When the system’s voice faded, Fang Chen froze.
What?!
The next second.
He abruptly discovered that his shattered Dantian and meridians were miraculously beginning to heal.
Immediately afterward, a surge of pure, potent spiritual power burst forth from his limbs and bones like a torrential flood…
Boom!
As the system’s cultivation infusion concluded, Fang Chen felt an unprecedented, rich, and mighty sensation instantly fill his entire body.
At that moment, Fang Chen was dumbfounded.
He had never imagined that the system, solely to force him to create a life-or-death pressure for Xiao Qing, would forcefully elevate his cultivation straight to the ninth grade of Qi Condensation.
Right then.
After finishing the cultivation infusion, the system continued unbothered: “The Host possesses a ninth-grade Qi Condensation cultivation yet lacks cultivation methods and techniques, making it impossible to generate sufficient life-or-death pressure for Xiao Qing.”
“The system will account for Xiao Qing and grant the Host suitable cultivation methods and techniques!”
“Detecting Xiao Qing’s strongest cultivation method during their life-or-death duel: [Myriad Malice Heart Scripture]. Automatically mastering it for the Host.”
“Detecting Xiao Qing’s strongest technique during their life-or-death duel: [Qi Fist]. Automatically mastering it for the Host.”
“…”
As several system prompts echoed, Fang Chen was once again shocked to find several unfamiliar yet instantly familiar cultivation methods and techniques flooding his mind, as if engraved into his very soul…
After a long while.
The system’s voice sounded again: “Infusion complete. When the time comes during the battle with the Child of Providence, the Host is requested to go all out, allowing the Child of Providence to gain enlightenment through the identical techniques displayed by the Host!”
At that instant.
Feeling the incomparably pure spiritual power rushing through his body like a vast river, every stance and move of the techniques clear in his mind as though he had practiced them meticulously for decades and could wield them as effortlessly as his own fingers, a surge of overwhelming power filled Fang Chen’s chest!
For a moment, his heart surged with excitement, and he suddenly felt that this system wasn’t so detestable after all…
It gave far too much!
However, just as Fang Chen began to feel immensely powerful, as though he were some supreme prodigy, reality mercilessly shattered his illusion.
He tried to cultivate…
If the spiritual power surging within his body was like a roaring sea, then the spiritual power he could absorb from the outside world was merely a single drop-drop by drop…
And then, nothing more?
Not even a shred could be drawn in?!
Very well.
His aptitude had not changed in the slightest.
With a speed so snail-paced, he could safely be considered a rare oddity within the Danran Sect!
“Xiao Qing’s aptitude must have recovered by now. Since I am his destined mortal enemy, I ought to have the same aptitude as him…”
Fang Chen muttered to himself.
The system replied: “Even if the Host’s aptitude were formidable, it would fail to generate life-or-death pressure for the Child of Providence. No enhancement is necessary!”
“Therefore, the Host need not overthink. Please focus entirely on preparing for the life-or-death duel, and allow the Child of Providence to attain his utmost growth before you perish!”
Bah!
Doing all this was still just to ensure Xiao Qing could slaughter him in the duel.
Hearing the system’s words, Fang Chen instantly despised it, his fleeting goodwill vanishing like smoke.
“This won’t do. According to this damned system’s calculations, even with this cultivation base, I’ll definitely lose to Xiao Qing when the time comes. I still need to run.”
Fang Chen pondered deeply. If he remained in the Danran Sect and truly waited for the life-or-death duel, based on the system’s precise calculations, even with his current ninth-grade Qi Condensation, Xiao Qing would undoubtedly carve through a bloody battle and cut him down.
During this interval, even if he desperately tried to raise his cultivation, it would be entirely futile…
Who made his cultivation speed practically equal to zero?
As for mastering other formidable techniques?
That was even more absurd!
Contending with the Child of Providence in techniques was sheer daydreaming.
That fellow clapped his hands and whatever he shouted appeared; if he clapped his hands, he would simply kick the bucket.
After turning it over in his mind, his only path to survival was to flee!
Without hesitation, Fang Chen stood up, packed his belongings, and prepared to leave.
Yet half a day later.
