The light on Xiao Chen’s fingertip flickered with electric light—a pure purple. However, the light on the Flame Rock Sovereign’s fingertip was a fiery red—a dazzling and eye-catching red that looked like the sun was blazing there.
“Bang!”
Without much time to think, the two Sharp Spirit Fingers clashed. Everything from the moment the lights appeared until their collision seemed to happen nearly instantaneously.
The intense clash was like two stars crashing into each other. Long tears appeared in space, spreading to the sky covering the entire Flame Rock castle.
When the shock wave surged out, some of the weaker cultivators were knocked down and vomited blood.
If not for the formations of the Flame Rock castle, all the buildings would have crumbled the instant the two Sharp Spirit Fingers clashed, reduced to rubble.
Sharp Spirit Finger versus Sharp Spirit Finger. The two resplendent clumps of light came quickly and left quickly. When the lights vanished, victory was decided in the time it took for a spark to fly.
Blood leaked out of a corner of Xiao Chen’s lips, and he continuously moved back in the air. With each step he took, a crack of thunder resounded in the sky.
Xiao Chen took a total of ten steps before he stabilized himself. By the time he found his footing, the sky behind him had already filled with lightning and thunder, dark clouds covering the sky.
On the other hand, the Flame Rock Sovereign, who used only the strength of a half-step Martial Emperor, was in a worse state than Xiao Chen.
The instant the light vanished, Xiao Chen had sent the Flame Rock Sovereign flying. Of course, the Flame Rock Sovereign had the Golden Emperor Body, and his original strength was vast. Although he got knocked back, he was not injured.
According to the rules, Xiao Chen only needed to knock back the Flame Rock Sovereign in order to win. He had already surpassed the requirements, directly knocking the Flame Rock Sovereign into the air, gaining an overwhelming advantage.
Naturally, the victor was clear with one glance.
The place fell quiet. Everyone was shocked speechless. Xiao Chen not only used ten days to comprehend the Sharp Spirit Finger but also defeated the Flame Rock Sovereign using it.
There was a saying, “after teaching the apprentice, the master will starve to death.” This was the embodiment of this saying.
Even the Flame Rock Sovereign himself had some difficulty wrapping his brain around this result. He could not figure out how Xiao Chen won so thoroughly.
However, after a moment, he understood. Then, he stood in the air guffawing, his laughter filled with relief.
“Your Sharp Spirit Finger is indeed up to par. Unexpectedly, truly unexpectedly, you actually even used your Primordial Energy in it as well.”
In the Flame Rock Sovereign’s original estimation, Primordial Energy was too strong. If Xiao Chen used Primordial Energy in the Sharp Spirit Finger, Xiao Chen would definitely hurt himself.
Previously, the Flame Rock Sovereign thought that Xiao Chen would take things step by step, first using all his Law Energy, then incorporating Primordial Energy after he became more familiar with the move.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Chen achieved success in a single bound, using all the energies in his body.
When Xiao Chen used all the energies in his body this way, he was already no weaker than a First Heaven Martial Emperor. Since the Flame Rock Sovereign used only the strength of a half-step Martial Emperor, naturally, it resulted in an out-and-out loss.
It was not that the Flame Rock Sovereign’s Sharp Spirit Finger was no match for Xiao Chen’s. Instead, it was that the energy that the Flame Rock Sovereign used was not comparable to Xiao Chen’s.
Even though the Flame Rock Sovereign was a senior, he did not feel the loss was embarrassing at all. Instead, he felt gratified.
“Blood Shark Sovereign, didn’t you say that my little friend will absolutely not be able to comprehend the Sharp Spirit Finger in ten days? Right now, not only did he comprehend it, he even comprehended the complete version of it. Any thoughts?”
Then, the Flame Rock Sovereign turned to face the other Great Bandits and smiled cockily. “And you old fools echoed him. How about it? Do you all feel slapped in the face?”
