Chapter 7

*Puff!*

A dragon's roar echoed as the thick true qi finally connected the third dragon meridian!

True qi surged wildly through his limbs and every part of his body. Long Chen had to exert great effort to suppress the true qi and fully assimilate it.

At this moment, his eyes were filled with divine light, clearly indicating that his cultivation had made a significant leap from before!

"The true qi of the third level of the Dragon Meridian Realm is actually several times stronger than the second level. This time, encountering Yang Zhan, along with the Meteor Fist, it will be difficult for him to defeat me!"

Finally breaking through to the third level of the Dragon Meridian Realm, Long Chen took a moment to adjust and adapt. It was still the middle of the night, and there was still some time before dawn.

The sky was clear tonight, with nine celestial rivers spanning the heavens, a magnificent sight.

"Eighteen celestial rivers, nine during the day and nine at night. I've heard that the celestial rivers are composed of countless stars. If I could one day ascend to the heavens and see them for myself, it would not be in vain to have lived."

"If the celestial rivers are all stars, then I will borrow the power of the celestial stars to continue cultivating my Star Body!"

Originally, Long Chen had been absorbing the power of some isolated stars, but when he borrowed the power of the celestial rivers, a surging starlight enveloped him.

"Such a large amount of starlight has actually fused into my blood and bones. The speed is more than a hundred times faster than before. Those nine celestial rivers are indeed composed of countless stars!"

Starlight spread everywhere, and Long Chen was enveloped by a vast amount of starlight. The tiny energy of these stars seeped into his skin and combined with every part of his body. Long Chen could feel that under the continuous refinement of the starlight, his physical strength was constantly increasing.

Until the sun rose.

The starlight on his body gradually faded, and Long Chen jumped off the roof, his eyes filled with excitement.

"After a night of refinement by starlight, I haven't taken a wrong path. Now, I have reached the minor completion of the Star Body. This strength and resilience... combined with the true qi of the third level of the Dragon Meridian Realm, I, Long Chen, am at least ten times stronger than I was a day ago!"

Long Chen smiled: "I finally have a day when I can hold my head up. With the Star Body and the Meteor Fist, I don't believe I can't stand up to Yang Zhan, who is at the fourth level of the Dragon Meridian Realm! And the others... we will settle our accounts slowly!"

Entering the room, Long Chen lay on the bed.

"Without sleep for a whole night, it's time to rest. When I wake up, I will be more energetic and can proceed with the next step of my cultivation plan."

"The Star Body, when cultivated to major completion, will surely unleash even greater power. The true qi left by the mysterious Dragon Jade from my father is not little. The true qi in my dantian increases daily, more than others can cultivate, but I cannot be limited to this speed. I need to cultivate myself and also obtain spirit jade..."

Spirit jade is a type of jade that can assist Dragon Meridian Realm martial artists in cultivation, containing a vast amount of heaven and earth's spiritual energy. It is usually bestowed by elders when a younger generation achieves outstanding results.

"I still have half a month. I need to obtain the Dragon Seal and at least reach the fifth level of the Dragon Meridian Realm. Each level of the Dragon Meridian Realm is ten times more difficult than the previous one. Yang Zhan has been at the fourth level for over a year. Reaching the fifth level will not be easy, and it's even more impossible to achieve in half a month..."

"Regardless, for my father, to not be looked down upon, and for that woman, I will go all out!"

* * * * * *

The sun was high in the sky when Long Chen was awakened by a commotion.

After breaking through to the third level of the Dragon Meridian Realm, his perception had improved. He could sense when someone approached from a distance. Standing up and restoring himself to his best state, Long Chen smiled and walked out the door.

Sure enough, Yang Zhan was at the forefront, and the others following him were also some of the Yang family's brothers and sisters, all around fourteen or fifteen years old, but they were all tall and strong, some even looking older than Long Chen.

Yang Zhan's grand display today was somewhat unexpected for Long Chen.

Seeing that this kid showed no fear despite the large group, Yang Zhan sneered and said, "I said I would teach you a lesson last night, and I can't go back on my word today. You've gained some strength these past few days and have become arrogant. Our Yang family brothers and sisters all look at you unfavorably, so they specifically asked me to teach you some manners!"

Long Chen smiled faintly and said, "No wonder you made such a big show. I thought you were just afraid and needed a crowd to boost your courage!"

In this situation, Long Chen could still mock Yang Zhan and chat casually, leaving the Yang family disciples who followed him completely stunned, unable to react for a long time.

Was this still the same person who had always been submissive and fawning in front of them, a complete waste?

Anger surged from the soles of Yang Zhan's feet, instantly reaching his head. The flames of hatred gradually erupted in his eyes.

