Chapter 112: Earth Profound Stage, It’s Nothing Much
Fang Chen stood up slowly with a carefree smile then descended from the high platform normally, step by step down toward the training ground. The guards of the Fang Manor followed him one after another.
Compared to Ji Lengyue's side, the Fang Manor seemed more like a young lord's casual outing. It lacked any military presence.
When they saw that sight, the hearts of the Grand Xia's citizens slowly sank.
"They haven't even prepared warhorses..."
"Even if they had, it wouldn't matter. How are they going to be a match for the Nightmare Knights, anyway? A single kick from those warhorses can kill a Qi Detonation Stage martial artist.”
"The disparity between our Grand Xia and the Frost Water Empire is in the end too great..."
Whispers and murmurs spread among the people.
Looking down at Fang Chen from his high stead, Ji Lengyue frowned slightly. "Young Master Fang, you don't even have decent weapons prepared. Are you truly here for a military exercise?”
"It’s clear Fang Chen knows that he is bound to lose, so he didn’t bother to prepare."
"Exactly! Any preparations would be in vain!"
"Grand Xia still hasn't learned anything from that incident five years ago."
The words of envoys from the three other countries were laced with mockery and ridicule.
Xia Yu quietly glanced at Ye Qinghe, who nodded slightly in return. He then ordered an eunuch to serve tea to everyone.
Shortly after, cups of tea were placed in front of everyone, including Li Daoye and Fang Cangyou.
Seeing the tea that was placed in front of him, Li Daoye immediately recalled Fang Chen's instructions. He only glanced at it for a moment then turned his attention elsewhere. He didn’t seem interested in having even a sip.
Witnessing this, disappointment flickered in Xia Yu's eyes.
If Li Daoye didn't drink it, his plan would undoubtedly fail, and Li Daoye would continue to stay in the Fang Manor. He would remain a potential threat!
Fang Chen fixed his gaze at Ji Lengyu. "We won't be using weapons against you,” he said, shaking his head with a smile.
"You won’t be using weapons?” Ji Lengyue glanced at Li Daoye up on the platform then looked back at Fang Chen. "Although you have a cultivator in your Manor, he is him, and you are you. Where do you get your confidence from?"
"Give it a shot, and you'll find out," replied Fang Chen with a smile.
Ji Lengyue's eyes flashed. "Very well."
The next moment, internal energy that far surpassed that possessed by a Core Qi Stage martial artist billowed out from him. It went around him then materialized into an armor that covered him from head to toe. His internal energy didn’t stop at only him, but covered his warhorse, as well. The two, man and horse, adorned with their armor, shone in the sunlight like one homogeneous divine being.
Martial cultivation was divided into three different stages: Human Profound Stage, Earth Profound Stage, and Heaven Profound Stage.
And the Earth Profound Stage was further divided into four lesser stages; the first being the Vajra Qi, the second stage being the Innate Qi, followed by the Returning Essence Qi, and finally, the Longevity Qi Stage!
Those with Vajra Qi had internal energy as vast as the stars. They possessed formidable attacking power and extraordinary defensive capabilities. No Human Profound Stage martial artist stood a chance against them. That was an established fact!
"This is the legendary Earth Profound Vajra Qi Stage!"
Exclamations echoed from the high platform.
Both civil and military officials were well informed of what that entailed. They were truly convinced of Ji Lengyue's achievements.
Feeling the aura around him, they confirmed that, despite his young age, Ji Lengyu had reached a level that the martial artists in the Grand Xia Empire had not achieved in centuries!
It was rumored that those with Vajra Qi were the true experts in martial arts. They were capable of easily advancing and retreating in the midst of a hundred thousand troops!
"Such an amazing martial artist... And to think that the Frost Water Empire has more than one..."
"The Frost Water Empire can send out ten of them and effortlessly conquer any of the ninth-tier empires..."
Li Guozhu, as the Prime Minister, was usually more concerned with internal political struggle and the populace's livelihood; he focused on maintaining the balance within the court. However, seeing Ji Lengyue's display of power, he couldn't help but worry about Grand Xia's future. Now that they’ve offended such an advanced empire... how was the Grand Xia Empire going to survive in the future?
