Phoenix Cry Lantern Festival Opens

The sneak attack just now, Long Chen had seen through the attacker's intentions the moment they made their move. Although they were disguised as an assassin, it was merely to mislead.

What assassin would reveal their killing intent before even attacking? Even an intern wouldn't make such a rookie mistake.

Moreover, while the person had killing aura, they lacked killing intent. Every move, though powerful, clearly held back.

It was a completely different style from an assassin's one-hit kill. That's why, on the final move, Long Chen deliberately fell, getting sent flying by a punch, and used his spiritual energy to conceal himself, making it seem like he'd sustained a minor injury.

As expected, once that happened, the "assassin" immediately left. This idiot couldn't even act properly. There were clearly ordinary people watching in the distance; he could have killed them and left at his leisure.

But he seemed startled and fled in haste. Such clumsy acting made Long Chen scoff.

Even a fool could tell this guy must be someone of high status, accustomed to being arrogant and self-important.

Although Long Chen didn't know why the person was testing him, he knew there would definitely be follow-up actions, otherwise, the previous encounter would have been pointless.

"Brother Long, haha, you're here so early!"

While lost in thought, Long Chen had unknowingly walked to the entrance of Phoenix Cry Plaza. Monkey shouted excitedly.

Now, within a radius of several miles, the plaza was decorated with countless giant lanterns, each dozens of feet tall. However, the sky hadn't fully darkened yet, and the lanterns hadn't been lit.

Countless people were busy throughout the plaza, setting up various structures, clearly nearing completion.

From afar, the massive plaza, adorned with innumerable lanterns of all shapes and sizes, was already exceptionally spectacular, even without them being lit.

As soon as Long Chen arrived, he noticed that numerous young men and women had already arrived and were starting to mingle, their sweet voices and occasional bell-like laughter drifting over.

Though some of the laughter sounded unpleasant, whether naturally or due to nerves, it sent shivers down one's spine.

As the women strolled hand-in-hand, they couldn't help but steal glances at the passing men. Despite it being close to autumn, the entire plaza exuded a vibrant, spring-like atmosphere.

And some men, just as Long Chen's mother had said, had already secured vantage points, some standing on rockeries, others on low bridges, fanning themselves with folded fans, looking incredibly ostentatious.

What made Long Chen speechless the most was that some were even acting like proud roosters, reciting poetry, which gave him the creeps.

"Monkey, is this the legendary Phoenix Cry Lantern Festival of handsome men and beautiful women?" Long Chen asked, incredulous.

"Uh... Brother Long, we're just too early. The real beauties haven't shown up yet. Only those lacking confidence come this early," Monkey said awkwardly.

But after saying that, Monkey immediately reacted, raising his hand to the sky and swearing, "Brother Long, you are definitely an exception."

So we really came too early. This is all my mother's fault. Long Chen couldn't help but feel like crying, but as the sky gradually darkened, more and more men and women arrived.

This batch was much better than the previous ones. At least the laughter wasn't as terrifying, and both the quantity and quality were quite good.

"Haha, Long Chen, you're the best, you actually came!" As soon as Shi Feng arrived, he spotted Long Chen and Monkey hiding in a corner.

"Haha, Brother Long, you look so dashing today!" Fatty Yu and the others also arrived one after another, greeting Long Chen.

"Fatty Yu, you're not bad either! Your weight loss is quite effective. From a distance, we can finally tell if you're coming towards us vertically or horizontally," Monkey chuckled, and the others joined in the laughter.

As they were joking around, more and more people arrived. The previously somewhat empty plaza quickly became lively.

Men and women, in groups of three to five, were whispering and laughing, but their eyes were darting around, clearly searching for targets.

"Long Chen, let's go in. It's almost time, and the show will start soon," Shi Feng said.

Fatty Yu and the others were already impatient, but since Long Chen hadn't spoken, they could only accompany him.

Actually, Long Chen really didn't want to go in, but the invitation was too sincere to refuse, so he had no choice but to brace himself and follow.

As Long Chen's group entered, they immediately attracted most people's attention. One reason was that Long Chen's group was basically the last to arrive.

Another reason was that this group was too unique. Tall, short, fat, thin – it was impossible not to attract attention.

"Wow, who is that? He looks so handsome, why have I never seen him before?" a woman exclaimed.

Long Chen was already handsome, though not to a world-shattering degree. But beauty needs supporting characters.

With giant "green leaves" like Fatty Yu and Monkey as a contrast, even Shi Feng, with his dark complexion, looked much more handsome.

"You don't know? That's Long Chen, the heir of Marquis Zhenyuan, Long Chen!"

"Heavens, he's Long Chen? The Long Chen hailed as the number one of the younger generation in the Phoenix Cry Empire?"

"I heard he's also a Pill Apprentice, and it's rumored he might become Master Yun Qi's first disciple!"

Countless discussions arose. Many women secretly looked at Long Chen, whispering amongst themselves, while some bolder ones even started shouting his name.

