SWNOVELXO Ch. 22
Chapter 22: Unsociable
Yang Hong paused for a moment after hearing the words.
Then, combining his previous experience practicing martial techniques, he said, “Although I have already memorized the energy-release method of the Splitting‑Sky Palm. I simply haven’t had the chance to practice it. My master always said that talking without practice is just showboating. So after we leave Fallen Immortal Valley, I’ll try it out.”
Xu Zhengyang felt a sudden sense of crisis upon hearing Yang Hong’s words, and thought to himself:
“Yang Hong truly lives up to being Uncle Chen’s top disciple; it seems that if I want to raise that panda, I can’t hold back.”
With that thought, Xu Zhengyang didn’t hesitate.
He turned to Chen Qiang and said, “Uncle Chen, I want that Fear‑Claw Bear cub.”
Chen Qiang’s expression darkened upon hearing this, and he replied, “Didn’t I say whoever learns the Splitting‑Sky Palm first gets to keep it?”
“Uncle Chen, please watch.”
Xu Zhengyang said as he activated his Martial‑Way Manager, entering the state of the Splitting‑Sky Palm.
In the next moment.
Xu Zhengyang thrust his single palm forward, and martial aura erupted sharply, producing a crisp sound in mid‑air!
Limited by his constitution.
Xu Zhengyang’s aura could only penetrate one inch through his body, far from the three‑foot reach Yang Hong had achieved.
But even that one inch.
Signified that Xu Zhengyang had completely mastered the Splitting‑Sky Palm technique!
After releasing the strike.
Xu Zhengyang’s offensive momentum continued without pause, executing the entire Splitting‑Sky Palm sequence from start to finish!
After a moment.
When Xu Zhengyang finished the last move of the Splitting‑Sky Palm, he finally drew in his breath and concluded the technique, turning to Chen Qiang and saying, “Please guide me, Uncle Chen.”
“This kid learned the Splitting‑Sky Palm so quickly, and…”
Even more shockingly—there wasn’t a single flaw in his execution?
Chen Qiang was stunned.
In the end.
Only two words came to his mind to describe Xu Zhengyang:
Prodigy!
Chen Min had been trailing behind Xu Zhengyang and the others.
As a body‑cultivator, she understood the hardship and difficulty of mastering martial techniques better than anyone.
Because of that.
When she saw Xu Zhengyang master a martial art in less than an hour, she couldn’t help feeling inferior as she murmured, “No wonder he was sent from the sect’s higher branch; such comprehension truly leaves me far behind…”
“…”
Not just Chen Min—Yang Hong was also dumbfounded, unable to utter a word for quite some time.
He had only boasted just now so as not to lose face in front of Xu Zhengyang.
But Yang Hong never expected that Xu Zhengyang, for the sake of that Fear‑Claw Bear cub, would actually master the Splitting‑Sky Palm in such a short time!
Immediately afterward.
When Yang Hong saw Chen Qiang glance at him expressionlessly and then hand the Fear‑Claw Bear cub to Xu Zhengyang…
Yang Hong couldn’t help shuddering, thinking helplessly in his heart:
“I'm doomed…”
……
Xu Zhengyang didn’t know what was on Yang Hong’s mind.
At this moment, his entire focus was captivated by that little cub resembling a panda.
Xu Zhengyang carefully took the cub from Chen Qiang’s hands with both hands, brimming with joy as he said, “Thank you, Uncle!”
Then…
Xu Zhengyang carefully cradled the panda-like cub in his arms, and asked Chen Qiang with a satisfied look, “Uncle Chen, how should I feed this Fear‑Claw Bear cub? Should I go buy some beast milk for it after we leave Fallen Immortal Valley?”
Chen Qiang asked back, “Can you buy beast milk from a Tier 1 demonic beast?”
“Probably not,” Xu Zhengyang replied awkwardly.
“Then that settles it.”
Chen Qiang spoke in a displeased tone, but eventually still gave Xu Zhengyang a suggestion, “Just feed this beast some Fasting Pills. Fasting Pills have mild medicinal properties; not only do they satisfy hunger, but they also help strengthen one’s foundation and replenish essence. Feeding this little beast will be beneficial, not harmful!”
“Thank you for the guidance, Uncle Chen!” Xu Zhengyang responded with delight.
