“How are you feeling?” Long Chen asked with concern while he used his Qi to dry her clothes.
He dried her as soon as she could because her wet clothes had been clinging to her body, revealing her curvy figure. Even though Long Chen would not lay a hand on her, the others would!
Dongfang Tianxing and the other two youths who had guided Long Chen here would not hesitate.
“I’m much better now.” Yin Mengyao lowered her head and blushed.
It was different from the blush she had when she was under the influence just now. She was just embarrassed.
“Yin Mengyao, don’t worry about it too much. This is not embarrassing. It’s that bastard’s fault.”
“Who are you calling a bastard?” Dongfang Tianxing was angry. He was a cultivator at the Heavenly Core Realm. It was one thing for Long Chen to save her, but it was another to insult him. Dongfang Tianxing had planned to let them go, but he was angered now.
His plans were destroyed the moment Long Chen stepped in. If he killed Long Chen and obtained Yin Mengyao, he would be in deep trouble. Long Chen was now famous in the family, so Dongfang Tianxing would lose his life if he didn’t take care of things tactfully.
He was about to give up when Long Chen insulted him, making him want to hit the brat.
I can’t kill him, but I can hit him! I will kill him one of these days if there’s an opportunity to do so!
Dongfang Tianxing was just about to hit Long Chen when he saw the latter glaring at him. “Who else here could be called a bastard? You’re the only one who would attempt such an underhanded method. Dongfang Tianxing, do you remember asking me to fight on the Mortal Arena?”
“The Mortal Arena?” Dongfang Tianxing was confused. “You want to fight me on the Mortal Arena?”
This was unexpected. Dongfang Tianxing was very frustrated and wanted to vent his anger somewhere. He had thought Long Chen would not agree to it, but to think he would suggest it himself.
“I will ask again. Do you dare to fight me on the Mortal Arena?” Long Chen glared at him coldly.
“Haha! Of course! Let’s go now!” Dongfang Tianxing was excited when he thought about beating up Long Chen in public. He could also show off his strength to Yin Mengyao. He was more than happy to do it.
But he still had some slight reservations as to why Long Chen would propose it. He was only at the mid Earthly Core Realm and yet he dared to request a fight?
Is it because of the Azure Dragon Halberd? It’s only been five days, so he couldn’t have learned how to use it. Dongfang Tianxing thought there was no problem with the suggestion. His lecherous gaze was still fixated on Yin Mengyao.
The more she hated him, the more he wanted her. He was in love with her cold appearance.
She knew the difference in strength between them, so she asked after she recovered from the drug’s effects, “Long Chen, what are you doing?”
“Would you believe me if I told you I’ve already finished cultivating the Azure Dragon combat technique?” Long Chen whispered to the surprised Yin Mengyao.
“Wait, does that mean …” She was overjoyed.
“Shh … Don’t let him know. I will take revenge for you.” Long Chen chuckled.
***
Before they could fight on the Mortal Arena, they had to contact the elders. They could only duel if the elders approved and oversaw the entire fight. While Long Chen and Dongfang Tianxing went off to find the elders, the news of their fight was spread to everyone else by the two youths. Everyone who was interested in their match gathered near the arena.
The Mortal Arena was essentially a stage located within the Xuanyu Pavillion. It was made of dense, grayish-white steelstone that had been polished until it was as smooth as a mirror. Long Chen and Dongfang Tianxing stood on opposite ends of it.
There were tens of seats surrounding the Mortal Arena, and all of them were full. Everyone was in attendance except for the Patriarch and several elders, who didn’t attend such trivial matters. All four of the strongest cultivators of the Eastern Azure Dragon family were present though.
Dongfang Xuanfeng stared at Long Chen. Although he looked calm on the outside, he actually despised the teenager. His son would have obtained the Azure Dragon Halberd, but Long Chen had not only taken it away from him, he had even beaten him. Therefore, Dongfang Xuanfeng’s eyes had a hint of killing intent behind them.
Yin Mengyao was standing behind Dongfang Xuanxiao, while Dongfang Tianxuan, who had once bullied her, was standing beside her. Dongfang Tianxuan was Dongfang Xuanyun’s daughter. By logic, she should’ve been on friendly terms with Long Chen. However, she had been prideful and arrogant ever since she was young, so she didn’t really see eye-to-eye with her father, much less Long Chen and Yin Mengyao.
Dongfang Tianxuan was the second strongest fighter amongst the youths. Even though she was at the initial Heavenly Core Realm, her fighting strength was above Dongfang Tianxing’s. If she had learned the Azure Dragon Combat Technique, she would be just as strong as Dongfang Tianchen.
