by Translator: BornToBe; Author: Ordinary Magician (平凡魔术师); Licensed From: 17k
But just agglomerating Pill Flame didn’t make you a Pill Apprentice. Only by refining a medicinal pill that met the standards could you obtain the qualifications to become a Pill Apprentice.
And the majority of Pill Apprentices had already reached the Blood Condensation realm; otherwise, they wouldn’t have enough spiritual qi to refine medicinal pills.
Only extremely talented pill cultivators could become Pill Apprentices in the Qi Condensation realm. People like Long Chen and Xia Baichi, who could refine the second tier medicinal pills at the Qi Condensation realm and thus, have the qualification to be Pill Adepts, could already be considered geniuses.
But no matter how much of a genius you were, you definitely couldn’t condense a Pill Flame to protect your body at just the Qi Condensation realm. This undermined everything the two of them knew.
Long Chen was now completely wrapped in a yellow flame. His hair drifted in the air, and his eyes were like stars, just as if a domineering flame god had descended upon the earth.
“I’m coming.”
Chapter 45 Defeating a Powerful Enemy
“I’m coming.”
With a cold shout and his body encased in flames, Long Chen suddenly rose up. The air several meters around him had already reached a terrifyingly high temperature.
Long Chen punched out, the high temperature around his fist causing space to warp, its power shocking as it smashed towards Huang Chang.
Huang Chang was extremely startled as he felt an indescribable fear from the flame around Long Chen’s fist. Seeing his attack, he quickly retreated back to avoid the punch.
But just as he dodged this punch, he suddenly saw Long Chen’s cold smile. An enormous sense of danger immediately filled him.
“Crap!”
Long Chen’s shocking punch had actually just been a feint! The actual attack was a silent kick; by the time he sensed it, Long Chen’s foot had already viciously landed itself upon his stomach.
Huang Chang screamed miserably. This kick didn’t cause him any heavy injuries, but the flame ignited the fur around his body.
“Animals really do hate fire.” Long Chen was gratified inside. Huang Chang’s beast transformation might bring with it a Magical Beast’s might, but it also brought with it a few of their weaknesses.
Furred Magical Beasts had an inherent fear of fire, so his Pill Flame had a powerful suppression over Huang Chang.
Long Chen’s kick had been covered with flame and ignited Huang Chang’s body. A strong roasting smell filled the air.
Despite doing his best to pat away the flames, it still took a long time for them to extinguish. A great portion of his yellow fur had been burned black at this point. He appeared extremely miserable, like a rat that had dug its way out of a stove.
Seeing this, Yun Qi relaxed inside. For Long Chen to find Huang Chang’s weak spot so quickly was very exceptional.
And most importantly, even if others knew of that weakness, only Long Chen, who could condense the Pill Flame to this level, could take advantage of that fatal weak point.
Huang Chang’s skin was now black, and all his fur had been burnt away. Although he wasn’t heavily injured, he couldn’t suppress the innate fear he had toward fire.
At this time, it was obvious that Long Chen’s Pill Flame had completely suppressed him.
Just as Huang Chang was howling in anger, Long Chen charged at him with his fists flying, appearing just like a human-shaped blazing flame.
Long Chen was extremely quick, consecutively landing three blows. Huang Chang knew he would be unable to avoid them, so he could only grit his teeth and take them head on.
Although he wasn’t afraid of Long Chen’s physical strength, each time Long Chen landed a blow, his claws seemed to shrink as if they had just come out from a furnace.
After these three blows, Huang Chang felt as if his hands weren’t his own anymore. He could even smell a faint scent of roasted meat coming from them.
Just a moment ago, it was Long Chen who was forced to dodge and run. Now the situation had completely reversed itself. In front of Long Chen’s Pill Flame, Huang Chang could only cower and didn’t have the strength to retaliate.
Fatty Yu and the others all celebrated when they saw this. As long as Long Chen could persevere, victory would definitely be his.
“Kill him, Huang Chang!” Xia Changfeng stood up and shouted. Long Chen’s strength had far exceeded his expectations.