The twelve Great Bandits all clenched their teeth as they faced the pleased Flame Rock Sovereign. However, they could not make a rebuttal, only allow the Flame Rock Sovereign to ridicule them.
Even so, these people were all Sovereign Martial Emperors. Their mental states were far stronger than ordinary cultivators’. Naturally, they were more magnanimous as well.
After a while, the Blood Shark Sovereign sighed and said, “The Azure Emperor’s descendant is indeed incredible. This old man is truly convinced this time.”
After saying that, the Blood Shark Sovereign stepped forward and handed Xiao Chen an engraved card, saying, “Little Friend, if you have time, you can come and visit my Blood Fiend Mountain Manor. This old man will definitely personally entertain you then.”
Xiao Chen felt somewhat overwhelmed by favor when facing this invitation from the top Great Bandit of the Black Sea.
In this world where strength reigned, Xiao Chen, a Consummation quasi-Emperor, managed to get a Sovereign Martial Emperor to issue an invitation so politely. This was something that others would not dare imagine.
After Xiao Chen received the engraved card, he said, “Many thanks, Senior, for showing me such regard. When I have time, I will definitely come to visit.”
Starting with the Blood Shark Sovereign, the other Great Bandits all reacted. All of them put on smiling faces and courteously gave Xiao Chen an engraved card each, inviting him to go to their residences when he had time.
“There is no fairness. The thirteen Great Bandits of the Black Sea all gave Xiao Chen an invitation at the same time.”
“Don’t be envious. If you can comprehend the Sharp Spirit Finger in ten days and defeat the Flame Rock Sovereign’s Sharp Spirit Finger, I believe you will receive such treatment as well.”
“However, it is hard not to be envious. With these thirteen engraved cards, Xiao Chen can travel anywhere in the Black Sea without fear in the future.”
“Not just the Black Sea. It might even not be an exaggeration to say that it would extend to the entire oceanic world.”
All the cultivators of Dark City revealed envious expressions as they watched the Great Bandits give out their engraved cards one after another, inviting Xiao Chen over.
In the history of the Black Sea, there had never been a time when all thirteen Great Bandits of the Black Sea issued invitations to one person. Word of the scene before everyone’s eyes would definitely circulate far and wide.
If looks could kill, Xiao Chen would have died several times under the gazes of these tens of thousands of people.
After all twelve visiting Great Bandits left, the Flame Rock Sovereign walked over with a smile and patted Xiao Chen’s shoulder. He said, “Little Friend, this time, you have helped me gain some face. When those old fools came in, they were all very arrogant as they strutted in. I have never seen them this obedient for so long, not even daring to let out a fart when being lectured.”
Xiao Chen laughed. It looked like Ba Tu’s and Ba Yan’s fiery tempers definitely came from the Flame Rock Sovereign. Their headstrong attitudes all clearly came from the same mold.
After that, the Flame Rock Sovereign looked at the engraved cards in Xiao Chen’s hand. He withdrew his smile and put on a serious expression, saying, “After my special training is over, you must go and visit the other Great Bandits. Don’t look down on these engraved cards.”
Xiao Chen’s expression turned apprehensive. After thinking for a while, he understood.
As the Azure Emperor’s descendant, he had already seen for himself how terrifying his enemies were at his King conferral ceremony.
The thirteen engraved cards represented thirteen Sovereign Martial Emperors. These meant that the entire Black Sea stood on his side. With such strength working together, their might went without saying.
On this night, Xiao Chen used his supreme grace to convince the thirteen Great Bandits of the Black Sea, gaining himself powerful assistance.
Exceptional grace, unparalleled under the skies.
Xiao Chen seriously put away the engraved cards and thanked the Flame Rock Sovereign once more. Then, he asked, “Senior, when are you going to teach me how to use Primordial Energy?”
“There is no rush. We will speak again in the morning. You should go and rest properly first,” the Flame Rock Sovereign replied casually with a wave of his hand.
After spending ten days comprehending, Xiao Chen was indeed somewhat tired. He nodded. Then, in a few flashes, he landed at the courtyard he stayed at.
