Chapter 40

Chapter 40 Huang Changs Challenge

Long Chen raised his head to look and saw a powerful man standing atop the center of the martial arena and cupping his fist in all directions .

He didnt recognize this young man . But as soon as he had got on the stage, the crowd had cheered . It appeared he was somewhat famous .

At this time, Long Chen noticed that even outside the plaza there were countless people . Back before the lanterns were lit there had been an area reserved only for the nobility, but now it was open to everyone .

There were no restrictions on status for the battle over the number one junior warrior . Looking at where the Empress Dowager was watching the battles, he noticed there were many more people over there as well . Amongst them was Manhuang Hou .

Those people tended to be on the older side, but their bodies were still surging with strength . They were Blood Condensation cultivators and faint killing intent came from their bodies . They were clearly true experts .

Long Chen was sizing those people up when another burst of cheering rang out . A man jumped up tens of meters and lightly landed on the martial arena, his figure appearing extremely at ease and confident .

So its Feng Yang! Shi Feng was somewhat amazed when he saw that person .

What, do you know him? asked Long Chen .

Yup, hes the same age as me . He joined the army two years ago . At that time he was just at the third Heavenstage of Qi Condensation, but now hes at the eighth Heavenstage .

To jump five minor realms in just a short two years truly was shocking to people .

Its not surprising . After joining the army, he must have gone through several missions and survived many life and death situations . This kind of speed is normal under those circumstances . Long Chen nodded .

This Feng Yang is really not bad . Although his cultivation base isnt high, that trace of killing intent on his body isnt something those people who grew up coddled can handle .

While Long Chen and Shi Feng were talking, Feng Yang had already took action and it truly was just as Long Chen said it would be .

Although the person who had come up ahead of him looked strong and had a similar cultivation base to Feng Yang, his true combat ability was a far cry from Feng Yangs, and he was defeated in less than ten exchanges .

On the martial path, just having a higher cultivation base doesnt mean you have a higher combat ability . Sometimes just an unstoppable attitude will make the opponent afraid of you and lose confidence . This will lead to their battle strength going down . Thats why the further you walk along the martial path, the more you require a strong martial heart . This will allow you to overcome your obstacles and be undaunted by setbacks . Long Chen patted Shi Fengs shoulder .

I know . I can die, but I cannot surrender . Shi Feng nodded .

Long Chen smiled . Shi Fengs talent was limited and his cultivation path would be rough . But if he kept a steadfast heart, he really might be able to pull off a miracle one day .

Feng Yang consecutively beat three strong opponents before finally ending up exhausted . In the end he was sent flying by someone and had no choice but to concede .

Im going up now .

Oh, this early? Are you going to be able to handle it? Long Chen was a bit flabbergasted .

I consider this contest a kind of training for myself . The results arent important . Instead I need to firm my martial heart, smiled Shi Feng .

Nice brother Shi . Well all be rooting for you from here! Fatty Yu was especially excited and the rest of them all wanted to see Shi Feng win .

You got this! Long Chen patted his shoulders .

Shi Feng has come to ask advice!

Following Shi Fengs shout, it was like thunder had clapped through the plaza and the entire crowd emitted a huge cheer . Obviously Shi Feng was pretty famous within the younger generation of the capital .

Fatty Yu and the others yells were drowned out by a flood of cheering . It was so loud that they couldnt even hear their own voices . They looked at each other in dismay and awkwardness .

Shi Fengs face was dark and reserved . As he stood atop the stage, he gave people a sensation of being a large mountain that no man could shake .

He was fighting a ninth Heavenstage Qi Condensation expert, but when that person saw Shi Feng, he immediately turned into a statue .

Come at me; Ill only use the power of the ninth Heavenstage of Qi Condensation . Shi Feng smiled slightly .

That person naturally couldnt help becoming angry at that provocation . Everyone was watching them, which put him on the spot .

Hmph, who asked for your help!

That person stamped on the ground and a punch came smashing towards Shi Feng . But Shi Feng didnt even deign to look at it .

Isnt this Shi Feng too arrogant?

Just as people thought Shi Feng had a huge ego, that person suddenly sent out a second punch towards his lower abdomen; the first one had actually been just a feint .

A large palm met that punch . Shi Feng grabbed onto that persons fist and started to apply some force .

Time for you to go .

That person let out a startled cry as his body flew a dozen meters through the air . Eventually he fell flat on his face .

After landing, he spit out some dirt and cursed a couple times . He turned to leave, deciding to not even look at the rest of the battles .

Brother Shi is formidable!

Fatty Yu and the others took advantage of this time and shouted out this slogan . Following their shout, the crowd loudly cheered .

These cheers contained countless young maidens cries as well . Long Chen smiled; no wonder so many people wanted to go up to fight . This was the best way for men to attract women .

Suddenly Long Chen sensed a gaze coming at him from the seats above . Looking up, he saw that Chu Yao was staring at him .

He smiled and winked at her, causing her to immediately turn red and quickly lower her head . But joy filled her eyes .

But neither Long Chen nor Chu Yao noticed that these small movements of theirs had been noticed by another person .

