Chapter 86: The Price

"Bang!"

The clone struck out with dozens of palms, sending surges of force exploding in all directions.

Xu Chen miscalculated and was struck on the back by the clone as it closed in on him.

In an instant, his entire being burst into a mist of blood.

His consciousness then reformed within the sacred white space.

Sitting cross-legged, Xu Chen began to reflect on his defeat.

"In that pitch-black space, I can't bring my strengths into play at all. I have to find a way to illuminate it."

He looked toward the wooden door inscribed with the Art of Forging, which was still sealed.

"Glowstones, Crimson Melt Ore, Red Phosphor Iron—those should let me forge a luminous blade."

"Too bad the door to the Art of Forging is sealed."

Just as he finished speaking, Xu Chen was astonished to discover the door had unlocked itself.

"Eh? What does this mean?"

"Could it be that the forging formula I just mentioned was acknowledged by the Art of Forging?"

Curious, Xu Chen pushed open the wooden door.

"Please forge a Molten Flame Blade of at least quality ninety."

The scene shifted, and the materials he’d just mentioned appeared before him.

"Now this is interesting..."

Following his own idea, Xu Chen began crafting the Molten Flame Blade.

With his current mastery—able to create perfect Thousand-Forged Blades—he forged a suitable Molten Flame Blade in no time.

It was a vivid red blade, glowing faintly even in utter darkness.

The number 90 shimmered above the weapon, and Xu Chen smiled.

Just as he prepared to enter the Insight World, a flood of enlightenment surged directly into his mind.

"Strange, there’s no transition sequence this time?"

Not thinking too much of it, Xu Chen forged two more Molten Flame Blades.

Strapping them to his back, he once again pushed open the gate to the Stellar Body-Tempering Technique.

Darkness. Silence. Depths unfathomable.

The clone stood unmoving, gazing quietly at the distant, brilliant river of stars.

"Continue the battle," Xu Chen commanded, drawing the Molten Flame Blade from his back.

Streams of force flowed from his palm, caressing the blade’s edge.

In an instant, the blade blazed with a dazzling red glow, illuminating the space around Xu Chen.

By its light, he could finally see the outline of the clone lurking in the dark.

"Not in the mood to play with you—go to hell!"

The clone rose, launching dozens of palms at Xu Chen, each blow forceful as a bullet train, barreling toward him.

With the blade’s red glow, Xu Chen dodged with ease and was about to press his advantage when—

Behind the clone, a towering spectral figure—a Star Titan, twenty fathoms high—manifested and brought its palm crashing down toward Xu Chen.

Xu Chen tried to evade at top speed, but he was always a fraction too slow; the Titan’s palm descended.

The force swept over him like a tidal wave, enveloping his entire body.

Though the force didn’t invade his body, it pressed upon him like a mountain.

In that moment, even taking a single step was an ordeal for Xu Chen.

The Star Titan raised its hand again for another blow.

"Bang!!"

Xu Chen exploded once more.

His consciousness gathered again in the sacred white space.

"This is damn ridiculous!" Xu Chen couldn’t help cursing.

"It’s hopeless at this stage. I’ll come back when my strength surpasses three or four Dragons."

After a silent review, Xu Chen drew this conclusion.

At dawn, Xu Chen cultivated the Ninefold Soul Reforging Technique in the small plaza.

In the distance, Niu Dali wielded the new dumbbells Xu Chen had made for him, practicing a variety of complex movements.

Closer by, Little Fox Yue was cultivating her clan’s unique Blood and Qi Foundation Technique.

Each trained without disturbing the others.

Just as Xu Chen felt himself making progress with the Ninefold Soul Reforging, his disciple token suddenly vibrated.

He took it out and found a message from an unfamiliar senior sister, arranging to meet him at the largest teahouse in the Human Clan’s grand marketplace.

"How odd."

Xu Chen dismissed it as a nuisance and continued his cultivation.

But before long, another message arrived.

He stopped and, frowning, replied to the message.

Yet the senior sister messaged once more.

"Dammit, why doesn’t this disciple token have a block function?" Xu Chen couldn’t help but grumble.

In the grand marketplace of the Daxi Sect, Xu Chen found the teahouse.

There, a senior sister with a seductive figure and alluring features awaited him.

As soon as she saw Xu Chen enter, her eyes lit up.

"Junior brother, please, come in. You’re not easy to pin down," she said with a slight smile.

"Senior sister, you are certainly persistent."

Though she was undeniably beautiful, the hint of world-weariness in her eyes left Xu Chen unmoved.

"Junior brother Xu Chen, I am Li Caiyun, a collateral member of the Li Clan of Thunder Prefecture."

"I invited you here today to propose a collaboration."

A spark of intelligence flickered in Li Caiyun’s gaze as she looked Xu Chen up and down.

"Senior sister, I wish to focus on my cultivation. Best to leave cooperation aside," Xu Chen replied politely, noting her cultivation in the Treasure Body Realm.

"Seems someone has already beaten me to the punch. Still, won’t you at least hear my terms?"

"I have a younger sister, just eighteen, of exceptional talent and charming beauty. I wish to marry her to you."

"What’s more, I guarantee that within a year, she will bear the bloodline of your Xu family."

"In addition, we’ll grant you, in one lump sum, the resources necessary to reach the Void Return stage in cultivation."

"If anything unexpected should happen, my Li Clan will still nurture your bloodline to the Void Return stage."

"All of this can be sealed with a Human Dao contract," Li Caiyun concluded, watching Xu Chen with evident satisfaction.

Ever since her family had assigned her this task, Xu Chen had been the most satisfactory candidate—lacking in background, but with formidable combat strength at his level, and only the minor inconvenience of a friend in the Imperial Dao Palace.

With a sufficient price, he could be easily controlled.

"Senior sister, the price for selling my life is rather low," Xu Chen remarked as he toyed with his disciple token.

"Let’s add another term. Your father on the front lines at Hill City—my Li Clan will provide him with resources to reach the Spirit Nurturing stage," Li Caiyun offered, as if it were already part of her plan.

"I’ve heard that with a sliver of soul and the aid of a Golden Immortal’s power, plus some contribution to the Human Clan, one can reincarnate and cultivate anew. Why isn’t that among your conditions?" Xu Chen asked, sipping his spirit tea languidly.

At these words, a trace of mockery flickered in Li Caiyun’s eyes.

"The Golden Immortals are the foundation of our people—their power is not to be used lightly," she explained.

"I appreciate your kindness, senior sister," Xu Chen replied, setting down his teacup and preparing to leave.

"Wait."

"Cai Shi, come in and share some tea with Junior Brother Xu."

A young woman entered, her long hair sleek and smooth, dressed in a colorful gown. Her figure was not overtly alluring, but every aspect was perfectly proportioned.

Her face, with the innocence of first love and a hint of baby fat, stirred something in Xu Chen.

Li Caishi walked gracefully to him and poured him a cup of tea.

"Senior Brother Xu, please have some tea."

Her eyes held a gentle affection, her voice soft as a spring drizzle, melodious as a nightingale’s first song.

For a moment, Xu Chen thought this life would not be so bad after all—but it was only a fleeting thought.

Just then, Li Chengfu burst through the door.

"Li Caiyun, you’re out of line!"