Chapter 833: Chapter 4: Hou Chen Battles Jiang Li [1]
In the distance, the sky was a wash of crimson light.
Within the red glow, five-colored divine light manifested and soared into the heavens, forming the phantom of a colossal dragon.
Behind a figure clad in pitch-black battle armor stood such a majestic presence, invincible and grand.
"The Mad Demon King Hou Chen has arrived!"
The cultivators exclaimed in shock.
This was the most dazzling genius at the time when the rules of the plane descended.
Hou Chen was shrouded from head to toe in pitch-black battle armor, resembling a mysterious and sinister being from the Netherworld, without revealing his true face.
But he stood in the clouds, appearing to overlook the world with a commanding, imposing air.
In the heavens and earth, fierce winds roared, and divine clouds surged like a furious ocean storm, but soon calmed, leaving no ripples afterwards.
Everything changed and manifested around his body at every moment, only to vanish again, as if embodying a path of "Only I Am Supreme."
It was a terrifying path, a formidable majesty impossible for anyone to imitate.
That overwhelming majesty, derived from Emperor Blood, was unmatched in the world, embodied only by Hou Chen himself.
This was Hou Chen, the real Hou Chen.
Zhou Yan caught sight of Hou Chen immediately.
But he did not move, nor did he show much emotional fluctuation.
He remained remarkably calm, his tranquil presence nearly overshadowing his existence in this world.
"This is Chen Chen... he’s activated the Demon Heart Sword Body, using the demon heart as his own heart."
"Once just a brash youth challenging girls over muscles, he’s now become an outstanding figure. But who? Who has stripped away his soul, leaving him deprived of his Three Souls and controlled by his Seven Spirits, like a walking dead?!"
The first sight of Hou Chen felt like a stabbing blade to Zhou Yan’s heart, a change almost too harsh to accept.
Yet Zhou Yan’s indomitable spirit allowed him to bear this blow, standing quietly in the void.
"Immeasurable Venerable."
Hua Qiudao, by Zhou Yan’s side, let out a soft sigh, shaking his head with a hint of regret in his gaze.
He understood what Zhou Yan could perceive, and with his mastery of the power of merit, he could see Hou Chen’s soul state more clearly.
What technique could leave Hou Chen without his Three Souls, governed only by his Seven Spirits?
Hua Qiudao softly murmured, saying nothing more.
Yet those four words struck Zhou Yan’s heart like the sound of a stringed instrument.
Zhou Yan’s heart stirred slightly, and he steadied his mind, refusing to let it wander, focusing instead on the unfolding scene.
Deep within Zhou Yan’s heart, murder intent was already spreading.
He gently sensed the Emperor Qi of Xuan Yuan, noting its abundant reserves, enough to sustain an invincible state for an hour. The idea of fighting and taking Hou Chen away tempted him.
However, his fingers twitched slightly, and he abandoned the plan.
If he acted now, he would be in the open while the enemy was hidden, ensuring failure.
The enemies had surely set a scheme immune to fault.
Zhou Yan’s gaze turned icy, surveying the area. None of the cultivators present were his match—none above the rank of Sword God Fifth Transition were present.
Should he engage, it might be a slaughter of unstoppable force, but things were likely far more complicated than they seemed.
"Master, this person’s energy and blood are very potent."
Liu Haoxin thoughtfully remarked.
"Indeed, this kind of cultivator is known for their powerful energy and blood, similar to our Blood Witch Clan."
Zhou Yan replied nonchalantly.
Zhao Xiaoxiao looked at Zhou Yan with concern. With her keen intuition, she understood some of it—despite Zhou Yan’s silence, the connection of shared bloodline allowed her to grasp certain truths.
She remained silent, only shifting closer to Zhou Yan.
At that moment, "Boom!" The heavens shook, and the void twisted, with the sky manifesting a torrent of energy, infused with the roar of ancient fierce beasts.
That sound, distantly faint at first, turned the faces of all cultivators as it neared because it was the roar of a dragon.
Hou Chen had derived the Supreme Dao, which was the Emperor Qi Dragon Transformation Technique.
At the same time, when Li He King arrived, he rode atop a decayed dragon skeleton, its frame vast and reduced to mere white bones.
The decrepit dragon bones under Li He King’s dominion let out a chilling, hideous wail, as if its soul was writhing in agony and despair.
This is to suppress enemies through symbolic means, foretelling that Li He King will render Hou Chen decayed like white bones, his soul scattered, indistinguishable from the dragon bones.
Li He King descended with a means that stunned the heavens and earth, and upon arrival, his aura was overwhelming, striking fear into people’s hearts.
His eyes penetrated the void, like twin lightning bolts, aiming straight at Hou Chen.
"You little bastard, just like your master, refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit! Born a loser’s fate!"
Li He King bore a striking resemblance to Jiang Tianling, but he was more domineering and arrogant. As he spoke, the heavens changed colors; controlling the void power, he oppressed all cultivators, leaving them shocked and scrambling to flee.
Suddenly, Zhou Yan’s surroundings cleared, creating a large empty space.
