Chapter 366: Tang Huo'er Emerges from Seclusion
A commotion stirred within the crowd as the handsome young man's name echoed. All eyes turned toward him with fear—this was as if a savage beast from legend had stepped into their midst.
The name "Yi Chen the Asura" struck fear across the Central Plains. It wasn't just a title—it was a reputation built on rivers of blood. Within the territory controlled by the Heavenly Underworld Sect, Yi Chen's name alone could send entire sects into panic.
Yet in terms of notoriety, Xiao Yuan was not far behind. After all, he had single-handedly caused the Wind Lightning Pavilion to be expelled from the Four Pavilions, and with his titles as a future Pill Tower leader and an eighth-tier alchemist, his fame already eclipsed even Xiao Yan's as Pill Gathering Champion.
That was precisely why Yi Chen found himself intrigued. This younger man had stolen the spotlight. If they didn't exchange blows, it would be a regret.
But it wasn't just about pride or obsession with combat—Yi Chen had other reasons.
Yi Chen was lauded as the Heavenly Underworld Sect's greatest talent in a century. At his current position, even the sect elders treated him with reverence. Everyone knew that, based on his terrifying strength and ruthless nature, he was the uncontested successor to the sect's throne. While other candidates existed, none were seen as legitimate rivals. Even the current Sect Master regarded him with cautious awe.
Yi Chen's strength matched his reputation. The Heavenly Underworld Sect was infamous for its brutal training methods. Their inner disciples, once reaching a certain level, were cast into a forbidden area where they were forced to kill one another. Only the last one standing could emerge as the true core disciple.
Their cultivation techniques were just as cruel. They gained strength by devouring the Dou Qi and flesh of others—both had to be consumed together.
Those who emerged from the sect's trial grounds always bore a gruesome aura, the result of absorbing the remains of their fallen peers.
Yi Chen was the only survivor of his generation. Afterward, he fought across the Central Plains for years, his hands stained with blood. His power grew with every kill, and by the time he was in his early thirties, he had reached the peak of Dou Zong, already half a step into Dou Zun.
That was why Xiao Yuan's rise grated on him. A youth nearly ten years younger had already surpassed him in fame and status.
He craved Xiao Yuan's flesh and Dou Qi. He wanted to use the talent of the Central Plains' most dazzling star as the final stepping stone into Dou Zun.
If the Soul Hall was mysterious and sinister, then the Heavenly Underworld Sect was openly brutal. In their world, strength was everything—and Yi Chen was its embodiment.
Still, such power came with a price. Cultivators of the sect's techniques always met a tragic end, consumed by the very power they had stolen. But all who joined understood this. A short, glorious life was better than a quiet one.
"Elder Qiu, this matter concerns Lord Chen's son. Revenge cannot be ignored. For the Pill Tower to interfere would be… inappropriate, don't you think?"
Yi Chen spoke with a smile, his handsome face unchanging even amid whispers from the crowd. His gaze remained fixed on Qiu Ling.
"I've said before—Chen Xian tried to rob Xiao Yuan of a completed trade. He was too weak and got himself killed. If you insist on pressing the matter, the Pill Tower will not tolerate further provocation. Consider the consequences carefully."
Qiu Ling's face was grim.
"Hmph, no matter what, my son died on your territory. Now you expect us to just let that go? If you won't give us justice, don't expect us to back down!"
Chen Tiannan's voice was as venomous as a snake's glare.
"Is that a threat to the Pill Tower?"
Qiu Ling's tone turned icy.
"Sigh... Elder Qiu, the Pill Tower has long opposed the Soul Hall. My Heavenly Underworld Sect has remained neutral. But if this is mishandled, you may end up pushing hidden allies into their arms. That would be... unfortunate."
Yi Chen sighed dramatically.
Qiu Ling finally showed a hint of unease. Had someone else said this, he would've dismissed it. But Yi Chen was essentially the next sect master of the Heavenly Underworld Sect. His words carried weight. The Pill Tower was powerful, but the Heavenly Underworld Sect was nothing to scoff at either.
"I'd advise you to choose your words more carefully. And as for Sect Master Chen—challenging a junior? That doesn't look good on your reputation."
Qiu Ling growled.
"I don't care about junior or not—" Chen Tiannan growled, but Yi Chen gently raised a hand, stopping him.
Smiling once more, Yi Chen said, "Since Elder Qiu is so reasonable, very well. In respect for the Pill Tower, we won't demand the boy today."
Chen Tiannan started to object, but then noticed Yi Chen's cold smirk.
Yi Chen's voice, amplified by Dou Qi, rang through the city:
"Then I, Yi Chen, will set a challenge here today. Let the famed future Pill Tower giant Xiao Yuan show himself. Let's see if the so-called Destroyer of Wind Lightning Pavilion has the courage to fight!"
