Chapter 123: Chapter 121: The 13 Forms of the Mad Dragon

’If you really are the Qin Li from Yellow Sand City, then you will meet a violent end here today!’

’If you’re not, then I’ll let you live a while longer. But I will never let this matter between us rest!’

Zhao Xinghe simply didn’t believe it could be such a coincidence. How could two people named Qin Li both become his enemies? He preferred to believe that Qin Li had used some method to obtain an identity in the Great Qi Kingdom. As for the accent... he had talented people under him who could speak in various regional accents!

So, deep down, Zhao Xinghe believed this so-called noble from the Great Qi Kingdom was definitely that little bastard from Yellow Sand City! He just didn’t know what method he’d used to change his appearance and accent.

But no matter how much a person changed, their aura and the fluctuations of their Primordial Power were impossible to alter. A true expert could see through it all in a single glance!

So, he had sought out the Royal Family’s chief Great Tributor, Chen Yihan. Originally, Chen Yihan wanted nothing to do with such matters, but after hearing that the boy possessed Earth Level strength at only sixteen, Chen Yihan was somewhat astonished.

In fact, any Martial Artist who could cultivate to the Celestial Level realm was a young genius in their youth! This was beyond doubt. But to be able to enter the Earth Level at sixteen... that was truly a genius among geniuses!

Thus, Chen Yihan felt an appreciation for such talent and was also a little curious. ’The Crown Prince swears up and down that this kid is an illegitimate son of the Qin Family from Yellow Sand City,’ he thought. ’He even claims the boy cultivates the Only I am Venerable Martial Skill and wants me to help test him.’

Chen Yihan had, of course, witnessed the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, Only I am Venerable Martial Skill before. Its unique techniques and fierce attacks had left a deep impression on him. Therefore, if this boy truly cultivated the Only I am Venerable Martial Skill, he would certainly slip up under his pressure.

At this moment, it did not occur to Chen Yihan that this Qin Li was the same twenty-something young man from the Phoenix Lake Shore that day. Even if he remembered that young man’s aura, he wouldn’t have made the connection. Besides, why would Chen Yihan even remember a few very weak Martial Artists?

If he had known that this Qin Li was not only the one who took the Black Water Kui Ox Inner Core but was also the sole beneficiary of the Ancient Ruins at Phoenix Lake, he certainly wouldn’t be so calm and composed. He’d probably want to skin Qin Li alive.

Qin Li, on the other hand, was well aware of these matters. ’What a coincidence,’ he thought. But on the surface, he remained perfectly serious, clasping his fist toward Chen Yihan. "Greetings, Elder. Might I ask who you are?"

"Young Qin Li, you are in for an honor today. Do you know who stands before you?" Emperor Zhao Yuanli laughed heartily from the private room. "This is the Royal Family’s Great Tributor, a supreme expert of the ninth-stage Celestial Level, Elder Chen Yihan! On a normal day, it’s difficult for even Zhen to request his presence!"

As Zhao Yuanli spoke, he gave a subtle glance at Crown Prince Zhao Xinghe beside him and continued, "Qin Li, feel free to unleash your full power. Elder Chen is a transcendent master; he would never bully a child like you!"

Hearing this, Chen Yihan couldn’t help but give a wry smile. ’I really can’t afford to offend this kid,’ he thought. ’We haven’t even started, and the Emperor is already protecting him so fiercely. I have no idea why the Crown Prince would pick a fight with a talented young man with so much potential. How unwise!’

The hearts of the court ministers also stirred, and they felt incredibly envious of Qin Li. To be so highly regarded by the Emperor meant his future was boundlessly bright!

As for the unpleasantness between him and the Crown Prince, that hardly mattered. It would be at least twenty or thirty years before the Crown Prince could ascend the throne! And in twenty or thirty years, someone like Qin Li would have enough time to build a powerful faction of his own.

Thinking of this, many felt that the Crown Prince making an enemy of Qin Li was truly irrational. Even many who belonged to the Crown Prince’s own faction thought so.

Chen Yihan smiled at Qin Li. "Young man, don’t worry. Just unleash your full strength and attack me!"

If these words had come from anyone else, it would be seen as boasting. But coming from Chen Yihan, everyone felt it was perfectly natural. This expert, with one foot already in the Celestial Shattering Realm, truly stood at the pinnacle of the mortal world!

Qin Li smiled faintly. "Elder Chen, my techniques are quite fierce. Please be careful!"

With that, he slowly drew a Refined Treasure Sword from his waist. He had bought this sword in the Imperial Capital; it wasn’t particularly good, just something for show on normal days. For Qin Li, the Blood-Drinking Sword was too easily recognizable. After all, such Divine Weapons were extremely rare and would do nothing to help conceal his identity. Unless it was a critical moment, Qin Li would never use the Blood-Drinking Sword.

Chen Yihan smiled faintly and said, "It doesn’t matter. Go ahead!"

Qin Li brandished his Treasure Sword, and his entire Essence, Qi, and Spirit instantly transformed. A sharp aura suddenly erupted from his body.

"Mad Dragon Thirteen Techniques, First Technique... Furious Dragon Emerges from the Water!"

