Chapter 183: Fang Yuan's Emotional Turmoil
Chapter 183: Fang Yuan's Emotional Turmoil
Chapter 183: Fang Yuan's Emotional Turmoil
'Damned Jiang Chen!'
'Why should you curry favor with my seniors, Nangong and Shangguan?'
'Your acts are merely a ploy to reap benefits from both seniors, even attempting to coax them onto your side!'
'Hateful! Despicable!'
'...'
Externally, Fang Yuan presented a veneer of tranquility. Yet internally, a tempest of fury raged, and his sense of caution towards Jiang Chen was amplifying!
He could sense that the relationship between Nangong Wan, Shangguan Ning, and Jiang Chen was steadily improving, their mutual trust burgeoning!
Contrarily, despite their constant words of encouragement, it was evident that Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning harbored some disappointment towards him.
Fang Yuan strongly opposed any interaction between Nangong Wan, Shangguan Ning, and Jiang Chen.
His instinct screamed at him to consider Jiang Chen as a formidable adversary.
A lingering suspicion persisted in his heart that Jiang Chen harbored hidden intentions.
Indeed, his instinct had not led him astray.
However, Fang Yuan found himself powerless to counteract this development.
Should he cause conflict with them?
What could he use as grounds to confront Jiang Chen?
Opposing them would only tarnish his image in Nangong Wan's and Shangguan Ning's eyes further.
After all, in the eyes of everyone, Jiang Chen's every action was seemingly for Fang Yuan's advantage.
If it were not for his piercing intuition, even Fang Yuan wouldn't suspect Jiang Chen of such hidden motives.
Consequently, an overwhelming wave of frustration and rage surged within Fang Yuan. He was consumed by worry and anxiety, yet he could only bottle up these emotions!
Just then, a voice jolted Fang Yuan from his tumultuous thoughts.
"Junior Brother Fang Yuan."
"Rest easy!"
"The two seniors will soon instruct me on the first technique."
Jiang Chen regarded Fang Yuan with a look of concern, "As soon as I grasp it, I can begin the first step of restoring your foundation!"
"Alright, alright."
Fang Yuan's lips moved, and ultimately, all he could manage were two words of assent.
Despite everything, Jiang Chen was indeed laboring to mend his foundation.
Regardless of Jiang Chen's ulterior motives, this singular act indeed offered a tangible benefit for him, Fang Yuan.
"Mm-hmm, just wait a moment!"
With a gentle smile, Jiang Chen said, "Now, let me elucidate my understanding of the first technique."
'The Precious Pill Seeking Record is incomparable to the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets.'
'Even the first technique is quite complex, I wonder how much of it Jiang Chen has actually mastered.'
Such thoughts swirled in Nangong Wan's mind, and a similar sentiment echoed in Shangguan Ning as well.
Subsequently, Jiang Chen completed his exposition of his understanding of the first technique.
He had correctly explained only one-third of the technique.
However, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning were decidedly amazed.
"Just one day spent on the first technique, and you've already mastered one-third of it!"
"Jiang Chen, your aptitude is truly extraordinary. It's safe to say that not only in this Immortal Martial Continent, but even within the Everlasting Baseless Immortal Domain, you'd be considered an absolute prodigy!"
"With such a talent and our guidance, we can assuredly expedite the restoration of Fang Yuan's Cultivation Path foundation!"
Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning took turns expressing their astonishment and exhilaration.
The fact that Jiang Chen could accomplish such a feat within a single day of unguided study was utterly astounding.
Even Nangong Wan, when she was at the Dao Palace realm and under direct instruction, hadn't learned one-third of the first technique in just a day.
'Damned!'
'Why have I never elicited such jubilant praise from the two seniors!?'
Fang Yuan was so envious that he failed to maintain his composed expression, his face involuntarily twitching twice.
At this moment
[Ding! You have successfully improved the favorability of the Unpursued Heroine Nangong Wan towards you. The protagonist Fang Yuan's Heavenly Fate Value has diminished by 100 points!]
[Ding! You have successfully improved the favorability of the Unpursued Heroine Shangguan Ning towards you. The protagonist Fang Yuan's Heavenly Fate Value has diminished by 100 points!]
[Ding! You have earned 400 points of Villain Value!]
