Phoenix Cry Lantern Festival

In the Imperial Palace Inner Court, within the Fourth Prince's study, the Fourth Prince leaned back in his chair, eyes half-closed, quietly listening to the Marquis of the Barrens' report.

"Master, Marquis Zhenyuan still shows no signs of movement. His army remains stationed in place, and there's been no reply to your letter," the Marquis of the Barrens said respectfully.

After a long pause, the Fourth Prince slowly opened his eyes. A hint of coldness flashed within them as he let out a cold snort, "He's simply an old stubborn fool who doesn't know his place. I've given him so much time, and he thinks I'm a pushover."

"This Long Tianxiao truly doesn't know his place. After all these years, he still refuses to submit to the Prince, which is detestable and deserves death," the Marquis of the Barrens said hatefully.

The Fourth Prince glanced at the Marquis of the Barrens and said, "I know about the conflict between you and Long Tianxiao. If it weren't for his punch, you would have had a great chance of advancing to the Tendon Changing Realm.

But Long Tianxiao's strength isn't just in his martial power, or I wouldn't value him so highly.

It's a pity he's too stubborn and unwilling to be of use to me. Since he can't be mine, I'll make him a dead man."

Hearing the Fourth Prince's words, the Marquis of the Barrens was overjoyed and quickly asked, "Master, do you have a plan?"

"Now is not the time to deal with him. However, he has wasted so many years of my effort, so I'll start by killing his only son. Consider it a bit of interest," the Fourth Prince said calmly.

"Long Chen? How do we kill him?" the Marquis of the Barrens asked, somewhat confused.

Long Chen is now part of the Alchemist Guild. Rumor has it his relationship with Master Yun Qi is extraordinary. Even the Royal Family dares not offend the Alchemist Guild.

"I've already made arrangements for this matter. You don't need to worry about it. For now, slowly begin to concentrate all your forces. We're about to make a big move. Remember not to cause any disturbances," the Fourth Prince said coldly.

"Yes, Master, rest assured. Your subordinate will handle it flawlessly," the Marquis of the Barrens quickly replied.

Currently, his strength is only at the Blood Condensation Realm, and his martial prowess is not outstanding. The reason the Fourth Prince values him so highly is, on one hand, his unwavering loyalty, and on the other, his meticulous and cautious approach to tasks. In all these years, he has never made a single mistake.

After the Marquis of the Barrens left, the Fourth Prince stared blankly at the books on his desk, sighing after a long while.

"Long Tianxiao, oh Long Tianxiao, why must you be like this? Decades of sincerity couldn't move you, so don't blame me for being ruthless."

"Boom!"

Another explosion resounded within his body. Long Chen slowly opened his eyes. The sharpness hidden within his star-like eyes was like a blade, making it impossible for anyone to stare directly at him.

Looking at the seven swirling energy vortexes slowly rotating within his Dantian, a satisfied smile appeared on Long Chen's face.

Raising his realm by four levels in a mere seven days was a speed that would surely shock many if revealed, yet Long Chen was still somewhat dissatisfied.

He had originally thought that as the number of energy vortexes increased, his cultivation would become faster. However, he soon discovered that this idea was wrong.

The condensation of energy vortexes became increasingly difficult in the later stages, requiring more Spiritual Energy. While his fourth vortex took only three hours, his seventh vortex took a full three days.

This was equivalent to the combined time spent on the first three vortexes. However, what delighted Long Chen was that after reaching the seventh level of the Qi Gathering Realm, he discovered that his Meridians had become even more solidified.

Yet, he was still unable to unleash the Heaven Splitting battle technique. This did not make Long Chen dejected; instead, it made him more excited. It indicated that Heaven Splitting was an extremely powerful battle technique. Exchanging a trash pill for an advanced battle technique seemed like a great deal.

Originally, Long Chen had wanted to exchange pills for more advanced battle techniques by bribing the Blood Condensation Realm expert guarding the Battle Technique Pavilion.

However, with the Breaking Wind Fist and Fire Cloud Palm taught to him by Chu Yao, he now had enough. Both were high-grade Human-tier battle techniques, likely only found on the third level of the Battle Technique Pavilion. It was estimated that even the person guarding the Battle Technique Pavilion wouldn't have the qualifications to learn them.

Having too many battle techniques wasn't always better. Generally, martial artists would not use battle techniques unless absolutely necessary.

This was because battle techniques consumed a significant amount of Spiritual Energy. Ordinary Qi Gathering Realm martial artists could only activate a low-grade Human-tier battle technique once.

After a single activation, the remaining Spiritual Energy would be insufficient to activate it a second time. Therefore, if one couldn't achieve victory in a single strike, they generally wouldn't waste precious Spiritual Energy.

The higher the grade of the battle technique, the greater the Spiritual Energy it consumed. Generally, high-grade Human-tier battle techniques were for Blood Condensation Realm experts.

Only they possessed the profound Spiritual Energy to support such terrifying consumption. However, Long Chen was different.

His Spiritual Energy was stored within the Wind Mansion Star. Long Chen had tested it and found that with his current Spiritual Energy, he could activate a high-grade Human-tier battle technique seven times.

However, if he were to use a super battle technique, which involved channeling the Spiritual Energy from the Wind Mansion Star into his energy vortexes before unleashing it, his Spiritual Energy would only be enough for one activation.

He wouldn't be able to activate it a second time even if he died trying. But currently, Long Chen couldn't condense a second star. According to the records, only when the first star becomes a true star can a second star be condensed.

