Sovereign Of The Three Realms Chapter 351-360

Sovereign Of The Three Realms

(SOTR)

Chapter 351: Sparring Beneath the Moon

Jiang Chen was as cautious as ever upon returning to his residence. He probed the surroundings and finally entered his room when he was sure that there was nothing out of the ordinary.

After his lesson in the mystic quadrant, he absolutely wouldn’t let anything similar happen a second time.

Three months of training in the mystic quadrant was the equivalent of a year or two in the outside world. Three more months in the earth quadrant was at least six months worth in the mystic quadrant.

“The first level candidates within the earth quadrant are all of the fifth level spirit realm. My current cultivation level is still at the fourth level, and although I need to fear no one in the earth quadrant with this level, it’s not quite enough to face the genius disciples in the sky quadrant. It looks like I need to make good use of these three months in the earth quadrant. I need to strive harder to continue my progress and break through to the fifth level.”

Jiang Chen also knew that the chance to train in the Eternal Spirit Mountain was rare.

His cultivation level had advanced rapidly, but those within the sky spirit quadrant weren’t there for a vacation either. Since they were in an environment that was even more superior, perhaps their improvement was similarly quite rapid.

Therefore, he had to try his best to maintain his momentum and ensure that he didn’t fall behind that much.

“Although the treasures that I have give me the ability to challenge those with higher cultivation levels, when I reach the sky quadrant, everyone there will be the proud sons and daughters of the heavens, and will certainly have treasures bestowed upon them by their sect elders. Although their treasures will surely be inferior to the Bewitching Lotus of Fire and Ice and the magnetic golden mountain, I’ve only grasped a surface level control of these two items right now. I can’t even deploy one-one hundredth of their capabilities. I may not have the advantage when I’m faced with the premier sect geniuses and treasures.”

His previous victories hadn’t gone to his head, nor did he become blindly confident.

The Lotus and the magnetic golden mountain were indeed treasures that perhaps even the origin realm old monsters may not be able to comprehend, but he was able to use too little of them at present.

It made his heart itch when he thought about this. Take the magnetic golden mountain for example, it was indeed a treasure mountain with countless numbers of divine arts inside waiting to be claimed.

“Ai, to own a treasure mountain but only be capable of using a tiny bit of it, such as the magnetic power to restrain my enemies or some essence of metal to refine my body, is akin to a starving man looking upon a salted fish while only allowed to eat white rice.”

When he thought of the treasures tucked away in the mountain, Jiang Chen felt an urgent desire to cultivate.

He wanted to release the magnetic storms, summon the golden monsters, attain the Evil Golden Eye, or even summon the Lord of the Golden Seal!

What would be even more impressive was hauling out the entire mountain and using it in the most primitive way to crush his enemies. That kind of thrilling feeling was something that could not be described in words.

Jiang Chen had actually tried to do so before, but such domineering methods were something that he was wholly unable to try at the moment.

The Evil Golden Eye would be comparatively easier because Jiang Chen had trained his eyes already with the God’s Eye. He estimated that he’d be able to attempt training with this treasure after entering the sky spirit realm.

The Evil Golden Eye wasn’t just an art of the eye. The wielder also needed enormous strength of heart and heaven-defying control of the power of metal essence.

The Evil Golden Eye actually made use of the arts of the eye to freeze one’s soul, unwittingly using metal essence to petrify one into a golden statue.

This art looked sinister beyond belief, but its basic principle was just that simple.

When this art reached its peak, all of the steps would be completed in one go and the art deployed with a mere thought.

This was why it even made one feel that the Eye was evil.

After all, turning someone into a golden sculpture with one glance was indeed a bit terrifying.

But when its profound principles were stripped away, there wasn’t much of a secret at its core.

As for the Bewitching Lotus of Fire and Ice, Jiang Chen had actually continued to develop it step by step. His cultivation level had continued to grow with the expansion of his spirit ocean, and his grasp of the Lotus grew more and more adept.

It had been six lotuses before, but he could now control twelve at once, and his methods were more and more covert.

In his match with Ouyang Jian, he’d actually made use of the Lotus.

However, the Lotus had remained beneath the ring and hadn’t revealed itself at all. The outside world had seen no traces of it.

Ouyang Jian’s imposing Raging Tide of Flames had been halted by the Lotus of Fire and Ice.

They had been swallowed by the Lotus in the end as well.

Jiang Chen flourishing his sleeve had been just a smokescreen to bedazzle the audience’s eyes.

“The earth quadrant is indeed different from the mystic quadrant. The five rings all have their unique areas, and they’re an enormous trial to the candidates as well. In this way, the difficulty of the matches will be raised by quite a bit. It’s apparent to see from the fact that the highest rate of successive wins earlier today was just three.”

Jiang Chen also felt that competition was fierce in the earth quadrant when he thought back to the battle conditions of today.

The sound of someone knocking on his door traveled in from outside the courtyard.

Jiang Chen used the Ear of the Zephyr to notice that the visitor was Liu Wencai.

He noticed that it was indeed the young man from the Myriad Spirit Sect when he opened the door. Liu Wencai smiled ingratiatingly, “Brother Boulder, have I disturbed you?”

“Come on in.” Jiang Chen was naturally happy that a friend had come visiting.

Jiang Chen had no friends he could particularly chat with ever since Xiao Fei had left. When he’d gotten to know Liu Wencai earlier today, he’d felt that although this person was full of high spirits and was an extrovert, he was also a rare sect disciple who was truly genuine.

“I hadn’t dared to disturb you, but as I meditated in my residence and thought of what Brother Boulder had taught me earlier today, I became more and more engrossed as I thought about it and felt that my gains were great. Therefore, I couldn’t help but want to come by and thank you.” Liu Wencai offered a scroll with a smile, “Brother Boulder, I don’t have much to thank you with. These are a few of my thoughts and reflections with regards to taming spirit creatures. I don’t know if it’ll be of any help, but I wanted to give them to Brother Boulder to express my gratitude. Please accept it if you think enough of it, or give it to someone else some day if you don’t.”

It could be seen that he was the type to return a favor with a favor, and wasn’t the sort to gain advantage through unfair means.

Jiang Chen knew that he was speaking with complete sincerity when he looked at the other’s genuine, serious expression.

Jiang Chen didn’t turn him down and accepted with a smile, “The reflections of a Myriad Spirit Sect genius will surely be quite useful. Perhaps I’ll really have use for it in the future?”

Jiang Chen wasn’t the sort to not show his friends face. Even when he knew that he would never have use for something of this level.

Anything he took out from his past memories would be enough for the entire Myriad Spirit Sect to spend ten or a hundred years digesting.

However, this was a friend’s sentiments. Even if it was a blade of grass or a tile, it was still a token of friendship.

With this friendship, it was enough to prove that this person wasn’t someone who would be ungrateful, doing things such as burning a bridge after crossing it.

“Right, there’s something that I want to remind you of as well. You defeated Ouyang Jian with great fanfare today. I listened to the sect disciples’ conversations, and Master Shuiyue seems to be quite infuriated. The entire Purple Sun Sect seems to be banding together to suppress you. You need to be mentally prepared.” Liu Wencai warned.

“The Purple Sun Sect has always been one to bully the good. I’d find it odd if they didn’t do so. However, aren't you afraid of being targeted by the Purple Sun Sect as well in coming to find me?”

Liu Wencai smiled ruefully, “They can’t even be bothered to look at a small character like me seriously. Haven’t you seen that the peers in my own sect pay no attention to me, much less than the Purple Sun Sect?”

“There are no small characters beneath the heavens, only cowards who think little of themselves. Who will value you if you belittle yourself?”

Liu Wencai started laughing heartily when he heard these words, “Indeed, indeed. We’re small characters in other’s eyes, but we must possess the lofty aspirations of an indomitable spirit ourselves!”

“Indeed, as long as we have lofty aspirations, hope yet remains.” Jiang Chen nodded. “Brother, the night is young. Why don’t the two of us spar for a bit?”

Jiang Chen began to admire Liu Wencai more and more. He was of the mind to help him, but couldn’t very well put up a front of “I’m going to be your teacher”.

Therefore, his proposal of a spar was to pick out some of Liu Wencai’s technical flaws through practical battle, and point out some of the holes that the latter would easily reveal.

Although Jiang Chen’s level of training was only at the fourth level spirit realm, his knowledge of martial dao was quite high!

Jiang Chen had watched Liu Wencai’s match in the ring earlier in the day. That his enemy hadn’t been strong was one reason for his victory, and the natural momentum after his sudden insight had been another.

Factors related to fighting technique had actually been less prevalent in that match.

Jiang Chen had managed to pick out many flaws when he’d watched that match.

“Attack me with all you’ve got.” Jiang Chen said to Liu Wencai in the yard.

Liu Wencai had seen Jiang Chen’s abilities and knew that he wasn’t being cocky. He was also privately happy. He knew that it was a rare opportunity for experts to be able to spar.

Perhaps, Brother Boulder wanted to give him pointers!

He roared lowly, “Be careful, Brother Boulder!”

Wham!

Liu Wencai gave a tiger’s roar as his two fists formed illusions, triggering the winds and clouds and making for Jiang Chen’s chest.

“The rhythm between your left and right fists isn’t harmonious enough. Your two fists should be able to attack and defend, but with your scattered rhythm, you’ll be unable to either attack or defend when you meet a true expert.”

Jiang Chen reached out a palm as he spoke and cut across Liu Wencai’s left fist, following through to point at his throat.

Just like Jiang Chen had said, he was neither able to defend nor attack.

Liu Wencai’s face reddened. He’d been thinking just now that, you can identify flaws when I’ve only just started my move? He’d even thought that Jiang Chen had spoken too early.

However, he fully accepted things in the next moment.

Jiang Chen wasn’t just running off at his mouth. He’d magnified the other’s problems with just a careless palm.

“Again.”

Jiang Chen backed up a step with a frosty tone. His entire demeanor had changed when they'd started sparring.

The two young men started fighting against each other beneath the night sky.

They actually forgot all sense of self in the midst of sparring. They only came to themselves when the sun rose and the roosters started crowing.

When they glanced at the sky again, it was already pre-dawn.

“Haha, brilliant, fantastic! Brother Boulder, you’re truly my good senior brother and even my good teacher. I’ve gained much in participating in this selection, simply because I could make your acquaintance.”

Liu Wencai had gained quite a great deal after a night of sparring.

“Brother Boulder, there’s still roughly four hours left. I’m going to go back and meditate so I can digest the gains of this night.” Liu Wencai was both excited and agitated.

He subtly felt that this night’s sparring would improve his techniques to perfection and greatly enhance his fighting strength!

Chapter 352: A Shameless String of Fights

For Jiang Chen, sparring with Liu Wencai hadn’t resulted in gains as large as the latter’s, but it hadn’t been a total waste for him either.

Practical experience was always useful.

Liu Wencai’s technique and strength were actually not bad. He possessed exceedingly high potential. When Jiang Chen had faced off against him, he discovered that perhaps because Liu Wencai was the son of a hunter, he’d used the blood of various beasts to refine his meridians since he was young. This had resulted in the phenomenon of dragons and tigers in his blood, muscles, and meridians.

This phenomenon could be an innate factor, or it could something that was cultivated after one was born as well.

“Liu Wencai may be someone who can be shaped. It’s a pity that his humble background made his sect overlook him, and he came even further down in the world when he lost his backer. His potential likely remains untapped, and it could be beyond people’s imagination.”

Jiang Chen discovered that Liu Wencai was beyond the ordinary after a night of sparring.

Jiang Chen adjusted his breathing and he rested after returning to his room. Post battle was the best time to nurture one’s spirit. Cultivating, refining, and reforging spirit power would see the best results during this time.

Jiang Chen finally opened his eyes when the time to a.s.semble was almost upon him, and a hint of a smile eked out from the corners of his lips.

He had indeed had some gains after a night of sparring.

He left his residence and arrived at the Hundred Challenges Arena.

It was the second day of the matches, and it was apparent that every candidate was full of enthusiasm, and the spirit of not wanting to lose was written all over their faces.

The candidates of the earth quadrant were indeed more ambitious and hardworking.

These candidates wavered between second tier and preliminary first tier in their sects. They’d be able to join the ranks of the first tier with a little bit of fortune.

Making it to the first tier would make them core disciples, able to receive the sect’s true legacy.

It could be seen that they were all striving to their utmost for this goal.

Jiang Chen solemnly respected all those with dreams.

However, there were exceptions as well, such as the Purple Sun Sect’s disciples. Jiang Chen had felt their unfriendly looks since early in the morning.

It was obvious that they’d gathered last night to discuss how to exact revenge on him and put the ball back in their court.

Although these disciples may not have the strongest relations.h.i.+p with Ouyang Jian, the latter’s crus.h.i.+ng defeat was an affront to the sect’s face.

The Purple Sun Sect disciples naturally wouldn’t remain unmoved when their sect had lost face.

