Nine Star Hegemon Body Art c1-2048
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Kan Dongze also left, leaving behind only Long Chen.
“How interesting.”
Long Chen had finally managed to probe Zhuo Tianxiang’s goal. That wily old fox had still felt that he wasn’t reliable enough and had been continuously testing him.
Wasn’t it just causing trouble? It just so happened that this was his specialty. But that bragging, wasn’t that a bit too much? They could do anything within Pill Valley and even handle a calamity? What if the calamity was that he took away all of the Divine Pill Pavilion’s Earth Flames?
Through the battle in the Divine Pill Pavilion, Long Chen had truly shaken everyone. Now there were very few people who dared to directly provoke him.
In fact, as long as anyone dared to mock him at all, he would directly punch them. Those disciples were now afraid of him.
The disciples who thought that their fighting skills were pretty good were nothing in front of Long Chen. Long Chen also didn’t use any techniques. It was like he didn’t know how to fight at all and was just randomly swinging his arms. But because his fighting had no pattern, no one could block him.
Sometimes when the power difference was extremely great, Long Chen would lose. Perhaps that was because the other side had too many people.
But Long Chen never cared how many people were on the opposing side. Anyone who provoked him would be beaten by him. If others beat him, he would beat them back as well. There were several times where he had almost killed someone.
Once, he caused the head of a disciple to explode. Fortunately, alchemists had powerful Spiritual Strength, so his soul wasn’t destroyed. Using a medicinal pill, he gave birth to a new physical body. This was Pill Valley, so that was possible. But in any other sect, that person would have definitely died.
His punishment for doing that had been to spend a few days as emperor within the delinquent prison before coming back out. During this time, he profoundly experienced just how important it was to have a powerful backer.
In the blink of an eye, two months passed. The Divine Pill Hall’s trial once more occurred, and this time, the trial was to refine a ninth tier medicinal pill.
With the Berserk Blood Flame’s assistance, Long Chen refined a nine-ring pill, rising to rank 947th amongst the three thousand disciples of the Divine Pill Hall.
To ascend into the top thousand just two months after joining caused his name to shake the Divine Pill Hall. This speed was outstanding.
The alchemy talent Long Chen had displayed had even shocked Zhuo Tianxiang. He had originally thought Long Chen would need half a year to show any obvious improvement, but he had given him a pleasant surprise.
However, at this time, an unexpected matter pushed Long Chen to the heart of their struggle.
Chapter 1342 Sinister Scheming
“Long San, you killed my brother! I challenge you to a life and death battle!”
Long Chen had just walked out of the Divine Pill Pavilion when a random disciple blocked his path with a sinister expression.
Behind him were two people carrying a body. This person had insulted Duan Tianqiao yesterday while Long Chen had been chatting with her. He had said Duan Tianqiao was just a slut, causing her to cry. Thus, Long Chen had fiercely beaten that person until he no longer resembled a human. His injuries were extremely frightful, but he hadn’t killed him. He had just made him suffer some pain.
But now, that person’s soul had dissipated, and he was clearly dead. That startled Long Chen. But he quickly thought of something.
“He wasn’t dead yesterday. Him dying today has nothing to do with me,” sneered Long Chen.
Long Chen deduced that this disciple had been killed so that the other side could target him. That person’s death gave the person in front of him an excuse to challenge him.
The challenger was a rank seven Celestial at the Jade Core realm. The flame fluctuations around him were extremely intense. It seemed that he was someone who had reached the end of his alchemy path and was preparing to switch to become a flame cultivator.
Flame cultivators had terrifying power. Right now, Long Chen had only shown that he had a powerful physical body. But if he encountered a flame cultivator in a life and death battle, the little bit of power he had displayed was nothing. He would be killed in one blow.
Clearly, Long Chen’s existence was already a threat to the other side. They had sacrificed a disciple to get rid of him.
“Hmph, his death is because of the serious injuries you gave him. When we got back, his injuries worsened and suddenly erupted out of control. Do you think you can brush off your guilt with just a few words? What a joke! Long San, Qi Li was my life and death brother, closer to me than a real brother. This enmity must be avenged by me, Luo Xiao. I’ve already applied for a life and death match! Just wait to pay with your life!”
That Luo Xiao sneered and looked at Long Chen like he was already dead. He then left with his people.
“How ridiculous.” They were actually capable of using such a childish method? If they could get away with it, it would really be ridiculous.
First of all, ignoring the fact that this disciple wasn’t killed by Long Chen, even if he was, he hadn’t died at that time, and it was impossible to use this matter to punish Long Chen.
Pill Valley had countless medicinal pills. As long as a person didn’t immediately die, it would be difficult for them to die even if they wanted to.
Furthermore, he had beaten him a whole day ago. Could it be that if he died ten years later, it would still be Long Chen’s fault? This whole scheme was complete nonsense.
No matter what they tried, Zhuo Tianxiang’s side had plenty of ways to show that there were holes in this plot. They would first demand an investigation and use all kinds of delaying tactics. And in the end, without enough proof, this matter would come to an end.
