Chapter 16 True Strength, Killing People and Destroying Their Hearts

“Next, I'm going to get serious, Zhou Chen, I hope you don't disappoint me.”

Ye Chen's expression immediately became incredibly solemn.

“Ye Chen, to be honest, you've become weaker after only three months apart. If you're only at this level, there's no need for a competition.”

Zhou Chen laughed loudly.

“You're seeking death!”

Ye Chen shouted.

A terrifying wave of Qi surged, and Ye Chen's Aura doubled, clearly having unleashed the Flame Mantra, filling the air with a scorching heat.

“Zhou Chen, you've already found your path to death, Core Fire!”

Ye Chen rapidly condensed the Major Achievement Heavenly Lightning Collapse, enveloping it with the scorching Core Fire, and unleashed a punch towards Zhou Chen!

Boom!

Boom boom boom!

A series of massive explosions erupted, and the area where Zhou Chen stood had already become a sea of fire!

“Hahahahaha, you're nothing more than this!”

Ye Chen let out a long howl towards the sky.

Before Ye Chen could finish speaking, a figure slowly walked out of the sea of fire.

“With just this temperature, you dare to play with fire?”

Zhou Chen's unhurried voice reached the ears of everyone present.

“How is that possible! This is Core Fire! How could you be fine!”

Ye Chen exclaimed in horror.

Whoosh!

The Disciples below the arena were once again shocked; Ye Chen could actually absorb Core Fire to fight.

Even more exaggerated was that someone could withstand the Core Fire's attack completely unscathed!

Core Fire, as the name suggests, is fire drawn from the core of the earth.

Core Fire has an extraordinarily high temperature; even ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators cannot resist such heat.

“Core Fire is just what this young Master has left over from playing. Since you love playing with fire so much, then let me show you what true flames are.”

Zhou Chen said indifferently.

Then, a pale green flame shot out from Zhou Chen's hand.

The moment the flame appeared, Sect Master Liu Qingtian's pupils contracted.

He then quickly activated a spell, and a massive silver-white light screen enveloped the entire arena.

Judging by the intensity of the Spiritual Qi flow, it was a Formation capable of withstanding Formation fluctuations from Core Formation stage battles and above.

Even with the Formation's isolation, the terrifying temperature instantly raised the temperature outside the entire arena by tens of degrees.

All the Disciples below the arena were affected, not to mention Ye Chen in the center of the arena.

Ye Chen, who had absorbed Core Fire, was inherently fearless of ordinary flames.

However, under the influence of Zhou Chen's flames, he actually felt an unbearable heat.

Zhou Chen gently raised his hand, and the small flame shot out, continuously absorbing Spiritual Qi during its flight, instantly growing to an enormous size.

“Chen'er, move quickly! This is the Green Flame Core Fire, ranked nineteenth on the Heterogeneous Flame List!”

The aged voice from the Ring Spirit was extremely anxious.

However, Ye Chen's body couldn't keep up with the thoughts in his mind, and with the flame instantly expanding to half the size of the arena, he had nowhere to hide.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Only a tremendous roar was heard, and the Disciples below the arena covered their ears, while quickly circulating their protective Spiritual Qi to resist the terrifying temperature.

Boom boom!

The explosion finally stopped, and everyone, including the Sect Master, breathed a sigh of relief. Liu Qianru's beautiful eyes gleamed slightly as she looked at the center of the arena.

In the center of the arena, only Zhou Chen stood, while Ye Chen on the opposite side had been blasted to the ground.

His body was tattered and completely scorched black, with residual spiritual light barely visible, indicating it was a protective Spirit Treasure.

Ye Chen gasped for breath, just about to stand up.

With a bang.

Ye Chen only felt a terrifying force pressing his head firmly to the ground, unable to move.

“Master, help me! Master, quickly help me!”

Ye Chen's eyes were bloodshot, his ferocious expression as if he wanted to devour someone!

This was the greatest humiliation Ye Chen had suffered since he began to Cultivate.

