Chapter 55 Digging into the Roots of Old Techniques

Old Chen wore a cold silver mask, a dark long sword stuck in the frozen earth before him. His demeanor was icy, completely different from usual.

The two grand masters approached slowly, their invisible aura swirling stones around them, which were then ripped apart by an inexplicable force—an ominous sight. Ordinary people couldn't even approach them without being crushed by the unseen force!

"Will you two come one by one, or both together?" Old Chen spoke indifferently, maintaining his composure even in the face of two grand masters.

The middle-aged man in white, named Mo Hai, remained pristine, untouched by dust, as stones floated around him and sand swirled; even the hem of his robe didn't move. A white light began to emanate from him, making him appear increasingly divine, creating an impression of being unapproachable, needing to be looked up to.

This wasn't an illusion—many nearby felt a chill; could he influence others' emotions? Why did they feel compelled to get closer, even wanting to worship him?

"Is he a devil?!" someone whispered, assessing him. Both practitioners of old and the New Techniques were strong-willed; they wouldn't "worship gods"!

"Mr. Chen can take a break; I'll test your the Old Techniques soon," Mo Hai said gently. Despite the fear he inspired, it had to be admitted that his ethereal appearance truly embodied a sense of transcendence.

"This person isn't attacking immediately and shows good manners. It seems Old Chen's situation isn't as dire as imagined," a middle-aged man from the Old Techniques camp remarked. 

In fact, they were all prepared to join the fray. If both grand masters attacked simultaneously, there would be no option but for everyone to charge recklessly into battle. Even Wang Xuan was focused, ready to rescue Old Chen, but he believed Old Chen could likely hold his own against one or two grand masters.

Wang Xuan was unaware of Old Chen's health issues. Years ago, in his youthful vigor, Old Chen practiced the secret techniques of the Daoist ancestral home, leaving behind hidden dangers.

For some reason, from that moment, Wang Xuan felt a strong unease. The two grand masters approached with unusual calmness and no extreme words, as if they were absolutely confident in killing Old Chen. That certainty was disconcerting.

"No need for that; come at me!" Old Chen countered, dismissing the suggestion, knowing that the longer it dragged on, the worse it would be for him. He didn't draw his sword, approaching Mo Hai empty-handed.

"Excuse me!" Mo Hai said in a low voice, his ethereal aura sharpening. His white robe rustled as he emitted a blinding white light that cleaved through the air toward Old Chen from several meters away.

Old Chen moved swiftly, leaping forward, raising his hand to strike, and with a thunderous impact, shattered the white light!

"Crack!"

The sound was deafening, akin to true thunder! People from afar stared in disbelief as the white light from Mo Hai clashed with Old Chen's palm, resembling terrifying lightning falling from a clear sky.

Old Chen's hand shattered the white light, sending a torrent of luminous rain cascading down, as if an energy beam swept across the frozen earth, creating gaping holes and rupturing the ground.

Moreover, some of the white light sliced through boulders taller than a person, like a razor sharp blade cutting through rotten wood, leaving behind smooth severed edges.

In an instant, Old Chen closed the distance, raising his hand to strike fearlessly against the mysterious white light, meeting it with his flesh and blood!

The two masters engaged in a fierce battle, moving rapidly, colliding again and again. The thunderous booms echoed in the clear sky, ringing in people's ears and making their heads spin.

Many found it unbelievable; the sounds surpassed conventional thunder.

In that area, they generated an inexplicable force field that became terrifying—sand and stones flew, and even boulders the size of washbasins floated, swirling with them before exploding.

"He is the grand master Mo Hai!" Finally, Old Wu beside Qingmu recognized him, his expression turning serious. He had heard of this person, known for his significant reputation in the realm of the New Techniques.

Wu Chenglin spoke up, "Mo Hai wields an astonishing purifying beam; if he is willing to pay the price, he can extend someone's life for years. That's why he is well-known among the wealthy!"

However, Old Wu hadn't anticipated that Mo Hai's purifying beam could also become such a lethal attack technique. If any other the Old Techniques master were to confront it, they would be shattered in one blow.

This purifying beam was almost divine—some wondered if it was an extraordinary method!

As the two moved rapidly, thunder rumbled, and flashes of light streaked across the sky, seemingly aiming to obliterate some demon on the Pamirs.

At that moment, a shocking phenomenon occurred; a strange white light emerged from Mo Hai's mouth and nose, resembling chains, wrapping around Old Chen.

Not only that, but seven beams of light also formed from his seven orifices, transforming into seven white chains, blocking all of Old Chen's escape routes!

Many gasped, hearts racing with anxiety; Old Chen was in dire straits!

Indeed, when the seven chains made contact with Old Chen's body, they unleashed a thunderous sound, exuding an incredibly terrifying aura.