“A bunch of trash that only knows how to form groups. None of them can withstand even a blow when they’re separated.” Jiang Chen couldn’t be bothered with these disciples.

He found a relatively empty spot and he sat down cross legged, silently waiting for the new day’s worth of challenges.

Liu Wencai came over before long as well, but he wasn’t alone this time. There was someone else with him, and this person rather surprised Jiang Chen.

This was because he knew who the person with Liu Wencai was.

The new person was the Myriad Spirit Sect fatty that Jiang Chen had selected for his first win. This amusing fellow had a spike shaped face atop his rotund body. His face was round at the bottom and it tapered off at the top. Accompanied with two thin legs, his body proportions were quite odd.

To put it in other words, he was thin at the ends and thick in the middle.

His eyebrows also had quite a bit of character. They were imbued with a comical feeling. His thin eyes would form a line when he smiled, but a sharp sense of shrewdness suffused his eyes.

He looked open and honest, but he was actually full of schemes.

That was Jiang Chen’s first impression of the little fatty. But after yesterday’s battle, Jiang Chen thought more warmly of this fellow.

This was the first guy that he’d met who’d dared bring a pa.s.sive att.i.tude into battle.

One had to know that if someone being challenged was unenthused in their match, they may very well face punishment.

“Brother Boulder, this is… ” Liu Wencai had just opened his mouth and was about to make introductions, when the little fatty stretched out a meaty hand and stopped Liu Wencai.

The fatty chuckled, “Junior brother Wencai, you don’t need to make introductions. I, Fatty Lu, have long desired to meet Brother Boulder.”

This little fatty was a disciple of the Myriad Spirit Sect, named Lu Yali. However, because he was shaped like a fat pear, people often mocked him by calling him as Lu Pear [1. Yali sounds the same as the Chinese characters for "pear".].

“Brother Boulder, my name is Lu Yali, but people call me Lu Pear. Pleased to make your acquaintance and please keep an eye out for me in the future.” The little fatty was one who warmed up to others by himself and he didn’t feel standoffish.

“h.e.l.lo.” Jiang Chen shook hands with the little fatty.

Liu Wencai was a bit awkward off on the side. He hadn’t thought that Fatty Lu would come find him today, and he hadn't thought that Fatty Lu would want to meet Jiang Chen no matter what.

Although the two were of the same sect, and they interacted a bit normally, there wasn’t much of a friends.h.i.+p between them.

In addition, apart from a few hangers-on in the mystic quadrant, he had no close friends in the earth quadrant at all, so he was rather on his guard when Fatty Lu suddenly appeared.

However, according to his understanding of Fatty Lu, this fellow had always played the none-too-glamorous role of a clown in the sect because of his body shape.

He was often jeered at, teased, and even beaten or cursed at.

However, Fatty Lu had always been quite optimistic. He was always smiling, and this kind of survival technique allowed him to carve a small s.p.a.ce for himself amongst the younger generation of the Myriad Spirit Sect.

However, because of his personality, a few of the true geniuses looked properly at him at all. Therefore, Fatty Lu didn’t have any truly good friends that he could talk to in the sect.

This was why Liu Wencai hadn’t rejected him out of hand when Lu Fatty came to find Liu Wencai.

It was said that one should not reach out a hand to slap a smiling face.

Looking at Fatty Lu, he also wanted to find people to form a group with. Based on Jiang Chen’s cold eyed observation, Fatty Lu was also one of those in a more awkward situation in the Myriad Spirit Sect.

Otherwise, none of the more normal disciples would come to form a group with him now.

He wasn’t repulsed by the idea, and the matches began as the three chatted and laughed.

None of them made it into the list of challengers in the first batch.

However, Jiang Chen’s name appeared in the list of those being challenged shortly thereafter.

“Brother Boulder, may you succeed at the very start.” Liu Wencai said.

Fatty Lu chuckled, “It doesn’t matter! The wins and losses when you’re challenged don’t count in the final score after all.”

This was Fatty Lu’s rules of survival. It was fine if he discarded some of his face in order to better his chances of survival.

Most candidates being challenged would try their hardest for considerations of face.

Cultivators didn’t like to lose. So even they were the ones being challenged and this match didn’t count for anything, most candidates were unwilling to lose and become the backdrop for someone else’s victory.

This was why compet.i.tion was very fierce. Candidates such as Fatty Lu with no principles were very rare.

Jiang Chen’s opponent was a fourth level disciple from the Precious Tree Sect in the ring of ice.

He had intentions to hold back his strength. So when faced with this opponent, he pretended to be trying quite hard, but he used none of his trump cards.

Thus, they fought until the end of the time limit, whereupon Jiang Chen just barely managed to use the advantage of the ring to prevent his opponent from winning.

Even if someone who was being challenged won, they’d have to leave the ring.

When Jiang Chen walked down from the ring, he was met with Fatty Lu’s s.h.i.+fty-eyed, bizarre smile. “Brother Boulder, you look like a good man with strong features, but who would’ve thought that your acting skills are even better than I, Fatty Lu’s?”

Jiang Chen knew that this little fatty was shrewd and he didn’t chat much with him. He sat down cross legged with a smile.

He hadn’t sat down for long before his name was chosen again.

“This is odd. You’ve only just sat down and you’ve been selected again. Is someone playing with you?” Liu Wencai felt that it was unfair as conspiracy theories filled his mind.

His opponent had changed to the first level candidate of the Flowing Wind Sect, and he was in the ring of ice again.

The first level candidate of the Flowing Wind Sect was two levels higher than Ouyang Jian had been. This was an easy opponent to face off against.

Since he had been chosen, Jiang Chen naturally wouldn’t evade the battle.

He entered the ring and started fighting. With his personality, he wouldn’t choose to lose even if he was the one being challenged.

He absolutely didn’t accept Fatty Lu’s method of survival in this.

Of course, even if it was a first level disciple, he couldn’t force Jiang Chen to use all his strength.

Jiang Chen acted even more mightily this time, finally turning the match into a hard fought battle in which he almost lost.

Another match in which he’d barely won, one could almost say it was a pyrrhic victory.

Jiang Chen walked down from the ring with ‘exhaustion’ on his face.

The smile on Fatty Lu’s face became even more p.r.o.nounced. It was funny, even Liu Wencai thought that Jiang Chen had expended too much energy in two successive matches, leading to his tiredness.

However, Fatty Lu’s bizarre smile also fully explained that he knew that Jiang Chen was still acting.

The show that the two had put on yesterday had enabled Fatty Lu to gain a deep understanding of Jiang Chen’s acting skills. Therefore, only he knew that Jiang Chen was absolutely putting on an act.

“Senior brother fatty, don’t disturb Brother Boulder.” Liu Wencai said. “He’s fought two times in a row and he has expended great effort. He must rest and recover. Otherwise, if it’s his turn to be the challenger, he’ll be in a weak position then!”

Fatty Lu chuckled. “Alright, alright.”

As smart as he was, he knew that it was enough to merely know some things and not thoroughly reveal them. It was enough to have a tacit understanding. Putting things out in the open meant that they might become ruined by their own cleverness.

This time, an even more bizarre thing happened.

Jiang Chen hadn't even warmed his seat before his name was chosen again. He was still the one being challenged.

This time, even Fatty Lu felt that there was something afoot here, to say nothing else of Liu Wencai. Fatty Lu said musingly, “The winds are a bit strange today. Can it be such a coincidence that one is selected to be challenged three times in a row?”

There were also questions in Jiang Chen’s heart.

However, the thing to avoid when a cultivator was fighting a match was wild speculation. Since he’d been chosen, whether it was real or a cheat, what did he fear?

His opponent this time was He Yan of the Purple Sun Sect.

“He Yan? He ranks as number four amongst Master Shuiyue’s ten main disciples. He’s a seeded candidate in the top twenty in the earth quadrant!” Although Fatty Lu’s strength wasn’t particularly strong, his gossip abilities were very practiced. He knew all sorts of random news, intelligence, and information with great familiarity like the back of his hand.

“Humph! Tiring out someone through several rounds of successive fights. How shameful!” Liu Wencai wasn’t suspicious now, but he felt that Master Shuiyue had done this on purpose.

She’d first arranged for two strong opponents to wear away at Jiang Chen, and then she sent her own disciples in the end. Master Shuiyue was absolutely manipulating the selection!

Liu Wencai was greatly angered and he felt that a great injustice had been done to Jiang Chen.

Chapter 353: What’s the Point of Keeping Trash?

The most ludicrous thing was that it was still the ring of ice this time.

As calm as Jiang Chen was, he too knew that someone was doing this all on purpose. Thinking back to the mystic quadrant, even someone as righteous as Master Fang had manipulated the matches, purposefully benching Jiang Chen.

Of course, he had done so to protect Jiang Chen.

However, with today’s situation, Jiang Chen would never believe that there wasn’t a human factor at play here.

Except, the manipulation this time wasn’t to protect him, but precisely the opposite. It was to suppress him.

He’d been challenged three times in a row and had barely had any time to rest. For all three times, the ring of ice had been selected.

What did this mean?

This meant that this was absolutely being arranged purposefully by someone. The two strong opponents beforehand had just been an introduction to exhaust him.

He Yan was the true main act.

Jiang Chen smiled coldly in his heart, and threw a sarcastic, meaningful flick towards Master Shuiyue. His lips curved slightly upwards, drawing out a mocking arc.

For a vaunted sect heavyweight and keeper of the earth quadrant to resort to such shameless tactics, this really made Jiang Chen look down on her.

“This old woman laid out a good plot alright. She first used two other people to exhaust me, and then sends her own prized disciple to challenge me. Wearing me down so that I can finally be defeated, how amazingly shameless.”

Jiang Chen quickly saw through Master Shuiyue’s scheme.

Actually, it wouldn’t even be called a scheme, but just blatant manipulation.

However, people could only guess in the absence of evidence and couldn’t actually accuse Master Shuiyue of anything.

When he saw Master Shuiyue’s n.o.ble and righteous expression, Jiang Chen only felt that this woman was unspeakably fake and disgusting.

“Trying to play me with these methods?” The pride in Jiang Chen's bones started stirring as well. “The more you want to drag me down, the more I won’t let you succeed. You want to use your prized disciple to destroy me and help him along his path? I d.a.m.n well won’t let you see your carefully laid plan play out!”

Jiang Chen had indeed purposefully kept his strength in check in the last two battles because he’d been the one challenged. He hadn’t used any ultimate moves at all.

The so-called drain on his energies was negligible. It had been feigned to confuse the enemy.

The fruits of his feint were apparent. He Yan deeply believed what he saw, and a bizarre hint of a smile was on his face. He looked like he was evaluating prey as he swept his eyes impertinently up and down at Jiang Chen.

The situation was like that of a fierce beast with his prey underfoot, debating on where to begin devouring it.

“Who comes? Report your name. I, He Yan, don’t kill nameless opponents.” He Yan laughed coldly and put on an air.

He knew more clearly than anyone who this opponent was. All of this had been prearranged.

However, he’d said this to raise his own morale and beat down on his opponent. These were the common tactics that sect disciples used.

To Jiang Chen, this was simply too trite.

He couldn’t even be bothered to look at He Yan as he said in an aloof tone, “Stop strutting around and get to it. Let me see if a so-called prized disciple is worthy of me truly putting forth some effort.”

He Yan had finally managed to create an atmosphere in which he ruled supreme, but Jiang Chen had wrecked it completely when he dumped this basin of cold water over him.

“Country b.u.mpkins are ill mannered indeed.” He Yan controlled his anger with effort and cursed, “Kid, since you’ve come to the ring of ice, then let me customize an ice coffin for you!”

“You were taught by a female master alright. You’re loquacious, blathering, and noisy!” Jiang Chen frowned.

This basin of cold water was even worse than the previous one, and it completely doused He Yan’s second round of ambition.

He Yan realized dejectedly that since this savage kid was thoroughly uncivilized, it was impossible to use a sense of propriety, justice, honesty and honor to provoke him.

It looked like he could only use brute force to beat the other into submission.

A crease formed across his brow as He Yan spread out his arms, lightly waving the five fingers of each hand in time with a soft tempo.

Frost-white beams of starry sparkles began to emanate from his hands.

“Star Harvester, form!”

He Yan suddenly brought his two palms forward as his body charged forward like lightning. Beams of splendor formed a ma.s.s of icy frost and seemed to freeze the very air of the surroundings.

Jiang Chen only looked ahead of him, and saw translucent crystals form in every inch of the air like ice crystals.

He Yan’s “Star Harvester” had traveled to Jiang Chen’s chest in the next moment.

Once the Star Harvester connected, even the lightest touch would be enough to freeze one’s blood, and turn one into an icicle.

He Yan was full of confidence about this move. His years of practice with it were absolutely not empty bl.u.s.ter.

Jiang Chen remained firmly where he was standing as countless numbers of ice crystals formed in all directions, traveling to his feet in a second and freezing him up to his knees.

