Chapter 34

Just now, when that person launched their sneak attack, Long Chen had already seen through their intentions. Although they were dressed as an assassin, it was just a ruse.

There is no assassin who releases their killing intent before making a move. Even an apprentice wouldn’t make such a low-level mistake.

Moreover, although that person had a murderous aura, they had no real intent to kill. Each move, though powerful, was clearly held back.

It was completely different from an assassin’s style of striking to kill. So Long Chen deliberately lost on the last move, being knocked back and using his spiritual energy to disguise himself, making it seem like he was slightly injured.

Sure enough, that “assassin” immediately left. This idiot couldn’t even act properly. Clearly, there were only ordinary people in the distance, and he could have killed the target and left calmly.

But he seemed startled and quickly fled. Such a poor performance made Long Chen sneer.

Even a child could tell that this guy must be someone of high status, used to being arrogant and self-important.

Although Long Chen didn’t know why that person was testing him, he knew that the other party must have more plans. Otherwise, the effort just now would have been in vain.

“Brother Long, hahaha, you’re really early.”

While lost in thought, Long Chen had unknowingly reached the entrance of Phoenix Cry Square. Monkey shouted excitedly.

Now, the square, which spanned several miles, was decorated with countless giant lanterns, each over ten zhang tall. However, it wasn’t completely dark yet, so the lanterns hadn’t been lit.

The entire square was bustling with people setting up various structures, clearly nearing completion.

From a distance, the huge square, adorned with countless lanterns of various styles, was already spectacular even without the lanterns being lit.

Long Chen had just arrived and noticed that countless young men and women had already come to play, their laughter and chatter filling the air.

Some of the laughter, however, was either naturally unpleasant or poorly executed, making it sound bone-chilling.

As the girls held hands and played, their beautiful eyes would occasionally steal glances at the passing men. Despite it being almost autumn, the entire square felt like spring.

And some of the men, as Long Chen’s mother had said, had already taken up high vantage points, some standing on artificial hills, others on small bridges, fanning themselves and acting overly pretentious.

What made Long Chen speechless was that some even acted like roosters, making him shudder.

“Monkey, is this the legendary Phoenix Cry Lantern Festival of handsome men and beautiful women?” Long Chen asked, somewhat disbelieving.

“Well… Brother Long, we came too early. The real beauties haven’t come out yet. Only those without confidence would come this early,” Monkey said awkwardly.

But after saying that, Monkey immediately reacted and swore, “Brother Long, you are definitely an exception.”

Indeed, they had come too early, all thanks to his mother. Long Chen couldn’t help but feel like crying, but as the sky grew darker, more and more men and women came.

This time, the quality was much better. At least the laughter wasn’t so scary, and both the quantity and quality were very good.

“Haha, Long Chen, you really came,” Shi Feng said as soon as he arrived, spotting Long Chen and Monkey hiding in a corner.

“Haha, Brother Long, you look so handsome today,” Yu Fatso and the others also arrived, greeting Long Chen one by one.

“Yu Fatso, you look great too. The weight loss is impressive. From a distance, we can finally tell if you’re coming vertically or horizontally,” Monkey laughed, and everyone joined in.

As they were laughing, more and more men and women arrived, and the once spacious square quickly became lively.

The men and women, in groups of three or five, were whispering and laughing, but their eyes were constantly scanning the surroundings, clearly looking for targets.

“Long Chen, let’s go in. It’s almost time, and the show will start soon,” Shi Feng said.

Yu Fatso and the others were already eager, but they had to wait for Long Chen to speak.

Actually, Long Chen really didn’t want to go in, but he couldn’t refuse their enthusiasm, so he had to tough it out and follow them in.

As soon as Long Chen’s group entered, they immediately attracted the attention of most people. One reason was that they were among the last to arrive.

The other reason was that this group was too unique, with tall, short, fat, and thin members, making it impossible not to attract attention.

“Wow, who is that? He’s so handsome, I’ve never seen him before,” a girl exclaimed.

Long Chen was originally quite handsome, but not to the point of stunning everyone. However, beauty needs to be complemented by something else.

With Yu Fatso and Monkey as the “green leaves,” even Shi Feng, with his dark face, looked much more handsome.

“Don’t you know? That’s Long Chen, the heir of the Zhenyuan Marquis, Long Chen.”

“Heaven, he’s Long Chen? The one hailed as the best of the young generation in Phoenix Cry Empire?”

“I heard he’s also a Dantuo and might become the first disciple of Master Yun Qi.”

Numerous comments spread, and many girls secretly looked at Long Chen, whispering to each other. Some of the bolder ones even started calling his name.

