Long Chen realized that the outer family was living in poverty compared to the inner family.
For example, Dongfang Tianyu had the best martial techniques, Body Combat techniques, and Body Tempering techniques. More importantly, on top of the Thunder Talisman, he also had an extremely powerful advanced Black-tier Divine Weapon. How could Long Chen possibly defeat him?
“Tianyu has been at the late Earthly Core Realm for a year and a half. I estimate that he will enter the Heavenly Core Realm in another two months.”
“Will I even stand a chance against him at that point?” Long Chen was speechless. Tianyu was far superior to him in all aspects. He would lose even if he used the Blood Devouring Domain.
“What’s the second obstacle?” Yin Mengyao asked.
“If you can overcome the first one and receive permission to touch the Azure Dragon Halberd, the second obstacle will be to obtain the weapon’s approval. You will only be able to learn its techniques if it deems you worthy. But that won’t be easy. If I recall correctly, three people in Tianyu’s generation have touched the Azure Dragon Halberd, but only Tianchen was approved by it.”
Dongfang Tianchen again?
“Is it that difficult?” Long Chen was surprised.
He had heard that Mo Xiaolang had passed the third stage and made his Divine Weapon recognize him as its owner, so Long Chen assumed it would be easy.
Dongfang Xuanxiao looked at him plainly. “Are you feeling afraid? Long Chen, that’s not how you face things.”
“If you don’t want me to be afraid, you should give me something to make my time easier,” Long Chen said with a chuckle. This was his true motive.
Yin Mengyao laughed when Long Chen finally revealed his true nature. Even Dongfang Xuanxiao shook his head. “You were so obedient before this. I didn’t think you would show your true self so soon.”
Long Chen wasn’t embarrassed at all.
“You two have to call me ‘stepfather,’ so how could I not help you? Here, this is a welcome gift.” Dongfang Xuanxiao pulled two martial technique books out of his Universe Pouch. He gave the first one to Yin Mengyao. “Yin Mengyao, you already have the advanced Black-tier marital technique Churning Sea Seal. It’s a good offensive move, but your Body Tempering technique is lacking. This is an advanced Black-tier Body Tempering technique, the Flowing Water Body. It will allow your body to be as fluid yet as resilient as water, making it so that any opponent you face will have a hard time landing an attack on you. While it won’t increase your offensive capabilities, it’s an excellent defensive Body Tempering technique. You need to master it before the tournament.”
The Flowing Water Body was a technique more suitable for girls. It was clear Dongfang Xuanxiao had put a lot of thought into nurturing his stepson and stepdaughter.
“Thank you, Stepfather!” Yin Mengyao loved it and hurriedly read through it.
She had always wanted an advanced Black-tier Body Tempering technique!
Dongfang Xuanxiao then looked at Long Chen. “You already have the Level Two Blazing Thunder Combat Body, and it suits you. It’s a straightforward and strong technique, so you don’t need the Flowing Water Body. But I do have something else for you.”
Long Chen took the book and read the words on the cover: Nine Dragon Flashes.
“Nine Dragon Flashes, an advanced Black-tier Body Combat technique. It’s the best one in my possession. The Nine Heavens Dragon Step is only an elementary Black-tier. Even though you are good at using it, its quality is low, so you might end up having a hard time dealing with an opponent with a stronger technique.”
Long Chen knew how strong it was the instant he saw the name of the technique.
“Nine Dragon Flashes … As its name implies, this Body Combat technique allows you to quickly shift your location in combat. Blink, and the enemy will lose track of you. If you combine it with your martial technique, you will be able to launch devastating strikes. If you could do nine flashes in a row, that means that you’ve mastered it.”
“This is amazing.” Long Chen looked at the technique, barely able to contain his excitement. It was the technique that Dongfang Xuanxiao himself was using, so Long Chen knew it was amazing!
Dongfang Xuanxiao had given each of them something valuable without any reservations, and he had even given consideration to what they were lacking. Long Chen was more than happy to call him stepfather.
“Stepfather, how many flashes can you do?” Long Chen asked hesitantly.
“Nine, of course.” Dongfang Xuanxiao smiled. “There’s no need to be discouraged, and don’t compare yourself to others. If you can use four flashes before the tournament, you will be considered a genius.”
Looks like I have to work hard.
“Get to work and start practicing. I will leave now.” Dongfang Xuanxiao stood up. Long Chen and Yin Mengyao put the books away before she gave him a signal.
“Stepfather, wait.” Long Chen called for him.
“Hm?” Dongfang Xuanxiao was curious to see why Long Chen was so serious.