“Haha, kid, you’re dead meat!”

He Yan exulted in mad delight when he saw that his ice crystals had trapped the other’s feet.

He hadn’t thought that the secular genius would be so confident to not even move when facing his attack. Was he being stubborn? Or had he been exhausted too much in the previous two battles?

“You can’t hate me for this, you can only blame yourself for being idiotic!” He Yan didn’t have the slightest trace of mercy in his heart. The more pitiful his enemy was, the more excited he would be.

He leered as he pressed down his palm on Jiang Chen’s chest.

Bam!

A vicious palm was imprinted directly onto his chest as it sounded lowly.

In the next instant, the powerful power of ice concentrated in the “Star Harvester” started spreading from the palm and ice crystals formed along its path.

Jiang Chen seemed to be frozen solid.

This scene completely stunned everyone watching beneath the ring. Was this a fight? This was a one-sided slaughter!

They hadn’t seen the secular candidate move at all from beginning to end. Had the secular disciple been exhausted of all of his spirit power in the first two battles and had been frozen as soon as he’d set foot in the ring of ice?

“Brother Boulder!” Liu Wencai’s chest was about to explode from anger when he saw this. He was certain that Jiang Chen had expended too much energy in the first two battles, causing him to be be hit and frozen by the other’s move.

Fatty Lu also displayed a trace of surprise. He too was a bit hesitant in this moment. He’d thought all along that Jiang Chen was acting, that he was pretending to be tired.

But if this was the case, why had He Yan so easily hit him in this moment?

“Haha, this country b.u.mpkin isn’t all powerful now, is he? The ring of ice is indeed his h.e.l.l. Senior brother He, show your magnanimous mercy and make him an ice coffin!”

“It’s such an easy way out for him to be beaten to death like this! This kid shouldn’t die so easily like this after offending our Purple Sun Sect!”

“He dares offend Master Shuiyue, who’s courting for death if not him?”

A hubbub of discussion arose beneath the ring.

Mater Shuiyue hadn’t seemed to think that the match would go so successfully. She almost suspected in this moment that all of the strong performances the secular genius had put on were actually just a hoax.

Otherwise, how would he have fallen so easily? Or was it that he’d been truly emptied out in the previous two battles and had run out of tricks in the ring of ice?

“He Yan didn’t disappoint me alright. Although the forefather may admonish such a result, that’s nothing to be bothered about. There is life and death in the rings. Everything is normal.” A large stone hovering over Master Shuiyue’s heart could finally be set down as this time.

However, a beam of light shot out of her eyes just as she finished these thoughts, and a foreboding feeling a.s.saulted her.

“He Yan, be careful!” Master Shuiyue blurted out.

He Yan was quite proud of himself and just about to admire his artwork when he suddenly realized that he couldn’t move his hand!

The palm that he’d placed on his opponent’s chest seemed to be stuck in place by an enormous power.

When he took a closer look, his own palm had actually been frozen as well along with his opponent’s chest.

“What’s going on?!” He Yan was scared witless by this. How could a cultivator who was adept at using ice techniques, freeze his own hand?

What a joke!

He jerked with all his strength, but couldn’t budge at all. He was truly panicking now, and was looking at the candidate in front of him with disbelief.

The pride he had previously had utterly vanished by now to be replaced by a coldness akin to falling into a cavern of ice.

The other’s stern face that’d seemed to be carved in stone suddenly revealed a trace of a mocking smile. “Star Harvester? Instead of harvesting the stars, it seems like you’ve trapped your own hand. I say, your hand wouldn’t be useful even if you went to harvest vegetables at a garden, much less than the stars. Trash indeed!”

A red light suddenly flashed around Jiang Chen’s body as all the ice crystals seemed to be melted in an instant, transforming into clouds of white mist and rising into the air.

“Since it’s trash, why bother keeping this hand?” Jiang Chen smiled cruelly as his body moved, his right hand on the other’s wrist.

He shouted as a powerful force surged forward, ripping off He Yan’s arm with a crack like he was harvesting lotus roots.

“Ah!!” He Yan cried out ghastly and almost fainted from the pain. His entire arm had been ripped off, flesh and bone. The magnitude of that pain was imaginable.

“Tras.h.!.+”

Jiang Chen lifted a leg and connected solidly with He Yan’s chest like he was kicking a rubber ball. The latter drew a beautiful arc through the air as he flew off the ring.

Jiang Chen rubbed his hands over the arm in his hand and turned it to dust.

This gesture made Jiang Chen seem incredibly imposing and magnificent, shaking the observers beneath the ring so that they couldn’t help but tremble, true fear filling their eyes.

Jiang Chen’s actions had been exceedingly quick, not leaving any time for anyone to react. Even if Master Shuiyue had wanted to react, she would’ve been too late.

When she came to her senses, her prized disciple was already flying off the ring, his condition unknown. She dashed out and rushed for He Yan.

Killing intent abruptly exploded in Master Shuiyue’s eyes. The temperature around the ring descended rapidly, and even the skies seemed to turn dark.

Chapter 354: Stunning the Earth Quadrant

Jiang Chen’s two moves had been quite ruthless. The force from his grab crippled He Yan’s hand, and the force from his kick thoroughly wasted He Yan’s spirit ocean.

There wasn’t the slightest trace of mercy.

He’d no need to show any mercy either. In that moment previously, He Yan had shown none, and had absolutely wanted to fight Jiang Chen to the death.

Even those observing the match had thought that He Yan had killed Jiang Chen.

Therefore, when faced with someone who wanted to kill him, how could Jiang Chen show any mercy?

Master Shuiyue took a glance, and the killing intent in her phoenix eyes exploded out with no boundary. She let out a long whistle as a fierce aura broiled upwards.

“Dumb animal, you dare cripple my disciple?!”

This imposing aura didn’t frighten Jiang Chen.

He remained as distant as the clouds and winds, a remote expression appearing on his face as he flicked a glance towards Master Shuiyue like he was looking at an idiot.

“Him wanting to kill me was natural and right, but me crippling him violated one of heaven’s laws? Is this the four great sects’ selection or your Purple Sun Sect selection? Go back to your sect if you want you word to be law or if you want to be tyrannical. No one will interfere with you there. What are you strutting around here for?”

Jiang Chen laughed coldly, wholly unafraid of Master Shuiyue’s, whose posture was like she wanted to eat someone.

Since they’d erupted in open hostility, there was no need to put on a veneer of politeness.

You’re the keeper alright.

But if you keep suppressing me this shamelessly, then I’ll be d.a.m.ned if I keep playing with you. If it comes down to it, we’ll just have a huge fight and then have nothing to do with each other.

Jiang Chen knew that the four great sects were a mutually restraining force, and they would never let this old woman act as she would.

She had gone out for wool, but came home shorn instead. A flash of regret and apology appeared in Master Shuiyue’s heart as she looked down at the crippled and now useless He Yan.

In the end, it’d been her arbitrary willfulness that had harmed her disciple.

He Yan probably wouldn’t have ended up in such tragic straits if she hadn’t obstinately wanted to target the secular genius.

What was most laughable was that she’d been so self satisfied with her previous plans, but had ultimately been hoodwinked by the secular genius.

The exhaustion that he’d displayed in the previous two battles had been to purposefully show a weak side to his enemies and baffle his opponents.

How pitiful that, even her, a sect heavyweight, had naively believed this.

Master Shuiyue was utterly infuriated at this moment. She’d truly picked up a stone to smash down upon her own foot.

“Good, good, good! I, Shuiyue, have dominated the sixteen kingdoms for over a hundred years. You’re the first person who dares waste my disciple in front of me.”

If an examiner could make a move, Master Shuiyue would’ve, at this moment, given absolutely no thought to anything else to kill Jiang Chen.

However, she could only hold her nose and keep it in for now. The hate in her chest, though, roiled up to the heavens.

Jiang Chen shrugged, ignoring Master Shuiyue’s killer look as he pushed off of both feet and floated back down to the ground.

“You won’t die if you don’t come asking for it. I hope that there are more of these idiots who come seeking death.”

Jiang Chen showed the image of his back to Master Shuiyue and said faintly.

“Master Shuiyue, let me advise you about something. You will bring down consequences on yourself if your actions are unjust. You don’t need to send your disciples to their death even if you’re that prejudiced against me.”

He didn’t need to worry about being challenged after getting off the ring this time. A candidate could only be challenged at most three times a day.

He had already been challenged three times in a row and had reached his limit.

Jiang Chen ignored the shocked gazes around him and returned to his original spot, sitting down with a grand flourish and paying no heed to the reactions of the outside world.

The other candidates were utterly flabbergasted this time.

Everyone knew that this secular genius was incredible beyond comprehension, but to be so extraordinary was beyond their imagination.

He’d dared to lecture Master Shuiyue!

To the candidates of the earth quadrant, this was high treason and courting death!

Who didn’t know that Master Shuiyue’s personality was domineering? Once she formed a grudge against you, your future in the plot of land that was the earth quadrant would become dismal indeed.

However, the secular genius had dared to do so, and didn’t mince his words at all. He’d dared to say that Master Shuiyue would see the consequences of her own actions!

This tone was sarcastically pointing out that Master Shuiyue was manipulating the trial and purposefully suppressing him, sending her disciples into the ring to suppress him!

However, when the candidates thought carefully, they felt that there was some logic in Jiang Chen’s words.

He did indeed have a reason to lose his temper. He’d been challenged three times in a row, and the challenge times had been so close to each other that they had been almost without pause.

He’d fought one match and had yet to even catch his breath when he was selected again. This had happened three times in a row, and if one were to claim that this was a coincidence, it would truly be a hard sell.

“Could it be that Master Shuiyue is really manipulating the matches to purposefully suppress the secular genius?”

“I hadn’t thought that the Purple Sun Sect would be so biased against the secular genius. There are indeed traces of manipulation in these matches. Otherwise, how could he have been selected three times in a row and been sent to the ring of ice all three times? This was obviously a match set up for He Yan. What a pity that human scheming is no match for the plans of heaven. Who would’ve thought that the secular genius would put on such a fantastic display in the ring of ice?”

Jiang Chen had captured the limelight previously by trampling Ouyang Jian. Everyone had thought that he’d perhaps had some fortuitous circ.u.mstances in the realm of fire, or had some treasure protecting him.

Add to that Jiang Chen’s labored performance in the ring of ice, no one had any thoughts that he’d be able to pull off such a comeback in the ring of ice.

It was now apparent that the secular genius was a shrewd person!

Even the normally crafty Master Shuiyue had been taken in by the illusion crafted by this kid, losing a prized disciple for nothing!

Who would’ve thought that a fellow who had appeared so exhausted previously would suddenly be infused with the vigor of tigers and dragons, easily destroying He Yan?

Who would’ve thought that He Yan’s strong power of ice would become as weak as the remnants of tofu in front of this secular genius?

Everything had looked so accidental, but was also the irrefutable truth.

As they watched Master Shuiyue’s darkened face, the candidate hearts started thumping wildly as they silently prayed that this woman wouldn’t vent her ill temper on anyone else.

At the same time, candidates who’d always been put out by the Purple Sun Sect also felt delighted. They’d felt noticeably that during this time, Master Shuiyue was biased towards the Purple Sun Sect.

However, this kind of prejudice could only be felt, and evidence was hard to obtain.

They’ve only ever been able to be silently outraged about this, but unable to voice their thoughts. Now that they saw someone finally take a stand and attack Master Shuiyue without hesitation, they all felt quite vindicated.

The scales of their hearts unconsciously tilted towards Jiang Chen, the secular candidate.

“This secular genius is indeed frightening. It looks like even the Purple Sun Sect won’t find it that easy to suppress him. His battle today is likely going to spread throughout the four sects. If the forefathers are disturbed, Master Shuiyue will likely be in for a further lecture.”

Indeed, this candidate had such a heaven defying potential in both fire and water. He would be of the first tier existences even in the four great sects.

Sure, he had incredible good luck.Yeah, his potential was uncommonly good. None of this changed one fact, and that was the fact that he was indeed quite extraordinary.

Even people as strong as Ouyang Jian and He Yan had been easily defeated in the rings they were best at.

Yes, an absolutely crus.h.i.+ng defeat.

Whether it was Ouyang Jian or He Yan, the grand moves that they had deployed didn’t even actually threatened their opponent.

On the contrary, Jiang Chen had dispelled them easily and had counterattacked with one blow.

He’d also done so quite easily, so it wasn’t an exaggeration at all to say that he’d completely crushed them.

Even the strongest, first level geniuses of the earth quadrant had to admire such a genius, and would even be envious of him.

“This freak genius of the boulder’s heart and from the ordinary world is so domineering to begin with. If he’d been a lineal descendent of the sect, he’d likely rank in the top ten of the sky quadrant by now?”