The martial artists in the Grand Xia capital were awestruck. There was deep reverence in their eyes. Although Ji Lengyue was not from their empire, martial arts transcended any form of national boundary.
Ji Lengyue’s achievement in the martial way was enough for any martial artist to hold deep respect for him.
"A martial artist at this level can already surpass ordinary imperial authority..." murmured Tao Yu to himself.
Even the most knowledgeable of scholars wouldn’t be able to outwit such a martial artist with their eloquence.
Sighing, the young noble standing near Fairy Yu spoke again. "Do you see that, Fairy Yu? Even with his strength, Fang Chen still pales in comparison to Ji Lengyun...." There was a trace of regret on his face as he shook his head from side to side.
Subtle mockery flashed in Fairy Yu's eyes. Despite Ji Lengyue appearing like a divine being and radiating frightening aura, she could effortlessly defeat him with a Purple Lightning Talisman. There was no need to mention Fang Chen, the creator of those talismans.
Expectation flickered in Fairy Yu's eyes. She wanted to see how Fang Chen would handle Ji Lengyue.
Ji Lengyue's performance had already impressed the majority of the people present. The dazzling golden light emanating from him made the young men of Grand Xia sigh with admiration. Faced with such a formidable master, Grand Xia had no ability to resist at all.
Their eyes couldn't help but fall on Fang Chen.
After that display, Ju Lengyue broke out a smile and said, "Divine General Fang, they say you are the number one martial artist in the Grand Xia Empire. Since the two armies are about to engage, how about we have a friendly sparring match first?"
When the people heard that, they couldn’t help but glance at Ji Lengyue, who seemed like deity, then quickly at Fang Chen, who had both his eyes closed in a display of calm serenity.
Everyone couldn't help but shake their heads.
A Qi Core Stage against an expert in the Vajia Qi Stage... There was no chance of victory at all.
Fang Chen nodded with a smile. "Alright, a duel between commanders can also boost the morale of the troops," he said.
He then walked up toward Ji Lengyue step by step.
When the onlookers saw that Fang Chen had readily agreed, they couldn't help but break out into a sweat. But when they saw that he had actually taken the initiative to approach JI Lengyue, they were dumbstruck!
Ji Lengyue was mounted on a horse, and Fang Chen was on foot. How were they supposed to fight?
Ji Lengyue gazed silently at Fang Chen. With a single thought, he spurred his warhorse. It let out a long neigh that clapped like thunder and charged at Fang Chen.
The sound of its powerful hoofbeats reverberated in the air, and the ground trembled faintly with each gallop.
The onlookers only had Ji Lengyue in their eyes right at that moment; Fang Chen, seemingly insignificant, had already been snubbed out of their focus.
Like a deity, Ji Lengyue soared into the air, and with a leap, his warhorse followed suit.
The horse's hooves were aimed at Fang Chen, intending to trample him to death!
The crowd gasped.
Time seemed to slow.
Boom!
A loud noise resounded.
The horse's hooves seemed to have hit something hard before it could reach Fang Chen, and its legs were broken on impact.
Before the onlookers could react, Fang Chen's lightly drifting palm pressed against Ji Lengyue's chest, and the golden aura surrounding him shattered in an instant, causing the divine atmosphere that he had birthed to dissipate.
He was sent flying as he hacked out a fountain of blood. He then landed heavily before the group of Nightmare Knights.
Then, the horse—its legs now broken—couldn’t react as Fang Chen’s palm landed directly on its head. Clad in armor weighing two thousand pounds, it flew dozens of feet before landing heavily back on the ground, never to move again.
Fang Chen didn’t seem flustered at all as he stood quietly in his spot. His eyes never opened throughout the entire process. He simply chuckled softly. “Is that the power of someone at the Earth Profound Stage? It’s not too impressive...”
The spectators gradually snapped out of their trance, astonishment, disbelief, and shock swirling in their eyes.
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