One month later.
As the moon rose into the sky, an azure light flashed on a mountain's summit. From afar, it looked like a star had fallen on the mountain's peak. To keep others from learning about his newfound strength, Chen Xiang used the excuse of gathering herbs to come to this mountain and cultivate.
He came to this mountain's summit to absorb large amounts of Spirit Qi and gain a better sense of the wind and lightning contained between the heavens and the earth. At this place, he could see dark clouds begin to rise and feel strong winds blow. lightning occasionally sparked between the clouds. Suddenly, a thunderbolt fell directly down towards the mountain peak, as if striking to destroy it.
This astonishing scene was a byproduct of Chen Xiang cultivating the [Azure Dragon Divine Exercise]. The fierce howling gale and the thunderous lightning in the sky were both caused by his cultivation. The moment the lightning bolt struck his body, not only did he start refining his body through its tyrannical force, but, from time to time, he also absorbed its energy.
This action of his could be described as suicidal. Everyone knows that lightning is one of the most destructive forces of nature. Even True Martial Realm Experts would not dare to face it. Yet, Chen Xiang was cultivating using the [Azure Dragon Divine Exercise] and wanted to use that natural lightning to assist his cultivation!
This bizarre scene lasted until midnight. Chen Xiang's face, distorted due to the pain, was slowly returning to normal. His clothes were torn in multiple places, and he had numerous black scars all over his body, with smoke emitting from the crevices. Yet above all those scars, a bright azure light was shining. This azure light had a strong wood attribute aura, which aided his body in recovering from the injuries incurred by the lightning.
"As long as I become strong, this pain is nothing," said Chen Xiang, clenching his fist and shouting in his heart as he endured the pain from one lightning bolt striking his body after another. Letting the heavens temper his body with powerful strikes of lightning.
This method truly deserves to be called a Divine Exercise. Not only does it affect the world around the user, but it also tempers the user's body with lightning strikes, making it stronger.
Several days passed. During this time, Chen Xiang had been repeatedly struck by lightning. Now, he had finally completed his basic body tempering!
As Chen Xiang opened his eyes, two lightning bolts flashed within his eyes, his eyes firm and resolute. It was an astonishing sight.
"It is worthy of being called a Divine Exercise! Mortal Martial Exercises aren't even worth farts in comparison to this! In just one month, it has enabled me to reach the 5th level of the Mortal Martial Realm!"
At this time, Chen Xiang inspected the five True Qi whirlpools spinning within his dantian. They had already grown much larger compared to how they had been. Chen Xiang could now control True Qi as he desired. This was the 5th level of the Mortal Martial Realm, the True Qi realm!
He was sixteen years old and had already reached the 5th level of the Mortal Martial Realm. Many would consider him a genius for this accomplishment.
A crimson-colored True Qi resided on one of Chen Xiang's palms; the other held an azure-colored True Qi. Hand in hand, Fire and Wood True Qi were cultivated through the Azure Dragon and Vermillion Bird Divine Exercise.
Chen Xiang felt like he had shed his former skin and been reborn. His true Qi and his body were now incomparable to their former states. Then again, his body had been tempered, and his True Qi had been cultivated through a divine exercise.
Chen Xiang could finally understand why divine exercises were considered to be priceless. Truly, by cultivating these exercises, people could gain godlike strength!
"The Spirit Qi around here is thin. If you want your cultivation to advance by leaps and bounds, you can only rely on dans! Now that you can release True Qi Flames, you can finally begin to learn alchemy." Su Meiyao transmitted it to him.
Su Meiyao and Bai Youyou both longed for Chen Xiang to become strong as soon as possible. The quicker he got stronger, the sooner they could recover their strength. The sisters felt fear and helplessness at the loss of their former power.
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"Well, if it isn't the Chen Family's great young master! The Yao Family's genius alchemist has challenged you. He wants to compete with you in both alchemy and martial arts."
Chen Xiang had just entered the Chen Family Gate when an arrogant teenager walked up and started talking to him.
"A challenge? When did this happen?" Chen Xiang was a little surprised. He had only been away for a few days.
That teenager started laughing at him, his voice full of disdain. "So you haven't even heard? We all thought you were afraid and went into hiding! This happened ten days ago because the Yao family's genius fancies your fiancée. You truly do have bad luck!"
Chen Xiang was barely enduring his impulse to beat this prick up. With a discerning fake smile, he replied, "Chen Zhenhua, do you remember that time, when we were younger, and I made you fall on your face into dogshit? Are you sure you still want to talk to me right now?"
The little prick was Chen Zhenhua, whose father was a commander of one of the Chen Family's branches. There were many Chen family branches located across the Southern Martial Empire. The commanders of these families were also very strong and only gathered at the Chen Family Villa for important matters.