“We’ll have to see what Master Shuiyue is going to do about this now. However, judging from the looks of things, it’ll be hard for her to keep him within the earth quadrant. Unless she ignores the rules and does so herself, it’ll be almost impossible for her to contain him in the earth quadrant!”

“I wonder how he’ll perform in the ring of gravity, the ring of thorns, and the ring of spirit devouring? If his performance is domineering in those three great rings as well, then there will be no doubt about as to who will be the champion of the earth quadrant.”

The first level candidates were all feeling a complex mix of emotions.

Some of them admired Jiang Chen and lauded his courage. After all, he truly was the first one who dared to call out Master Shuiyue in the earth quadrant.

Of course, there were also those who were jealous of him. What right did a secular disciple have to be thus domineering? How were the sect disciples supposed to survive this way?

Of course, there were also calmer candidates who a.n.a.lyzed this complicated situation, and had to admit in the end that an unforeseen factor had appeared in the fight for the top ten of the earth quadrant.

The one most excited now was Liu Wencai. Although he wasn’t applauding like Dan Fei had earlier, his look of excitement was hard to conceal.

“d.a.m.n strong! How do you define a momentum that presses forward bravely? This is the aura that a genius cultivator should have! I’ve always thought that Brother Boulder was strong, but it seems like I’ve still underestimated him.”

Liu Wencai was incredibly excited, and he felt proud of his eye for a.s.sessment. He also felt glory and satisfaction for being able to interact with such a person.

Little fatty Lu was also delighted as he looked at Jiang Chen’s haughty appearance with squinting eyes. He, too, was completely overcome by all of this.

When some people considered themselves above all else, that didn't come off as a n.o.ble bearing, it rather reeked of c.o.c.ky strutting around and narcissism.

But Jiang Chen’s expression of pride now was a true mighty bearing. He returned strongly from the ring, ignoring the hundreds of complicated looks being shot at him, and paid no attention to the outside world’s reaction.

Accept it if you will, reject it if not. All are as if the clouds to me.

This was the true demeanor of one on high -- there is no one else apart from me.

“Mm, not only is Brother Boulder’s strength above all, his talents are extraordinary. What’s more rare is that his will is as a boulder’s heart, unwavering and indestructible. It would be hard for such a genius not to rise.” Fatty Lu came to his own conclusion and further reaffirmed his desire to kiss up to Jiang Chen.

“I, Fatty Lu, have always been dismissed by others in the sect and have b.u.mbled through my days like a clown. No one’s ever respected me. Brother Boulder was a chance acquaintance, but not only did he play along with me, he didn’t disdain the fact that my features are ugly. To be able to become friends with such a person must be a great fortune that I’ve earned in my past life. I must hold onto his leg tightly and steel my heart to stand on his side. Perhaps, this might be a large stroke of fortune in the future.”

Fatty Lu’s rules of survival may have been inferior and humble, but he also had his own logic to them as well.

Chapter 355: Master Shuiyue Incites Public Anger

“Honored master, your disciple requests to do battle.” Third disciple Hai Tian sent a message to Master Shuiyue.

Shuiyue herself was hesitating a bit now.

If He Yan had still lost after a hard pitched battle with that secular genius, Master Shuiyue would have arranged for Hai Tian to take the field without hesitation.

However, she truly did hesitate after she saw that secular genius easily defeat He Yan in a second.

He Yan’s cultivation was less than Hai Tian’s, but there wasn’t much of a gap. One was ranked number three, the other number four, there was only a thin line between them.

Even though Hai Tian would have his unique advantage in the ring of spirit devouring, Master Shuiyue wasn’t confident now that the secular genius wouldn’t continue to be this insane in the ring of spirit devouring, given his perverse performance in the rings of fire and ice.

One could no longer use the look of a normal person in which to judge this secular genius!

“Honored master, your disciple was as intimate as brothers with junior brother He. Please allow me to take the field and exact revenge for him.” Hai Tian once more made his request when he saw his master hesitate.

His relations with He Yan were alright, they definitely weren’t at the point of being as intimate as brothers.

However, when Hai Tian looked at his master, he knew that his master had been infuriated to the utmost. This was the moment in which she most needed someone to share her burdens and help her vent some ill temper.

If he could help his master vent some ill temper now, then his position in his master’s heart would certainly draw close to behind first senior brother Ceng She’s and second senior brother Chu Xinghan’s.

He would never measure up to Long Juxue, but at least he could enjoy similar treatment as his two senior brothers.

Hai Tian wanted to take the risk to win his master’s affections.

Not to mention, Hai Tian was confident that his strength was higher than He Yan’s. He may not be able to win out over the secular genius in the ring of ice, but he was confident that he’d be able to pull out some techniques in the ring of spirit devouring.

Master Shuiyue didn’t want anything to happen to anymore of her disciples at this time, “Hai Tian, this dumb animal is quite bizarre. I think only someone in the sky quadrant will be able to suppress him.”

Hai Tian said hurriedly, “Honored master, your disciple absolutely has seventy to eighty percent confidence in the ring of spirit devouring. Please let your disciple try. This ruffian is so arrogant, our Shuiyue faction will have to completely bow our heads if we don’t reduce some of his influence.”

Hai Tian knew his honored master’s personality, and knew that the thing she cared the most about was the Shuiyue faction being suppressed.

Master Shuiyue’s heart did indeed waver when these words were sent to her. She also understood her own disciples, and knew that Hai Tian was a water attribute genius, but his potential in the metal realm was absolutely stunning. Add to this his own fortuitous occurrences, the ring of spirit devouring was indeed a stage suitable for Hai Tian.

“This dumb swine is so arrogant, am I supposed to bow my head to him just like this and concede defeat?” When Shuiyue thought about a future in which her faction was suppressed by a secular disciple, she couldn’t even breath smoothly.

“How about if I send Hai Tian for a try? Hai Tian’s personality is even more calm and more shrewd than He Yan’s. Him taking the field would be a better choice. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have arranged him to go second. I was worried he wouldn’t take fight. Since his will to fight is so strong, why not let him try? He’s certain to suppress that secular swine in the ring of spirit devouring!”

Master Shuiyue’s desire to win still overcome all else when her thoughts traveled here. She instructed Hai Tian, “Alright, wait a moment. I’ll arrange it immediately. The number of times he can be challenged today have already been reached, I must arrange it so that he’ll challenge you.”

Hai Tian was gladdened to hear his master’s tone soften.

“Hai Tian, you must be careful in this match. Don’t be in a rush to attack, test the waters first. Remember, your own safety is paramount. If you are able to suppress this arrogant ruffian, credit for this achievement will go to you!”

With the previous example of He Yan, Master Shuiyue patiently gave a few reminders. She didn’t want her two best disciples in the earth quadrant to be crippled.

She had particularly high hopes for Hai Tian. Of the four top disciples in the earth quadrant. Hai Tian’s ranking was the highest, and he had the greatest hopes of making it into the sky quadrant.

She’d only felt guilt and badly that He Yan had been crippled, but if something happened to Hai Tian, then she really would have suffered a grave and heartbreaking loss.

“Next challenger, number 491, report to the ring of spirit devouring.”

Number 491 was Jiang Chen’s number in earth quadrant.

Jiang Chen had been sitting down cross legged when he heard his number. He opened his eyes, a look of slight surprise shooting out of his eyes.

He’d thought that he enjoy a period of quiet after being challenged three times in a row.

He hadn’t thought that his number would be selected again as soon as he’d sat down. This time, it was him taking the ring to challenge others.

He flicked a meaningful glance at Master Shuiyue. Jiang Chen’s mind was clear. He knew that this old woman hadn’t given up hope and still wanted to do something.

However, he wouldn’t retract into his sh.e.l.l like a turtle either. He snorted in cold laughter and walked towards the ring. I’d like to see what that old woman will get up to this time!

Jiang Chen didn’t wait for the examiner to speak and smiled frostily, “Let me guess who my opponent is this time?”

He purposefully looked down towards Master Shuiyue’s disciples.

“It should be you this time?” Jiang Chen’s gaze locked onto Hai Tian’s figure. He was familiar with those beneath Master Shuiyue.

He knew that she had four major disciples in the earth quadrant.

He Yan was number two, and Hai Tian was number one.

Since he’d personally crippled He Yan, then whatever that old woman Shuiyue wanted to do would depend on her sending out Hai Tian.

With how shameless this woman was, she would give no thought to the rules as soon as she lost her rationality and would continue to cheat.

It was too easy for a keeper to manipulate the matches.

Master Shuiyue’s heart sank when she heard Jiang Chen’s words. She hadn’t thought that the secular genius would be so sharp as to see straight through her schemes.

Jiang Chen knew that he’d guessed rightly when he saw Master Shuiyue’s expression change.

He laughed heartily, “You’d rather cheat in order to send someone to their death? What kind of m.a.s.o.c.h.i.s.tic mentality is this? Don’t tell me you’re getting cold feet now?”

It looked like he was speaking to Hai Tian with these words, but he was actually speaking to Master Shuiyue.

She was now caught between a rock and a hard place. If she pulled out Hai Tian’s number now now, then all would be too ironic, and it would be directly telling everyone that yes, I did indeed manipulate these matches.

But if she didn’t pull out his number, that meant she was bowing her head to Jiang Chen and that she’d been frightened by his words.

A war was waged in her head, did she send Hai Tian or not?

Master Shuiyue had never thought that she would be so out played by a secular brat to the point where there was no easy way out. She watched him standing in the ring, chatting and laughing easily, a proud smile at the corners of his lips and mockery suffusing his dismissive eyes.

Master Shuiyue was immediately incensed by his expression.

“Hai Tian, you go!”

Master Shuiyue was also greatly decisive. If she admitted defeat now and didn’t let Hai Tian take the stage, this matter would become a blot on her record for forever and even form into her internal demon.

Therefore, even if others said she was manipulating the matches, even if she would be removed from her position as keeper, she would never take this lying down!

Hai Tian was likewise feeling the fires of rage and had a bone deep hatred of Jiang Chen.

He respected his master tremendously, almost as if she were an immortal in the heavens. When he saw that she was backed into a corner by this secular disciple, he was gritting his teeth with hatred and itched to take the field himself, to torture the other to death by slicing the meat off his bones in strips and burning his bones to ashes!

“Number 491 challenges candidate number four, Hai Tian in the ring of spirit devouring.”

A great hubbub exploded from the entire Arena when this was announced.

This… this was naked manipulated!

Even the neutral candidates could no longer abide this. If it hadn’t been for them fearing Master Shuiyue’s despotic power, they would’ve wanted to erupt in protest.

Even if they didn’t voice their protests, the booing arising from all corners was enough to explain what was wrong here.

Did any law or justice exist at all, given how your Purple Sun Sect was behaving? What was this? Public suppression!

They might not have felt much about suppressing a secular disciple, but was there any impartiality left in manipulating the matches thus? Who could promise that her actions would be limited only towards this secular disciple?

Who could guarantee that she would never use the same methods to suppress the geniuses of the other sects?

This was absolutely an ill wind and a vulgar practice!

If a keeper occasionally got up to some shenanigans and wasn’t too blatant about it, everyone else would just pretend it hadn’t happened and let it pa.s.s on by.

But this had been too obvious and completely unconcealed. If even this was allowed, then there was absolutely no impartiality in the trials in the earth quadrant at all!

Therefore, apart from the Purple Sun Sect disciples, almost everyone below in the rings were siding with the secular disciple this time.

It wasn’t that they thought that well of Jiang Chen, but that they were thoroughly disappointed and enraged by Master Shuiyue’s actions.

Manipulating the matches and continued oppression, who would dare rise to the top in the earth quadrant after this? She’ll suppress whoever’s in the limelight? Was her Purple Sun Sect going to claim all the top spots in the end?

The candidates were all made of flesh and blood. They liked to enjoy privilege, but still craved fair compet.i.tion on the same level.

It would be false to say that Master Shuiyue didn’t have the slightest bit of pressure when she heard all the booing.

However, it was like she was riding a tiger now and finding it hard to dismount.

Her face darkened as she whistled lowly, sending out a strong aura and immediately silencing all the booing.

“What are you agitating about? There is fair compet.i.tion in these matches, what are you making a fuss about?”

Although she knew she was cheating, Master Shuiyue still maintained a sense of awe-inspiring righteousness. She didn’t have the slightest awareness that she was cheating.

A divine halo had replaced it, as well as the bearing of a holy mother who was not to be questioned.

Jiang Chen couldn’t help but curse lowly when he saw this, “You lead the life of a wh.o.r.e and expect a monument to your chast.i.ty, how fake!”

However, the more Master Shuiyue was thus, the more Jiang Chen was enraged. He’d thought that she’d rein herself in a bit after He Yan being crippled.

He hadn’t thought that she hadn’t given up hope. It looked like this old woman was more stubborn and domineering than he’d thought!

“Hahahaha…” Jiang Chen laughed instead of growing angry. His face suddenly darkened, “A fair compet.i.tion huh! This is a type of fairness that I’ve never experienced before in my life.”