It had already reached a point where even he was feeling some fear. A Pill Adept with endless potential who was also a genius martial cultivator was not someone he could take lightly.
That kind of person had to either become a loyal subordinate or be completely eliminated. Currently, his relationship with Long Chen was like that of water and fire, so the first possibility no longer existed. Therefore, it didn’t matter what the price was; he must kill Long Chen or he would never be able to feel at peace.
Huang Chang hatefully glared at the blazing Long Chen. He had never thought that someone he had been toying with in battle would evolve to such a level.
“Die, Long Chen!”
Now that he had received the order from Xia Changfeng, Huang Chang let out a bestial roar and suddenly, his blood and qi soared into the sky. His entire body seemed as if it were completely engulfed in blood and became entirely red.
“What?!”
“He can use the Great Blood Explosion Technique?!”
“That’s insane!”
Those noblemen of the Phoenix Cry Empire all cried out in alarm as they all recognized this technique.
The Great Blood Explosion Technique was an extremely terrifying secret art. It would be used if and only if a Blood Condensation expert met with foes that they absolutely could not defeat and was pushed to the breaking point. Only then would they make such a ruthless decision and use it.
The Great Blood Explosion Technique ignited the entire body’s blood and qi as the price for temporarily increasing one’s battle strength. It would let the user double in strength temporarily.
But the price was extremely terrible. Once used, the blood essence you had condensed would be completely burned away. Even if you lived, your cultivation base would freeze, and you would never be able to progress any further for the rest of your life.
This kind of situation was rarely seen. Unless it was an absolute last resort, no one would use it. But now Huang Chang had actually used it.
Grandmaster Yun Qi noticed those stunned noblemen and couldn’t help but sigh. The Phoenix Cry Empire truly was hopeless. Despite such a genius appearing, none of them went to help Long Chen.
No matter what, he was the son of the Border Suppression Marquis who had great accomplishments and had made huge contributions to the empire.
The Border Suppression Marquis had been fighting along the border for over ten years now, fighting back the savages of the barbarian tribes and letting the Phoenix Cry Empire enjoy an era of peace.
If his son were to just die like this in the capital, would the imperial family not be afraid of retaliation? But when Yun Qi looked at the fourth prince and the Empress Dowager, he couldn’t help but sigh with sorrow. He leaned forward slightly and prepared to go save Long Chen.
Long Chen’s display today had already far exceeded his expectations. There was no way he would let anything happen to him.
After using the Great Blood Explosion Technique, Huang Chang had essentially become a bloodthirsty beast and his eyes had turned completely red.
Letting out a bellow, all his energy that was flowing out of his body suddenly stopped and flowed back, all of it gathering around his right hand.
His right hand immediately thickened to the size of his thigh and his muscles throbbed, releasing a terrifying pressure as he grabbed at Long Chen.
“Devil Wolf Claw!”
Just as Huang Chang used that killing blow, grandmaster Yun Qi also stood up and charged over.
“Yun Qi, don’t meddle.”
Even as gr
andmaster Yun Qi moved, Wei Cang, who had already been prepared, also charged out and blocked him, punching out.
Yun Qi snorted and also punched out, wanting to send Wei Cang flying.
After they collided, Wei Cang flew back, but he had managed to block Yun Qi.
Grandmaster Yun Qi’s expression changed greatly when their fists collided. He suddenly felt his hand tremble and immediately turn black.
“My Yin Fiend Palm feels pretty good, right Yun Qi? Don’t even think about going over with me here. That kid will definitely die!” Wei Cang coldly laughed.
Yun Qi was shocked inside. He and Wei Cang had fought for dozens of years, but he hadn’t expected that Wei Cang would have advanced so much in the past few years. He would definitely not be able to break through his blockade in a short time.
“You old lecher, it’s you who will definitely die!” A ridiculing insult came from Long Chen’s mouth.
Seeing Huang Chang’s fist coming, Long Chen took a deep breath and pushed his cultivation base to its max. He no longer held his Pill Flame back at all, and it erupted like a volcano.