Long Chen ignored him and returned to his room. On his way back, he hesitated for a moment, but in the end, he decided not to enter Duan Tianqiao’s courtyard.
He saw Duan Tianqiao quietly standing under a tree, lost in thought. He didn’t know what she was thinking, but he didn’t disturb her. He returned to his residence to study the magical arts he had learned in the past few days.
…
“The other side has made their move. What do you think?”
Zhuo Tianxiang was in a private room speaking to Dan Yanxue and Kan Dongze.
“It’s just a childish trick of Jiang Zijun’s. He’s just a pretty face. Anyway, this matter won’t cause any trouble for us. That Qi Li died only after returning, so trying to force the responsibility onto Long San is already very ridiculous. There’s no need to bother with it. We can just stall until this matter is forgotten. Long San’s potential is terrifying, and I feel like if we properly raise him, he’ll become an excellent chess piece. We have to protect him,” said Kan Dongze.
Zhuo Tianxiang nodded with praise. Kan Dongze’s way of handling things was very meticulous, and his observation skills were very sharp.
“I don’t feel the same. I feel like this is a good chance to launch a vicious counterattack. We shouldn’t protect Long San, but send him to go all-out instead.” Dan Yanxue shook her head.
“Oh? What do you mean?” asked Zhuo Tianxiang.
“We have myself and Dongze for alchemy geniuses, as well as our old team. That’s already enough. We don’t need to raise an alchemy genius, but a chess piece that can kill people and instantly break the balance.” Dan Yanxue raised her eyebrows slightly, a cold light in her eyes.
She continued, “That Long San might possess strangely powerful Spiritual Strength, but his alchemy arts would need at least over a year to grow to the point that he can affect the balance that way. However, I feel like that’s too slow. It’s better to have a chess piece that has immediate use.”
“You mean to…” Kan Dongze was startled.
“Yes. Have you not noticed that Long San is just a country bumpkin? After receiving our grooming, his confidence has inflated to the po
int of arrogance. He’ll beat whoever he wants. A bumpkin like him possesses an innate feeling of inferiority. Without anyone restraining him, he’s already become brazen. Do you not see that when he looks at us, he might look respectful on the surface, but there’s some barely concealed disdain in his eyes? It’s like he feels that he’ll be trampling over us at any time. He’s already become bedeviled,” said Dan Yanxue coldly.
“This really is the case. Long San has become insolent recently. I’ve already warned him subtly about it, but it seems that he can’t understand,” said Kan Dongze.
Conflict after conflict, they had felt that Long San’s arrogance had grown stronger. It seemed that he liked to show off, especially in front of everyone. It was very irritating.
His current display was typical of a little person who achieved meteoric success. Zhuo Tianxiang could understand such a thing. After all, after being timid and suppressed for so long, Long San’s resentment was finally being released. This display was very natural.
They didn’t know that Long Chen had intentionally displayed this just to prepare a foundation for his future actions.
“Since Long San has already been bedeviled, we should just help him out and let him become a flame cultivator. When the time comes to enter the Heavenly Dragon Flame Region, he can go crazy and slaughter all the experts of the Divine Shield Alliance. What do you think, hehe…” Dan Yanxue laughed, her icily cold face twisted in a sinister expression that gave others goosebumps.
“This is a good idea. It’s the fastest way to use him. With Long San’s Spiritual Strength and flame control, he’d definitely be a terrifying flame cultivator. Killing those alchemists would be easy. Once it’s over, we’ll push all the responsibility on Long San, turning him into the culprit so that no one can blame us.” Kan Dongze’s eyes brightened.
Even Zhuo Tianxiang was moved by this. This move was very vicious, but it was the fastest way to use Long San. This chess piece could make a tremendous impact this way.
“However, to have an alchemist with limitless potential become a flame cultivator will probably be a bit difficult.” Kan Dongze shook his head. Long San wasn’t an idiot. He wouldn’t agree.
“It’s not up to him. Someone has challenged him to a life and death battle. As long as we don’t say anything, or if we agree to it, Long San must face the battle. He’ll either have to die, or hurry and cultivate flame magical arts in a limited time to face Luo Xiao’s challenge. We just have to tell him that even dual martial-pill cultivation can reach the peak of the Alchemy Dao. Isn’t our Pill Fairy Yu Qingxuan the best example?” said Dan Yanxue. When she mentioned the Pill Fairy, fierce jealousy appeared in her eyes.
“Alright, then let’s try it. That Long San is still a youngster and he might fall for it.” Kan Dongze nodded. He knew that such a matter would be up to him, the vice alliance master.
…
“Long San, bad news!”
Long Chen was in the midst of studying his new magical arts when the door to his room was pushed open. Zhang Yutao ran in panickedly.
“What is it?” asked Long Chen hurriedly.
“Quick, come! Duan Tianqiao, she… committed suicide.”
“What?!” Long Chen’s expression changed.
