25: Chapter 25 Undercurrents

When Chen Yuanji returned to Yaofeng Pavilion, Niu Dali was standing at the entrance waiting for him. "The people from the Tiandao Sect have arrived," Niu Dali said, getting straight to the point. "Three in the Faxiang Realm and one in the Void-Piercing Realm. They are staying at the Tiandao Sect Annex in the west of the city."

Chen Yuanji paused in his tracks. "How do you know?"

"There are no secrets in Heavenly Demon City," Niu Dali lowered his voice. "Someone reported to the Demon Emperor Palace the moment they entered the city. Granny Hu has people watching them, and she sent someone over to pass the word."

The two entered Yaofeng Pavilion and went up to the second floor. Chen Yuanji closed the door, placed the golden token on the table, and poured himself a cup of tea, sipping it slowly.

"In three days, I'm going to challenge the Shentong Realm."

Niu Dali was stunned for a moment. "Are you crazy? The Tiandao Sect's people are right here in the city, and instead of hiding, you're going to make a name for yourself at the Coliseum?"

"Hiding is useless," Chen Yuanji sat down. "The Tiandao Sect knows I'm here. Although the Demon Emperor Palace protects me, they won't start an all-out war with the Tiandao Sect for my sake. I must increase my strength as quickly as possible."

"Challenging the Shentong Realm can increase your strength?"

"At least it will let me know where the limit of Huajin lies." Chen Yuanji looked at him. "Besides, the Coliseum has rules. No one is allowed to take action against a challenger during the challenge period. These are the rules of the Demon Emperor Palace, and even the Tiandao Sect wouldn't dare to violate them openly."

Niu Dali was silent for a moment. "As long as you know what you're doing." He stood up and walked to the door, suddenly turning back. "If you're not dead in three days, I'll buy you a drink."

"Alright."

Meanwhile, at the Tiandao Sect Annex in the west of the city. Three people sat in the main hall, led by a white-haired old man with a withered face and sallow skin. He was the very Elder who had ordered the pursuit of Chen Yuanji at the Tiandao Sect's mountain gate. A Void-Piercing Realm expert, an Inner Sect Elder of the Tiandao Sect, Zhou Xuanji.

"Have you investigated thoroughly?" Zhou Xuanji's voice was flat.

"Yes," a man in black bowed. "Chen Yuanji is staying at Yaofeng Pavilion and is a Guest Elder of the Demon Emperor Palace. He recently achieved a fifteen-win streak at the Coliseum and will challenge an opponent at the Early Stage of the Shentong Realm in three days."

"A fifteen-win streak?" Zhou Xuanji raised an eyebrow slightly. "To achieve fifteen consecutive wins without cultivating Yuan Power, that's somewhat interesting."

"Elder, should we act before the challenge?" another man in black asked.

"No need." Zhou Xuanji waved his hand. "The Demon Emperor Palace rules state that no one can move against a challenger during the challenge. Although we don't fear the Demon Emperor Palace, there's no need to fall out with them over an ant."

He paused. "Wait until he's finished. Whether he wins or loses, once the challenge ends, there will be no rules to protect him."

"What if he loses?"

"If he loses, he dies, saving us the trouble."

Zhou Xuanji closed his eyes, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest. "However, just in case, send someone to keep an eye on the Coliseum. On the day of the challenge, I will go and see for myself."

"Yes!"

For three days, Chen Yuanji did not leave Yaofeng Pavilion. He locked himself in the cultivation room, cultivating day and night without stopping. The energy of the martial dao source stone was almost depleted. The ancient jade shone brighter and brighter, extracting the last trace of energy and pouring it into his body. The Blood-Qi Vortex at his Dantian grew larger and denser. A "Dan" the size of a soybean condensed in the center of the vortex, emitting a faint golden light. The prototype of Dan Power! But it wasn't enough. This Dan was too small—so small it could only store a tiny amount of blood-qi. For true Dan Power, the inner core should be the size of a fist, capable of storing over seventy percent of the body's blood-qi, ready to be called upon at any time.

"It's impossible to fully Breakthrough in three days," Chen Yuanji knew this well. "But at least I must make the inner core one size larger!"

He concentrated all his attention on his Dantian, driving his blood-qi to converge toward the center of the vortex. With every wisp of blood-qi added, the inner core grew slightly. In the hallway outside the cultivation room, Niu Dali sat leaning against the wall. He didn't leave; he knew Chen Yuanji was at a critical moment and couldn't be disturbed. He had to stay here to guard him and remain alert against others. Occasionally, other residents of Yaofeng Pavilion passed by and looked curiously, but no one asked any questions.

On the second night, Su Xiaohu came. She carried a food box containing Qi-Replenishing Soup that Granny Hu had specially prepared for her. Niu Dali stopped her and pointed to the door of the cultivation room. "He's in seclusion; you can't disturb him."

Su Xiaohu put down the food box and sat next to Niu Dali. "Brother Niu, do you think Brother Chen can win?"

"I don't know," Niu Dali said truthfully. "But he's the kind of person who won't lose."

Su Xiaohu didn't speak, just silently watched the door of the cultivation room. An hour later, she stood up and handed the food box to Niu Dali. "When Brother Chen comes out, let him drink it while it's hot."

"Alright."

Su Xiaohu turned to leave, took a few steps, then turned back: "Brother Niu, if Brother Chen wins, tell him I'll be waiting for him at the Demon Emperor Palace."

"Alright."

On the morning of the third day, the door to the cultivation room finally opened. Chen Yuanji walked out, his face calm, showing no signs of anything unusual. His eyes were deeper than they had been three days ago, and his aura was more restrained.

Niu Dali handed him the food box. "Xiao Hu brought some Qi-Replenishing Soup; it's still warm."

Chen Yuanji took it and drank it all in one go. "Let's go." He put down the food box. "We're going to the Coliseum today."

"Aren't you going to rest for a bit?"

"I'll rest on the way."

The two walked out of Yaofeng Pavilion and headed toward the Coliseum along the street. The sky was just beginning to brighten, and pedestrians were sparse. A few early-rising Yao were setting up stalls by the roadside. Seeing Chen Yuanji, they all cast curious glances. The news that the human youth with a fifteen-win streak was going to challenge the Shentong Realm today had already spread throughout Heavenly Demon City.

At the entrance of the Coliseum, there was a sea of people. There were several times more people than a few days ago—not only Yao but also humans, and even a few Martial Artists from other domains. They all wanted to see if this human youth, who did not Cultivate Yuan Power, could create a miracle. Chen Yuanji passed through the crowd and entered the backstage of the Coliseum, where the Old Wolf Demon was already waiting for him.

"The opponents have been selected." The Old Wolf Demon handed over a register. "Shentong Realm Early Stage, take your pick."

Chen Yuanji flipped through the register, which listed over a dozen names, each with a detailed introduction—race, Cultivation Technique, Divine Ability, and battle record. He looked through them one by one, finally stopping on a name.

"Him."

The Old Wolf Demon took a look, and his expression changed slightly. "Are you sure?"

"Sure."

The Old Wolf Demon was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"Fine. I'll go make the arrangements."

He turned to leave, took a few steps, then turned back. "Kid, this opponent hasn't lost in three years. Be careful."

Chen Yuanji nodded without speaking. In the register, a line of small characters was written under that name—"Tie Sha, Rhino Tribe, Shentong Realm Early Stage. Divine Ability: Vajra Indestructibility. Record: thirty-seven wins, zero losses."