Chapter - 14

Blue Cloud City - Chen Clan Martial Field.

The lecture is held as usual.

Long Chen was sitting in this lecture with Chen Yan'er, Chen Shan and a group of kids.

Why? Why on Earth and Cultivation World would Long Chen sit here, you ask?

Because Huian thought it's good to listen to these classes and build up some friendship with the lecturer.

All the clan members of the Chen clan were listening to the preaching of the pretty girl, Chen Hong. Long Chen was among the crowd, sitting at the very front, keenly listening to her words.

The topics covered were fundamental in nature which was highly beneficial to Long Chen. In her own words, building a foundation with proper knowledge can help a cultivator resolve many doubts in the future.

Chen Hong opened a large scroll and attached it to a wooden board. It was a painting of a human body. All the channel routes were clearly indicated in different colours to help people understand their bodies' spirit energy circulation.

Chen Hong spoke: "..... so energy circulation relies on cultivation techniques. Now let's talk about a basic technique..."

While listening to the lecture, he glanced at Chen Shan, sitting close to Chen Yan'er. He also looked at Long Chen and smirked. Every now and then, he would ask some profound questions to Chen Hong, who would then answer him the best she could.

After a few hours, the lecture ended. Chen Hong looked at the people sitting and said: "Although we have covered some of the basics, if it is just theory, then there's no use. The only way to confirm your understanding is to test it. Battling each other not only improves your understanding but also helps you find out the weakness of your skills."

As soon as her voice fell, there was some silence. But then, many people looked at each other, and there was a buzzing conversation below.

Not a single person came forward. Chen Hong didn't seem to wind; she just waited quietly.

Not long after, one kid couldn't help but jump out and challenge the person sitting just next to him.

Both of them were in the early stages of Body Quenching. They were only slightly mighty than ordinary people.

They both jumped into the arena next to the lecture hall, both figures punching and kicking each other. A punch from the challenger landed on the challenge. That person flew out of the arena and landed on the ground.

This ended the battle.

Slowly the fights delved into weapon fights. Obviously, most used wooden weapons. Some wanted to test a new technique they learned, and others wanted to improve their existing moves.

Chen Hong was a good teacher. After the fight, she would call each individual and explain where they could improve.

Soon after, several such fights were played in the arena, and by the end, most of the kids in the crowd either had panda eyes or pig noses.

Long Chen was sitting on his chair, watching all these fights with rapt attention. Internally, he was trying to understand how to improve his own punches.

One person kept staring at Long Chen in the midst after every battle.

Long Chen frowned slightly, wondering who this guy was.

Soon, this person went to the arena and started challenging the slightly older people and those who had never gone to the fighting arena. Compared to the kids, this person was a little better. His punches were more refined, and just one punch was enough to drive the opponent out of the ring.

Watching this high-level battle, all the kids around cheered for it. Even Chen Hong was nodding her head every now and then.

Just when Chen Hong was about to end this class, the same person slowly stood up, jumped into the ring and said: "Brother Long, please advise."

"Go ahead; I will try my best to answer you." Long Chen said. Since he was a non-Chen, perhaps this guy wanted his opinion on something. There's nothing wrong with giving advice if the asker is polite.

The asker's face turned dark.

"I meant I want to ask your advice in a fight."

"Oh? You are excellent. Well, apart from that, you were yelling hysterically whenever you punched; I am fine with your fights. Keep up the good work." Long Chen advised him. His face had the look of encouragement.

Not just the asker but even the crowd's face turned dark.

Finally. the guy in the arena shouted: "I meant I want to fight you."

As soon as the voice fell, the crowd fell into a roaring discussion.

"Why is Brother Cai want to fight this trash? There's no benefit, right?"

"Brother, were you living under some rock? Don't you know that Brother Cai has a crush on Big Sister Yan'er?"

"Huh? When was this? But why fight with Long Chen? It's not like he has something with Big Sister Yan'er."

"Who knows..."

Not many were very optimistic about this fight. Long Chen was just a mortal, whereas Chen Cai was peak Body Quenching. However, even if Long Chen loses, it would build fame.

Chen Cai was a top genius clan member. He didn't have any significant background but was a branch clan member. Nevertheless, he worked very hard to achieve what he has today.

"Not interested." Long Chen denied it. Why would he want to waste his time on this nonsense?

'Ding, Attention, Host'

'Mission: Defeat Chen Cai.'

'Reward: Mortal Grade Talisman Technique.'

But seeing that Chen Cai, Long Chen slowly stood up and walked leisurely on the arena.

Mortal Grade Talisman Technique? Here comes daddy !!!!

Chen Cai smiled at Long Chen and said: "Brother Long, I know you are yet to cultivate but let this Big Brother teach you a few moves. Be careful."

"Brother Chen, thanks for your offer." Long Chen also replied politely.

Now sitting on the stage, Chen Hong was a little surprised. When she keenly observed him, she just smiled. Her eyes even hinted pity when she looked at Chen Cai.