He put away his sarcastic expression after speaking and looked towards Hai Tian. “When the heavens want one to die, they will cause them to go mad first. I hope you put forth some effort into the fight and don’t become a sacrifice due to someone else’s insanity!”

He was naturally insinuating Master Shuiyue with his words.

Hai Tian laughed coldly. His heart grew calmer the more critical things became. He knew that all would depend on the match to come if he were to suppress the voices beneath the ring!

History was written by the victors!

Chapter 356: Kill!

Fight!

There was only one thought in Jiang Chen’s heart now.

Whatever the c.r.a.p about Hai Tian, Shuiyue, all of that was about as important as the floating clouds.

If they dared force him down to step on his head, then he had to fight! He’d use absolute power to reduce them all to dust and personally forge a peaceful scene that was bathed in glorious sunlight.

Jiang Chen seemed to be cut off from the rest of the world as he stood in the ring of spirit devouring. He could see the outside world, but all methods of communication had seemed to be severed.

“I see, it turns out that the ring of spirit devouring maps to the metal element.” This was his first time in this ring.

The ring of spirit devouring encompa.s.sed an enormous formation of metal essence within it, filling the air with a grave killing intent. Jiang Chen could feel wisps of that intent slip by in front of him as he stood in the ring. It was as if yellow sands had filled the skies, an enormously oppressive feeling settling down on him.

The power of metal essence was dangerously sharp, its lethality compounded by its immense piercing, and sometimes even devouring, abilities.

Of the five elements, the element of metal had the keenest edge, and its piercing power amongst the strongest.

The so-called spirit devouring aspect was simply the enormous killing power created from the metal essence formation. The devouring strength would erode every candidate’s spirit ocean and drain their energy.

This ring was an arduous test for the candidates, because it was quite sinister.

If you stood there without moving, although the air currents would be violent, their destructive ability was limited.

But once you starting moving, and the faster you moved, the more piercing these air currents would become. If your speed exceeded the flow of air currents, they might even directly punch through your body.

Therefore, maintaining constancy in the face of changing situations was the best strategy in the ring of spirit devouring.

Hai Tian was indeed much more calm than He Yan. His entire being was as sharp as a blade as he slowly melded into the ring. He looked like a golden colored statue, giving one a dispa.s.sionate, haughty feeling.

Jiang Chen smiled coldly. Hai Tian was indeed on a different level than He Yan. At least, he hadn’t started brashly attacking as soon as he’d set foot into the ring and revealed his trump cards.

“Secular kid, make your move. I’ll let you make three moves first.” Hai Tian spoke softly.

Every cultivator liked to create their own air in a battle, and Hai Tian was actually also creating an atmosphere that was advantageous to him.

He was very familiar with the ring of spirit devouring, and knew that remaining as unmoving as a mountain was the best choice.

Staying still was better than making a move.

When one moved, the backlash of the power in the ring would increase exponentially. The faster one moved, the greater the backlash.

Therefore, Hai Tian wanted to make his opponent make the first move and wear him down.

Out of consideration for the experience of those who had tasted defeat at Jiang Chen’s hands, Hai Tian had decided to follow his master’s reminders and establish a careful defense, observing Jiang Chen first.

Therefore, his so-called letting Jiang Chen take three shots first was actually mere trickery.

Jiang Chen only smiled faintly and had a strange look on his face, “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.” Hai Tian laughed heartily, “It’s only right and just that a sect genius allows a secular cultivator some free moves.”

Jiang Chen nodded, “Since this is the case, I might give offense.”

Jiang Chen lifted his arms and sent two beams of golden light shooting forward. One was as if a great eagle soaring over the land, the other a fierce tiger pouncing towards its food.

The sudden flashes of the two beams of light seemed be akin to the explosions of the stars, giving one a fleeting illusion of intangibility.

“What?”

Hai Tian’s thoughts spun rapidly and he felt that this was quite bad. He’d thought that the other would physically attack, use weapons, or even send his fists flying his way.

He hadn’t thought that his opponent would only lift an arm and send two concealed weapons flas.h.i.+ng towards him like two beams of starlight.

It would’ve been one thing if it was an ordinary concealed weapon, which would’ve been absolutely nothing to Hai Tian.

But this concealed weapon had a very bizarre trail to it, and one was veering to the left, while the other to the right. There were two vastly different mysteries behind them. One of them yin, the other yang, with the two marvelously complementing each other.

Throwing daggers!

Hai Tian’s pupils contracted rapidly as he took a look. He hastily set up something in front of him that opened like a clam sh.e.l.l.

Bam!

This sh.e.l.l-like object produced a yellow light, and an enormous rebound force immediately deflected the two “Moonshatter Flying Daggers”.

The two throwing daggers fell to the ground, sending sparks flying out.

“Mm? What is that?” Jiang Chen was a bit surprised. He was quite confident about the attacking abilities of his throwing daggers.

He’d deployed the Moonshatter Flying Daggers with his first move, and had even imbued it with the mysteries of the Divine Aeons Fist.

He’d once used this move to fight against a fourth level spirit realm Silvermoon Monsterape when he was at the first level.

With his cultivation level of fourth level now, the strength he could bring to bear was absolutely stunning. Even a fifth level spirit realm cultivator may not have been able to evade his move.

However, although Hai Tian was currently disheveled, he’d defused the throwing daggers move!

Jiang Chen was well aware that it wasn’t because Hai Tian possessed incredible strength or speed.

The reason why he’d been able to deflect the throwing daggers was because of that clamsh.e.l.l-shaped object in his hands.

Hai Tian shook his hands and the two halves of the sh.e.l.l immediately changed into two curved, blade-like leaves, revealing a frightening gleam.

“Two more moves left.” Hai Tian laughed coldly. “Don’t tell me that you’re out of tricks apart from concealed weapons and ambushes.”

Master Shuiyue was slightly rea.s.sured when she saw this down below in the ring. Hai Tian was Hai Tian alright. He was much more dependable than He Yan.

When she saw that Hai Tian had steadied the situation and had taken at least one of his opponent’s. .h.i.ts, confidence began to grow in her heart.

In her eyes, this freak genius was just well versed in devious schemes and sudden ambushes. Using throwing daggers in a sudden attack at a time like this was the most obvious example.

Now that his throwing daggers hadn’t succeeded, what could he do to Hai Tian in close quarters?

Especially in the ring of spirit devouring. The treasure in Hai Tian’s hands was almost wholly unaffected by the ring of spirit devouring, and could even borrow the strength of metal to enhance his own fighting abilities.

“Hai Tian didn’t disappoint me alright.” Master Shuiyue’s expression was finally lightening a bit now, after the successive blows she’d suffered.

The failure of the “Moonshatter Flying Daggers” had slightly surprised Jiang Chen, but only for a moment.

His mind immediately calmed down.

“No wonder he wanted this ring. There’s a treasure protecting him. This treasure likely naturally counters the power of metal and can deflect any metallic attacks.”

The mysteries of the “Moonshatter Flying Daggers” were indeed invincible, but in the end, they were made out of metal.

When Jiang Chen understood things, a cold smile leaked out of the corners of his mouth. Do you think I can’t do anything to you if I can’t use any weapons?

He made a grasping motion with both hands and flicked out two tail feathers of the Fire Raven King.

He shook his arms once and made seals with his fingers.

“Go!” Jiang Chen repeated the same move and once again deployed the mysteries of the “Moonshatter Flying Daggers”. However, this time, he wasn’t using a metallic weapon.

You could deflect a metallic weapon, but why don’t you try it again with the Raven King’s tail feathers?

In terms of quality, the Raven King’s tail feathers were vastly superior to the throwing daggers.

When Hai Tian saw that Jiang Chen was repeating the same move, he couldn’t help but laugh. This secular cultivator is a poor sort alright. Does he have any other tricks up his sleeve?

The treasure in his hands that were now in the form of two curved blades seemed to be connected at the hilt now, as it formed a whirling blade.

It turned in the direction of the oncoming attack, sending out spirals of strong spirit power ripples towards those two beams of light.

Any metallic weapon would find it impossible to draw close to his reversed edge blade!

The reversed edge blade was like its name, reversing all metallic attacks.

This was what Hai Tian was most proud of, and his unique advantage in the ring of spirit devouring. This was also why he had strongly asked to take the field.

Why did he have so much confidence after seeing his peer being completely crushed? This reversed edge blade was the greatest source of his confidence.

This blade could negate all power of metal, meaning that this ring of spirit devouring posed no restrictions on him.

The reversed edge blade could even absorb the power of metal and trans.m.u.te it for his own use.

So when he saw Jiang Chen use the same attack again, Hai Tian was truly dismissive.

“Oh go the h.e.l.l back!”

The reversed edge blade shone splendidly in all directions, enclosing the two beams of light speeding towards Hai Tian.

However, Hai Tian’s heart suddenly skipped a beat. He’d discovered that the two beams of light hadn’t been deflected by his blade, and that their speed had actually increased, and was shooting towards his vital parts in a strange arc.

“What’s going on??” Hai Tian was truly shocked.

His opponent had used the same attack. It’d been easily deflected last time, why had something gone awry this time?

Mockery appeared on Jiang Chen’s face as his arms continue to move. He brought out seven more Fire Raven King tail feathers and sent them all shooting towards Hai Tian like a streak of nine stars.

Even if they were in the ring of spirit devouring, Jiang Chen had many methods that he could use against Hai Tian.

However, he’d simply chosen the least tiring and most secretive manner to avoid displaying his trump cards.

The nine tail fathers were nine beams of light, completely sealing off all avenues of retreat for Hai Tian!

Pfft, pfft, pfft, pfft!

Enormous strength easily pierced through Hai Tian’s armor.

The nine tail feathers drove into the two sides of his collarbones, ribs, hands, and feet.

The last one shot straight through his forehead and nailed Hai Tian onto the wall next to the ring.

His body was suspended as blood streamed down from his wounds.

The reversed edge blade in his hand clattered to the ground. Hai Tian’s eyes were wider than a cow’s, his surprise so profound he hadn’t even had time to close them.

A look of disbelief still lingered in his eyes, intermixed with fear, despair…

Even Master Shuiyue hadn’t antic.i.p.ated such an enormous reversal. When she came to herself, Hai Tian was already completely nailed to the wall.

A casual smile crossed Jiang Chen’s face as he retracted his hand seals, recalling the nine tail feathers.

Bam!

After losing the force supporting his body, Hai Tian’s corpse slid down dejectedly, his last breath having long since fled his body.

“Another one.” Jiang Chen laughed slightly and was even more decisive this time. He couldn’t even be bothered arguing with Master Shuiyue, and flew down from the ring whilst everyone was still flabbergasted.

Suddenly, thunderous applause sounded from the entire Arena.

The applause was like a tide, ringing out from all corners as if this had been a premeditated action.

Apart from the Purple Sun Sect, most of the other sects were applauding for Jiang Chen!

This ironic scene almost made Master Shuiyue fall down from her seat.

Chapter 357: The Situation Greatly Changes

The applause was like the tidewaters, wave upon wave, not ceasing for the longest time.

Jiang Chen hadn’t thought that such a scene would happen either. When he walked down from ring, he saw Liu Wencai and Fatty Lu furiously applauding, their faces beet red with emotion, almost as if they wanted to clap until their hands fell off.

“d.a.m.n straight Brother Boulder!”

“We’re so proud of you Brother Boulder!”

The corners of Liu Wencai’s eyes were red, it was obvious that he was so emotional that he wanted to cry. Fatty Lu also wiped surrept.i.tiously away at the corners of his eyes with his sleeve.

“Brother Boulder, look! A just cause enjoys abundant support while an unjust cause finds little support. The Purple Sun Sect manipulated the matches and has aroused public anger. Such perverse acts will not gain public acceptance in the end! Hai Tian brought down destruction on himself!” Liu Wencai was almost yelling in his high charged state, and the blood vessels on his neck pulsed like worms traveling through mud.

Indeed, what Liu Wencai had said was what most candidates were thinking.

Even though these candidates were all sect geniuses and may not necessarily wish to see a secular disciple hogging too much of the limelight or see someone else rise in front of them, they were still rational in the end.

Once the initial envy of realizing that this secular disciple’s potential and strength was much higher than the others wore off, they would slowly accept it.

And when the Purple Sun Sect started manipulating the matches, things became completely different then.

If even the challenges could be manipulated at will, then what was the point in the other three sects competing? How would they even compete then?

It could be said their slight bit of repulsion towards secular cultivators was born out of the desire to win from a compet.i.tive spirit. But their hatred towards violating the rules and disgusting acts such as openly manipulating the matches, was a sentiment from the depths of their hearts and a matter of principle.

If even principles could be changed, then there was no point to the matches at all.

It was because of this hatred towards the Purple Sun Sect that the scales of their hearts all tilted towards Jiang Chen.

When they saw Jiang Chen destroy Hai Tian in an incredible way, they felt greatly vindicated and applauded mightily as a result.

