Chapter 41

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Boom~

A loud noise almost shattered the protective barrier.

The rebound force sent the beast ape flying back, injured and disheveled. But the beast ape, unwilling to give up, charged forward again, smashing at the barrier with all its might.

"Huh~"

Chen Mo stared at it, his brows furrowed, closely watching its movements.

An hour later, with a crisp sound, the barrier almost shattered into countless pieces, turning into nothingness.

"Roar!" The beast ape let out an excited and angry roar, its sharp claws fiercely slapping at Chen Mo. It seemed to know that this human was the one who had stolen the spirit fruit it had guarded for so long.

As the beast ape approached, Chen Mo immediately used the Willow Fluff technique. His body, like willow fluff caught in the wind, lightly lifted off the ground and floated high into the corner above the cave.

At the same time, Little Eight’s eyes rolled, and with a “Ah,” it spat out a jet of water.

The water jet pushed the beast ape back several steps, drenching it completely.

It seemed that Little Eight was growing stronger. This jet of water was clearly much more powerful than when it was born. All those spirit fruits, spirit herbs, and roasted demon beasts hadn’t been in vain.

However, for the thick-skinned beast ape, this pain was nothing.

It howled and continued to pounce at Chen Mo.

Chen Mo glided lightly in the air, his toes lightly touching the pool water, then landed in front of the pool.

Splash. The beast ape, missing its target, fell into the cold pond.

Seizing this opportunity, Chen Mo immediately channeled his mystic energy and rushed toward the cave entrance. Little Eight, spreading its limbs, also ran after Chen Mo. It didn’t want to stay and be torn apart by the mad ape. Its career as a foodie had just begun.

Hearing the beast ape howling behind them, Chen Mo and Little Eight rushed out of the cave. Chen Mo picked up the turtle, used the Willow Fluff technique, and hurriedly headed toward the clan.

...

Several days later.

The Chen Clan’s training ground was bustling with activity. The atmosphere was noisy and intense, signaling that the grand competition was nearing its end.

The circular stone platform, made of square blue stones, was uneven and covered with marks from various battles. Dark red stains and scars were everywhere, testifying to the brutal and bloody contests over the past hundred years.

Nine ancient and fierce-looking bronze lions stood around the stone platform, their necks adorned with thick copper rings, creating a solemn and majestic atmosphere.

All the Chen Clan’s disciples gathered around the stone platform, holding their breath and staring intently at the thrilling match.

On the stone platform, two figures in black and white robes were engaged in a fierce battle, their movements swift and powerful, with loud booms echoing around.

Chen Bo, dressed in black, his arms bulging with immense strength, almost to the point of bursting, clenched his fists tightly, radiating a fierce killing aura. His fists, transforming into a series of heavy shadows, struck down at Chen Xuan like a massive hammer.

"Mount Tai Press" was a mid-tier ordinary mystic technique, and Chen Bo had reached a minor mastery level. Its power could crush an opponent, leaving them limp and lifeless, as if flattened by the weight of Mount Tai.

In contrast, Chen Xuan, dressed in a moon-white robe, spun in the air, like a bright and cold moon, exuding a grand and majestic aura. In his calm and composed manner, his palm emitted a cold and chilling energy, causing the surrounding air to drop in temperature.

The Chen Clan disciples in the front row felt a chill invade their bodies, seeping through their pores and chilling their hearts, making them shiver.

"Surging Waves"

Like angry waves crashing against the shore, the power built up layer by layer, creating a towering force.

Boom~

Upon impact, Chen Bo’s neck trembled violently. The aftershock continued, causing his body to convulse and tremble, like a tiger suddenly losing its strength, as he crashed onto the stone platform.

Chen Xuan’s mid-tier ordinary mystic technique was also at a minor mastery level, but it was clearly more powerful than Chen Bo’s. The force generated was continuous and relentless, wave after wave, far more formidable.

The crowd below erupted in cheers and praise. Truly, the son of the clan leader, born into nobility, was a formidable and powerful individual. The final match was a foregone conclusion, with Chen Xuan winning as expected.

Some of the Chen Clan’s young women, adorned with jingling ornaments, exuded a seductive charm, whispering to each other and gazing at Chen Xuan with adoration and longing.

Chen Xuan, neither proud nor arrogant, remained calm and composed. He patted his robe and bowed to Chen Bo, ignoring the flirtatious gazes. Instead, he focused his attention on a red figure.

Huo Wu, with her pure and graceful demeanor, stood elegantly in the background. Her refined and powerful mystic energy and techniques had earned her fourth place in the competition, making her a standout and a promising future talent.

