Chapter 44

"Find death"

Indeed, after transforming into a beast, Huang Shang became even easier to provoke, charging at Long Chen like a yellow whirlwind.

This was exactly what Long Chen had intended. Although he didn't understand beast cultivators, he was certain that using the power of a magical beast to enhance one's combat strength would make one extremely violent and difficult to remain calm.

Although the power after becoming berserk was terrifying, the combat was entirely based on instinct. Long Chen always believed that a mad bull was easier to deal with than a calm fox.

This time, Long Chen was prepared. As soon as Huang Shang's body moved, he also moved, kicking out directly at Huang Shang's abdomen.

"Bang"

Long Chen's kick fiercely struck Huang Shang's abdomen, directly pushing him back. After becoming berserk, Huang Shang, like a wild beast, didn't care about Long Chen's attack at all.

However, what made Long Chen break out in a cold sweat was that after becoming berserk, Huang Shang's speed was too fast. Just as Long Chen's foot touched Huang Shang's abdomen, Huang Shang's sharp claws were almost touching Long Chen's throat.

If Long Chen hadn't acted first, he wouldn't have had time to react. This was the terror of a beast cultivator. Once transformed, their strength, speed, and defense increased dramatically, as if they had become a different person.

"Roar"

After being kicked back, Huang Shang let out a roar like a fierce beast, his eyes turning blood red. He crossed his claws and lunged at Long Chen.

"Wind-Breaking Fist"

Long Chen shouted, swinging his fist.

"Boom"

Long Chen's fist struck Huang Shang's sharp claws, causing an explosion. Both were pushed back several yards.

"What incredible strength"

Long Chen felt bitter. He didn't expect Huang Shang to have such a terrifying trump card. This bastard had hidden his abilities too deeply.

Previously, Long Chen's Wind-Breaking Fist had directly sent Huang Shang flying without any resistance. However, after transforming, Huang Shang was completely unharmed by Long Chen's punch.

Huang Shang, like a raging beast, lunged forward again after retreating, his claws dancing wildly, creating a storm of wind as he charged at Long Chen.

Long Chen gritted his teeth, the Fengfu Star in his feet fully activated, the seven qi vortices in his dantian rapidly spinning. His entire body's strength surged like a tide, and he swung his fists to fight Huang Shang.

"Boom, boom, boom"

The explosions shook the sky, the wind spreading in all directions. The terrifying shock waves were like a mighty river, forcing the spectators to keep retreating.

"Heaven, what a battle"

"Too terrifying"

The young men and women present had never seen such an intense battle before. They were pale and trembling.

Not just the young people, even the seasoned veterans were shaken. No one expected Huang Shang to be a beast cultivator with such terrifying combat strength.

What surprised everyone even more was that Long Chen, once known as the first waste prince of the capital, could actually fight against a monster like Huang Shang.

Now, with claws and fists flying, the sky was shaken. The most shocked were Xia Changfeng and Wei Cang.

They couldn't believe that Long Chen, a mere Qi Gathering Realm cultivator, could unleash such terrifying combat strength to fight against a beast-transformed Huang Shang.

Huang Shang was a secret-trained assassin. Out of a thousand people, only a dozen or so survived the brutal training.

Huang Shang was the strongest among those dozen, which is why he was highly valued and intensively trained by the Great Xia.

Huang Shang was a killing machine built with countless resources. If Long Chen hadn't angered Xia Changfeng and Wei Cang, they wouldn't have revealed this secret weapon.

However, despite Long Chen's full resistance, he was gradually falling behind under Huang Shang's relentless attacks.

After all, Long Chen was only at the Seventh Heaven of Qi Gathering Realm, and only one of his nine stars had been opened. In terms of the thickness of spiritual energy, he was far inferior to Huang Shang.

If it weren't for Long Chen's equally formidable physical strength, he would have been torn to pieces long ago.

"Rip"

Long Chen's arm was slashed by Huang Shang's claws again. Despite his best efforts to dodge, his clothes were torn, and blood flowed.

At this moment, Long Chen's body was covered in blood, his clothes soaked in blood, making Chu Yao's heart ache.

"This can't go on. Huang Shang is like a humanoid beast, with endless strength and claws as sharp as steel."

Long Chen was shocked. If it weren't for the combat experience from the Alchemy Emperor's soul, he would have been unable to hold on.

"Master Yun Qi, please save Long Chen," Chu Yao pleaded, looking at Master Yun Qi.

"Wait a moment," Master Yun Qi stared at Long Chen but didn't move.

In fact, Master Yun Qi was also conflicted. Long Chen's achievements in alchemy were what he most admired.

He had once advised Long Chen to focus all his energy on alchemy, believing that with his talent, he would go further in alchemy.

