Chapter 100: The Benefactor Breaks Down (Part Two—Dear Readers, Please Consider Preordering!)

Chapter 101: The Patron’s Guard Breaks Down (Dear readers, please support with your first subscription!)

“Junior Brother, last time you said you wanted to exchange for a slightly higher-level method of blood cultivation foundation. Have you found one you like?” Elder Zong Changshou asked with concern.

“I found a mediocre one to use. Our sect’s blood cultivation foundation methods are surprisingly few,” Xu Chen replied, gazing at the dishes laid out like works of art, reluctant to dig in.

“Our sect ranks at the bottom among the five great sects, and our heritage is far less profound than those that have existed for over a hundred thousand years.”

“Original blood cultivation foundation methods are exceedingly rare.”

“The only somewhat noteworthy aspect might be the sect’s offshoot branch.”

“Once Junior Brother Xu advances to the Treasure Body Realm, you might begin to understand more,” Li Chengfu explained.

“Alright then.”

Though speaking casually, Xu Chen held no real disdain—after all, being an insider bypassed many formalities.

“The other day, when you mentioned wanting a higher-level blood cultivation foundation method, I thought it over and realized you have another way to obtain one, and it’s free,” Li Chengfu added.

Xu Chen’s eyes brightened as he looked toward Li Chengfu.

“What method?”

“Doesn’t Junior Brother have a friend in the Human Emperor Dao Palace?”

“Entering the Human Emperor Dao Palace is equivalent to joining the Human Emperor Dao Continent’s native registry.”

“At the Human Emperor Dao Tower there, anyone with local status can claim a blood cultivation foundation method free of charge.”

“The methods there reach as high as the power of Six Dragons.”

“Your friend in the palace surely looks down on such methods, so you can use his free quota by paying only one million spirit coins to transfer it.”

Hearing this, Xu Chen thought that when his good brother arrives next time, perhaps he should address him as ‘Your Majesty’—it’s just too unfair otherwise.

“That’s way too unfair,” Xu Chen couldn’t help but complain.

“The closer to the Human Emperor Dao Continent, the stronger the human fate energy is, and the more abundant the spiritual energy, attracting many powerful experts.”

“Ordinary blood cultivation foundation methods simply won’t suffice for the children there, so standards have been raised.”

“Down here in Leizhou, for example, with average aptitude, even upon reaching the Treasure Body Realm, one might barely reach the power of Two Dragons,” Elder Zong Changshou explained.

Xu Chen recalled that the highest blood cultivation foundation methods in Leizhou’s Human Emperor Dao Tower were only at Three Dragons’ power.

“Thank you for the guidance, Senior Brother.”

“No problem.”

The three of them continued eating while chatting about their recent cultivation progress.

Their conversation soon turned to the Human front line’s Holy Spirit Heavenly Court.

“A while ago, the Heaven-level Vanguard Army fought a battle against the forces of the Holy Spirit Heavenly Court.”

“The two sides were evenly matched.”

“In the end, both the Holy Spirit Heavenly Court and our human Da Luo appeared, and only then was the conflict contained.”

“It seems that for tens of thousands of years to come, our humans’ greatest enemy will be this Holy Spirit Heavenly Court,” Elder Zong Changshou analyzed.

The three were unfazed by this; throughout the long history of the human race, they had encountered countless enemies.

Being evenly matched was the best possible outcome.

“No need to worry too much; the Holy Spirit Heavenly Court is a multi-racial alliance.”

“Given enough time, our humans have a thousand ways to cause internal strife among them,” Li Chengfu chuckled.

“That will be a matter for tens of thousands of years later.”

“In just over eight months, the Ancient Wild Multitude Saints Battlefield will open. Our humans’ rewards have already been simulated.”

“The most important treasures inside are the ancient saints’ inherited great Dao transmissions, followed by innate and acquired spiritual treasures, and then various immortal artifacts imbued with Dao rhythms.”

“The rest of the miscellaneous items will depend on the situation.”

“Also,” Elder Zong Changshou said, conjuring a light screen in the void, enlarging it before the others.

“This is the adjusted supply list based on our previous experience at the Ancient Battlefield. Take a look and see if anything else needs to be added.”

Xu Chen studied the screen and noticed the agreed quantity of blood essence pills had doubled, an additional Celestial Azure Bow had been added, along with 200 Wind-Breaker Arrows.

“An extra Celestial Azure Bow isn’t necessary.”

“It is very necessary!” Li Chengfu and Elder Zong Changshou both looked at Xu Chen simultaneously.

“This bow should ideally withstand the force of six to seven dragons.” Xu Chen thought for a moment; in eight months, his strength should surpass six dragons.

“Agreed. We’ll also enhance the Wind-Breaker Arrows then,” Li Chengfu nodded.

“What are these Spirit Valley Pills?”

“They’re a type of fasting pill. After ingestion, they store nourishment in the stomach and can substitute for a month’s meals.”

“These Spirit Valley Pills will suffice for ten years—maybe a bit excessive, but better safe than sorry.”

They discussed the list and finally added a few more items.

After the meal, the three agreed to meet again in half a year.

Returning to his cave abode, Xu Chen originally intended to continue practicing the Cloud Whale Breathing Technique when his disciple token rang.

“Another sparring task?”

“Is Senior Sister Bai still not giving up?”

Seeing the 100,000 spirit coin reward, Xu Chen hesitated but accepted it.

