Chapter 7: Chapter-7: Heaven Shattering Steps! Success To All Of Friends!
Grandmaster Yun Qi, observing his disciple's progress, couldn't help but feel a swell of pride. He then mentioned his impending journey back to the Pill Tower. The revered master had plans to reevaluate his rank, aiming for a promotion that would solidify his status even further. Before departing, Yun Qi promised Long Chen a magnificent gift upon his return, one that would greatly aid in his cultivation journey.
This gift, however, would require time to prepare. Yun Qi planned to be away for a month, returning by the end of the New Year's Eve celebrations. As a token of his appreciation and confidence in Long Chen, he provided him with a spatial ring filled with treasures: Tier-2 and Tier-3 beast corpses for alchemical experiments, several thousand Spirit Stones to bolster his cultivation, a few million gold coins to ensure financial stability, a rare Tian Class Cauldron for pill refinement, an Emblem of Pill Adept as a mark of his newfound status, and all the pills Yun Qi had refined during their training.
After biding farewells to Long Chen, Mrs. Long, and Bao-er, Grandmaster Yun Qi set off for the Alchemist Guild, his ultimate destination being the Pill Tower for his promotion. The gravity of this moment was not lost on Long Chen; he watched his master leave with a renewed sense of purpose and determination.
Upon their master's departure, Long Chen's mother and Bao-er showered him with congratulations for becoming a Pill Adept. They suggested a celebration, but Long Chen, ever cautious, advised against it. He was wary of attracting unwanted attention from potential enemies and spies. Instead, he distributed half of the pills gifted by Yun Qi to his mother and Bao-er, ensuring their safety and health. The rest he kept securely within his spatial ring, ready to be used soon enough for some great reasons.
After giving the pills to his mother and Bao'er, Long Chen headed outside the grandiose manor towards a small, serene pond located at the very heart of the vast estate. The moonlight bathed the surroundings in a silvery glow, casting an ethereal shimmer on the water's surface. As the gentle wind flowed around him, carrying with it the whispers of nature, Long Chen allowed himself to be embraced by the tranquility. He closed his eyes for a moment, laying on the lush, dew-kissed grass beside him, surrendering to the peaceful serenity under the canopy of stars.
The silence was profound, interrupted only by the soft rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of nocturnal creatures. Long Chen, feeling the convergence of the earth's energy and the celestial light, took a deep, calming breath. His mind, sharp and focused, detected the faintest ripple in the atmosphere, an almost imperceptible disturbance that spoke of a hidden presence.
"Senior," Long Chen's voice cut through the stillness, firm yet respectful, he continues, "I know you are here under my father's order. Please come out."
The air seemed to pulse in response to his words, and from the shadows, a figure emerged. The man was clad in dark, unobtrusive garments, his movements as fluid as water, his aura both formidable and restrained. He did not meet Long Chen's gaze but scanned the surroundings with a piercing intensity, releasing waves of spiritual energy to detect any hidden threats. His presence was a blend of lethal grace and unwavering loyalty, an assassin-like guardian shrouded in mystery.
"Young master Long Chen," the senior's voice was a low murmur, tinged with respect and curiosity. "How did you find out about me? And what do you need me to do?"
Long Chen smiled, a hint of pride flashing in his eyes. The senior's diligence in securing the area did not go unnoticed. "Did you forget about Grandmaster Yun Qi? Not only am I his disciple, but I am also a Pill Adept. My spiritual strength surpasses that of most high-ranking cultivators within the entire Empire. You don't need to worry; no one is here. I just wanted to know how my father is doing."
The senior's posture relaxed slightly, though his vigilance remained. "He is still alive and doing his best to guard the borders from those barbarians. He really misses the young lord and mistress."
Long Chen released a sigh of relief, the tension melting away as the comforting news washed over him. A wave of fatherly love and affection surged within him, vivid memories of his father flooding his mind. Regaining his composure, Long Chen reached into the folds of his robes and produced a Spatial Ring. This was no ordinary ring; it was a treasure trove of hope and sustenance, meticulously prepared by both his master and himself.
He extended the ring to the senior. "Senior, I request you to take these pills for yourself, the other warriors, and my father as soon as possible. This will help all of you progress in your cultivation, complete the mission swiftly, and return home quickly."