“Flamecloud Palm!”
The blaze around his body disappeared, all of it condensing into the middle of his palm. The originally faint yellow flame had already given birth to a slight red color due to the high temperature.
In front of everyone’s stunned gazes, Long Chen’s palm collided directly with Huang Chang’s sharp claws. An explosion shook the heavens as the flames danced. Surging qi waves soared into the air.
Even Yun Qi and Wei Cang stopped their fight to watch in shock. When the dust settled and their vision cleared, the first thing they saw was a three meter wide crater.
On opposite sides of the hole, dozens of meters away, were two figures lying on the ground. The entire plaza was in complete silence.
A light sound rang out as one of those figures slowly started to move. They saw that the one who slowly stood up was a bloodstained Long Chen.
Although he was a complete mess, his clothing torn and gasping for breath, the current Long Chen still appeared as valiant as ever.
Going around the crater, Long Chen slowly walked to Huang Chang. Huang Chang looked even more wretched, his body burned black and looking like nothing more than a dried up corpse. There were also quite a few pieces of bone sticking out of his body.
After using the Great Blood Explosion Technique, his defense had sharply declined. That was why in their final exchange he had suffered worse wounds than Long Chen.
“As I’ve already said, I won’t let you see tomorrow’s sunrise,” said Long Chen coldly in front of Huang Chang’s body.
Huang Chang wanted to speak, but his stomach had sunk and was squeezing his abdomen, making it so he was unable to speak.
“The feeling of not being able to speak doesn’t feel so good, does it? Retribution really does come quickly. You made it so others couldn’t speak out, and now, you can’t say anything at all.” A mocking smile appeared on Long Chen’s mouth.
In order to infuriate Long Chen, he had used despicable techniques to intentionally injure Shi Feng heavily and seal his breathing so that he was unable to admit defeat. All of that had been completely captured in Long Chen’s eyes.
Seeing Long Chen’s icy cold eyes, terror appeared in Huang Chang’s eyes. He wanted to say something, anything, but he was unable to.
If it had been a couple of years ago, he would never have felt any terror from dying as he had only undergone dark and sinister training. But after a few years of working under Xia Changfeng, he had grown attached to the world again and didn’t wish to die.
“If you want to beg, then don’t bother. Someone like you doesn’t deserve pity.” Long Chen shook his head and slowly raised his foot.
Everyone present was just quietly watching, unable to say a single thing. This unrestrained battle between giants had been full of ups and downs, completely astonishing them.
“Long Chen, let Huang Chang go. I will compensate you.” Xia Changfeng was, of course, unwilling to see his most powerful subordinate die like this, so he thickened his skin and spoke out.
“Oh? Do you have anything that I want?” Long Chen asked, interested.
Seeing there was a chance, Xia Changfeng couldn’t help but rejoice. “Just ask for whatever you want. If I have it, I definitely won’t hold it back.”
Long Chen nodded and stuck out his thumb. “You really are loyal. Then, I’ll give you a chance: give me your life and I’ll let him go.”
Xia Changfeng who had been rejoicing immediately felt as if someone had given him a slap to the face. He glared at Long Chen. “You were playing me?”
“Playing you wasn’t my goal. The goal is to play you to death.” A sinister smile appeared on his face.
Saying this, Long Chen raised his foot, and the whole plaza was filled with alarmed cries, as he viciously stamped it down on Huang Chang.
Just as Long Chen’s foot was about to hit Huang Chang’s stomach, Long Chen suddenly felt his scalp turn numb. At the same time, he heard Yun Qi’s angry roar and without even thinking, he quickly threw himself to the side.
An arrow landed right where Long Chen had just been.
Chapter 46 End of the Lantern Festival
The arrow shot right past Long Chen’s waist. If he had been slightly slower, he would definitely have been skewered.
Long Chen rolled several times before looking up at the arrow. Having missed Long Chen, it had ended up piercing Huang Chang’s thigh.
