Chapter 15 Approaching Battle_1

After leaving the Black Market, Ling Chen returned to the Divine Intent Sect, Wuchen Courtyard.

He poured most of the Cultivating Origin Spirit Liquid into his bathtub. Instantly, the hot water in the tub turned dark green.

Without hesitation, Ling Chen stripped off his clothes and jumped into the tub.

The exceptionally pure medicinal power permeated his pores and then spread throughout his body.

Although the medicinal power of the Cultivating Origin Spirit Liquid was immense, it was very gentle. As Ling Chen circulated his True Qi, it fused with the True Qi in his meridians.

Each time his True Qi circulated, it grew a bit stronger.

As it fused with the True Qi, the medicinal power of the Cultivating Origin Spirit Liquid seemed to cleanse his meridians, washing away impurities from both them and his body.

The strengthened True Qi flowed from his Dantian through his meridians, and finally returned to his Dantian.

「After a night.」

A large amount of sticky impurities were expelled from Ling Chen's skin, emitting a thick, fishy smell.

After such repeated cycles, the purity of the True Qi within Ling Chen's body was greatly enhanced.

After dressing, Ling Chen picked up his Long Sword and went to the backyard.

A light rain was falling outside. The raindrops pattered on Ling Chen's straw cloak, making a PITTER-PATTER sound.

As if listening to the rhythm of the rain, Ling Chen stood still in the drizzle, like a living statue.

Quiet as a maiden, quick as a rabbit.

Using stillness to control motion, striking late to control the situation.

Suddenly, Ling Chen stamped fiercely on the ground, splashing water everywhere. His arms and legs seemed to turn into rapidly spinning turbines, stirring up countless water droplets.

With the power generated by his legs, he soared more than seven meters high. His mouth let out a low roar as he struck with his palm at a stubborn stone weighing several hundred pounds in front of him.

BANG!

The heavy stone was blasted high into the air. At this moment, Ling Chen lunged forward again, and his Long Sword slashed down fiercely.

BOOM!

When this sword fell, the stubborn stone weighing several hundred pounds was smashed to pieces.

Ling Chen stared at the broken stone, a hint of delight in his eyes. "The second move of the Dragon Seeking Sword Technique, White Dragon Passing the Gap, has finally reached Great Accomplishment."

The first move of the Dragon Seeking Sword Technique, Hidden Dragon in the Abyss, had already reached Great Accomplishment not long ago. Each move of Swordsmanship requires constant pondering and practice to slowly grasp its essence. Learning a technique and practicing it to the Great Accomplishment Realm are two different concepts.

If one only learns the moves, they might only bring out fifty or sixty percent of its power, but if one practices it to Great Accomplishment, or even masters it proficiently, they could bring out its full power.

Through such accumulated training, Ling Chen's Martial Arts Cultivation had finally reached the limit of the Sixth Layer Realm.

Still lacking a bit.

Ling Chen felt that his Cultivation had reached a bottleneck. He was only one step away from making this breakthrough.

Ling Chen immediately divided his focus. On one hand, he used his body's meridians to absorb the Elixir's Qi, continuously transforming it into True Qi and transporting it to his Dantian.

On the other hand, he carefully controlled his True Qi, continuing to circulate it within his Dantian to condense the seventh ring of True Qi.

Dividing his focus like this was a great test of one's mental stamina. Fortunately, Ling Chen possessed an extraordinarily strong will. Under such circumstances, he actually succeeded!

The seventh True Qi ring was successfully condensed!

Ling Chen's Cultivation had finally, and smoothly, reached the Seventh Realm!

Finally, I succeeded.

Ling Chen slowly exhaled a turbid breath. He hurriedly swallowed an Elixir that provided True Qi, then began to circulate the True Qi within his Dantian, rapidly absorbing the True Qi from the Elixir.

Once his Realm stabilized, he opened his eyes. His pupils became incredibly bright, like two dazzling, cold stars.

There were still three days until his life-and-death duel with Yun Tianhe.

Now, I just need to calmly await the coming duel!

A sharp glint flashed in Ling Chen's eyes.

