Nine Star Hegemon Body Arts

Chapter 5726 Training Partner

Long Zhantian said, “In the cultivation world, if you want to forge a path from the bottom of the mountain to the peak, then entering the Dao and comprehending the Dao would be the tools and power you need to decide on your path. Simply put, it is about finding your way before you start climbing. The experience of others can help you here, and once you’re ready, you can progress. Cultivating the Dao builds upon this foundation, teaching you how to select the cornerstones for your path. This process is arduous, with no shortcuts, hence it's termed 'bitter cultivation.'”

“If it's so bitter, why say cultivating the Dao is easy, but using the Dao is difficult?” Long Chen inquired.

“Although this process is bitter, people's hearts remain firm and unshaken. They persist in their cultivation. Observing their path widen and smoothen, they feel a sense of achievement and confidence. This joy amidst the hardship makes it not entirely bitter,” Long Zhantian explained. “However, after constructing this path, stepping onto it might cause it to collapse. You might realize you've chosen the wrong direction or need to backtrack. At that point, many despair. Lacking a firm Dao-heart, some will give up and tread the devil's Dao. They deny themselves."

Long Chen's heart trembled. Wasn't this his own experience? His heart-devil seemed to have arisen just like that. The memory of being lost and uncertain still sent shivers down his spine.

Long Zhantian continued, “While cultivating the Dao, the end isn't visible. You can't seek guidance, and your heart must remain unshaken. Thus, even with a confirmed direction, it is all too easy for there to be deviations. Using the Dao means walking the path you've paved for yourself. Only then do you realize the seemingly wide and smooth path is different from your expectations. It might be a winding, rugged trail filled with dangers that you can’t walk to the end. At that moment, many go mad.”

“Then what does it mean for using the Dao is easy, but corroborating the Dao is hard?” asked Long Chen.

“That is too distant to discuss now. I cannot answer you. During my imprisonment, I pondered my own Dao and techniques, which is why I can control my magical arts to this extent. Before reaching the violet blood race’s domain, I'll impart the essence of my insights to you.”

Long Zhantian patted Long Chen’s shoulder and said, “Chen-er, every path walked isn't in vain. Every step matters, even if it's backward.”

Repeating this, Long Zhantian seemed to convey a deeper meaning. Suddenly, Long Chen realized something. If every step mattered, did that include a heart-devil? His eyes brightened.

Seeing Long Chen’s shining eyes, Long Zhantian couldn’t help but laugh. As expected of his son, insights that took him years were grasped instantly by his son.

Suddenly, the Jewel Blood Devil halted. Startled, Long Chen surveyed the area, noting barren hills and flat plains stretching endlessly.

Suddenly, a powerful force struck him. Caught off-guard, he was sent flying.

“Chen-er, Jewel will be your opponent. Be cautious. It has just reabsorbed its bloodline power, so its control is still somewhat rough,” Long Zhantian said, hovering in the air.

The Jewel Blood Devil growled and ignited blood-colored flames around it. The might of a violet-crown Divine Emperor emanated, causing the ground to fracture.

With its four claws pressing the ground, it lunged at Long Chen like lightning, its claws resembling blades capable of destroying heaven and earth.

“What the fuck?!” Long Chen exclaimed, shocked by the sudden assault. The Jewel Blood Devil gave him no time to prepare, seemingly intent on taking his life.

Without time to summon the Dragon Blood Battle Armor, Long Chen hastily swung Evilmoon to intercept the sharp claws.

BOOM!

The impact sent Evilmoon flying, numbing Long Chen's arms and causing his hands to bleed.

The Jewel Blood Devil opened its mouth, and a scarlet tongue shot toward Long Chen like a sword.

“Divine Defense!” Long Chen shouted.

As he raised his hand, a runic shield condensed in front of him.

Crack.

The sharp tongue pierced the shield just like that.

Long Chen then dodged to the side, and the tongue grazed his shoulder, drawing some blood.

Before Long Chen could recover, the Jewel Blood Devil's tail whipped toward him. Only then did he realize its tail could extend and retract freely. There was a bone spike at the tip of it.

The tail struck with lightning speed and attacked from various angles. Long Chen dodged repeatedly, narrowly avoiding being impaled.

BOOM!

Violet qi erupted as Long Chen finally summoned the Violet Dragon Battle Armor. A dragon's cry resonated as Evilmoon flew back to his grasp.

“Waning Moon Heaven Shaking Slash!”

Frustrated by the relentless attacks, Long Chen unleashed his full power and swung Evilmoon at the Jewel Blood Devil's head.

However, his Saber Qi shattered upon contact with its horn, nearly causing him to spit blood. He hadn't anticipated the horn being its strongest part.

The Jewel Blood Devil seemed provoked, its gaze sharpening as the three pupils in its eyes twisted.

Alarmed, Long Chen sensed something off and swiftly dodged to the side.

BOOM!

The space where he had been exploded.

“A pupil art!”

Long Chen was astonished. The Jewel Blood Devil possessed pupil arts capable of unleashing powerful, silent attacks.

The void continued to explode as Long Chen dodged repeatedly, showcasing his full speed. Under the relentless assault, he found no opportunity to counterattack.

Long Chen still had many divine abilities he had yet to unleash, but the Jewel Blood Devil's relentless assault left him no room to retaliate. With every blink of an eye, he faced dozens of lethal attacks. Anyone else would have perished long ago.

Relying on his powerful instincts and combat experience, Long Chen narrowly avoided death time and time again. Yet, the onslaught showed no sign of slowing. No matter how he maneuvered, he couldn’t find an opening to strike back.

To Long Chen’s astonishment, this stream of attacks was truly endless. Every expert, no matter how powerful, needed a moment to breathe after launching such an intense offensive. That brief lapse was always the key to counterattacking. But the Jewel Blood Devil had maintained its ferocious tempo for over an incense stick’s time without even the slightest pause. It was as if it didn’t need to breathe at all.

BOOM!

Finally, Long Chen couldn’t endure any longer. The Jewel Blood Devil’s tail struck him with devastating force, and the sickening sound of bones shattering echoed through the air. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he was sent tumbling into the distance.