Nine Star Hegemon Body Art c1-2048
Page 92
Some people could, once they reached the peak of Blood Condensation, use various secret arts or spirit pills to seal their cultivation bases, causing them to remain within the Blood Condensation realm.
But those people had an absolutely terrifying combat ability. It was no wonder that the white-robed man had been filled with contempt towards Long Chen who was born and raised in such a weak empire.
Even these kinds of geniuses here had to work hard just to join this sect. It could be seen just how terrifying the power of sects was.
His selection back then had definitely been correct. Even then, he could clearly sense that the various sect Elders had a deep respect for Tu Fang.
That was why Long Chen had guessed that Tu Fang’s sect was definitely the most terrifying out of all of them. Otherwise, there was no way he could expel the Bloodnet Sect’s Zhao Changxing with just a single sentence.
Furthermore, Zhao Changxing hadn’t even dared to say anything in resistance. Thus, all of Long Chen’s attention had been focused on Tu Fang.
Seeing this many terrifying geniuses gathering here now, Long Chen was even more sure he had made the right choice.
As he continued forward, Long Chen was shocked to see that there were increasingly more people. They were all gathering towards the monastery.
Some people were in small groups, but the majority were traveling alone. The roars of countless vicious beasts continuously echoed throughout.
Suddenly, a loud boom came from the front.
“There are more people fighting again. I gotta go check it out before it’s over,” someone shouted and rushed forward.
Long Chen was startled and quickly urged Little Snow to rush forward as fast as possible. And as expected, after passing through a stretch of forest, he reached an empty ground where two people were violently fighting.
What surprised Long Chen was that one of them was that eagle-clawed man he had seen before.
Claw images filled the sky as whistling winds were like surging sea waves, repeatedly forcing back his opponent.
“What terrifying attacks!”
“That’s Eagle Mountain’s Ying family’s consummate technique. That person should be the Ying family’s number one genius, Ying Mingyang.”[1]
Some people were quietly whispering. They had obviously recognized this eagle-clawed man. His opponent was also fighting empty-handed. Red scales appeared over his fists, appearing just like snakeskin.
As people were quietly discussing their fight, Ying Mingyang’s claw images, which had been filling the sky, completely disappeared. People couldn’t even tell what had happened, but his claw was now already gripping his opponent’s shoulder. That move of his had been extremely strange.
His opponent immediately didn’t dare to move in the slightest. Blood flowed from his shoulder freely, his face deathly ashen.
“Kid, scram back to where you came from,” said Ying Mingyang icily.
That person nodded dejectedly, and in front of everyone, he started walking back, causing everyone to feel pity for him.
Long Chen was confused; did losing mean he had to give up his registration? What was going on?
Just as Long Chen was filled with shock, someone approached him.
[1] Ying=Eagle here.
Chapter 127 Know-it-all
That was a youth of average build and average appearance, but his eyes made him seem like a vulgar, perverted man, no matter how he tried to act otherwise.
“Hello, this little brother is known as the know-it-all of the Xuantian Monastery, and if elder brother has any questions, you can always ask me. There is nothing I don’t know about this place,” vowed that person solemnly, patting his chest in confidence.
Long Chen was startled and looked at this seemingly perverted youth with confusion, not understanding what was going on.
“Anything, no matter how small or big, about the Xuantian Monastery?” asked Long Chen.
“Of course! Ten years ago I already began to gather information about the Xuantian Monastery. I’ve managed to thoroughly investigate everything within the monastery, especially the information about the disciple selection! But if my information satisfies you, then I’ll have to ask for a small consultation fee!”
That person acted extremely bashfully when he brought up the consultation fee, but his acting couldn’t fool anyone. That was because the expression in his eyes completely sold him out.
“You started gathering information ten years ago? Are you this sure of being able to enter the Xuantian Monastery?” asked Long Chen.
“Of course! This is what is called preparing! By taking the long view at the beginning, one doesn’t need to worry about the future. Look at those fresh rookies who are so confused. They don’t know anything about the trial procedure, and so they’ll definitely suffer greatly. So, elder brother, are you interested?” asked that youth fervently.
Long Chen noticed he accidentally glanced at Little Snow behind him and realized this youth had probably recognized what Little Snow was. He probably thought that he was some wealthy, rich kid.
A Scarlet Flame Snow Wolf was a peak third rank Magical Beast. As for all the geniuses here who were applying, they also had Magical Beast steeds, but the absolute majority were only at the second rank. Third rank Magical Beasts were few and far between.
He really hadn’t expected this perverted youth to have keen enough eyesight to see through Little Snow’s disguise.
Then sensing his cultivation base, he saw this youth was at the late Blood Condensation realm with an extremely sturdy foundation. Although his eyes revealed an obvious hint of pervertedness, his power was extremely reserved. He was definitely an expert.
“What’s the fee?” Since he had nothing to do at the moment anyway, he decided to ask. In any case, there were countless gold coins in his spatial ring. If he could use them to buy some useful information, he wouldn’t care about the loss.
“I, Guo Ran, am extremely upright and will never cheat anyone. For a normal question, I will only take a middle grade second tier medicinal pill.