He once believed himself to be a true Prodigy, never putting any peer in his eyes.

Ye Chen had also never imagined that he would be trampled underfoot like a dead dog.

What's more, the person trampling him was Zhou Chen, whom he had wantonly insulted three months ago!

“Master, I beg you, please help me!”

Ye Chen was filled with hatred!

So humiliated!

A strong surge of hatred erupted from Ye Chen's heart.

He tried to break free with all his might, but it was futile.

The pressure on Ye Chen's head was like a mountain, unshakeable.

Below the stage, whether it was Outer Sect Disciples, Inner Sect Disciples, or Core Disciples, all were silent, quietly watching this scene.

And the presiding Elder and the Sect Master, seeing that Zhou Chen had no murderous intent, also chose to observe for the time being.

After all, Ye Chen had not yet conceded defeat; he was still within the rules.

Zhou Chen looked down at Ye Chen, who was like a dead dog, watching the once arrogant Son of Destiny being trampled under his feet, the joy in his heart soaring to the sky.

At this moment, it was as if a certain shackles in Zhou Chen's heart had been opened, making him feel completely relaxed.

The original owner's last obsession also completely dissipated at this moment.

“Is this what it feels like to have a clear mind! So refreshing!”

Zhou Chen couldn't help but laugh uproariously towards the sky, this laughter sounded like endless humiliation in Ye Chen's ears.

However, the current situation still needed to be dealt with, Zhou Chen snorted coldly.

“Ye Chen, I told you, a Genius is just my threshold. Are you convinced?”

“I! Am! Not!”

Ye Chen roared.

At the same time, he called out to the Ring Spirit in his heart, but no matter how he called, he received no response.

Boom!

Zhou Chen struck Ye Chen's face twice with the back of his sword, and continued.

“Are you convinced?!”

“No! I! Am! Not!”

Ye Chen roared hoarsely, blood coughing from the corner of his mouth.

Slap! Slap! Slap!

“Are you convinced?”

Zhou Chen continued to strike Ye Chen's face, saying in a deep voice.

“No! I! Am! Not!”

Ye Chen glared fiercely at Zhou Chen, still defiant.

Just as Zhou Chen was about to continue hitting Ye Chen, Sect Master Liu Qingtian gave the presiding Elder a look.

The Elder understood, coughed twice, and whispered to Zhou Chen.

“Zhou Chen, that's enough. The Sect Master is watching.”

“Alright, thank you, Elder, for the reminder.”

Zhou Chen cupped his hands to the Elder.

The presiding Elder nodded with satisfaction; after all, who wouldn't like a Disciple who is both powerful and understands social etiquette.

“The competition is over, I announce that the champion of this Inner Sect Grand Competition is Zhou Chen!”

Then the presiding Elder circulated his Spiritual Qi and announced loudly.

The entire audience was first silent, then erupted into deafening cheers.

“Ahhh! Senior Brother Zhou Chen is invincible!”

“Senior Brother Zhou Chen is amazing!”

“Senior Brother Zhou Chen, are you looking for a Dao Companion?!”

“Senior Brother Zhou Chen, I love you!”

…

Then the chaotic sounds gradually unified, and the entire audience chanted in unison.

“Zhou Chen! Zhou Chen! Zhou Chen!”

Especially the Outer Sect Disciples, who shouted the most enthusiastically, as they had witnessed the birth of a legend.

And Ye Chen, hearing these deafening cheers, felt the hatred in his heart seemingly gush out.

“Pfft!”

Spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood, Ye Chen fell unconscious.

The presiding Elder waved his hand, signaling for people to carry Ye Chen away.

After all, although Ye Chen was not as dazzling as Zhou Chen, he was still a promising talent.

After the sounds from the audience gradually subsided, Sect Master Liu Qingtian leaped onto the arena.

“Zhou Chen, you are very good. Are you willing to join this Seat's faction and become this Seat's ninth Disciple?”

Liu Qingtian showed a satisfied smile and said to Zhou Chen.

