Chapter Forty-Two: A Brawl or a Duel?

Bang!

The spell cast by the cultivator struck before Chen Xiang, rippling through the air and dispersing harmlessly. The onlookers, relieved when they saw someone hit Chen Xiang, soon wore bewildered expressions.

What was going on? Why was there no effect?

Looking more closely, they noticed a faint golden light before Chen Xiang—a shield of energy had formed, protecting him.

Some with sharp eyes instantly recognized what it was.

“He actually has a Diamond Talisman!”

Indeed, it was the Diamond Talisman. Chen Xiang had gotten it in the Floating Light Forest, tricking Jiang Tianyi into giving it to him. Now, unexpectedly, it had come in handy.

Inwardly, Chen Xiang thanked Jiang Tianyi and his ancestors for eighteen generations! But he also felt a pang of regret—the Diamond Talisman could withstand three full-force attacks from Nascent Soul cultivators, yet he’d wasted one use on a mere Core Formation cultivator! What a loss!

Li Qiner, seeing Chen Xiang was safe, breathed a sigh of relief and immediately attacked the cultivator closest to her. He was adept at movement techniques but lacked offensive power; with a single arc of sword qi, Li Qiner pierced his chest.

“Fusion progress: 90%… 95%… 99%… 100%.”

“Congratulations to Host ‘Chen Xiang’ for successfully fusing with ‘Crystal Flame’!”

Boom!

A torrent of overwhelming power suddenly surged from Chen Xiang. The vortex of energy above his head exploded with a bang, dissolving into a wave that swept outward.

All manner of attacks were shattered. The surrounding cultivators hastily raised spells to defend against the surge.

“My apologies for keeping you waiting!” Chen Xiang’s frame straightened, his aura radiating outward. Without the aid of any object, he stepped into the void, standing suspended in midair. His cool, distant voice echoed across the land.

A trace of a cold smile emerged on his face as he eyed the crowd below as though regarding ants, a faint pressure emanating from him, making it difficult for them to breathe.

“How is this possible? He’s only at the fifth layer of Core Formation—how can his aura be this powerful?”

“Isn’t walking on air a technique only Nascent Soul cultivators can use? Why can he do it?”

“Could this guy be an old monster in disguise?!”

…

Those below the Nascent Soul stage could barely withstand Chen Xiang’s pressure, resisting with all their might. Even the Nascent Soul cultivators felt its effects, and their contempt for this fifth-layer Core Formation youth vanished.

Chen Xiang glanced at one of the corpses on the ground.

“Oh? The fellow who tried to ambush me is already dead? I was hoping to let him sample the Ten Tortures of the Ancient Dynasty!”

“Come on, you lot—mass brawl or single combat? Take your pick! Either way, I’ll fight you all alone!” Chen Xiang called out indifferently from above. He compressed all his aura, then slowly released it from his side.

Truly—swagger leaking from every pore!

The crowd gasped in awe. What kind of arrogance was this, to dare utter such brazen words?

Where did his confidence come from? Could he spare them a little?

Though all felt Chen Xiang’s pressure, that didn’t mean they were afraid! As long as he wasn’t beyond the Soul Transformation stage, could so many cultivators not defeat a single man?

“Hurry and deal with this brat! We need to seize the Frostgrass—look, it’s already withering in his hands!” shouted a troublemaking cultivator in the crowd, unwilling to reveal his name.

Startled, the crowd’s attention shifted from Chen Xiang’s display to the Frostgrass in his hand. The bundle, numbering at least a hundred stalks, had lost its luster and begun to melt—on inspection, fewer than ten remained intact.

“Damn it, my Frostgrass!”

“We’ve followed so long, is it all for nothing?”

“I’ll kill him!”

…

A chorus of furious roars erupted. The Frostgrass, which they’d regarded as theirs, was nearly gone—if they failed the first trial, there would be no passing. But with ten stalks left, there was still hope.

More than a hundred cultivators surged forward, brandishing weapons and casting spells. Though most were in the Foundation or Core Formation stages, the barrage of attacks created a terrifying momentum, distorting the very spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

Li Qiner flew to Chen Xiang’s side. Though she’d only been fending off the attackers for a short time, she was slightly wounded. Her face was concealed by her wide-brimmed hat, but her tone was resolute: “Young Master, I will always be by your side!”

“Qiner, are you confessing your feelings for me?” Chen Xiang caught her delicate hand, his gaze intense.

The icy air Li Qiner had built around herself shattered instantly at his words, and her cheeks flushed red. She quickly retorted, “Young Master, is this really the time for jokes?”

Chen Xiang sighed softly, his eyes tinged with melancholy. “Ah, Qiner, must everything I say be a joke?”

Li Qiner was momentarily stunned by his demeanor and hurried to explain, “No… it’s not that, Young Master, I just meant… I…”

“It’s all right, Qiner, don’t worry. I was just teasing you!” Chen Xiang suddenly grinned, his eyes sparkling mischievously. “Step back now and watch me show off!”

Li Qiner froze, feeling even more embarrassed, but she insisted, “No, Young Master, I want to fight by your side!”

Chen Xiang frowned. Was she trying to steal his experience points?

“Relax, I can handle this lot with one hand. Go and rest for a bit.” With a wave of spiritual energy, he sent Li Qiner to the rear and slipped the Diamond Talisman into her hand.

Li Qiner, anxious at his words, was startled to discover she couldn’t break free from the spiritual force he’d so casually used!

As the cultivators charged, Chen Xiang’s lips curled into a smile.

With a flourish of his hand, a bone-white flame appeared, enveloping his entire palm and extending up his arm. This fire radiated not heat, but chilling cold.

Before the crowd could react, Chen Xiang struck.

The pale flames transformed into a sea of fire, engulfing the assailants.

“Ding! Congratulations to Host ‘Chen Xiang’ for slaying a seventh-layer Core Formation cultivator—awarded twenty thousand experience and a Golden Core.”

“Ding! Congratulations to Host ‘Chen Xiang’ for slaying a third-layer Core Formation cultivator—awarded twenty thousand experience and a Golden Core.”

“Ding! Congratulations to Host ‘Chen Xiang’ for slaying a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator—awarded eight thousand experience and a storage pouch.”

“Ding! Congratulations to Host ‘Chen Xiang’ for slaying a seventh-layer Foundation Establishment cultivator—awarded eight thousand experience and a storage pouch.”

“Ding! Congratulations to Host ‘Chen Xiang’ for slaying a sixth-layer Core Formation cultivator—awarded twenty thousand experience and a Golden Core.”

…

“Ding! Congratulations to Host ‘Chen Xiang’ for leveling up—current stage: sixth-layer Core Formation.”

“Ding! Congratulations to Host ‘Chen Xiang’ for leveling up—current stage: seventh-layer Core Formation.”

…

To be continued…