Chapter 153 - Devil Sword Finger!

There were two more days till the inner family qualifiers.

Based on Long Chen’s past speed, two days were not enough to master an advanced Black-tier combat technique. However, Ling Xi was the owner of the technique and had cultivated it before, so she had some experience with it. With her personal guidance and Long Chen’s extraordinary talent, he succeeded before the qualifiers began.

“An advanced Black-tier combat technique, the Devil Sword Finger ...”

This technique surpassed the Burning Devil Sun Fist and was now Long Chen’s most powerful skill. It was a formidable killing technique.

This was both a finger and sword technique. Long Chen had mastered the Typhoon Nine Fingers before and previously witnessed the Bai family’s Abyssal Heaven Finger. But the Devil Sword Finger was much stronger than those two finger techniques.

There was a powerful sword technique merged into this finger technique, so although its destructive abilities were weakened slightly when it was used, its explosive strength was extremely impressive.

Although Long Chen had not formally used it yet, he knew that the Devil Sword Finger was a top-tier technique based on the movements of his Qi during cultivation. It lived up to its advanced Black-tier classification.

This was also Long Chen’s first advanced Black-tier combat technique!

After he completely digested the Devil Sword Finger’s teachings, Ling Xi returned to the Ling Xi Sword to cultivate. Long Chen walked outside to enjoy the starry night alone.

Now that I have attained the Earthly Core Realm, my Qi is the equivalent to that of a mid Earthly Core Realm cultivator when I activate the Dragon Soul Transformation. Even the most powerful participant of the qualifiers, Jin Sheng’en, is only at the mid Earthly Core Realm. There is no longer a gap in strength between us.

With that thought, Long Chen grinned as he stared at the night sky.

The Level Two Blazing Thunder Combat Body is the equivalent of an advanced Black-tier Body Tempering Combat Technique, but will it be as strong as the Molten Gold Combat Body? I also have the advanced Black-tier Devil Sword Finger now. Chu Yunxi, Jin Sheng’en, you two may be planning to force me to my knees and kill me during the qualifiers, but you just wait and see.

He stretched and enjoyed the night breeze, finally feeling more relaxed. I’m sure everyone who underestimated me will be shocked once they see my progress this time. Also ...

When he thought of Liu Lan’s beautiful curves, he grinned. I wonder if she still remembers what she said. As long as I pass the inner family qualifiers ...

Long Chen’s mood lifted along with the breeze.

***

It was the first day of the eleventh month.

The place was filled with hustle and bustle, as it was a rare, grand event.

The Lingwu family was divided into the inner and outer families. The outer families were directly controlled by the inner families and relied on them for resources.

Everyone knew that the inner families held true power within the Lingwu family.

The prodigies of the outer families had worked hard all their lives towards the sole objective of joining the inner families. The only way was through the inner family qualifiers, which were going to be held today, on the first day of the eleventh month.

There were twenty participants from the outer families, and only two prodigies would be able to qualify and enter the Eastern Dragon family.

On this day, Long Chen had left his quarters early in the morning.

There were already many people waiting outside, all of them famous figures of the Turquoise Sun Hall. The leader was naturally Liu Yuan, who was at the Heavenly Core Realm. Next to him were the Administrators, Elders, and a few more disciples who were at the Earthly Core Realm.

These were the most powerful figures of theTurquoise Sun Hall.

Long Chen would’ve thought that they were terrifying back when he had just joined the Lingwu family, but now he felt no stress despite being greeted by so many people. His attitude proved just how quickly his strength had progressed during this time. Although it would be difficult for Long Chen to enter the inner families, he was already the pride of Turquoise Sun Hall after attaining the right to enter the qualifiers.

To be honest, excluding Feng Wutian, who was the bastard son of someone from the inner family, Long Chen was the second prodigy to have been given the right to participate in the qualifiers. The first one had been Liu Lan.

This was enough to prove Long Chen’s talent.

Although Liu Yuan had no hopes for him to enter the inner family, he was already extremely pleased with Long Chen. He regarded Long Chen’s energetic look and laughed heartily. “Long Chen, it’s a big day for you! There are almost ten thousand prodigies in the outer families, yet only twenty have the right to join the qualifiers!”

When Long Chen saw that the old man wasn’t raging at him, he knew that Liu Lan had not told Liu Yuan about him selling the Purple Demonic Lizard’s Beast Soul.

He glanced at Liu Lan, who was standing silently next to Liu Yuan like a beautiful ice queen who could attract the gazes of all.

Sensing Long Chen’s eyes, she looked over. There was still a strong look of dissatisfaction and disappointment in her eyes. She still couldn’t forgive him for selling the Purple Demonic Lizard’s Beast Soul.

“Let’s go; we must hurry. I’ll take you to the Turquoise Imperial Hall to meet the Grand Elder of the Turquoise family!”

