Chapter 244: He Manzi

Three days later.

Flowing Fire Grand Transformation Cave Heaven, Bright Virtue Hall.

At this moment, sixteen people were seated within the great hall.

Shen Cheng occupied the central seat of honor, and seated to his lower right was his second younger brother, Shen Ming.

As for the seat below Shen Ming, there sat a burly, red-browed Daoist who resembled a horse-bear.

Although he possessed a strange appearance and a ferocious expression that made people afraid to approach him,

the red-browed Daoist's Qi was incomparably pure. His body was shrouded in a mist of essence, and his eyes were as brilliant as stars. Clearly, his cultivation was on par with Shen Cheng and Shen Ming; he was a Cave-Mystic Refiner who had purged his turbid qualities and condensed a Dragon-Tiger Cauldron.

Aside from these three Refiners, everyone else in the hall was at the Purple Palace realm.

At this moment.

Seeing that the seat to Shen Cheng's left remained empty,

most of the people in the hall had flickering gazes, harboring their own thoughts.

It was only out of deference to Shen Cheng that they did not reveal them.

"... Elder brother?"

Shen Ming turned his head slightly and whispered via sound transmission.

"Do not be impatient. One must have a calm spirit when facing great events."

Shen Cheng replied with a calm expression.

Seeing his elder brother's demeanor,

Shen Ming could only suppress his slightly restless thoughts, close his eyes, and wait quietly.

Before long, the sound of wind in the air grew slightly urgent.

Brilliant light flashed deep within the clouds.

Shortly after, a mass of true Qi descended into the hall in an instant, revealing the figure of a young cultivator.

"He has come!"

Shen Cheng whispered to himself, then stood up with a loud laugh to welcome him.

Shen Ming hurriedly fixed his gaze to look.

He saw that the newcomer in the hall wore unadorned white robes with wide sleeves, his hair as black as lacquer, bound by a wooden hairpin. His features were clear and cold, like fine jade.

In his every movement, there was an air of tranquility and detachment...

Although his Qi was hidden and not released, it still possessed a compelling pressure.

Like a towering mountain, deep and lush, making one unable to look up!

As Shen Ming rose to welcome him, he could not help but feel shocked and suspicious in his heart.

There had never been a shortage of those who were strong on the outside but weak on the inside in this world.

Although he knew Chen Hang's record was earned through real slaughter, those from the noble clans would not use their own lives to validate Chen Hang's great reputation.

But seeing him today,

he was even more impressive than his reputation!

"This person has not yet reached the Cave-Mystic realm, yet he could startle Yin He and Ji Yuetan into retreating. He is truly capable. Just looking at this Qi, if I were to fight him to the death, the outcome would be hard to predict..."

Shen Ming's thoughts raced.

While shocked, he also felt a great sense of relief.

Because of the need to refine the Water-Fire Well, his elder brother Shen Cheng could not leave his physical body; once he left the ten-zhang radius of the well, all previous efforts would be wasted in an instant, and he would have to start over.

When he appeared in public, it was usually just a projection of his consciousness, making it difficult to display his full capabilities.

Having lost Shen Cheng as their most important combat force,

even with two other Refiners and over a dozen Purple Palace experts on their side, the situation was becoming increasingly difficult, leaving Shen Ming feeling overwhelmed.

To have gained such a strong reinforcement as Chen Hang now,

was indeed an unexpected joy!

At this moment, after the people in the hall exchanged greetings, they chatted for a few more sentences.

As Shen Cheng gestured, Chen Hang did not stand on ceremony; he chuckled, flicked his sleeves, and sat in the first seat to Shen Cheng's left.

Seeing him sit down without hesitation, the expressions of several people in the hall turned slightly ugly. They exchanged glances but dared not speak, their gazes merely turning gloomy.

These small actions by the cultivators naturally could not escape Chen Hang's notice.

But he only gave a mocking smile in his heart and paid them no further mind.

In the eyes of some cultivators in this hall, even without Chen Hang, they might have been able to hold that Water-Fire Well.

Having one more person here,

was instead one more person to share the benefits...

And among them,

a man in green robes was the most prominent.

This person's seat was quite far forward, just below the red-browed cultivator.

Although he had not revealed anything on the surface and had remained calm and indifferent to all external matters,

after Chen Hang sat down, his pupils still shrank imperceptibly, clearly showing his unease.

As for those gloomy-eyed cultivators, they also cast their gazes toward the man in green robes intentionally or unintentionally.

It was self-evident who the leader connecting them was.

However, facing this situation,

Chen Hang felt nothing, only finding it quite inexplicable.

That man in green robes was only at the third layer of the Purple Palace, not even a Cave-Mystic Refiner; he did not know what reliance he had to adopt such a posture.

He cast his gaze toward Shen Cheng.

Just then,

Shen Cheng also turned his eyes to look over.

The two exchanged a glance. An apologetic expression appeared on Shen Cheng's face, and disregarding his status, he immediately cupped his hands.

In front of everyone in the hall, he was the first to drain the wine in his cup, casting an ashamed look.

