Cloud Secrets

"Slap."

A table was smashed into powder by Xia Changfeng. At this moment, Xia Changfeng's face was twisted with ferocity, and he gritted his teeth, saying:

"Long Chen, Long Chen! If I don't hack you into ten thousand pieces, I won't be called Xia Changfeng!"

This Lantern Festival had caused him to suffer a crushing defeat, and even worse, he had lost Huang Shang, his capable assistant, leaving him incredibly furious.

This was completely different from his original plan. Not only had he failed to kill Long Chen, but he had also lost Huang Shang, and Wei Cang had even sacrificed a precious Beast Fire.

The biggest winner of this contest turned out to be Long Chen. How could he not be angry? Right now, he was so furious he felt like his lungs were about to explode.

Inside the room where Xia Changfeng was staying, there was a man who looked to be in his twenties, wearing long robes. He seemed not to notice Xia Changfeng's anger and was leisurely sipping tea on the side.

It seemed that palm strike had vented much of Xia Changfeng's anger, and his mood gradually calmed down. He bowed respectfully to the man and said, "Brother Luo, Long Chen is simply too overbearing. I hope Brother Luo can vent this frustration for me."

The white-robed man, addressed as Brother Luo, gently set down the teacup in his hand and said indifferently, "Changfeng, you are too disappointing. Just because of a woman, you have lost your composure."

"That Long Chen is nothing more than a small shrimp. You must remember our purpose in coming to Fengming. If we delay our grand plan because of such trivial matters, neither you nor I will be able to bear the consequences. Do you understand?"

Speaking to this point, the white-robed man's expression darkened. Clearly, Xia Changfeng's performance had greatly displeased him.

After the white-robed man's reminder, Xia Changfeng was startled. Thinking of the purpose of their visit, sweat couldn't help but drip down his forehead.

"Many thanks for the reminder, Brother Luo. Changfeng knows he was wrong," Xia Changfeng hurriedly bowed and said.

Seeing Xia Changfeng like this, the white-robed man smiled slightly and said, "Those who achieve great things must have patience as a basic condition. Why must you fuss over temporary gains and losses?"

"Besides, we have been planning this for so many years; that Third Princess is still yours. Think about it: when that brat Long Chen works hard for a long time, only to find it all in vain, wouldn't that be even more satisfying?"

Xia Changfeng's eyes lit up, then he sighed and said, "Brother Luo sees further. This younger brother is ashamed."

"You are just letting your emotions cloud your judgment. But to be honest, that Chu Yao is truly as beautiful as a Heavenly Immortal; it's impossible to resist."

"Chu Yao's virginity is yours. However, when you, Changfeng, obtain the beauty, could you let this brother also have a taste of the nectar?" the white-robed man said, looking at Xia Changfeng with a smile.

Xia Changfeng's expression changed slightly, but he immediately concealed it, trying his best to pretend to be indifferent as he smiled, "Changfeng is not someone who covets beauty. Once the matter is accomplished, there will naturally be a share of the benefits for Brother Luo."

"Changfeng, you aren't feeling uncomfortable, are you?" the white-robed man picked up his teacup and blew on the tea leaves inside.

"How could that be? Brother Luo is a member of the Sect; this younger brother is still counting on your support in the future," Xia Changfeng hurriedly said.

The white-robed man laughed and said, "Very good. This is what a real man should be like—able to pick things up and let them go. Otherwise, how could one achieve great things?"

"Rest assured, as long as this matter is handled beautifully, the status of an Outer Sect Disciple will definitely not escape you."

"Thank you very much, Brother Luo." Xia Changfeng was overjoyed, and even the unhappiness in his heart just now vanished into thin air.

The white-robed man nodded and said, "However, you must be very careful with this matter. Not a whisper of wind can leak out; otherwise, not only will we not get any benefits, but if those above blame us, I'm afraid neither of us will be able to escape the consequences."

"Brother Luo, rest assured. This younger brother has already raised his spirits to the highest level and will definitely handle the matter properly," Xia Changfeng promised, patting his chest.

"Mm, that's good. My identity cannot be exposed, so unless absolutely necessary, I cannot take action."

"You must accelerate the process and strive to finalize the plan as soon as possible. Remember, the smaller the commotion, the better. It is best to win without bloodshed," the white-robed man said.

"Most of the plans have already been laid out, and the entire Fengming Empire is basically under our control. However, there is one difficulty right now."

"That is the Marquis of Zhenyuan, Long Tianxiao. The Marquis of Zhenyuan refuses to submit; he won't listen to reason or threats, which is truly a headache. He controls nearly one-third of the troops in Fengming. If we don't resolve him, I fear it will affect our grand plan," Xia Changfeng said.

"Long Tianxiao? Long Chen? What is their relationship?" the white-robed man asked.

"They are father and son."

"Idiot! He is the son of the Marquis of Zhenyuan, which makes him a trump card—a trump card to control the Marquis of Zhenyuan! And you actually wanted to kill him?" The white-robed man was furious.

Xia Changfeng was speechless. He knew that Long Chen was a trump card, but he couldn't stand Chu Yao flirting with Long Chen.

"You almost ruined the grand plan. You cannot touch Long Chen for the time being. Go and find a way to get more information about Long Chen and his family for me," the white-robed man said.

"Yes."

Xia Changfeng could only leave obediently. Watching Xia Changfeng's retreating figure, the white-robed man coldly spat out two words: "Fool."

When Long Chen arrived at the Alchemist Guild again, the alchemists, who had previously been indifferent to him, all bowed respectfully to him.

