Chapter Twenty-Three: Tickle

Unburdened by force, Xu Chen wore a solemn expression, his gaze wary as he regarded Ye Bai, as if facing a formidable foe.

Ye Bai delighted in Xu Chen's guarded demeanor.

"Show me your full strength. I fear you may not have another chance," Ye Bai pressed forward, closing the distance. Xu Chen struggled to fend him off.

The duel lasted half an hour, and in the end, Xu Chen triumphed over Ye Bai by a slim margin.

"Huff..." Xu Chen was disheveled and panting heavily, his face devoid of any joy at victory.

Ye Bai, who had collapsed to the ground, slowly stood up. Though his expression was somewhat dejected, his spirit was high. He knew that if he grew just a little stronger, he would be able to defeat Xu Chen.

"You're just older than me, and have trained a bit longer, that's all," Ye Bai said. "Next time, I'll be the one to trample you beneath my feet."

Ye Bai vaulted onto the spirit boat. Before he could take off, Xu Chen appeared at his side. A large hand landed heavily on Ye Bai's shoulder.

"You seem to have forgotten something," Xu Chen said, his figure still battered, a hint of loneliness in his eyes.

"Take this. The day I defeat you, I'll reclaim it myself," Ye Bai replied, tossing a gold crystal card to him. Shaking off Xu Chen's hand, he soared into the sky.

"Who knows how many times I can pull this trick," Xu Chen thought as the spirit boat vanished over the horizon. In an instant, Xu Chen returned to normal; the earlier disarray and gloom vanished without a trace.

"He's truly wealthy—ten thousand spirit coins, just given away so easily," Niu Dali commented as he walked over.

"Senior Brother Niu, today I'll treat you to a feast!" Xu Chen said, delighted. He hadn't expected that, in the heat of the moment, he'd managed to swindle ten thousand spirit coins.

"Then Brother Xu can eat meat, I'll have vegetables."

"Once we're done, let's spar again!"

"Agreed!"

Xu Chen raised his disciple token overhead. Before long, a spirit boat landed before him.

Within the Grand Creek Sect, the most common means of travel were spirit beasts, but the more refined option was the spirit boat controlled by the sect’s grand formation.

Ye Bai had just used one such boat.

"Let's switch to spirit beasts—it feels a bit extravagant," Niu Dali remarked after a glance.

"Come on, it's rare we can live lavishly for once."

Man and bull boarded the spirit boat.

"To the nearest human bazaar," Xu Chen instructed.

At the prow of the boat, a small slot opened, where the wind condensed into a glowing number: 10. It meant the fare was ten spirit coins.

Xu Chen took ten spirit coins from his storage pouch and tossed them in. The slot slowly closed, and the spirit boat began to lift off.

"Spirit beasts only cost three coins. This is daylight robbery," Niu Dali grumbled.

"But you have to admit, spirit boats are much more comfortable."

The nearest human bazaar lay a thousand miles away, one of the largest markets in the entire sect, bustling like a small town.

At a bazaar run by humans, only half the population were humans; the rest were disciples of various other races.

Xu Chen and Niu Dali wandered through the market. Whenever Niu Dali saw another Golden-armored Thunder Bull nearby, he'd greet them with a high-five.

Niu Dali: "Moo~"

Other Thunder Bulls: "Moo~"

After Niu Dali had greeted three fellow Thunder Bulls, Xu Chen couldn't help but ask, "Is this some special greeting among your kind?"

"It’s not just a greeting," Niu Dali replied. "It’s also a way to gauge a clansman’s recent state from their voice."

"From their moo, I know those three aren’t training properly, just thinking about cows all day," Niu Dali said with a goofy smile.

"…"

They arrived at the largest restaurant in the bazaar and boldly requested a private room.

"Bring my bull brother the fifty-coin set meal, and for me, just serve all thirty-six of your specialty dishes," Xu Chen handed back the menu.

"Absolutely, honored guests, please wait a moment," the waiter said, a smile blooming on his face at Xu Chen’s order.

"Brother Xu, this is too extravagant!" Niu Dali said, embarrassed.

"Don't hold back."

Before half a stick of incense could burn, the door opened and dish after exquisite delicacy was placed on the table.

The meal cost 120 spirit coins. Both man and bull ate their fill, their bellies round and content.

After leaving the restaurant, they continued to stroll around the bazaar. Especially in the magic treasure shop, Xu Chen nearly lost himself in choices. Unfortunately, he was still at the Qi and Blood stage and couldn’t activate any of the treasures; otherwise, he would have bought one without hesitation.

In a training ground within the dense forest, man and bull were sparring.

Niu Dali's moves were bold and forceful, each strike powerful and decisive.

Xu Chen's moves were nimble and adaptable, always countering as he dissipated force.

"Brother Xu, your moves are becoming ever more refined. Even though my strength is more than three times yours, I still can’t touch you," Niu Dali said, looking up to Xu Chen, unable to help thinking of the story of their Golden-armored Thunder Bull ancestor, a half-saint.

Back then, before the Sixth Human Emperor rose to prominence, their half-saint ancestor and the Sixth Emperor had become sworn comrades on the battlefield.

Neither the emperor nor the half-saint ancestor had outstanding talent or cultivation; man and bull both reached the highest ranks among all races through supreme willpower and fortune.

This memory brought a surge of emotion to Niu Dali.

"It's only the Qi and Blood stage. When we advance to the Treasure Body or Void Returning stages, it won't just be about technique."

"So what? Changes in strength and technique, changes in magic and divine powers—they’re much the same."

After chatting, man and bull each returned to their own cultivation until nightfall, when they each went home.

Sacred White Space. Xu Chen, brimming with confidence, pushed open the wooden door.

"Grandfather, today I will trade a hundred blows with you!"

Without waiting for his avatar to respond, Xu Chen charged at him.

By the sixty-fifth move, Xu Chen's bones were all broken, and he lay limp on the ground.

The avatar planted a large foot on Xu Chen’s shattered spine, his expression scornful.

"You’ve improved, but not much."

"Those tricks you use—I know them all. It’s just that you’re not worthy enough for me to use them."

"Little rookie, continue!"

The avatar raised his foot and stomped down hard. Xu Chen collapsed.

Ten breaths later, Xu Chen once again pushed open the wooden door, his confident look now replaced by wariness.

"I was careless just now. Let’s continue!"

This time, Xu Chen, while cautious, began to think about how to land a killing blow on his avatar.

With his current strength—two tigers and nine bulls—if he unleashed his full power, he might injure the avatar.

While desperately defending against the avatar’s ferocious assault, Xu Chen searched for an opening.

"Little rookie knows how to counterattack now. The aunties at the market would surely praise you," the avatar sneered.

With a sweeping kick, the avatar caught Xu Chen off guard; unable to dissipate the force, Xu Chen’s arm was broken.

A large hand reached for Xu Chen’s crown.

"Now!"

Xu Chen spun and struck with his remaining hand, unleashing his most powerful palm.

"Surging Waves!"

Smack!

The palm landed on the avatar’s arm, causing him to retreat half a step, but he bounced back like a spring.

A large hand clamped onto Xu Chen’s throat.

"Three of the Six Sacred Ape Forms can evolve into the Sacred Ape Overlord technique."

"With your attack power, you might as well be scratching an itch."

Xu Chen exploded once more.