Since spiritual energy was cut off within Fallen Immortal Valley, storage artifacts could not be used either.
Because of this.
Xu Zhengyang wished he could immediately fly out of the valley to feed a Fasting Pill to the pitiful little creature in his arms.
……
More than half an hour later.
When Chen Qiang led Xu Zhengyang and the others out of Fallen Immortal Valley, Chen Yongqing, who had been waiting outside, saw the massive bear corpse Chen Qiang carried and immediately understood that the Chen family’s crisis had been resolved.
Chen Yongqing flew forward excitedly, bowed deeply to Chen Qiang, and said respectfully, “Immortal envoy, you are mighty! The Spirit Canal Chen Clan is endlessly grateful!”
“Mm.”
Seeing Chen Yongqing show such respect, the gloom on Chen Qiang’s face instantly dissipated, and he finally showed a slight smile.
Then, with a grand wave of his hand, his martial aura turned into flashes of blade light.
In an instant.
Chen Qiang directly severed the two forelimbs of the Fear‑Claw Bear, the ones with sharp claws, and tossed them to Chen Yongqing, saying, “This thing is useless to me, take it.”
The cultivation of the Fear‑Claw Bear was concentrated in those claws, which had the power to split metal and stone—decent materials for crafting.
Seeing this, Chen Yongqing quickly refused, saying, “It is already a tremendous favor that the immortal envoy has slain this beast for the Chen family. These bear claws are your spoils of war. If an old man like me dares to take them, won’t I become the laughingstock of Qingzhou’s cultivators?”
“They’re in exchange for your secret pill-refining method that uses the Absolute Spiritual Rhinoceros horn,” Chen Qiang said firmly, leaving no room for argument.
Yet Chen Yongqing still refused adamantly, “Just earlier I already promised to offer that method with both hands—how can I go back on my word? Please, Immortal Envoy, take these back.”
As he spoke.
Chen Yongqing took out a jade slip and handed it to Chen Qiang, saying, “The secret method is here; may the Immortal Envoy accept it with a smile.”
Chen Qiang showed a pained expression and got straight to the point, “Before coming, my Senior Brother, the sect master, especially instructed me. Since your Chen family offers tribute to our True Essence Sect. Then whenever you face a crisis beyond your ability to resolve, it is our duty to step in—otherwise, how could we shamelessly accept your offerings?”
As he spoke.
Chen Qiang had already walked out of the Fallen Immortal Valley.
He then flipped his hand and pulled out three Sealing Talismans from his storage pouch, sticking them onto the bear corpse’s head and the wounds on both forelimbs.
Once the Sealing Talismans activated.
Only after the corpse stopped bleeding did Chen Qiang finally store it in his storage pouch.
After that.
Seeing that Chen Yongqing still wanted to speak, he cut him off in advance, “I’m just a rough martial cultivator—not good at socializing. I truly dislike all your winding, flowery words. Now that your Chen family’s crisis is resolved, I’ve fulfilled my duty—farewell!”
As he spoke.
Chen Qiang took the jade slip from Chen Yongqing’s hand, then summoned his flying boat, dragging Xu Zhengyang and Yang Hong up to the deck with him.
“Immortal envoy, wait!”
Chen Yongqing quickly cast a spell to rise into the air, matching the height of the flying boat deck, then said to Chen Qiang, “Immortal envoy, thank you again for your kindness! Just now when you descended to slay the beast. I already instructed our juniors to prepare a banquet at the mansion—please, bestow us with your presence and allow me to fulfill a host’s duty.”
“No need.”
Chen Qiang rejected him decisively, “I descended this time not only to eliminate the beast at Spirit Canal, but also need to make a trip to the Dripping Milk Forest. Since this matter is resolved. I can’t delay over there either—farewell!”
Chen Qiang truly feared such social occasions.
So as soon as he finished speaking, without waiting for a reply from Chen Yongqing, he activated the flying boat at full speed, turning into a streak of rainbow light that soared into the clouds!
“……”
Chen Yongqing was speechless for quite a while—this was the first time he had seen such a decisive high-ranking cultivator.
“No wonder he’s an envoy from the main sect.”
After a moment.
Chen Yongqing sighed and, carrying the two bear claws, landed on the ground with a shrug and a smile, saying, “Thankfully, our ancestor chose to offer tribute to the True Essence Sect.”