Chapter 62
Chapter 62: Direct Disciple Gathering
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Zhang Chen activated the Blood Escape Technique and turned into a streak of blood light flying towards the gathering location.
On the way, he saw several other streaks of blood flying in the same direction, likely other disciples of the clan who were also attending the gathering. Underneath a massive mountain peak, Zhang Chen’s form emerged as he landed
There were dozens of other disciples around him, all wearing the traditional garb of direct disciples. Despite their imposing presence, they were all engaged in activities that were akin to those of merchants.
“Selling a middle-grade magic sword, interested parties can come find me to discuss.”
“I need a large quantity of blood essence, willing to trade with magic tools, spells, pills, or rare materials.”
“Selling a copy of a Buddhist scripture that can reduce the impact of demonic blood on the mind.”
Zhang Chen’s eyes narrowed as he spotted Hong Longguang and several other senior brothers and sisters among the crowd, so he took the initiative to greet them.
“Eldest Senior Brother, Second Senior Sister, Fourth Senior Brother, Fifth Senior Brother, Sixth Senior Brother.”
“And you’re here too, Seventh Junior Brother?” Hong Longguang, a kind and amiable old man, smiled at him.
But Zhang Chen knew better than to be deceived by appearances. “Yeah, I just came to join in the fun and broaden my horizons.”
Hong Longguang nodded. “We’re going to have some friendly sparring matches. Why don’t you come along with us, Seventh Junior Brother, and gain some experience?”
“Sparring matches?” Zhang Chen was a little puzzled.
“We, the disciples who were personally taught by the master, had conflicting interests, and we resolved them through fighting. The loser had to give up their interests,” Hong Longguang explained.
“I see. Senior Brother, may I ask what interests are in conflict this time?”
“The elders each manage different resources, but mostly let their subordinates handle them. We are in charge of managing the Beast Garden for our master.
Recently, there has been a greater demand for Foundation Establishment demon blood in the Alchemy House, supposedly to refine new pills. They want us to provide more Foundation Establishment demon blood from the Beast Garden.
However, there is no order from the sect, so it’s a private request from them. Naturally, we didn’t want to comply, and we argued for months. Finally, we decided to settle it with a fight.”
After hearing Hong Longguang’s words, Zhang Chen immediately thought that this matter should have something to do with him.
The way he obtained the Foundation Establishment demon blood was through the Alchemy House. The Alchemy House sold a large amount of Foundation Establishment demon blood to him, and naturally asked the Beast Garden for more to fill the gap.
He didn’t expect that this would cause a conflict between the two factions.
Zhang Chen followed the group and arrived at the nearby arena.
There was already a group of people waiting here.
Leading them was a middle-aged man at the ninth level of the Foundation Establishment realm. “Senior Brother Hong, let’s each send a junior brother of similar cultivation level to fight.
“If you lose, I’ll increase the distribution of Foundation Establishment demon blood by 20 percent. If I lose, I’ll give you 20 percent of the pill distribution.” “We’ll do as you say, Junior Brother Gu.” Hong Longguang agreed.
“Eldest Senior Brother, let me go this time.” The person who spoke was the fourth senior brother at the sixth level of Foundation Establishment, Xu Zhenling.
Hong Longguang nodded and said to the opposite side, “We’ll each send a junior brother at the sixth level of Foundation Establishment to fight.”
“No problem. Next, we’ll wait for Chief Eldest Senior Brother to come and witness our agreement on both sides.” The other side agreed readily.
The Chief Eldest Senior Brother was the eldest disciple of the sect.
The position of Chief Eldest Senior Brother was not fixed. All ninth level Foundation Establishment cultivators could compete for it.
Every 10 years, a competition would be held to compete for the position of Chief Eldest Senior Brother.
“The Alchemy House and the Beast Garden are going to fight. Let’s go and watch!”
Many direct disciples noticed the situation here and came over to join in the fun.
“Is anyone taking bets?”
