Western Capital, inner city, Chen residence.
Chen Shi leaped up from the bed and shouted, "Chen Tang, this round doesn't count! Let's go again! Chen Tang?"
Black Pot walked in and barked at him twice.
"He went to court and hasn't returned yet?"
Only then did Chen Shi notice he was in his room. The sky was already bright outside. Presumably, he had been knocked out by Chen Tang and carried to bed to rest. However, there wasn't the slightest trace of injury on him. The places where Chen Tang had struck him with chopsticks yesterday bore no wounds, not even any bruising.
On the contrary, after sleeping, he felt an unprecedented sense of lightness. The exhaustion and fatigue from the past few days had completely vanished.
Just then, Chen Tang returned from court, carrying stead buns as he walked into the courtyard from outside, calling for the maids and servants to have breakfast.
Chen Shi imdiately rushed out, intending to challenge him to another round, but then stopped in his tracks and went to brush his teeth and wash up.
Seeing him beco more composed, neither arrogant nor impatient, Chen Tang felt quite gratified.
After breakfast, Chen Shi still didn't seek another fight with Chen Tang. Instead, he carefully pondered his own shortcomings.
He was currently at the Great Completion stage of the Nascent Soul realm. Last night, Chen Tang had employed cultivation power at the Spirit Transformation realm, but the actual gap in their cultivation wasn't that vast.
If two cultivators possessed the sa Divine Embryo and cultivated the sa techniques, a difference of one realm could indeed be described as a world apart.
However, the cultivation technique Chen Shi practiced, the Xiao Lang Imperial Chapter Technique, was an immortal-grade technique. The technique Chen Tang employed, the Mysterious Subtle Sword Scripture from The Ten Books of Cultivation, was close to immortal-grade but could only be cultivated up to the Ascension realm, with no possibility of advancing further.
Furthermore, Chen Shi's Nascent Soul was larger than a normal one, his soul was nearly solid, and on top of that, Chen Shi possessed three "Divine Embryos": Shi Ji, Tianji, and his Nascent Soul. These factors could completely bridge the gap in realm.
"I lost in technique."
Chen Shi's eyes flashed. For a long ti, his fighting style had been almost instinctual, with little technical finesse to speak of. He pursued the simplest moves, aiming to knock down or kill his opponent with the greatest speed.
This killing instinct was practically imprinted in his bloodline, causing him to enter a hunting state whenever he fought.
But when facing an expert like Chen Tang, simple, pure moves beca useless.
Chen Tang seed able to anticipate his opponent's moves. Using a single chopstick, he could intercept Chen Shi's attacks before they even landed, dissipating the power contained within Chen Shi's punches and kicks.
This ability to anticipate the opponent was precisely the weapon to break Chen Shi's close-quarters combat thods!
Black Pot pushed Chen Shi's mother out for a walk, placing the wheelchair beside Chen Shi. Chen Shi sat motionless, while within the small temple behind his head, his Nascent Soul practiced various spells.
Outside the True King's Tomb, the stele forest contained nurous spells, with all kinds of thods fully represented. If others were to cultivate these spells, they would first need to cultivate different techniques, using the techniques to complent the spells to unleash greater power.
For example, the Six Yin Jade Wheels Art that Li Tianqing once cultivated required the matching set of movent techniques to unleash the Six Yin Jade Wheels spell.
There was also Granny Sha's Eight Trigrams Body Protection Art. When the technique was activated, the eight hexagram symbols continuously shifted, forming spells with astonishing power.
But Chen Shi used a single technique, the Xiao Lang Imperial Chapter Technique, to activate all spells, wielding various spells with effortless ease.
His ability to master these spells so rapidly stemd from three points. First, the cultivation technique he practiced, the Xiao Lang Imperial Chapter Technique, was an immortal-grade technique encompassing a vast range of principles. Second, his grandfather, Chen Yindu, had taught him various talismans. Talismans and spells were inseparable; talismans were variants of spells, spells imprinted on paper or in the air.
The third point was Chen Shi's astonishing comprehension.
Although he sat beside his mother, seemingly basking in the sun, his own cultivation of the Dao was rapidly improving.
He mastered more and more spells. His Nascent Soul executed these spells with effortless ease, even capable of reversing spells, transforming them into talismans!
By the ti he had thoroughly mastered all the spells on the steles, a whole day had unknowingly passed.
