Chapter 2 - Despicable Scoundrel

The concoction flowed into Long Chen's abdomen, and he hastily used his mind to guide it, dispersing it throughout his limbs and bones. Normally, when martial artists absorb medicine, it converges in the dantian before being distributed throughout the body. However, Long Chen lacked a Spirit Root, leaving his dantian empty and unable to store energy. He could only spread the medicinal power into every cell. Though these were ordinary herbs, through Long Chen's unique combination, they exerted extremely powerful effects. As the medicinal power surged through his body, countless pores slowly opened up. Each cell, like a person on the verge of suffocation, frantically absorbed the spiritual energy from the heavens and earth. "Boom." A muffled noise echoed within Long Chen's body as the previously sealed meridians were instantly opened, causing him to grunt softly. Others cultivated by gently opening their meridians with dantian qi, progressing gradually without any pain. However, Long Chen couldn't do that; he needed external energy, like drawing the ocean back into riverfields, an overwhelming force not everyone could endure. "It hurts so much. Remember this pain," Long Chen gritted his teeth. If someone hadn't stolen his Spirit Root, why would he resort to such a reckless method? "Bang, bang, bang..." A series of explosions resounded within Long Chen as the meridians opened one after the other. Each opening was a painful ordeal. When all the meridians were finally open, Long Chen nearly fainted, taking a full hour to recover. Now that the pain had passed, Long Chen felt all his pores opened, and with each breath, the invisible spiritual energy of the world was being slowly absorbed by him. "Excellent, the meridians are open, I can finally start cultivating." Long Chen felt his body, and with the meridians open, he could naturally absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth through his pores, nourishing and strengthening his body. Though he had just opened his meridians, the transformation by spiritual energy had filled Long Chen with power. "Hoo." Throwing a punch that whistled through the air, a smile crept onto Long Chen's face. The torment wasn't in vain. Ordinary people must first reach the Sensation Realm, able to sense spiritual energy before entering the Qi Condensation Realm. But Long Chen, taking a different path, used medicine to open his pores, forcibly drawing in the spiritual energy, penetrating the meridians, akin to immediately entering the Qi Condensation Realm. However, this Qi Condensation was only in terms of his body's nourishment. Since he lacked a dantian, he couldn't congeal a cyclone, so he wasn't truly in the Qi Condensation Realm. "Though I have forcibly opened my meridians, the dantian can't store true qi. In combat, I can't sustain myself. It's still not viable." Searching through his memories for a while, Long Chen suddenly found a unique martial arts memory among the myriad alchemy techniques—the Nine Star Hegemon Body Art. What delighted Long Chen was that the Nine Star Hegemon Body Art seemed tailor-made for him. It is a secret technique that unlocks the body's hidden potential, relying not on the dantian but the Nine Stars. The Nine Stars are nine secret treasures within the human body. If these treasures are unlocked, it would be like opening nine dantians. Upon seeing this, Long Chen almost jumped for joy. However, reading further, Long Chen felt a chill wash over him; cultivating the Nine Star Hegemon Body Art required consuming countless Pills. The condensation of the first star, the Wind Mansion Star, alone consumed boundless energy. Relying solely on external absorption would take a hundred years without achieving anything. To conjure the first star, using Pills was imperative, and not just any Pills, but a frightful quantity. Otherwise, it was impossible to cultivate. Yet, the Long family's financial situation was strained, incapable of affording such resources, not to mention the meager pills he had consumed were not even true Pills. "I need to figure out a way to make some money." Long Chen mused, changing into a fresh set of clothes before stepping out. It was already midday, but the once-grand Marquis residence was nearly vacant, a scene of desolation. Long Chen's father, Marquis Zhenyuan, was stationed at the outer borders. Over the years, Long Chen and his mother had borne the disdainful glances of the imperial capital, and despite having a noble title, they lived in poverty. The entire residence housed no more than a dozen servants, as they couldn't afford more. Among all the noble families, the Long family was the most destitute, and Long Chen was the most wretched among all the young masters. In the Phoenix Song Empire, everyone was martial-minded, yet Long Chen's peculiar constitution made him unable to practice martial arts, further making him the object of ridicule. In stark contrast, his father, Long Tianxiao, was a peerless warrior, guarding the outer borders so that even the barbaric tribes couldn't encroach upon the empire an inch. As the empire's War God, Long Tianxiao was unmatched, but Long Chen, unable even to sense spiritual energy, seemed a failure next to his father, a clear case of a tiger father and a dog son. Enduring endless mockery, Long Chen remained indifferent, but when Barbarian Marquis's young master, Zhou Yaoyang, insulted him by questioning his paternity, Long Chen's anger boiled over. The insult to his mother's fidelity prompted him to challenge Zhou Yaoyang to a