Chapter 34: Xia Wuhen
Different parties had different reactions, but the most common one, for people with ordinary backgrounds at least, was to maintain distance with Long Chen, lest they accidentally get swept up in Long Clan's vengeance.
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"Young Master Guan, Long Chen is even more reckless than we thought"
"In just one encounter he has brought upon hostility and a solid grudge from 2 prominent clans"
Thinking of that Huang Guan couldn't help a shiver run up his spine.
"The Wang Clan people are thickheaded, they won't play dirty but they may send some people to assist the Long Clan"
"Young master will we intervene"
"We will intervene on the surface, I am sure someone from the imperial clan will also offer help."
"B-but"
"Ask away, don't be scared"
"My intuition says yes"
Hearing that everyone fell silent for a moment.
Huang Guan was less talented than his brother, but still, a lot of people valued him more, due to his diligence and schemes.
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Xia Wuhen was in a cave with his companions.
Rarely did they fight for resources and mostly focused on recon.
"Your highness what do you think about Long Chen ?"
"He is a mad dog, No one can control him. I can use him for prestige among youths but I would have to strangle him before long."
Xia Wuhen replied barely opening his eyes as If he was speaking about something completely insignificant.
"All of you haven't forgotten about the Bloodbath incident right ?"
The moment Wuhen mentioned that event, everyone felt tingling up their spines and started nodding their heads.
"About the nether fruits ?"
"Yes, we will find a pleasant surprise there, but all of you better keep this shit incognito"
Xia Wuhen warned in a strong tone but nobody dared to make light of His commands.
These kinds of conversations were taking place between all the clans who held some kind of influence.
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The nether fruits typically sprout in the center of the realm.
It is pretty easy to navigate cause the world's spiritual energy keeps getting denser as we move closer to the fields.
These fruits grow in the Nether grove trees.
These trees are dark brown, with a rough texture, situated at the height of 6 meters with a dozen branches, and a handful of fruits on every branch. They can be considered pretty bountiful.
Even their wood is very useful in creating a certain type of house.
Most people consume these fruits directly, but the scions of the top 5 clans gather them to concoct yin attribute-based pills.
These trees are generally as strong as late first-order demonic beasts.
This doesn't sound like much only problem being there are dozens of trees, and the density keeps on increasing as we get to the center.
The central part hasn't been explored, but it is rumored that there may be even stronger trees.
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A couple of days after the incident with Long Clan. The spiritual energy started fluctuating, decreasing in some places and rising in others.
Seeing this everyone made their way towards the places with denser spiritual energy. Long Chen and co. were no exceptions.
In the nether fruit tree field, a smaller tree is situated in the middle it's far darker than its companions.
Moreover, it seems to be getting stronger while others are significantly weakening.
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After Long Chen and the gang got done with their preparations they took off towards the nether fruit field.
"Boss do we really need to go there? I mean we already have what we need"
Fang Qian asked hesitantly, just thinking about the previous battle made his legs go jelly.
"It's alright I am here, this kind of experience is good for you"
For once Bei You'er and Fang Qingmei chose not to mock him for his 'cowardliness.
A life and death encounter with human beings really hits different especially for women, who may become victims of depraved acts.
Long Chen understood that. Which is why he gave him some space.
Deep inside he was a little grateful towards Long Clan folks, for presenting his companions with a daunting challenge.
Long Chen checked in his sea of consciousness and made a sigh of relief that the Yama Emperor is cultivating.
This mad and judgemental maniac is too much to handle on a regular basis.
While leisurely moving they came across a group of people making their way towards them.
They were adjourned in the clothing of Grand Xia making them stand out quite a bit.
Still, the man in the lead was of average stature and had a normal face. He will make people feel comfortable around him.
But Long Chen raised his guard against this kind of guy.
"Greeting my name is Xia Wuhen, young master Long Chen your performance in this realm has been nothing short of mind-boggling. I am really glad our empire gave birth to a prodigy such as yourselves."
Xia Wuhen humbly commented.
"You're too kind prince, you can call me Long Chen" Long Chen responds in kind using a friendly tone.
"Hahaha brother Long, Please call me by my name too"
Xia Wuhen paused for a moment before taking out a spatial ring and tossing it towards Long Chen.
Who curiously inspected it to find 200 low-grade spirit stones in them.