Xia Changfengs face was ashen, and he suddenly whispered to a person beside him, How was your scouting? Did you find his bottom line?

Your servant tested him . His cultivation base is extremely strange and his true level could not be found . However in terms of combat ability, he does not surpass early Blood Condensation, whispered that person .

If Long Chen were there, he would have immediately recognized this persons voice as being the person who had fake attempted to assassinate him .

Hmph, thats good . Huang Chang, you must kill him today . Do your best not to disclose too much hidden strength, coldly ordered Xia Changfeng .

This Huang Chang was one of his bodyguards, the man with the scar on his face . Huang Chang cruelly smiled, Dont worry master; he definitely wont survive the night .

Bang!

It went without saying that Shi Feng who had reached the Blood Condensation realm was unstoppable . He defeated eighteen people in a row, filling the crowd with excitement .

The last two people were also Blood Condensation experts, but in terms of combat strength, they were quite a bit weaker than him .

After all, Shi Feng had received Long Chens assistance when breaking through to Blood Condensation, so his foundation was much firmer than the others, giving him a great advantage .

After defeating the last Blood Condensation expert, Shi Feng shouted out three times, but no one further came up .

According to the rules of the battle, the title of the Phoenix Crys number one junior warrior had already landed within Shi Fengs lap .

Under the enthusiastic cries of the entire crowd, Shi Feng walked over to the Empress Dowager and kneeled . The Empress Dowager bestowed upon him a jade medal and gave him a few encouraging words .

When he returned back down to the martial stage, the crowd became even more impassioned, and countless maidens surged over there, throwing flower loops over to Shi Fengs neck .

Each of those flower loops had been personally made by those maidens . It was a token for men they admired . If that man picked it up, then it meant the man accepted the maidens heart .

Each flower loop had the maidens name sewn onto it, so the man could easily figure out whose it was . The stronger a man was within the Phoenix Cry Empire, the more wives and concubines he would have . So a great deal of maidens would prefer to marry a man who had many wives rather than be the first wife of a mediocre man .

When Shi Feng returned, his body was covered with flower loops and only his head could be seen . He could barely see where he was going .

Haha, congratulations Shi Feng! Long Chen couldnt help laughing at that comical sight .

This time youve struck rich Shi Feng! Shou Hou was filled with admiration .

Hmph, what riches . Shi Feng isnt some peddler . But brother Shi, make sure to get your affairs in order when you go back . No matter what, you have to pick a couple good wives, laughed Fatty Yu .

By giving those flower loops to him, those maidens had all expressed their willingness to marry him . As long as he assented and he gave them a betrothal gift, they could immediately proceed to the wedding . It was extremely convenient .

Shi Feng turned red and said, I was only able to do this because of Long Chens assistance . How about we split these flower rings between us?

Everyone choked when they heard that . Only Shi Feng would think of trying to divvy up such a thing .

Seeing everyone laugh, Shi Feng also realized what he had said . He played dumb, causing people to laugh even harder .

Normally this would signify the end of the lantern festival, but just as people were preparing to leave, Xia Changfeng suddenly laughed:

That battle just now truly was marvelous . But I still feel as if we havent had our fill yet . I have a proposal, but I dont know whether its appropriate .

The Empress Dowager frowned slightly . Too many things had occurred today, and she didnt want new ones . But Xia Changfeng was a guest, so the Empress Dowager could not easily contradict him . You can say what you want prince Xia .

In order to add more fun, Ill also send a youngster from my side to exchange blows with your Phoenix Crys top talent . Lets compare and see which is stronger, laughed Xia Changfeng .

Before the Empress Dowager could say anything, Wei Cang interrupted, The Grand Xia and the Phoenix Cry Empire are like a family and its just a friendly competition . I doubt the Empress Dowager would refuse .

The Empress Dowager only sighed in anger . They were clearly using their words to trap her . If she didnt agree, that would offend Wei Cang .

Then well listen to grandmaster so we can see the grace of the Grand Xias men . But I still dont know who is going on to the stage?

Huang Chang, you go . Remember to go easy and not ruin our friendship . Xia Changfeng waved his hand .

Yes .

Huang Chang stepped lightly on the ground and he shot through the air like a huge bird, gently landing on the stage .

Grand Xias Huang Chang inviting any Phoenix Cry geniuses to exchange pointers . Huang Chang cupped his hands .

Is this a mistake? You already look so old, yet you act like a youth? Isnt your skin a bit too thick? Long Chen fed some words to Shou Hou who shouted them out .

Huang Chang smiled . Im only nineteen this year . I have official documents that confirm this, and everyone from the Grand Xia knows this .

The crowd relaxed at his words . Some people simply did age a bit faster .

Young master Long, Ive heard rumors of your strength since arriving at the capital . I truly admire you . Do I have the qualifications to swap pointers with young master? Huang Chang cupped his hands towards Long Chen .

Everyones gaze lit up at his words, and the crowd immediately began to cheer .

Long Chen!

Long Chen!

Long Chen!

Their shouts were surging waves that completely impassioned everyones blood and countless fervent glances landed on Long Chen .