by Translator: BornToBe; Author: Ordinary Magician (平凡魔术师); Licensed From: 17k
They were all disciples from the previous generation and had personally experienced that cruel competition. So they also deeply sympathized with these new disciples who had just arrived.
“So the start is extremely important. During the first Faction Competition, you must absolutely get a good ranking. It is the most important. Although the Faction Competition occurs once a month, if you’re unable to obtain a good spot in the first month, then the distance between you and the first place will only increase. That distance will only continue to grow larger each month, and it is extremely difficult to catch up,” she warned.
Long Chen gratefully nodded. After saying his thanks to her, he began walking back to the faction.
That senior apprentice-sister’s words were absolutely correct. The first Faction Competition was extremely important. Everyone started at the same starting line, but if they allowed others to take the lead, it would be extremely difficult to catch up.
That first step would allow them to receive more points and buy more resources, increasing the entire power level of the faction.
Then by the next competition, the distance would have only grown. If you were once more surpassed, it was practically certain that you would never be able to catch up.
It was unfortunate that he still didn’t know what kind of form the Faction Competition would take. Otherwise, if he could come up with some kind of good strategy, they would also get an advantage.
Long Chen had just been walking with his head down when a figure suddenly rushed over. He instinctively dodged to the side.
But that figure still crashed onto Long Chen. That person’s force was so great that being caught off guard, Long Chen was sent flying.
He only managed to stabilize himself dozens of meters away. His fury ignited, as he clearly knew that person had done that on purpose.
Looking forward, he saw a tall, large man who was completely bald icily looking at him. That person was a whole head taller than Long Chen. His huge arms were bare with many veins crawling over them, emitting an explosive strength like a volcano that contained endless power.
His arms were also covered with tattoos that were extremely crude. Standing there, he was like an unshakable iron tower.
Behind that bald man were three others. One of them had a powerful aura and was indifferently looking down on Long Chen.
As for the other two, Long Chen recognized them. They were surprisingly Lei Qianshang and Qi Xin. The two of them were smiling at Long Chen’s misfortune.
“This is the monster amongst monsters you told me about?” the bald man asked Lei Qianshang.
“Yes, but don’t underestimate him. Although he’s only in the late Blood Condensation realm, he wouldn’t be inferior to an outer disciple who is in the Tendon Transformation realm. He might even be a bit stronger.”
That bald man shook his head. “Having just advanced to the late Blood Condensation realm, his physical body is not bad. However, his cultivation base is too trash, not even worth looking at. Let’s go.”
That bald man directly walked right in front of Long Chen as if he didn’t see him. Either Long Chen would get out of the way, or there would be a fight.
Despite being shaken by this bald man’s power, that arrogance from the depths of his soul would not let him back down.
Although he clearly knew this person had to be even stronger than Lei Qianshang, he was unable to accept such humiliation.
Indifferently looking at this bald man, he slowly raised a hand. The Pill Flame in his body began to circulate, preparing to come out at any moment.
Seeing Long Chen actually refused to step aside and had taken a fighting stance, that bald man sneered, actually directly charging over, his aura exploding.
“Who dares be so impudent in a fighting-prohibited region?”
Suddenly, a shout rang out that made the bald man come to a step. He turned to see that a white-robed man was indifferently looking at them.
That man’s robes were those of a law enforcer, and his powerful aura was one that he didn’t dare look down on.
Long Chen was startled, as this person was actually someone he recognized, senior apprentice-brother Wan.
Seeing senior apprentice-brother Wan, that bald man only sneered lightly. Although he looked down on these people who were at the bottom of their generation, he didn’t retort.
He said to Long Chen, “Brat, next time you block my way, I’ll crush you to pulp.”
The bald man walked around Long Chen, followed by the other three. From the way they went, it seemed that they were going to the Xuantian pavilion to buy things.
Once those people left, senior apprentice-brother Wan smiled slightly to Long Chen. “Let’s walk for a bit. I have some things I want to say to you.”
Long Chen was surprised, not expecting the serious senior apprentice-brother Wan to look after him like this. Not only had he driven away the bald man, but he was also staying with him for a while.
“Many thanks, senior apprentice-brother Wan.” Long Chen cupped his fists, grateful to him.
His intuition told him that the bald man was extremely terrifying, even more powerful than Lei Qianshang and Qi Xin. He, who was not even in the Tendon Transformation realm, was not a match for him.
That infuriated him. If he had also advanced to the Tendon Transformation realm, how could he be so inferior to them?
“Looking at you, I’m reminded of myself three years ago. I was full of confidence back then. But people should sometimes know how to yield. That’s not weakness but simply strategy. Don’t try to be brave when you are weak, or the person who will be injured is yourself.” Senior apprentice-brother Wan chatted as they walked.
Long Chen smiled bitterly, “I also understand senior apprentice-brother Wan’s reminder. But unfortunately, I just can’t control myself. I would rather die than accept humiliation.”
Long Chen knew that was the influence of his Pill Sovereign memories. He simply refused to accept any humiliation. Asking him to accept humiliation was an even worse punishment than being killed.
