Chapter 33

In the inner courtyard of the imperial palace, in the study of the Fourth Prince, the Fourth Prince was leaning back in his chair, half-closed eyes, listening quietly to the report of the Marquis of the Wilderness.

"Master, there is still no movement from the Marquis of Zhenyuan. The army remains stationed in the same place, and there has been no response to your letter," the Marquis of the Wilderness said respectfully.

After a moment, the Fourth Prince slowly opened his eyes, a cold and fierce look in them. He sneered, "What a stubborn old fool, I gave him so much time, and he treats me like a pushover."

"This Long Tianshao is truly ungrateful. For so many years, he has refused to submit to the Prince, truly despicable, deserving of death," the Marquis of the Wilderness said with resentment.

The Fourth Prince glanced at the Marquis of the Wilderness and said, "I know about your grudge against Long Tianshao. If it weren't for his punch, you would have had a great chance to advance to the Yi Jin realm.

However, Long Tianshao's strength is not just in his martial power; otherwise, I wouldn't value him so much.

Unfortunately, he is too stubborn and refuses to serve me. Since he cannot be mine, let him become a dead man."

Hearing this, the Marquis of the Wilderness was overjoyed and asked urgently, "Master, do you have any good plan?"

"It's not the right time to deal with him yet. However, since he has betrayed my efforts for so many years, let's start by killing his only son, as a form of interest," the Fourth Prince said indifferently.

"Long Chen? How do we kill him?" the Marquis of the Wilderness was somewhat puzzled.

Now, Long Chen is a member of the Alchemist Guild, and it is rumored that he has a very special relationship with Master Yun Qi. Even the royal family dares not offend the Alchemist Guild.

"I have already made the arrangements; you don't need to worry about it. Now, start concentrating all your forces. We are about to make a big move. Remember not to cause any disturbances," the Fourth Prince said coldly.

"Yes, Master, I will ensure everything is done flawlessly," the Marquis of the Wilderness hurriedly replied.

Now, his strength is only at the Blood Condensation realm, and his martial power is not outstanding. The reason the Fourth Prince values him so much is:

Firstly, because of his unwavering loyalty, and secondly, because he is very cautious and meticulous. For so many years, he has never made any mistakes.

After the Marquis of the Wilderness left, the Fourth Prince stared at the books on the desk, sighing after a long while.

"Long Tianshao, Long Tianshao, why do you insist on this? After so many years of sincerity, you still refuse to be moved. Don't blame me for being ruthless."

...

"Boom"

Another explosion sounded within his body, and Long Chen slowly opened his eyes. The sharpness in his star-like eyes was like a blade, making people dare not look directly.

Looking at the seven qi vortices slowly rotating in his dantian, a satisfied smile appeared on Long Chen's face.

He had advanced four realms in just seven days, a speed that would shock many. However, Long Chen was still somewhat unsatisfied.

He originally thought that with the increase in qi vortices, cultivation would become faster, but he soon realized this was a mistake.

The more qi vortices he condensed, the harder it became, and the more spiritual energy he needed. It took him only three hours to condense his fourth qi vortex, but it took him three whole days to condense his seventh.

Equivalent to the total time spent on the first three qi vortices. However, what delighted Long Chen was that after reaching the seventh level of Qi Gathering, he found his meridians were more solid.

However, he still could not use the Heaven-Opening combat technique, which did not disappoint him but rather excited him. This indicated that Heaven-Opening was an extremely powerful combat technique. A trash pill in exchange for a high-level combat technique was a very good deal.

Originally, Long Chen wanted to use the Blood Condensation realm expert guarding the Combat Technique Pavilion to exchange more high-level combat techniques with pills.

But now, with the Wind-Piercing Fist and Fire Cloud Palm taught by Chu Yao, he already had enough. Both were high-level human-grade combat techniques, which could only be found on the third floor of the Combat Technique Pavilion. Even the person guarding the Combat Technique Pavilion probably didn't have the qualifications to learn them.

Combat techniques are not the more the better. Usually, martial artists do not use combat techniques unless absolutely necessary.

Because combat techniques consume a large amount of spiritual energy. A typical Qi Gathering realm martial artist can only activate a low-level human-grade combat technique once.

After one activation, the remaining spiritual energy is not enough to activate it a second time. Therefore, unless they can defeat the enemy in one move, they generally do not waste their precious spiritual energy.

The higher the level of the combat technique, the more spiritual energy it consumes. Generally, high-level human-grade combat techniques are used by Blood Condensation realm experts.

Only they have the abundant spiritual energy to support such terrifying consumption. However, Long Chen is different.

His spiritual energy is stored in the Fengfu Star. Long Chen has tested and found that with his current spiritual energy, he can activate a high-level human-grade combat technique seven times.

However, if he uses a super combat technique, which involves activating the Fengfu Star's spiritual energy, entering the qi vortex, and then using the technique, his spiritual energy is only enough for one activation.

The second time, he would be exhausted and unable to activate it. However, Long Chen cannot yet condense a second star. According to the records, only when the first star becomes a true star can he condense a second one.

