https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-63-Lion-Swarm-Encirclement-What-Use-Is-a-Wood-Attribute-Spell-/13509932/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-65-The-Route-Map-Named-After-You/13509934/
Chapter 64: No Need to Rush—I've Got More Than Enough Fire Crystals
Chapter 64: No Need to Rush—I’ve Got More Than Enough Fire Crystals
Halfway through their journey, Xiao Chen and Lin Ping An encountered a pack of Double-Headed Lions blocking their path.
Lin Ping An considered taking a detour, but Xiao Chen shrugged. “No need to waste time. We’ll go straight through.”
Though the Green Thorn Technique’s name sounded simple compared to the Xuan Fire Raven’s fearsome reputation, it was actually far more refined. While the Xuan Fire Raven excelled at overwhelming foes in numbers, the Green Thorn Technique was a masterclass in turning the tables when outnumbered.
The thorns didn’t just pierce their prey—they drained mana to sustain themselves, sprouting new brambles in a chain reaction. Within moments, the blood of over thirty Double-Headed Lions transformed the cave’s entrance into a sprawling thorn jungle. The sheer volume nearly overwhelmed Xiao Chen’s control, forcing him to cut mana supply to excess brambles to prevent chaos.
Lin Ping An had already begun grasping Xiao Chen’s strength, but the sight of twenty-nine adult, ninth-stage Lian Qi Lions reduced to bone piles in minutes shattered his expectations. Killing ninth-stage spirit beasts like chickens? If not for Xiao Chen’s face, he’d have mistaken him for a Foundation Building elder.
“Could a Foundation Building cultivator have entered secretly?” The cave dwellers, unable to see Xiao Chen, leapt to the same conclusion.
Jiang Cungang frowned. “Aren’t Foundation Building cultivators forbidden from entering?”
Liu Shiqing shot back, “You’re a Lian Qi grandmaster yourself—does this look like a Lian Qi cultivator’s work?”
Song Zhongwen, spotting the retreating brambles, led the group out. “Let’s go thank this elder.”
Pushing through the thorny barrier, they found Xiao Chen and Lin Ping An waiting. Su Wanning rushed forward, relief in her voice. “Senior Brother Xiao Chen, I’m so glad you’re safe!”
She’d worried when he’d dashed into the cave as a streak of golden light—not out of concern for his safety, but because she needed his help to secure her position as first-seat disciple.
Liu Shiqing scanned the area. “Senior Brother Xiao Chen, Junior Brother Lin, did you see which elder dealt with the lions?”
Her second uncle, Elder Liu, a Wood-Water Dual Spirit Root cultivator, was one of the two Foundation Building elders present. Liu Shiqing wondered if he’d come searching for them.
The group turned expectantly to the pair. Lin Ping An merely smiled, glancing at Xiao Chen.
The unspoken answer left everyone baffled. You’re asking who killed the lions, and you’re looking at Xiao Chen?
But realization dawned swiftly. Su Wanning gasped first. “Senior Brother Xiao Chen—you handled the lion pack yourself!”
Xiao Chen nodded.
Su Wanning stared at the withering brambles, her mind reeling. A Heaven-Tier Legacy’s power is truly terrifying.
To slaughter twenty-nine ninth-stage spirit beasts alone with such ease—its wielder was undeniably peerless among peers.
The others stood frozen, disbelief etched on their faces. Xiao Chen’s breakthrough to seventh-stage Lian Qi had stirred the entire sect six months ago. Now, he casually wiped out foes two stages above him?
Ye Fei recovered first. “Fire Spirit Crystal! Senior Brother Xiao Chen, you’ve reached ninth-stage Lian Qi!”
Xiao Chen exhaled slightly, revealing his aura. “Lucky find. I picked up a Fire Spirit Crystal inside.”
The group nodded—until doubt crept in. Su Yuanpeng and others were ninth-stage cultivators too, yet they’d struggled against the lions. Why the vast gap?
Coughing, Xiao Chen steered them back. “Forbidden Realm time’s short. Let’s head back?”
Chen Guangyu eagerly agreed. “Right, let’s prioritize safety.”
Xiao Chen led the way, weaving through the carnage he’d wrought. Su Yuanpeng even slashed a dead lion with his flying sword, sparks flying on impact—a grounding reminder of their own fragility.
Chen Guangyu, once tailing Xiao Chen, now edged backward. Those thorns could snap bones with a graze.
Guided by the brambles, they exited the Forbidden Realm by 3:45 PM, reaching their flying vessel. Collapsing to the ground, Chen Guangyu sighed in relief.
Ye Fei approached Xiao Chen. “Senior Brother, with your strength, you must’ve gathered Fire Crystals. I’ll trade spirit stones at market price—could I buy thirty?”
As a Wind-Fire Dual Spirit Root cultivator, Fire Crystals would double his cultivation speed. Though Foundation Building elders monopolized volcanic Fire Crystal mines, he swallowed pride for progress.
Xiao Chen, nonchalant, replied, “Trade’s fine. But what’s your offer, and how many?”
“Two spirit stones per crystal. Thirty if possible… Ten would work too.”
Liu Shiqing chimed in. “Senior Brother, spare me a few?”
Song Zhongwen followed. “Same price—could I have some?”
Su Wanning clung to Xiao Chen’s arm. “If you’ve extra, I’ll take them all.”
Others hesitated, seeing the frenzy.
Xiao Chen signaled Su Wanning to calm down. Reaching into his storage bag, he hauled out the chest of Fire Crystals from the fire chamber.
“No need to rush,” he said, lifting the lid to reveal the glittering hoard. “I’ve got plenty. One at a time.”
(End of Chapter)
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