Duan Tianqiao was in her courtyard, sitting beneath a tree. Her eyes were looking toward the east. They had lost all their luster.
There were quite a few disciples around Duan Tianqiao’s courtyard. It was unknown what they were whispering.
“Out of the way!”
Long Chen directly barged through them, arriving in front of Duan Tianqiao. Placing a finger on her forehead, his Spiritual Strength poured inside.
However, it was too late. Although her body was still warm, her soul had long since dissipated.
If he had come just a quarter-hour earlier, when Duan Tianqiao’s soul had just started to dissipate, perhaps he would have been able to use his powerful Spiritual Strength to form a spiritual formation and recall her soul. But now, no one could save her. A beautiful girl lost her life beneath an ancient tree.
“Why?!”
Long Chen looked at Duan Tianqiao. There were no tears on her face. Her lifeless eyes were still looking into the distance like they were remembering something with longing. Long Chen felt a sad pain.
A beautiful woman was like a flower; its wilting was always regretful. That was especially true when it was a friend who died.
“This is…”
Long Chen suddenly saw Duan Tianqiao holding something in her hand.
Chapter 1343 Who is Scheming Against Who?
It was a piece of paper. He slowly unfurled it and read what was written on it. There was simply one line written by a woman’s hand.
“Now will you be happy?”
Seeing this line of words, Long Chen’s expression changed. He sensed that this matter was not ordinary.
“Yutao, what’s going on?!” Killing intent began to rise in Long Chen’s eyes.
“What do you think? Others got bored of playing with this slut and tossed her away. As for you, Long San, you were just second-hand goods, hehe!” sneered a disciple.
“Die!”
Long Chen suddenly roared furiously and punched that disciple’s head.
There was no suspense. His head exploded like a watermelon.
Long Chen’s punch was too terrifying and too sudden. The disciples beside him were all splattered with blood.
“No!”
That disciple’s soul appeared in the air, but a flame spear suddenly shot out of Long Chen’s hand, incinerating his soul. That disciple was instantly killed.
The other disciples were all shocked. They had never expected Long Chen would dare to kill people. They all became pale, too terrified to move.
“Long San… you’ve caused a calamity now.” Zhang Yutao also jumped in fright. Now even he was worried.
“I don’t care about that right now. Tell me, why would Duan Tianqiao commit suicide? Who is she asking if they will be happy now?” demanded Long Chen.
Zhang Yutao explained this matter from the start. Panic wouldn’t help now. At this time, people were already rushing away to report this matter to the Elders.
Under Long Chen’s interrogation, Zhang Yutao had no choice but to explain Duan Tianqiao’s history. Originally, her talent was not bad, and she easily became an inner disciple. But wanting to join the Divine Pill Hall was extremely difficult.
She tried several times without succeeding. Later on, one of the Divine Pill Hall’s disciples gave her some pointers, allowing her alchemy skill to advance by a great deal, making her eligible to finally enter the Divine Pill Hall.
Duan Tianqiao was extremely grateful to that disciple, and under his pursuit, the two of them became alchemy Dao-companions.
It was only later that Duan Tianqiao learned that this disciple had only helped her to pull her into the Divine Shield Alliance. Furthermore, this person also had other Dao-companions. Duan Tianqiao had immediately felt used. She had had a huge fight with that person, and she had formed an urge to kill herself at that time.
It was the Pill Fairy that had come to support Duan Tianqiao, advising her to leave the Divine Shield Alliance and join the neutral faction.
Furthermore, she had even given out a warning that no one was to mention this matter again. At that time, this matter had caused quite a ruckus before things had gradually calmed down.
Duan Tianqiao had managed to escape the shadow of her past and once more began cultivating her alchemy. But the emotions that hadn’t worked out from back then still caused quite an influence over her, and in the end, she was unable to improve her ranking. She was stuck at the bottom, always in danger.
Just yesterday, when someone had cursed Duan Tianqiao for being a slut, Long Chen had thought that someone was intentionally trying to find trouble with him. He hadn’t known there had been such a story behind it.
Now, it seemed that this person’s curse had provoked Duan Tianqiao’s inner w
ound. Adding on how her alchemy had stagnated for so many years, she had felt like there was no more meaning in living, and decided to end her young life.
“Why did you have to do this? People always grow by facing the bumps on their way. They mature amid lies and schemes. Did you really think this life no longer had meaning to you? If you really hated this world, why is it that you would face toward the east before death? Don’t worry, I will bring your ashes out of this emotionless world and back to your home.”
Long Chen sighed and gently brushed Duan Tianqiao’s face. He closed her eyes.
“I’m sorry.”
Just at this moment, the Pill Fairy walked over in an imperial dress. Seeing Duan Tianqiao’s corpse, sadness appeared in her eyes.
“You don’t have anything to apologize for. Wherever there are people, there will be competition, a survival of the fittest. You’ve already done what you could do. I’d just like to ask you to leave Duan Tianqiao’s ashes to me after she’s cremated. I hope to return her ashes back to her home. Perhaps that was her only desire before her death,” said Long Chen.