Chen Cai took the lead and punched with a roar, "Barbarian Fire Hammer."

A majestic flame arose from his fist, which exploded and swept instantly. The blaze hovered in the air and turned into a beast covered in flames. The surroundings turned hot, and the heatwave swept towards Long Chen.

The teeth and claws neared Long Chen's face. Still, he was very calm.

He was actually engaged in a discussion.

"System, how come that guy has fireworks and effects. Look at me, punching all the time."

"Host, of course, as long as you complete a mission, you can get such technique."

There are different kinds of genii in this world. Some learn battle skills at Qi Refinement, and people with resources know it at Body Quenching. The Qi being absorbed can be circulated to form a material figure like the one in front of Long Chen. The skills depend highly on the cultivation techniques.

If the technique converts the energy to Fire Element Qi, then the released Qi will have the power of fire elements. The simplest is an ordinary fireball, which a cultivator can accumulate and throw in a battle.

The fire beast technique that Chen Cai used is a battle skill unique to the Chen clan. Given that the Chen clan dealt mainly in forging, they focussed primarily on physical strength and fire-based mastery.

Long Chen, as usual, turned in all his strength and punched furiously. But what stunned him was that the punch, this time, visually exploded. In front of him, it turned into a shock wave.

The air around Che Cai seemed to be aroused by it, the beast trembled violently, and the flames that were now visible to the naked eye diffused away.

After losing its strength, the roaring beast slammed into Long Chen with a terrifying force and immediately exploded.

Boom !!! Boom !!!

The blast tide swept across the arena and even out of it. The people standing in front of the arena observing this fight had no choice but to retreat; if not, they would be mopped away by this surge.

Under this huge impact, the floors on the arena cracked the places where the wave swept were scorched.

"Is this my Chen clan's 'Barbarian Fire Hammer'. It seems Brother Cai has worked hard on this skill. But, unfortunately, my punch only releases a small fireball."

"Such terrible power !!! I am afraid that even Qi Refinement cultivators cannot withstand such a blow."

"Hey, look at that !!!!"

Just as everyone stared at the arena, a figure slowly walked out. The figure looked a little amusing with a slightly burnt face and some of the hair on sparks.

With an annoyed face, Long Chen again punched with full strength. He aimed it straight at Chen Cai's face.

Chen Cai just stood there as if defending the punch was beneath him, with disdain clearly seen on his face.

BBOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMM !!!!!!

A sharp ear-piercing shriek was heard from the stage. Many people below couldn't help but cover their ears in pain.

The whole crowd had a horrified gaze when they looked at the arena. Some wondered whether they could take this punch if they were in the fight.

"Impossible !!!"

Chen Shan, who was smirking before, had a frozen face now. He had a clenched fist, eyes staring at the arena, his eyes so red that they seemed to be almost bleeding!

Ever since he found out that the Patriarch wanted to marry this guy to Chen Wan'er, he went back to practice earnestly. No more wasting time with his friends; he worked hard to cultivate. Just a few days ago, he had finally broken through to the Qi Refinement stage.

He wanted to attend the event and prove himself first that he was worthy of Sister Wan'er. Then he would kneel and beg his grandfather to take a proposal to the Patriarch to wed Wan'er to him.

If Wan'er rejects his proposal, he joins a sect and becomes the strongest disciple. Then he will propose himself to Wan'er.

If she disagrees, then...

In the fight between Chen Cai and Long Chen, Long Chen's strength has completely broken his illusion.

Chen Cai is an early stage Qi Refinement stage cultivator. So am I.

How can a Body Quenching stage fight a Qi Refinement stage cultivator?

Did I break through a trash stage between Body Quenching and Qi Refinement?

Chen Shan instinctively felt that Long Chen would go further and further, and he could only see his back in future.

Just like he is doing now,

... going further and further towards the exit...

...not even bother to look at him...

Chen Shan's eyes never left the arena. His nails were now deeply embedded into his palm.

Blood was dripping out on his seat.

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Blue Cloud City, Chen clan - Outside Chen Martial Class.

Two friends were walking towards their courtyard after watching the fight.

The first friend said: "I never thought Big Brother Chen Cai...."

The second friend said: "How could Long Chen even....?"

"Brother, do you remember the play we saw at that village when we went on a mission?"

"Brother, you mean that play for mortals. It looked stupid."

"Brother, I had a sudden inspiration. How about a play where the hero defeats his opponents with a single punch?..."

"Brother, although that play looked stupid, the story was interesting. A love between the Sun Immortal and Moon Fairy...."

"Brother, What if there is an anti-hero who's just like Big Brother Chen Cai? Later he finds a forging master who will build him an artefact arm."

"Brother, do you think that there is such a handsome man that can make flowers bloom just like Sun Immortal?"

"Brother, I feel like I have found my Dao. So I will seclude myself and write a play about the hero."

"Brother, I wonder, will I ever meet someone who will look at me the same way Sun Immortal looks at Moon Fairy?"

"Brother,... huh?"