Chapter 30: Xiao Chen Under Attack

Chapter 30: Xiao Chen Under Attack (Please Keep Reading!)

After selecting a hex and riding the momentum of his breakthrough, Xiao Chen resumed cultivating to solidify his foundation.

Reaching Lian Qi Stage 7 finally expanded his dantian capacity to 15 units of mana. With this foundation, he could finally participate in duels and represent the sect on external missions.

This milestone also meant he no longer needed to guard the spirit field and would receive a higher monthly stipend than outer sect disciples. The sect provided each inner sect disciple with a monthly cultivation subsidy of five spirit stones.

If they had time, disciples could take missions at the Merit Hall to earn more spirit stones and sect contribution points. Those with sufficient resources could instead retreat into seclusion within the sect until being dispatched externally after turning thirty.

If Xiao Chen could breakthrough to Foundation Building within the next eight and a half years—before turning thirty—he might advance further, joining the sect’s management as a mid-level backbone member.

Of course, all this still felt distant.

After completing three full cycles of circulation, Xiao Chen returned to his room for sleep. He planned to report his breakthrough to Steward Chen afterward.

He had just lain down when, barely ten breaths later, Li Sibao—still nursing a full day and night of punishment—arrived outside his room, clutching a bottle of spirit wine.

It was morning, the second quarter of the Si hour. Xiao Chen’s neighbors were busy tending spirit fields and mining ores, leaving the courtyard empty.

This allowed Li Sibao to strut over and inspect the premises. He wanted to check if Xiao Chen had left any spirit treasures inside. To his surprise, Xiao Chen was still asleep.

"Hah! 'Six hours of cultivation daily'—more like six hours of sleep, huh?" Li Sibao sneered. "Still in bed at noon? How dare you call yourself diligent? That Liu fellow even lied for you. None of you are good people."

He raised the wine bottle, gulped down a large swig, flushed red-faced, and let out a loud belch. Then, drawing his flying sword, he easily pried open the door and charged inside, slashing downward.

Xiao Chen heard footsteps halt at his door and felt his drowsiness fade. But before he could fully sit up, a burly figure burst in, wielding a flying sword straight at him.

Instantly alert, Xiao Chen exploded upward, shattering the bedframe beneath him. Twisting like a hawk, he landed by the window. Instinctively, he formed a seal for the Golden Light Technique, summoning a protective glow.

Only then did he glance over. "Li Sibao? What are you doing!"

"Eh? You’re awake?" Li Sibao blinked, then sneered. "Fast reflexes."

He formed another seal, preparing to attack. Xiao Chen frowned. While he could end this with a fireball, that wouldn’t address the root issue. Li Sibao’s behavior was too abnormal—he needed answers first.

Forming an Earth Shield Technique, Xiao Chen demanded, "We’ve no grudge. Who sent you?"

Li Sibao had already gathered sharp, angular snowflakes before him. Grinning, he taunted, "Want to know? Call me 'Dad' once, and I’ll tell you!"

With a push, the snowflakes became arrows, hurtling toward Xiao Chen.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

Sparks flew as the projectiles struck the earth-yellow square shield, releasing bursts of cold energy. Xiao Chen, gripping the shield in his right hand, hurled a fireball with his left.

The fireball rocketed toward Li Sibao faster than the snow.

Li Sibao raised his flying sword to block, channeling cold energy as instructed by the mysterious figure. These snowflakes weren’t ordinary—just as he’d been told…

But the next moment, a fierce kick slammed into his gut, hurling him backward into the wall. Through the hole in his sword, he saw his own eviscerated intestines and a matching hole in the sandalwood wardrobe behind him.

"My dantian!"

After three stunned heartbeats, fear finally hit Li Sibao. But before he could react, barbed vines pinned him midair. Xiao Chen discarded the shield, conjuring another fireball and thrusting it toward Li Sibao’s face.

The flames singed Li Sibao’s eyebrows and hair, but Xiao Chen ignored it. "Last chance. Tell me who sent you."

Li Sibao spat defiance. "Coward! Kill me if you’ve got guts! You think a fireball scares me? Dare to touch me!"

The Lihuo Sect strictly forbade disciple infighting, and Li Sibao leaned into this. "Xiao Chen, this isn’t over! You’ll answer to Elder Jiang at the Judicial Hall for attacking me!"

"What are you doing?!"

A stream of pure water surged into Li Sibao’s abdomen, hissing like water hitting oil. Xiao Chen channeled the Water Healing Technique through his organs, flushing out pitch-black blood.

Noticing the black blood immediately, Xiao Chen used the technique to suppress the poison, releasing Li Sibao’s bindings. While the Water Healing Technique had limited detox effects, the early intervention and hex-boosted cultivation saved Li Sibao—for now.

"Black blood? Poisoned!" Li Sibao panicked. "How?!"

Attempting to heal with his mana backfired, spewing more black blood. Xiao Chen examined it, shaking his head. "Potent toxin. It’s seeped into your meridians—nearly incurable."

Li Sibao’s face contorted. He swallowed a pill and activated a water-healing talisman, but neither worked.

"Nothing’s working! Senior Sect Brother, you’ve got to save me!"

Xiao Chen crossed his arms. "Bold words earlier. Thought you feared death? Why should I help?"

"Because someone wants you dead!" Li Sibao blurted. "They sent me to kill you! I’ve seen their face—I can’t die! If I do, you’ll lose your only lead!"

Li Sibao couldn’t die here—not just for the lead, but because without witnesses, Xiao Chen would be the prime suspect.

Thus, Xiao Chen reactivated the Water Healing Technique, suppressing the toxin. Then, he launched a fireball at the tallest roof nearby, hoping the flames would draw help.

P.S.: Newbie author here. Please give this book a chance if you’ve enjoyed the earlier chapters.

As of 9:30 AM on September 30th, three readers have commented that Chapters 31–35 are less engaging. If later readers agree, feel free to skip to Chapter 36.

I’m panicking, but I think I can still salvage this. Insert meme: "Doctor, am I still savable?"

One last kowtow—Or2

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end