Chapter 95: But Who Knows If There Will Be an Idiot

Chapter 95: Chapter 95: But Who Knows If There Will Be an Idiot

"Your disciple is an interesting one. Still practicing magic at a time like this."

The Sect Leader of Purple Cloud Valley and Mo Xuan briefly discussed the situation in Fire Dragon Valley, then turned their gaze to Liu Chen, who was sitting behind a large rock, studying magic.

Most of the Inner Sect Disciples were either gathered together, discussing how to coordinate their movements, or standing on high ground, gazing out over Fire Dragon Valley.

The former felt they weren’t strong enough and wanted to face the trial as a group. The latter were absolutely confident in themselves; if he hadn’t held off on announcing the start of the trial, they would have charged in long ago.

"Do you really think someone will make a move on him?"

Mo Xuan shook his head. He didn’t know why Liu Chen was still practicing magic either, but Liu Chen had always been independent, so he didn’t question it.

"Not openly, of course. But who knows what could happen in the shadows? Gaining his allegiance is the best outcome, but destroying him isn’t a bad alternative either."

The Sect Leader looked away toward the new arrivals. Members of the various great Noble Families and clans were arriving one after another.

"A few days ago, a conflict broke out between the Ye Family and the Nangong Family. Do you know why?"

The Sect Leader glanced back at Mo Xuan. He, of course, knew the inside story: the Ye Family had gained Liu Chen’s support and thus wanted to break free from the Nangong Family’s control. In the end, the matter was left unresolved.

’But it’s definitely not that simple. The two families must have reached some kind of agreement I’m not privy to, and the Ye Family originally wouldn’t have had any right to negotiate.’

"Because of my disciple."

Mo Xuan was unconcerned. Ye Linglong was his partner’s disciple, which made her his disciple as well. If he had initially looked after her only for his partner’s sake, after so much time together, he had grown genuinely fond of the sensible girl.

Besides, according to the accurate information he’d received from Steward Lin, that secret marriage contract had been annulled. Otherwise, he would have had to pay the Nangong Family a personal visit.

"Everyone knows that. You don’t need to emphasize it."

The Sect Leader glanced at the still-cultivating Liu Chen. The problem was that the notoriously domineering Nangong Family had chosen to back down. Not even a whisper of the affair got out in the end, which was what he found puzzling.

"You think the Nangong Family will make a move against Liu Chen?"

Mo Xuan narrowed his eyes. ’I’m well aware of the Nangong Family’s character. They only have their title as a Noble Family because they lean on Qingxu Hall for support. Otherwise, they would have been crushed long ago. Under these circumstances, it’s not impossible they’d target Liu Chen.’

"The smart ones won’t, but who’s to say some fool won’t try something?"

The Sect Leader shook his head. With Liu Chen’s current Cultivation at the Body Tempering Beginner realm, he might not even be able to defeat a Body Tempering Middle Stage Cultivator, let alone one at the Body Tempering Late Stage or one of the many at the Body Tempering Peak.

As for those in the Meridian Passage Realm, unless they were fools, they wouldn’t stoop to bullying someone so much weaker. If they did and were killed for it, they probably wouldn’t even get a chance to defend themselves.

"Don’t worry, I’ve left him with some tricks up his sleeve."

Mo Xuan nodded. He hadn’t prepared any other measures. It was a stretch to say Liu Chen could sweep through Fire Dragon Valley as he was now. But once the Three Immortal Sects arrived and the Array was fully deployed, the Cultivation level within the valley would be capped at the Meridian Passage Late Stage. At that point, even if Liu Chen couldn’t win a fight, he could definitely escape.

"Come on, the people from Qingxu Hall are here. Time to go chat with those fellows."

The Sect Leader glanced into the distance again. As Sect Leader, he naturally didn’t need to exchange pleasantries with the Patriarchs of the Noble Families, but he had to be courteous to the leaders of the other two great Immortal Sects.

"That’s your job. I’m heading back."

Mo Xuan glanced at the distant crowd—the various Patriarchs, Stewards, and even Elders, along with the senior members of Qingxu Hall who were eager to join the conversation. In the end, he chose to walk back toward his own palace.

He’d rather go be with his partner and teach his two disciples than listen to this crowd praise the "promising future" of Liu Chen’s displayed Body Tempering Beginner Cultivation. Besides, by teaching the two of them, he could try to deduce just how far Liu Chen’s understanding of Magic had come.

Liu Chen had taught them both. From their insights on Magic, he should be able to get a glimpse into Liu Chen’s own.

Liu Chen was too much of a genius to need his guidance. However, Liu Chen’s path wasn’t suitable for just anyone. If his other two disciples tried to emulate him, it would be best to pull them back before it was too late. Everyone’s Talent is different; there was no need to force it.

’It’s the same every time,’ the Sect Leader thought, shaking his head. ’Not that we’d have much to talk about anyway. After all, more than ninety percent of the people here have been defeated by Mo Xuan before.’

The Sect Leader drifted over to where the group was chatting.

「An hour later」

Thunder Mountain finally arrived. The Three Immortal Sects were now gathered.

An Array Plate rose from the Purple Cloud Valley Sect Leader’s hands. The other two Sect Leaders and the Patriarchs of the various Noble Families then produced a number of Spirit Stones as numerous as the stars in the sky, instantly raising the Spiritual Qi Density around Fire Dragon Valley by a whole level.

"Go!"

With a soft cry from the Purple Cloud Valley Sect Leader, the Array Plate shot from his hand. It expanded rapidly in the air, enveloping the entire Fire Dragon Valley in moments. The Array Plate absorbed the Spirit Stones one by one. Once more than half of the Spirit Stones were consumed, the Array Plate descended, enclosing the valley’s perimeter.

"The trial will officially begin in half an hour!"

The Purple Cloud Valley Sect Leader’s voice boomed across the area. All the Patriarchs, Stewards, and Elders returned to their respective groups to give final instructions and announce the rules of the trial.

No sound could be heard. It was as if everyone was acting in a silent play. Disciples nodded from time to time while their masters, faces grim, spoke no words.

By the large rock, the Spiritual Veins of the Resting Technique in Liu Chen’s hand grew even more complex. After inscribing it onto his body, Liu Chen finally breathed a sigh of relief. ’From now on, I won’t have to worry about my Cultivation being exposed, even if I fight with my full strength.’

’Of course, that only applies to Cultivators of the same Realm. Against those in a High Realm, I’ll have to rely on the Fourth Grade Talisman Master gave me.’

[Resting Technique: Unique]

The original Resting Technique could hide one’s Cultivation, but it had nothing to do with the Peak Path. Now, this version of the Resting Technique—unique to Liu Chen—used the fluctuations emitted by his own body at each Realm as a template for his disguise.

In the future, as long as Liu Chen ensured he was stronger than his opponents, he would never have to worry about them seeing through his Cultivation. The only condition, of course, was that he had to refine this Magic at each new Realm, adapting it to the changes that came with his advancement.

Liu Chen stabilized his own Realm at Body Tempering Beginner. This was the common term among Cultivators, corresponding to the entry-level of the Body Tempering Technique—the same Realm his two junior sisters were currently in.

Just as Liu Chen finished, Yang Haichen tossed him a Token and explained the rules of the trial. "Junior Brother, here. This is the Token for participating in the trial. The trial itself is simple: find the pillars of light projected by the Array inside Fire Dragon Valley and use this Token to activate them, helping complete the Array.

This process will take one hour. If you’re attacked, you’ll fail.

Each pillar of light represents a slot for one of the major powers to participate in the next Fire Dragon Valley trial. There are three hundred and sixty pillars in total."