Chapter 58: The Friendship Match Begins

Inside the room, Chen Mo immersed himself in concentration, operating the Divine Elephant Suppressing Prison Strength, entering a deeper state of being.

He was using the Giant Elephant Strength to refine the Fire Seed of the Purple Flame within his body.

Previously, he had only consumed it, fearing that his body could not handle it, so he had not refined it.

Looking back now, he realized he had been overly cautious; the power of the Divine Elephant Suppressing Prison Strength exceeded his imagination, especially since he had already cultivated it to the second level.

At the second level, the Divine Elephant Suppressing Prison Strength resembled a furnace, and the Fire Seed of the Purple Flame was like particles within this furnace, which could be refined in an instant.

The energy transformed surged wildly through Chen Mo's meridians, but he was no longer the same Chen Mo; he had means to cope with this sudden change.

As he pushed the Divine Elephant Suppressing Prison Strength to its limits, he compressed this energy.

Under this intense pressure, the twelfth particle within his body awakened, granting him the strength of twelve ancient giant elephants.

At this moment, his limbs, his seven channels and eight meridians, felt as if ancient giants were awakening; even the slightest movement of his seated body would unleash a powerful surge of energy.

...

The next day.

Daylight passed swiftly, and as night fell, the grand Jia Ma Holy City was illuminated with lights.

Outside the palace.

The crowd was bustling.

Compared to yesterday, the excitement had diminished significantly, but the number of strong individuals and elites present had only increased.

Tonight, the gathering hosted by Princess Yao Ye would take place in the imperial garden of the palace.

Those who received invitations gathered outside the palace, passing through the heavily guarded imperial guards for entry.

Even the members of the three great families were no exception.

Chen Mo, Nalan Yanran, and Yun Yun did not take the carriage from the Nalan residence but strolled leisurely through the streets of the imperial capital.

After wandering for a while, under Nalan Yanran's lead, they slowly made their way to the palace, passing through several wide streets guarded by soldiers.

After presenting their invitations for inspection, it wasn't long before the three were allowed inside.

Once inside, three palace maids approached, first bowing in greeting. After checking the invitations, they gestured for the trio to follow them.

Though the palace was vast, the towering walls surrounding it felt like a cage.

After walking for over ten minutes, a burst of laughter mixed with music echoed from a certain palace garden.

As they entered the garden, Chen Mo looked up and saw many pavilions and towers, rugged stones, and in the open space at the center of these wonders, many people were seated, chatting and laughing in a banquet-like atmosphere.

"Leader Yun has arrived!"

A man dressed like a eunuch called out loudly upon seeing the newcomers.

Yun Yun wore a fitted blue and white gown, her snow-white neck adorned with a dazzling pearl curtain, adding a touch of elegance and grandeur to her appearance.

"Leader Yun has arrived!"

"At this hour, Leader Yun, you are a bit late."

...

In the imperial garden, the heads of the three great families had already gathered, including Nalan Jie, who was recuperating in the residence.

"Leader Yun has come."

Dressed in flowing white robes with gold-edged phoenix patterns, a chain of pearls carved into a luminous orb rested on her forehead, emitting a faint glow.

Yao Ye stood up to personally welcome her.

She was welcoming Yun Yun, but her gaze was fixed on Chen Mo.

Dressed in black, his features were sharply defined and deep.

"Ahem."

This scrutiny was interrupted by Nalan Yanran's cough.

"This way, please!" Yao Ye showed no sign of embarrassment, instead graciously inviting the group to take their seats.

Chen Mo's seat was uniquely arranged beside Yao Ye, with a distance separating him from Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran.

As Chen Mo sat down, he found himself facing several individuals from Jia Nan Academy.

He frowned slightly; the gazes directed at him were not friendly.

In addition to Jia Lao, Fa Ma, and a few other prominent figures, he also recognized several familiar faces.

Ya Fei, whom he had met at the auction.

And Mu Zhan from the Mu Family, whose name he learned later.

Along with Liu Ling and Mo Li.

The gathering was not about drinking wine but about social connections.

Several alchemists who had performed well at the Alchemist Convention had been coaxed into joining the royal family or being recruited by the Yunlan Sect after a few drinks.

Chen Mo's cup never seemed to empty; Yao Ye kept refilling it for him.

In a corner of the garden, Miteer Tengshan was toasting with familiar guests. Catching sight of this scene, he quickly signaled Nalan Jie, nodding towards Chen Mo's direction.

"Old man, it seems the royal family is using beauty to win over Chen Mo. How far has your Yanran progressed?" Miteer Tengshan whispered.

Nalan Jie took a sip of his drink, about to respond when Mu Chen unexpectedly interjected, "Don't say that; I bet Nalan Jie is still thinking about that marriage in Wutan City, truly stubborn."

"Get lost." Nalan Jie scolded, his gaze drifting elsewhere as he muttered, "So shameless."

"Given Chen Mo's potential, it's no surprise the royal family is interested in him, but if they recruit him as a son-in-law, that would be interesting," Mu Chen chuckled softly.

"The Emperor has arrived!"

After several rounds of drinks, a loud voice rang out from behind the palace walls. Accompanied by several Dou Spirit-level guards, a middle-aged man in a golden dragon robe entered.

Beside him was Princess Yao Ye.

The crowd stood up to pay their respects, but the middle-aged man waved his hand to dismiss them.

The group moved to an empty pavilion that had been vacant for a long time, and the middle-aged man took a seat.

With the Emperor's arrival, after a hearty meal and drinks, the friendship match was about to begin.

Yao Ye stood up, her red lips pursed, and announced the rules of the friendship match.

First, no one is to take a life.

Second, if a participant is knocked off the competition stage, they lose.

Third, the match will proceed according to the debate format.

Everyone had their own standards for judgment.

As the crowd discussed who would be the first to step forward.

"I've heard that the new direct disciple of Leader Yun possesses three attributes and can defeat the seven-star Dou Master, the Young Sect Leader of Yunlan Sect, with his two-star Dou Master strength."

A young man dressed in luxurious brocade robes, with a jade belt around his waist, stood up from the back of the crowd.

With a grand entrance, he leaped to the center of the competition stage, his gaze fixed directly on Chen Mo, and then declared, "I challenge Chen Mo!"

All eyes turned eagerly towards the young man.

His name was Chu Bao, the son of a city lord from a major city in the Jia Ma Empire. His strength was unknown, but he was under thirty, fitting the age requirement for the friendship match.

Chen Mo could refuse, but if he did, he would have to disclose his current cultivation level to everyone.

Moreover, he could not refuse more than three times.

Chen Mo did not refuse.

He stepped onto the stage.

As the match began with Yao Ye's announcement, under the expectant gazes of the crowd, he executed the Body Like a Swimming Dragon technique, sending Chu Bao tumbling off the stage with a single move.