Fengming Lantern Festival

In the inner court of the Imperial Palace, within the Fourth Prince's study, the Fourth Prince was seen leaning back in his chair with his eyes half-closed, listening quietly to the report from the Marquis of the Barbaric Wilderness.

"Master, there is still no movement from the Marquis of Zhenyuan. The main army remains stationed in its original position. As for your letter, Master, there has been no reply." The Marquis of the Barbaric Wilderness said respectfully.

After a while, the Fourth Prince slowly opened his eyes. A trace of cold severity appeared in them as he coldly snorted: "What a stubborn old fool, not knowing when to die. I gave him so much time, and yet he actually treats me like a soft persimmon."

"This Long Tianxiao truly does not know how to appreciate favors. After so many years, he still refuses to submit to the Prince. It is truly detestable and worthy of death." The Marquis of the Barbaric Wilderness said with hatred.

The Fourth Prince glanced at the Marquis of the Barbaric Wilderness and said: "I know of the grudge between you and Long Tianxiao. If not for his punch, you would have had a great chance of advancing to the Tendon-Changing Realm."

"However, Long Tianxiao's strength does not lie solely in his martial prowess; otherwise, I would not value him so highly."

"It is a pity that he is too stubborn and refuses to be used by me. Since he cannot become my person, let him become a dead man."

Hearing the Fourth Prince say this, the Marquis of the Barbaric Wilderness was overjoyed and hurriedly asked: "Master, do you have any brilliant plan?"

"Now is not the time to deal with him, but since he has wasted so much of my hard work over the years, let's kill his only son first. Consider it paying a bit of interest." The Fourth Prince said indifferently.

"Long Chen? How should we kill him?" The Marquis of the Barbaric Wilderness was somewhat confused.

Long Chen is now a member of the Alchemist Guild, and rumors say his relationship with Great Master Yun Qi is very unusual. Even the Imperial Family would not dare to offend the Alchemist Guild.

"I have already arranged this matter, so you do not need to worry. Now, slowly begin to concentrate all your forces; we are about to start a major operation. Remember, do not cause any unusual disturbances." The Fourth Prince said coldly.

"Yes, Master, rest assured. Your servant will ensure it is done flawlessly." The Marquis of the Barbaric Wilderness replied hurriedly.

Currently, his strength is only at the Blood Condensation Realm, and his martial prowess is not outstanding. The reason the Fourth Prince values him so much is…

On one hand, it is because he is loyal and devoted, and on the other hand, it is because he is very careful and cautious in his work. Over the many years, he has never made any mistakes.

After the Marquis of the Barbaric Wilderness left, the Fourth Prince stared blankly at the books on the desk, sighing only after a long time.

"Long Tianxiao, oh Long Tianxiao, why must you be like this? So many years of sincerity have failed to move you, so do not blame this King for being ruthless."

…

"Boom!" Another explosive sound came from within his body. Long Chen slowly opened his eyes. The sharpness hidden within his star-like eyes was like a sharp blade, making people afraid to meet his gaze.

Looking inside his Dantian, seven full Qi cyclones were slowly rotating. A satisfied smile appeared on Long Chen's face.

In seven days, he had improved by four full Realms. If this speed were made known, it would definitely scare a large number of people, but Long Chen was still somewhat dissatisfied.

He had originally thought that as the number of Qi cyclones increased, Cultivating would become faster and faster, but he quickly discovered that this idea was wrong.

The condensation of Qi cyclones becomes more difficult the further one goes, requiring more Spiritual Qi. It only took him three hours for the fourth Qi cyclone, but the seventh Qi cyclone took three full days.

It was equivalent to the sum of the consumption of the first three Qi cyclones. However, what made Long Chen happy was that after reaching the seventh level of Qi Gathering, he discovered that his meridians were much more solid.

However, he was still unable to perform the Kaitian Battle Skill. This not only did not discourage Long Chen but instead made him more excited. This showed that Kaitian was an extremely powerful Battle Skill. Exchanging a trash Medicinal Pill for an Advanced Battle Skill was a good deal no matter how you looked at it.

