"The favored child of the heavens, the Myriad Medicine Physique?"
Long Chen’s brow furrowed slightly. Although he had never heard of it, a constitution proclaimed to be that of Heaven’s favored child must be extremely powerful.
"All Spiritual Medicines in the world possess toxicity. Humans, unlike Demon Beasts, lack the ability to detoxify themselves. Yet you claim to enjoy consuming them?" Shangguan Ming’s eyes twinkled. "If what you say is true, I’m truly curious how you’ve managed to survive until now. But never mind that. There are no Spiritual Medicines in this world that can allow a Martial Artist to significantly improve their Martial Arts Realm in a short period. I’d like to see what tricks you have up your sleeve!"
The crowd nodded in agreement. Spiritual Medicines had to be refined into Elixir Pills to minimize their toxicity. Only then could they be used safely in cultivation to enhance one’s power and achieve other effects. It was for this very reason that Alchemists were so incredibly revered.
"You don’t need to participate in the competition." Suddenly, Chu Lingjun placed a hand on Long Xin’s shoulder and secretly sent a voice transmission. "Your constitution is extraordinary. Revealing it prematurely would be unwise. From now on, you must not consume Spiritual Medicine in front of others."
Before Long Xin could refuse, Chu Lingjun sent another warning, "If you insist on fighting, I will withdraw my protection from you, and by extension, your brother."
SWOOSH!
Long Xin instantly panicked. She knew she couldn’t afford to lose Chu Lingjun’s protection right now; Human Institute Steward Chen Yao alone would not be enough to hold back Shangguan Ming. Left with no other choice, Long Xin could only bite her lip and nod silently.
"She will not participate in the competition," Chu Lingjun declared as she led Long Xin off the Martial Battle Platform.
Seeing this, Su Miaoyu’s eyes turned cold. Fearing that Long Chen would also withdraw, she immediately scoffed, "Long Chen, you aren’t going to pull a stunt like your sister and back out after making a big show, are you?"
Upon hearing this, the Su family head Su Feng and the other Su family members grew intensely concerned.
Even Shangguan Ming couldn’t ignore the situation, simply because Long Chen’s constitution was very strong.
Thanks to Chu Lingjun, Long Xin was spared from the competition. With her talent, she already posed a great threat to the Earth Institute. If Long Chen were also exempted, the consequences would be unimaginable.
I cannot allow the Heaven and Human Institutes to nurture two geniuses who will join forces against the Earth Institute!
"Rest assured, you bitch! I will participate in the competition today no matter what!" Long Chen’s face was stern. He stepped onto the platform and announced, "Since Sister Xin has withdrawn, that leaves only the three of us. Why don’t you two come at me together?"
SWOOSH!
His words left everyone present breathless.
Long Chen wants to fight two at once? Leaving aside Su Miaoyu, who is already in the War Maniac Realm, shouldn’t Long Yu alone, at the War Master Realm Ninth Layer Heaven, be enough to leave Long Chen utterly defenseless? Where is all this confidence coming from? This competition explicitly forbids Elixir Pills like the Tianmo Pill! Is he planning to forcibly take one anyway?
"I will emphasize this again," Shangguan Ming said gravely. "The Tianmo Pill is forbidden! No Elixir Pills of any kind are allowed! If you dare to break the rules, even as Long Xin’s brother, I believe Junior Sister Chu will not care whether you live or die!"
"Junior Sister Chu, am I right?" Shangguan Ming turned to look at Chu Lingjun.
In response, Chu Lingjun nodded. "Since Long Chen is determined to participate and the rules were clearly stated beforehand, he must not break them. Life and death will be decided by fate."
"Junior Sister Chen Yao, what do you think?" Shangguan Ming then looked toward Chen Yao.
Su Miaoyu, the Su family head, their clansmen, Long Yu, and indeed everyone else, turned their gazes to Chen Yao. If she also agreed, Long Chen would be completely blocked from using any Elixir Pills.
"I haven’t agreed to let Long Chen participate yet." Chen Yao looked at Long Chen and commanded, "You are now a disciple of the Human Institute. As the Human Institute Steward, I have the right to..."
"If you don’t let me fight Su Miaoyu, then I might as well not join the Human Institute at all!" Long Chen cut her off with cold words before she could finish.
Su Miaoyu must die today!
"You!" Chen Yao’s pretty face tensed with fury. Although her tone had been harsh, she was ultimately thinking of Long Chen’s own safety. How could he be so ungrateful?
Nearby, Ling Yan hurriedly sent a secret voice transmission, "Junior Sister Chen Yao, Long Chen is resolute in his desire to kill Su Miaoyu. Let him compete. I believe he must have an ace up his sleeve."
Hearing this, Chen Yao grudgingly sat back down in her chair and said resentfully, "Fine! If you want to compete, then go! But if you find yourself in mortal danger, don’t expect me to save you!"
"Thank you, Steward Chen!" Long Chen clasped his fists in gratitude. He knew she was trying to protect him, but that was a separate issue from his need to kill Su Miaoyu.
Shangguan Ming immediately burst into laughter. "Hahaha! You’re an absolute fool!"
"Long Yu! Didn’t you want to become my servant?" Suddenly, Su Miaoyu’s eyes narrowed into a cold sneer. "You couldn’t lift the sixth Jade Cauldron and failed to reach the War King Realm. By rights, you don’t deserve to be my servant! However, I’ll give you one more chance. Go and kill Long Chen for me!"
Overwhelmed with excitement, Long Yu quickly bowed to accept the command. "Master, just watch! I will personally twist Long Chen’s head off and present it to you with my own two hands!"
As his words fell, Long Yu stepped onto the platform.
"You foolish beast!" the Great Elder of the Long Family, Long Tian, shouted angrily. "Don’t you see that Su Miaoyu is just using you to test Chen’er? You..."
"Dad! Say no more!" Long Yu retorted in anger. "I refuse to believe that Long Chen could be my match without a Tianmo Pill! Whether the Long Family lives or dies will ultimately depend on me, Long Yu!"