Chapter 398: Chapter 144: A Status Unlike Before Shakes the Entire Gang; Rapid Progress to the Third Heaven of the Spirit Awakening Realm

Qing Province City.

One of the mighty cities of the Great Yan Dynasty.

The city walls towered into the clouds, Runes flowing across their surface as a faint, brilliant light flickered.

An ancient and majestic aura washed over them.

At the city gate, the Black Armor City Guards projected a stern, imposing presence. Their gazes were like lightning as they scrutinized the pedestrians coming and going.

But when they saw Chu Fan reveal his Demon Suppression Bureau Token, their expressions immediately turned to solemn respect, and they deferentially waved him through.

As soon as he entered Qing Province City, a scene of clamorous prosperity crashed into view.

The streets were wide enough for ten horse-drawn carriages to ride abreast.

Pavilions and high-rises lined both sides of the street, with shops packed tightly together and pedestrians weaving through the bustling crowds.

There was no shortage of powerful Martial Artists among them, and occasionally, an unfathomably deep Divine Thought would sweep by, making one’s heart tremble.

’So this is Qing Province City...’

A shiver went down Chu Fan’s spine.

Compared to a place like this, Cyan Yang Ancient City was nothing more than a backwater town.

Zhao Tianxing led the way as the group wound through one bustling street after another, finally stopping before a magnificent complex of buildings in the South City.

The complex covered a vast area, enclosed by an endless stretch of high, vermilion-red walls.

Newly crafted glazed tiles reflected a dazzling brilliance under the sun. The imposing gatehouse was many times more majestic than the Seven Stars Gang Sub-Branch back in Cyan Yang.

On the lintel above the gate, the three gilt words "Seven Stars Gang" were rendered in a flamboyant, masterful script that faintly pulsed with Primordial Qi.

It was clearly the work of a master.

What was even more astonishing was that for several blocks in front of the main gate, the streets were lined with thriving shops and a ceaseless flow of people, yet everything remained perfectly orderly.

In a corner of every shop sign, a tiny seven-star mark was carved.

Fatty smacked his lips, his face beaming with shared glory. "Fan, see that? These streets are all under our Seven Stars Gang’s control now! The protection fees we collect are enough to make all the other gangs and factions green with envy!"

"This is all thanks to you. The Demon Suppression Envoy personally designated this territory for us as our foundation."

Chu Fan nodded slightly, his heart stirring with emotion.

To go from struggling just to survive in Cyan Yang Ancient City to possessing such an establishment in a mighty city like Qing Province... the change was world-turning.

He followed Zhao Tianxing, Fatty, and Jiang Yuanfan, striding toward the magnificent gate.

The guards at the gate were two young disciples, brimming with Essence, Qi, and Spirit. They had been staring straight ahead, diligently performing their duties.

But as one of their gazes swept over Chu Fan’s face, he first froze in surprise, then his eyes shot wide open.

A look of incredulous, ecstatic joy flooded his face!

"S-Senior Brother Chu Fan! It’s Senior Brother Chu Fan!"

The disciple’s voice cracked with excitement as he practically roared the words.

The other guard also realized what was happening. His face flushed with excitement, and without a second thought, he whirled around and sprinted into the headquarters, yelling as he ran, "Senior Brother Chu Fan is back! Senior Brother Chu Fan has returned to the gang—!"

The cry was like a stone tossed into a still lake, instantly sending massive ripples throughout the Seven Stars Gang.

In an instant, disciples who had been busy with chores or cultivation began surging toward the main gate from all directions like a great tide.

"What? Senior Brother Chu Fan is back?"

"Quick! Let’s go welcome him!"

"I figured he’d be arriving any day now. I was right!"

In the Martial Arts Arena, disciples who were sparring immediately stopped their bout, while those practicing their Martial Arts techniques ceased their forms and rose to their feet.

With faces full of sincere reverence and excitement, they all swarmed toward the entrance.

In just a dozen breaths, the massive Martial Arts Arena inside the gate was already a sea of people, a dense, dark mass of bodies.

Everyone’s fervent gazes were fixed on Chu Fan, who had just stepped through the entrance.

They saw Chu Fan standing tall and straight. His face still held a boyish handsomeness, but his eyes held a calm resolve forged through trials of life and death.

A sharp light glinted in his eyes with every blink, and he carried himself with an extraordinary air. He was no longer the naive boy who had first joined the Seven Stars Gang.

He was now the symbol of the Seven Stars Gang’s survival through the blood and fire of Cyan Yang Ancient City. He was the one most responsible for leading the gang’s migration to Qing Province and securing the patronage of the Demon Suppression Bureau!

More than that, he was the pillar of support in the hearts of every Seven Stars Gang disciple!

Even though the Seven Stars Gang had only just arrived in Qing Province City—a place teeming with hidden masters—and their strength was considered insignificant, because they had Chu Fan, an official Demon Suppression Guard, and were backed by the towering tree that was the Demon Suppression Bureau, all the major gangs and Noble Families of Qing Province had to treat members of the Seven Stars Gang with a measure of respect.

This honor was all thanks to Chu Fan!

"Senior Brother Chu Fan!"

"Greetings, Senior Brother Chu Fan!"

Regardless of whether they had joined the gang long ago or just recently, or even if they were a dozen years older than Chu Fan, every disciple now bowed in sincere respect, addressing him in unison as "Senior Brother."

Liang Qiu and Ling Feng were in the crowd, their eyes welling up as they shouted, "Boss Chu."

The wave of sound shook the heavens...

It was filled with excitement and adoration.

After surviving the brutal Blood Sacrifice in Cyan Yang Ancient City and facing life and death together, the Seven Stars Gang’s unity had reached an unprecedented level.

And at the core of that unity was their gratitude and admiration for Chu Fan.

In the crowd, Chu Fan saw many familiar faces.

Among them were disciples from the former Moon Arrow Martial Arts Hall.

When the Seven Stars Gang had evacuated Cyan Yang, Gang Leader Cao Feng had strongly urged his old friends—Chen Xuan of the Moon Arrow Martial Arts Hall and Wang Kaishan of the Mountain Opening Boxing Hall—to join them.

Considering their friendship and the state of affairs at the time, the two masters had led their entire halls to merge with the Seven Stars Gang, becoming its Guardians.

The disciples from the Mountain Opening Boxing Hall were one thing, as they hadn’t had much contact with Chu Fan.

But Master Chen of the Moon Arrow Martial Arts Hall had been Chu Fan’s teacher. Furthermore, the Moon Arrow Martial Arts Hall had helped the Seven Stars Gang fight off the Moon Worship Sect, battling shoulder-to-shoulder with Chu Fan. Their bond ran deep.

Even more eye-catching within the crowd were two slender, graceful figures.

One was dressed in cyan, the other in white, each with her own distinct charm. They were none other than the two Spirit Demons from Mist Marsh: Cyan Snake and White Snake.

With just a few words, Cao Feng had invited the pair to become Consecrated of the Seven Stars Gang.

For the two of them, joining the Seven Stars Gang was of secondary importance.

The crucial part was obtaining legal status from the Demon Suppression Bureau as registered members of the Demon Race, which would allow them to move freely within the great city of Qing Province.

Besides, as Consecrated, they would receive abundant resources every month without many responsibilities. Why wouldn’t they accept such a cushy position?

The two Spirit Demons possessed strength comparable to the peak of the Spirit Awakening Realm and could break through to the Profound Demon level at any moment. They were now the Seven Stars Gang’s two hidden Bottom Cards.

At that moment, the Cyan and White Snakes, their smiles like blooming flowers, swayed their supple waists as they parted the crowd and approached Chu Fan.