This was a display of power to the Purple Sun Sect, and a protest released from the depths of their hearts.

If it’d been before, under Master Shuiyue’s despotic power, they might not have done so. But now, she’d lost two disciples in a row and was shocked senseless at the moment.

This secular cultivator had surprised Master Shuiyue again and again. He’d pulled her down from her pedestal in one go, making her appear no longer irrefutable and invincible in candidates’ hearts.

Once her authority was questioned, collapse would be fast.

It could be said that Jiang Chen had chipped away at Master Shuiyue’s authority, bit by bit.

She’d fully calmed down by now.

She placed a finger beneath Hai Tian’s nose and discovered that he’d long since lost all signs of life.

“Ah….” Master Shuiyue suddenly threw her head back and screamed lowly. Layers of frost s.h.i.+mmered into existence on her face, as beams of white mist spread at high speed around the surroundings with incredible speed.

“Swine, you injured two of my disciples in a row. One’s dead and the other’s crippled. Good, good, good!!”

Master Shuiyue gritted her teeth as her raging fury began to expand along with her aura, roiling towards Jiang Chen through the air.

“Master Shuiyue, what are you doing?”

The other examiners were immensely alarmed. They discovered that Master Shuiyue had the first signs of going berserk. Please, you’re the keeper of this quadrant. Are you going to raise a hand against a candidate?

The other examiners weren’t pushovers either. When they saw Master Shuiyue thus, they all jumped out to stop her.

“You want to stop me?” A layer of frost covered Master Shuiyue’s face.

“Master keeper, although you’re the one in control, we won’t sit idly by when you want to publicly flaunt the rules.” The other examiners all spoke up.

Are you kidding me? It was shameless enough for you to manipulate the matches, and now you want to raise your hand against a candidate? If we let you succeed, won’t the matches of the earth quadrant become a colossal joke then?!

“Get out of my way!” Master Shuiyue roared lowly as she pushed her aura forward again.

“Master Keeper, turn back from the wrong path, awaken back to your senses!”

“Manipulating the matches and ignoring the rules, and now you even want to publicly injure a candidate. You have no respect for the law! We should report this to our own forefathers.”

“Right, we must protest this. If this continues, the earth quadrant will become a joke.”

Master Shuiyue laughed in cold succession. “Censure? Do you think that I would be afraid of your criticisms? So what? Do you think I care about the ident.i.ty as a keeper of the earth quadrant?”

“Get out of my way, or don’t blame me for showing no mercy!” Master Shuiyue’s rage was out of control. It looked like she was completely going berserk.

The other examiners looked at each other with determined expressions.

The candidates on all four sides all surged over at this time, forming a crowd.

“If you want to do as you wish, then go ahead and kill all of us as well!!”

“”Right, this earth quadrant isn’t a place in which you reign supreme. Do you think you’ll be able to stopper all our mouths by killing someone?!”

“Everyone rise up and denounce her!”

“Right, this dominating woman has always been biased towards the Purple Sun Sect. Is this kind of person worthy of being a main keeper? I’ve put up with her long enough!”

Joint anger was written all over their faces. Their expressions were full of rage and explosive emotions.

Jiang Chen hadn’t thought either that matters would escalate to this extent. He sighed in his heart, ah, this old woman has angered the heavens and people on the earth.

And I thought I was unpopular enough as a secular cultivator.

Compared to her, I’m practically an angel!

Jiang Chen was actually rather happy to see the situation develop thus. He wasn’t the sort to delight in the miseries of others, but he was bizarrely excited to see Master Shuiyue being publicly condemned by the crowd.

He knew that this woman was domineering and was publicly defying the rules. This was indeed a matter that would easily give rise to public fury.

When things had developed thus, his role as the person in question was no longer important.

The situation now was one of everyone publicly condemning the keeper.

“Brother Boulder, do you see this? This is the cry of the public. This woman is too tyrannical and finally incited public fury in the end.”

“Indeed, choosing her to be the keeper was a real mistake alright.”

Fatty Lu and Liu Wencai were all standing to the side, pointing their fingers at what was going on. They were happy to see such a scene as well. Those who watched a good show were never afraid of the show becoming bigger.

Their mindsets were even more so when it came to the Purple Sun Sect. Of the four great sects, the Purple Sun Sect had always been domineering and self-styled themselves as the head of the four sects.

This situation hadn’t been formed overnight either.

A crowd would be enough to push down a wall!

Even those who were watching the show now couldn’t help but give it a few shoves as well. After all, they’d all had enough of Master Shuiyue.

She obviously hadn’t thought that the situation would suddenly take a turn for the worse. She’d always had a high opinion of herself and thought that she was a G.o.ddess in the hearts of the candidates.

She hadn’t thought that she’d become a public enemy all of a sudden!

The hubbub of yells with a cries of “old woman” mixed into them made her completely flabbergasted.

Me? An old woman?

To someone as exceedingly narcissistic and full of themselves as Master Shuiyue, someone with utmost confidence in her appearance, for others to address her by this t.i.tle was worse than killing her!

Honestly speaking, although Master Shuiyue had been famous for around a hundred years, and she was over two hundred, she had maintained her appearance well. She only looked like she was in her thirties right now. And for a cultivator at her level, her body processes were quite efficient and strong, making it seem like there was no difference between her body and that of a young person’s.

Therefore, although Master Shuiyue seemed quite like a frosty beauty and presented herself with a n.o.ble, luxurious front, she actually yearned for the attention of the young folk and even craved to be loved by them.

She even made it so that most of her disciples were males.

However, others usually never knew of her thoughts.

Thus, when she heard others criticize her as an “old woman”, she was so angry that she was almost shaking. She emitted a long whistle as her beautiful face twisted. She screamed like a harlot yelling on the streets, “Are all of you trying to rebel?”

This voice rolled outwards like thunder as a formless aura surged and crashed outwards, shaking the candidates around her so that no one could maintain a steady footing and their bodies grew cold.

When Master Shuiyue truly lost her temper, it was still a very frightening thing with her level of cultivation.

However, of the hundreds present, there were still three to four hundred other sect disciples, excluding the Purple Sun Sect disciples. Were any of them pushovers?

When they saw Master Shuiyue trying to maintain control with brute force, they were filled with righteous indignation and started yelling.

“Trying to bully us with force?”

“She’s just one person and is trying to suppress all of us?”

“Everyone complain about her! We’ll refuse to partic.i.p.ate if she’s not removed!”

“Right, let’s censure her! Sue her! We’re all going on strike if she continues to be the keeper! Just choose the winners from her Purple Sun Sect in the future then!”

“Right, we can’t take this anymore! I said that something was amiss last week already. Out of the ten promotion slots, five of them were taken by the Purple Sun Sect. Do you believe that there was no cheating involved in any of this?”

“Right, as an examiner, she cheated to benefit herself and to settle private grudges! She even abused her power for private matters!”

“Haha, too bad she picked up rocks to smash her own foot. She lost two disciples in a row.”

Public furor was hard to quell once aroused. The other examiners had quickly contacted the heavyweights of their sect.

“What? The earth quadrant has greatly changed, and the candidates all want to censure Master Shuiyue?” The head of the Purple Sun Sect, Spiritual Master Zixu, was completely stunned when he heard this.

“Forefather, can this be false?” Spiritual Master Zixu asked hesitantly.

Sunchaser’s face was darkened as he too rather regretted his decision at the moment. He could’ve sent someone else to oversee the earth quadrant exams.

The spots for keeper had been equally divided up amongst the four sects, with the earth quadrant being given to the Purple Sun Sect.

Forefather Sunchaser had wanted to reward Master Shuiyue for finding Long Juxue and let her further build up a name for herself and increase her visibility.

But, to think that this Shuiyue had allowed things to develop to this point?

The candidates had formed into groups to publicly condemn her, just how badly had she bungled things?

“Zixu, come and take a look at the earth quadrant with me. I trust that the other old monsters won’t let go of this opportunity to criticize our sect!”

Sunchaser’s tone was a bit dejected.

Chapter 358: Master Shuiyue is Relieved of Her Duties

The forefathers and heavyweights of the other three sects all received the news at the same time.

When they understood the circ.u.mstances of this matter, the heavyweights all itched to take action. This was a perfect opportunity to take the Purple Sun Sect down a peg!

The Purple Sun Sect had been quite domineering during this selection and they had self styled themselves as the leader of the four great sects. This had already been enough to greatly irritate the other three sects.

This time, Master Shuiyue had apparently even manipulated the matches. With the forefathers’ understanding of Master Shuiyue, that was completely possible.

Therefore, they all ran for the earth quadrant at first light.

The situation would be hard to salvage once public anger was aroused.

The four forefathers had personally made an appearance, investigating the situation and considering the testimony from the other examiners as well as the candidates.

Apart from Sunchaser, the other three forefathers all agreed that Master Shuiyue had manipulated the matches.

“Four matches in a row without pause. Which one of you can give me a reason that proves this wasn’t manipulation?” Forefather Ninelion of the Myriad Spirit Sect was the first to cry out.

Forefather Icemist of the Flowing Wind Sect also shook her head. “The traces of manipulation are too obvious. Daoist Sunchaser, your Purple Sun Sect truly was out of line in this matter.”

“Daoist Sunchaser, give us the best way to proceed.” Forefather Thousandleaf said faintly.

Sunchaser had a look of dejection on his face. He too was sorely disappointed in Master Shuiyue at the moment. Everyone was seeking to topple this wall now. If she wasn’t swapped out, the three old monsters wouldn’t be able to pacify the crowds either.

Judging from the candidates’ posturing, it was very likely that they would boycott the matches if Master Shuiyue wasn’t removed!

Sunchaser snorted. Although he was domineering, he was completely in the wrong here. What else could he do?

“You three sects have long since coveted this position anyways. What do you say we can do? Will you three be able to amiably select a replacement if my sect vacates the position?”

“And why can’t we?” Ninelion smiled. “I recommend that the other three sects nominate a person each to jointly manage the earth quadrant.”

“That makes sense, I agree.” Icemist nodded.

Thousandleaf chuckled. “I have no opinions otherwise.”

As long as Master Shuiyue was removed and the Purple Sun Sect vacated this position, there was no big deal if the three sects held joint control over this position.

Sunchaser was dejected beyond belief, but he could only accept things silently. He snorted lightly and he flicked his glance to Jiang Chen. “Young man, it seems like your shadow can be found in any matter that happens.”

Jiang Chen only smiled faintly when faced with the dignity of forefather Sunchaser. “The tree desires stillness, but the wind will not cease. Forefather, can you truly place the blame for what those of your sect did onto my head?”

“Hahaha, well said.” Forefather Ninelion walked over, laughing heartily. “Little fellow, I’ve heard of your recent exploits. I only want to say, d.a.m.n good showing! A true genius should be like you, refusing to be cowed or to submit, unshaken by all outside powers and walking your own path.”

“Old monster Ninelion, watch the timing of your words!” Sunchaser said coldly.

“Heh heh, I speak when I want to. Can you control me? Control your own sect first and stop giving reasons for others to laugh at you.” Ninelion chuckled meaningfully and he looked jeeringly at Master Shuiyue.

Master Shuiyue was almost too ashamed to show her face. Her gaze shot viciously at Jiang Chen, hating the architect of her current circ.u.mstances.

“This secular swine has broken two of my disciples in a row, and he has now damaged my standing and reputation, making me lose face in front of the forefathers!”

Master Shuiyue had never been of a kind sort, and her hatred for Jiang Chen now was something that wouldn’t be washed clean by the waters of three rivers and five streams.

“Young man, the suggestion I gave you last time is still in effect. A martial dao genius must choose his path well. Placing one foot right leads one down a golden avenue. Placing one foot wrong may be the first down into a bottomless abyss.”

Sunchaser laughed coldly and brandished his sleeves, “We leave!”

A group of Purple Sun Sect executives followed behind him. Master Shuiyue stared at Jiang Chen like a viper for the longest time before bringing up the rear.

Jiang Chen knew that he’d fully offended this woman.

“Young man, ignore that old crazy Sunchaser. Their Purple Sun Sect has long been used to acting as they would. Now that they’ve lost face this time, they had to find some words to scare you with.” Ninelion chuckled. “Remember one thing, whether it’s secular cultivators or sect disciples, we are all cultivators of the sixteen kingdom alliance at the end of the day. There are no sectarian biases in the selection, just the greater picture of the sixteen kingdom alliance.”

“Old monster Ninelion, I rarely agree with your words, but I have to this time.” Thousandleaf laughed and also walked over. “Young man, you didn’t do anything wrong in this matter. As long as your path is correct, don’t veer from it due to any threats. You’ll understand when you reach our level how important one’s way is.”

“Do well. We see the hope of the secular cultivators in you.” Icemist also encouraged him.

It was apparent to see from how the three forefathers were rea.s.suring him together how much hope they had for the secular champion.

