Chapter 121: Rules, Reporting

In the Saintly White Space, a spear pierced through the void like a bolt of lightning, directly impaling the clone’s thigh. Xu Chen stood on the small island, his eyes gleaming with a divine light.

"Let’s see you dodge now."

Xu Chen reached out behind him, and with a surge of force, he retrieved the Wind-Breaking Spear that had been stuck in the ground nearby. He hurled another spear, which the clone narrowly evaded.

"I should actually thank you. If it weren't for you, I never would have discovered the rules of this Saintly White Space," Xu Chen grinned, his eyes filled with playful mockery. "I’m not letting you dodge this."

Another spear was thrown, joining the sea of Netherworld like a guided missile. Xu Chen had spent half a month playing cat and mouse with this Nine-Nether Pale Moon clone, engaging in a battle of wits that had yielded some results. One such discovery was that the clone could not voluntarily stray more than 500 zhang from Xu Chen. Once he realized this rule, Xu Chen stopped chasing it all over the world and simply stood on the island, treating the clone like a moving target.

"If I keep playing with you like this, my spear-throwing accuracy is going to rival my archery skills," Xu Chen remarked. "I owe it all to you."

Dozens of Wind-Breaking Spears were planted near him, ready for use. If he ran out, he would simply go to the forging room to craft more. To this end, he had even made a set of molds specifically for producing them.

The clone hid at the bottom of the Netherworld Sea, struggling to evade the relentless rain of spears.

"Little mouse, I’ve found that this is actually quite fun. Don't you dare surrender yet."

Xu Chen’s blood energy suddenly surged to the strength of Nine Dragons, and he hurled another spear. It streaked through the air like a cruise missile, homing in on the target. The spear, powered by the might of Nine Dragons, pierced the clone’s other leg. Wisps of blood began to seep up from the depths of the Netherworld Sea. Having forcibly pushed his blood energy to the Nine-Dragon level, Xu Chen felt his strength waning. However, he was not in a hurry; he grabbed another spear and stood on the island, watching the water.

"No rush. My blood energy recovers quickly," he said, rubbing the spear in his hand. "Two hours to full recovery, and then I can throw two more spears powered by Nine Dragons. Don't worry about me, keep running."

Compared to his earlier impatience, Xu Chen was now calm and collected, even slightly reluctant to finish off the clone. The clone emerged from the Netherworld Sea, wearing the same sunny smile.

"You found the loophole. This isn't fun anymore."

As soon as the clone spoke, the world shattered, and the familiar sensation of his soul being dragged into an unknown world washed over him.

"Wait! I haven't had enough fun yet!" Xu Chen protested.

***

Pale Moon, Red Sea.

Xu Chen inhabited the body of a young man. The boy sat on the edge of a cliff, gazing at the Red Sea in the distance. The water was as crimson as fresh blood. He looked out at the endless horizon, then up at the Pale Moon in the sky.

"Ten years. What can I do in ten years?"

"Of all the potential Saint-Sons in the sect, only one can master the foundation technique of the Nine-Nether Pale Moon; all others become sacrifices. My talent is mediocre, my comprehension poor. I only became a candidate by replacing the children of powerful families."

He looked at the Pale Moon, his tone heavy with despair and uncertainty. "Ten years... I won't fight it anymore. I’ll just enjoy life. Father, Mother, wait for me in the heavens. I’ll come find you in ten years. It’s just a pity about my sister..."

Hearing the boy's words, Xu Chen realized this boy was destined for a "lucky encounter" plotline. After all, with his lack of talent and comprehension, he would need supernatural help to make a comeback. Just as Xu Chen confirmed his suspicion, a beam of light shot out from the Pale Moon.

The light seemed to traverse space itself, diving directly into the boy's brow. The youth, who had just been full of naive sorrow, now wore an expression of profound weariness, as if he had been weathered by tens of thousands of years.

"Thirty thousand years... I wonder if the Blood God Sect still exists?" The boy’s voice was raspy and bloodthirsty, like a starving demon.

"I guessed wrong. Is this a possession plot?" Xu Chen thought, feeling speechless.

The boy stood up, absorbing the memories in his mind, and his eyes lit up. "Wonderful, simply wonderful! I’ve become a candidate Saint-Son of the Blood God Sect. Interesting. With such a good start, I must play with you all properly."

Over the next year, the possessed boy displayed astonishing talent. In less than a year, he had mastered the Nine-Nether Pale Moon.

The world shattered, and Xu Chen’s consciousness returned.

Back in the Saintly White Space, Xu Chen digested the insights of the Nine-Nether Pale Moon. "Poor boy. I wonder if you’ll ever have the chance to reclaim your body." He sighed for the lad; the demon hadn't erased the boy's soul, but used his sister as leverage to force him to take over the body at crucial moments to deceive the powerful. "I wonder if I’ll get to see how it ends."