“Zhou Chen, you can also consider joining our peak. You should know that Liu Qianru is also a Core Disciple of our peak.”

The palace-dressed beautiful woman also appeared on the arena at some point, smiling as she spoke to Zhou Chen.

“Zhou Chen, you must think carefully, Liu Qianru is still my daughter!”

Liu Qingtian glared fiercely at the palace-dressed beauty.

Liu Qianru, who was far away, also heard it, her face filled with unnaturalness, pretending to look elsewhere.

“Disciple thanks the Sect Master and Peak Master for your kindness. I apologize to the Peak Master, but Disciple wishes to become the Sect Master's Disciple! Disciple greets Master!”

Zhou Chen first generously bowed to the woman, then performed a Disciple-acceptance ceremony to Sect Master Liu Qingtian.

Just kidding, Zhou Chen was not a Son of Luck who could pick up powerful Masters everywhere; naturally, he would cling to whoever had the thickest thigh. He wasn't stupid.

“Very good, you are now this Seat's ninth Disciple. Your other Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters are already Core Disciples; I will introduce you to them another day.”

Sect Master Liu Qingtian smiled and helped Zhou Chen up.

Then Liu Qingtian took out two items from his storage ring and handed them to Zhou Chen.

“This is your Disciple-acceptance gift from your Master: a Profound Rank high-grade inner armor and a Profound Rank high-grade Flying Sword, the Azure Rainbow Sword. One is for defense, one is for attack, enough for you to use until the Core Formation stage.”

“Thank you, Master!”

Zhou Chen happily accepted the two treasures, sighing that it was indeed good to rely on a big tree for shade.

The other Disciples also joined different Peak Masters' factions. Ye Chen, who had fallen unconscious, was taken in by the Peak Master of the First Alchemy Peak, who was also the Sect's Grand Elder.

After a long while, Ye Chen slowly woke up, staring blankly without speaking.

A sigh came from the Ring Spirit.

“Chen'er, your Master did not help you today, do you resent your Master?”

“This Disciple dares not.”

Ye Chen said indifferently.

Hearing Ye Chen's reply, the voice within the Ring Spirit was silent for a moment.

“Today, there was a Saint Stage Cultivator from Wenxian Sect peeking. If your Master had helped you, I would have been exposed, and the consequences are not something you can bear right now.”

Ye Chen's face changed drastically upon hearing this.

“Master, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have had those emotions.”

“It's fine. This setback can be considered a good thing for you, strengthening your resolve to Cultivate. You also lost to Zhou Chen's Heterogeneous Flame; it's not shameful.”

“Thank you, Master, for your comfort.”

Ye Chen slowly calmed down.

The next day.

Sect Master Liu Qingtian summoned the top ten Inner Sect Disciples to the Sect's deliberation hall.

In addition to the Sect Master, the various Elders of the Sect were also present.

“Silence. This time, the Sect Master has summoned all Inner Sect Disciples to announce an important matter. Please listen carefully, all Disciples.”

Seventh Elder said loudly.

“Something unexpected has happened. Recently, someone discovered a large Secret Realm, which is very likely left behind by a Saint Stage Cultivator. This Secret Realm is protected by a Formation, and only those below the Qi Refinement Stage can enter.”

“After discussions between our Sect and several other major Sects, it has been decided that each will send 10 Disciples to explore within.”

Sect Master Liu Qingtian paused, and continued.

“You Inner Sect Disciples are all young talents of our Sect. It has been decided to send you in to compete for Opportunities. The treasures obtained will be split nine-to-one between the Sect and you. Don't underestimate that one-tenth; it will still be a huge amount of wealth. Any Disciple of the Sect who participates in this exploration will be directly promoted to Core Disciple candidate without assessment.”

Wow!

Several Disciples were incredibly excited; this was a great Opportunity!

If they were lucky, they might even find many legendary treasures!

And Zhou Chen had already learned this news through Ye Chen's panel, so he had no reaction.

Ye Chen's face, however, flashed with a hint of surprise and anticipation.