POP!
With a dragon's roar, thick true qi finally pierced through the third Dragon Meridian! True qi surged wildly through Long Chen's limbs and bones. He struggled to suppress it, fully assimilating the power. His eyes blazed with divine light—his cultivation had advanced significantly.
"True qi at Dragon Meridian Level 3 is several times stronger than Level 2. With Falling Star Fist, Yang Zhan will struggle to defeat me now!" Having broken into the realm, he adjusted his breathing. It was still midnight, dawn distant.
The night sky stretched clear, nine Milky Ways arcing across it, breathtaking. "Eighteen Milky Ways—nine by day, nine by night. Legend says they're made of endless stars. If I could soar to the heavens to see them, my life wouldn't be in vain."
"If the Milky Ways are stars, I'll borrow their power to train Star-Forge Body!" Previously, he'd drawn from solitary stars. Now, tapping the Milky Way's flood of starlight enveloped him. "So much starlight fused into my blood and bones—at least a hundred times faster! Those nine Milky Ways truly are endless stars!"
Starlight swirled, saturating him. Minute energies seeped into his skin, merging with every cell. His body strengthened ceaselessly. Dawn broke, and starlight faded. Long Chen leaped off the roof, eyes shining. "Minor Accomplishment in Star-Forge Body! This strength, plus Level 3 qi—I'm ten times stronger than yesterday!" He grinned. "Finally, I can hold my head high! Star-Forge Body and Falling Star Fist will stand up to Level 4 Yang Zhan. Our scores will be settled."
Back in his room, he lay down. "No sleep all night—rest now, wake refreshed, plan the next stage." Star-Forge Body's mastery promised greater power. The jade's qi sped his dantian's growth, but he couldn't rely on that alone. "Must train harder—seek spirit jades. Elders only give them to meritorious disciples."
"Half a month to claim Dragon Seal. Need Level 5. Each breakthrough is ten times harder. Yang Zhan's been Level 4 for a year—reaching Level 5 in half a month seems impossible… Screw it. For Dad, for respect, for that bitch—I'll fight!"
At noon, noise woke him. Since Level 3, his senses had sharpened—he sensed approaching figures. Rising, he stepped out, smirking, in peak condition. Yang Zhan led a crowd of clansmen, all fourteen or fifteen, some taller than him. Surprised by the entourage, Long Chen smirked. "Figured you brought crowds to hide your fear!"
The clan's younger generation froze, stunned by his casual mockery. Was this the spineless servant who'd fawned before them? Fury ignited in Yang Zhan's chest, hatred blazing in his eyes. "Promised to teach you a lesson—can't break that vow. Your new strength's made you arrogant. The clan disapproves, so I'll school you in manners!"
"Their idea," Yang Zhan sneered. "Your attitude's unsettling. We prefer the old dog Yang Chen. Today, I'll restore you."
"Want to fight? Stop yapping! Your words mean nothing. Leading kids to my door to bark nonsense—quite the spectacle!" This final jab pushed Yang Zhan over the edge. To him, Long Chen was an ant—yet this ant humiliated him. Rage clouded his judgment. "Bastard! If I don't cripple you, I'll disown my name!"
Qi erupted—Level 4 pressure bore down. Spectators scattered, leaving only the two. "This pressure's like last night's—won't make me budge!" Starlight shimmered beneath his skin—Star-Forge Body made him immune.
"Pitiful Level 2 fool—pay for your ignorance!" Yang Zhan lunged like a whirlwind, roaring as he threw rapid punches. Laughter erupted as onlookers jeered. "Yang Chen runs at first sight!"
Ducking, Long Chen muttered, "Fools." Grinning, he taunted, "Is this all you've got?" Yang Zhan wasn't fooled—Long Chen's dodges were precise, no matter how he attacked. Alarm flickered. "He's Level 2—dodges good, but lacks offense!"
Sneering, he punched. "Coward! Fight fair!" Through sparring, Long Chen gauged his strength—qi was stronger, but Star-Forge Body's Minor Accomplishment granted speed, attack, and defense beyond Level 3. Eyes cold, he advanced, countering with Tiger Fist.
"Tiger Fist!"
"Tiger Fist!"
Two tigers clashed! BANG! Both staggered back, heavy footsteps cracking stone. Yang Zhan's step shattered a slab! "What?! His strength—how?!" Long Chen had retreated less. Behind Yang Zhan, the clan's smiles froze, as if slapped.
"Your Tiger Fist's lacking!" Yang Zhan's mind reeled. Days ago, this man wasn't a warrior. Now Level 2, beating Chen Liu—but hiding more? Could he be Level 4? Long Chen's smirking gaze fueled his fury to near-bursting. "No—tricks! Even if he hid skill, I'll kill him!"
Roaring, Yang Zhan plummeted like a meteor, qi crushing the younger clansmen back. "Yang Zhan's mastered Falling Star Fist! That bastard's doomed!"