"Very well, little brat. You've gained a bit of strength by chance and have become different from your former slave-like self. I suppose you naively think you're invincible after defeating Chen Liu. You've successfully provoked me today. Brothers, what should I do?"

"Disable him!"

The cries rose one after another.

Yang Zhan waved his hand and said, "Sorry, that's their suggestion. Your performance today is very unfamiliar to us. We are still more accustomed to the old dog slave, Yang Chen. So, I'll put in some effort today to make you return to your original state!"

"If you want to fight me, then stop all this nonsense. Your words are just bullshit to me. Leading a bunch of kids to my door to spout bullshit early in the morning is quite a spectacle!"

Long Chen's last words completely enraged Yang Zhan. He had always been high and mighty, and Long Chen was just an ant in his eyes. Today, being so humiliated by this ant made him lose his composure.

"Brat, you're asking for death! If I don't disable you today, I'll change my name!"

Saying that, his entire aura erupted, and the power of the fourth level of the Dragon Meridian Realm was fully exerted on Long Chen.

"They're going to fight!"

The onlookers scattered, leaving only Yang Zhan and Long Chen in the center.

"This aura, although similar to last night, is no longer enough to make me take a single step back!"

Although the fourth level of the Dragon Meridian Realm was powerful, Long Chen's strength was not to be underestimated. His body faintly glowed with starlight, and his Star Body, which had been refined by starlight, was not afraid of the opponent's overwhelming pressure.

"Just a mere second level of the Dragon Meridian Realm, yet you dare to challenge me. You should pay the price for your ignorance!"

Like a whirlwind, Yang Zhan rushed toward Long Chen, roaring and delivering several punches in quick succession, forcing Long Chen to dodge repeatedly.

"Tch, I thought Yang Chen was putting on a show, thinking he had some hidden cards. But it turns out that once Yang Zhan acts, he's just running around like a rat."

"Just embarrassing himself."

The onlookers laughed, pointing and laughing at the scene.

Ducking another punch from Yang Zhan, Long Chen glanced at them and cursed inwardly, "A bunch of fools."

Then he smiled at Yang Zhan and mocked, "Yang Zhan, is that all you've got?"

Yang Zhan, unlike the onlookers, was not so foolish. Although Long Chen was being chased around, his dodges were very orderly and not chaotic. Despite using his full strength, Yang Zhan couldn't land a single hit, which made him secretly alarmed.

"Something's not right. He's at the second level of the Dragon Meridian Realm, and although he dodges well, he definitely doesn't have any offensive techniques!"

Thinking this, Yang Zhan sneered and punched, shouting, "You coward, all you can do is dodge? If you're a man, fight me face to face!"

After a brief exchange, Long Chen had a good understanding of Yang Zhan's specific strength. In terms of true qi, Yang Zhan was certainly several times stronger.

With the minor completion of the Star Body, his attack and speed were several times stronger than an ordinary third-level Dragon Meridian Realm practitioner, and his defense was even more monstrous. With these assurances, Long Chen's eyes turned cold. Seeing Yang Zhan's punch coming, he did not retreat but advanced, delivering a punch of his own.

"Roaring Tiger Fist!"

"Roaring Tiger Fist!"

The two tigers clashed with a thunderous impact!

*Bang!*

Both were forced to retreat, their heavy footsteps leaving marks on the stone slabs. Behind Yang Zhan, one of the slabs even cracked!

"What? How can his strength be so great!"

Yang Zhan finally steadied himself. Seeing that Long Chen had retreated a shorter distance, he was incredulous. The Yang family disciples behind him were stunned, their smiles frozen, as if they had been slapped hard!

"How about that? Did that punch meet your expectations? Yang Zhan, your Roaring Tiger Fist isn't that great, is it?"

Yang Zhan was filled with doubt and suspicion.

"A few days ago, he wasn't even a martial artist, but the last time I saw him, he was already at the second level of the Dragon Meridian Realm, capable of defeating Chen Liu. But he was clearly holding back. This guy must have the strength of the fourth level of the Dragon Meridian Realm? The fourth level, and he's been so patient. What is his goal?"

Looking at Long Chen's smiling face, Yang Zhan's anger almost made him burst into flames.

"It's impossible. He can't have such power. He must have used some strange means to achieve this effect! He knows the Roaring Tiger Fist, but this move, even if he was hiding it deeply or used some despicable means, I will make him die!"

Thinking this, Yang Zhan roared and charged at Long Chen like a meteor, his overwhelming aura forcing the young Yang family disciples to retreat, exclaiming, "Brother Yang Zhan is truly extraordinary. He has even mastered the intermediate combat technique, the Meteor Fist. That guy will surely be reduced to nothing under the Meteor Fist!"