At dinner, Chen Shi sat at the table, eating with intense concentration.
After eating his fill, he remained seated at the table, staring at his empty rice bowl.
Chen Shi's mother ate the slowest, requiring a maid's assistance, and was always the last to finish.
Chen Tang also finished his al but was in no hurry, also sitting at the table to wait.
After Chen Shi's mother finished eating, the maid pushed her away. Black Pot cleared the dishes, cleaned everything off the table, and wiped it several tis with a cloth.
Chen Shi still sat at the table and spoke, "Black Pot, no need to close the door. Today, I will beat him out of this doorway."
Black Pot, who had originally intended to close the door and leave this place of trouble, upon hearing this, opened the door again.
Chen Tang's face was like an ancient well, without a ripple, as he said quietly, "You slept very peacefully last night. It seems after a good sleep, your confidence has returned."
Chen Shi focused his gaze inward, looking at his nose, then his heart, and said, "A cultivator must not only have a powerful body but also master various spells. My physical body has not yet been refined to the level of a Dao Body. If I achieve a Dao Body, I can achieve 'Dao Body, Law Use,' wielding all kinds of spells with effortless ease. In the past, I learned many spells, but I only learned them; I did not master them. However, after a day of arduous cultivation, I have now mastered various spells, transforming them into talismans I can call upon at will. Talismans and spells are inseparable; the higher my talisman mastery, the higher my spell mastery."
He did not rise, speaking calmly, "During this day of cultivation, I suddenly realized how powerful I truly am. Dao Body and 'Dao Body, Law Use' are only a step away from . Chen Tang, do you know? I am already invincible within the sa realm. Even if you use Spirit Transformation realm cultivation, I can easily subdue you."
Chen Tang made a thoughtful sound and said, "It seems you have indeed made considerable progress this day. When people make progress, they often have the illusion that they are already invincible under heaven. You have precisely reached this step. I am gratified."
His expression remained unchanged, showing no trace of gratification, as he continued, "Later, when you cry, repeat the insights you just shared while you weep."
Chen Shi laughed heartily, his Nascent Soul flying out as he shouted, "Although I am not a Dao Body, my Nascent Soul is a Dao Body!"
Chen Shi's Nascent Soul was one foot and two inches tall, with a short, stocky build, its entire body snow-white and translucent. With a single finger pointing out, the Eight Demon-Slaying Forms from the Demon-Slaying Heart Art manifested in the form of talismans!
Chen Shi's Nascent Soul instantly unleashed the Eight Demon-Slaying Forms. The eight talismans flew toward Chen Tang while simultaneously transforming from flat talismans into three-dinsional forms mid-air, their astonishing power about to erupt.
Chen Tang swiftly thrust out a single chopstick, executing thrusts, flicks, clouds, chops, slashes, wipes, points, and interceptions, severing the central flow of these talismans, preventing their power from being unleashed.
Chen Shi's Nascent Soul rapidly circled around him, moving up and down, left and right. The Three Ultimate Heavenly Passes from the Heavenly Pass Art, the Bright Jade Treasure Wheel from the Yuanjiang Great thod, the Thirteen Seal Sword Forms from the Mysterious True Spirit Treasure Seals, the Seven Dragon Summoning thods from the Eight Powers Dragon Summoning Art, the combined attack technique of the Soaring Snake and Black Tortoise from the Tortoise Mountain Mysterious Talismans, and other spells were casually unleashed by him, launching a frenzied assault on Chen Tang!
Chen Tang thrust his single chopstick up, down, left, and right. Suddenly, the chopstick left his hand, gave a slight tremble, and divided into two, then four, then eight, rapidly multiplying. No matter how many spells Chen Shi's Nascent Soul unleashed, they were all intercepted by him, unable to erupt with even a hint of power!
Seeing his Nascent Soul couldn't affect him in the slightest, Chen Shi kicked away the stool beneath him, stood up, raised his foot, and stomped heavily. Instantly, the Ten Extremities Spirit Banner Talisman erupted. Two hundred and fifty-six divine talismans floated around him, about to form the Ten Extremities Array to deliver a fatal blow to Chen Tang!
Suddenly, a sky full of chopstick shadows pierced into the still-forming Ten Extremities Array, severing its central flow. Chen Shi felt all two hundred and fifty-six divine talismans lose their function. Furious and anxious, he shouted, "Chen Tang, dare you let execute a complete move?"
