Chapter 354 - Twenty-Day Promise

Who won?

The answer was clear. After Long Chen deactivated his Dragon Soul Transformation, everyone estimated that he was at the Sixth River Stage. His cultivation level was lower than Yang Jun’s, yet he had forced the Ninth River Stage Third Demon Elder to use a combat technique to save his own life. All Yang Jun has managed to do was shatter the Third Demon Elder’s sleeve. The victor was clear.

Even though the Third Demon Elder wanted to talk Yang Jun up, he had no choice with Zhao Qingyun present. His face turned increasingly green as his eyes were fixed on Long Chen. Finally, he said, “Your performance was slightly better.”

Even the Third Demon Elder had to admit that the victor had been determined. Initially, they could have let Yang Jun and Long Chen duel to decide who would receive the Traceless Demon Shadow scripture, but the Third Demon Elder was too smart for his own good. Since he was the one who had set the rules, then he had no choice but to admit defeat.

This meant that Long Chen would receive the scripture.

The other people thought that this was unbelievable because before the battle, no one would have dared to imagine that the useless Long Chen could win. They were familiar with Yang Jun’s combat abilities, so they thought this was just a wild dream.

“No! I refuse to accept this!” Yang Jun breathed heavily and his eyes slowly turned red. He glared at Long Chen and announced through gritted teeth, “Everyone! Long Chen forced my master to retaliate not because he is strong, but because he is more cunning and tricked my master! If we are talking in terms of true strength, he is no match for me. Palace Lord, I sincerely beg for you to let me fight him so we can decide who will get to cultivate Traceless Demon Shadow!”

There was great dissatisfaction in Yang Jun’s heart, even hatred. However, Long Chen had already gotten Traceless Demon Shadow and was no idiot, so he said, “Why are you acting like this? These were the rules of the test, and they were set by your master. You also agreed to it just now. Now that you’ve lost, you’re refusing to admit it. Are you even a man? Also, combat requires intelligence. A dumb donkey like you shouldn’t throw a tantrum here if you don’t even know what the art of intelligence is.” Long Chen naturally did not hold back when talking to him.

“

You!

What did you say? I’m going to kill you!” Yang Jun threatened viciously.

“Enough!” The Third Demon Elder gasped and quickly held the enraged Yang Jun back. He said to Zhao Qingyun, “Palace Lord, young people are unwilling to accept defeat sometimes, so please do not take it to heart. Yang Jun, come with me. Don’t embarrass me here.” He spoke darkly to Yang Jun towards the end.

Yang Jun still looked unwilling to relent, and his venomous glare never left Long Chen. He had been dreaming of the Three Great Secret Scriptures of the Heavenly Demon Palace since he started cultivating, but when one was almost in his grasp, Long Chen suddenly popped up and snatched away what belonged to him! How could he not hate Long Chen?

“The more skillful person gets it. That’s what you all said,” Long Chen said mildly.

The show was ending. The Third Demon Elder and Yang Jun were about to leave shamefully, and everyone’s impressions of Long Chen had changed drastically. Long Chen’s performance had helped Zhao Qingyun gain some face, making him very happy internally. Zhao Qingyun said with a smile, “Let’s go. I’ll take you to get Traceless Demon Shadow.”

“Wait!”

An elderly voice rang. Long Chen turned to look and realized that the two other Demon Elders had noticed the commotion and were walking over. After watching for a bit, they had figured out what was happening.

“Greetings, Palace Lord!”

The two Demon Elders stood fairly close to Zhao Qingyun, both eyeing Long Chen secretly. They were at least smarter than the Third Demon Elder, so they fully understood that Zhao Qingyun’s newly recruited direct disciple was indeed the Long Chen from the stories.

“What is it?” Zhao Qingyun’s brows were slightly furrowed. It was clear that these two were here to cause trouble.

𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

“Palace Lord, I only would like to say that Traceless Demon Shadow has always been given to outstanding disciples beyond the Seventh River Stage. These are the ancestors’ rules. May I ask if Long Chen has reached the Seventh River Stage yet?” the First Demon Elder asked solemnly. He was not as rash as the Third Demon Elder.

“He is now at the Sixth River Stage,” Zhao Qingyun answered mildly.

“Then he doesn’t qualify. Ancestral rules aside, the Sixth River Stage is two whole steps away from the Heaven-tier techniques’ requirements. He wouldn’t be able to successfully cultivate it at all. In comparison, Yang Jun is about to break through to the Eighth River Stage. It is my humble opinion that Long Chen won’t be able to comprehend Traceless Demon Shadow within even half a year. Why not let Yang Jun learn it first? Once Long Chen attains the Seventh River Stage, Yang Jun will have comprehended it already. Wouldn’t that be perfect timing?” said the First Demon Elder.