Seeing this, Chen Hang found it difficult to be too aggressive, so he smiled slightly and raised his cup as well.

Shen Ming and the red-browed cultivator were not fools; naturally, they would not dampen the mood and hurriedly began to host the guests.

Under the intentional easing of the atmosphere by several people,

for a time, cups were exchanged, and the atmosphere in the great hall became lively.

Although the red-browed cultivator looked ferocious, he was witty in speech and truly a marvelous person. With him here, the atmosphere never turned cold.

When the wine was half-finished,

seeing that everyone had a bit of intoxication on their faces,

the green-robed youth finally could not hold back. He set his wine cup down slightly, looked at Chen Hang, and cupped his hands:

"I heard that Chen Xiao Shixiong once defeated Sima Quantong and a group of noble clan members in public, greatly boosting the prestige of us sect disciples, and was praised by the Upper Sect Elders as 'Victor of Dharma Battles'?"

"May I ask who this is?"

"He Manzi!"

The green-robed youth pressed his hand on his sword and stood up, his eyes burning:

"Although Chen Xiao Shixiong gained great fame at that so-called Pot-Cup Dharma Assembly, that was ultimately just a display of Qi weapons, not true skill! Forgive my bluntness, but He does not believe that someone could startle two Refiners into not daring to approach after killing over a dozen cultivators of the same realm. I have also dealt with Yin He and Ji Yuetan; those two are not fools.

I suspect Chen Xiao Shixiong must have used some external means, right?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Hang smiled and said:

"Brother He's meaning is that you wish to test my skills?"

"Naturally! I have gone through life and death to guard this Water-Fire Well, and seeing that the day of success is near, Chen Xiao Shixiong suddenly comes to intervene. I know this is the intention of several Senior Brothers, but if I cannot personally test Chen Xiao Shixiong's weight, He will not be reconciled!"

The fighting spirit in these words was high, surging forward.

Although they knew He Manzi's temperament was very stubborn and he was usually unwilling to submit to others,

seeing him tear apart the hard-won harmonious atmosphere in just a few words, without showing any mercy,

whether it was Shen Ming or the red-browed Daoist,

a trace of displeasure flashed across their faces, yet they were helpless.

"Since that is the case, then please."

Chen Hang said indifferently.

This reply was very crisp, making He Manzi look at Chen Hang a few more times, but he did not stand on ceremony.

With a flip of his hand, a deep blue flying sword at his waist emitted a sharp whistling sound, immediately soaring into the air and stabbing directly at Chen Hang's left arm!

Although He Manzi's words were merciless,

when he struck, he actually held back thirty percent of his sharpness, leaving room for maneuver.

In this world, most things are false when heard, and only true when seen.

People like He Manzi always need to see something clearly before they are willing to be convinced.

Seeing his posture, Chen Hang smiled slightly, pointed his fingers together, and the Abi Sword flashed out from his sleeve, blocking it in mid-air.

The two swords collided, neither willing to yield, immediately exploding with a harsh, piercing sound!

Cold light shot out in all directions, causing the disciples who were slightly closer to feel their minds tremble.

The two swords went back and forth, both choosing the method of speed against speed.

In just a moment, they had exchanged over a hundred strikes, like a sudden storm, making it impossible for people to keep track!

Seeing that his Dharma sword could not easily break through the barrier, He Manzi was just about to pinch a Dharma seal to use another technique.

This thought had just arisen in his mind.

The next moment, he felt a blur before his eyes, and a red light suddenly broke free from the entanglement.

In the blink of an eye, it had already closed in within a zhang of his body!

He Manzi was startled, but his reaction was not slow at all. Ignoring the incoming Abi Sword, he silently recited a few Dharma seals and forced a mass of green fire from his chest cavity.

Once this fire appeared, it surged violently in an instant, turning into a ring of fire that sent the Abi Sword flying!

"How can this be?"

Although the immediate crisis was resolved,

a look of astonishment appeared on He Manzi's face.

This fire was called the Opening Yang Fire, and it was the most precious type of opportunity he had obtained in his life.

It required visualizing the form of the Purple Pole Cave Yang Flame Light God, absorbing a trace of true essence into his body, repeatedly polishing it, and nourishing it with various external medicines over several years. It took countless efforts and resources to achieve, planting it within his chest cavity to illuminate his internal organs.

Using a trace,

meant losing a trace.

To this day, He Manzi could only use this fire twelve times before he would have to refine it from scratch, unable to sustain it.

However, although the Opening Yang Fire was not easy to cultivate,

its power was incomparably great!

Once released, it could burn almost anything and could easily contend with true fires of heaven and earth.

In the past, when noble clan Refiners like Yin He and Ji Yuetan invaded,

He Manzi had relied on this hand to startle them into retreating, making them wary.

But just now, when he subconsciously used this fire, it only forced away the incoming red flying sword, and looking at its form and quality, it was not damaged in the slightest.

This made He Manzi's heart sink while he was astonished.