After returning to the bedroom, Xiao Chen took out the Primordial Pills that the Flame Rock Sovereign gave him. He felt deeply moved. This favor from the Flame Rock Sovereign was too great; he did not know when he could repay it.
There was still Ao Jiao. Without Little Ao Jiao, the Flame Rock Sovereign would not walk so closely with Xiao Chen. It was also because of Ao Jiao that the Flame Rock Sovereign did not take that bet seriously and handed the Primordial Pills to Xiao Chen.
When challenging the Flame Rock Sovereign once more, aside from testing out his Sharp Spirit Finger, Xiao Chen had wanted to justify somewhat his receipt of the Primordial Pills.
Just as Xiao Chen was thinking about Ao Jiao, the windows opened, and Ao Jiao’s figure flashed, entering the bedroom. The instant the windows opened, the gentle moonlight happened to land on her body, lending her in a refined and fresh feeling.
This sight somewhat stunned Xiao Chen when he saw it. He had not expected Ao Jiao to have such a moving appearance.
“What are you thinking, Idiot Master?” Ao Jiao asked happily as she stood on the table.
Aside from Xiao Chen, the one that was the happiest about his comprehension of the Sharp Spirit Finger and the high regard of the thirteen Great Bandits of the Black Sea was naturally Ao Jiao.
Xiao Chen smiled faintly and did not reply. He was eloquent, but he was not good at lying to people familiar to him. Some words would cause a misunderstanding when said. Given that, it was best not to say them.
Seeing Xiao Chen not answering, Ao Jiao guessed some of it in her heart. However, she did not mind. She said, “You will soon be returning to Heavenly Star Island. Do you have any plans?”
Xiao Chen replied honestly, “I thought of this long ago. This time, when I go back, I plan to erect the Dragon’s Gate’s mountain tablet and announce to the four seas that the Dragon’s Gate is formally established.”
“Isn’t that a little too fast?”
This answer startled Ao Jiao. Although she knew that Xiao Chen had planned to do this long ago, she had not expected it to be so soon.
All along, Ao Jiao had thought that Xiao Chen would reestablish the Dragon’s Gate after he advanced to Martial Emperor.
Xiao Chen stood up and put away the Primordial Pill. Then, he shook his head and said, “It’s not really fast. Today, receiving these engraved cards made me even more sure of my plan. There are some things that have to be done. Whether early or late will not matter.”
There was also one more very important reason. Before he advanced to Martial Emperor, he needed to make a trip back to the Sky Dome Realm. As for the identity he would use then, it would be best to return as the Dragon’s Gate’s Sect Master. That way, he would be able to resolve the conflict in his father’s heart.
As the two discussed the Dragon’s Gate’s reestablishment and was about to delve into the details, Xiao Chen suddenly froze, then revealed a pained expression.
Ao Jiao asked suspiciously, “What’s wrong?”
“Someone infiltrated into my sea of consciousness. There’s no need to worry.”
Xiao Chen squeezed out this line before quickly closing his eyes and sitting cross-legged on the bed. He felt a level of anxiety that he had never felt before.
As Ao Jiao watched at the side, she felt it was somewhat strange. However, she could not help him and could only wait nervously.
Inside Xiao Chen’s sea of consciousness, a strong energy explored the depths of Xiao Chen’s mind fearlessly, like it was trying to dig out all his secrets.
Scenes flashed in Xiao Chen’s mind. However, when the scene fixed on the Heavenly Saber Pavilion’s Qingyun Peak in the Sky Dome Realm, the images of Xiao Chen and Liu Ruyue being together, the extremely strong Mental Energy turned berserk, trying to eradicate these memories.
Who is it? Is this person trying to turn me into an idiot, killing without a trace? Dream on!
Xiao Chen raged in his heart. All the Mental Energy in his sea of consciousness surged and formed many walls, blocking that extremely tyrannical Mental Energy.
