Nine Star Hegemon Body Art c1-2048
Page 107
“Unfortunately, this life ring is too low in quality. Otherwise, I could grab a couple extra fish and breed them over and over.”
Long Chen couldn’t help but sigh regretfully. The Wonder Carp’s reproductive ability had always been low, and they were extremely picky about their surroundings. They required a clean and natural environment. Therefore, It was extremely difficult to breed them.
And as for his current life ring, it could only manage to keep them alive. It wasn’t capable of letting them grow more, and so he was a bit disappointed.
Although the Wonder Carp essence only offered a weak energy, it was extremely pure without any side effects. As long as he had enough numbers, he would be able to continuously nourish his soul.
Grains of sand could eventually accumulate to make a tower; if he had enough time and enough Wonder Carps, his Spiritual Strength could continue growing stronger. To a pill cultivator, powerful Spiritual Strength was everything.
The pool he had found the Wonder Carps in hadn’t been very large. If Long Chen had continued using his method of catching them, it wouldn’t have been long before they were all gone.
Perhaps if Long Chen had really been planning on doing that, even the Xuantian Monastery wouldn’t have permitted it. So he could only take things one step at a time.
After absorbing the Wonder Carp essences, Long Chen felt refreshed and much livelier, taking a long stretch.
He had also consumed a few healing pills. Thus, the damage the thunderforce had done to his body was mostly healed at this time.
“I should go take a stroll around. I can’t waste the Xuantian Monastery’s treasures.”
Long Chen left his cave and began to walk according to the map. On the way, he saw quite a few registrants that were also searching around constantly like him.
Obviously, everyone had already begun to gather at the final location on the map. Most likely, they were preparing to cross the first barrier, the huge river. When many people saw Long Chen, they couldn’t help but feel nervous. But then seeing Long Chen didn’t bother with them, they relaxed.
“Didn’t you hear? That guy killed one of Lei Qianshang’s subordinates yesterday,” whispered one.
“I heard Zhao Wu was an extremely powerful figure and considered Lei Qianshang’s right-hand man. Who would have thought such a person would die under Long Chen’s hands?”
“I heard that after Long Chen killed Zhao Wu, he didn’t receive any punishment and was still allowed to continue the trial.”
People couldn’t help but sigh. Back before the trial, Long Chen had been riding his powerful mount and fought fiercely with Qi Xin. They had all thought he was just some spoiled brat relying on his family’s power. His third rank Magical Beast didn’t represent that he truly had any power.
That was because true experts didn’t need to bring powerful Magical Beasts to guard them. So they had never viewed Long Chen as being important.
“Long Chen is definitely a dark horse. I wonder if he can stand on par with the monster-class experts,” sighed one person.
“Tch, just him? Who do you think he is to dare compare himself to monster-class experts? Didn’t you hear he immediately coughed up blood after just one of Lei Qianshang’s attacks?
“He’s just bullying weaker people. In front of a monster-class expert, he is unable to receive even a single blow,” one person coldly snorted, obviously disdainful of Long Chen.
Of course, Long Chen had no idea that the news of him killing Zhao Wu had already spread explosively. At this time, people already considered him to be the number one figure below the monster-class level.
Walking over a mountain, he arrived at a flat plain. The huge trees had already disappeared from this region. Taking their place were endless shrubs.
These shrubs were all several meters high. After walking in, it was incredibly easy to get lost. Long Chen looked around, determining his direction, and walked in.
It was extremely difficult to walk through this place. There were many thorny thistles, and the majority were poisonous. Although they couldn’t break through Long Chen’s defense, it was still uncomfortable and tore through his clothes. A slight mistake caused a huge hole to tear in his clothes. If he didn’t think of a method, perhaps just halfway through he would be streaking naked.
Suddenly, a figure rushed by Long Chen’s side, causing him some surprise. Was this person so strong he didn’t need to bother with the thorns?