Following Qin Li’s explosive shout, he flicked his wrist, and a nearly transparent dragon instantly coalesced in front of his longsword! With bared fangs and brandished claws, its scales and horns clearly visible, it looked like a dragon formed from water. It danced in the air, over three meters long, and shot toward Chen Yihan like a bolt of lightning!

A High Level Attribute Combat Skill!

Nearly every Martial Artist present couldn’t help but exclaim in shock.

Zhao Qianqian stared intently at the dashing young man below, saying in amazement, "Wow, his Martial Skill is so cool!"

Zhao Xinghe’s eyes were gloomy. He retorted irritably, "What’s that got to do with you! You’re a girl, always shouting and screaming. Can’t you be more composed?"

Zhao Qianqian stuck out her tongue and pouted, looking aggrieved.

Zhao Yuanli glanced at Zhao Xinghe’s sullen face. He wanted to say something but held back. He was the Crown Prince, after all; he had to be allowed to save some face. ’It’s just that this eldest son of mine seems to be growing more and more disappointing,’ he thought.

Seeing Qin Li execute this technique, Chen Yihan couldn’t help but be slightly startled. At the same time, he swept his two large sleeves ferociously, and a loud noise resounded in the air.

CRACK!

A wave of air surged from Chen Yihan’s sleeves, meeting the Water Dragon that Qin Li had shot out. The two collided in mid-air, creating a deafening boom!

Qin Li’s body was instantly forced back a dozen steps before he barely managed to steady himself, his face somewhat pale. In contrast, Chen Yihan stood there, calm and unruffled, as steady as a mountain, not having moved an inch!

"Excellent!" The spectating ministers all perked up, watching with great enthusiasm. The reason was simple: Qin Li’s Martial Skill was unique and captivating, while Chen Yihan’s strength and reputation were formidable. A spar between the two was naturally of great interest.

Qin Li was inwardly amazed. ’With that last strike, I used nearly eighty percent of my seventh-stage Earth Level strength. An ordinary Celestial Level Martial Artist, even if uninjured, could never have handled it as effortlessly as Chen Yihan! A ninth-stage Celestial Level expert is truly no ordinary person!’

Little did Qin Li know, Chen Yihan was nowhere near as calm as he appeared on the surface. ’After just one exchange, I can tell this boy’s Martial Skill is definitely not the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, Only I am Venerable Martial Skill. But I’ve never seen a Martial Skill like this before! It’s a good thing it was me. A slightly weaker Celestial Level Martial Artist wouldn’t have had such an easy time and might have even ended up in an embarrassing predicament!’

"Again!" Chen Yihan’s spirit was now more focused than before, and his gaze toward Qin Li held a hint of admiration.

Qin Li gave a faint smile and shouted, "Mad Dragon Thirteen Techniques, Second Technique... Fire Dragon Roar!"

Sharp sword-flourishes filled the air, and a scorching aura washed over them. Following the trajectory of Qin Li’s sword, a fire dragon, two to three meters long and as thick as an arm, its body wreathed in roaring flames, lunged at Chen Yihan!

AH!

This time, everyone present was completely stunned. The Martial Artists among them, who possessed considerable skill themselves, stared with wide eyes, their gazes filled with utter disbelief!

This Martial Skill... it actually had dual attributes!

Chen Yihan’s interest was now fully piqued. His body remained motionless, but this time he extended a hand and made two phantom chops in the air. Instantly, two rifts visible to the naked eye appeared in the air!

Heavens!

Many people once again covered their mouths and gasped. ’Is this the power of a High Tier Celestial Level expert? It’s too terrifying! He can even tear the air itself!’

As Chen Yihan created those two rifts, Qin Li’s Fire Dragon Roar was like it had slammed into a wall, but the entire fire dragon still let out a massive BANG.

Many who didn’t cover their ears in time were so stunned by the blast that their mouths fell open, and they hastily plugged their ears.

Like a sonic boom, an invisible shockwave exploded outwards, slamming violently in all directions. When it reached the edge of the martial arts arena, it crashed into the activated energy shield, causing another series of violent tremors.

At that moment, Qin Li showed no signs of stopping. He leaped into the air and shouted once more, "Mad Dragon Thirteen Techniques, Third Technique—Golden Dragon Claw!"

A heavy pressure suddenly filled the air as a five-clawed golden dragon with Golden Qilin scales materialized from Qin Li’s sword technique!

This time, even Chen Yihan couldn’t help but cry out in astonishment, "A Martial Skill that encompasses all Five Elements! Well done!"

As the golden dragon appeared, even Chen Yihan had to take it seriously. With a reach of his hand, an ancient black sword suddenly appeared, and a faint red Sword Qi slashed fiercely toward the golden dragon.

BOOM!

The golden dragon exploded again. Chen Yihan’s body shot backward, but a corner of his robe was still caught in the blast, fluttering down to the ground.

Chen Yihan stood there, stunned for a moment. ’I can’t believe his Martial Skill is this powerful,’ he thought. ’There are thirteen techniques in total, and after only three, he’s already forced me to draw my weapon!’

’He’s just an Earth Level Martial Artist right now. If this boy reaches the Celestial Level, who in this mortal world could possibly be his match?’

’I’m getting old. The new generation truly surpasses the old.’

A trace of melancholy flashed in Chen Yihan’s eyes. He then turned to the Emperor’s private box and said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, on discovering such a great talent!"