Sweat trickled down my face. Long Chen had never seen such a scene. Even with his thick skin, he was still a bit overwhelmed.

"Brother Shi, you take the lead. Fatty, Monkey, you guys move forward a bit too."

Long Chen simply hid in the middle of the group, walking with his head down and saying nothing. This approach significantly improved the situation.

After walking for an unknown distance, they reached a field spanning about a mile. A large stage, a hundred zhang square, was erected on it.

"Long Chen, that stage is for the competition to decide the Phoenix Cry's Number One Warrior. Are you interested in trying?" Shi Feng asked with a smile.

"Not interested. I don't like fighting like a monkey," Long Chen shook his head.

"Hehe, Long Chen, now that you say that, I'm relieved," Shi Feng chuckled.

Long Chen was slightly taken aback, then understood. Shi Feng was aiming for the title of Phoenix Cry's Number One Warrior.

"May you achieve victory," Long Chen extended his fist.

Shi Feng also extended his fist and bumped Long Chen's. "Don't worry, as long as I don't have to face you, Long Chen, I'm confident."

"Holy hell, you guys are too much! Are we just going to get left behind? Come on, brothers, let's go hook up with some people while we still have time," Monkey shouted, grabbing the others and running off.

"Remember, we meet back here later," Shi Feng yelled loudly.

Not knowing if they heard him, they quickly dispersed and melted into the crowd, each going to find their own targets.

"Shi Feng, how's your cultivation now?" Long Chen asked in a low voice, seeing they were alone.

"I'm already at the peak of Blood Condensation First Heaven, and it won't be long before I can enter Blood Condensation Second Heaven," Shi Feng said gratefully.

The reason he could cultivate so quickly was all thanks to Long Chen's help. The sooner one entered the Blood Condensation Realm, the more beneficial it would be for future cultivation.

If someone only broke through to the Blood Condensation Realm at thirty, they would likely never reach Blood Condensation First Heaven in their lifetime.

Now, Shi Feng, not yet eighteen, had already broken through to the Blood Condensation Realm. He had at least a thirty percent chance of successfully reaching the Muscle Tendon Realm in the future.

The Muscle Tendon Realm was the most powerful existence in the Phoenix Cry Empire, with only three individuals in the entire Phoenix Cry Empire.

Long Chen nodded. This speed proved Shi Feng was extremely diligent. However, Long Chen had examined Shi Feng's Dantian and Spiritual Root, finding them to be only mid-to-upper tier. It was likely the Muscle Tendon Realm would be the end of his martial arts journey; there probably wasn't much hope for going any higher.

"Later, I'll refine a Foundation Solidifying Pill for you to further solidify your foundation. With your diligence, you should have a chance to advance to the Muscle Tendon Realm before you're thirty," Long Chen said.

"Long Chen, the pills you gave me last time, did you really refine them yourself?" Shi Feng asked, a mix of surprise and disbelief.

"What's so surprising? If I didn't refine them, did I just pick them up?" Long Chen asked, a little impatiently.

"No, we all thought Master Yun Qi gave them to you," Shi Feng replied honestly.

After all, Long Chen had suddenly become a Pill Apprentice, which they found hard to accept, leading to that speculation.

However, Long Chen's words today indicated that he could refine pills himself.

"Your foundation is decent now, but it's still not solid enough. The main issue is that you cultivated too hastily during the early stages of Qi Gathering.

This left some flaws in your foundation, which will cause obstacles when you try to break through to the Muscle Tendon Realm in the future.

I'll refine a Foundation Solidifying Pill for you later. While it can't completely erase those flaws, it will make it much easier for you when you attempt to reach the Muscle Tendon Realm," Long Chen explained.

"Brother, I won't say any more polite words. Just give me the word, and you can take my life anytime," Shi Feng said solemnly.

"Between brothers, saying such things is sentimental. Huh, what's that?"

Long Chen suddenly saw dozens of guards in brocade robes walking from afar, carrying large objects whose shapes he couldn't discern.

"Those are the princesses' lanterns. Every year during the Lantern Festival, the princesses personally make lanterns to pray for the Phoenix Cry Empire," Shi Feng explained.

Princesses? I should take a good look. I wonder which one Chu Yao made. However, the guards were all heading towards a huge curtain.

Clearly, they wouldn't let the crowd get a sneak peek before the show started. As these guards arrived, more guards entered and surrounded a prominent seating area.

The seating area faced the stage and everyone else. As the guards entered, the men and women who had been chatting idly all rushed over.

Like a tide, the area that had countless empty seats was suddenly filled. It was better for the women; if they didn't get a seat, a single flirtatious glance at a man was enough to secure one.

The men, however, could only stand far behind and watch. Even Fatty Yu and the others could only glare helplessly. They had been busy chasing girls, and all the good seats were taken, leaving them to stand by the side.

Just as everyone had settled down, a Phoenix Carriage appeared. Suddenly, a loud shout rang out, and all the guards knelt.

"The Empress Dowager has arrived!"