Today was a big day for the Turquoise Sun Hall. Liu Yuan had the chance to stand proudly alongside the other Sect Elders, so he was naturally glowing with joy.

“This way, Sect Elder!”

“All the best, Long Chen! Make the Turquoise Sun Hall proud! Even if you can’t join the inner family, you must fight to pass the first round!”

“That’s right! You only need to be a bit smarter during the Heaven’s Path round. Do your best to avoid other people and you’ll stand a chance!”

Only Liu Yuan and Liu Lan would accompany Long Chen to the qualifiers.

That was why the father-daughter duo was clad in luxurious attire. Liu Lan had spent a long time dolling herself up with her hair coiled in a bun, her colorful dress swaying in the wind, her eyes beautifully drawn. She’s made up so beautifully today. Is she trying to send me a signal? Long Chen mused privately as he bade the other Turquoise Sun Hall members goodbye. Then the excited Liu Yuan led them out of the Turquoise Sun Hall.

When Long Chen left, the other Elders and Administrators stopped waving and looked at each other. “Do you all think Long Chen will create another miracle?”

Thinking about how powerful the other candidates were, they all shook their heads. “He has already made us proud by receiving the right to participate in the inner family qualifiers. I just hope he can maintain this glory and not lose too badly. That is already good enough to not waste the Elder’s efforts on him.”

***

“Long Chen, have you cultivated the Violet Demonic Lizard’s Beast Soul?” blurted Liu Yuan soon after they left the Turquoise Sun Hall.

Long Chen froze, glanced at the cold Liu Lan, then he replied confidently, “Don’t worry, Sect Elder. How could I disappoint you?”

Those words made Liu Yuan assume that he had indeed cultivated the Violet Demonic Lizard’s Beast Soul. Although he didn’t have a high chance of qualifying, that Beast Soul was enough for him to shine and make Liu Yuan proud. Liu Yuan was greatly content with this.

Liu Lan was annoyed at Long Chen’s shamelessness in blatantly lying to Liu Yuan. What’s the use of lying to my father now? Let’s see how you’ll humiliate yourself when your opponent attacks you and you’re not able to use the Beast Soul Transformation!

Liu Lan didn’t understand how Long Chen, the prodigy who had shocked her with his talent, had to resort to lies to maintain his halo today.

She walked in front wordlessly with a smirk on her face.

“You’re saying you’ve succeeded in cultivating it? Long Chen, why don’t you transform once for me now? Could you show me the Violet Demonic Lizard’s Beast Soul?”

Long Chen smiled awkwardly and said, “Sect Elder, there’s no need for that. The Violet Demonic Lizard was a gift from you! I think it’ll make a better impression if I use it during the qualifiers to defeat an opponent!”

Long Chen was currently a precious darling to Liu Yuan, and despite being very curious, the Sect Elder had to act like a dignified elder, so he just waved and said generously, “As you wish!”

“Thank you, Sect Elder!”

Liu Lan was speechless.

She had initially wanted to turn around and scold Long Chen, but she realized that there was no need for it. Seeing as he’s actually a liar, I should let him destroy his own reputation. Why would I need to intervene?

Shaking her head, Liu Lan maintained her cold demeanor.

He looked at her from behind. Of course, he knew what she was thinking. When the time comes, I’ll give you a surprise, you stupid woman. How dare you use me as a human shield?! I’ll teach you a lesson, Long Chen style!

He smirked to himself, then turned to Liu Yuan next to him and asked, “Sect Elder, may I ask what Heaven's Path is?”

“I was just about to talk to you about the qualifiers, but you got to it first. Be patient, listen to my explanation.”

Liu Yuan cleared his throat. “Today’s qualifiers aren't much different from the past. There are two rounds in total, namely Heaven’s Path and the Mortal Caves.”

“Heaven’s Path? Mortal Caves?”

“That’s right. The location of the qualifiers isn’t in Lingwu City or the Heavenly Martial Realm. It’s located on the Western border of Yuanling County in a mountain range known as the Nine Devil Mountains, specifically Mortal Devil Mountain.”

“Oh, it’s not in Yuanling City?”

Long Chen was privately surprised. It showed that the scale of the qualifiers was huge if the event was going to take place in the Nine Devil Mountains at the edge of Yuanling County.

“Mortal Devil Mountain is ten thousand meters tall. It is vast and edgeless, magnificently tall as it touches the clouds. There are countless caves located at its peak, known as the Mortal Caves! They make for a brutal training ground as they are not only home to vicious demonic beasts, but the terrain is also treacherous. That is why it is the chosen location for the inner family qualifiers.”

Long Chen had never heard of this ten thousand-meter-tall mountain. Just from this alone, he knew how much resources the Lingwu family had put into the event!

The names of the places alone were enough to invoke fear.

“Now, let me explain in more detail. First, Heaven’s Path!”

Liu Yuan looked solemn. It was obvious that he also wanted Long Chen to treat the inner family qualifiers seriously.