"Y-"
"Young master Long Chen at ease, I am neither doing you a favor nor accepting anything from you. I just like to cherish the talents of our nations.
I think your talents are at the top of our nation but your resources might be lacking.
This is a small token of appreciation of my side to help you better compete with noble scions.
My reasons for this are completely selfish your strength will increase our forces.
You might also compete for our nation in the Sacred Duels so please don't reject this"
Xia Wuhen spoke eloquently like a long-lost friend.
Even Long Chen mentally praised him for his eloquence.
"Well if you say so, then rejecting it would be rude"
Xia Wuhen had a big smile plastered over his face as if he was the one who had a difficult favor.
"My pleasure, we will take our leave"
Saying so he disappeared with comrades.
The whole time apart from the two of them nobody spoke a single word.
"Woah that was Xia Wuhen, the 7th prince he seems like a great person"
Bei Youer Muttered.
"Yeah he certainly is broad-minded"
Fang Qingmei said in a teasing tone.
Ding Hu silently trailed back, whereas both He Mao, Fang Qian, and Long Chen looked at each other and shook their heads in pity.
Seeing the girls about to blow up, Fang Qian explained.
"That guy is in no way a good guy, he Is the 9th prince of the kingdom.
While I was in the academy I have heard of this guy, he keeps a low profile and appears humble, modest, and magnanimous.
He doesn't normally get in a conflict with anyone but his methods are nothing short of terrifying.
It is rumored he is responsible for the 7th prince's death.
Killing royalty secretly is harder than ascending the heavens, it really makes you wonder."
Fang Qian grumbled, with his jealousy being palpable to everyone.
Seeing this Long Chen smirked.
"You are only half right, he is a terrific prince both magnanimous and ruthless.
It's a shame we are bound to be enemies"
"But blockhead he hasn't done anything to earn that enmity yet ?"
Bei Youer asked confused, seeing this Long Chen just flicked her forehead.
"Ouch"
"He has put a tracker talisman in the spatial ring he gave to me, probably the work of a soul transformation cultivator. Don't know how he got it though.
Besides the way he looked at me, he is more worried than excited.
Well there is nothing we can do about it, in the upcoming fight we will initially stay at the border"
Everyone nodded before making their way towards the field.
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In a large field dozens upon dozen trees were lined together, from above they seemed as if they were forming a huge circle.
In the center is situated the smallest tree which seems the most inconspicuous but also invisible, since it's situated at t blind spot.
Many groups had already surrounded the field and were camping outside.
It's a well-known fact that nether grove trees are at their weakest when all the fruits bloom, and nobody wants to recklessly antagonize the entire kingdom by doing something stupid.
In about 2 days pretty much everybody had gathered around the field, including Long Chen and the gang.
Like always the Wang Clan assumed a neutral position, without bothering anyone else.
Xia Wuhen stood together with Fang Zheng, who is a handsome man with medium stature, along with brown hair and eyes.
Unlike Xia Wuhen he appeared someone naturally very charismatic.
A lot of cultivators were roaming around.
He seemed polite, well-mannered, and outgoing.
Making a stark contrast with Xia Wuhen who appeared non-existent, just staying together with his own people.
Seeing Long Chen he smiled and waved, and the former returned a polite nod.
Surprisingly Huang Peng stood next to Long Chen and co. Making small talk with them.
Long Chen enjoyed conversing with Huang Peng, he seemed very well educated about the various traditions of Grand Xia.
From poetry, history, cuisine to everything.
Despite the incident with Long Clan, not only did he back off he even doubled down to make sure everyone knows of their relationship with Long Chen.
The Yun people were also absent and seeing this person had peculiar expressions, stealing glances at Long Chen.
Only he seems to be strong and crazy enough to quickly deal with Yun Clan.
Of course, without sufficient evidence, no one will talk out loud about it, lest they draw negative consequences.
Everyone waited for another day or so before the fruits started blooming.
"Look the nether fruits are blooming"
"The Color is blood red"
The Dark trees were standing in contrast with the blood-red fruits, which looked like apples.
10 breaths after the fruits bloomed, everyone was hit with a massive influx of nether essence qi.
This pressure alone made people back off.
"Dammit the pressure is too strong this time"
Many people straight up coughed up blood.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone