Scam the Young, Then Scam the Old

Hun Xuzi?

Venerable Jiyin had never heard of this name; after all, Hun Xuzi was the Soul Clan's premier alchemist, and a formidable contender for the title of the greatest alchemist on the entire Dou Qi Continent.

He was far beyond the reach of what a mere Dou Zun like him could know.

"My master's philosophy is rooted in the art of raising gu."

Ning Chen's voice was calm and ripple-free.

"He believes that flowers in a greenhouse cannot withstand the wind and rain. A true genius must be placed on the edge of life and death, forged through ten thousand tribulations, before they can become a vessel of worth."

"After all, it was by lurking in Danta for many years that his venerable self achieved his current standing."

"Therefore, he placed a restriction upon me: to travel and train outside the clan for ten years. Within these ten years, I must forcibly suppress my cultivation to the Dou Wang realm. Unless it is a matter of life and death or the refining of medicinal pills, I am strictly forbidden from using my original strength. All crises must be resolved through the strength, intellect, and methods available at this realm. After ten years..."

Ning Chen paused.

"I must reach the level of an eighth-tier, five-color pill lightning alchemist. Only then can I break the restriction and return to the clan. If I fail, it shall be considered that I have perished in the outside world, and no one will ask after me."

Ten years! An eighth-tier, five-color pill lightning alchemist!

These words, when strung together, exploded in Venerable Jiyin's mind like a thunderclap!

He did not know who Hun Xuzi was, but he knew exactly what an eighth-tier, five-color alchemist meant!

To go from... in this Dou Wang state, to reach the level of an eighth-tier, five-color pill lightning alchemist within ten years?!

What kind of concept was that?!

That Yao Zunzhe, Yao Chen, was a peerless talent who shook the continent, yet even he did not reach the eighth tier at such a young age or under such harsh conditions, did he?!

Was the Soul Clan's method of cultivation truly this... this terrifying and extreme?!

Following the shock came an even deeper sense of realization and awe!

No wonder! No wonder his aura was only that of a Dou Wang!

It turned out to be the strict order and restriction imposed by a senior of his clan!

No wonder he could be so composed, remaining calm and collected even when facing a Dou Zun-level existence like himself. In his eyes, what was a Dou Zun from a branch hall?

He probably had Dou Zun powerhouses serving as his assistants to help him refine pills since he was a child!

Every doubt seemed perfectly reasonable under this explanation!

In fact, these extreme, harsh conditions and this cruel, gu-raising style of training were even more consistent with his imagination of the Soul Clan—mysterious, powerful, and unscrupulous!

Ning Chen took in Venerable Jiyin's reaction, a faint smile hidden in his heart.

Yet, his face maintained that slightly helpless expression, as if he were confiding a forced predicament.

"I originally intended to find a quiet place in the Northwest Continent to hone my skills in silence, not wanting to use the power of the Soul Hall to avoid any suspicion of taking shortcuts and violating my master's original intent."

He sighed, his gaze sweeping over Venerable Jiyin as if by chance.

"However, the Tie Protector's hospitality was hard to refuse, and he sought me out personally. It just so happened that I found a woman with the Woeful Poison Body who may be of great use in the future, so I let the Tie Protector collect poison manuals and find a suitable place to stay, just to save myself a great deal of trouble."

"And since the ten-year period is neither long nor short, taking a few minor shortcuts occasionally... I imagine my master would be understanding, right?"

Listening to Ning Chen's logical, well-founded words, and observing the subtle, seemingly genuine shifts in his expression.

Venerable Jiyin felt an immense sense of fortune and burning excitement!

It turned out that the person before him was a seed of the Soul Clan, one who was highly valued and currently undergoing brutal core training!

He was someone who, in the future, was highly likely to become an eighth-tier, five-color, or even higher-ranked grandmaster alchemist!

How could this be a source of trouble or a suspicious character?

This was clearly a golden thigh that, if embraced, could lead to a meteoric rise!

Seeing this, Ning Chen struck while the iron was hot, continuing to deepen Venerable Jiyin's trust.

"I know that mere words are far from enough to make one believe. My master is the chief alchemist of the clan, and you have no way of accessing information about him."

"How about this? It just so happens that my realm is similar to yours, so why don't we spar? After all, anything can be faked, but strength cannot."

Ning Chen had no idea what Jiyin's realm was, but that didn't matter; even if he were a Nine-Turn Dou Zun, their realms would have to be "similar"!

The Soul Clan's chief alchemist?!

He was numb, completely numb.

With Ning Chen taking the initiative to suggest a spar, all the doubts in Venerable Jiyin's heart vanished. If, even after all this, the person before him was still a fake, then he truly had no way of knowing.

He could only say that this tribulation was destined for him.

If it didn't come today, it would come later.

Furthermore, Jiyin did not believe for a second that Ning Chen was lying.

"Since the young master has such an elegant interest, then Jiyin will not decline. I ask that the young master please show mercy later."

A moment later, in an open area behind the Wanxie Sect.

Venerable Jiyin and Ning Chen stood facing each other, a hundred feet apart.

Venerable Jiyin took a deep breath. Although he had already accepted the other party's identity in his heart, a spar was still a spar, and he dared not hold back too much, lest it appear disrespectful.

He was now at the two-star Dou Zun level, so he would treat this seriously with the strength of a two-star Dou Zun, and it would be a good opportunity to see exactly what this "Young Master Hun Chen" was capable of.

"Young Master, be careful!"

Venerable Jiyin let out a low shout, his aura climbing abruptly as the majestic pressure belonging to a Dou Zun spread outward.

He raised his right hand, fingers curled into a claw, and a pitch-black energy sphere instantly condensed, swirling continuously as if countless tiny, grieving souls were wailing within it.

Nether Soul Explosion!

"Go!"

The energy sphere left his hand. Initially only the size of a fist, it frantically absorbed the surrounding light and energy as it flew, rapidly expanding to a diameter of several feet. It tore through space with a low, mournful wail, hurtling straight toward Ning Chen!

This strike was enough to instantly annihilate an ordinary high-level Dou Zong!

Facing this swift and terrifying attack, Ning Chen's expression remained calm, as if he had anticipated it all along.

He did not dodge, but instead slowly raised his right hand, palm facing the sky.

System, special effects!

As he silently commanded in his heart, the aura around him changed abruptly!

The peaceful, restrained energy vanished in an instant, and the terrifying Dou Qi of a peak two-star Dou Zun erupted with a roar!

Thick leaden clouds gathered from nowhere, pressing down heavily overhead. Within the clouds, dark lightning flickered like dragons and snakes, emitting a dull, rumbling sound.

Ning Chen's raised right palm flicked toward the incoming pitch-black energy sphere, appearing effortless and casual.

"Break."

As if his words held the power of law, a bolt of pitch-black lightning, as thick as a water barrel and deep as ink, suddenly struck down from the clouds!

It hit the expanding Nether Soul Explosion sphere with pinpoint accuracy!

"BOOM--!!!"

A deafening explosion rang out!

At the center where the black lightning and the black sphere collided, space twisted violently, erupting with a blinding, intense light of energy!

A violent shockwave spread in a ring, slamming fiercely against the surrounding defensive formations and stirring up ripples!

As the light faded and the energy subsided, Ning Chen remained in his post-strike posture, his robes fluttering, completely unscathed.

Opposite him, Venerable Jiyin had not retreated a single step, but the Nether Soul Explosion, a move capable of killing a high-level Dou Zong, had vanished without a trace!

A draw!

No! In Venerable Jiyin's estimation, Ning Chen's strength was definitely above his own!

But that made sense; the man was, after all, a genius talent heavily cultivated by the Soul Clan. It was only natural that he would be stronger than him.

"Young Master's divine might! Jiyin is impressed!"

Venerable Jiyin immediately retracted all his Dou Qi and bowed deeply.

"In that last strike, I gave it my all, yet I could not shake the Young Master in the slightest. To continue fighting would be futile; I concede defeat!"

At this moment, Tie Protector, Xie Biyan, and Little Fairy Doctor, having heard the massive commotion, rushed over.

Little Fairy Doctor was the first to fly over, grabbing Ning Chen's arm in a panic to inspect him from head to toe.

"Ning... Hun Chen! Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

Ning Chen smiled warmly and gently patted the back of her hand.

"It is nothing, just a friendly exchange of pointers with Venerable Jiyin."

Venerable Jiyin also hurriedly stepped in to explain.

"Fairy, rest assured. The Young Master's cultivation is heaven-defying. Even with me going all out, I could not harm him in the slightest. On the contrary, I have gained much from this."

He turned to the approaching Tie Protector and Xie Biyan, his tone turning serious.

"Did you both see clearly? The Young Master is an honored guest of our Soul Hall, and his status is immensely noble! In the future, within the Northwest Continent, any command from the Young Master is to be treated as if I were here in person! You must serve him with all your heart and strength, and there must be no negligence! If there is any error, I will not be lenient!"

"Yes! We will strictly follow the Venerable's orders!"

Tie Protector and Xie Biyan hurriedly bowed in acknowledgment, their awe and reverence for Ning Chen reaching its peak.

If even Venerable Jiyin held such an attitude, the background of this "Young Master Hun Chen" was truly terrifying!

Once everyone's emotions had settled, Venerable Jiyin exchanged a few more words with Ning Chen regarding cultivation insights, and the atmosphere remained harmonious.

Seeing that the time was ripe, Ning Chen signaled for Venerable Jiyin to step aside for a private word.

After the two reached a secluded spot, Ning Chen's expression became somewhat serious.

"Venerable Jiyin, I am speaking frankly with you today because I trust you."

Ning Chen got straight to the point, his voice dropping a few decibels.

"The ten-year deadline may seem long, but if one wishes to reach the eighth-rank five-color level, soul power is of the utmost importance. Unfortunately, progress has been slow."

"Therefore... I require external assistance to accelerate this process."

Venerable Jiyin felt a chill in his heart, vaguely guessing what was coming.

"The Young Master means..."