At this time, after the Opening Yang Fire was released, the entire hall was filled with flying sparks and oppressive heat, causing many cultivators to raise their true Qi to resist the heat flow.

Even the red-browed Cave-Mystic Refiner had a layer of azure treasure light emerge around him, as if he had wrapped himself in a layer of water waves.

"The hall is cramped, making it difficult to unfold my hands and feet. Why not go outside for a fight?"

Chen Hang gestured vaguely, and without waiting for He Manzi to answer, he flew out of the hall and soared into the clouds.

"..."

He Manzi was silent for a moment, then unleashed his sword light and followed closely behind.

At this time,

all the cultivators in the hall left their seats, exited the pavilion, and looked up at the sky.

Even the Cave-Mystic Refiners like Shen Cheng were no exception.

Although He Manzi's reputation was not prominent, this was intentional by his teachers behind him.

They did not want his sharpness to be too exposed, lest he encounter misfortune halfway.

Although he was only at the third layer of the Purple Palace, even Refiners like Yin He could not take advantage of him.

It could be said that Shen Cheng was able to guard the Water-Fire Well until now,

and He Manzi undoubtedly had great merit; he was indispensable!

And among those present, if there was anyone who could suppress him,

besides Shen Cheng, who could not move his true body, even Shen Ming and the red-browed Refiner could not easily do so.

Although He Manzi was unwilling to sit above Shen Ming and the red-browed Daoist due to the friendship between their teachers, and had declined despite several attempts by others to persuade him,

but facing Chen Hang, a stranger he had never met, even after hearing of his great reputation, with He Manzi's arrogant temperament, he was only willing to stop after a real fight!

In the sky, flames soared and cold light shot out.

Both their figures were hazy and blurred, shrouded in a dense cloud of smoke, appearing now in the east and now in the west, shadowy and indistinct, making it impossible for people to see clearly.

Only the rumbling sounds, like rolls of thunder, shook for several miles, very majestic and grand!

"Elder brother, you also know Chen Chen Shidi He Manzi's temperament. How could you let him provoke Junior Chen Xiao Shixiong? If these two fight until they are truly angry, no matter who suffers a mishap, it will ruin the overall situation!"

After watching for a while, the dangers involved made even Shen Ming feel his heart jump with fear.

He looked at Shen Cheng beside him and shook his head in complaint.

Shen Cheng did not answer, only continuing to gaze at the two fighting in the sky.

After a long while,

he suddenly withdrew his gaze and shook his head with a light sigh:

"He has lost..."

"What? Who lost?!"

Shen Ming was startled upon hearing this.

Shen Cheng ignored him and just smiled faintly: "You overestimate me. How could I persuade Chen Chen Shidi He? When we first met, he fought with both you and me no less than ten times. If you say Junior Chen Xiao Shixiong is a 'Victor of Dharma Battles', then Chen Chen Shidi He is a 'Dharma Battle Addict'!

Since he made up his mind to seek justice from his elder brother, he has been somewhat insane, seeking people everywhere to test his sword, also wishing to hone his cultivation... Now that he has encountered Junior Chen Xiao Shixiong, even if he is defeated, Chen Chen Shidi He should be ecstatic!"

"... Chen Chen Shidi He will actually lose?"

Shen Ming understood the meaning in his words and could not help but frown slightly, then as if thinking of something, he could not help but say:

"However, elder brother, if you were to face Chen Chen Shidi He Manzi's elder brother, would you have a chance of winning?"

"I lost by one move five years ago, and now I fear it would be hard to win. That is a figure like a Sword Immortal. In my view, even Wei Daofu would find it hard to defeat him."

Shen Cheng sighed lightly and said frankly:

"If Shi You has no hidden means, in six years, he will occupy the top spot among the ten great disciples..."

And at this moment,

the struggle in the sky had become increasingly intense, brilliant light flashing wildly, constantly cutting open the atmosphere, killing intent soaring!

Suddenly,

a golden-red curtain of light swept across instantly, wiping away all the chaotic clouds and wild currents for several miles, making the sky clear.

And struck by that curtain of light, the true Qi under He Manzi's feet also scattered. As if suffering a heavy blow, he stumbled and fell, only managing to stop his figure at about ten zhang from the ground.

"..."

He Manzi touched his head with a complex expression, only to grasp half a broken crown.

Earlier, when the divine light swept over, the flying sword also flashed out instantly.

Had Chen Hang not deliberately held back, he feared he would have already been decapitated.

"Brother He, I concede."

Chen Hang retrieved the Abi Sword into his hand and cupped his hands slightly.

There was no response to this sentence.

He Manzi just lowered his head and remained silent.

Just when Chen Hang suspected that this person might still be unconvinced and frowned slightly, He Manzi suddenly looked up to the sky and laughed wildly, his demeanor manic.

"Only now do I truly know you. I have truly lived in vain for thirty years!"

He looked directly at Chen Hang, his eyes bursting with brilliance, and said joyfully:

"Chen Xiao Shixiong, Chen Xiao Shixiong... why have you come so late!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 245 =====