Nine Star Hegemon Body Art c1-2048
Page 1094
“There’s no need for you to owe us a favor. This is the reward you ought to gain for getting first place on the Devil Slaughter Rankings and winning karmic luck for the entire Righteous path. We were selfish for not giving it to you, but now we’ve thought it through. It’s yours,” said Yan Nantian.
“Don’t try to trick me. I just heard you say that you were betting. You’re treating me as a gambling chip. I don’t want to be used-”
“What gambling chip? Stop being so sensitive and come.” Yan Nantian suddenly grabbed Long Chen’s shoulder and pushed him backward. A black and white channel appeared in the air there, sucking him in.
Long Chen had no ability to resist. He flew through the channel, which brought him deeper into the palace. He quickly arrived at the temple that the four Grand Elders had blocked him at before.
The gates opened like the mouth of a beast to devour Long Chen and then slammed shut. There was no longer any sound that could be heard from within.
However, just before the gates closed, Ye Lingshan vaguely heard Long Chen’s startled cry as if he had encountered something frightening.
“What…?” Ye Lingshan looked in stunned silence at the closed temple gates. She felt like Long Chen had encountered something bad. It didn’t seem like a reward.
“Lingshan, there’s no need to be jealous. You will also get your share of this reward.” Yan Nantian smiled at Ye Lingshan.
“Me? But I haven’t done anything for the Martial Heaven Alliance, and my ranking on the Devil Slaughter Rankings…”
“It has nothing to do with those. With your talent and potential, you are qualified to obtain this reward. Long Chen is naturally more qualified, but this little fellow is too dangerous. One mistake and we’ll lose our investment and cause a calamity for the Martial Heaven Alliance, so it’s a gamble. However, you are different. We can see that you sincerely wish to stay in the Martial Heaven Alliance, and you will one day take Jianying’s position. Do you not understand the goal behind Jianying giving you her sword?” asked Yan Nantian.
Ye Lingshan took a few shocked steps back. She covered her mouth, staring at Qu Jianying. “Master, you…”
Qu Jianying smiled and said, “Foolish child, there’s nothing to be shocked about. This world will be yours in the future. Old-timers like us are only green leaves, while youngsters like you will be the main characters of that world.”
“But I’m much weaker than Long Chen. I’m even weaker than the Xiang Yunfei that he killed…”
She was an independent cultivator who had never once thought that she would be the heir to the head of the Martial Heaven Alliance. She felt like she was in a dream, but also uneasy and panicked.
“That little fellow Long Chen shouldn’t even be mentioned. His heart is not with the Martial Heaven Alliance. No one can control him. Meanwhile, you are someone suited to be the heir of the Martial Heaven Alliance. Don’t worry, before you’ve grown up, you will have your master and these Grand Elders supporting you. Long Chen will also help, so don’t feel too much pressure.” Qu Jianying gently brushed Ye Lingshan’s hair back. Only once Ye Lingshan heard this did she feel slightly more at ease.
“There are two priceless treasures in this temple. Long Chen will obtain one, and you will obtain one. Do you know what it is?” asked Yan Nantian.
Ye Lingshan shook her head.
“It’s the move that Xiang Yunfei used against Long Chen.”
“A paragon art?!”
“Correct, a paragon art, and a very powerful one at that. In truth, a paragon art is something Xiang Yunfei was fundamentally unable to control. He was only using a rudimentary form of one and was unable to bring out the paragon art’s full power. He also isn’t a human, so despite his talent, when it comes to using magical arts and the like, he still had some major flaws. He relied entirely on his bloodline power and the power of his ancestors to use it. It was fundamentally… well, it doesn’t matter. Go. You will understand once you cultivate it,” said Yan Nantian.
“Yes.”
Ye Lingshan respectfully kowtowed toward Qu Jianying and the four Grand Elders. She knew that this reward was a show of their trust in her.
Qu Jianying and the four Grand Elders smiled. This child was very good and was capable of holding great responsibility. They hadn’t misjudged her. It was just regretful that they didn’t feel the same way about Long Chen.
