Chapter 32: Bloodline Power

[A/N: Posting extra bonus Chapters today and tomorrow because we reached a weekly milestone!]

"Hahaha! Still stubborn even when death is at your doorstep! Chen Chuan, did you turn your brain into mush from all that Alchemy?"

Feng Tianming’s shrill mocking laughter rang out immediately, breaking the brief silence brought about by Chen Chuan’s words.

Feng Tianxiang chimed in, "Exactly! Zhixian can crush you with a single finger now. Just wait to be beaten like a dead dog and see how much longer you can stay arrogant."

Their words were like drops of water in a hot frying pan, instantly igniting the discussions of the surrounding onlookers.

"Tsk tsk, this Chen Chuan is truly fearless in his ignorance!"

"First Level of the Furnace Realm. No matter how condensed his spiritual energy is or how powerful his Physical Body, how could he possibly contend with Senior Sister Feng, who has activated a Seventh-Grade Phoenix Bloodline?"

"Maybe he just managed to hold on for a few moves and thinks he’s actually capable? He must be hallucinating from all that Alchemy!"

"I’m just waiting to see Senior Sister Feng blast him off the stage with one palm strike. Let’s see if he can keep up that calm facade then!"

"Look! Senior Sister Feng is making her move!"

Gloating gazes pierced like needles toward Chen Chuan on the Duel Platform.

No one thought he had any chance of winning. Everyone craned their necks, waiting to see this tactless fellow get crushed with overwhelming force.

Even Chen Ping, who had always had confidence in his big brother, was now breaking out in a cold sweat.

The pressure emanating from Feng Zhixian, like physical flames, made his heart palpitate even from a distance.

But seeing Chen Chuan’s still-straight back and deep, calm eyes, a strange sense of anticipation arose in his heart again:

"Big Brother, just what kind of trump card are you still hiding?"

On the Duel Platform, Feng Zhixian was completely enraged by Chen Chuan’s nonchalant attitude.

"Stubborn fool! Fall!"

She gave a delicate shout as the crimson flames around her surged. Her figure turned into a red streak of light that tore through the air, charging at Chen Chuan once more.

This time, her speed and power were more than several times stronger than before!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The dull thuds of clashing fists and palms rang out densely like beating drums.

Under Feng Zhixian’s storm-like assault, Chen Chuan’s figure indeed began to retreat continuously, his footsteps leaving shallow marks on the hard floor of the Duel Platform.

He seemed only able to barely hold on. As he parried with his arms, the scorching flame spiritual energy burned his sleeves and even made the skin on his arms turn slightly red.

"Look! He can’t hold on anymore!"

"I told you, Senior Sister Feng definitely wasn’t using her full strength earlier."

"Almost there, almost there. It’ll probably be over in the next move!"

The onlookers pointed and gestured excitedly, as if they had already foreseen the ending.

Feng Tianming and Feng Tianxiang were even more excited, their faces flushed red, wishing they could go up and cheer for Feng Zhixian themselves.

However, at the center of the storm, Chen Chuan’s eyes remained as calm as a still well.

While he appeared to be losing ground, he was actually adapting to the rhythm of the Phoenix Bloodline’s power after it was fully activated.

Furthermore, the Primordial Sacred Dragon Scripture was circulating within him at an unprecedented speed, and a dormant ancient power was being slowly awakened.

Almost there!

Chen Chuan thought to himself.

Just as Feng Zhixian’s palm blade, containing terrifying flame power, was about to strike his shoulder and everyone thought he would be heavily injured and sent flying...

"Roar!"

A low dragon roar suddenly erupted from within Chen Chuan’s body!

This roar wasn’t high-pitched, yet it carried supreme majesty and dominance, instantly drowning out the crackling of the flames around Feng Zhixian and clearly reaching everyone’s ears.

Buzz!

An indescribable, terrifying Aura exploded outward with Chen Chuan at the center!

Crackle!

Beneath Chen Chuan’s exposed skin and his flame-charred clothes, a layer of fine, purple-gold dragon scales instantly covered him.