However, at that moment, an even more astonishing thunder roared from Old Chen's chest. A faint white light burst forth, smashing through the seven chains, shattering them and striking Mo Hai, sending him staggering backward as he attempted to escape.

In that moment, Old Chen was like a shadow, moving too quickly; they zipped across the brown earth like two streaks of light.

With a buzzing sound, the air exploded, vibrating uncontrollably. A brilliant red glow emerged from Old Chen's chest, as if a sun were rising, vibrant and dazzling.

Ultimately, with a thunderous roar, the red glow surged, transforming into a beam as thick as an arm, radiating ferociously.

Boom!

Thunder shook the plateau; the red beam, akin to true thunder, pierced Mo Hai's body, leaving a transparent hole in his chest, blood spraying as he flew backward.

Old Chen's chest heaved violently; he steadied himself and then strode forward.

The grand master in metallic armor had already positioned herself in front, lifting Mo Hai up.

Her name was Xia Qing, taller than many men, with a strong and powerful physique, one of the few female grand masters in the New Techniques realm.

"You need to recuperate," she whispered.

Mo Hai's injury was severe; the large hole in his chest revealed a torn heart and missing lung tissue. Without prompt treatment, his cultivation would be severely impaired.

"You all can't leave," Old Chen stated coldly.

Since they intended to exploit his old ailments and kill him, he wouldn't show mercy, even to a renowned grand master of the New Techniques!

Mo Hai pressed a hand to his chest, emanating white light to stem the bleeding, signaling Xia Qing that he was fine and wouldn't leave, waiting for this battle to conclude.

He could even launch a powerful counterattack at a critical moment!

Xia Qing's metallic armor shimmered with a cold metallic luster as she spoke coolly, "Mr. Chen, you have remarkable techniques; I admire you. Please rest for a moment to calm your boiling blood. We'll resume our battle shortly!"

This time, Old Chen did not refuse, standing there in silence. The entire Congling seemed to quiet down, with no one speaking, all waiting silently.

Nearby the Pamirs, many spacecraft had arrived today. In the distance, a massive super battleship, with smooth metallic lines, exuded both intimidation and a sense of aesthetic craftsmanship.

Inside the battleship, a super master was conversing with an elderly man. Three grand masters had come from the New Techniques realm, with the last one present here. The identity of the old man was significant; he was a key figure among the wealthy, wielding substantial influence.

"The path of the Old Techniques is fraught with difficulties and slow progress. Besides Chen Yongjie, no one else can rise. Expecting Old Chen to further extend your life is unrealistic; grand masters in the Old Techniques realm have hit a dead end and cannot reach that height. You've seen the results of the past two years reflected in you—your vitality has grown, and the changes are evident…"

"I've been experiencing tinnitus and dizziness, and my energy is waning. Am I nearing death?" The old man sat there, covered with a blanket made from the legendary skin of a mythical beast, showcasing his power to acquire such ethereal items.

The master of the New Techniques, a middle-aged man named Chen Kai, appeared to be in his fifties and felt an overwhelming headache. To him, the old man seemed mentally exhausted. He had been worry-free for at least five years, reaping tremendous benefits, yet now he was turning against them. Negotiating with him felt exhausting and laborious.

He believed that facing a super grand master in battle would be far more straightforward than dealing with this old man.

"In today's age, no one in the Old Techniques realm can reach that height, which means they cannot interpret the golden bamboo slips, unless a pre-Qin sorcerer is resurrected, or a patriarch-level figure reappears. Rather than that, why not give us a chance to analyze it through the New Techniques? Perhaps we can uncover its secrets and extend your life."

"I'm very tired; my energy diminishes day by day, and I feel like I'm at death's door. If you want to dig into the roots of the Old Techniques, you must show some sincerity. At the very least, let me feel that I still have vitality in my body—that I can live for another twenty years or so. That would give me hope, perhaps to wait for the results of your efforts."

The old man's gaze was piercing, his voice strong, even healthier than many others. But his tone clearly indicated that he wanted at least another decade of extended life before any negotiations could proceed.

Chen Kai, the grand master of the New Techniques, felt momentarily speechless, tempted to turn against the old man and end him, but he didn't dare to act on that impulse after calming himself.

"Chen Yongjie has won," the old man indicated to Chen Kai.

Chen Kai turned to the large screen and said gravely, "Old Chen is indeed strong; he is the last hope of the Old Techniques. He's nearing his end." Some words remained unspoken; Old Chen would die due to his internal issues, regardless of the outcome.

"Are you not worried about your two companions?" the old man asked.

"It's fine; I'll go over personally soon!" Chen Kai focused on the screen, carefully observing Old Chen's condition.