Qiu Ling looked almost sympathetic.
If this were Chen Tiannan, he might have worried. The old monster had been famous for decades and was extremely powerful. But Yi Chen? Even if he had reached Dou Zun... he still wasn't a match for Xiao Yuan.
Let him dig his own grave.
Maybe now that brat would owe Qiu Ling a favor. He hadn't seen Xiao Yuan in some time.
Qiu Ling chuckled to himself.
Yi Chen, unaware of the trap, stood proudly—posing like a peacock. Half a minute passed, and no response came. His face began to sour.
Was this mockery?
Qiu Ling, too, was puzzled. Normally, Xiao Yuan would've swatted this guy and quipped "That's it?" before walking away.
What was taking so long?
"Hmph! So this future giant of the Pill Tower doesn't even have the courage to fight me?"
Yi Chen mocked loudly, his voice echoing through the city.
But just then, Qiu Ling sensed something. He looked toward the sky—where space rippled.
A fiery silhouette appeared.
ROAR!
A silver fire dragon, crackling with lightning, shot forth—heading straight for Yi Chen.
A figure emerged, and with a sharp, fiery cry, a voice thundered across the square.
"And who the hell are you, daring to insult my Burning Flame Valley's Young Master?! Using a lifespan-burning technique to reach temporary power—are you serious?"
Tang Huo'er had emerged from seclusion!
She wasn't some dainty maiden. Fierce and hot-tempered, she had just exited closed-door training only to hear someone insulting her man. Without hesitation, she flew out of the Pill Tower and hurled a fire dragon at Yi Chen.
Caught off guard, Yi Chen reacted quickly. With a twist of his arm, blood-colored Dou Qi surged forth. A powerful beam met the dragon, and the two attacks canceled each other out.
"Peak Dou Zong?!"
Yi Chen's expression shifted. He now looked at Tang Huo'er more seriously.
"What else? Unlike you, I didn't burn away my life to cheat my way up. You? Xiao Yuan would slap you to death. That old guy next to you might last a couple of rounds."
Tang Huo'er sneered, glancing disdainfully at Chen Tiannan.
"That was Nine Dragon Thunderfire… Is Tang Zhen your father?"
Chen Tiannan asked, voice low.
"Yup. Tang Zhen is my dad. So what?"
Tang Huo'er raised her chin proudly.
"You said Xiao Yuan is your sect's young master?"
Chen Tiannan's face twitched as he asked.
"Damn right. My dad's very pleased with him. If you've got a problem, feel free to go talk to him."
She jabbed.
"You—!"
Chen Tiannan's face turned red with anger—but he didn't move.
Qiu Ling was watching, and while Chen Tiannan might be able to take him, Tang Huo'er likely carried a spatial jade slip that could summon Tang Zhen instantly.
If Tang Zhen appeared, Chen Tiannan's own survival would be questionable.
The Pill Tower might argue diplomatically, but Tang Zhen… wouldn't hesitate.
If Tang Huo'er cried to her father, even Yi Chen wouldn't be safe.
"Heh, so you're Miss Tang of Burning Flame Valley. But today, I challenged Xiao Yuan—not you."
Yi Chen smiled again, though his eyes gleamed with icy intent.
"What's your point? If you can't beat me, how will you fight him?"
Tang Huo'er didn't wait. Her body erupted in silver flames as she charged straight at Yi Chen.
"Elder Qiu, please keep an eye on Chen Tiannan."
She also whispered a reminder via voice transmission.
"Damn... Xiao Yuan's ties to Burning Flame Valley run that deep?"
"Seriously! She just pulled their sect into his corner! With both the Pill Tower and Burning Flame Valley backing him, who in the Central Plains dares mess with him now?!"
"And didn't someone say he's the Young Lord of Starfall Pavilion too?!"
"No way, for real?!"
Gossip broke out all around. The crowd seemed more interested in Xiao Yuan's affiliations than the battle itself.
"Hmph, fine. If I cripple Tang Huo'er, Xiao Yuan will have to show himself!"
Yi Chen grinned savagely. He stomped the ground, releasing a strange energy. The earth quaked as a twenty-meter-wide stone platform rose from the ground and hovered just above it.
"This is the ring. Step out, and you lose."
He smiled.
"Save it."
Tang Huo'er clenched her fists as silver fire dragons curled into gauntlets around her arms. In a flash, she appeared above Yi Chen.
Yi Chen's eyes turned blood-red.
He didn't care about pushing her off—he wanted to cripple her.
His kind never stopped until they drew blood. There was a reason they called him Yi the Asura.
"Don't worry. I'll make it quick. You'll thank me later."
He grinned viciously as he vanished from sight.
(END CHAPTER)
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