Chapter Eighty-Two: A New Way to Play

“Isn’t your sister exceptionally gifted? She’ll be able to help you in the future!” Niu Dali said as he munched on a grass cake.

“The main branch of our family holds most of the clan’s resources. Many eyes are watching us.”

“So, when the main branch changes hands, no matter how strong my sister becomes, she won’t be able to intervene. Instead, the other families will find ways to send her far away.”

Huyue spoke as she lifted her glass of fruit juice, drinking it as though it were wine.

“Brother Xu, Senior Niu, do you know something?” she continued. “My original name was Huyang. I gave that name to my sister.” In her gaze lingered a sorrow that seemed impossible to dispel.

“I see. Your sister wants you to rise again, so you can guard the main branch of your family,” Xu Chen guessed.

“Something like that, but I know that with my talent, even if I practiced for a hundred, a thousand, or ten thousand years, I could never uphold the glory of the main branch.”

“The future is unpredictable. Who can really say what will happen?” Xu Chen raised his cup and took a sip.

He studied the expression in Huyue’s eyes; she must harbor many secrets they couldn’t fathom. But what did it matter? Speaking them aloud would only deepen her sorrow.

“Yes, no one can tell what the future holds. I used to think my future wife would definitely be Hua Hua,” Niu Dali recalled his own heartache.

“By the way, Senior Niu, do you know someone in your clan named Niu Shenli?” Xu Chen suddenly remembered the bull he’d encountered before.

Bang!

Niu Dali slammed the table, startling both Xu Chen and Huyue.

“He’s the one who stole Hua Hua from me,” Niu Dali’s eyes reddened.

“Don’t get worked up, Senior Niu. You deserve someone better,” Xu Chen quickly coaxed, seeing Niu Dali on the verge of flipping the table.

The hot-tempered Niu Dali calmed down.

“If there’s no Hua Hua, there’s Lan Lan. If there’s no Lan Lan, there’s Cui Cui. You shouldn’t give up an entire forest for a single tree.”

“Cui Cui is off-limits; she’s my mother,” Niu Dali added.

“So Aunt Cui Cui is your mother. Forgive my mistake.”

After the meal, Xu Chen sent the fox and the bull home, then returned to begin his training.

“An increase of one dragon and three tiger’s strength in a year should be possible,” Xu Chen thought. With his current progress, he could master at least one blood foundation technique per month; after a year, he would surely have the strength of three dragons or more.

In the Sacred White Space, Xu Chen sat cross-legged, cultivating the Sacred Spring Heart, contemplating the first diagram.

“A little more spiritual power, and my mind becomes sharper in battle with the Seven Forms of Heavenly Evolution.”

“My blood power is higher than my avatar’s, yet I’m still being thrashed. It’s truly frustrating.”

Two hours later, Xu Chen was about to stop training as usual, his spiritual power nearly depleted.

But as he stood up, he suddenly noticed something.

“If…” Xu Chen’s eyes shone as he looked at the golden door in the Sacred White Space.

“I’ll just try it and see!” He walked over, pushed open the golden door, and stepped inside.

The Sacred Sun Flame transformed into a crimson dragon, instantly devouring and incinerating Xu Chen.

His consciousness reformed in the Sacred White Space.

“I think I’ve stumbled upon a new bug,” Xu Chen’s gaze sparkled, his tone excited.

“Cultivating these contemplative methods consumes spiritual power, but the spiritual energy I lose in the Sacred White Space can be restored.”

“In that case, I can quickly master the Sacred Spring Heart!”

Having realized this, Xu Chen resumed cultivating the Sacred Spring Heart in the Sacred White Space.

Three days passed, and the first diagram of the Sacred Spring Heart was fully comprehended.

A tiny spring appeared in Xu Chen’s spiritual world.

He then moved on to the second diagram, only to find it consumed even more spiritual power.

Whenever he felt his spiritual energy withering, he’d push open the golden door, re-form his conscious avatar, and continue training.

After four days of this, a new wooden door appeared before Xu Chen.

He stood before it, deeply moved.

“Most contemplative methods require a tangible object with Dao essence. Few blood cultivation techniques rely solely on mental imagery.”

“But so what? I’ve exploited a bug anyway.”

He pushed the door open, revealing a garden. At its center stood a massive fountain of spiritual liquid.

His avatar stood beside the fountain.

“Will you fight me, or let me pass?” Xu Chen asked.

The avatar’s blood power was only one dragon and three tiger.

“You may pass,” the avatar replied gently.

The world shattered, and Xu Chen’s soul was pulled into an unknown realm.

Truth Academy—Xu Chen found himself inhabiting a noble youth clad in magical attire and was surprised.

“I never imagined I’d arrive in a Western fantasy world. This is interesting. I wonder if I’ll get a chance to learn magic.”

But before long, Xu Chen was disappointed.

His first class at the academy was the Sacred Spring Heart, though here it was called the Heart of Magic.

He did learn magic, but it relied entirely on powerful spiritual energy to guide elemental forces into attacks.

There were merits to it, Xu Chen thought, but nothing extraordinary.

The person he possessed had average talent, needing three years to cultivate the Sacred Spring Heart to the level where form and intent were one.

The world collapsed, returning him to the Sacred White Space.

Once back, a flood of insights filled Xu Chen’s mind.

Consciousness returned to his body, and he resumed training the Sacred Spring Heart.

After a single night, another spring appeared in his spiritual world. Water accumulated in it, and when his spiritual energy was depleted, it would surge forth, restoring and enhancing his mental strength.

Xu Chen felt his spiritual power had increased dramatically, though his blood power had only grown slightly—not even a tiger’s worth.

“That’s still acceptable, faster than a step-by-step approach.”

With his strengthened spiritual power, the first thing Xu Chen did was enter the Sacred White Space to challenge the Seven Forms of Heavenly Evolution avatar.

“It’s been a while. Your strength seems to have improved again,” the avatar appraised Xu Chen.

“My spiritual power has grown, so I wanted to test it against you.”

Xu Chen became a blur, charging at the avatar.

“Let’s see then,” the avatar smiled.

As soon as they traded moves, Xu Chen’s lips curled with satisfaction.

Compared to before, fighting the avatar now was much easier.

Whether it was technique or force, he could respond deftly to the avatar’s attacks.

After exchanging a hundred blows, both struck with their palms and separated.

“A great improvement. Well done.”

“Sadly, you’re still lacking.”

“What’s missing?” Xu Chen asked.

“Your force changes are too stiff. Attack and defense are too monotonous.”

“Add some variety, let your moves flow as you wish. Once you reach that point, you’ll be qualified.”

The avatar attacked again; each move brimmed with murderous intent. Yet beneath the killing aura, his force became increasingly bizarre.