But then he immediately laughed when he saw that person. He was wearing a set of golden armor over his entire body.
No wonder he wasn’t afraid of the thorns. Long Chen shook his head. Searching his spatial ring, he found he really did have a couple sets of armor.
Long Chen thanked that fellow who had thought of robbing him back then. These sets all came from him.
He found a bronze set that fit him. Now with this bronze armor covering him, he wouldn’t have to worry about these thorns.
After thinking for a moment, he continued looking through his spatial ring and found a helmet for himself as well.
“Haha, excellent.” This helmet was a full helmet that completely covered his head, leaving only two holes for his eyes. Even someone who knew him wouldn’t be able to recognize him.
“Ah, if I want to commit some sins, having good tools is definitely a must!” Long Chen was delighted. Putting on the helmet, he found that although his line of sight was somewhat restricted and it was a bit uncomfortable, it wasn’t that difficult to get used to. He sent his divine sense to see things for him.
He continued forward again. With this armor protecting him, he no longer worried about these thorns.
This set of armor should weigh more than one hundred and fifty kilograms. By relying on inertia, Long Chen could shoot forward like a cannonball. During that wild rush, even if he ran into some huge tree, he wouldn’t have to dodge and could directly charge through it.
“Haha, how refreshing!” That was the first time Long Chen had experienced such a feeling. He felt as if his heart and spirit had been released and were flying. He enjoyed the thrill of this high-speed travel.
“Ah, crap!”
While he was enjoying this refreshing feeling, he hadn’t expected to run into two others. They were also wearing armor and charging forward. However, in his eyes, their speed was no different from a snail’s.
“Get out of the way! I can’t stop!”
BOOM!
Long Chen had only just shouted when he slammed into the two of them. Those two were immediately sent flying into the air, shouting in panic.
With two loud bangs, those two crashed to the ground. Aching groans came from them as they rolled around completely battered.
“Ah sorry! This crash was definitely my fault!” Long Chen was alarmed.
“Bastard, hand over your tile!”
Those two crawled up and angrily pointed at Long Chen.
Taking off their helmets, he saw their hair was a complete mess and blood was flowing from their noses. There were even some bruises on their faces. He had definitely crashed into them too hard.
“Damn, it hurts. I can’t even feel my nose. What are you just staring for?! Hand over your tile!” One person angrily shouted in between the pained moans.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Junior only just began to practice this method and isn’t too familiar. This tile will be my apology to you two.”
Long Chen definitely felt in the wrong and handed over his Tian tile to them. In any case, he already had a full set, and he no longer had any use for it.
The two of them continued cursing as they received the tile. “Brat, this time your luck is good. Next time pay attention.”
“Yes, next time I’ll definitely pay more attention,” laughed Long Chen.
“Ok, let’s go. Boss Qi wants us to quickly gather. Don’t delay Boss Qi’s major affair. We’ll just let this kid off this time,” said one to the other, pulling on the other to quickly leave.
After the two of the
m left, Long Chen was left wondering: boss Qi? To be called boss, didn’t that mean it was most likely a monster-class figure, Qi Xin?
Long Chen turned to look in the direction they were going. Hehe, Qi Xin, let me see just what you are planning.
Chapter 150 Jade Butterfly Bees
Long Chen stealthily followed behind the two of them. After fifty miles, they finally ran into a group of people. The person at the front was wearing a set of golden armor and a scholar’s band over his head. Naturally, that was Qi Xin.
Over seventy people had gathered in front of him. They were all wearing armor and helmets, even using cloth to cover up any gaps. All they exposed to the outside were their eyes.
Long Chen couldn’t help but feel curious now. Just what were they planning on doing with such attire? He was wondering how he could noiselessly infiltrate his way in when someone patted him on the shoulder.
“What are you just standing here for? Hurry up and join them.” A helmeted man shouted at him coarsely.
“Oh, ok.” Long Chen quickly agreed. Behind this man were another dozen people. They had probably all come together, and so by joining them, he wouldn’t be so conspicuous.
