Chapter 41: The Destined Son-in-Law (3) |
Half a month later, Su Chen's cultivation reached the peak of Spirit Gathering. To break through to the Spirit Vein Realm, he needed a Spirit Vein. Spirit Veins only appeared on demon beasts at the Spirit Vein Realm or higher.
Su Chen emerged from seclusion just as Xia Yingyue came looking for him. She had heard that he defeated her younger brother. Though Xia Chenfeng's strength was only average, in a small place like Green River City, he was undeniably a genius.
"Mu Chen, I hope you will participate in this Green River Grand Competition. With your current strength, securing a good ranking should be no problem at all."
Xia Yingyue spoke earnestly to him. The outstanding aptitude Su Chen had displayed meant that as long as he cultivated seriously, his future was boundless. As his fiancée, she naturally wanted him to become better—stronger, more exceptional.
Su Chen was no stranger to competitions like this. He agreed without hesitation. Even with just his toes, he could guess that—barring any surprises—this grand competition would definitely produce surprises.
For a Child of Destiny, surprises usually came hand in hand with opportunities. And even if that opportunity wasn't meant for him, Su Chen still wanted to fight for it. When Xia Chenfeng learned that Su Chen was entering the competition, he was stunned.
Uncle Xia, on the other hand, was overjoyed. Over the years, he had long since come to regard Su Chen as his own son. In fact, Su Chen's place in his heart ranked even higher than Xia Chenfeng's.
Three days later, the Green River Grand Competition began. The so-called "grand competition" was actually a demon beast hunt held in the demon forest outside Green River City. The more demon beasts a participant killed—and the stronger those beasts—the higher their ranking. The only condition was to survive until the end.
The major families of Green River City had long since driven out every demon beast at the Spirit Vein Realm or above from this area. What remained were only low-level creatures at Spirit Awakening and Spirit Gathering.
Fang Bubai also noticed Su Chen. He clearly remembered that just over half a month earlier, this same guy had tried to assault one of his female friends, only to be taught a harsh lesson by him.
Just moments ago, his master had sent a divine sense transmission, warning him to be extra cautious around this "former defeated opponent."
"Could it be that he has some kind of fortuitous encounter too, just like me?"
Noticing Fang Bubai staring fixedly at him, Su Chen quietly slipped behind the crowd of Xia family juniors. It wasn't that he feared Fang Bubai would discover his secret. He simply found it awkward for one grown man to keep staring intently at another grown man.
Green River City was neither too large nor too small. Three major powers were recruiting disciples this time.
The Water Cloud Sect, represented by Xia Yingyue. The Martial Mansion of the Great Yan Dynasty. And a force called the Blazing Fire Mansion. The competition commenced. Su Chen followed the younger generation of the Xia family into the forest.
"Interesting. I've been targeted so quickly?"
Su Chen gave a faint smile. Someone was coveting the secret they believed he possessed—some heaven-defying opportunity. He had anticipated this possibility. He just hadn't expected them to be so blatant about it.
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Pretending ignorance, Su Chen found a relatively secluded spot.
"You can all stop hiding now. Come out together."
He spoke calmly toward the trees behind him.
Rustling sounds answered.
Figures emerged from the tall grass, from behind thick trunks, and even dropped down from the branches. Twelve people in total surrounded him.
"Mu Chen, you really do have an opportunity! Hand it over quickly. If you do, we might spare your life."
Su Chen looked genuinely puzzled. "Opportunity? What opportunity? I just picked up a fruit and ate it."
The group exchanged glances.
"A fruit? Could it be one of those legendary spirit fruits that can cleanse the meridians and marrow?"
Su Chen spread his hands helplessly, indicating he had no idea. When they learned his so-called "opportunity" was nothing more than a single spirit fruit—and that he had already consumed it—their disappointment was palpable.
"Kill him. We can't let him live!"
"Mu Chen, if you must blame someone, blame the fact that some people in this world are simply beyond your reach!"
They refused to back down and pressed forward with killing intent.
Facing their onslaught, Su Chen remained perfectly calm. A long spear materialized in his hand. As he spun it, the weapon moved like interwoven shadows of thunder and lightning. In an instant, he pierced straight through the heads of the first few attackers.
Fresh blood sprayed across his face, staining his jade-like features.
"Why seek death?"
Su Chen sighed. Bullying these youngsters held no satisfaction at all. Yet he still had to eliminate every last one. His terrifying strength froze the group in an instant. An indescribable fear spread through their hearts.
Unfortunately, it was already too late. In mere moments, twelve people were reduced to one survivor.
A familiar face, so Su Chen spared him—for the time being. He strolled unhurriedly toward the youth collapsed on the ground. The long spear slid between the young man's legs and stabbed straight into the earth right at his crotch. A stream of yellowish urine poured out, filling the air with a foul stench.
Just barely missed.
Su Chen shot him a disgusted glance before slowly crouching down.
The youth swallowed hard, trembling with terror. "Mu Chen… you can't kill me."
"I ask. You answer."
The youth nodded frantically.
Seeing how cooperative he was, Su Chen continued, "Why were you all so determined to kill me? Who gave the order?"
The youth looked stunned and shook his head repeatedly. "No one ordered it. I was just greedy for the opportunity you had…"
"?"
Su Chen lifted the spear, pointed it forward, then slammed it down hard. The razor-sharp tip made the youth curl into himself. Cold sweat poured down his body. He could clearly feel how icy the spearhead was—and the sticky warmth of blood. A chill spread between his legs.
The youth forced a bitter smile. "Mu Chen… you're too ruthless. After all our friendship, you don't have to go this far, do you?"
Su Chen sneered inwardly. The youth before him was the youngest son of the city lord's mansion—a textbook spoiled playboy who had often run around with the original Mu Chen. He had constantly egged Mu Chen on to ruin his ties with the Xia family and force an annulment with Xia Yingyue.
Su Chen yanked the spear free, took aim, and prepared to thrust.
"Mu Chen, I'll talk! I'll tell you everything!"
Seeing that Su Chen meant business, the youth blurted it out to save himself.
"It was Big Brother! He likes Xia Yingyue and doesn't want her to marry you, so he arranged for you to disappear during this trial!"
Su Chen nodded. "I see."
He drove the spear down in one clean thrust.
Disbelief still lingered in the youth's eyes as the spear pierced straight through his skull. His body slumped lifelessly to the ground.
Su Chen wiped the blood from the spear with a white cloth. "Looks like I need to get myself a spirit weapon."
Cleaning a mortal weapon after every kill was far too troublesome. He stripped the youth of everything valuable, then his gaze flickered as he turned and left. The heavy scent of blood would soon draw demon beasts to devour the corpses and erase all traces.
In a hidden corner nearby, a translucent, illusory figure hovered above Fang Bubai's head, watching the direction Su Chen had gone. It murmured, "So that's how it is. The kid actually has some luck. After you beat him, he managed to stumble upon a legendary spirit fruit."
Fang Bubai stepped out from the bushes. "Master, do you believe what he said?"
"I don't entirely, but this world has never lacked fortunate ones. Little Bubai, you'd best pray you don't run into him head-on during this competition."
The old man's eyes glinted with amusement.
Fang Bubai's expression remained confident. "Master, even if we meet, the one who loses will only be him!"
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