Lantern Festival Opening

Regarding the sneak attack from just now, the moment that person made a move, Long Chen had already seen through his objective. Although he was dressed like a killer, it was merely to deceive people.

What kind of killer releases their Killing Intent before they even make a move? Even a trainee wouldn't make such a low-level mistake.

Furthermore, although that person had Killing Intent, there was no intent to kill. Every move, while powerful, clearly held back.

It was completely different from the style of a killer's one-hit kill. Therefore, during the final move, Long Chen intentionally lost, allowed himself to be blasted away by a punch, and used his Qi to conceal himself, making it seem as though he had suffered a slight injury.

Sure enough, with that, the "killer" left immediately. This idiot didn't even know how to act; there were clearly ordinary people in the distance, and he could have completely killed the people and left calmly.

Yet he acted as if he were startled and left in a hurry. Such clumsy acting made Long Chen sneer in disdain.

Even if one thought with their heels, they would know that this guy must be someone of high status, used to being arrogant and self-righteous.

Although he didn't know why that person was testing him, Long Chen knew that the other party must have follow-up plans; otherwise, the previous attempt would have been in vain.

"Brother Long, haha, you are really early."

While Long Chen was lost in thought, he had unknowingly arrived at the entrance of the Fengming Square, and Monkey shouted with an excited face.

Currently, the square, which spanned several miles, was decorated with countless giant lanterns that were over a dozen zhang tall. However, the sky hadn't completely darkened yet, and the lanterns hadn't been lit.

Throughout the square, countless people were busy constructing various structures, and it was clearly nearing the end.

Looking from afar, the huge square was decorated with countless lanterns of all shapes and sizes. Even without being lit, it was already exceptionally magnificent.

As soon as Long Chen arrived, he discovered that countless young men and women had already arrived and started to wander around. The sounds of birds and swallows filled the air, and from time to time, silver bell-like laughter could be heard.

However, some of the laughter—whether it was naturally that unpleasant or just a poor performance—made one's hair stand on end.

While the women held hands and wandered about, their beautiful eyes would occasionally peek at the passing men. Even though it was almost autumn, the entire square gave people a feeling of spring.

And some men, just as Long Chen's mother had said, had early on occupied high vantage points. Some stood on rockeries, others on low bridges, holding folding fans and waving them lightly, looking unbearably flamboyant.

"Monkey, is this the legendary Fengming Lantern Festival for handsome men and beautiful women?" Long Chen asked, somewhat disbelievingly.

"That… Brother Long, we came too early. The real beauties haven't come out yet. Only those who lack confidence would come this early," Monkey said awkwardly.

However, after saying that, Monkey immediately reacted and swore to the heavens: "Brother Long, you are definitely the exception."

Sure enough, it was still too early. This was all his mother's fault. Long Chen couldn't help but feel like crying without tears. But as the sky slowly darkened, more and more men and women came over.

The ones who came this time were of much better quality than before; at least the laughter wasn't as terrifying, and both the quantity and quality were quite good.

"Haha, Long Chen, you're a real friend for actually coming." Shi Feng had just arrived and immediately spotted Long Chen and Monkey hiding in a corner.

"Haha, Brother Long, you look so handsome today." Fatty Yu and the others also arrived one after another, greeting Long Chen one by one.

"Fatty Yu, you're not bad either. Your weight loss results are quite good. From far away, we can finally tell if you're coming vertically or horizontally," Monkey laughed, and everyone couldn't help but laugh along.

While everyone was joking around, more and more men and women arrived, and the initially somewhat empty square immediately became vibrant.

Men and women were in groups of three or five, whispering and laughing, but their eyes were all darting around, clearly looking for targets.

"Long Chen, let's go in. It's about time; the program will start in a while," Shi Feng said.

Fatty Yu and the others had long been unable to wait, but since Long Chen hadn't spoken, they could only stay here with him.

In reality, Long Chen truly didn't want to go in, but since it was hard to refuse their kindness, he had to brace himself and follow them in.

As soon as Long Chen's group entered, they immediately attracted the attention of most people. On one hand, it was because Long Chen's group was basically the last batch.

On the other hand, this group was too peculiar—the tall ones were tall, the short ones short, the fat ones fat, and the thin ones thin; it was impossible not to attract attention.

"Wow, who is that person? He looks so handsome. How come I've never seen him before?" A woman exclaimed suddenly.

Long Chen was originally handsome, but not to the point of being world-shaking. However, whether a flower is beautiful depends on the green leaves to set it off.

With giant green leaves like Fatty Yu and Monkey to set him off, even Shi Feng, with his dark face, appeared much more handsome.

"Don't you know? That's Long Chen! The heir to the Marquis of Zhenyuan, Long Chen!"

"Oh my god, he is Long Chen? The Long Chen hailed as the number one person of the younger generation in the Fengming Empire?"

"I heard he is also an Alchemy Apprentice, and it's said that he might become Great Master Yun Qi's first Disciple."

For a time, countless discussions spread. Many women were secretly looking at Long Chen, whispering to each other, and some bold ones even started shouting Long Chen's name.

Sweat trickled down his face. Long Chen had never seen such a spectacle. Even though he considered his skin thick enough, he still couldn't handle it.