Still, Dongfang Tianxuan had managed to cultivate the only Earth-tier martial technique, making her the second strongest youth of the family. Even though she had only learned the bare minimum of the technique, Long Chen would still lose to her.
Dongfang Xuanxiao didn’t know what Long Chen was doing. Yin Mengyao whispered something to him, and Dongfang Xuanxiao was surprised to learn that Long Chen had comprehended the Azure Dragon Combat Technique. He smiled bitterly in response. “It’s only been five days. It took me nine days to comprehend it, while Tianchen took eight days!”
“Stepfather, Long Chen said that he comprehended it in one day. He has been cultivating it for the past few days.”
This was beyond Dongfang Xuanxiao’s expectations. He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down.
“Let’s see his performance, then.”
Dongfang Xuanxiao had just finished speaking when Dongfang Xuanyu decided to taunt him. “Some people are just weak yet brave. A mere initial Earthly Core Realm brat dares to request a fight with a Heavenly Core Realm cultivator on the Mortal Arena. I suppose he will only learn his lesson through death.”
She had gone overboard and Yin Mengyao wanted to talk back. Seeing how Dongfang Xuanyu was an elder, however, she could say nothing. Dongfang Xuanxiao ignored her and focused on the two people on the stage.
Dongfang Xuanyu got angry at him for not acknowledging her. Her gaze was dripping with poison when she glared at Dongfang Xuanxiao. How dare this bastard ignore me! I’m at the Heavenly Core Realm too! I deserve respect, yet he’s so aloof. I can’t wait to see your face once Tianxing defeats Long Chen!
Dongfang Xuanyun smiled bitterly between the two of them.
“Brother, your stepson sure is rash. I thought he was reckless when he asked for the Sky Soul Fruit. I suppose a little bit of a setback will help him grow.”
“Let’s just watch. Maybe there will be a miracle.” Dongfang Xuanxiao laughed.
Just then, the emcee stood up and started announcing the start of the match. Everyone stopped discussing and watched what was happening on the stage. The crowd was sure that Long Chen would lose to Dongfang Tianxing. Even though Dongfang Tianxing didn’t know any Earth-tier martial techniques, his Comet Dragon Seal was one of the strongest martial techniques in the family, barring the Earthly-tier technique or the Azure Dragon Combat Technique.
“Do you think Long Chen can use the Azure Dragon Halberd? If he can, his battle strength will skyrocket!”
“Don’t be stupid. It’s only been five days. How could he have comprehended it? Even Tianxuan didn’t manage to learn it!”
“Tianxuan was really unfortunate. She was just a step away.”
The people discussing it were the siblings and cousins of Dongfang Xuanfeng, Dongfang Xuanyu, Dongfang Xuanyun, and Dongfang Xuanxiao. Most of them were at the mid Heavenly Core Realm. Some of them who were less talented were still at the initial Heavenly Core Realm.
Everyone was looking at Dongfang Tianxing. He was standing on the stage while his clothes billowed in the wind. Thinking about how he could soon beat up Long Chen, his heart was itching for it to start. “Hey, brat, didn’t you obtain the Azure Dragon Halberd? How about showing me the Azure Dragon Combat Technique?”
It was a taunt, and everyone laughed at it. Five days was not enough to comprehend it, much less cultivate it. Only a god could do it in such a short period.
But to everyone’s surprise, Long Chen actually brought it out. The sun reflected off the sharp blade, its azure dragon scales shimmering from the light. It contained an unbounded power. This was the first time many in the crowd had seen it.
“Haha!” Dongfang Tianxing laughed out loud. “Long Chen, what are you doing? Are you crazy or stupid?”
Everyone had the same thought.
“Crazy? No, I’m just listening to your suggestion, to use the halberd against you.” Long Chen twirled it around, producing strong shockwaves around him. Everyone was surprised by the power contained within the halberd.
But rather than fear, all of them laughed. Dongfang Xuanyu laughed the loudest. Even Dongfang Xuanyun smiled. Dongfang Tianxuan, however, was very amused by the farce.
Not even she had comprehended it after ten whole days, and yet Long Chen had already cultivated it? Was that even possible?
While everyone was laughing at Long Chen, he actually pointed the Azure Dragon Halberd towards Dongfang Tianxing. He was still calm, as if he was not affected by the crowd. Just then, an enormous pressure exuded from the halberd and engulfed everything surrounding him.
“What?!” The teacup in Dongfang Xuanfeng’s hand fell onto the ground and broke.