Chen Tian, while passively defending, absorbed the memories flooding his mind. This process required time, and the sheer volume of recollections was staggering. His mind raced, simultaneously defending and processing, as images flickered through his consciousness. These visions startled him, causing him to momentarily lose his guard. A single punch from Huang Fenglong sent him flying.
Chen Tian closed his eyes, standing still. To Huang Fenglong, it appeared Chen Tian had surrendered. The relentless assault of fists rained down upon Chen Tian’s body as he absorbed the memories, his entire being frozen like a wooden effigy. Fortunately, Chen Tian’s physical resilience far surpassed that of ordinary cultivators, and he remained unharmed by Huang Fenglong's onslaught.
After a few minutes, Chen Tian’s eyes snapped open. He grabbed Huang Fenglong's fists and roared, "Have you had your fill? Is it my turn now?"
Chen Tian had finished processing the memories and understood Huang Fenglong's significance. He had no intention of killing Huang Fenglong, as he was a disciple of a certain powerful individual. Killing him would create complications, and Chen Tian’s own identity could not be revealed.
Chen Tian pushed out with both palms, sending Huang Fenglong flying backward. Chen Tian moved instantly, and Huang Fenglong's body was then subjected to a barrage of attacks from all directions. Unable to control his movements, Huang Fenglong was mercilessly assaulted by Chen Tian. The pain made him realize Chen Tian’s strength was far beyond what he had initially perceived. Even with his own power increased to this extent, he had no chance to resist. Why had his opponent not attacked earlier?
A smile curved Chen Tian's lips. He shifted directions with impossible speed, making himself invisible to Huang Fenglong. Huang Fenglong's body drifted and swayed in the sky, utterly beyond his control.
Chen Tian’s palms shot out, and a beam of light pierced the heavens. Huang Fenglong was propelled skyward. A figure then descended from the sky with immense force. Chen Tian remained in place. Huang Fenglong, enduring the impact, managed to steady himself. Cracks had appeared across his armor, large and small, as Chen Tian's attack had breached his defenses.
Fortunately, Huang Fenglong did not suffer severe injuries. However, he knew defeating Chen Tian would be incredibly difficult. His opponent's strength was unfathomably deep, far beyond what a human could possess.
He had believed his own increased strength would give him the upper hand. Now, it seemed Chen Tian had been toying with him all along. His opponent possessed the power to kill him instantly, yet chose to hold back, which felt like an insult.
Huang Fenglong's emotions began to churn. The Emperor's Aura manifested into a spectral figure, which sighed, "Do not let your emotions sway you. Your path is still long."
This statement immediately calmed Huang Fenglong. He realized how close he had come to breaking his resolve. He lowered his head and replied, "Understood. I will be more mindful next time."
Chen Tian and the spectral figure exchanged a glance. A faint, ethereal figure appeared behind Chen Tian. Huang Fenglong stared in astonishment. The spectral figure behind Chen Tian shared the same origin as his own, implying they were of the same kind.
Upon reflection, this explained Chen Tian's monstrous strength. Like himself, his opponent had no upper limit to their power. As inheritors, their strength could grow indefinitely, requiring only trials and tribulations, much like Huang Fenglong's own experience.
The spectral figure behind Chen Tian emerged, and the two phantoms locked eyes. Chen Tian and Huang Fenglong vanished from their positions. The surrounding cultivators were bewildered by their sudden disappearance.
Only Chen Tian and Huang Fenglong could see the spectral figures behind them; other cultivators could not. The phantom behind Huang Fenglong was different from the one previously seen. The earlier apparition represented Huang Fenglong's own bloodline, whereas this new one was a higher-level consciousness.
Chen Tian and Huang Fenglong found themselves in a separate dimension. Chen Tian closed his eyes. Huang Fenglong's body gradually lost consciousness. Soon, both opened their eyes. However, Chen Tian remained Chen Tian, while Huang Fenglong was no longer Huang Fenglong. Chen Tian's phantom represented his reincarnation, irreplaceable to him. Chen Tian merely merged his phantom with himself to converse with the other.
"Long time no see, Lun."
"Long time no see, Di."
"Your inheritor?"
"Yes."
Huang Fenglong nodded in affirmation. Chen Tian spoke, "Your strength is commendable, but your temperament needs refinement and experience."
"Were we not both like this?"
Huang Fenglong sighed, then looked at Chen Tian's form, which was entirely different from that spectral figure. He knew the person speaking was Chen Tian himself; Lun was no longer present, only a reincarnation of the cycle.
"Which cycle of reincarnation are you in?" Huang Fenglong asked gravely.
Chen Tian replied calmly, "The eighth cycle. Three more to go. Ten is perfection, eleven is transcendence."
"Hurry. You have lingered too long in this life. Time is running out. The universe awaits you."
Chen Tian nodded, and then both returned to their original forms. Chen Tian looked at Huang Fenglong. Huang Fenglong approached Chen Tian, who made no defensive move. There was no hostility emanating from Huang Fenglong.
Huang Fenglong smiled as he reached Chen Tian, "So you are also an inheritor like me. I apologize for my previous actions. It was my fault."
"It's alright. I didn't know you were Di's disciple. I am Lun's reincarnation."
"I know. My master just told me to help you. From now on, I will assist you through any crisis. This is also part of my own tempering."
The relationship between Huang Fenglong and Chen Tian began to thaw. The surroundings shifted, and Chen Tian and Huang Fenglong reappeared in their original location. The onlookers in the sky were utterly confused. One moment they were mortal enemies, and the next, they acted like close brothers.
How peculiar!
Chen Tian and Huang Fenglong stood shoulder to shoulder. Huang Fenglong stood beside Chen Tian and declared, "I will protect this young man. Those who wish to leave, do so now. Do not force my hand."
Huang Fenglong's words effectively deterred the weaker individuals. His formidable strength was undeniable, and cultivators of lesser power began to consider leaving.
Moreover, there was Chen Tian. Chen Tian's strength was comparable to Huang Fenglong's, and from their previous fight, it appeared Chen Tian had not used his full power. This person was truly unfathomable, his strength inspiring dread.
They were no match for Huang Fenglong, let alone Chen Tian. To challenge Chen Tian would be suicidal.
Some departed, their ambition extinguished. The crowd had thinned by several hundred. It seemed Huang Fenglong's warning had been heeded to some extent.
The remaining cultivators were those supremely confident in their own abilities. Greed had overcome all reason, and they were all set on obtaining the three items.
Rumble!
The sound was fleeting. Chen Tian and Huang Fenglong turned their attention to another battlefield, where a fierce confrontation was unfolding.