Chen Zhenhua's expression twisted in anger, but he had to bear it. His voice filled with ridicule, he snapped, "Of course I do! Let's see if you can defeat the Yao Family's genius. I can't wait to witness your face when you lose your stunning fiancée."
Chen Zhenhua departed, laughing.
Chen Xang snorted before walking away to find his father. On his way there, he overheard the Chen family encountering an issue. As such, all the branch commanders had been summoned.
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Tianhu Park, Inside the Library.
Chen Xiang asked his father, "Dad, is it true that Grandfather has withdrawn from the patriarch's position?"
Chen Tianhu, while looking dignified, nodded and said, "It's true. Your grandfather has entered seclusion, wanting to join a martial arts sect. The Chen family's branch commanders are all coming here to compete for his position."
A Chen family patriarch giving up his position meant a new patriarch had to be elected. At that time, many things were bound to occur because many battles would take place; getting injured was also inevitable.
Becoming a martial arts family patriarch can give one high authority and rich resources, and because of this, many people are desperate to get the position, even at the risk of their lives.
Chen Xiang's father would also compete for the patriarch's position, and this time, Chen Xiang will certainly be involved. If he does not have enough strength, it will be quite dangerous for him.
The Chen family patriarch position had never been inherited. It relied on a competition to elect the patriarch; after all, in this world, strength was revered, and only with a show of strength would others be willing to follow you. So, for the Chen family patriarch position, others can only be convinced with strength.
Chen Xiang saw that Chen Tianhu's complexion was dignified, so he carefully asked, "Dad... Will this be difficult for you?"
Chen Tianhu, with a sigh, said, "It is, indeed, going to be very difficult, as there are many who are competing with me for the patriarch position, including those two brothers with whom I have some scruples... no need to say this, but the Yao family genius also issued you a challenge; it would be best to reject him."
Reject? After learning about this so-called challenge, Chen Xiang did not intend to refuse. He was now a Stage 5 Mortal Martial Realm martial artist and cultivated using Divine Exercises. Because he cultivates using [Tai Chi Divine Exercises], he could restrain his Qi aura, and thus, Chen Tianhu could not find out that his son had advanced by leaps and bounds.
"Dad, I will not allow the Xue and Yao families to look down upon me! I must accept this challenge!" Chen Xiang's gaze was firm, his eyes were filled with the intention of war, and from his body emerged an immense amount of polished True Qi, which made Chen Tianhu's pupils contract as surprise filled his heart. He could see that his son had advanced at an unbelievable rate.
Chen Tianhu could only think that his son had encountered a fortuitous event while out adventuring, but he refrained from asking. His son was strong, and that was enough for him.
With a laugh, Chen Tianhu patted Chen Xiang's shoulders and said, "Your dad will support you! You must make the Yao family genius know something is beyond the sky!"
Chen Xiang laughed hollowly and said, "Dad, can you support me with some money?"
Although Chen Xiang's father lived a rather luxurious life, he was quite poor, as his father was worried that he would turn into a playboy. So his father only allowed him to live a simple life, which led to a dignified elder's grandson looking very plain compared to other Chen Family members his age.
Chen Tianhu was a man who preferred not to waste money, but he spent a lot to elevate his strength and help Chen Xiang. So he did not allow Chen Xiang to spend money randomly.
"What for?"
"I want to buy a spirit herb to plant and grow." Chen Xiang whispered while rotating his eyes.
Planting spirit herbs requires experience and meticulous care. Ordinarily, those who plant herbs are alchemists, generally old men with white hair. A teenager planting spirit herbs with no experience is unusual, as it also requires patience, as a good spirit herb requires many years to mature.
For Chen Tianhu, it would also be his first time seeing a teenager plant spirit herbs, but, seeing the confidence in Chen Xiang's eyes, he sighed and pulled out a storage pouch.
"If I come to know you are lying to me, I'll kick your ass to the point that sitting on a stool will be a nightmare for you for at least a month... Are we clear?" Chen Tianhu smiles as he makes that terrifying comment, which makes Chen Xiang tremble.
"Here are 3000 large spirit coins. If you don't have the confidence to double the amount, then, in the future, do not ask me for money again." Chen Tianhu took out one specially manufactured spirit note.
Chen Xiang took it and, with a smile, said, "Rest assured, I will become the Chen family's youngest alchemist!"
Chen Tianhu was shocked. He knew that Chen Xiang did not have a spiritual vein; thus, alchemy would be impossible for him, but he was also secretly happy in his heart. If his statement becomes true, it will make the Chen family even more formidable. He knows the Chen family has not had an alchemist for many years.
Chen Tianhu laughed, "Quickly get out of here; don't even think about trying to trick me, or you will get a beating! I will give the Yao family your response."
Chen Xiang took the 3000 large spirit coins and quickly left.