Chapter 271: Gu Ran's Determination to Obtain the Inheritance

'It's a Dao Palace realm inheritance.'

'Furthermore, it's quite an advanced one at that.'

'Here, in the Immortal Martial Continent, such an inheritance holds enough weight to establish a sect, birthing a force comparable to the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect.'

After meticulously deciphering the golden patterns etched on the walls, Jiang Chen achieved profound insight into this inheritance.

Nevertheless, it held no appeal for him.

After all, he had Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, two vibrant beauties at the Void Tribulation realm. He wasn't exactly deficient in cultivation methods.

In the grand scheme of things, a mere Dao Palace realm inheritance wasn't a big deal.

Of course, Jiang Chen's disinterest didn't mean he would let Gu Ran effortlessly secure this inheritance.

This cave dwelling, discovered by Gu Ran under the influence of the Heavenly Fate, was rather extraordinary - far from the usual run-of-the-mill finds.

Thus, this inheritance should hold greater significance for Gu Ran.

"Wu Qian, Liu Xiong."

"Try to secure the inheritance within this cave dwelling for yourselves."

"Gu Ran tends to overreach, we can't continue to humor him."

With a knowing smile playing on his lips, Jiang Chen sent these directives to Wu Qian and Liu Xiong via divine sense.

"Yes!"

Both Wu Qian and Liu Xiong nodded sequentially.

In truth, both were incredibly thrilled upon laying eyes on this Dao Palace realm inheritance. To deny their desire for it would be nothing short of falsehood!

Hence, at Jiang Chen's behest, Wu Qian and Liu Xiong promptly moved to flank Gu Ran, effectively enclosing him.

'These two old coots!'

Sensing the shift in dynamics, Gu Ran's expression gradually soured.

"Young Master Gu."

"At this point, practicing additional cultivation methods might not be beneficial to you. Thus, we'll hold onto this inheritance temporarily for safekeeping."

Wu Qian addressed Gu Ran with a grave countenance, then started moving inward.

"Fear not, Young Master Gu."

"The inheritance remains yours, it's just that you're not in a position to practice it right now."

Wearing a placating smile, Liu Xiong also advanced towards the inheritance.

"You old geezers!"

"This inheritance was uncovered by me - don't even dream of laying your hands on it!"

Unable to contain his outrage, Gu Ran bellowed fiercely.

Instantly, Wu Qian and Liu Xiong halted and swiveled their heads to face Gu Ran.

"Hmph!"

"Always harping on about the Heavenly Gu Society!"

"Always parroting your roles as my protectors!"

"But when all is said and done, you're only sticking around to keep me from growing stronger!"

"Listen here - either I get this inheritance today, or you might as well kill me!"

With a fearless glint in his eyes, Gu Ran leveled his stare at Wu Qian and Liu Xiong, enunciating each word through clenched teeth.

Gu Ran believed that the Heavenly Gu Society harbored hidden intentions concerning him, likely linked to his own bloodline.

Thus, he speculated they wouldn't harm him until their objective was met.

With his emotions running high, he was prepared to risk it all. If they refused to give him his way, he was prepared for a showdown!

"Young Master Gu."

"We're acting in your best interest."

Wu Qian sincerely counselled, "A cultivator should concentrate on a single Dao, not attempt to master too much at once!"

"Young Master Gu."

"Your progression is exceedingly rapid."

"In such circumstances, do you really believe the Heavenly Gu Society is oblivious?"

"With your superficial foundations, ascending to a higher realm will prove challenging. Once your potential is depleted, how do you plan on progressing further?"

Guided by Jiang Chen's wisdom, Liu Xiong sighed and voiced these words.

"Enough!"

"I'll ask one more time, do you intend to prevent me from obtaining this inheritance?"

Disregarding Wu Qian and Liu Xiong's counsel, Gu Ran's expression was frosty, tinged with an undercurrent of ferocity.

"Let him have it."

With a slight frown, Jiang Chen issued the command.

Gu Ran hadn't completely severed ties, indicating there were still reservations held within his heart.

As long as this was the case, they could continue using the 'Heavenly Gu Society' as a check on his growth, until the day Gu Ran believed his power sufficient and fully unleashed it.

"Given your resolve."

"We won't hinder you."

Upon receipt of Jiang Chen's directive, both Liu Xiong and Wu Qian promptly stepped aside, ceasing their interference.

"Hmph!"

With a dismissive snort, Gu Ran proceeded towards the cave dwelling.

A flicker of satisfaction ignited within his heart.

His staunch stance this time also served as a litmus test to ascertain the limits of the Heavenly Gu Society.