As he fully absorbed the insights, Xu Chen’s consciousness returned to his physical body. On the small plaza, he practiced the Nine-Nether Pale Moon, his immense blood energy manifesting like a phantom sea of blood. A cold, pale moon rose from within it. As his blood energy grew, the sea of blood transformed into the Netherworld Sea, and the moon above it took on an even more chilling, divine luster. Having reached the level of "Unity of Form and Will," the moonlight could shine upon his spirit and soul, granting immunity to charm-based attacks.

"Seven Dragons and Eight Tigers' strength. A boost of one dragon and two tigers," Xu Chen muttered. As the phantom moon rose behind him, a chilling sensation flowed through his spirit and soul, leaving his mind in a state of extreme rationality. He silently retracted his blood energy.

In the corner of the plaza, Li Chengfu and Zong Changshou stared at him, dumbfounded.

"Is the gap between people really this vast?" As they felt the increasingly terrifying blood energy radiating from Xu Chen, they realized that in a short time, he would be capable of dominating the heart of any battlefield.

"Congratulations, Junior Brother," they said, their joy evident.

"I had a small epiphany," Xu Chen laughed. "Give me two days to consolidate my strength, and then we’ll set off."

"Sharpening the axe doesn't delay the woodcutting. Even if you practiced for another half-month, it would be fine," Zong Changshou said quickly.

"Two days is enough," Xu Chen grinned.

In the Saintly White Space, Xu Chen pushed open the golden gate of the "Contemplating the Saintly Sun Treasure Body." He knew that once he conquered this clone, his Blood Energy Realm would be perfected, laying an supreme foundation for his future path.

The Saintly Sun fire burned in this world. As usual, the clone stood with his back to him, not even glancing over. Xu Chen stood a hundred zhang away.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" Xu Chen asked.

The clone raised a hand and flicked his wrist. A beam of Saintly Sun sword light erupted from the void, bolstered by the power of the sun like a rushing river.

"Not even pretending anymore, are you?"

A Pale Moon rose behind Xu Chen, and the phantom of the Netherworld Sea collided with the holy fire, blocking the sword light. The heat of the Saintly Sun and the coldness of the Pale Moon clashed, neither willing to yield. The holy fire covered by the Netherworld Sea gradually extinguished.

Only then did the clone turn around to look at Xu Chen.

"Am I worthy of being a General now?" Xu Chen asked with interest. The previous rating of "Centurion" had left him very dissatisfied.

"Centurion is already a high evaluation. The foundation technique you practice is interesting; it can slightly restrain the power of the Saintly Sun. But to defeat me is like an ant roaring at the sun in the sky."

The clone formed a sword gesture with his fingers. Instantly, Xu Chen was locked by an immense killing intent. He looked up to see a hundred-zhang-long Great Sword of the Saintly Sun hovering above him, ready to strike. The sheer pressure shattered his Nine-Nether Pale Moon phantom.

"Boom!"

The giant sword descended. Endless power rushed into Xu Chen’s body, spirit, and soul.

"I don't accept this! You’re cheating!"

Xu Chen burned his blood energy frantically, pushing it beyond the power of Nine Dragons. Even though he felt he had entered a new realm, he couldn't withstand the sword. "I refuse to believe that a mere clone with the strength of Eight Dragons can kill me!"

A phantom of a Star Giant appeared, shielding him like a diamond. Fueled by his vast blood energy, the shield became nearly tangible. Yet, the sword continued to press down, inch by inch, until the diamond shield began to crack like glass.

Xu Chen looked up, full of defiance, while the clone a hundred zhang away turned his back with a calm expression.

"Boom!"

The Great Sword of the Saintly Sun slammed down, and Xu Chen was blasted into nothingness.

His consciousness reformed in the Saintly White Space. He sat in silence for a long time, staring at the golden gate.

"Is there really no way?" His blood energy had already surpassed Nine Dragons, yet he was still instantly killed. At this level of disparity, he felt that even if he increased his strength further, he couldn't defeat the clone.

"Should I give up? Exchange my human contributions for a top-tier blood energy foundation technique? Surely that would be better than this?"

Just as he was consoling himself, he had a thought. He looked up at the sky of the Saintly White Space and shouted, "I’m reporting this! The clone of the Contemplating the Saintly Sun Treasure Body is cheating! It used combat power that exceeds the limits of the rules!"

He waited, looking at the sky and the golden gate, but nothing happened. "So, I really have to give up."

Just as he was about to despair, a beam of divine light suddenly sealed the golden gate.

"Huh?"

"My report actually worked?"

Xu Chen immediately ran over to poke at the light sealing the gate. "I hope they get rid of this freakish clone and replace it with a normal one," he thought, full of anticipation.