Originally, Long Chen wanted to continue using Medicinal Pills to exchange for some Advanced Battle Skills through the Blood Condensation Realm expert guarding the Battle Skill Pavilion.

But now, he had the Rushing Wind Fist and Fire Cloud Palm taught to him by Chu Yao, which was enough. Both were Human-class Advanced Battle Skills, and they could probably only be found on the third floor of the Battle Skill Pavilion. It was estimated that even the person guarding the Battle Skill Pavilion was not qualified to learn them.

It is not the case that the more Battle Skills one has, the better. Usually, a Martial Artist will not use a Battle Skill unless it is a last resort.

This is because Battle Skills consume a very large amount of Spiritual Qi. An average Qi Gathering Realm Martial Artist can only trigger a Human-class Low-tier Battle Skill once.

After triggering it once, the remaining Spiritual Qi is simply not enough to trigger it a second time. Therefore, if one cannot defeat the enemy with one move, one basically will not waste precious Spiritual Qi.

The more Advanced the Battle Skill, the greater the consumption of Spiritual Qi. Generally speaking, Human-class Advanced Battle Skills are for Blood Condensation Realm experts to use.

Only they have the abundant Spiritual Qi to support such terrifying consumption. However, Long Chen is different.

His Spiritual Qi is stored in the Fengfu Star. Long Chen has tested it; with his current Spiritual Qi, he can trigger a Human-class Advanced Battle Skill seven times.

However, if he uses a super Battle Skill—that is, driving the Spiritual Qi of the Fengfu Star into the Qi cyclones before performing it—his Spiritual Qi is only enough to trigger it once.

He couldn't trigger it a second time even if he worked himself to death. But right now, Long Chen still cannot condense the second star because the Nine Star Hegemon Body Art records that only when the first star becomes a true star can the second star be condensed.

But Long Chen currently does not know what a "true star" is, nor does he know what the "Nine Transformations of Star Transformation" in his memories refers to. He was becoming more and more confused, so he could only helplessly continue to condense Qi cyclones.

"Young Master, may I come in?" Bao'er's crisp voice came from outside the door.

"Come in."

When Bao'er entered, she was holding several pieces of clothing in her hands and smiled: "Young Master, today is the Fengming Lantern Festival. Madam has ordered me to help you wash and dress up."

As she spoke, she had Long Chen sit down and helped him wash his face and comb his hair. Long Chen smiled: "Why so formal?"

"Hee hee, Madam says that Young Master is almost sixteen, it is time to get married. She told me to dress you up well, just in case some Young Miss takes a fancy to you, hee hee… you know." Bao'er said with a giggle.

"No way, is Mother that anxious?" Long Chen could not help but be speechless. People like Fatty Yu and the others were already seventeen or eighteen, and they hadn't gotten married yet.

"Of course I am anxious. I am anxious to hold a grandson!"

After saying this, Madam Long walked in and looked at Long Chen: "Mengqi's matter can take its time; it can be a long-term goal."

"But you must also have short-term goals. This is called 'grasping with both hands, both hands must be firm.' To be safe, Mother suggests you first find a suitable girl and have a child with her. It won't stop you from pursuing Mengqi later; this is called 'double insurance.'"

"Mother, can this really work?" Long Chen looked at his mother in disbelief.

"Why wouldn't it work? It is a common occurrence for men to have three wives and four concubines. Can't you just save the position of main wife for Mengqi?" Madam Long said as if it were only natural.

"No way, are you sure?" Long Chen clearly did not believe it.

"Of course. But you cannot tell Mengqi beforehand. Once you have done that thing, she will agree." Madam Long reminded him.

Long Chen opened his eyes wide. This works too? "Mother, you say Father has ignored us for so many years, does he also have three wives and four concubines outside?"

"Don't talk nonsense. It would be good if your father had three wives and four concubines." Madam Long scolded him, but a look of guilt flashed in her eyes.

