Chapter 99: There’s Nothing I Hate More Than So-Called Geniuses

Chapter 99: Chapter 99: There’s Nothing I Hate More Than So-Called Geniuses

"That can’t be right. I’d expect it from the Loose Cultivators, but why is there nothing good in the Storage Rings of these Purple Cloud Valley traitors?"

Liu Chen muttered to himself as he examined his spoils. There was only one Basic Magic Technique he could use, called the Dragon Locking Skill, but it was really just a type of Binding Technique.

There were three damaged Spirit Swords. Without repairs from an Artifact Refiner, they would probably shatter from Spiritual Power backlash after just a few uses. The only Spirit Fan was somewhat useful; at least it was a Magical Artifact. Infusing it with Spiritual Power would release a storm, but it was also slightly damaged.

Liu Chen pieced together a decent outfit from the five sets of clothes and changed into it. ’If only I had a Black Robe and a mask, it would be perfect.’

’Whatever. I’ll just stick to cultivating step-by-step. I can’t prepare any Spiritual Cuisine, but two hundred thousand Spirit Stones will definitely be enough.’

After resting for a while, Liu Chen began practicing his Meridian Passage Technique. The Beginner level of the Purple Bamboo Scripture Meridian Passage Chapter required opening the Ren and Du Meridians, which marked one’s official entry into the Meridian Passage Realm. Reaching Minor Success required opening the Chong and Dai Meridians.

With the Ren and Du Small Cycle storing his Spiritual Power, Liu Chen could now call upon a greater amount when operating his technique. After circulating Spiritual Power through the Chong and Dai meridians once each, aside from the sore and bloated side effects, he also received a nice Proficiency bonus.

[Proficiency in Purple Bamboo Scripture Meridian Passage Chapter +50]

’Just as I thought. Once you build a solid cultivation foundation, your progress only gets faster and faster. At least, that’s how it is for now.’

As Liu Chen reflected on this, the Cyan Lotus Bamboo Leaf Spirit Pattern released a cyan-colored Spiritual Power, dispelling the soreness and bloating in his Chong and Dai meridians.

The cave remained as quiet as ever, with only the sound of the wind and sand outside breaking the silence.

Liu Chen used Spirit Stones to restore his Spiritual Power, then resumed practicing the Body Protection Technique. This was the unique Magic he had originally planned to master first, but the unique effects of his cultivation technique were too significant, forcing him to change his plans.

’It’s not too late, though. If all goes well, I should be able to reach Perfection in the Body Protection Technique tonight. Based on my experience, it’s only about noon right now, so there’s still plenty of time until nightfall...’

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At the volcanic crater where Liu Chen had briefly stopped, five Inner Sect Disciples from Qingxu Hall had gathered. Their leader was at Body Tempering Peak, while the other four were all at the Body Tempering Middle Stage.

"Senior Brother, we’ve confirmed there’s a pillar of light below the cliff."

The disciple who had just returned reported respectfully to the young man whose back was to the crater. He wouldn’t have bothered for any other Inner Sect Disciple, but the man before him was Nangong Ye—the undisputed former Young Master of the Nangong Family, who had set foot on the Peak Path after only five years of Body Tempering.

"Rest here for a moment. In one incense stick’s time, we’ll go secure that pillar of light and boost our fellow disciples’ morale."

Nangong Ye turned to look at the four Junior Brothers below him. He was pleased that some people were willing to follow him during the trial, but when he recalled what had happened not long ago, his happiness vanished.

He had been the one to receive Patriarch Ye when he came to break off the engagement. Although the Ye Family had declined, they were once allies of the Nangong Family and had been instrumental in helping the Nangong Family expand its influence.

However, Patriarch Ye had stated his purpose directly—to annul the engagement—which had caught him completely off guard. Fortunately, it didn’t escalate into a major incident, and the matter was considered resolved.

