Chapter 65: Chapter 65 (Inspiration capsule Extra Chapter)
"What fire-attribute treasures of heaven and earth do you have? Take them out and show me," Liana’s brows relaxed slightly, though her voice remained clipped.
Allen exhaled and swallowed his impatience. "They’re not with me now—but I can take them out for Junior Sister Liana soon."
His tone shifted, earnest.
"My request is simple. I want Junior Sister Liana to guide me in the art of medical refinement for a short time."
Liana raised an eyebrow. "Enough chatter. Speak plainly, where are the fire-attributes heaven and earth treasures."
"Junior Sister Liana, as you know, our four peaks—Voidshade peak, Serpentwind peak, Fire Phoenix peak, and Azure Sky peak—hold a grand martial competition every five years. This tradition has endured for countless cycles."
"Each peak offers generous treasures as rewards. This time, Fire Phoenix Peak has put forth a beast fire—a rare and exotic flame. It’s not innate spiritual fire, but the fire attribute energy inside it is extraordinary."
"The top three winners of the competition may choose one treasure each as their prize. Past top winners cannot enter again."
"This will be my first participation, and I have no threat from those returning champions. The beast fire will be mine."
He smiled slyly. "Junior Sister Liana, put in some effort to guide me in refining medicine before the competition, and that beast fire will be yours. Why not?"
It was a gentle trap—a golden key to draw her closer.
If he played his cards well, Liana’s favor—and perhaps more—would be his.
If all else failed, tougher measures could make the reluctant receptive.
Liana blinked, eyes bright with calculation. Though loathsome, guiding Allen could earn her that sought-after beast fire, a treasure that appeared rarely and was beyond price.
She held a deep debt to Senior Brother Ethan—who had helped her friend Ashira break free from suffering and awaken her bloodline. This she could not forget.
"My time is limited," Liana finally said.
"I can guide you for seven days at most—but only if you first secure a top-three spot in the upcoming martial arts competition."
"Rest assured, Junior Sister Liana," Allen replied confidently, "the competition is in seven days. Watch closely as I sweep the top prize."
He felt an almost feverish thrill at the thought of performing, of showing her his strength and technique.
Perhaps then, the inexperienced little girl would be utterly impressed, maybe even smitten.
Yet, just as his thoughts swelled with desire, a plain voice cut through the tension.
"It’s just beast fire. Why should Junior Sister Liana embarrass herself for this?" Ethan stepped calmly from the shadow of the bamboo forest.
Allen pivoted sharply toward the voice.
At the bamboo grove’s edge, a young man in plain blue cloth walked leisurely forward.
He joined Liana’s side, an easy smile lighting his face.
"Senior Brother Ethan!" Liana’s eyes shone with recognition and warmth.
"Senior Brother Ethan...?" Allen’s heart sank at the spark in her gaze.
He sized the newcomer carefully — and immediately regarded him as a rival.
At first glance, Ethan looked like a mere human commoner. But Allen’s sharp senses detected no spiritual fluctuations—a baffling absence.
He considered:
First, Ethan might be a useless cultivator without spiritual roots. But such a person would never rise so far in the inner sect or even have a chance to enter the inner sect door.
Second, he might be a new, average recruit with little cultivation time, too young or incapable of spiritual expression.
Third—and this troubled Allen most—he might be a pure physical cultivator, relying not on spirit but body. A difficult, rare path with almost no future advances.
Allen scoffed silently.
"Junior Sister Liana, I haven’t seen you for a while. I heard you were looking for me, and today I happened to be free, so I came," Ethan said smoothly.
"Junior Sister Liana is looking for you?" Allen blinked, surprise cracking his certainty.
"That can’t be. He looks ordinary, doesn’t belong to the peak, and has no sign of talent. Why is Junior Sister Liana friendly with him?"
Confused, he narrowed his eyes.
"Which peak do you hail from? Would it be rude if I asked—since you’re interrupting my conversation with Junior Sister Liana?"
"Um..." Ethan’s expression flickered a brief moment of confusion.
"Conversation? Seems more like harassment to me!" Ethan’s gaze hardened.
Allen laughed it off. "Harassment? No, I’m just trying to get close to her."
"But you’re the one pestering her. This is her domain. Non-peak disciples aren’t allowed here, and even peak disciples need official permission and tokens to enter."
"Besides, you seem like a body cultivator who can’t refine spiritual energy."
"So you dare barge in here unannounced?"
"Junior Sister Liana, if you don’t mind, I can show this useless body cultivator kid his place." Allen’s chuckle was disdainful.
Ethan smiled calmly, amused by Allen’s delusions.
In the Azure Origin Dao Sect, strength commanded respect—even pride and arrogance. The stubbornness of direct disciples often came with a selfish blindness; no surprise at this foolishness.
But Allen had made a grave mistake in choosing to provoke Ethan.
"Teach me?" Ethan’s tone was flat, edged with quiet confidence. "You’re not worthy yet."
"Kowtow nine times to me and I will leave you with an intact corpse!" Allen screamed in rage.
The air rippled as he clenched his fists.
Spiritual energy surged, powerful and wild, forming ringing shockwaves that made bamboo leaves shudder.
Ethan caught the strength in one glance.
"Middle stage of the Soul Formation Realm."
Allen’s age likely matched Seraphina’s.
His talent was impressive, a prime direct disciple of one of the peaks.
Liana edged protectively before Ethan.
"This is my domain," she said coldly.
"Senior Brother Ethan is my friend. You speak recklessly here, Allen—are you prepared to face consequences?"
Allen smirked. "That Ethan only hides behind women’s backs, afraid to face me?"
The challenge hung like a thundercloud waiting to burst.
A/N:
Extra Chapters
100 power stones - 1 Extra Chapters
200 power stones - 2 Extra Chapters
Capsule - 1 Extra Chapters
Massage Chair - 3 Extra Chapters
Luxury Car - 5 Extra Chapters
Magic Castle - 15 Extra Chapters
....
Thanks for the Inspiration capsule: @Achillios