The Blazing Thunder Crystal Soul instantly attracted Long Chen’s gaze.
It was a rhombic, blue, translucent crystal about three times larger than a Blazing Thunder Crystal. It looked like a bigger version of it, but the lightning and flames enveloping it were countless times stronger. Even the air surrounding it trembled, as countless bolts of lightning and blue flames flickered within the small room. Even Li Qingling only dared to hide in a spot outside the room, which was not far from Long Chen.
The Blazing Thunder Crystal Soul was indeed terrifying.
Anyone below the Divine Core Realm could die easily from the flames and lightning. Long Chen could sense the prickling sensation on his skin caused by tiny flames and lightning bolts.
That is a magical crystal indeed. The crystal soul is definitely as strong as an Earth-tier Body Tempering combat technique. Its effects are countless times stronger than the Blazing Thunder Crystals. If that brat gets his hands on the crystal soul, I might be no match for him. Long Chen was privately shocked.
Thank goodness that stupid Dongfang Xuanyu told me about this, so now I have the chance to get my hands on it. Plus, I have Xiaolang blocking everyone off in front of the cave. I must not disappoint him.
Long Chen kept himself hidden as these thoughts raced through his mind.
As Li Ziling had already merged with a Blazing Thunder Crystal Soul, she had the power of a Level Three Blazing Thunder Combat Body. She started to force the Blazing Thunder Crystal Soul into submission. If she suppressed it successfully, the crystal soul would turn into a normal crystal that could be merged with fairly easily.
Suppressing the crystal soul involved using a large amount of Qi to squash the Blazing Thunder Crystal Soul’s power into itself so it was contained inside.
This process did not require a long time, but it required powerful Qi.
Although her cultivation level wasn’t high, the Blazing Thunder Power within her Qi, which was more intense than Long Chen’s, gave her the ability to suppress it.
Despite that, it was still a daunting task. Merely seven minutes in, Li Ziling was already drenched in sweat. Sweat soaked through her clothes, faintly revealing her fair skin and delicate curves. Long Chen’s mouth went dry.
It looks like suppressing that thing is indeed an exhausting task … Long Chen smirked to himself. The more Li Ziling exhausted herself, the better it was for him.
Fifteen minutes passed. With great effort from Li Ziling, the rate at which the Blazing Thunder Crystal Soul’s destructive power receded was detectable by the naked eye.
At this point, not much energy was flowing out of the crystal. Only a thick layer of fire and lightning was wrapped around the Blazing Thunder Crystal Soul. Although it was small now, if the power it contained was unleashed, its effect would be even more terrifying.
He would get his chance soon. Long Chen tried his best to quiet his mind. His eyes darted at Li Qingling, who was nearby, and he had an idea.
Li Ziling was using all the Qi she had to suppress the Blazing Thunder Crystal Soul. When the suppression was almost complete, she was already panting, though there was unconcealable excitement in her beautiful eyes.
Grandfather was right. Suppressing the crystal soul will help condense my Qi and increase my ability to control my own Qi. I’m almost there … As she watched the lightning and fire outside the Blazing Thunder Crystal Soul shrink, she held her breath, waiting for the moment of success.
“It’s done.” A beautiful smile appeared on her delicate face.
She had finally suppressed the crystal soul. She was so tired that her face was pale, and she was on the verge of collapsing. But she was excited.
This act had helped her become stronger, and it would boost her younger brother’s strength. He would definitely become extraordinary once he merged with the crystal soul.
“Big Sister, is it done?” Li Qingling was overjoyed.
The surrounding flames and lightning had disappeared. The previously violent Blazing Thunder Crystal Soul was now quietly lying in her thin palm.
“Mhm. My effort paid off. We’ve finally succeeded! Qingling …” Despite her exhaustion, she was looking at him smilingly. That was when a red shadow shot out from a spot nearby and pounced on Li Qingling!
This took them by surprise.
There were five powerful representatives guarding the mines, so they never would have imagined that someone could have slipped inside. Also, they had just suppressed the Blazing Thunder Crystal Soul, so their guards were down because of their excitement. Long Chen’s sudden ambush had completely taken them by surprise.
Li Qingling had no time to react at all, because it was completely unexpected. He could only throw one punch, which led to a tsunami-like fist seal charging at Long Chen!
But this was a haphazard attack—how could it beat the well-prepared Long Chen?
“Azure Dragon Combat Technique, Split Yellow River!”
Power erupted from him, and the Azure Dragon Halberd turned into a dragon, shattering the fist seal. It then struck Li Qingling’s shoulder. Li Qingling screamed at the impact and blood sprayed out of his mouth. He was about to collapse.