These dragon scales were like natural armor, covering his entire body seamlessly. Even the sides of his cheeks had faint scale patterns appearing.

His entire Aura surged like a volcanic eruption. A Dragon Might, far more heart-palpitating than Feng Zhixian’s Phoenix pressure, swept across the entire No. 1 Duel Platform.

He stood there, purple-gold lightning seemingly flashing in his eyes, like a dragon god Awakening from the primordial era!

In an instant, the entire Martial Arts Arena fell into a dead silence.

All the gloating voices came to an abrupt halt.

Everyone’s eyes widened, looking at the figure surrounded by purple-gold light on the Duel Platform in disbelief.

"Scales?"

"What kind of Bloodline is this? Such a terrifying Aura!"

"My spiritual energy is trembling?"

"Dragon Might! This is the pressure of a Dragon Clan Bloodline! It’s even stronger than Senior Sister Feng’s Phoenix pressure!"

Exclamations rose and fell, filled with shock and disbelief.

Chen Ping suddenly covered his mouth, his eyes bulging as he trembled with excitement:

"Purple-gold dragon scales! Grade Nine! It’s the legendary Grade Nine Primordial Purple Radiance Ancestral Dragon Bloodline."

"Big Brother actually awakened it to a Grade Nine concentration."

Tremendous joy and shock slammed into his soul.

On the Duel Platform, Feng Zhixian’s fierce palm blade stopped abruptly in mid-air.

Feeling the terrifying Aura from Chen Chuan, like a prehistoric beast Awakening, and that overwhelming sense of pressure...

For the first time, a look of horror and disbelief appeared on Feng Zhixian’s beautiful face.

"Did you enjoy yourself just now?" Chen Chuan looked up, a cold smile appearing on his face covered in purple-gold dragon scales. "Now, it’s my turn!"

Before his voice even faded, he slammed his foot onto the ground!

Boom!

The Duel Platform shook violently, and Chen Chuan’s figure instantly vanished, leaving only a purple-gold afterimage.

So fast!

Feng Zhixian’s pupils constricted. She fully activated her Phoenix Bloodline, her body protected by crimson flames, and thrust both palms out in an attempt to block.

Bang!!

The purple-gold fist, carrying a force that could tear through anything, smashed heavily against her flame shield.

The previously indestructible shield shattered like paper.

Feng Zhixian felt an irresistible force surge through her. A sweet taste rose in her throat as she was sent flying backward uncontrollably.

"Sister!"

The wild joy on Feng Tianming’s face instantly froze, turning into terror.

Chen Chuan pressed his advantage relentlessly, pushing his Purple Gold Dragon Shadow Steps to the limit, following her like a shadow.

Every strike contained domineering power, while also carrying the infinite changes and resilience bestowed by the Chaos Divine Body.

Bang bang bang bang!

The situation instantly reversed!

Feng Zhixian, who had been suppressing Chen Chuan just moments ago, was now completely on the defensive.

Her proud Phoenix flames were significantly less effective against Chen Chuan’s purple-gold dragon scales.

And Chen Chuan’s strength completely surpassed hers.

The intense exchange was a blur to the eyes. Purple-gold light and crimson flames collided wildly, with air currents rolling and booms echoing continuously.

The crowd below was already dumbfounded, their blood boiling with excitement.

"Chen Chuan is suppressing Senior Sister Feng!"

"Just what kind of monster Bloodline is this? It’s too strong!"

"Who said he turned his brain into mush from Alchemy? Step forward! You call this mush?"

Exclamations of shock were incessant.

Everyone who had previously looked down on Chen Chuan now felt their faces burning, their hearts filled with shock.

"It’s over."

The purple-gold light in Chen Chuan’s eyes intensified. The Bloodline Power within him perfectly fused with the power of the Primordial Sacred Dragon Scripture, gathering in his right fist.

As he threw a punch, it was as if a miniature phantom of a purple-gold Ancestral Dragon roared forth!