Huang Chang’s mouth was wide open; his eyes had lost any spirit, looking just like a dead fish as he silently stared into the sky.
A strong fishy smell came from his thigh, and despite holding his breath at the very first moment, Long Chen still became light-headed and nauseous.
“What a powerful poison…”
Long Chen was horrified. That arrow was obviously coated with an incredibly powerful toxin. Although he was unable to determine what it was exactly just from breathing it, from its strong toxicity, it was definitely a poison extracted from a Magical Beast that was at least at the third rank. Anyone at or below the Blood Condensation realm would die immediately from it.
“How shameless!”
Yun Qi cried out angrily and extended his hand, sending out a three meter flame spear towards Wei Cang.
Wei Cang couldn’t help being surprised that Long Chen had dodged his attack. Seeing Yun Qi attacking him, he hastily put away the crossbow in his hand. That poisonous arrow had come from him just now.
Wei Cang also extended his hand and summoned a blazing fire sword. Yun Qi’s spear continuously collided with it, emitting explosive sounds as flames shot everywhere and heat waves surged.
Long Chen was the closest person around at only thirty some meters away. He was completely exhausted and weak now, so he was sent flying by their waves of qi.
Just when Long Chen thought he would be smashed to pulp by the aftershocks of their battle, a gentle fragrance suddenly entered his nose, and a soft body caught onto him.
“Chu Yao…” Long Chen turned his head to see Chu Yao deeply concerned with him. He rested himself into her embrace.
“Long Chen… I’m sorry, I’ve hurt you.” As if a pearl necklace had been cut open, her tears began to flow down one by one. She knew that the reason Long Chen had entered such a state was mostly all because of her.
If she hadn’t performed her brazen display today, perhaps Long Chen wouldn’t have ended up like this. He had almost lost his life multiple times just now. Her heart was filled with pain when she thought of that.
“What are you saying? That scoundrel Xia Changfeng already hated me, so it has nothing to do with you,” consoled Long Chen.
He wanted to stand up, but he did not have even the slightest bit of energy within him. Leaning against Chu Yao’s chest, Long Chen’s heart started to wildly jump.
“Thank you, Long Chen.” Chu Yao knew Long Chen was trying to comfort her. Her heart was moved once more and she fel
t ashamed.
Boom!
With another explosion, the warmth that was building within Long Chen’s heart was interrupted and he quickly looked over.
At this time, grandmaster Yun Qi had a long spear in his hand that had been condensed from Pill Flame. His entire body was covered in red flames. Scorching qi waves came from him, his might overflowing the heavens.
That was an ability that could only be used after reaching Pill Master – Pill Flame taking shape. Alchemists didn’t like to battle, but it didn’t mean that they were weak.
Alchemists focused all their cultivation on their Pill Flame. Not only could it be used to refine pills, but it could also be used for battle and easily overpower people in the same realm.
Wei Cang’s expression was extremely grave. Long Chen could tell that although Wei Cang was also a Pill Master and his Pill Flame was strong, in terms of purity, it was definitely quite a bit weaker than grandmaster Yun Qi’s Pill Flame.
Long Chen wanted to say a couple of ridiculing insults to Wei Cang, but he was too weak after the battle. That last attack had used up basically all his energy, and he didn’t even have the strength to shout.
Yun Qi and Wei Cang’s blazing weapons let out explosive bursts when they collided. Even the ground was shaking along with them, and the surging qi waves caused everyone to retreat.
Both of them were the chairmen of their respective alchemy guilds and had exalted statuses. Even the noblemen had never seen such a battle, let alone the youths. They were carefully focused on examining their every move.
“Wei Cang, you’ve lived so long but have yet to make much progress. I think you should get lost now – Flame Dragon Stab!”
Yun Qi shouted and the spear in his hand stabbed forward. It tore through space and destroyed the land. A dragon-shaped flame burst forth.
Wei Cang also shouted and the flame sword in his hand transformed into a huge shield, firmly blocking the attack.
BANG!
Dust and flames surged. The world shook and it was as if the very air was set on fire, making it so people were unable to even scream.