「...」

「At the Ye Family's western training ground.」

Several people were walking and chatting. Leading them was Yun Tianhe. At his side was a teenager of about sixteen or seventeen, clad in black and carrying a War Knife on his back. His face was resolute, and he emanated a faint, bloodthirsty, and battle-hardened aura.

"Senior Brother Yun Tianhe, the fight between you and Ling Chen in three days, can it be postponed?"

The black-clad teenager suddenly turned his head toward Yun Tianhe and asked.

"Absolutely not," Yun Tianhe shook his head. "How can an agreed-upon date be postponed? If I don't accept the challenge, wouldn't people think I'm afraid of Ling Chen?"

"The Ling Chen of today is not what he once was. He's definitely not your match, Senior Brother Yun. Why would you need to condescend to fight him? Why not give this opportunity to me? If I win, it proves he lacks the strength to fight you. If I lose, it won't be too late for you to make your move then," the black-clad teenager said with a smile.

The fight between Ling Chen and Yun Tianhe was now known by everyone in the Divine Intent Sect. In three days, many influential figures from other factions would even come to watch. If he could defeat Ling Chen in this duel, he could replace Ling Chen as one of the Four Great Genius Disciples and become famous in a single battle.

The black-clad teenager mused, I'm probably not a match for Yun Tianhe, nor for Xiao Muyu or Gu Lingfeng. Only Ling Chen, whose strength has been greatly damaged and is far from what it used to be, presents a golden opportunity for me to defeat an opponent and make a name for myself!

"Alright, since you're so persistent, I suppose I can help you out. I'll give you a chance then."

Yun Tianhe nodded and agreed. Of course, he wasn't really planning to do the boy a favor; he wanted the black-clad teenager to probe Ling Chen's current strength for him first. Regardless of victory or defeat, it was a win-win situation for him.

"However, whether Ling Chen will be willing to fight then, well, that's hard to say. I can't guarantee he will accept your challenge."

"Don't worry, he'll definitely accept the fight," the black-clad teenager said, full of confidence.

"It seems Junior Brother Zhao is quite confident. But let me remind you, that Ling Chen isn't as easy to deal with as you imagine. A month ago, even Junior Brother Feng Chong died at his hands," Yun Tianhe added.

"Feng Chong?" The black-clad teenager paused, then gave a disdainful laugh. "Feng Chong most likely underestimated his opponent. Otherwise, with Ling Chen's supposed strength, how could he possibly have killed him? I refuse to believe that a man with completely ruined meridians can stir up any significant trouble."

"Besides, I, Zhao Wuxu, am no mediocrity. At thirteen, I became a disciple under Master Qianmo Ke. For over three years, I've wandered with him to the far corners of the world. I've been to the great grasslands, the vast deserts, and the Ancient Kingdom of Loulan, tempering myself at the Ends of the Earth. I'm not someone an ordinary Sect Disciple can compare to."

"My Cultivation is just one step away from breaking through to the Nine Heavy Realm, while Ling Chen, at most, has a Sixth Layer Realm Cultivation. As long as I'm not careless and don't underestimate him, what does he have to fight me with?"

Zhao Wuxu spoke with self-assurance, completely unconcerned about his battle with Ling Chen.

"That's true enough. Even if I were to face you, I wouldn't dare claim certain victory. However, I have one condition. As long as you agree to it, there won't be any problem with this matter," Yun Tianhe said suddenly, a glint in his eyes.

"What condition?" Zhao Wuxu also narrowed his eyes, adopting an all-ears posture.

"You must kill Ling Chen on the martial arts platform."

A vicious glint filled Yun Tianhe's eyes.

"Kill Ling Chen? This..." Zhao Wuxu hesitated. After all, Ling Chen wasn't an ordinary Disciple who could be killed on a whim.

"Rest assured, no one in the Sect cares about Ling Chen's life or death right now. If you kill him, no one will hold you responsible." Yun Tianhe stared fixedly at Zhao Wuxu. "This is my only requirement. If you can't agree to it, then this matter is off. I'm afraid you'll never have a chance at the title of one of the Four Great Genius Disciples in this lifetime."

Yun Tianhe wore an expression of pity.

"Fine, I agree."

Gritting his teeth, a trace of killing intent also appeared on Zhao Wuxu's face. To achieve great things, one must sometimes be ruthless. Ling Chen, I can only do you wrong.