Huo Wu, however, ignored the warm and intense gaze from Chen Xuan, feeling uneasy and repelled. Her thoughts were solely on her second brother, Chen Mo, wondering anxiously why he hadn’t arrived yet.

Could something have happened to her second brother while he was training outside? She was extremely worried and anxious, with no time to care about Chen Xuan.

On the high platform, Clan Leader Chen Zhengfeng, with a broad forehead and tiger-like eyes, sat in his seat with a dignified and righteous air. His face was filled with satisfaction, proud of his son’s achievement. Others praised and congratulated him.

Beside him, Chen Deshui’s face was dark, and he crushed an innocent ant underfoot. He hadn’t expected Chen Xuan’s strength to be so deeply hidden. He harbored deep resentment and looked at Chen Zhengfeng with venomous thoughts, vowing to crush them both and make them suffer.

"Xuan, your mystic energy and techniques have improved greatly, truly..." Chen Deshui said insincerely, offering a seemingly kind and warm congratulations.

But before he could finish,

On the stone platform, Chen Bo, who had just picked himself up from the ground, his face twisted with malice, stared at Chen Xuan’s back. This battle had not only ended in defeat but had also humiliated his pride.

He leaped up, stepping on the stone, and with all his might, gathered his mystic energy, clenching his fists so tightly that his knuckles cracked. A layer of black energy quickly gathered around him.

A sneak attack, like an exploding landmine, with rolling thunder, aimed directly at Chen Xuan’s back. If it hit, Chen Xuan would surely be shattered and killed.

"Ah?"

Everyone in the crowd gasped in shock, witnessing Chen Bo’s despicable and cowardly ambush.

Chen Zhengfeng, his heart racing, rushed forward, but it was too late.

Chen Deshui, however, gleamed with satisfaction. Regardless of the despicable and underhanded tactics, as long as Chen Bo won, the process didn’t matter. Chen Xuan’s carelessness and lack of vigilance, distracted by a beauty, were his own fault. In the world of martial arts, the winner was the king.

He had a thousand reasons to justify his son’s actions.

Chen Mo, dressed in tattered clothes and covered in dust, finally arrived at the back of the crowd, relieved that the match hadn’t ended. But when he saw the scene on the platform, his breath caught in his throat, his eyes wide with shock.

Unfortunately, Chen Deshui and his son had underestimated Chen Xuan. At the critical moment, Chen Xuan, as if with eyes on his back, moved half a step, supporting himself with one hand on the ground, his body straight like a taut bow.

With a "Thud," he kicked Chen Bo in the chest, like an arrow hitting its target, the force exploding outward, the sound like a gong resonating, and dust and debris flying in all directions.

Chen Bo flew backward, crashing into a bronze lion, the copper rings clanging loudly, like the sound of battle drums.

Lying there like a dead dog, Chen Bo, in disbelief and fear, his chest bones shattered, spat out a mouthful of blood, which splattered on the stone platform, seeping into the cracks. His body limp and empty, he collapsed in a pool of blood.

Chen Xuan, disgusted, stepped back, as if avoiding something repulsive.

Chen Deshui, his face dark, quickly sent people to rescue Chen Bo.

The young disciples, disapproving of such despicable behavior, booed and cursed.

Chen Xuan’s calm eyes flickered with anger. He had only used about fifty to sixty percent of his strength; otherwise, Chen Bo’s chest bones would have shattered, and his heart would have exploded. Considering they were both Chen Clan disciples and had no deep-seated grudges, he had shown restraint.

Huo Wu, though she disliked Chen Xuan’s affection for her, felt a sense of relief. Without Chen Zhengfeng’s support, her small family would have been driven away by Chen Deshui long ago.

But at that moment, she was more worried about her second brother, Chen Mo. He had promised to return for the clan competition. Could something have happened to him? She was so anxious that tears were welling up in her eyes.

Chen Mo, dressed in tattered clothes, tried to push through the crowd to the front of the stone platform, but there were too many people, and he couldn’t get through.

"Huo Wu."

A clear and resonant voice drew everyone’s attention. Chen Xuan, with a warm and sincere smile, declared, "I admire your unparalleled beauty and grace. I am willing to offer all the rewards and glory of the first place in the Chen Clan competition to marry you. I humbly request your favor."

The announcement caused a stir, and all eyes turned to Huo Wu. Reactions varied.

Chen Mo’s brows furrowed, his eyes filled with a stern and fierce look.

Some of the young women who admired Chen Xuan were heartbroken, their eyes red and tearful, glaring at Huo Wu.

Those who had no chance of winning the competition were envious, as the rewards were substantial. They could choose any cultivation technique from the clan and receive personal guidance from an elder, ensuring rapid progress and success. They would surpass other disciples and remain at the top, making it impossible for others to catch up.

...

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