Chapter Sixty-Five: Watching the Battle in the Valley of Illusions

With each stroke, Xu Chen concealed ten layers of force. Accompanied by the roar of a tiger, every slash was deadly.

Above the sea of bamboo, Bai Ningxue struggled to fend off Xu Chen. With a thunderous crash, a figure crashed into the earth below like a cannonball. Xu Chen showed no mercy, cleaving downward with the force of a mountain split asunder.

The clash of weapons rang out through the bamboo forest, the violent shockwave sweeping the surrounding stalks aside. The ground caved in as Bai Ningxue raised her sword, barely withstanding the most ferocious of Xu Chen’s attacks. Blood spurted from her mouth, her complexion turning pale.

“Continue. Next round, bare-handed,” Xu Chen declared.

The world shattered; the scene shifted once more. The two now stood on a remote island, fierce sea winds whipping their robes into a frenzy. In the distance, enormous waves surged and crashed, thundering against the surface before rising anew.

Witnessing this, Xu Chen was struck by sudden insight and instinctively began cultivating the Twelvefold Wave Body-Tempering Method. Bai Ningxue watched in silence, not disturbing him.

Within this illusionary world, Xu Chen unleashed his strongest palm, channeling the power of eleven layered forces. When he returned to himself, he found Bai Ningxue seated cross-legged upon a reef beyond the islet.

“Thank you, Senior Sister Bai,” Xu Chen expressed his gratitude.

“Your aptitude is weak, but you make up for it with remarkable perception and extraordinary combat talent. What a pity. Are you interested in joining my clan? If you sign a contract, we can provide you with spirit pills to change your natural endowment,” Bai Ningxue’s tone softened slightly.

“Thank you, Senior Sister Bai, but I’d rather remain myself,” Xu Chen replied without hesitation. “I gained much insight today and wasted your time—allow me to accompany you as a sparring partner for another day.”

“Very well,” Bai Ningxue replied, transforming into a phantom and charging at Xu Chen.

Over the next three days, Xu Chen not only trained but also offered occasional guidance. With his pointers, Bai Ningxue’s strength grew steadily, until, in the end, Xu Chen nearly found himself unable to best her.

At the Hall of Miscellaneous Affairs, Xu Chen collected a task reward of thirty thousand spirit coins.

“Chief Bai, I wish to devote myself to cultivation for some time.”

Xu Chen had barely spoken before Chief Bai understood his intention. “The sect has its rules, but if you wish to focus on cultivation, I’ll arrange for someone else to complete your assignments,” she said with a gentle smile.

Looking at the graceful and beautiful Chief Bai, Xu Chen suddenly recalled a conversation between Li Chengfu and Zong Changshou—Chief Bai was rumored to be the favored concubine of the sect’s Third Elder.

“Thank you, Chief Bai.”

“No need for such formality.”

On the plaza outside, Xu Chen began practicing a new blood energy foundation technique: the Fivefold Vajra Forms and the Three Divine Gazes.

Originally, Xu Chen had intended to cultivate the Three Divine Gazes, but upon studying the method, found it merely circulated blood energy to enhance vision. However, the blood energy flow of the Fivefold Vajra Forms coincidentally merged perfectly with the Three Divine Gazes.

Thus, while refining the Fivefold Vajra Forms, he could also maintain the circulation of blood energy to his eyes.

“This works quite well,” he thought.

At dawn, Xu Chen cultivated the Saintly Sun Manifestation Body atop the mountain. After noon, he would practice the Fivefold Vajra Forms and the Three Divine Gazes, focusing on his blood energy foundation.

This routine lasted only five days before all blood energy stage disciples of the Great Creek Sect received a message: “Observe the battle outside the Illusion Valley.”

The sect had nearly 180,000 disciples at the blood energy stage; at this moment, all gathered on the hills surrounding the Illusion Valley. Above the valley, a massive light screen, a hundred yards long and wide, hovered in the sky. No matter one’s vantage point, the events within the screen were clearly visible.

Apart from the hills, various spirit vessels floated in the sky, offering even better views of the spectacle. Xu Chen sat aboard a luxurious spirit vessel, sipping spirit tea and preparing to enjoy the grand event.

“What a shame. If Junior Brother Xu’s blood energy were above the strength of two dragons, he might have qualified for this illusionary contest. With his combat prowess, he would surely win first place,” Li Chengfu lamented.

“If I lack the strength, there’s nothing to be done,” Xu Chen replied calmly.

“They say this contest awards a hundred thousand spirit coins for each opponent slain.”

Xu Chen’s hand trembled as he held his teacup.

“That is unfortunate,” he remarked.

The enormous screen began to shift, splitting into five hundred smaller screens—each one corresponding to a blood energy disciple of the Great Creek Sect.

On the boundless lake, a hundred small islands—fifty on each side—were clearly divided. Disciples assembled on either side, each island hosting ten contestants.

“It seems this isn’t just a contest of strength, but of wits as well,” Xu Chen observed while studying the panoramic map on the main screen.

“It’s the same during the Five-Sect Tournament. Strength is vital, but so is judgment of the battlefield,” he said.

With the contest officially underway, disciples from both sides began to probe each other. The lake was calm; most walked upon the water’s surface, while the stronger ones strode through the air.

“What blood energy foundation technique allows one to walk above the void?”

A knowledgeable second-generation disciple stood nearby—Xu Chen would not let this opportunity slip by.

“A single blood energy technique alone isn’t enough; you need to combine them,” the disciple answered.

“If you’re asking about our sect, the Phoenix Feather Transformation and Azure Dragon Sea-Treading Body Method would work,” Li Chengfu replied after some thought. “Of course, the Imperial Dao Pavilion also has several such combinations. You could check them out in the capital of Leizhou.”

As they spoke, their eyes remained fixed on the distant screens.

Disciples from both sects had engaged on the lake. Each seemed to be accompanied by a phantom of will, and their battles churned the waters as though they commanded the elements.

Li Chengfu watched for a moment and shook his head. “Without the Little Ancestral Master, we’ll likely lose.”

“You can already tell?” Xu Chen asked in surprise.

“Whether it’s Chiyang Peak or our sect, the top disciples always have their profiles sent by their families. Comparing them, there’s no chance,” Li Chengfu said, refilling Xu Chen’s spirit tea.

Watching the battles unfold across the screens, Xu Chen saw that their side suffered more losses than victories. Despite the dazzling techniques, Chiyang Peak held the upper hand in overall strength.

“Why isn’t Senior Brother Wei—the strongest—not participating?” Xu Chen scanned the screens, finding no sign of an especially formidable disciple.

“Senior Brother Wei is in seclusion, striving to reach the unity of form and intent in the pinnacle of blood energy foundation techniques. He has no time for such minor contests. Even if he joined, Chiyang Peak would send a disciple of equal caliber; the outcome would be the same,” Li Chengfu said quietly.

At that moment, Xu Chen’s attention was drawn to one of the screens. There, a disciple fought with the phantom of a ten-yard holy ape behind him, his movements preternaturally nimble. Sometimes striking with open palms, sometimes with fists, he resembled a holy ape roaring through heaven and earth, his combat prowess extraordinary.

“That is Sun Banshan—one of the few in our sect to have cultivated the Sixteen Forms of the Holy Ape to the unity of form and intent. With the strength of three dragons, if he perfects another blood energy foundation technique before the age of twenty-five, his future will be limitless.”