But his younger brother—who had become the sole heir to the position of Young Master of the Nangong Family after he joined Qingxu Hall—had not only failed to recognize his own mistake but had even ordered an assassination attempt on Patriarch Ye.

As a result, the scandal that both families had wanted to keep hidden was leaked. Now, even disciples in Qingxu Hall who were once his inferiors could make sarcastic remarks when they saw him, and Nangong Ye couldn’t even refute them.

Based on the clues he later discovered within the Nangong Family, he deduced that his once-reliable younger brother had done more than just this in the years since he had joined Qingxu Hall.

Nangong Ye’s thoughts drifted until he was brought back to his senses by his Junior Brothers, who had been sitting cross-legged, rising to their feet.

"Let’s move out!"

Nangong Ye started walking slowly to the east, followed by his four Junior Brothers. They were a force to be reckoned with anywhere.

Below the cliff, a dozen or so people were hidden in the shadows, their eyes fixed on the pillar of light obscured by the rock face.

In the middle of this group, a young man in fine robes sat casually on an opulent chair. His fingers tapped lightly on the armrest, creating a crisp sound.

"Reporting to Your Highness, Nangong Ye of Qingxu Hall is heading this way!"

Hearing this, the finely-robed youth slowly opened his eyes. He glanced at the pillar of light ahead, a trace of disgust in his gaze.

"Pass down the order: I want Nangong Ye taken alive."

The finely-robed youth, the Third Prince of the Black Feather Dynasty, Yu Haenze, gave the command nonchalantly. Since the Great Xia Dynasty wanted to let those Loose Cultivators and even Evil Cultivators wreak havoc in the Black Feather Dynasty, it would have to pay a sufficient price.

Nangong Ye held a high reputation among the current generation of Inner Sect Disciples at Qingxu Hall; even some from previous years admired him. Capturing him would surely make for a wonderful expression on the faces of Qingxu Hall’s upper echelons.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Quiet gradually returned to the cliffside as everyone concealed themselves even deeper. An incense stick’s time later, Nangong Ye and his four Junior Brothers descended from the sky.

Seeing this, Yu Haenze stopped tapping his fingers. In the next instant, dozens of Spiritual Power-infused Crossbow Arrows shot out.

A black barrier of Spiritual Power materialized around Nangong Ye, but the other four members of Qingxu Hall fell heavily to the ground like birds with broken wings. They were swiftly beheaded.

Nangong Ye, still in mid-air, forcefully circulated his Spiritual Power to escape the attackers’ range. Landing on the cliff, he had no time to grieve and immediately sprinted into the distance.

Nangong Ye hadn’t gotten far when two figures flew up the cliff with Sword Control.

"His Highness wants him alive. That makes things a bit troublesome."

One of them watched Nangong Ye’s retreating back and shook his head. From this distance, a flying sword could kill him instantly. Too bad. If they did that, this Body Tempering Realm ant would be dead for sure.

"Doesn’t that make it more interesting?"

The other man had a smile on his lips. They were in the Meridian Passage Realm and were acting as Guards for the Third Prince this time, which was quite boring. It wasn’t often they got the chance to hunt down a prodigy.

"That’s true. I hate so-called prodigies the most."

The two chased after Nangong Ye as they spoke. In the distance, Nangong Ye, who hadn’t gotten far, detected the two pursuing him with Sword Flight via his Spiritual Sense. His expression turned even uglier. The Spiritual Power reserves of the Body Tempering Realm were not enough to perform Sword Flight.

[Proficiency in Body Protection Technique +2000]

Back in the cave, Liu Chen slowly opened his eyes, very satisfied with the proficiency gain he saw. Next, he could focus on his cultivation technique. ’Once I reach the Meridian Passage Early Stage, I’ll look for a nearby pillar of light. After all, I’m here to participate in a trial; I should make some sort of contribution.’

Just then, Liu Chen’s Spiritual Sense detected a wretched figure. Not only was it covered in blood, but it was also limping badly.

But that wasn’t the main point. The main point was that this person was heading straight for his cave.