Now it appeared the Heavenly Gu Society was indeed wary of crossing swords with him.

Regrettably, he was oblivious.

The Heavenly Gu Society was a transient power fabricated by Jiang Chen; even the claim of coveting his bloodline was a ruse.

The title 'Heavenly Gu Society' was convenient as long as it served a purpose, disposable once it lost its utility.

At this juncture, Gu Ran stepped into the cave dwelling, trailed by Wu Qian and Liu Xiong.

They were willing to let Gu Ran acquire the inheritance, but it didn't imply they wouldn't partake in it.

Upon entering the cave dwelling, they encountered no hindrance. The way ahead was unobstructed, and soon enough, Gu Ran, Wu Qian, and Liu Xiong stood before a jade bed.

A plethora of jade slips were neatly arranged on the slick jade bed.

Judging by the materials alone, some of these jade slips appeared extraordinarily valuable. The concise descriptions of the cultivation methods etched onto their surfaces were equally captivating.

Apart from the jade slips, there were also small vials, each containing a handful of pills.

Regrettably, due to the inexorable march of time, some of these pills had lost their medicinal properties, leaving very few viable ones.

However, the remaining usable pills still held tremendous worth, as they were all discontinued breakthrough pills, tailored for the Dao Palace realm!

In the present day, ninety-nine percent of the Dao Palace cultivators in the Immortal Martial Continent had reached their potential ceiling, having exhausted all available breakthrough pills.

These newly discovered types of breakthrough pills would prove immensely beneficial to them!

"I'll claim the cultivation method inheritance!"

"You may divide the pills amongst yourselves."

Gu Ran shot a cursory glance at the pills, voicing his decision nonchalantly as he collected all the jade slips detailing cultivation methods.

"Very well."

Wu Qian and Liu Xiong nodded in acquiescence. This aligned with Jiang Chen's intentions too.

Concerning those jade slips detailing cultivation methods, once Jiang Chen had perused them, he could accurately gauge their grade and associated effects through the insight of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning.

Upon evaluation, Jiang Chen discovered that, within these cultivation methods, there were indeed a few superior secret arts for the Transcendence realm!

These cultivation methods were nearly unattainable for Liu Xiong and Wu Qian to cultivate.

Similarly, they weren't resources Gu Ran could utilize in a short span of time.

Thus, these jade slips outlining cultivation methods were unlikely to yield substantial benefits for Gu Ran in the immediate future.

Given these cultivation methods surfaced in this Dao Palace realm cultivator's cave dwelling and were fortuitously procured by Gu Ran, they certainly carried some uniqueness.

Jiang Chen surmised they most likely symbolized a kind of 'causality'. In other words, they were catalysts to ignite another subplot.

This great powerhouse had been deceased for over a million years, leaving no descendants behind on the Immortal Martial Continent.

Furthermore, the rank of this cultivation method inheritance was, in a sense, at the Transcendence realm!

In the initial storyline swayed by the Heavenly Fate, Gu Ran was decidedly set to commence practicing these cultivation methods at the conclusion of the Immortal Martial Continent's narrative.

Following that, there was a substantial likelihood that after 'clearing' the Immortal Martial Continent, he would proceed to the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star, known to have a strong link with the Immortal Martial Continent.

Thus, the causality of this cultivation method inheritance was likely tied to the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star!

This was Jiang Chen's conjecture.

As such, Jiang Chen refrained from intervening in Gu Ran's exclusive claim on those cultivation methods.

At this juncture, a system prompt echoed.

[Ding! You have marginally lessened Protagonist Gu Ran's opportunities. Gu Ran's Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 200 points!]

[Ding! You have gained 400 Villain Value points!]

The portion of opportunities that was reduced related to the pills.

Given Gu Ran's capacity to siphon the cultivation base of his victims through his bloodline, he could directly achieve breakthroughs without any obstructions, rendering the pills of little use to him. Consequently, the decrease in his Heavenly Fate Value was relatively insignificant.

'The inheritance has been claimed.'

Jiang Chen stroked his chin, pondering, 'What will the new plot entail?'

Suddenly, a ripple in space registered within his divine sense, followed by the abrupt appearance of a large group of individuals!

'They've arrived!'

'Just as anticipated!'

'These people... they belong to the Ninth Heaven Domain's Nine Heavens Tower.'

'Their Fate Values are not substantial; they're undoubtedly here to aid Gu Ran in leveling up.'

Jiang Chen scrutinized those people with his Villain's Eye, a contemplative glint flickering in his eyes.

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