Sweat trickled down his face. Long Chen had never seen such a scene before. Even though he considered himself quite thick-skinned, he still felt overwhelmed.

“Shi, you lead the way. Fatso, Monkey, you two move up a bit.”

Long Chen hid in the middle of the group, walking with his head down, and the effect was much better.

After walking for a while, they reached a large area, with a huge stage in the center, about a hundred zhang wide.

“Long Chen, that stage is where the competition for the title of Phoenix Cry’s First Hero takes place. Are you interested in trying it out?” Shi Feng asked with a smile.

“No interest. I don’t like fighting like a monkey,” Long Chen shook his head.

“Hehe, Long Chen, hearing you say that, I’m relieved,” Shi Feng laughed.

Long Chen was slightly taken aback but quickly understood. It turned out Shi Feng was aiming for the title of Phoenix Cry’s First Hero.

“May you win,” Long Chen extended his fist.

Shi Feng also extended his fist, bumping it with Long Chen’s and said, “Don’t worry, as long as I don’t face you, I’m confident.”

“Damn, you guys are too much. This leaves us out. Brothers, let’s go and find some girls while we still have time,” Monkey shouted, pulling everyone along.

“Remember, meet back here later,” Shi Feng called out loudly.

It was unclear if they heard, but they quickly dispersed, each looking for a target.

“Shi, how is your cultivation now?” Long Chen asked in a low voice, seeing no one around.

“I’m at the peak of the First Level of Blood Condensation. It won’t be long before I can enter the Second Level,” Shi Feng said with gratitude.

His rapid cultivation was entirely due to Long Chen’s help. The earlier he entered the Blood Condensation Realm, the more beneficial it would be for his future cultivation.

If he only broke through to the Blood Condensation Realm at the age of thirty, he would likely never reach the First Level of Blood Condensation in his lifetime.

Now, at less than eighteen years old, Shi Feng had already broken through to the Blood Condensation Realm, giving him at least a thirty percent chance of reaching the Sinew Transformation Realm in the future.

The Sinew Transformation Realm was the most powerful existence in the Phoenix Cry Empire, with only three people achieving it.

Long Chen nodded. This speed proved that Shi Feng was very diligent. However, after checking Shi Feng’s dantian, Long Chen found that his spiritual roots were only slightly above average. The Sinew Transformation Realm would likely be the limit of his martial path, with little hope of advancing further.

“I’ll help you refine a Foundation Consolidation Pill to further solidify your foundation. With your diligence, you should have a good chance of advancing to the Sinew Transformation Realm before the age of thirty,” Long Chen said.

“Long Chen, the pills you gave me last time, were they really refined by you?” Shi Feng asked, surprised but still disbelieving.

“Of course, who else could it be? Did you think I found them?” Long Chen said, a bit irritated.

“No, we all thought Master Yun Qi gave them to you,” Shi Feng said honestly.

After all, it was hard for them to accept that Long Chen had suddenly become a Dantuo, so they had made that guess.

However, with Long Chen’s statement today, it was clear that Long Chen could refine pills himself.

“Your foundation, though not bad, is still not solid enough. Mainly because you were too eager during the early stages of Qi Gathering.

This left some flaws in your foundation, which will cause obstacles when you try to reach the Sinew Transformation Realm.

I’ll refine a Foundation Consolidation Pill for you. While it won’t completely remove those flaws, it will make it much easier for you to reach the Sinew Transformation Realm,” Long Chen said.

“Brother, I won’t say more. Just know that if you need anything, I’m yours,” Shi Feng said solemnly.

“Between brothers, there’s no need for such formalities. Hey, what’s that?”

Long Chen suddenly noticed several dozen guards in brocade uniforms walking over, carrying large objects whose shapes were unclear.

“That’s the princesses’ lanterns. Every year during the lantern festival, the princesses make lanterns by hand to pray for Phoenix Cry’s prosperity,” Shi Feng explained.

Princesses? He should take a good look. He wondered which one was made by Chu Yao. However, the guards all gathered behind a large curtain.

Clearly, they wouldn’t let anyone see before the show started. As more guards entered, they surrounded a high platform.

The platform faced the stage and all the people. As the guards entered, the men and women who were still chatting also rushed over.

Like a tide, the once spacious square was quickly filled. Some girls, unable to find seats, just needed to give a man a flirtatious look to get a seat.

The men, however, could only stand at the back, watching from a distance. Even Yu Fatso and the others could only stare, as they had gone to find girls, and all the seats were taken.

Just as everyone had settled, a phoenix-drawn carriage appeared, and a long cry echoed, causing all the guards to kneel.

“The Empress Dowager has arrived.”