“If it’s a question regarding the more important details of the selection, the price will go up a bit to a high grade second tier medicinal pill.
“Of course, I also have exclusive secrets pertaining to the details of what will happen after joining the monastery. This little brother solemnly promises that if you knew these secrets, you would definitely be able to live in the Xuantian Monastery like a fish in water and quickly stand out.
“I see that elder brother is an extremely honest person, so I will also offer you a special all-inclusive deal. For just ten third tier medicinal pills, I will tell you everything I know.
“This is a huge discount just for you! You definitely won’t suffer a loss for those ten medicinal pills. Those ten medicinal pills can let you skyrocket here.
“These ten pills aren’t expensive or much! Only by investing can you truly make profit…” That Guo Ran continued on and on smoothly as he tried to entice Long Chen.
“Okay, okay, stop. You’re such a salesperson, were you born in a street stall?” Long Chen looked strangely at Guo Ran.
Guo Ran laughed with some embarrassment. “Ah, isn’t this just because I think brother is extremely honest and I am afraid you’ll miss out on this great opportunity? That would be equivalent to giving up a great future. This is all for elder brother’s benefit!”
Long Chen truly felt as if his eyes had been opened to the world. Not only did the Xuantian Monastery contain talents and geniuses, but it also contained oddities like this.
“Do you really know everything about the Xuantian Monastery?” asked Long Chen.
“Of course! I will tell no lies or cheat anyone! If it’s a question about the Xuantian Monastery and I can’t answer, I’ll tell you everything I know free of charge!” Guo Ran patted his chest confidently.
“Then let me ask you, when the Xuantian Monastery’s leader does number two, does he wipe his butt with his left or ri
ght hand?” asked Long Chen.
Guo Ran’s eyes widened with disbelief. It took a while before he resentfully said, “Brother, you look so talented, but why do you have to do things so wrongly? Who could possibly know something like that?”
“Just because you don’t know, doesn’t mean others don’t know. Looks like you’ll have to keep studying to really become a know-it-all.” Long Chen shook his head.
“This is an insult to me! Tell me, who could possibly know this secret?” raged Guo Ran.
“Me.” Long Chen pointed to himself.
“You?! Are you just using me for amusement?” Guo Ran felt as if he was being messed with.
“Hey, don’t get angry. I really do know,” laughed Long Chen.
“Ok, if you can tell me, then I, Guo Ran, will tell you all my secrets free of charge. But if you can’t, then you and I will really have a duel.” Guo Ran had obviously been infuriated by Long Chen.
A duel? Long Chen smiled slightly. Instead of directly answering, he asked in a roundabout fashion, “As a know-it-all, I’m sure you know who the Xuantian Monastery’s sect leader is, right?”
“Of course, sect leader Ling Yunzi is a peak expert whose sword swept across the lands. Three hundred years ago, his name already shook the heavens. Who doesn’t know this? Get to the point.” Guo Ran’s anger had yet to fade.
His words were absolutely correct. The Xuantian Monastery’s sect leader Ling Yunzi had been at the peak back then. But in the past three hundred years, no one had seen him ever take action again.
But as for the legends about him, there were many. There were also quite a few portraits of him that had been passed on. A few families even had such portraits in their shrines. Those portraits were all of Ling Yunzi in his youth, gracefully wielding his sword like an immortal.
Although Long Chen hadn’t been paying that much attention on the way, he had heard others speaking about him and remembered a few fragments of it.
At the very least he knew that the current Xuantian Monastery sect leader was a powerful sword cultivator. Just knowing that much was enough.
“Since you know the sect leader is a sword cultivator, then you should also know that other than during fights, sword cultivators must always keep their right hand empty?” asked Long Chen lightly.
Guo Ran immediately had nothing to say. Sword cultivators were not the same as other cultivators. Other cultivators would keep their weapons within their spatial rings.
But the personal sword of sword cultivators always had to be kept on their backs or held on their waist. That was a habit of sword cultivators. In fact, it was practically a rule, as there were no exceptions.
They didn’t view their swords as weapons but as a part of themselves and their lives. And so their swords were always kept within reach.
Furthermore, they would not use their sword hand to touch anything other than their sword, as that would be a kind of blasphemy against the sword.
Long Chen had already seen some applicants stealthily take out a portrait of the sect leader in admiration, and he had seen that the person in those portraits was holding his sword in his right hand. That was why he could conclude that he would have to use his left hand for everything else.
Hearing this, Guo Ran’s anger disappeared. He had no choice but to admit to himself that he had lost.
“Elder brother, you truly were a step ahead of me. I’ve lost, and since I bet, I must pay. I’ll tell you everything I know, but you must swear never to tell others. I still need to do business.”
“It’s okay, you can just continue doing your business. I’m not that interested in the secrets you know. Some things are only interesting if you find them out yourself.” Long Chen shook his head.
Guo Ran was shocked; Long Chen had declined his good intentions? While it was true that he was somewhat of an unscrupulous businessman, he had truly gathered a lot of important information over the past few years.
Otherwise, if others had spent their wealth to buy useless secrets from him, he probably would have already been beaten to death. The kind of information he had was something many people urgently needed.