But Long Chen now doesn't know what a true star is or what the Nine Transformations of the Star mean. It's becoming increasingly confusing, so he can only continue to condense qi vortices helplessly.

"Master, can I come in?" Bao'er's clear voice came from outside the door.

"Come in."

Bao'er entered, holding several pieces of clothing, and said with a smile, "Master, today is the Phoenix Lantern Festival. Lady ordered me to help you get dressed up."

She made Long Chen sit down and began to clean his face and comb his hair. Long Chen smiled, "Why so formal?"

"Hehe, Lady said you are almost sixteen, and it's time to get married. She said I should dress you up nicely, in case some young lady takes a fancy to you, hehe... you know what I mean," Bao'er said with a grin.

"Really? Mother is in such a hurry?" Long Chen was speechless. People like Yu Fat and others are already seventeen or eighteen and haven't married yet.

"Of course, I'm eager to have a grandson."

After speaking, Lady Long entered and looked at Long Chen, "Dream Qi's matter can be taken slowly, as a long-term goal.

But there should also be a short-term goal. This is called a two-pronged approach. To be safe, Mother suggests you find a suitable girl first, have a child, and then you can still pursue Dream Qi. This is called a double insurance."

"Mother, is this really okay?" Long Chen looked at his mother in disbelief.

"Why not? Men having multiple wives is common. You can leave the main wife position for Dream Qi, can't you?" Lady Long said matter-of-factly.

"Really? Are you sure?" Long Chen clearly didn't believe it.

"Of course. But you can't tell Dream Qi beforehand. After you two... you know, she will agree," Lady Long reminded him.

Long Chen's eyes widened. Is this really okay? "Mother, do you think Father, who has ignored us for so many years, has multiple wives?"

"Don't talk nonsense. If your father had multiple wives, it would be better," Lady Long scolded, but a hint of guilt flashed in her eyes.

"Hehe, just kidding, Mother. Don't worry, if there are suitable ones at the lantern festival, I'll bring a couple back for you," Long Chen said, seeing his mother's unhappiness.

"Phew, who do you think you are, bringing a couple back? I'm telling you, don't be cheeky with me. You must take this seriously, understand?" Lady Long warned solemnly.

"Okay, okay, I'll do as you say," Long Chen agreed, but he didn't really believe it, though he didn't dare say so.

After washing up, Long Chen put on a blue robe that fit him perfectly. Wearing the robe, he looked completely refreshed.

With his sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, he looked exceptionally handsome, and Bao'er's eyes sparkled as she praised him.

"Hehe, Mother, with Master's conditions, how many girls can resist?"

"You, don't flatter him too much," Lady Long said, but her eyes were full of satisfaction. Seeing her talented son, she felt proud.

"Alright, it's already late, let's go out," Lady Long pushed Long Chen out the door.

"Mother, the sun is still high, it's still early," Long Chen pointed to the slightly westward sun, looking helpless.

"Brat, don't you know to prepare in advance? Go and secure a good spot, it will improve efficiency. Hurry up," Lady Long said, then slammed the door shut.

Long Chen rolled his eyes. This isn't a street stall, why do I need to secure a spot? But since he was already kicked out, he had no choice but to go.

On the way, Long Chen saw countless people busy hanging lanterns in front of their homes. Seeing Long Chen, a young man laughed, "Brother, you're early."

"What do you know? The early bird gets the worm," Long Chen said irritably.

"Right, that makes sense. Thanks for the reminder, I'll go change," the young man said and ran back to the yard.

"Brat, only thirteen or fourteen, already thinking about girls," Long Chen sneered. Kids these days mature too quickly. I came out too early, and if I go now, I'll just be laughed at.

But the time is awkward. If I find a place to practice, it's too short. If I just wait, it's too long.

While Long Chen was hesitating, a tangible killing intent suddenly came at him, and a gust of wind rushed toward his back.

He quickly turned and struck a palm, which collided with the attacker's palm.

"Bang"

The air exploded, and Long Chen was pushed back several steps. Looking up, he saw a masked man, who immediately struck another palm, with immense force and a howling wind.

Long Chen sneered, ignoring the man's palm, and kicked at the man's crotch.

"Bang"

The man, with rich combat experience, immediately retracted his palm, changed his attack to defense, and blocked Long Chen's kick with his leg.

"Die"

After blocking Long Chen's kick, the man suddenly burst with blood and qi, a fierce force rising, and a punch that tore through space, blocking all of Long Chen's escape routes.

Long Chen's eyes flashed with a fierce look, just as he was about to fully burst, he suddenly remembered something.

"Buffalo Strength"

Long Chen shouted and punched the man's fist, being thrown back several steps, his chest surging with blood.

The man, after throwing Long Chen back, was about to continue his attack when suddenly people around him moved, clearly alarmed.

"Hmph, boy, I'll take your life next time," the man glanced at the slightly pale Long Chen, sneered, and disappeared in a few leaps, moving incredibly fast.

After the man disappeared, the slight paleness on Long Chen's face vanished, replaced by a mocking look.

"Idiot, trying to probe my strength?"

Long Chen dusted off his clothes, looked in the direction the man had gone, and sighed:

It seems tonight will be an unusual night!