"Brother Shi, you take the lead. Fatty, Monkey, you guys move forward a bit too."

Long Chen simply hid in the middle of the group, walking with his head down without saying a word. The effect was much better immediately.

They didn't know how far they had walked when a venue covering an area of a li appeared ahead, with a large stage that was a hundred zhang square built on it.

"Long Chen, that stage is for competing to be the number one warrior of Fengming. Are you interested in trying?" Shi Feng laughed.

"No interest. I don't like fighting like a performing monkey," Long Chen shook his head.

"Hehe, Long Chen, now that you've said that, I'm relieved," Shi Feng laughed.

Long Chen was slightly stunned, then immediately understood. It turned out Shi Feng was aiming for the title of the number one warrior of Fengming.

"I wish you success from the start," Long Chen extended his fist.

Shi Feng also extended his fist and bumped it with Long Chen's, saying: "Don't worry, as long as I'm not up against you, Long Chen, I still have confidence."

"Holy crap, you guys are too much. Doesn't that mean there's nothing left for us? Brothers, let's go. Let's take advantage of the time we have now and hurry up to go hit on some girls," Monkey shouted and pulled everyone away.

"Remember, gather here in a while!" Shi Feng shouted loudly.

It was unknown if they heard him or not. After quickly dispersing, they rapidly disappeared into the crowd, each going to find their own targets.

"Shi Feng, what is your cultivation level now?" Long Chen asked in a low voice, seeing that there was no one around.

"I am already at the Peak of the first stage of Blood Condensation. It won't be long before I can enter the second stage of Blood Condensation," Shi Feng said somewhat gratefully.

The reason he was able to Cultivate so quickly was entirely due to Long Chen's help. The earlier one enters the Blood Condensation realm, the more beneficial it is for future Cultivation.

If one only makes a Breakthrough to the Blood Condensation realm at thirty, then basically, it would be very difficult to enter the first stage of Blood Condensation in this lifetime.

Now, Shi Feng was not even eighteen and had already made a Breakthrough to the Blood Condensation realm. In the future, he had at least a thirty percent chance of successfully entering the Tendon Transformation realm.

The Tendon Transformation realm—that was the most powerful existence in the Fengming Empire. In the entire Fengming Empire, there were only three.

Long Chen nodded. Such speed proved that Shi Feng was very diligent. However, Long Chen had checked Shi Feng's Dantian; his Spiritual Root could only be considered medium-high. I am afraid the Tendon Transformation realm would be the end of his martial Dao; going any higher, there was likely not much hope.

"Later, I will refine a Foundation Consolidation Pill for you to re-stabilize your Foundation. With your diligence, before you are thirty, you should have hope of promoting to the Tendon Transformation realm," Long Chen said.

"Long Chen, was the Medicinal Pill you gave me last time really refined by yourself?" While pleasantly surprised, Shi Feng still asked in disbelief.

"How novel. If I didn't refine it, did I pick it up?" Long Chen couldn't help but say somewhat testily.

"No, we originally all thought it was given to you by Great Master Yun Qi," Shi Feng said honestly.

After all, Long Chen suddenly transformed into an Alchemy Apprentice, and they still found it somewhat hard to accept, which was why they had such a guess.

However, with Long Chen saying this today, it meant that Long Chen himself could perform Alchemy.

"Your current Foundation, although quite good, is still not solid enough. It is mainly because in the Early Stage of Qi Gathering, you were a bit too anxious in your Cultivation.

This left some flaws in your Foundation, so in the future when you attempt to break through to the Tendon Transformation realm, it will cause some obstacles.

I will refine a Foundation Consolidation Pill for you later. Although it cannot completely erase those flaws, it will be much easier when you attempt to break through to the Tendon Transformation realm in the future," Long Chen said.

"Brother, I won't say any polite words. As long as you say the word, my life, Shi Feng, is yours to take at any time," Shi Feng said solemnly.

"Between brothers, saying such things hurts our relationship. Eh, what is that?"

Long Chen suddenly saw dozens of guards dressed in brocade walking over from afar, holding huge objects in their hands, the shapes of which could not be clearly seen.

"Those are the lanterns of the princesses. Every year during the Lantern Festival, the princesses personally make lanterns to pray for blessings for Fengming," Shi Feng explained.

Princesses? Then he had to take a good look. He didn't know which one was made by Chu Yao. However, those guards all gathered and walked behind a huge curtain.

Clearly, they wouldn't let everyone get a sneak peek before the program started. As these guards arrived, more guards entered the venue and surrounded a high-up seating area.

That seating area faced the stage and also faced everyone here. As the guards entered, the men and women who were still chatting idly also ran over one after another.

Like a tide, there were originally countless empty seats, but they were suddenly filled up. Some women were fine; if they didn't grab a seat, they just had to wink at a man, and they would immediately have a seat.

As for those men, they could only stand at the back and watch from afar. Even Fatty Yu and the others could only stare blankly. Who told them to go chase girls? The seats were all taken, and they could only stand to the side.

Just as everyone had sat down, a Phoenix carriage appeared. Suddenly, with a long shout, all the guards knelt on the ground.

"The Empress Dowager has arrived!"