Even though his ident.i.ty had yet to be revealed, even until now, his ill.u.s.trious battle results were enough to awe everyone.

Judging from these circ.u.mstances, it was a foregone conclusion that he would enter the sky quadrant.

Although the three forefathers hadn’t openly recruited him, their ardent gazes were thoroughly betraying their thoughts.

“Many thanks to the three forefathers’ pointers. I will absolutely try my best to stay true to my way.”

The challenges were still taking place, and since Master Shuiyue had been censured, the three forefathers couldn’t stay too long and affect the exams.

They chose three new keepers and issued careful reminders, emphasizing that the replacements needed to be impartial and they could not allow personal feelings to be mixed in with the matches.

Master Shuiyue had been unable to set aside her personal feelings and she had seen her standing and reputation destroyed instead.

The matches of the earth quadrant resumed normal operations.

Jiang Chen had killed Hai Tian in his match. He could still continue his challenges according to the rules.

His rhythm had been destroyed and Jiang Chen didn’t want to continue his challenges. He chose to give up his opportunity.

He then left the arena and returned to his residence.

A lot of things had happened today, and he needed some time to organize his thoughts.

Since he’d been challenged three times already, there was no way he would be challenged again today. Therefore, his departure from the arena wasn’t against the rules.

Jiang Chen sat down in meditation when he returned to his room, slowly calming his emotions.

Although the events of today looked like an accident, they had actually been inevitable. Jiang Chen knew that his conflict with the Shuiyue faction would be heightened sooner or later.

After the happenings earlier, they would likely be heightened sooner now.

“That woman is truly crazy and she can’t keep her emotions in check. She thought that she’d tire me out with four matches in a row. Hmph, what a lovely plan huh! It was a good thing that I had multiple aces and I had barely used any energy in the previous three matches in the ring of ice. However, it had been indeed a bit more tiring in the ring of spirit devouring.”

With Jiang Chen’s level of cultivation knowledge, no one on a similar level to him could measure up to him.

Hai Tian actually counted as someone who'd caused some trouble for him.

“There are almost none who can truly threaten me in the earth quadrant. It looks like I need to set my sights ahead of time to the sky quadrant.”

When it came to this quadrant, the only thing that was a challenge to Jiang Chen wasn’t his opponents, but the five rings.

“When it comes to do it, Hai Tian was fancying himself clever. He had the protection of that treasure and he wasn’t afraid of the backlash of that ring. If he’d attacked me with all his strength, I would’ve been burdened by it. Although my defense would’ve been able to barely hold out against the backlash, my movements would’ve absolutely been affected. It would’ve been a close thing had I faced off against Hai Tian. I may not have been able to win then, if I didn’t bring out the Lotus. That fellow had most likely studied my style in the previous matches and so, he wanted to be on the defense first, allowing me to attack and exhaust my spirit power. He would then counterattack when my reserves were drained.”

To be honest, Jiang Chen had been quite lucky in this match.

It had been his opponent being too unfamiliar with the situation and using the wrong tactic.

If Jiang Chen hadn’t had the tail feathers of the Raven King, he most likely would’ve had to use his final trump card of the Bewitching Lotus of Fire and Ice.

Otherwise, he really wouldn’t have been confident that he’d win.

“It looks like I have the first selection to thank. If it hadn’t been for those marvelous occurrence in the Valley of Destruction, I would’ve been forced to reveal the Lotus if I’d wanted to win today.”

He didn’t want to expose the Lotus that early.

That was his final trump card that he was saving until the end. He didn’t want to use it at all before facing his final opponent.

Jiang Chen’s days pa.s.sed much easier without Master Shuiyue’s oppression. However, he also adjusted his strategy and stopped his challenges everyday after attaining two victories in a row.

With these five rings in the earth quadrant, it wasn’t that easy to be a madman sweeping the stages in successive victories.

Jiang Chen didn’t want to do this at this point either.

What he felt gratified by was that Liu Wencai’s battle strength had indeed increased greatly after a few practice sparring matches between the two. His win rate wasn’t low either.

Liu Wencai was incredibly grateful. When he’d arrived at the earth quadrant, he knew that his level and number of 498 meant that his level was second from the bottom.

No matter how he looked at things, he was a hot contender for being demoted. It was very likely that he would be sent back to the mystic quadrant after three months.

He wasn’t willing to accept this and he wanted to change his fate.

And now, while his scores weren’t enough for his ranking to be far ahead, he had far outstripped the awkwardness of being in the bottom ten.

“Brother Boulder, perhaps I’ll never be able to catch up to you, but I’ll keep working hard according to how you’ve taught me. Even if I can’t catch up to you, I still must work hard and follow you, ensuring that I can see your back at all times, so that I am not completely left behind in the dust.”

Liu Wencai made the following oath in his heart.

Little fatty Lu had also seemed to be affected by Liu Wencai. He put away his usual joking and lackadaisical manner and he practiced more diligently than usual.

It rather seemed like he wanted to compete with Liu Wencai!

Jiang Chen naturally saw the changes in the two and he was happy for them from the bottom of his heart. He also felt slightly proud of them.

To be able to affect others with his own actions and accelerate his friends’ development; he was quite happy to see this.

Chapter 359: Fated Rivals

Somewhere in the temporary quarters of the Purple Sun Sect.

All the Purple Sun Sect heavyweights had gathered in one area.

Master Shuiyue was slightly embarra.s.sed to be facing her brethren and began to reflect. “Forefather, fellow daoists, Shuiyue was incompetent and dragged everyone down so that all lost face with me.”

Spiritual Master Zixu was the head of the sect and naturally had to project himself as thus at this time. He comforted her, “Junior sister Shuiyue, everyone knows that, although your temper is fiery, you act for the best of the sect at all times. Many factors were at play in this matter, and it wasn’t all your fault. It was the other three sects that have always been jealous of us, so they wouldn’t have pa.s.sed up on this opportunity at all.”

“Right, junior sister need not admonish yourself. This was just a mere secular cultivator with no knowledge of the vastness of the world. There will naturally be sect geniuses who will vent your ill will for you when he reaches the sky quadrant.”

“There is reason in these words. Although this candidate has great potential, there is still a large gap between him and the premier geniuses of our Purple Sun Sect.”

Everyone started comforting Master Shuiyue.

It wasn’t that they had close relations.h.i.+ps with Master Shuiyue, but that everyone knew she had taken in an incredible disciple.

This disciple was going to be a pillar of the sect sooner or later. Even forefather Sunchaser had said that Long Juxue was theoretically the disciple with the greatest hope of ascending to the origin realm.

There was no reason for this other than her innate const.i.tution. That fact alone made her superior to all the other sect geniuses.

Master Shuiyue felt a bit better receiving all of their words of comfort. However, she still hadn’t dared to look at forefather Sunchaser ever since coming back.

She had indeed committed a grave mistake this time, particularly when the forefather had already sent her a message telling her to not make a move lightly.

She hadn’t respected his wishes and had fancied herself clever in playing with fire, resulting in her picking up rocks to smash her own feet in the end. Not only had she lost face, but she’d paid the price of two personal disciples as well.

“Forefather, Shuiyue is incompetent. Please proclaim your punishment.” Shuiyue was afraid of nothing beneath the heavens and on the earth, but forefather Sunchaser was the only exception.

Even the most powerful senior executive in the Purple Sun Sect didn’t dare act wildly in front of forefather Sunchaser, including Master Shuiyue.

“Hmph. Shuiyue, it was an achievement in taking in Long Juxue, and it was a black mark in your books when you defied my orders this time. Merits offset demerits. This matter is over.”

Forefather Sunchaser snorted coldly and gave Shuiyue a way out.

Master Shuiyue felt quite anguished. She knew that the forefather’s words meant that her merits in scouting Long Juxue had been completely wiped out. She would no longer enjoy any more special privileges within the sect.

This was no small blow to her.

However, since the forefather had spoken, she dared not haggle. After all, he hadn’t pursued her guilt in defying his orders. This was already an act of mercy.

“Forefather, there is still one thing I must report.” Master Shuiyue thought for a moment and still gathered her courage to speak up.

“What?”

“I suspect that the secular freak genius is very likely Long Juxue’s rival in the mundane world—Jiang Chen!”

Everyone was stunned when she gave voice to her speculation.

“What did you say?” Spiritual Master Zixu also couldn’t sit still. “Jiang Chen? You mean the kid who was being feted by the other three sects before the selection?”

This thought had once flashed through Spiritual Master Zixu’s mind as well, but he hadn’t thought more deeply on it. He couldn’t help but ask now that Master Shuiyue had brought it up, “Do you have evidence of this?”

“I don’t have concrete evidence, but this candidate has been at odds with our sect ever since he’s entered the second selection. Why is this? In addition, I have the slightest feeling of unease about this candidate. All of you know that for a cultivator at my level, I wouldn’t have unexplainable emotional hunches. Therefore, I’m worried that this intuition will become reality.”

The intuition of martial dao!

A cultivator’s intuition wouldn’t appear for no reason; there are no waves without the wind. Something was usually bound to happen once it appeared.

This time, even forefather Sunchaser sank into deep musing.

He was a venerated origin realm pract.i.tioner and had a deep understanding of the intuition of martial dao. When random thoughts such as these appeared, they were often very accurate.

The stronger one was, the more accurate these thoughts were.

“Can it be that the secular genius really is Jiang Chen?” Sunchaser had never made much of Jiang Chen. At his level, any so-called genius was just a minor character to him.

Those who didn’t have the potential to enter the origin realm would be unable to make it into his line of sight.

He did look favorably on several geniuses in the Purple Sun Sect, and the one most likely to enter the origin realm happened to be Long Juxue.

As long as all proceeded smoothly, an azure phoenix const.i.tution would have at least a seventy to eighty percent chance of ascending to the origin realm.

Therefore, Long Juxue was without a doubt the most popular character amongst the younger generation. She had the privilege of being first priority when it came to enjoying the sect’s resources.

Sunchaser, in turn, saw in this secular cultivator a certain potential, namely the potential of becoming a venerated origin realm cultivator.

This was why he’d told Master Shuiyue not to suppress this candidate.

But if this genius really was Long Juxue’s rival, then he couldn’t be allowed to live.

“Can it be that a mere Eastern Kingdom has birthed two geniuses all at once?” Sunchaser murmured softly to himself.

“Forefather, what do you mean?” Those a.s.sembled were surprised.

Sunchaser sighed, “I hadn’t thought much of this before Shuiyue had brought it up. But since she’s had this hunch, this is a sign from the heart and basically has no room for error with it. This candidate may truly be Jiang Chen, Long Juxue’s death rival. It looks like heaven’s ways are fair. Long Juxue is such a genius that she is destined to have such a rival. I have investigated her background and discovered that Jiang Chen truly is her fated rival.”

“Forefather, do you think so too?” Master Shuiyue was greatly stunned when she heard forefather Sunchaser speak so. She’d always hoped that her intuition was wrong.

This was because the shock that the secular genius had brought to her was simply too great.

It was great to the point where she wasn’t completely confident that Long Juxue would be able to suppress him.

“Let’s wait and see.” Sunchaser spread out his hands. “If this candidate is truly Jiang Chen, he is destined to be unable to coexist with Long Juxue. He will certainly become her internal demon if he doesn’t die.”

“On the other hand, if he truly is Jiang Chen, he would actually be the best tool to temper Long Juxue with. If Long Juxue can overcome him, then she will surely rise to the skies like a phoenix soaring the nine heavens.”

“Forefather, do you mean to allow this candidate to enter the sky quadrant and compete with Long Juxue?” Master Shuiyue asked hoa.r.s.ely with surprise.

“What?” Sunchaser smiled coldly. “You can’t bear for this to happen out of a desire to protect your disciple?”

“This kid is crafty and tricky, whereas Long Juxue’s personality has yet to form and she lacks a certain amount of tempering. I’m worried…”

“Don’t worry unnecessarily like the man fretting about the sky falling in.” Sunchaser said remotely. “In order to become one above all, one must be able to make it past everything. If a fated rival is enough to stop her, then all is futile no matter how high her potential is.”

The other heavyweights of the sect all nodded in agreement.

Geniuses not only needed to have potential, but also needed various conditions that would allow them to grow into their own. The design of the initial selection encompa.s.sed all of this.

If Long Juxue was unable to make it past this obstacle or was unable to defeat all of her opponents, then what right did she have to stand at the pinnacle of the sect and enjoy treatment that no one else had?

“Shuiyue, your personality is fiery, but this isn’t a shortcoming. Even your fierce protection of those close to you isn’t a shortcoming, but you must remember that although a master’s protection is necessary in the development of a cultivator, too much interference is actually a type of confinement. If you do everything for her, what true tempering can she undergo? If her personality isn’t forged, how will we trust her with important situations?”

Sunchaser’s tone became stern. “Therefore, if this candidate is indeed Jiang Chen, this is actually a good thing. He will become Long Juxue’s most ideal test. To have a fated rival during the rise of genius is a stroke of luck and not disaster, do you understand?”