However, today, Long Chen's combat strength was astonishing. As an alchemist, he had to admit that if Long Chen focused all his energy on martial arts, he might achieve even greater success.

He hadn't moved to see how far Long Chen could go and to test his will through the threat of death.

Through such life-and-death trials, no matter whether Long Chen chose to focus on alchemy or martial arts in the future, it would be immensely beneficial.

"Rip"

Blood splattered as Long Chen's chest was slashed again, adding more bloody marks.

"Long Chen, I won't let you die so easily. I said I would tear you apart piece by piece," Huang Shang said coldly, his initial madness subsiding after the prolonged battle.

Long Chen didn't respond. He noticed that Huang Shang, despite his many vulnerabilities, had an incredibly strong defense.

Previously, Long Chen had kicked Huang Shang in the groin, hitting a vital spot, but to his surprise, Huang Shang only staggered and then continued as if nothing had happened.

After a prolonged battle, Long Chen had figured out Huang Shang's current state. His stamina and endurance were far beyond human standards. Continuing like this, he had no chance of winning.

Next, let's try this!

Long Chen suddenly shouted, punching out to meet Huang Shang's claw. He was pushed back three yards, facing Huang Shang from a distance.

Huang Shang didn't immediately chase after him but looked at Long Chen calmly, like a tiger watching its prey.

The entire venue was silent. At this moment, people felt as if they were drowning, finally getting a chance to breathe.

The intense attacks had left them breathless, their hearts in their throats, especially the young women, who clutched their chests, fearing that Long Chen might be killed at any moment.

"Do you want to continue struggling in your death throes?" Huang Shang raised his hand, his three-inch-long nails covered in blood, all of it Long Chen's.

Long Chen's clothes were tattered, his body covered in dozens of wounds, blood slowly flowing, looking terrifying.

"Struggling in death throes? It doesn't seem to be that bad yet," Long Chen shook his head. Although he was covered in injuries, they were mostly superficial and didn't significantly affect him.

Long Chen knew that today's battle was extremely tough, the toughest he had ever faced, but it was definitely not the last.

As long as he fought against fate, the battles he would face in the future would only become more intense. He needed the threat of death to strengthen his will to survive.

To become a true martial artist, one must face the threat of death. Only by overcoming the fear of death can one progress further on this path. This is the inevitable path of the strong.

During the intense battle, he had always been on the brink of life and death. Although he had fused with the Alchemy Emperor's soul and gained some combat experience, a single mistake could turn him into a corpse. Long Chen had made a great decision to do this.

He had his own reasons. If he couldn't withstand such pressure, how could he face future enemies? How could he solve his current predicament? How could he avenge the blood, bone theft, and root destruction?

After several near-death experiences, his intuition became increasingly sharp, and his mind became clearer. His goal was achieved. It was time for a decisive battle.

"But since you say I'm struggling in my death throes, let's see what my 'death throes' look like."

"Whoosh"

Long Chen clasped his hands, and a flame swept out, the heat spreading in all directions, enveloping him in a pale yellow flame.

"What?"

Wei Cang suddenly stood up, his face full of disbelief, pointing at Long Chen, "Alchemy fire protection, how is this possible?"

Besides Wei Cang, Master Yun Qi was also shocked. Long Chen could actually cover his entire body with alchemy fire.

Alchemy fire protection was something only alchemists like Master Yun Qi and Wei Cang could achieve.

This required not only powerful alchemy fire and abundant spiritual energy but also a deep soul power to assist.

Only alchemist-level experts could achieve alchemy fire protection. This was common knowledge. Typically, alchemists had to reach the Muscle Transformation Realm to have enough spiritual and soul power to勉强 achieve alchemy fire protection.

Although Long Chen was already a Dan Shi (Alchemist) by rank, his cultivation was only at the Seventh Heaven of Qi Gathering Realm.

In general, the ranks of alchemy and martial cultivation are not the same, but they are closely related.

To become a Dan Tu (Apprentice Alchemist), one generally needs to be at least at the Qi Gathering Realm, as only then can one condense alchemy fire.

However, condensing alchemy fire doesn't necessarily mean one can become a Dan Tu. Only by refining a qualified dan can one be called a Dan Tu.

Most Dan Tus are generally at the Blood Condensation Realm or higher, as they need sufficient spiritual energy to refine dan.

Only those with extremely high talent can become Dan Tus at the Qi Gathering Realm. Like Long Chen and Xia Baichi, who can refine second-stage dan at the Qi Gathering Realm and become Dan Shi, they are considered geniuses.

But even geniuses can't achieve alchemy fire protection at the Qi Gathering Realm, which defied the understanding of both Wei Cang and Master Yun Qi.

Long Chen stood on the field, his body enveloped in yellow flames, his hair floating, his eyes like stars, resembling a fire god descending, exuding an indescribable dominance.

"I'm coming."