However, Long Chen didn't know what constituted a "true star" or what the "Nine Transformations of Star Shifting" in his memory referred to. He was becoming more and more confused, so he could only reluctantly continue condensing energy vortexes.

"Young Master, may I come in?" Bao'er's clear voice came from outside the door.

"Come in."

When Bao'er entered, she was holding a few pieces of clothing and said with a smile, "Young Master, today is the Phoenix Cry Lantern Festival. Madam ordered me to wash and dress you up."

With that, she had Long Chen sit properly and proceeded to wash his face and comb his hair. Long Chen chuckled, "Why so grand?"

"Hehe, Madam said that Young Master is almost sixteen and it's time for marriage. She told me to dress you up nicely, in case some young lady takes a fancy to you, hehe... you know." Bao'er said with a grin.

"No way, is Mother-in-law this anxious?" Long Chen couldn't help but feel speechless. Fatty Yu and the others were already seventeen or eighteen and not married yet.

"Of course, I'm anxious to hold my grandchild!"

With that, Madam Long walked in and looked at Long Chen, saying, "Meng Qi's matter can be a long-term goal, something to be pursued slowly.

But you need short-term goals too. This is called having two hands, and both must be strong. For insurance, Mother suggests you find a suitable girl first and have a child. That way, you can still pursue Meng Qi. This is called double insurance."

"Mother, can this work?" Long Chen looked at his mother with disbelief.

"Why wouldn't it work? It's common for men to have three wives and four concubines. You can leave the main wife position for Meng Qi, can't you?" Madam Long said as a matter of course.

"No way, are you sure?" Long Chen clearly didn't believe her.

"Of course. However, you can't tell Meng Qi beforehand. Once you've slept together, she'll agree," Madam Long reminded him.

Long Chen's eyes widened. That works too? "Mom, you said Dad ignored us for so many years. Do you think he has other wives and concubines outside?"

"Don't talk nonsense. It would be good if your father had other wives and concubines," Madam Long chided, but a hint of guilt flickered in her eyes.

"Heh, just kidding, Mom. Don't worry. At this lantern festival, if I find suitable ones, I'll bring back two for you first," Long Chen said with a smile, seeing his mother was unhappy.

"Pfft, who do you think you are, bringing back two? I'm telling you, don't joke around with me. You need to take this seriously, understand?" Madam Long reminded him solemnly.

"Alright, alright, I'll do whatever you say," Long Chen readily agreed, though he didn't really think so. He just didn't dare say it out loud.

After washing up, Long Chen changed into a blue robe that fit him perfectly. Dressed, he looked completely transformed.

With sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, and an indescribable handsomeness, Bao'er's eyes lit up as it praised him.

"Hehe, Madam, don't worry. With our young master's looks, how many women can resist him?"

"You, don't praise him too much," Madam Long said, but her eyes were full of a satisfied smile. Seeing her son's fine appearance, she was filled with pride.

"Okay, it's getting late. Let's go out quickly," Madam Long pushed Long Chen out the door.

"Mom, the sun is still so high. It's still early until dark," Long Chen said helplessly, pointing at the sun, which was slightly west.

"You brat, don't you know about preparing for the future? We need to go and secure a good spot first to improve efficiency. Hurry up!"

After Madam Long finished speaking, she slammed the door shut with a bang.

Long Chen rolled his eyes. This isn't setting up a street stall, why do I need to secure a spot? But since he had already been kicked out, he had no choice but to go.

Along the way, Long Chen saw countless people busy in front of their houses, hanging lanterns. Seeing Long Chen appear, a young man smiled, "Brother, you're quite early."

"What do you know? The early bird catches the worm," Long Chen replied grumpily.

"Yeah, that makes sense. Thanks for the reminder, big brother. I'll go change now." The person then scurried back into the courtyard.

Little kid, only thirteen or fourteen, already thinking about chasing girls.

Long Chen curled his lips. Kids these days are too precocious. I came out way too early. If I go now, I'll just be laughed at.

But the time was too awkward. If he found a place to cultivate, it would be too short, and if he just waited, it would be too long.

Just as Long Chen was hesitating about what to do, a palpable killing intent suddenly struck him. A gust of wind whistled, heading straight for his vital spot on his back.

He quickly turned and swung a palm, which met the surprise attack.

Bang!

The force of the palm strike exploded. Long Chen was pushed back several steps. He looked up and saw a masked man delivering another palm strike towards him. The power was immense, and the wind howled.

Long Chen snorted coldly and ignored the man's palm strike. He kicked out, aiming for the man's crotch.

Bang!

The man was extremely experienced in combat. He immediately retracted his palm, switched to defense, and blocked Long Chen's kick with his own leg.

"Die!"

After blocking Long Chen's kick, the man's blood and qi suddenly erupted, and a fierce power surged. His punch tore through the air, sealing off all of Long Chen's escape routes.

A sharp glint appeared in Long Chen's eyes. Just as he was about to unleash his full power, he suddenly remembered something.

"Ox Power!"

Long Chen shouted and punched the man's fist. He was sent flying back more than ten steps, his chest churning with qi and blood.

After the man sent Long Chen flying, he was about to pursue his advantage when figures suddenly moved around them, clearly alarming the surrounding people.

"Hmph, brat, I'll take your life next time." The man glanced at Long Chen, whose face was somewhat pale, snorted, and left. With a few leaps, he disappeared from Long Chen's sight with incredible speed.

After the man vanished, the slight paleness on Long Chen's face immediately disappeared, replaced by a mocking expression.

Idiot, trying to probe my strength?

Long Chen brushed the dust off his clothes and looked in the direction the man had left, sighing inwardly:

It seems tonight will be an unusual one!