Master Shuiyue was grave as she suddenly understood something.

She really did feel quite a bit of regret in this moment. If she’d understood this earlier, she wouldn’t have lost so much face this time. Not only had she wrecked her own reputation, she’d paid the price of two personal disciples as well.

“Alright, that will be all. Shuiyue, treat this matter as a type of trial for yourself as well. Temper your personality well.”

Sunchaser waved his hand and was about to leave.

“Forefather, please wait. There is still one more thing regarding Jiang Chen.” Master Shuiyue suddenly remembered something.

“What else is there?”

“That day in the Eastern Kingdom, Jiang Chen was one step away from being killed by my disciple Chu Xinghan when a mysterious person appeared out of nowhere and saved him. He gave Chu Xinghan the message that Long Juxue and Jiang Chen’s matter should be settled by only the two of them. If the Purple Sun Sect or any others interfere, then the mysterious person will personally come to the Purple Sun Sect for an explanation. It now seems that this person may be the person secretly mentoring Jiang Chen.”

“Mysterious person? Smoke and mirrors.” Sunchaser laughed coldly in succession. “Apart from us four old fellows in the sixteen kingdoms, who else has the right to be mysterious?”

“Think no more on this matter. Whoever they are, our sect fears nothing in the sixteen kingdoms. He’s not worthy of threatening the Purple Sun Sect!” Sunchaser delivered this in a domineering tone.

“Mm, I actually suspect that the mysterious person could be the spirit king protector of the Skylaurel Kingdom, Ye Chonglou.” Master Shuiyue still voiced the suspicions in her heart.

“Ye Chonglou?” Sunchaser’s tone grew even more contemptuous. “Spirit king protector of the kingdom? Since he’s a spirit king, then there’s nothing to worry about. He can come talk to me as equals when he enters the origin realm. However, will he be able to do so with his endowments? Heh heh, impossible!”

Although Sunchaser wasn’t familiar with Ye Chonglou, he still knew of him. He knew that this man was only a step away from the origin realm but had always been unable to break through.

This was a bottleneck. If he hadn’t been able to bridge it in a hundred years, it meant he didn’t have the ability to take the final step.

This was the difference between the origin realm and the spirit realm. It was just one line, but that line encompa.s.sed a thousand mountains and ten thousand moats.

Since forefather Sunchaser had set the tone, there was nothing much for anyone else to say. Everyone left to go about their own business, leaving Master Shuiyue still a bit worried.

Chapter 360: The Thundercloud Tree, Refining the Golden Body

The Hundred Challenges of the earth quadrant had basically become an exercise in carrying out Jiang Chen’s official duties. He won one or two matches a day and he never sought to carry on.

Even so, no one had been able to defeat him up until now. No one had even come close.

They all had to admit that, in the end, this secular genius belonged to the sky quadrant, and not the earth quadrant.

Jiang Chen didn’t waste the three months time that he had as he trained diligently every day. His goal was to use this time well and sprint forward, making it into the fifth level spirit realm as early as possible.

Although there were fifth level spirit realm candidates in the earth quadrant, there weren’t that many.

But when he moved onto the sky quadrant, the lowest ranked amongst them would be at the fifth level spirit realm. There would be plenty of sixth level spirit realm as well.

It was even rumored that there would be geniuses of the sky spirit realm in the sky quadrant as well.

Jiang Chen felt that although he had many trump cards, he didn’t have the slightest confidence in facing a genius in the sky spirit realm.

Because of this, he pushed himself even harder. He knew that when he arrived at the sky quadrant, he would no longer have such a clear advantage as he’d had in the earth and mystic quadrants.

The sky quadrant was filled with the elites painstakingly selected by the sects.

“It looks like I need to work harder to win out over all the younger generation of the sects.” Jiang Chen simulated things carefully and he felt that in order to conquer the sky quadrant, his current level of cultivation was truly insufficient.

He was training the ‘Nine Transformations of Demons and G.o.ds’ to the second level. As time went on, Jiang Chen used the power of metal essence to refine his flesh and blood every day.

He suddenly remembered something one day.

“Ah right, how could I have forgotten the Thundercloud Tree?” Jiang Chen suddenly remembered the Thundercloud Tree and Thundercloud Cicada on the ninth level of the magnetic golden mountain.

Setting aside the Thundercloud Cicada for now, there were many wondrous effects from the Thundercloud Tree. One of them was to refine the golden body!

Jiang Chen had gained so much during the first selection that he’d forgotten about the Thundercloud Tree.

He slapped his thigh and sighed, “I’m wasting a heavenly treasure here by ignoring the Thundercloud Tree! If I were to refine the Tree, I’d be able to use my own body and use it to refine an invincible body. Add to that the effects from the Nine Transformation of Demons and G.o.ds — that’ll be double insurance for my success then!”

Jiang Chen felt boundless inspiration at that moment.

He acted upon his thoughts and he sent a beam of consciousness to communicate with the Thundercloud Cicada. He knew that if it didn’t agree to this, he wouldn’t be able to obtain part of the tree.

The tree resided on the ninth floor of the magnetic golden mountain, and although he’d conquered the mountain now, it was a bit unrealistic to summon the entire mountain with his current level of cultivation.

Besides, if he were to do so here, it would also be an astounding event.

Therefore, he had to obtain the cicada’s consent in order to barely summon one ten-thousandth of the mountain’s original form.

It was almost impossible for him to summon the entire mountain before he reached the origin realm.

But he could summon a mere fraction of the mountain so that the courtyard could comfortably hold its shape.

Of course, the prelude to that was that the Thundercloud Cicada had to be willing to help.

“Human big brother, you’re the master of the magnetic golden mountain now and I’m the one who told you about this. Not only do you not thank me, you want me to give you the Thundercloud Tree as well!” The cicada sounded a bit aggrieved after it heard Jiang Chen’s request.

Jiang Chen smiled with a thick face, “I don’t want much, just a small section. It absolutely won’t affect your s.p.a.ce of survival on the tree.”

“Really just a small section? Then, human big brother, can you promise that you won’t want any in the future?”

“Well… the Thundercloud Tree grows fast as well. When it grows into a towering tree in the future or even a forest of Thundercloud Trees, it’ll be impossible for me to not want any during that time then.”

The cicada c.o.c.ked its head to the side and thought for a moment. “Ten years, I’ll give it to you this once, but you can’t ask for more during the next ten years.”

Ten years wasn’t a long time to a cultivator.

“Alright, ten years it is. But, you can’t be too miserly, I need to be able to use it after all! I say, little cicada, you know that I have a lot of enemies right now and I need the tree to strengthen myself. If my strength can’t keep up and I’m destroyed by someone else, then they might take the magnetic golden mountain away. You’ll become someone else’s possession at that time. Surely, you know that humans are quite greedy. Your bloodline is so superior, someone’s definitely going to swallow you for your bloodline. Do you believe me?”

The cicada began to tremble in its fright as it said nervously, “Human big brother, you won’t devour me for my bloodlines, will you?”

Jiang Chen grinned, “I promise not to hurt you.”

The cicada grew depressed. “That means you still might ask for a lot of things from me.”

Jiang Chen didn’t deny it. The bloodline of a Thundercloud Cicada were very n.o.ble. If he refined it and obtained its heritage, then he’d be able to train an art that faked death, the ‘Cicada’s Disappearance’.

This art was absolutely worth half a life to a cultivator.

“Little cicada, I won’t lie to you. I would dearly like to master your heritage — the Cicada’s Disappearance. However, I won’t harm your body, but I might come to borrow some of your bloodline in the future.”

The cicada sighed softly. “Alright, compared to other humans, big brother is a good man already. When my bloodline slowly evolve to perfection, I’ll consider lending you a drop of blood then. Don’t look down on a single drop of blood from me, that would be enough for you to obtain my heritage and memories.”

Jiang Chen was overjoyed, “Let’s not talk about the future yet, I’ll await your Thundercloud Tree.”

The bloodline of the cicada was still a far off matter for him. What he needed now was the Thundercloud Tree.

The cicada quickly returned with a chunk of wood as long as Jiang Chen’s arm. He was quite satisfied and he smiled, “Little cicada, I thought you’d be miserly and just give me the amount as big as a fist. I hadn’t thought that you’d be so generous.”

“You’d start scheming if I wasn’t generous.” The cicada pouted. “Human big brother, don’t contact me if there’s nothing else. It’s very tiring to communicate like this through the mountain.”

The Thundercloud Cicada flapped its wings after saying this and vanished.

Jiang Chen made several hand seals and the magnetic golden mountain slowly dissolved into formless golden light, slowly shrinking and finally vanis.h.i.+ng into Jiang Chen’s palm without a trace.

He was like a fish in water after receiving this piece of the tree.

He sat down to collect his thoughts and he immediately began cultivating. It wouldn’t be that easy to refine this piece of Thundercloud Tree.

It wasn’t a simple matter of a.s.similating the wood into his flesh and blood. Rather, it had to be melded into every bit of his flesh and blood.

Flesh and blood, tendons, meridians, spirit ocean…

There were many uses for this wood. Apart from helping him refine an invincible body, it could also call down thunder to refine a body of thunder, enabling the cultivator to master all sorts of thunder related arts.

In addition, the wood could also defend against a hundred poisons. One could say that it was impervious to the invasion of all poisons.

“If I refined this wood, I likely wouldn’t have unwittingly fallen victim to that trap last time. The Thundercloud Tree actively filters out some poisons.”

Jiang Chen still felt that he reacted too slowly.

If he’d thought of refining this wood earlier, then that matter wouldn’t have happened either.

Refining the Thundercloud Tree wasn’t something that would be achieved overnight. This was because the wood itself was quite hard and it had to be crushed into a powder first before it could be refined.

With the density of the wood, turning it into powder wasn’t something that could be accomplished overnight either.

This was the matter that Jiang Chen focused on over the next three days after completing his challenges.

He finally completed the task after five days, but the process of refining and absorbing the powder would take at least ten days.

Half a month pa.s.sed like this.

As he felt all parts of his body slowly absorb the essence of the tree, he had a particular feeling of accomplishment.

“The Thundercloud Tree is a treasure alright. No effort needs to be extended in order to absorb regular spirit medicines, but it’s such an arduous task to absorb the essence of this tree. It’s a good thing that perseverance is rewarded. Now that I’ve absorbed the tree’s essence, I’ll have more confidence in refining the golden body of demons and G.o.ds.”

Jiang Chen was also quite excited.

As he sensed the changes in his body that were brought about by the Thundercloud Tree, he too felt quite a sense of accomplishment.

The memories of his past life had still brought him many benefits.

Looking at the changes to his body and the trump cards he now held, how many sect disciples could also boast of the same, much less the secular cultivators?

If it hadn’t been for the memories of his past life, most of these would’ve been destined to have no relations.h.i.+p with Jiang Chen.

He wouldn’t have an understanding of the ancient beast language without the memories of his previous life, and he wouldn’t have been able to tame the Goldbiter Rat King. He would’ve naturally missed out on the Bewitching Lotus of Fire and Ice.

He also wouldn’t have recognized the Thundercloud Tree without the memories and he naturally wouldn’t have obtained it.

He likewise wouldn’t have been able to answer the Lord of Golden Seal, and he would’ve been pounded to death on the tenth level, to say nothing of refining the magnetic golden mountain instead.

Without the Lotus, he surely would’ve fallen into the disaster that was the Fire Ravens setting fire to a hundred li. He never would’ve obtained the cores and bodily treasures of the Fire Raven tribe and Redscaled Firelizard.

At the heart of it all, none of that could’ve been accomplished by an ordinary cultivator. The memories of his past life were what all of it was based on.

As time went on, the days pa.s.sed one by one. His body also became stronger after absorbing the Thundercloud Tree.

When the end of the three months were nigh, he’d also just about thoroughly completed refining his flesh and blood at the second level of the ‘Nine Transformations of Demons and G.o.ds’.

In this regard, his golden body of demons and G.o.ds had reached a small milestone.

The critical thing was that after absorbing the Thundercloud Tree, his physical body had gained an additional layer of defense, and he’d had an additional layer of protection when coming face to face with thunder attribute geniuses in the future.

Jiang Chen moved closer and closer to the sky quadrant as time pa.s.sed.

He couldn’t wait to take his measure of the so-called premier geniuses in the sky quadrant.

At the end of the three months, he’d become the champion of the earth quadrant with a flawless record with no doubts at all.

…….

A young girl with a cool bearing received a message glyph, somewhere in the sky quadrant. She read it briefly as her brows lifted slightly, revealing a trace of stern intent. “Jiang Chen? Secular genius? Coming to the sky quadrant? What gives that dumb animal the right to make it all the way to the sky quadrant?”

This girl was the genius subjected to the most attention amongst the younger generation in the Purple Sun Sect — Long Juxue!