Fang Chen returned with a dark expression, shoving the door open as he gritted his teeth, “Why must that life-or-death duel be attended?!”
When he had reached the mountain gate earlier, the gate guards responsible for managing disciple movements hadn’t tried to stop him from leaving.
However, because Fang Chen and Xiao Qing had signed a life-or-death contract at the outer sect’s combat arena, they were bound to return within half a month.
If they failed to return, a sect Elder would personally be dispatched to hunt them down and drag them back.
By then, not only would he have to fight, but if he somehow won and survived, he would still face severe penalties.
After all, before signing the contract, the arbiters of the combat arena had sternly warned that a life-or-death duel was no child’s play and had to be treated with absolute solemnity.
If anyone could sign whenever they pleased and run away whenever they wanted, who would ever take the combat arena’s contracts seriously?
Unless both parties mutually agreed to annul the contract and paid the contract-breaking fees, match-cancellation fees, and arena maintenance costs, anyone dreaming of escaping would find it impossible!
“So I’m expected to deliver my head on a silver platter?”
Fang Chen muttered, his expression shifting erratically.
Wait!
Right at that moment, a jolt went through Fang Chen’s mind as a sudden realization struck him.
Indeed!
He wasn’t entirely cornered!
Wasn’t it explicitly stated?
As long as both parties agreed, the life-or-death contract could be dissolved!
Then, what if he could persuade the present Xiao Qing to agree to annul the contract?
In half a month, Xiao Qing might be able to defeat him.
But right now…
Xiao Qing had only just received assistance from Venerable Xiaoyao and surely hadn’t grown that powerful yet!
If he went over and gave the fellow a sound beating-
Ah, no.
If he engaged in a friendly and cordial discussion with the youth, wouldn’t that instantly turn hostility into friendship and naturally lead to the dissolution of the contract?
At this thought, Fang Chen sprang to his feet and strode out the door.
…
Danran Sect.
Outer sect.
Foot-of-the-mountain cabin.
The outer sect was vast, housing an immense number of disciples scattered across countless peaks.
Yet regardless of the peak, disciples dwelling at the base of the mountains invariably possessed the poorest aptitude.
Fang Chen had only managed to secure a dwelling halfway up the slope thanks to his family background.
As for Xiao Qing, a fallen young master, he naturally had no choice but to live at the foot of the mountain.
At that moment, Xiao Qing sat cross-legged on the bed inside his small cabin, his face beaming with joy.
“I’ve already reached the fourth grade of Qi Condensation!”
Feeling the brimming power within his body, Xiao Qing was ecstatic.
He had never expected the cultivation method provided by Venerable Xiaoyao to be so formidable!
After merely a few days of practice, his cultivation had broken through in leaps and bounds.
Though Xiao Qing had once harbored resentment toward Venerable Xiaoyao-had the entity not leeched away his spiritual Qi, how could he have fallen so low as to suffer bullying from everyone?-his perspective had shifted today.
Only in times of adversity could one truly discern human hearts.
Previously, despite his mediocre aptitude, his family background had ensured that friends and his fiancée alike treated him with honeyed words and warm smiles.
Yet now that his background was gone, he finally knew who truly wished him well and who harbored malice!
Being able to see through people now was far better than remaining deceived and falling victim to betrayal down the road.
With his spiritual roots now restored, he possessed the capability to embark upon a new journey once more.
The very first step of that journey was to slaughter Fang Chen and cleanse his Dao heart.
“Fang Chen, I shall use your blood today to let everyone in the sect understand the price of humiliating me, Xiao Qing!”
Xiao Qing clenched his fists, fury burning in his eyes.
Right at that moment.
Tap, tap, tap!
A sudden knock sounded at the door.
“Who is it?”
Startled, Xiao Qing raised his head and called out.
A frown crossed his brow as he wondered who could possibly be visiting him.
By now, he was known throughout the outer sect as good-for-nothing trash, long since ostracized; absolutely no one would seek him out.
Yet when Xiao Qing heard the reply from beyond the door, his expression instantly turned unsightly in the extreme…
“It’s me!”
Fang Chen’s voice echoed through the room.