“I’ll do it. I bet on the Alchemy House winning, 1:1. I bet on the Beast Garden winning, 1:3.”
“Do you accept spirit stones?”
“I’ll accept spirit stones, magic tools, and spell manuals, but I’ll evaluate them and compensate you with blood essence.”
“Alright, I’ll bet 100 spirit stones on the Alchemy House winning.”
From the odds, it was clear that the crowd favored the Alchemy House.
This was because practitioners of the Alchemy House could use various medicinal pills to speed up their cultivation or reduce the side effects of their cultivation techniques.
Not long after, a handsome and wicked-looking youth with a slightly red mark on his forehead landed on the stage amidst a flash of blood.
“Chief Senior Brother.” Everyone quickly bowed in respect.
The chief disciple looked indifferent as he looked at Hong Longguang and the direct disciple from the Gu Family. “Are you two sure about this contest?”
“Please serve as the notary public, Senior Brother,” Hong Longguang said with a bow.
The chief said plainly, “In that case, I’ll serve as the notary public. As usual, no matter who wins, I will take 10 percent of the winner’s gains.”
“Understood.” Hong Longguang and the other man agreed.
“Good. Now, send your representatives to the stage.”
Xu Zhenling jumped onto the arena. On the other side, a sixth-level Foundation Establishment direct disciple also went on stage.
“Xu Zhenling, fourth disciple of Elder Blood River.”
“Fifth disciple of Elder Blood Flame, Cheng Baosheng.”
After introducing themselves, the chief disciple waved his hand and four small flags flew out and landed at the four corners of the stage. He then made a hand gesture.
“Array, activate!”
The flags emitted a bright light, forming a barrier that enveloped the entire stage.
“The contest begins!” The chief disciple announced before leaving the stage.
“Kill!” Xu Zhenling suddenly burst forth with a tremendous killing intent and drew his sword.
A grayish-red sword beam condensed from his killing intent rushed towards his opponent.
Cheng Baosheng responded by slapping his hand, creating a huge blood-colored palm print that exuded a stunning heat.
“Boom!”
The two forces collided, unleashing a raging gust of wind and sand.
And this was just a probing attack.
The spectators below began to discuss and speculate.
“It seems like Xu Zhenling is using the Killing Demon Scripture. The more he kills, the stronger he becomes. Without strong willpower, he will easily fall into a killing spree. Judging by the level of his sword energy, he must have killed tens of thousands of living beings.”
“No wonder his killing intent is so strong. Cheng Baosheng, on the other hand, seems to be using the Blood Boiling Scripture.
“That’s right. The Blood Boiling Scripture can absorb heat and fire poison. His blood is like boiling water, and he has no fear of flames. They have a unique advantage in cultivating this method in the Alchemy House, but they have to endure the pain of boiling blood every once in a while.”
“Who do you think will win?”
“I think Cheng Baosheng has a better chance of winning. He has already integrated heat and poison into his blood, while Xu Zhenling’s blood has no such attributes.”
Listening to the discussions around him, Zhang Chen gained a lot of insight.
“Kill! Kill! Kill!…
On the stage, Xu Zhenling slashed dozens of swords in an instant, creating a gray-red sword web that blocked all of Cheng Baosheng’s retreat paths. Zhang Chen realized that Xu Zhenling had used the Blood Burst Technique to enhance his arms, allowing him to slash dozens of swords in an instant.
Cheng Baosheng opened both hands, and blood overflowed from his body, forming a blood curtain that enveloped him..
Unlike ordinary blood, his blood was like boiling water, constantly boiling and emitting a stunning heat.
“Bang, bang, bang…” Streaks of grayish-red sword light slashed at the blood curtain.
Although the blood curtain was sturdy, it could not withstand so many sword lights.
“Pfft, pfft, pfft!”
The blood curtain shattered, and three sword beams landed on Cheng Baosheng, instantly cutting him into three pieces.
However, Cheng Baosheng’s expression was very calm.
Blood Body Undying Attribute activated!