The senior took the ring, his eyes widening in astonishment. As he probed its contents, he discovered an immense 35-meter by 35-meter space filled entirely with an array of Tier - 1, 2, 3, and 4 Pills, each brimming with medicinal essence of over 50%. The sheer quantity and quality of the pills were overwhelming.
"Thank you, young master Long Chen," the senior said, his voice filled with gratitude and respect. Alongside the ring, Long Chen handed him a letter, a heartfelt message written by both him and his mother for his, Long Chen's father, Long Tianxiao. It was a tapestry of emotions, a child's wishes for his father's safe return, a wife's prayers for her husband's success, and a family's gratitude for the unwavering support of their comrades in arms.
With a final nod, the senior disappeared into the night, the weight of his mission evident in his determined stride. Long Chen watched him go, his heart swelling with a mix of hope and resolve.
That night, Long Chen, his mother, and Bao'er slept peacefully, enveloped in a cocoon of comfort and joy. The next morning, Long Chen resumed his rigorous schedule, unaware that a surprising twist awaited him, one that would further shape his journey and destiny.
When Long Chen awoke, the dawn light filtering through his window filled him with a renewed sense of purpose. Without hesitation, he reached for a Fengfu Pill, an elixir of 'Peerless grade' known for its potent energy. As he ingested the pill, he felt a familiar warmth spread through his body, its energy beginning to course through his veins. The Fengfu Star within him, once no larger than a bean during its embryonic awakening, had now undergone 'Five Transformations,' expanding to thrice the size of a normal Dantian. This immense growth had significantly enhanced his internal Qi, making his energy reserves vast and formidable.
As Long Chen continued to consume the Fengfu Pills, his Fengfu Star's voracious appetite for the medicinal power intensified. Each pill seemed to fuel a relentless, insatiable hunger within his core, propelling his Qi to new heights. The Fengfu Star absorbed the essence of the pills with a fervor, refining his body's Qi into a solid, more potent form. With each passing moment, the transformative energy within him grew stronger and more defined.
By the time he had consumed a total of one hundred Peerless Grade Fengfu Pills, Long Chen could feel the boundaries of his current realm beginning to dissolve. The Fengfu Star within him started to undergo its Sixth Transformation, an event that heralded an imminent breakthrough. The energy surged within him, a tidal wave of power that threatened to overwhelm his senses.
In a haste driven by the urgency of his breakthrough, Long Chen tore off the weights he had been wearing—yes, even while he slept. The accumulated weight, amounting to a staggering 5000 pounds, fell onto his bed with a resounding thud. Without pausing to catch his breath, Long Chen bolted out of his room and sprinted towards his secluded training zone. His speed was unencumbered, his body light and agile after shedding the tremendous burden.
Reaching his training area, Long Chen finally ceased his internal resistance, allowing the energy to flow freely within him. The effect was immediate and dramatic. The Sixth Transformation of his Fengfu Star accelerated, the potent energy coalescing and solidifying his Qi for a breakthrough. The sensation was akin to a volcano ready to erupt, the power within him reaching a critical mass.
BOOM!!! BOOM!!! BOOM!!!
Explosions reverberated through the training zone as the energy within Long Chen detonated in waves. Dust and debris filled the air, obscuring everything in a dense cloud. As the dust began to settle, Long Chen stood amidst the chaos, his eyes closed in calm concentration. When he finally opened his eyes, a red-colored Divine Ring appeared above him, hovering majestically in the sky with a diameter of 200 meters. The ring symbolized his breakthrough, a testament to his new
power. Within his Fengfu Star, the cyclones of energy had expanded from 30 meters to an astounding 60 meters in diameter. A total of ten cyclones now roared within him, each a vortex of pure, raw power. Long Chen had achieved the pinnacle of the 10th Heaventhstage of the Qi Condensing Realm, his energy and strength now unparalleled.
"Finally, the 10th Heaventhstage of the Qi Condensing Realm," Long Chen exclaimed, his joy unrestrained. He leaped into the air, reveling in his newfound power and the culmination of his efforts. However, his euphoria was short-lived as a fragment of memory surfaced, causing shock to ripple across his face.
"This cannot be... How...?" Long Chen muttered in disbelief. According to his previous understanding of the novel, Long Chen in the novel had never possessed a single Nine Star Line technique through 'Nine Star Hegemon Body Art' until he had copied them from other Nine Star Heirs. So how was it possible that he now possessed such knowledge?