Seeing that Long Chen was about to leave, Guo Ran grabbed his arm and said, “No, business must be conducted fairly. Are you acting like this to make me be a promise-breaker?”
Long Chen was surprised, not expecting this youth with his perverted eyes to possess such integrity.
“Okay then, tell me some stuff. Why did that person who lost have to give up his spot?”
“Ah, that kid, hehe. He’s someone who married into the Wonder River Valley family, an opponent of the Ying family. Unfortunately for him, Ying Mingyang cornered him, and the two of them made an agreement that whoever lost would have to get out of the Xuantian Monastery. Look, this is only the start, but many disciples from different families with various relationships have entered the monastery now. In the future, it will definitely be very lively,” said Guo Ran.
So it was like that, Long Chen thought to himself. The Xuantian Monastery truly was not lacking in crouching tigers and hidden dragons. The situation here was even more complicated than he had thought.
“Right, I still haven’t asked elder brother for his name and his origin,” Guo Ran said with some awkwardness.
“I’m Long Chen. As for where I came from, hehe, it’s not suitable for me to say it.” Long Chen laughed mischievously.
He definitely couldn’t say that he came from some rustic, far-off region like the Phoenix Cry Empire. These disciples mostly came from various powerful families or groups.
Phoenix Cry was too remote and desolate. There were no true great powers within it, while in comparison, he had noticed that everyone whom he had encountered on his journey here all came from families which possessed their own extremely powerful backgrounds and inheritances.
In comparison to them, Long Chen’s background was nothing. Although he might not feel inferior, being asked this still made him feel embarrassed.
Guo Ran didn’t become suspicious when Long Chen refused to tell him his background. Someone who possessed a third rank Scarlet Flame Snow Wolf couldn’t possibly come from a low background, right?
For Long Chen to refuse to answer, that must be because he didn’t want to borrow the power of his background in order to intimidate others. Just how superior was that in comparison to those arrogant fellows who bragged about which mountain and which family they came from? This is what it meant to possess hidden strength. Guo Ran truly was starting to admire Long Chen more and more.
Although he had failed to sell anything, he wasn’t the slightest bit discouraged. He possessed a businessman’s amicability that could easily make him rich.
But at the same time, he was also extremely curious about Long Chen. He was extremely low-key, and his cultivation base was hidden. But his eyes were as calm as water, making it so others were unable to comprehend his full level.
The two of them randomly chatted for a while. Long Chen learned that Guo Ran had also come from an influential family, but his family was quite a bit weaker than the majority of the other applicants.
That was why Guo Ran had immediately started his business as soon as he entered the Xuantian Monastery. That was to pull in more bargaining chips, making preparations for him to soar rapidly once he became a disciple. That made Long Chen see him in a new light.
“Right, brother Long, which faction are you planning on relying on?” Looking around to see that no one was present, Guo Ran stealthily asked Long Chen this question.
Chapter 128 Three Heroes Two Beauties
“Faction? Rely on? What do you mean?”
Guo Ran looked at Long Chen strangely. “When brother Long left, didn’t your family give you some information about the monastery?”
Long Chen shook his head. Having his family mentioned, his heart became somber. He wondered how his mother was.
While he had been home, he had been his mother’s main support. Now that he had left, his mother was pro
bably greatly affected.
“Oh, then we should find a place to have a proper conversation.” Guo Ran waved his hand, and a round thing ran over.
When it arrived, Long Chen realized that it was a huge, pitch-black mouse three meters long.
“Brother Guo’s steed is pretty unique,” Long Chen couldn’t help but laugh.
Guo Ran didn’t take offense. “This is my companion that has been with me since I was a child. We grew up together. Don’t look down on him; he runs extremely fast.”
The two of them found an isolated place and sat down. Guo Ran took out some refreshments and began to eat and converse with Long Chen.
“Brother Long should know about the three heroes and two beauties, right?” asked Guo Ran.
“Nope.” Long Chen shook his head.
“Pffft!” Guo Ran spat out his food. “What, you don’t even know about this? Then your information really is nothing!” Guo Ran took out a beast hide from his ring. The words on that page were extremely small and densely packed. There had to be tens of thousands of words on it.
Guo Ran glanced at the beast hide and was slightly startled. He read it over again, then looked at Long Chen with shock. “Why isn’t your name on the registration list?”
“I don’t know.” Long Chen could only shake his head.
Guo Ran took a deep breath and asked suspiciously, “Do you not have a registration card?”
“I do.” Long Chen directly handed over his registration card to Guo Ran. Although he hadn’t known him for long, Long Chen sensed that he wasn’t a bad person.
Guo Ran glanced over the registration card and exclaimed, “The Law Enforcement Elder?! You know the Enforcement Elder?” Guo Ran looked at Long Chen with disbelief.
“Are you talking about Elder Tu Fang?” asked Long Chen.
“Yes, Elder Tu Fang is an extremely powerful Elder in our monastery. He’s very upright and strict. He is very trusted.” Guo Ran looked at Long Chen with admiration, obviously thinking Long Chen was a relative of Elder Tu Fang or had a close relation to him.