Chen Tang didn't answer. One chopstick shadow after another landed on him. Chen Shi knew sothing was wrong, feeling the places struck by the chopstick shadows—his limbs, his five organs—rapidly losing sensation. In an instant, only his head retained feeling. Presumably, Chen Tang intended to leave his mouth functional so he could weepingly repeat his earlier arrogant insights.
Chen Shi's Nascent Soul activated the Dark Spring Swimming Dragon Sword, transforming it into a stream of light that shot toward Chen Tang with extre speed!
Chen Shi was soone who, even at the Divine Embryo realm, could break the record he himself had left behind. His sword energy was extrely fast. Having cultivated Cold Mountain Freeholder's Ten Thousand Mile Flying Sword Technique, his sword energy could reach hundreds of miles away. This sudden sword light caused Chen Tang's expression to change slightly. He grabbed two chopsticks, intending to catch the Dark Spring Swimming Dragon Sword!
But this grab caught nothing.
The Dark Spring Swimming Dragon Sword pierced into the underworld, then passed through into the mortal realm, arriving at Chen Tang's throat.
Chen Tang rose from the round stool, retreated, and his chopsticks flew out. With two *ding* sounds, the Dark Spring Swimming Dragon Sword was struck. The spiritual nature of this magic treasure was instantly lost; even the swimming dragon within the sword seed to have all its senses severed, becoming dull and falling into a stupor.
The Swimming Dragon Sword clattered to the floor.
Chen Shi's Nascent Soul was still preparing to attack when a chopstick struck it, causing it to lose control and plumt from the air.
"Shaful. This unfilial son actually forced to use three chopsticks."
Chen Tang secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then grew angry. "This unfilial son actually used a magic treasure!"
Black Pot guarded outside the door. It didn't see Chen Tang being forced out of the room by Chen Shi, only hearing Chen Shi's halting voice from inside: "...I suddenly realized how powerful I truly am... Chen Tang, do you know? I am already invincible within the sa realm..."
Black Pot shook its head, its ears flapping against its own face.
After Chen Shi finished reciting his insights in a dejected manner, Chen Tang tapped his forehead with a chopstick and said, "Sleep well tonight. Don't let your thoughts run wild."
Chen Shi collapsed.
When he woke again, it was already the next morning.
Chen Shi washed up, ate, and sat beside his mother in a daze.
Chen Tang ca over to trim Chen Shi's mother's nails and comb her hair.
Chen Shi stepped forward to help, massaging his mother's blood circulation, then continued sitting in a daze.
He was trying hard to recall the contents of The Ten Books of Cultivation, attempting to find Chen Tang's flaws from the moves of the Mysterious Subtle Sword Scripture.
However, the Mysterious Subtle Sword Scripture was exquisitely profound, its sword arts even more abstruse. It was difficult to comprehend thoroughly in a short ti, let alone find its flaws.
Chen Shi simply devoted himself to earnestly contemplating the sword scripture, diligently studying the sword arts.
By evening, after dinner, Black Pot cleared the dishes and left the main hall, guarding outside the door.
Chen Shi placed the Dark Spring Swimming Dragon Sword on the table, indicating he wouldn't use it. Instead, he took a chopstick from the chopstick holder and said, "I'll use one chopstick to force you out of this room."
Chen Tang raised an eyebrow. "You're abandoning what you're best at, using what I'm best at to deal with . You'll lose even faster."
Chen Shi used the chopstick as a sword. Instantly, the room was filled with chopstick shadows, whistling through the air. But then the shadows vanished. Chen Shi lay slumped over the table, already asleep.
Chen Tang lifted him up and carried him back to his room, placing him on the bed.
When Chen Shi woke again, he suddenly realized: "Chen Tang said I abandoned what I'm best at. So what am I best at? It's my combat instinct, my offensive awareness, my speed being fast enough, the timing I seize being precise enough! I cannot learn all spells and supernatural powers, I cannot know everyone's technique and path, nor do I need to know these things."
"The best move is to prevent the enemy from executing their moves!"
"Chen Tang can anticipate his opponent's moves. But as long as I reach a point where even if he anticipates mine, he cannot stop them, he will be forced out of the main hall!"