As he was grappled with this confusion, a voice resonated in his mind, clear and authoritative. "Oh, the Great Nine Star Heir, rise and grow strong quickly. Help us protect the world."
The voice left Long Chen even more astonished. In the original novel, he recalled that it was only later in his journey, after his strength had significantly increased, that he had heard the Guide's voice. The Guides were mystical Celestial entities existing with the highest of the Nine Heavens and they were with the mission of assisting Nine Star Heirs, though Long Chen's Guide, according to novel, had not been available to aid him throughout his trials in the Mortal and Immortal realms.
Realization dawned on Long Chen. Either this world did not perfectly mirror the novel, or his reincarnation from Shen Long to Long Chen had triggered a butterfly effect, altering the course of events. Pushing these unnecessary thoughts aside, Long Chen focused on his cultivation technique. To his surprise, he discovered his first technique to be the 'Heaven Shattering Step,' a formidable movement technique.
The 'Heaven Shattering Step' harnessed the energy of the Stars formed within the body, enabling the user to move at extraordinary speeds while devastating the very ground beneath them. The technique's potential was limitless, its power scaling with the number of awakened Stars. Ultimately, upon the awakening of the Ninth Star, the user could shatter time and space, their speed surpassing even the grasp of the Heavenly Daos. The simplicity of the technique's description belied its destructive power, which was awe inspiring.
Long Chen, after stabilizing his surroundings, began to practice the 'Heaven Shattering Step.' He was astounded by his newfound speed, able to traverse a mile in mere seconds. In no time, he returned home, donned his weights once more, and joined his mother and Bao-er for breakfast before heading out for training with his friends.
Days turned into weeks as Long Chen and his companions immersed themselves in rigorous training. Fatty Yu and the others found it easier to progress, inspired by Long Chen's battle with Shi Feng. They achieved enlightenment and began to grasp the surface of their respective Weapon Wills, pushing themselves to new heights through intense practice. As expected, within twenty days, a week before the New Year, the five of Long Chen's friends successfully awakened their Weapon Wills and advanced to the Blood Condensation Realm.
While their progress was commendable, Long Chen's training was even more intense. He doubled the pressure on his body, pushing his cultivation and training to the extreme. Every time he attempted to cultivate the 'Heaven Shattering Step,' the imbalance of power initially turned his foot into a bloody pulp. To recover, he consumed dozens of Recovery Pills at once, healing quickly to resume his relentless practice. Nights were spent refining hundreds of Tier-2 Recovery Pills for the next day's training.
Despite the grueling regimen, Long Chen gradually mastered the 'Heaven Shattering Step.' It took him two weeks to balance the technique's power, avoiding injury. By the end of the third week, he had not only mastered the technique, enabling him to cover 50 meters in an instant, but also pushed his cultivation from the 10th Heaventhstage to the 11th Heaventhstage of the Qi Condensing Realm. His Fengfu Star had undergone the Seventh Transformation, marking another significant milestone in his journey. The intensity of Long Chen's training and his rapid advancement were a testament to his determination and resilience. Each breakthrough brought him closer to his ultimate goal, fueled by his desire to protect his loved ones and fulfill his destiny as the Great Nine Star Heir. With each passing day, he grew stronger, his path illuminated by the light of the Stars within him.
With his new technique mastered and his power at an unprecedented level, Long Chen felt an exhilarating sense of readiness. The sense of accomplishment was overwhelming, each new achievement fueling his desire to push even further. He knew that challenges awaited him, just as they had for the original Long Chen, and he was eager to face them head-on. The thought of the upcoming New Year's Festival, and the beauty it would bring to his hometown, the Capital City of Phoenix Cry Empire, filled him with a sense of anticipation. The city would be adorned in festive splendor, a sight to behold, and Long Chen was determined to be ready for whatever destiny had in store for him.
As the New Year approached, the atmosphere in the Capital City of Phoenix Cry Empire grew electric with anticipation. Preparations for the festival were in full swing, the streets bustling with activity. Decorations adorned every corner, the city transformed into a dazzling spectacle of color and light. The excitement was infectious, a palpable energy that seemed to infuse the very air. Long Chen and his friends, amidst their rigorous training, took moments to appreciate the beauty of their surroundings. The festive atmosphere was a welcome respite, a reminder of the joy and camaraderie that awaited them.
To Be continued...
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