Ye Lingshan walked into another temple at the back. When she was in front of it, she suddenly heard Yan Nantian’s voice.
“This backdoor is the life gate. This one over here… is the death gate.”
Chapter 1795 Lightning Paragon Art
Long Chen and Ye Lingshan had entered the temple through different entrances, leaving behind only Qu Jianying and the four Grand Elders in the palace.
“Granduncle-master, what made you change your mind?” asked Qu Jianying. She was very pleasantly surprised that Long Chen had been allowed to enter the temple.
The four Grand Elders had previously refused to allow Long Chen to enter, so now Qu Jianying was surprised that they would change their minds. Considering how experienced they were, they wouldn’t act based on personal relationships. Their actions were made entirely with the Martial Heaven Alliance at heart. So it was basically impossible to change their minds.
When they had refused Long Chen the first time, she had already given up hope of Long Chen getting the reward.
“If I said it was because of his wine, would you believe me?” laughed one of the Grand Elders.
“Have you been infected by that little fellow? Pay attention to your decorum,” scolded the less carefree Grand Elder.
“What decorum? Do people with one foot in the grave need to care so much?” replied the Grand Elder.
In the end, it was Yan Nantian who answered Qu Jianying.
“Actually, we truly did not wish for Long Chen to obtain this priceless inheritance because he’s too wild. He’s a double-sided sword, and we could easily be injured ourselves. So Long Chen essentially doesn’t meet the requirements to obtain this inheritance. However, the battle changed our thinking. It can be said that Long Chen has moved us.”
“You finally recognize Long Chen’s talented combat power? I said from the start that he was definitely the Martial Heaven Alliance’s number one genius, and that if he was raised properly-”
“No.”
Yan Nantian interrupted her, shaking his head. “Long Chen’s talent is something we know better than you. What we care about isn’t his talent, and the same is true of Ye Lingshan. What we care about is their inner hearts. Ye Lingshan has experienced the lowest and cruelest level of the cultivation world and still did not lose her original heart. Such a person’s mental quality is extremely powerful. She will never give up. That’s the most fundamental quality a leader needs. As for everything else, if she lacks it, we can nourish it. But a powerful will is partially innate and partially forced out by cruel reality. Such quality is difficult to nourish.
“Both Long Chen and Ye Lingshan have this quality, but one is a wild horse, while the other is a steady ox. Ye Lingshan is someone very worthy of trust, and she will always be a member of the Martial Heaven Alliance. But Long Chen is a wild horse that no one can control.
“The reason we changed our minds is because of his fight with Xiang Yunfei, but it’s not due to the talent and potential he showed. It was because he was willing to risk his life for a single promise. Yes, Long Chen is dangerous, but the greater the danger, the greater the possible benefits. In the end, we decided that this gamble had some chance of succeeding, so we wanted to use up what little luck we have right here.”
This was a gamble. With the great era here, the Grand Elders were willing to bet all their chips. Whether they would win or lose would be decided in the future.
“Heavenly Fate Island went too far this time. Are we going to do anything to them?” asked Qu Jianying suddenly, her expression cold.
This matter definitely had Heavenly Fate Is
land behind it. There was no one else who could have managed to calculate things to this extent and make things go so smoothly.
Yan Nantian said, “It seems Heavenly Fate Island is unwilling to stay quiet. They want to stand out in the great era. However, this time, they tried to incite conflict between us, the ancient races, and the ancient family alliance. Their calculations were truly accurate. Long Chen clearly saw through the clues and knew their intentions but still jumped into the trap. Even if he was falling for Heavenly Fate Island’s trap, he had to kill Di Xin as vengeance for those two children. It’s also because of this that our decision changed. This Long Chen, once he decides on something, no one can change his mind.
“However, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. With the great era, heavenly geniuses will rise in droves. No one can say which one will dominate the others. Before the final results are in, it truly is foolish for Heavenly Fate Island to act like this. But let them be for now. The ancient races and ancient family alliance also know the truth. Let’s wait to see how they react.
“As for Di Xin’s mother, she’s a hidden danger. But worrying about her is meaningless as well. We can only take things step by step. The Corrupt path is also starting to stir. Jianying, don’t give them any opportunities.
“Long Chen’s rise has actually split a great deal of their attention from the Martial Heaven Alliance. All their attention is concentrated on Long Chen, so we have more time to prepare.
“Make a large trip to all the powerful forces in our alliance. Make sure to make the opportunists properly stand at attention. Use the news of Long Chen killing Xiang Yunfei and the fact that the four of us have come out.
“Those slippery little fellows either have to fall in line, or they should scram over to Pill Valley. Don’t give them any time for hesitation. If you don’t give them a vicious blow, they’ll continue to be indecisive, and that’s not good for the Martial Heaven Alliance’s unity.
“Various large powers are starting to revive. The great era is the best era but also the worst era. Many great figures will rise and contend for supremacy. There will definitely be a rain of blood throughout the continent. If no Sovereign rises, the chaotic battle will not end. If we don’t win over people’s hearts at this time, it will be too late.”
“Yes, I’ll prepare and leave immediately,” said Qu Jianying.
“Then go. Remember that you must be tough this time. Don’t give them a chance to haggle or compromise. They can decide for themselves whether they’re loyal to the Martial Heaven Alliance or Pill Valley. If they don’t give a direct reply within three days, they can be expelled from the Martial Heaven Alliance. They will no longer be under our protection,” said Yan Nantian.
Qu Jianying left. This time, she was filled with confidence. With the support of the four Grand Elders, she would no longer need to be polite.
…
“Fuck… what kind of damn place is this? Why is it so sinister?”
Long Chen let out a startled cry. It was pitch-black inside the gate. He almost thought that he had returned to the Netherworld. The surroundings were filled with an air of death.
“Those old fellows wouldn’t have conned me, right? They didn’t open the gate to the Netherworld and toss me in again did they?” Long Chen muttered to himself as he carefully walked forward.
“Stop wandering around. I don’t have much time.” An aged voice rang out from the end of the channel.
Long Chen quickened his footsteps. After a few turns, he saw a large gate consisting of a mass of light. It was an illusory gate. He couldn’t see what was beyond.
However, he did sense a strong air of death coming from within it.
In front of this illusory gate was an elder sitting cross-legged. It was unknown what era his robes came from, but they looked ancient and strange.
“Senior…” Long Chen bowed.
“No need for courtesy. What kind of paragon art do you want to learn?” The elder raised his head to look at Long Chen. He got straight to the point.
Being stared at by the elder, Long Chen couldn’t help but jump. Only once he got closer did he realize that this elder had no face. He was translucent, and his entire body was formed from a strange energy. He had no physical body.
This energy was not necessarily a soul or a Yuan Spirit. It was an extremely ancient energy that Long Chen had never seen before.
“Speak. What kind of paragon art do you want to learn?” repeated the elder.
Only now did Long Chen learn that the so-called priceless supreme treasure was actually a paragon art. He couldn’t help saying, “I want to learn all kinds of them, the more the better. I’m very hardworking, so I’m sure I’ll be alright. Senior, do you want some wine? I have some very good wine here.” Long Chen took out some wine as a bribe.
That elder shook his head. “I’ve been guarding the death gate for thirty-four thousand years, but it’s the first time someone has come to give me a gift. However, it’s too late. I am originally an ancestral spirit. Now my energy is almost exhausted, and I can only open a single door the slightest bit. Hence, don’t get any funny ideas. This gate can bring you to another world, so choose the type of energy you are most skilled in. That will be the foundation for the paragon art, and that will increase your chances of success.”
“Ah… so there’s a chance of failure?”
“The death gate has a ninety percent chance of failure. Failure signifies death. The death qi here is the resentment left by the geniuses that failed. Did you not know?” asked the elder.
“I didn’t! No one said anything about it. Then where’s the life gate? I’ll just enter from the life gate,” said Long Chen.
“You’re already gone through the death gate. You can’t go back. So choose the best paragon art for you, and do it quickly as I don’t have much time,” warned the elder.
Wasn’t this an absolute con? They hadn’t even told him anything about this!
Although he was angry, this elder in front of him was very strict. He had to calm himself down so that he could properly cultivate the paragon art.
Xiang Yunfei’s paragon art had truly been powerful. If Long Chen also possessed a paragon art, it definitely wouldn’t have been so difficult to beat him.
“Senior, are there any lightning paragon arts?” probed Long Chen. In terms of physical strength, he had the Five Star Battle Armor. In terms of flame energy, he had the World Annihilation Flame Lotus. He was only lacking a corresponding powerful move for his thunderforce.
“There is, but I’d advise you to pick another,” answered the elder.
Chapter 1796 Morning Dao Lightning Field
“Why?” asked Long Chen.
“Because the odds of failure with the death gate are already very high, and failure essentially means death. As for the lightning paragon art, amongst all the paragon arts here, it is the most berserk. Other paragon arts have a ninety percent chance of death, but the lightning paragon art has 99.99% of death,” said the elder.
It was that exaggerated? Long Chen shivered. The space here was filled with the air of death. Just how many experts had fallen here?
Those qualified to obtain this inheritance had to be the best of their generation. But even people like them had a ninety percent chance of failure. This was absolutely monstrous. However, considering that he had Lei Long, he felt some confidence.
“I’ll choose the lightning paragon art,” said Long Chen firmly. A lightning paragon art was what he needed the most.
“Follow me.”
The elder didn’t try to change Long Chen’s mind. He slowly rose and stepped into the illusory gate. Long Chen hastily followed.
Once he was through, he found that he was stepping on empty space. It was like he was walking through space. There were some faint stars in the distance, and they seemed very minute.
The elder formed hand seals, and the stars in front of him moved. A spatial channel appeared in front of him.
“Take nineteen steps forward
and then turn right. Good luck.”
Long Chen followed the elder’s instructions, going through the channel that he had opened. He carefully counted his footsteps. On the nineteenth step, he turned to look back at the elder.
He jumped in shock. The elder’s legs had vanished. He was blowing away like dust in the wind.
Then the elder’s arms faded. When his hands disappeared, this entire space began to rumble. It seemed like it was about to crumble.
Long Chen had no time to consider his options. He took a step to the right. The space in front of him twisted, and he appeared in a desolate world.
This world was barren. Craggy stones littered the ground and continued beyond the horizon. This world could not be more desolate. There wasn’t the slightest air of life.
The sky was filled with mist and thunderous rumbling. Lightning twisted and turned in the sky. Its light was what illuminated the ground.
He looked around, but he didn’t see anything else. The only thing he could hear was the booming of thunder.
“Hey, where’s the person who’s supposed to teach me the paragon art?” Long Chen shouted into the void.
The mist in the sky surged and split open.
“What the fuck?!”
Only now did Long Chen see that the lightning within the mist was endless lightning beasts. They had been sleeping, and the booming thunder was their snoring.
His shout had startled them awake, and they roared furiously as they charged at him.
A sea of lightning charged down. They were of various colors and forms, and Long Chen’s hair immediately stood on end. He felt an intense sensation of danger. Thunderforce covered his body as he smashed a giant flaming bird.
That giant bird exploded, but a wild burst of flames threw Long Chen off.
He killed more of these lightning beasts, and shockingly, they didn’t just possess thunderforce but also other kinds of energy that made it difficult for him to deal with them.
“Hey, I’m your ancestor, and I’ve come to bring you out of here! Sleeping all day is boring, right? Don’t you want to see the bright and vibrant world? There are plenty of beautiful ladies outside… well, you wouldn’t understand that part. But in any case, I came here to save you, so don’t treat me as an enemy!”