The turmoil in his heart instantly cleared. He got up, brushed his teeth, washed up, and after breakfast, he said to Chen Tang, "It's been quite a few days since I've been to the Guangji Treasury. I'll go there today."
Chen Tang nodded lightly. "Be careful on the road."
Chen Shi took Black Pot and left by carriage.
About four or five *li* from the Guangji Treasury, at a crossroads, Shen Hongniang sat in her sedan chair, fanning herself with a handkerchief to dispel the day's heat.
"Hall Master, it's already the Si hour. That guy surnad Chen definitely won't be coming on duty today either."
A porter looked up and said, "Let's go back. There aren't many pregnant livestock left anyway."
Shen Hongniang was still unwilling to give up, but she also knew that if Chen Shi were coming, he would have arrived long ago to clock in. With no sign of him by now, he probably wasn't planning to co.
"They all say Chen Tang is incorruptible. I think he's also a corrupt official who bends the law, actually sending his son to the Guangji Treasury to collect a salary for a no-show job!"
Shen Hongniang was quite indignant, sneering coldly. "People like us, with our wretched lives, still have to call people 'Master' and 'Mistress' to their faces and behind their backs, just to barely earn a bit of silver to survive. Let's go. We're not waiting for him anymore!"
Shepherds drove cattle and sheep forward. The pregnant livestock they had painstakingly acquired now numbered only four or five. Several pregnant won who had been waiting hadn't lasted until now, having given birth a few days earlier.
The shepherds drove the cattle and sheep ahead, while the porters lifted the sedan chair and followed behind. The several n in the tea shed and the old man selling tea also packed up their things, preparing to return to the Western Capital.
Everyone walked onto the post road, grumbling and cursing.
The Guangji Treasury stored firearms. Years ago, there had been a massive explosion that swept across dozens of *li*. Wherever it passed, people and horses were shattered, trees vanished, and houses were completely destroyed. Therefore, no one dared to co here.
However, after everyone set off, they saw a wooden cart approaching head-on. It passed by the several n and the old tea seller, entering the midst of the cattle and sheep.
The several n widened their eyes, stopping and turning around one after another, staring dumbfounded at the young official on the wooden cart.
The several shepherdesses were also stunned, watching as Chen Shi's cart was about to drive out of the herd of cattle and sheep.
The porters carrying the sedan chair also saw Chen Shi. Their hearts pounded violently as they said tremulously, "Hall Master."
Shen Hongniang lifted the sedan curtain and saw the wooden cart approaching head-on. Her expression instantly changed.
In the blink of an eye, the wooden cart had already driven out of the cattle and sheep herd, passing by the sedan chair carrying Shen Hongniang.
Shen Hongniang's heart pounded violently, various thoughts flashing through her mind!
They had set up this ambush here precisely to eliminate Chen Shi, to avenge Aunt Xue of Yudu, and to remove a major threat for the Young Master!
They hadn't expected that after waiting for so long, the opportunity suddenly appeared right before their eyes!
The youth on the cart seed to also sense sothing amiss, turning his head to look at the sedan chair. Just as Shen Hongniang opened her mouth to shout the order to attack, a sudden chill pierced her throat. A sword light, flowing like water, pierced into the sedan from one side, passing through her throat.
Shen Hongniang's Primordial Spirit leaped out from her body. As her Primordial Spirit force field erupted, Chen Shi had already struck with a palm, shattering the sedan chair. His five fingers, carrying five streaks of thunder light, heavily slamd onto her Primordial Spirit!
"Boom!"
Her Primordial Spirit was blasted several *li* away by the Five Thunder thod, tumbling and rolling before crashing onto the desolate plain. Beside her, Chen Shi raised his hand and heavily slamd it onto the back of her head, smashing a large dent into her skull, her eyeballs nearly popping out of their sockets!
Shen Hongniang's Primordial Spirit whistled as it charged over. On the wooden cart, the parasol flew up, floating ten *zhang* in the air, covering an area of about a *mu*. Beneath the Huagai, divine light blazed, and gods and demons chanted.
The parasol rapidly spun. The shepherdesses, the burly n, the porters, and the old tea seller were all sucked up by the parasol.
The parasol rapidly shrank, its handle landing in Chen Shi's hand.
Chen Shi gave it a forceful shake. Blood and shattered bones gushed out from within the umbrella.
"Can't beat Chen Tang, but can't I beat you lot?"
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