However, the original Illusory Valley was now replaced by the Human Dao Realm.

The Human Dao Realm, Leizhou’s five great sects’ arena district.

The two met there.

“Senior Sister Bai, which arena world?” Xu Chen asked Bai Ningxue.

“This time, no sparring. Just play a game with me—it only takes one day,” Bai Ningxue said calmly.

“One day?” Xu Chen frowned slightly, feeling it might interfere with his cultivation.

“I’ll add another 50,000 spirit coins,” Bai Ningxue added after seeing his reaction.

“Alright!”

Following Bai Ningxue, Xu Chen entered a challenge game resembling an Immortal Ascending Path, where the two could team up.

“I’ll go first; you protect me.”

“When I can’t handle it, you take over.”

Bai Ningxue charged toward the guardian of the first level.

She passed the first level with ease, then the second, third, and fourth.

Only after reaching the twelfth level did the difficulty increase.

Xu Chen stood not far away, quietly observing.

A flying tiger beast with the power of four dragons could stir up fierce winds, its roar inspiring awe.

Though majestic, in Xu Chen’s eyes, it was no more than an ant.

Yet Bai Ningxue was struggling somewhat.

“A bit stronger than before. Wonder how far she can go.”

Just as Xu Chen pondered, Bai Ningxue stabbed a sword through the tiger’s eye into its brain.

The battle ended, moving on to the thirteenth level.

“Let me rest for fifteen minutes,” Bai Ningxue said, looking at Xu Chen.

“Do you want to skip this level?” Xu Chen asked.

“Save it for me.”

“Alright!”

Standing ten yards from the guardian, Xu Chen intended to strike from a distance to suppress the beast.

But reconsidering, he became a shadow and stepped before the beast; before it could react, he struck its forehead with a palm.

The beast’s eyes glazed over, swayed, and collapsed.

“Knocked out. I’ll wake it in half an hour.”

Seeing Xu Chen’s maneuver, Bai Ningxue hesitated to speak.

“Good, you’ve seen the first twelve battles. Any advice or shortcomings?”

Resting, Bai Ningxue asked.

Xu Chen recalled her twelve battles.

“Given your current strength, you’re near your limit. To improve further, you’ll need intense life-and-death trials.”

“Near the limit?” Her cold voice held a trace of sigh.

“That’s right.” Xu Chen felt his patron’s defenses weakening.

Fifteen minutes passed swiftly, and the beast woke on time.

“Protect me!” Bai Ningxue charged again.

Xu Chen nodded, standing silently beside her.

Levels thirteen, fourteen—Bai Ningxue reached her limit.

Facing a beast with the force of four dragons and five tigers, Xu Chen intervened.

A winged flying flood dragon darted through the sky at blinding speed; Bai Ningxue couldn’t hold it off.

“I’ll handle this.”

Xu Chen took a step in the void, swiftly flying toward the dragon and struck its forehead, killing it instantly.

The nearly thirty-yard-long, barrel-thick dragon’s corpse fell to the ground. Xu Chen lightly landed, stepping on the dragon’s head.

“Going further or not?”

“You go ahead. Let me see how strong you really are,” Bai Ningxue said, looking at the massive corpse, a hint of sigh in her expression.

Hearing this, Xu Chen wanted to say, “Fifteen thousand spirit stones, this is tough.”

In subsequent levels, Xu Chen acted, using only seven layers of his strength. Even so, he once again broke his patron’s defenses.

When they exited the Human Dao Realm, Bai Ningxue silently handed Xu Chen 50,000 spirit stones.

“If you need sparring or gaming partners in the future, come to me.”

Xu Chen tentatively said.

“Probably not,” Bai Ningxue replied after a pause.

“Uh... when giving advice, it’s better to be more tactful,” Xu Chen thought.

“Well then, see you if fate allows.”

“Wait.”

“I’ll offer 30 million spirit coins plus resources to cultivate to the Spirit Nourishing Realm. Can I join your team in the Ancient Wild Multitude Saints Battlefield in eight months?” Bai Ningxue tentatively asked.

“The price is reasonable, but someone else is more sincere.”

“Alright then, see you if fate allows.”

Xu Chen turned and entered the teleportation hall on Tianyun Island, returning to Daxi Continent.

Night fell, the starry sea shimmering.

Under the starry night sky, Xu Chen practiced his fourth breathing technique.

Each breath seemed to resonate with the rhythms of heaven and earth. A faint image of a full moon slowly rose behind him, echoing the waning moon and starry sea above.

His blood and qi vibrated with the breathing technique, growing stronger at certain frequencies, then slowing, then strengthening again, cycling repeatedly.

The sound of this vibration resembled the first cry of a newborn whale.

This initial cry took Xu Chen a month to cultivate.

Feeling he had reached his limit, Xu Chen paused the breathing technique.

“This is truly difficult,” he sighed deeply, feeling his blood and qi boiling.

At that moment, a thunder eagle appeared above his abode.

“Xu Chen, you have mail.”

“Just toss it over.”

A letter drifted down from the sky, and Xu Chen reached out.

A silken force wrapped the letter, delivering it gently into Xu Chen’s hand.

“It’s from the Human Emperor Dao Palace. I’ve been too busy cultivating lately to write to my brother.”

Xu Chen opened the letter and read, his expression growing increasingly strange.

“Uh, is my good brother trying to set me up?”

Two more chapters before midnight.