"Radiant Dragon Dawn!"

Boom!

Feng Zhixian’s desperate defense crumbled before this punch.

She let out a pained groan as her delicate body was blasted off the Duel Platform like a broken kite, slamming heavily onto the ground below and kicking up a cloud of dust.

The second match, ended.

The winner, Chen Chuan!

Around the entire No. 1 Platform, there was total silence.

Everyone looked at Chen Chuan on the stage, whose purple-gold dragon scales were slowly receding as he returned to his original appearance, still looking calm.

Then they looked at Feng Zhixian below the stage, struggling to get up but ultimately collapsing helplessly, her eyes hollow.

The massive contrast made it difficult for everyone to snap out of it for a moment.

Feng Zhixian stared blankly at the ground as two trails of silent tears rolled down.

Defeated.

She had actually lost.

And it was after using her full strength and activating her Phoenix Bloodline that she lost to this bastard she once looked down on and vowed to teach a lesson.

"Wow!"

A crisp voice broke the silence.

Ye Linger had stood up at some point, forgetting to eat the candied haws in her hand. Her lively large eyes were full of surprise and excitement.

"Junior Brother is actually so amazing, he even defeated Feng Zhixian."

She cheered softly, her little tiger teeth sparkling in the sunlight.

Thinking of the place they were going in two days, a satisfied smile appeared on her face.

Her gaze toward Chen Chuan was full of the joy and satisfaction of having discovered a new continent.

Chen Chuan didn’t care about the gazes from below, nor did he look at the dejected Feng Zhixian. He simply straightened his somewhat damaged sleeves calmly and looked at the presiding Elder.

Only then did the presiding Elder snap out of his daze and announce loudly, "No. 1 Platform, Chen Chuan wins!"

As the announcement fell, the crowd completely erupted.

Today, they had witnessed an incredible reversal, the rise of a new Outer Sect legend.

After the Disciples on the other Duel Platforms had decided their matches, the third round of drawing lots followed.

Soon, the presiding Elder’s voice rang out again, suppressing the clamor: "Third round of drawing lots, begin!"

After the intense elimination of the second round, fewer people remained, and the drawing process was much faster.

Chen Chuan stepped forward again, reached into the box, and pulled out a number plate.

"Number six."

With a quick glance, he walked straight toward the No. 6 Duel Platform.

When he stood on the No. 6 Platform, his opponent had already leaped up.

This was an extremely burly and robust youth, nearly two meters tall, with knotted muscles and skin the color of rock-like bronze.

Just by standing there, he gave off a heavy sense of pressure like a mountain.

"It’s Senior Brother Shi Man!"

"Shi Man, one of the Five Great Geniuses of the Outer Sect! He’s actually taking the stage so early?"

"It’s over, it’s over. Chen Chuan’s good luck has run out."

"Senior Brother Shi Man is at the Ninth Level of the Furnace Realm! The Cultivation Technique he practices has powerful defense and strength."

"Although Chen Chuan defeated Senior Sister Feng, he is only at the First Level of the Furnace Realm after all. Against Senior Brother Shi Man, the gap is too large."

"What a pity. He just started to show his talent, and now he’s going to be stopped here."

Seeing Chen Chuan’s opponent, the discussions that had just died down among the crowd rose again.

Almost everyone looked at Chen Chuan with sympathetic eyes.

Having just defeated a strong enemy, he immediately encountered an even stronger opponent—one of the Five Great Geniuses with absolute cultivation suppression.

This luck was truly something else.

"Big Brother’s luck is too poor this time; his opponent is actually Shi Man." Chen Ping shook his head inwardly.

It was impossible for the First Level of the Furnace Realm to defeat the Ninth Level of the Furnace Realm.

Even if Chen Chuan possesses Bloodline Power, it cannot bridge this massive gap in strength.

Facing the various gazes from the surroundings and the opponent before him who radiated a powerful Aura like an iron tower...

There was no fear on Chen Chuan’s face. Instead, the corners of his mouth curled into a barely perceptible arc.