Upon hearing these System prompts, Jiang Chen was immediately stirred.
'A decrease of just 100 points?'
'It appears their affection for me has reached a certain threshold, making it increasingly difficult to enhance significantly.'
'Moreover, their status is even more unique. They are the protagonist Fang Yuan's heaven-defying secret weapons. As long as they remain allied with Fang Yuan, his Heavenly Fate Value won't drop below a certain limit.'
'...'
These thoughts churned in Jiang Chen's mind.
Externally, he posed a question.
"Is my aptitude truly that remarkable?"
Jiang Chen sported a slightly bewildered look, then modestly responded, "Both esteemed seniors are too generous with their praise. I'm a bit flustered."
Seeing this, Fang Yuan, who stood to the side, experienced a twitch in his rigid facial muscles, his heart swelling with unspeakable frustration.
He dearly wished he could banish Jiang Chen on the spot!
"I never heap praise unjustly, I merely voice the truth."
Nangong Wan's gentle voice floated over, "Let's set this aside for now, Jiang Chen. Shall we commence!"
"Of course!"
Jiang Chen promptly nodded in assent.
What ensued was the instructive process of the Precious Pill Seeking Record.
Fang Yuan too was included in this lecture, aiming to once again pit himself against Jiang Chen!
However, Jiang Chen frequently displayed a face of understanding, whereas Fang Yuan struggled to even raise a pertinent question!
Suddenly, Fang Yuan found himself teetering on the brink of withdrawal, retreating into his own shell!
[Ding! You have successfully inflicted emotional distress upon the protagonist Fang Yuan. Fang Yuan's Heavenly Fate Value has been reduced by 200 points!]
[Ding! You have earned 400 points of Villain Value!]
Hearing the system prompts, Jiang Chen was secretly thrilled.
The strategy to exploit his intellectual exchanges with Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning to unsettle Fang Yuan had always been part of his grand design.
Now, Fang Yuan's Heavenly Fate Value had dwindled to one thousand seven hundred eighty-six points.
The threshold for elimination was drawing perilously close!
As time gradually ebbed away, half a day had passed almost unnoticed.
"Thank you both for your guidance!"
"I've almost grasped the first technique."
Jiang Chen spoke earnestly, "However, to ensure that I make no mistakes, I plan to further assimilate today's learnings."
He certainly wouldn't devote all his time here!
The task of repairing Fang Yuan's foundation, he would postpone it as much as possible!
Regardless, Jiang Chen's progress had already significantly surpassed the anticipations of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning.
"Alright!"
Neither Nangong Wan nor Shangguan Ning harbored any doubts and consented to his proposal.
"Here are the materials."
"I'll leave them here for now."
"Upon my return, I'll assuredly begin the process to restore Fang Yuan's foundation!"
With a respectful bow, Jiang Chen affirmed, "I will take my leave now."
"Please, don't let me detain you!"
Internally jubilant, Fang Yuan reciprocated with a bow.
Throughout this entire interaction, these were the only words he uttered. His situation was truly pitiful!
Subsequently, Jiang Chen left the necessary materials behind and promptly exited the main Healing Hall.
Without delay, he paid another visit to Ji Mingxiu.
"Jiang Chen, what brings you here?"
With a smile, Ji Mingxiu queried, "Did you encounter any difficulties in your cultivation?"
"Not at all."
Jiang Chen replied, his face brimming with eagerness, "I've just received directives from the two senior figures. They've asked me to procure certain spiritual plants!"
Naturally, the spiritual plants were intended for his own use.
Although he had initially planned to purchase them using spirit stones, now that he had the chance to tap into the resources of the Holy Land, why would he decline?
However, he didn't want to expose his secret of being able to enhance his cultivation base by consuming spiritual plants.
Hence, he had no other choice but to fabricate a story.
"What!"
"Do those two great powerhouses of the Void Tribulation realm require something!?"
Ji Mingxiu abruptly rose to his feet, exclaiming excitedly, "Quickly, tell me, what spiritual plants do they need?"
If they could establish favorable relations with those two Void Tribulation realm powerhouses, it wouldn't be just the Everflowing Truth Domain, they might even be able to unite the entire Immortal Martial Continent under the banner of the Purple Heaven Holy Land!