“Boss Qi, we pretty much have everyone. We don’t need to wait any longer.” That person brought his people in front of Qi Xin and respectfully reported.
Qi Xin looked over everyone and nodded. “No need to wait any longer. We should be enough.”
Qi Xin then turned to him. “How was it? Did you find any news about Long Chen?”
That person shook his head. “Us brothers didn’t find his trail, but we suspect he’s hiding to heal his injuries. Lei Qianshang’s thunderseed isn’t something ordinary people can endure.”
Qi Xin frowned slightly and icily said, “I heard this bastard is viewed importantly by Tang Wan-er. Hmph, he better not let me encounter him.
“Otherwise, I’ll let him endure my Qi family’s Ten Thousand Gu Insects[1], letting him experience just what a life worse than death is !”
Before the trial, Qi Xin had sent people to force Long Chen to kowtow in apology, wanting to humiliate him.
But the result was that Qi Xin had had to repeatedly retreat in front of Little Snow’s attacks, causing him to lose face. And so his hatred of Long Chen had already sunk into his bones.
After entering the trial region, Qi Xin had constantly been searching for news of Long Chen. Unfortunately, the trial region was too large, and it was like trying to find a needle in a haystack.[2]
“Ok, everyone listen closely. This time we are handling a beehive. Our target is the honey inside,” announced Qi Xin.
Everyone’s expressions became strange. Did they really need to make such huge movements to get some honey?
“Listen carefully. What we’ll be handling won’t be ordinary bees, but Magical Beasts - the Jade Butterfly Bees.” Qi Xin had long since expected that reaction.
Hearing that it was the Jade Butterfly Bees, quite a few people’s expressions changed. Many people had already heard that name, as it was just too terrifying.
The Jade Butterfly Bee was extremely beautiful with long butterfly wings that sparkled translucently like jade. That was of course why they had been called the Jade Butterfly Bees.
They weren’t that large, only the size of a palm, and were considered first rank Magical Beasts. But they weren’t true Magical Beasts. That was because they had no crystal core or Neidan. According to a stricter classification, they were only insects.
But the most terrifying part about them was their venom. It had caused people to make an exception and include it as a Magical Beast. Its venom wasn’t life-threatening, but it was incredibly painful. After being stung once, it would be so painful that it would make that person not want to continue living.
Furthermore, the Jade Butterfly Bees lived in groups. One hive of them contained thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of them. If you were stung by ten Jade Butterfly Bees, that would be enough to make you go mad from pain.
Although they were all wearing armor, that armor had chinks at the shoulders, elbows, knees, etc. That was in order to not restrict the movement too much. That meant their defense was not able to stop the Jade Butterfly Bees.
Everyone’s hearts trembled in fear. Although their faces were covered, the fear in their eyes was all revealed.
“You don’t need to be afraid. With this many people, we can strike like lightning, quickly charging into the hive, grabbing the honey, and then leaving.
“As long as we are fast enough, it shouldn’t be a problem. This is our first collective movement. I hope everyone can bring out their passion.” Qi Xin lightly looked over everyone.
His meaning was extremely obvious. If they wished to join his faction, they had to complete his work. Otherwise, he would kick them out.
Their hearts trembled. The majority of them had only managed to join Qi Xin’s faction because their families had set up the relationship. If they were kicked out, their days in the monastery would definitely not be good.
“Ok, everyone come with me.”
Qi Xin also put on a helmet and beckoned, bringing everyone with him. Long Chen also followed with the flow, filled with delight.
He knew of the Jade Butterfly Bee. But what he cared most about was the Jade Butterfly Queen Bee Honey. Once a Jade Butterfly Queen Bee reached a certain age, it would transform into a Magical Beast Queen Bee.
Ordinary Jade Butterfly Bees were unable to advance in ranks. From birth to death, they were all insects. But the queen bee was not the same. Its body was huge, and after one hundred years, the Jade Butterfly Queen Bee would advance to become a true first rank Magical Beast.