If it were the past Long Chen, he would definitely have avoided that kind of situation as best as he could. To forcibly face someone who he wasn’t a match for wasn’t bravery, but stupidity. That was asking for death.
But although he understood this, he was unable to completely control the arrogance that came from the depths of his very soul. That arrogance would not let him yield to anyone.
Senior apprentice-brother Wan nodded, “That has to do with a person’s willpower. I can’t say whether that is good or bad. But let me give you one reminder.
“Your current cultivation base is the lowest within the entire monastery. Your realm is far too low.
“That person just now is Gu Yang. He has an innate, powerful strength. His physical body is inconceivably strong, and with his powerful combat strength, he has never met an equal within the same realm.
“More importantly, he revived his ancestral mark before entering the monastery. The power of his bloodline inheritance has already become part of his power. His strength is already beyond your imagination.”
Long Chen was shocked that he had awakened his ancestral mark before joining the monastery. Such a powerful person had definitely joined the monastery for the Ten Thousand Beast Essence Blood. Now that his physical body had reached an even higher level of perfection, wouldn’t he be even stronger than Tang Wan-er?
“Your generation of disciples is the strongest generation in the history of the monastery. Few generations have a genius who can awaken their ancestral mark.
“But this time there were four. Other than Tang Wan-er and Ye Zhiqiu who you know, there’s also the Gu Yang you just encountered.
“There’s also another person named Guan Wennan. His strength is terrifying, and he’s extremely arrogant and coldhearted. You should be more careful.
“I tell you this in order to remind you that when one hundred flowers bloom at once, there is no one who doesn’t w
ant to be the lead.
“But you also know that there is just one lead. The competition will be extremely intense, and success in the first Faction Competition is crucial.”
“Many thanks, senior apprentice-brother Wan for your warning. Junior disciple will remember it.” Senior apprentice-brother Wan’s words were the exact same as that senior apprentice-sister from the Mission Distribution building.
“I look favorably on you. Good luck.” Senior apprentice-brother Wan patted Long Chen on the shoulder and then left.
Long Chen walked back to the immortal cave alone. Tang Wan-er and Qing Yu were still in their meditative states. That was a good sign.
Three days later, it was Tang Wan-er who was the first to wake up. After awakening, her aura had become completely stable.
It no longer leaked out like before. She had begun to control her own explosive aura. In other words, her realm had already completely stabilized.
Long Chen told her about what had happened in the Mission Distribution building as well as the matter of Gu Yang, giving her a fright.
She hadn’t expected that there were two others who had also awakened their ancestral marks. And one of them had even awakened it before her and Ye Zhiqiu.
“Wan-er, I still have a great deal of Jade Butterfly Queen Bee Crystal. You should distribute it to everyone so that they can all cultivate faster.
“Furthermore, also send some to Ye Zhiqiu. Since we are in an alliance, we’ll all be one family. Their strength is also our strength.
“I’m thinking of buying some more medicinal ingredients and refining some Tendon Firming Pills for her side as well. Ugh, if I had known earlier, I wouldn’t have let them go and buy those trash medicinal pills.” Long Chen couldn’t help but feel a bit regretful that he had forgotten about such an important thing.
By the time Long Chen had thought of it, they had already bought them. Sometimes, he really felt that his head wasn’t smart enough.
That very day, Tang Wan-er bought more medicinal ingredients, and Long Chen refined them into pills. His pills were all high grade, and so they could allow them to stabilize their realms even faster. For the first Faction Competition, spending a couple of extra points to save some more time was definitely worth it.
Once all their people had stabilized their cultivation bases, Long Chen had people spar with each other. Only in real combat could people become accustomed to their strength the fastest.
Their side had gotten at least ten more days than other people, giving them enough time to adapt to their cultivation bases. They would be able to fight with much more strength than others.
Under practically day and night training, the time quickly flew by. One month quietly passed before they knew it.
DONG!
A loud bell rang out, reaching every corner of the Xuantian Monastery. Long Chen slowly opened his eyes from his rest.
“The Faction Competition has started.”
Chapter 193 Battle Deployment
Following that drawn-out bell sound that reached every corner of the monastery, a certain person slowly opened his eyes.
That person was Elder Sun who had been punished by Elder Tu Fang.
“Long Chen, I must have your Battle Skills…”
Elder Sun was completely confident, and greed surfaced in his eyes. As soon as he had seen Long Chen summon out that ring of light, he had started thinking about it.
Then he had seen Long Chen use Split the Heavens, firming his desire to obtain his techniques. He had secretly investigated Long Chen and knew that he had no background at all. That was why he was confident in stealing them.
Back then when he had suppressed Long Chen, it was in order to force him to surrender and then think of a way to steal his techniques. Unfortunately, that plan had been ruined by Tu Fang.
He hadn’t obtained the techniques and had instead been punished. That had given him a stomach full of fire which he naturally didn’t dare release on Tu Fang. So all that hatred had been placed on Long Chen.
Slowly standing up, he walked into his immortal cave, coldly snorting, “I really want to see just how long you can resist…”
…
The Xuantian plaza was filled with people. Looking at the number of people, Long Chen was amazed by how powerful the Xuantian Monastery was.
