pingzhi is a man of courage, and his personal connections with the Spirit Academy are quite good."
"Thank you for the information." Lin Chen nodded, silently noting it.
That day, Lin Chen departed as planned, taking the Gale Beast from Celestial Realm City, intending to return to Jiuxing City step by step.
However, given his fame now, Lin Chen slightly disguised himself before setting off.
....
The journey was lengthy, and the road to Jiuxing City was vast.
Upon arriving at Hengshan City, where Lin Chen had previously visited, he saw a direct announcement from Dubhe Pavilion:
[National mourning, escorting the National Preceptor to heaven]
[The world is peaceful, the state entrusted. Yet heaven does not grant longevity, stars weep.]
[Now it is solemnly announced: The National Preceptor Zhong Nan has fallen several days prior, his star having returned to heaven.]
[Now the National Preceptor’s deeds reach perfection, commanded by heaven to return to the Dao Mountain, traveling westward on a crane, soul returning to the star sea.]
[To commemorate the immense grace of the National Preceptor, and to express the nation’s endless sorrow, national funeral rites will be held starting now.]
[Yet the world is turbulent, the state cannot be without a National Preceptor for a day. Now, by the final decision of Dubhe Pavilion and the National Master’s Institute, the next National Preceptor will be Gu Ning from the Gu Family.]
[May he uphold his predecessors’ legacy and lead Cangling Ancient Country towards a brighter future.]
[Signed: Dubhe Pavilion]
Upon seeing this, Lin Chen remained expressionless.
In a sense, the succession of the new National Preceptor seemed somewhat rushed.
But the announcement wasn’t wrong; if a new National Preceptor isn’t installed now, the turmoil in the country would be even more severe than imagined.
Gu Ning was the predetermined National Preceptor, and if he ascends smoothly, both the Gu Family and the people behind him would quickly deal with any obstruction from behind.
This stability is indeed good for Cangling Ancient Country.
Setting down the Guild Machine, Lin Chen heard nearby passersby talking.
"I hear Gu Ning is quite young; can he handle it?"
"He’s said to be Zhong Nan’s disciple and the appointed National Preceptor."
"Wasn’t Zhong Nan’s direct disciple Zhang Jin? I feel he was quite good. Why didn’t he ascend?"
"Who knows?"
"The Gu family has produced National Preceptors before; it won’t be bad. After all, he’s Gu Wei’s descendant..."
Most of these people were mere bystanders; indeed, they had no right to decide who becomes the National Preceptor and could only satisfy themselves through discussion.
Lin Chen landed in Hengshan City, initially planning to supply Xiaobai and the others with food, but upon landing, he saw the city gates were closed.
"What’s happening?" Lin Chen asked some passersby.
"No idea, but the city’s been strange lately," said a fleeing man.
Since the last Abyss Bone Dragon incident, Hengshan City returned to its usual peace, and everyone felt the matter had passed.
But starting yesterday, strange deaths began occurring here.
Some people would go to sleep as usual, then turn to bones by morning, with their essence blood entirely drained.
"When did this happen?" Lin Chen asked.
"Just as the National Preceptor departed..."
The man nervously said, "It must be the revenge of the Abyss Bone Dragon, which was previously slain by the National Preceptor, coming back with its overwhelming resentment."
"Right now, I have no idea what to do."