Long Chen took another look at Yin Mengyao and said, “I’ve heard that there is a place called the Star Devil Prison in the Heavenly Martial Realm, and that disciples from the inner family are allowed to go there to cultivate. May I ask if we can cultivate there before the tournament?”
When Dongfang Xuanxiao heard the Star Devil Prison being brought up, his eyes shook a little and bitterness arose in them, but he quickly hid those feelings away. “You know the purpose of the Star Devil Prison?”
“Yes.” Yin Mengyao nodded. “I’ve heard of it before.”
Dongfang Xuanxiao thought about it. “There are places in there with increased gravity. It could assist those who have advanced too fast in consolidating their Qi. It does have its benefits, and I think it will be another month or so before the tournament …”
Staring at the nervous Long Chen and Yin Mengyao, Dongfang Xuanxiao told them, “Mengyao, you’ve trained for four to five years in the outer family, and your cultivation level has increased steadily. The benefits of the Star Devil Prison would be minor, so I would recommend that you cultivate here.”
Yin Mengyao was nervous because she had been rejected.
“As for Long Chen, I’ve seen your information before. You were only at the Eighth Draconic Stage when you joined the outer family two months ago. You have advanced too fast, so the increased gravitational force would indeed help you consolidate your Qi. It would also be the ideal place to cultivate the Nine Dragon Flashes. Therefore, it’s a good idea to let you go there.”
Dongfang Xuanxiao’s final decision was to let Long Chen go, while Yin Mengyao would stay behind.
Long Chen and Yin Mengyao were surprised by his decision. Yin Mengyao wanted to appeal, but Long Chen held her back. “I will go alone, then. When can we go?” he asked.
“There are a few things I must do over the next few days. I will take you there once I’m done. You can just stay here for now.”
Long Chen nodded.
Yin Mengyao understood what Long Chen wanted to say to her: let me be the one to investigate first.
“Is there anything else?” Dongfang Xuanxiao asked.
“Yes.” Mo Xiaolang wasn’t the only person Long Chen was worried about—he needed to take care of Ling Xi as well.
The power of the Soul Grass had diminished by half, and Long Chen did not want Ling Xi to die if they found themselves in another dangerous situation.
“Where can I obtain spiritual herbs in the inner family?”
“Spiritual herbs?” Everyone had their own secrets, so Dongfang Xuanxiao did not inquire as to why Long Chen wanted spiritual herbs. “The resources of the family are handled by my third brother, Dongfang Xuanyun. You can find him at the Xuanyun Pavilion. It’s not only his home, but also where the resources of our family are concentrated. If you need anything, you can just go there to apply for it. As long as it’s not excessive, he will probably approve your request.”
“Immediate approval?” The Eastern Azure Dragon family was amazing! He wouldn’t need to pay or use contribution points. The welfare of the inner family was so much better.
“My relationship with my third brother is not bad. As long as what you need is not too scarce, he will be able to give it to you,” Dongfang Xuanxiao said.
After giving them directions to the Xuanyun Pavilion, Dongfang Xuanxiao left.
Long Chen now understood that there were four pavilions.
Xuanfeng Pavilion was where Dongfang Xuanfeng lived. Since he handled all of the matters relating to the family, the meeting hall for the family and the reception hall were constructed at his place.
Xuanyu Pavilion was where Dongfang Xuanyu lived. It was where she trained the youths of the family, so the martial hall and the training halls were constructed at her home.
Xuanyun Pavilion was where Dongfang Xuanyun lived. It was also dubbed the Treasure Pavilion because that was where all of the resources of the family were kept.
As for the Xuanxiao Pavilion, there was nothing here because he didn’t have any responsibilities.
“Long Chen, will you be okay going to the Star Devil Prison yourself?” Yin Mengyao asked after Dongfang Xuanxiao left.
“I don’t think we can help Mo Xiaolang as we are right now. I will first investigate the area and see where he has been locked up. Only then we can save him. You can’t do anything if you go now, so I will just check it out first.”
Long Chen was right, so Yin Mengyao nodded. She then went ahead and started her cultivation.
My first trial as a member of the inner family is to touch the Azure Dragon Halberd? Long Chen never thought he would be given the chance so soon.
I’m in a dangerous position even with Xuanxiao protecting me. If Dongfang Tianyu has no qualms with fighting me in public, there is no doubt that he is willing to strike me from the shadows. If I fail the Azure Dragon Halberd Tournament, it will be hard for me to survive here. And I need to become much stronger to rescue Mo Xiaolang. There’s also Yang Lingqing. I wonder how she’s doing in the Northern Black Tortoise family. I will need the strength to help her if someone bullies her! I must fight! I have entered the inner family, there’s no turning back now!