The Alchemy techniques Long Chen displayed yesterday had spread throughout the entire Imperial Capital. Even when the opponent was practically cheating, he had still won completely, which was shocking.

At less than sixteen years of age, Long Chen had obtained the status of a Pill Apprentice. It was clear that his future was limitless. Even if they didn't curry favor with Long Chen, no one wanted to leave a bad impression on him.

Long Chen was still somewhat unaccustomed to this sudden enthusiasm. After asking around, he learned that Yun Qi was in his quiet room, so he headed straight there.

"Come in."

Just as Long Chen was about to knock on the door, Yun Qi's aged voice came from inside.

Entering the room, he found Yun Qi sitting cross-legged on the ground. In front of him was a bowl filled with liquid that was as black as ink and emitting a foul stench.

"Wei Cang's Yin-Sha Palm has become much more powerful, but after all, it is a crooked path and cannot achieve anything great," Yun Qi said, looking at the black water in front of him with a trace of disdain on his face.

"Great Master, is your hand healed?"

That day, Great Master Yun Qi had exchanged a palm strike with Wei Cang and had been ambushed by him; Wei Cang's palm contained the poison of the Yin-Sha.

"It took a night of effort, but I finally forced it out," Yun Qi smiled.

"It took a night?"

Long Chen was shocked. Great Master Yun Qi possessed profound cultivation and vigorous Pill Fire; even he had to spend an entire night to clear it.

"You don't need to be surprised. Wei Cang's Yin-Sha Palm is extremely venomous and has a certain suppression effect on Pill Fire."

"Although I spent a night clearing the virulent poison, Wei Cang will need a month to recover the toxicity. That is why I say, crooked paths can never achieve greatness," Great Master Yun Qi explained.

Long Chen suddenly realized. As an Alchemist, Wei Cang probably had limited attainments in Pill Fire, so he practiced a vicious combat technique like the Yin-Sha Palm to suppress other Alchemists.

As an Alchemist, not practicing one's own life-bound fire, but instead practicing a poisonous palm—no wonder he was looked down upon by Great Master Yun Qi.

"Are your injuries all healed?" Great Master Yun Qi asked with some surprise.

"Hehe, this kid has thick skin and rough flesh; after resting for a night, I'm fine," Long Chen laughed.

Great Master Yun Qi examined Long Chen and sighed, "Originally, I hoped you could devote yourself entirely to Alchemy. With your Soul talent, you would go further on the Dao of Alchemy than I have."

"However, after last night's battle, I changed my mind. Martial Arts Geniuses who can challenge across ranks are truly too rare. It's really conflicting."

"Hehe, Great Master, rest assured. This kid won't give up on either," Long Chen said. He truly thought so.

Because his Nine Star Hegemon Body Art complemented Alchemy. Without Alchemy, he wouldn't even be able to condense the Fengfu Star, let alone Cultivate.

And the subsequent second star, third star, all had to be condensed using Medicinal Pills. Moreover, even the simplest condensation of the Fengfu Star had consumed countless Medicinal Pills for Long Chen.

In his memory, the condensation of each star required more consumption than the previous one, almost an incalculable number.

Although he hadn't deliberately calculated it, he believed that the Medicinal Pills consumed for condensing his Fengfu Star were definitely in the hundreds.

Although the consumption was huge, the gains were also proportional. Otherwise, for trash like him who didn't even have a Spiritual Root, wanting to get ahead was just a daydream, let alone challenging across ranks.

"Dual Cultivation of Alchemy and Martial Arts—it's not that it doesn't exist, but basically, the losses outweigh the gains. Distracting oneself with two paths leads to half the result with twice the effort. Historically, those who practiced Dual Cultivation of Alchemy and Martial Arts basically wasted their years and achieved nothing in the end, often regretting it bitterly," Great Master Yun Qi shook his head and said.

Great Master Yun Qi's words were correct. No matter how good the talent, without 100% effort to support it, it was very likely one would live an ordinary life.

And with Dual Cultivation of Alchemy and Martial Arts, dividing all energy into two parts—countless people's painful lessons told future generations that it was a path of no return.

However, both the talent Long Chen displayed in the Dao of Alchemy and Martial Arts was too astonishing. Even the Alchemist Yun Qi couldn't bring himself to tell Long Chen to give up Martial Arts.

If one chose to Cultivate Alchemy, then all of one's Spiritual Qi would be converted into flames. From then on, one could only operate one type of elemental combat technique.

Although powerful, once encountering a water-based combat technique that suppressed one's attribute, one basically had only the option to run.

But the status of an Alchemist was noble; why would they fight with people? Others would be too busy currying favor; how many people would be willing to offend an Alchemist?

Although an Alchemist's combat power was not terrifying, don't forget that almost every Alchemist had a huge background. Some Sects had to maintain good relations with these Alchemists to get the Medicinal Pills they wanted from their hands.

It could be said that as long as an Alchemist appeared, even if they were only at the Pill Apprentice level, countless forces would fight over them.

That was why Great Master Yun Qi was conflicted. But Long Chen wasn't conflicted at all; he had already planned out his direction forward.

"I came here specially today to thank Great Master for your help yesterday." Long Chen was still very grateful for Yun Qi's full support.

"Hehe, these are small matters. You also vented quite a bit of anger for me yesterday. Speaking of thanks, I should be the one thanking you."

Great Master Yun Qi chuckled, handed Long Chen a cushion, let him sit down, and said, "Do you know why Wei Cang and I are like fire and water?"