There were a total of seventeen factions, meaning there were seventeen core disciples. Of the seventeen hundred people, there were one thousand six hundred and ninety-nine Tendon Transformation experts.
Long Chen saw many people looking at him with the same eyes filled with contempt. He bitterly smiled inside. Did this count as discrimination?
As Tang Wan-er looked around, she smiled and relaxed a bit.
The majority of these people had yet to completely stabilize their realms.
But as for her and Ye Zhiqiu’s people, all their disciples’ auras were completely stable, and incomparably so as well. That gave them a large advantage.
Their disciples would be able to wield at least ninety percent of a Tendon Transformation expert’s abilities, while their opponents would be lucky to be able to even use seventy percent of their power.
Warmth filled her when she looked at Long Chen. It seemed that this fellow was able to accomplish anything with ease.
As long as she could handle the other top experts, their factions would definitely be the strongest amongst all the factions.
Although she didn’t have many inner disciples in her faction, this battle wouldn’t be fought alone but with everyone. And so their advantage was very clear.
“You’re Tang Wan-er?”
Suddenly, Gu Yang walked over to Tang Wan-er. Looking her up and down, a bit of praise filled his eyes.
Tang Wan-er had already heard from Long Chen that Gu Yang was terrifyingly powerful. But due to how close he was with Lei Qianshang and Qi Xin, she knew that he was no friend.
Not waiting for Tang Wan-er to say anything, Gu Yang smiled, “You’re very beautiful. If you join hands with me, I’ll definitely look after you greatly.”
“Thank you, but there’s no need for that,” replied Tang Wan-er lightly.
As if long since expecting her reply, Gu Yang also didn’t get angry. Looking at Long Chen who was beside her, he said, “A useless fellow has no use to you. You’ll understand that soon enough.”
Tang Wan-er’s expression changed. He actually dared insult Long Chen in front of this many people. She was about to reply when Long Chen stopped her.
He walked a couple of steps up to the tower-like Gu Yang. Looking at his bald head that reflected the light, he shook his head:
“I’ve always heard that people whose heads can’t grow hair are supposed to be smart. But seeing your completely hairless head, I can’t seem to see any intelligence at all.
“Do you think that by being bald and having the sunlight reflect off you will increase your looks?
“You’re wrong about that. Who cares if you can reflect light in the day? If you have the capability, then go emit light at night!”
Tang Wan-er covered her mouth, doing her best not to laugh. But her gaze involuntarily landed on Gu Yang’s scalp. Ah, with the sunlight reflecting off it, yes, it really was dazzling.
Gu Yang was also so tall that he was basically a head taller than everyone else, making him stand out even more. Whenever he moved, he would attract everyone’s attention.
So Long Chen’s words were heard by every single person. There was no one who wasn’t dumbstruck. Long Chen really was a weirdo. Just what were his guts made of?
His cultivation base was clearly the lowest out of everyone, but what he did was always beyond anyone’s expectations. Did he not know what it meant to be afraid?
Amongst the crowd, Lei Qianshang and Qi Xin smiled. They knew Long Chen’s character, and they also knew Gu Yang’s character. This time, Long Chen was screwed.
Both of them had actually originally been pursuing Tang wan-er. Other than her fairy-like beauty, it was also beca
use of her powerful strength.
If they could obtain such a beauty’s heart, not only would they have the love of a beautiful woman, but they would also have a powerful helper.
Unfortunately for them, ever since Long Chen had appeared, they found that Tang Wan-er had gradually begun to oppose them. In fact, they were now almost mortal enemies. Trying to obtain her heart was definitely impossible.
So, they naturally would be delighted to see Long Chen mock Gu Yang.
Both of them had now advanced to the Tendon Transformation realm, and in terms of combat strength, they had already far surpassed Long Chen.
However, ever since they had seen Long Chen defeat Gui Sha with his endless techniques, they had always felt that even if they could defeat him, with his character, he would definitely make them pay a price.
Now, they didn’t even need to do anything to disgrace Long Chen. That was something that they delighted in seeing.
“Long Chen, I’ve already said not to stand in my way again or I’d turn you to pulp. Looks like you don’t have a good memory.” Gu Yang tightened his fists.
“You can come and try me,” replied Long Chen icily.
When it came to true combat strength, Long Chen was not Gu Yang’s match. But if it was a life and death battle, Long Chen wouldn’t fear anyone.
The monastery’s rules didn’t really suit Long Chen. He didn’t like that kind of dainty fighting method. He was used to killing his enemies.
In these kinds of battles, he was unable to use his full strength. He was prohibited from killing anyone in the monastery.
But as for these spoiled disciples, they were very skilled at that kind of battle. That caused Long Chen to suffer greatly.
If Gu Yang really dared attack him, Long Chen would retaliate with his full strength. He would use his fastest speed to kill him. Fighting and killing were two completely different concepts. Long Chen was proficient in the latter.
“Stop and return to your factions!” A cold shout rang out and people walked over.