Li He King noticed Zhou Yan and his group of four did not retreat under his pressure, his gaze sharp as lightning shooting toward Zhou Yan. Yet, Zhou Yan instantly unfolded the Soul Control Profound Meaning of the Soul-devouring Technique, threatening to swallow Li He King’s soul in an instant, but Li He King was remarkably talented. In a flash he severed his sight, cutting off his gaze to remain unharmed under Zhou Yan’s hidden technique.
"Hmm? I seem to have overlooked the presence of several seniors here to watch the battle. Junior Jiang Li was rude, and I will later bear the brunt of punishment, hoping seniors won’t mind."
Jiang Li instantly recognized the unfathomable and frightening nature of Zhou Yan, promptly changing his attitude, leaving no room for criticism.
If he had been more arrogant, Zhou Yan would have immediately seized the opportunity to kill him.
Unfortunately, now an excessive move would leave traces instead.
Zhou Yan had no concerns, but given Hou Chen’s current situation, it’s almost certain that the enemy had already grasped the lifeline of many family and friends.
"You little bastard, my master is in good mood today, won’t bother with you. Otherwise, his mere glance would cut you a thousand times! With your meager cultivation, what arrogance are you puffing about?"
Zhou Yan didn’t speak, but Liu Haoxin beside him hadn’t the slightest politeness, harboring a simmering rage in his heart that he immediately unleashed.
His words were vulgar, and he adopted the stance of a classic shrew cursing on the street, arms akimbo, belly protruding.
This stance actually left the cultivators dumbfounded.
The expression on Jiang Li’s handsome face became colorful for a moment, yet he quickly regained composure, slightly bowed to Zhou Yan, and said no more.
"You little brat, did you hear me curse at you?"
Liu Haoxin taunted again.
"You--"
Behind Jiang Li, members of the Jiang family arrived, including a white-haired woman staring at Liu Haoxin with a grim face, her gaze cold and murderous.
"Oh, old woman, why are you giving me that look? Are you interested in me? Too bad I’m not interested in you, an old hag. I don’t even know how many men you’ve served in the Jiang family before birthing this little bastard Jiang Li, yet dare to swagger to my master!"
Liu Haoxin continued his nonsense.
Upon hearing this, the old woman’s face changed instantly.
"Don’t act impulsively. This person exudes an ancient, bloodthirsty aura, surely from ancient hidden legacy, seems they are eager for us to make a move."
An old man beside the woman held her back.
"Hahaha, what a good curse, though today’s not the time. Otherwise, I, Hou Chen, would surely invite this brother for a drink. But with the imminent war, I hope this brother gives me Hou Chen face and stops for now, and let me, Hou Chen, personally suppress this little bastard, teaching them that even without my master, I can suppress this so-called unparalleled talent from the Jiang family with a wave of my hand!
Also, do you think you can lure my master into a trap this way? I tell you, you’re dreaming!
My master must be practicing supreme skills; when he returns, all of your plans and setups will be in vain!"
Hou Chen laughed heartily, his voice loud and imposing, spreading far and wide.
Liu Haoxin admired Hou Chen, slightly cupping his fists, "Haha, well said, what rubbish Jiang family, our Blood Witch Clan never took them seriously! Brother, stay strong, don’t let the villains triumph, hahaha."
The two spoke as if it was an encounter of kindred spirits.
Li He King Jiang Li’s face darkened, but interacting with Zhou Yan and his group, he knew they were formidable enough, comparable to his father’s power, so he didn’t provoke any further trouble but frowned, "If you’re as your useless master, only skilled in verbal sparring, then this time, you’ll have nowhere to escape!"
Jiang Li spoke, his eyes gleaming brightly like twin lightning bolts. The gathered energy in the void before him suddenly scattered, and a terrifying killing intent surged to the skies.
"Master, after lying low for a hundred years, last year’s battle was incomplete, miscalculated by others, leaving me disgraced. This time I will make your fame resound throughout Sword Burial Ancestor Star and the whole plane!"
Hou Chen muttered to himself, then his body suddenly moved, splitting into four parts, transforming into three giant dragon avatars!
"Emperor’s Three Pure Ones!"
"Divide the World into Three!"
Hou Chen roared, his body transformed with three avatars, four Hou Chens simultaneously battling Li He King Jiang Li!
...
Zhou Yan’s gaze slightly narrowed; these methods were very similar to the Embodiment Avatar Technique, yet more like the Supreme Dao means of the Three Pure Ones, evidently a legacy of the Emperor Blood.
These legacies were originally supposed to be Zhou Yan’s, yet appeared on Hou Chen, and Hou Chen’s current plight seemed to extend Zhou Yan’s past hardships, in many aspects seeming very unsatisfactory.
In his heart, Zhou Yan felt immense discomfort. Given his current soul even forming a fetus, he vaguely sensed that somehow, Hou Chen had replaced the arduous fate destined for him.
(Back from traveling, updates will resume, starting tomorrow with a flurry~~ Sorry for keeping everyone waiting these days, apologies...)