The Second Demon Elder chimed in as well. “Big Brother is right. That way, Long Chen will be able to focus on raising his cultivation level without any distractions. Also, the Traceless Demon Shadow scripture will be in the hands of someone who can actually utilize it, rather than letting someone who shouldn’t cultivate it hog it. Most important of all, we won’t be breaking the ancestral rules.”

Their points were all based on logic, so most of the people present agreed.

Yang Jun himself had said that he would attain the Eighth River Stage in less than a month. Based on his comprehension abilities, he could probably begin to cultivate Traceless Demon Shadow in a month’s time. Soon after, he would no longer need the secret scripture. If Long Chen reached the required cultivation level by then, it would be just in time to hand it over to him. That way, everyone would be happy.

However, Long Chen would never allow that to happen.

He knew that he had to resolve this issue on his own.

Therefore, he took a step forward and said, “Indeed, you two have presented valid points. However, what if I am confident that I will completely comprehend Traceless Demon Shadow within twenty days?”

“What?”

Long Chen’s words stunned the crowd for a while. Then they erupted in disagreement.

Did he say he could finish cultivating Traceless Demon Shadow within twenty days? Did the brat think Traceless Demon Shadow was one of his low-grade techniques? One that could be mastered so casually?

“This is a Heaven-tier combat technique! He said he’s going to master it in twenty days? What kind of joke is that?”

“I think he got hit in the head. He’s gone mad because he’s so desperate for a Heaven-tier technique.”

Long Chen’s confident words made the First and Second Demon Elders look at each other.

“Yang Jun can’t attain the Eighth River Stage in twenty days anyway. Going by your logic, since the Traceless Demon Shadow scripture is just sitting there, might as well let me take it back to cultivate it! If I am not successful, I will return it.” Long Chen’s impassive tone showed everyone his self-confidence.

“Long Chen, are you being serious?” the First Demon Elder asked cautiously.

“A gentleman does not swallow his words,” Long Chen responded with a smile.

“If that is the case, Palace Lord, I shall not say anything more. If Long Chen is unable to comprehend Traceless Demon Shadow by then, I hope that you will give the scripture to Yang Jun. I have witnessed Yang Jun’s hard work all these years. If we focus on training him, he will definitely become a pillar of the Heavenly Demon Palace in the future,” said the First Demon Elder, looking at Zhao Qingyun.

“Since it has been decided, you all may leave.” Zhao Qingyun was getting annoyed at this point.

However, there was a sudden cry of dissent.

“You say you can finish cultivating it in twenty days? Long Chen! Do you have the guts to make a bet with me?!” Yang Jun yelled through gritted teeth, standing next to the Third Demon Elder.

“How can anyone know if you will actually do it in twenty days? You need to show it off, am I right? Why don’t we have a duel in twenty days? That’s coincidentally right before the Pyro Passageways training exercise. If you have successfully cultivated Traceless Demon Shadow by then, you’ll get your chance to show it off and I’ll learn from it too. Do you dare take this challenge?” This was completely Yang Jun’s idea, but he was confident that the Third Demon Elder would support him. As expected, after he made this declaration, the Third Demon Elder privately nodded.

Twenty days? Long Chen’s declaration is just too ambitious. We’ll let Yang Jun test him when the time comes, and we’ll watch him embarrass himself. Yang Jun lost to him today; if he doesn’t get to fight Long Chen again to undo this knot in his heart, he might not even be able to reach the Eighth River Stage,

the Third Demon Elder thought to himself.

All eyes fell on Long Chen.

Since Long Chen dared to make such an ambitious statement, then surely he was aware that he risked embarrassing himself.

Long Chen thought of the Pyro Passageways training exercise.

“Master, didn’t you say I could enter the Pyro Passageways if I defeated Yang Jun?” Long Chen asked Zhao Qingyun next to him.

“If you defeat Yang Jun, you will be ranked third among the young disciples of the Heavenly Demon Palace. Anyone in the top ten can participate in the Pyro Passageways training session,” Zhao Qingyun responded.

The audience listened to their conversation, though they thought that Long Chen was merely dreaming.

“Long Chen, do you dare take the challenge?” Yang Jun asked again.

“Of course I do. When you lose again, I hope you won’t continue being a sore loser,” said Long Chen without hesitation.

News of their duel spread like wildfire across the entire Heavenly Demon Palace!

This was officially the day Long Chen truly became famous within the clan. Everyone now learned that Long Chen had some capabilities, seeing as he had put on such a shocking performance in front of the Martial Library. However, his dramatic declaration that he would master Traceless Demon Shadow within twenty days spread across the whole clan too.

Everyone thought that he was just a dreamer who did not know his own strength.

After the promise was made, everyone left.

“Are you really confident that you can finish cultivating Traceless Demon Shadow within twenty days and defeat Yang Jun?” To be honest, even Zhao Qingyun did not think that Long Chen could complete this task. It was just too difficult. Even Zhao Qingyun could not have done it at his age.

“I don’t know either, but the larger the pressure, the more I grow. Twenty days will be enough!” Long Chen grinned.