“Who are you?! You have a death wish!” Li Ziling had only just noticed Long Chen, but he had already neutralized Li Qingling. When Li Ziling was about to attack, Long Chen had already put the Azure Dragon Halberd away, using his post-Dragon Soul Transformation claws to strangle Li Qingling. If he wanted to, he could kill Li Qingling any time with his long, sharp claws.
“Girl, if you want him to live, you’d better relax …” Long Chen smiled shamelessly as he used Li Qingling to block her. His sneer was even more chilling in his post-transformation form.
“Who are you?” asked Li Qingling. Li Ziling was shocked that Li Qingling had fallen into the enemy’s hands in just the blink of an eye. Due to Long Chen’s sharp claws, she had no choice but to stand down and calm her nerves.
“I don’t care who you are! You threatened a member of the Dawn Trading Alliance, so you are fated to die. You brat, let him go and disappear from my sight! Then I might let you live!” exclaimed Li Ziling as she stared at him coldly.
“You’re spicy. Not bad, that’s the type I like.” Long Chen laughed, not afraid of her at all. He continued, “Alright, I’m sure a girl your age isn’t that naïve. Since I’m willing to do something as risky as this, I won’t leave without getting something out of it. I only have one small request—give me the Blazing Thunder Crystal Soul in your hand, and I will leave immediately. Plus, I guarantee not to hurt even a hair on this brat’s body.”
“And if I refuse?” The enemy was indeed after the crystal soul. This was not surprising to Li Ziling. She saw her younger brother trembling in the enemy’s hands, severely injured with blood flowing from the corner of his lips. Li Ziling’s face twitched. She had always looked out for her little brother.
“If you refuse, he will die. I will give you ten breaths’ time to think. I’ll start counting soon, and with every count, I will dig a piece of flesh from his body. I’d like to see who gives up first, you or me. Haha … Where should I pick for my first count? Alright, I’ll pick the part he’ll use to carry on his lineage. He can still live well without that piece.”
“You bastard! Don’t you threaten me! Do you think the Dawn Trading Alliance is easy to bully?” cried Li Ziling through gritted teeth, startled.
“It’s best you don’t waste your time with me. And don’t use the Dawn Trading Alliance to threaten me either. I am bold enough to be here today, and I am bold enough to cut off his private parts. This means I am not afraid. If you want to test me, and see if I’m telling the truth, that’s alright. This brat won’t be able to have a taste of women for the rest of his life, haha …”
“Big Sister! Save me, save me! I don’t want the Blazing Thunder Crystal Soul! Save me!” This was a terrifying ordeal for Li Qingling, and he was more afraid of losing that than having his arm chopped off. When Long Chen’s claws moved to his crotch, his features contorted and hot tears flowed, almost making him cry for his parents.
Given the violence that was mixed with his cold aura, Li Qingling did not dare question Long Chen’s words.
“You!” Li Ziling’s face turned purple with rage. The Blazing Thunder Crystal Soul was a present she had prepared for her brother, and she had spent so much effort to suppress it, exhausting almost all her energy. How could she willingly give it to another person?
However, she had no choice. Her father only had one son. If her little brother’s little brother was gone, her family could no longer carry its name on. Then she would be a criminal to them.
“Alright, I’ll agree to your terms!” Li Ziling said, clenching her teeth.
“What a good kid! You should have said so earlier. I treat good girls well! Toss it over,” said Long Chen creepily.
Li Ziling didn’t do as he said. She tossed the Blazing Thunder Crystal Soul towards the outside of the cave, so it flew past him and hit the wall behind him.
Long Chen would have to leave to get it.
“I told you to toss it to me, why did you have to pull a trick like that?” Long Chen grinned and let Li Qingling go. He used the Nine Dragon Flashes and instantly arrived at the spot where it landed. He picked it up quickly and stored it in his Universe Pouch. After he put it away, Li Ziling was already pouncing on him!
This was the reason why she had thrown it far away!
“Die, you bastard!” Using the little Qi left in her body and her Level Three Blazing Thunder Combat Body, she threw a hard punch. Although she was already at her limit, this punch was no ordinary punch.
“This is nothing.” The Azure Dragon Halberd appeared instantly in Long Chen’s hand, and he swung it around, sending a powerful attack at her!
“Azure Dragon Combat Technique, Split Yellow River, Shattered Skies!”
The two consecutive attacks sent the already fatigued Li Ziling flying. Long Chen laughed and ran out of the cave, out of sight.
“Bastard! Thief! It’s only because I’ve exhausted my power! In my usual state, even ten of you wouldn’t be able to defeat me!” Li Ziling had never been this furious in her life.
Then she recalled something.
“Was that the Azure Dragon Halberd? Was that Long Chen?”