Three hundred years later, it could advance to the second rank. Only this second rank Magical Beast Queen Bee could give birth to Queen Bee Honey.
Ordinary Jade Butterfly Honey had the effect of calming the mind, relieving pain, and detoxing poison. Furthermore, its efficiency was extremely great, comparable to a medicinal pill.
But the Jade Butterfly Queen Bee Honey was a true treasure. Such a treasure had the great effect of completely calming the spirit. While cultivating, by drinking just a mouthful, it could quickly expel all distracting thoughts and let you enter a meditative state easier.
Long Chen had that miraculous jade pendant and so he didn’t need such a thing. But just because he didn’t need such a thing, it didn’t mean that others didn’t.
To others, it was an invaluable treasure. So even though it was not useful to Long Chen, he could bring it out to sell and exchange it for what he needed. It would definitely make enough money for him that he would never be able to spend it all.
After traveling a couple of miles, Long Chen began to hear a buzzing sound. Occasionally, a palm-sized bee that looked to be carved out of jade would fly by.
Although their wings were similar to those of a butterfly, their movements were extremely quick.
“Take care! Don’t kill these Jade Butterfly Bees. Otherwise, it will attract even more of them.” Qi Xin gave them a cautious warning.
Long Chen smiled slightly. He wasn’t bad to know a bit about the habits of the Jade Butterfly Bees. It appeared he could definitely provide some help for him.
After traveling another stretch, everyone slowed down. That was because a huge beehive had appeared in front of them.
It was not the same as ordinary beehives. It didn’t hang from a tree. Instead, it was practically a house, built atop a huge boulder.
Its shape was similar to a huge egg that had fallen on the ground. It was over thirty meters tall. The outside of the beehive looked as if it had been made of jade, shining brightly under the sunlight.
Countless Jade Butterfly Bees were coming and going exceptionally busily. Everyone’s hearts rose into their throats.
Long Chen carefully examined this beehive. At the entrance was a three-colored stripe, causing him to smile. Hehe, this time it’ll be fun.
“A couple of you, go probe the situation.” Qi
Xin eyed the beehive.
Three people immediately stepped forward without hesitation and began sneaking their way to the beehive that was several hundred meters away.
Qi Xin nodded pleased. The others looked at each other and sighed sorrowfully. Those three had obviously left a good impression on Qi Xin.
But Long Chen smiled with ridicule. He scolded inside, You’re really a bunch of idiots. You’re all wearing helmets and armor. Who can even recognize you? If you want to display your loyalty then you should at least make sure he knows it’s you, right?
The three of them moved smartly, crawling forward slowly, trying not to alarm those busy Jade Butterfly Bees.
Seeing the three of them slowly approaching the beehive, everyone nervously fidgeted. Even Qi Xin was extremely tense.
He wasn’t so hopeful for these three to be able to steal the honey. What he needed was them to confirm the situation in the beehive so he could draw up a proper plan.
The three of them were sneaking their way over quite well. The bees were busy and didn’t bother them.
But the moment they were one hundred and fifty meters away, those busy Jade Butterfly Bees immediately stopped. The world became silent.
“Quick, run!” Qi Xin’s expression changed slightly, and he quickly shouted.
But as soon as he spoke, hundreds of Jade Butterfly Bees shot straight towards the three of them. Those three were all horrified. Unable to completely defend against them, they quickly ran back.
But there was still one person who was too late and was stung on the shoulder.
“AHH!”
That person let out a miserable scream. Although his face was covered, everyone could tell his face was twisted in pain.
The Jade Butterfly Bee’s toxicity was incredibly potent. It specialized in sending agonizing pain down the nerves. This had nothing to do with cultivation base. In fact, someone with a higher cultivation base would have even more sensitive nerves and would feel even more pain.
Once he was stung, by reflex he sent a slap to his shoulder.