"Hehe, I'm just joking. Mother, don't worry, at this lantern festival, if there are any suitable ones, I will bring two back for you first." Seeing his mother was not very happy, Long Chen could not help but smile.

"Pah, who do you think you are, bringing two back? I'm telling you, don't be cheeky with your mother. You must keep this matter in your heart, understand?" Madam Long warned him solemnly.

"Fine, fine, fine. I will do whatever you say." Long Chen agreed readily, but he didn't take it to heart, though he dared not say it out loud.

After washing and dressing, Long Chen changed into a blue robe that fit him perfectly. After putting on the clothes, Long Chen looked like a completely new person.

With sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, he was full of spirit and indescribably handsome. Bao'er watched with sparkling eyes, praising him endlessly.

"Hee hee, Madam, rest assured. With our Young Master's conditions, how many women could resist him?"

"You, don't praise him to the heavens." Although Madam Long said this, her eyes were full of satisfied smiles. Seeing her son look so talented and handsome, her heart was filled with pride.

"Alright, it is getting late, hurry up and go out." Madam Long pushed Long Chen out of the door.

"Mother, the sun is still high up, it is still early before dark." Long Chen pointed at the sun, which was slightly to the west, and said with a helpless face.

"You brat, don't you know how to prepare for a rainy day? Go and occupy a good spot first; that is the only way to improve efficiency. Hurry up and go."

After Madam Long finished speaking, she slammed the door shut with a bang.

Long Chen rolled his eyes. This wasn't setting up a street stall; what kind of spot needed to be occupied? But since he had already been kicked out of the house, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and walk on.

Along the way, Long Chen saw countless people busy in front of their homes, hanging up lanterns one by one. Seeing Long Chen appear, a youth smiled: "Brother, you are quite early."

"What do you know? The early bird catches the worm." Long Chen said irritably.

"That's right, it makes sense. Thank you for the reminder, Big Brother. I will go change my clothes now." After speaking, the youth ran back into the courtyard in a flash.

"Little brat, only thirteen or fourteen years old, and already thinking about picking up girls."

Long Chen curled his lip. Children nowadays are too precocious. He had come out too early; going now would only make people laugh at him.

But the time was too awkward now. If he found a place to Cultivate, the time was too short, and if he just waited, it would be too long.

Just as Long Chen was hesitating about what to do, suddenly, a tangible killing intent struck him. A gust of wind whistled over, heading straight for the vital point on Long Chen's back.

Hurriedly turning around, he swung out a palm. Long Chen's palm collided directly with the sneak attack.

"Bang!" The energy exploded with a loud noise, and Long Chen was shaken back several steps. Looking up, he saw a masked man, who struck another palm down at Long Chen with immense power, the wind whistling as it came.

Long Chen snorted coldly, completely ignoring the man's palm, and kicked out, aiming straight for the man's crotch.

"Bang!" The man had extremely rich combat experience, directly withdrawing his palm, switching from offense to defense, and blocking Long Chen's kick with his leg.

"Go to hell!" After blocking Long Chen's kick, the man suddenly erupted with Qi and blood, a ferocious power rising up. A punch cut through the air, sealing off all of Long Chen's retreat paths.

A sharp look appeared in Long Chen's eyes. He was just about to erupt with full power, but suddenly he remembered something.

"Bull Strength!" Long Chen shouted loudly and smashed his fist into the man's fist. His whole body was shaken back more than ten steps, and the Qi and blood in his chest surged.

The man had sent Long Chen flying with one punch and was about to continue to press the attack, but suddenly, figures moved around them. It was clear that they had disturbed the people nearby.

"Hmph, brat, I will take your life next time." The man glanced at the somewhat pale-faced Long Chen, snorted coldly, and left, disappearing from Long Chen's sight in a few bounds, his speed extremely fast.

After the man disappeared, the trace of paleness on Long Chen's face immediately vanished, and instead, a trace of mockery appeared.

"Idiot, you want to test my bottom line?"

Long Chen patted the dust off his body, glanced at the direction the man had left in, and could not help but sigh in his heart: It seems today will be an unusual night!