duel in his fury. The opponent was a formidable seventh-level Qi Condensation master, while Long Chen was just a commoner incapable of sensing qi—a self-inflicted humiliation. News of Long Chen being beaten unconscious and returning to the Long mansion spread, turning him into the imperial capital’s laughing stock. Leaving the residence, Long Chen headed straight for the Baicao Trade—a store of precious herbs in the capital. He needed to understand the market for medicinal herbs. On the way, he ignored the whispering and pointing, having grown accustomed to such treatment. Yet deep inside, Long Chen harbored a cold smile. His father suppressed the borderlands and achieved unmatched feats for the Phoenix Song Empire. And this was his reward? His mother and he enduring public humiliation and disdain, and for him to nearly be beaten to death. And those protected by his father had the gall to repay him with contempt? Quickening his pace, Long Chen was unexpectedly blocked. “Well, if it isn’t Young Master Long Chen? I heard you were beaten so badly you didn’t even recognize your own mother. How are you skipping around lively today?” In front of Long Chen stood a elegantly dressed youth, about sixteen or seventeen, with two guards by his side, looking at Long Chen with a mocking expression. This young man was also a young master from a noble family, named Li Hao. Though his rank was not high, and his status incomparable to Long Chen's, in the Phoenix Song Empire, rank and status were secondary—strength was paramount. Li Hao stood firmly in the middle of the path, forcing Long Chen to walk around him. In the past, Long Chen might have turned back, but today he sized up Li Hao, shook his head, and sighed, “They say a good dog doesn’t block the way; it seems you’re not a good dog.” "Long Chen, it seems last time’s lesson wasn't enough. Seeking another thrashing till you're half-dead and thrown off the stage, are you?” Li Hao’s expression shifted, but then he sneered. “That’s why you’re just a dog, fit only to eat Zhou Yaoyang’s scraps,” Long Chen shook his head, deciding not to waste any more time on him and tried to walk by. “You’re asking for it, Long Chen!” Li Hao's face flushed with anger. He never thought the once-weak Long Chen would turn so defiant, not paying him any heed, and reached to stop Long Chen. Long Chen frowned slightly, ready to speak when a figure approached, yelling at Li Hao, “Li Hao, you’re the one asking for it! What makes you, of all people, think you can threaten my brother?” An extremely tall young man appeared, seemingly around 18 or 19, standing nearly ten feet tall, head and shoulders above everyone, exuding a formidable presence. “Shi Feng, this has nothing to do with you. Best mind your own business," Li Hao barked back nervously. Shi Feng was of similar status, but he was an eighth-level Qi Condensation expert, while Li Hao was only at level three. Moreover, Shi Feng possessed innate strength rarely matched by foes of his rank. Li Hao lacked the courage to defy him. “Brother Long Chen, I heard that bastard Zhou Yaoyang beat you. Let me get even for you,” Shi Feng declared angrily. Seeing Shi Feng, a touch of warmth filled Long Chen’s heart. Shi Feng was the only person in the capital who treated him like a brother. “It’s alright, I’ll avenge myself. Trust me," Long Chen smiled, patting Shi Feng’s shoulder. Shi Feng sensed Long Chen’s unease about face, so he dropped the subject. “Come on, let’s go for a walk,” Long Chen suggested, intending to leave with Shi Feng. Watching them ignore him, Li Hao burst out in anger, “Long Chen, you bastard, if you’ve got guts, duel me!” Long Chen paused mid-step, his face darkening, killing intent flickering in his eyes as he slowly turned. “You want to challenge me?” His voice was icy, biting into one's bones. A shiver ran down Li Hao’s spine. Today’s Long Chen seemed unsettlingly different, yet he had already shot his mouth off. Backing down now would make him a laughing stock in the imperial capital. Besides, Long Chen’s track record of being bullied emboldened him, and Li Hao disregarded the unease gnawing at his heart. “Indeed, do you dare accept?” he shouted. “No problem, but I want to up the stakes,” Long Chen replied thoughtfully. “Raise the stakes? Ha! How will your near-broke family manage that? Maybe wager your estate, or be my slave if you lose?” Li Hao snorted. He didn’t notice the vicious, sly smile curling Long Chen’s lips. “Brother Shi, could I borrow your precious saber?” “Take it.” Despite some reluctance, Shi Feng passed his saber. With a nod of gratitude, Long Chen announced to Li Hao, “This fine saber, although not top-grade, is worth 8000 gold coins. Now, I’ll consider it worth 5000 gold. If you win, take the saber. But if you lose, you owe me 5000 gold coins. How about it?” Li Hao's eyes glistened. Shi Feng's saber, crafted by a renowned artisan from fine steel, was certainly worth 8000 gold. The fool Long Chen, betting it away, filled him with glee. Feigning scorn, he jabbed, “What if someone reneges when they lose?” “Don’t worry, my word is solid,” Shi Feng retorted coolly. “Fine, let’s head to the arena and sign a contract. If I don't pound you into the mud today, I’m not Li Hao,” he boasted, brimming with confidence. Long Chen’s expression remained calm, but a cold glint shone in his eyes. Li Hao was only Zhou Yaoyang’s lapdog, not worth Long Chen’s attention. But this targeting—was there a deeper plot? Regardless, time would reveal all. Long Chen led the group towards an arena outside the capital. ...