World Defying Dan God Chapter 005 - Challenge (edited)

One month later.

With the moon ascending high in the night sky, an azure glow flickered atop a mountain peak. Viewed from afar, it resembled a star that had plummeted onto the summit. To prevent others from discovering his newly gained power, Chen Xiang had used the pretext of collecting herbs to reach this mountain and practice his cultivation.

For absorbing greater quantities of Spirit Qi and sensing the wind and lightning pulsing between heaven and earth more acutely, he had chosen the mountain's top. Here, dark clouds gathered, fierce winds raged, and lightning occasionally crackled amid the clouds. Abruptly, a thunderbolt crashed straight toward the peak, as though intent on shattering it.

This dramatic spectacle stemmed from Chen Xiang's practice of the [Azure Dragon Divine Exercise]. The raging gales and booming thunder in the sky resulted from his cultivation. When the lightning struck his body, he not only refined himself with its overwhelming power but also periodically drew its energy inside.

Such behavior could be deemed suicidal. All knew lightning as one of nature's most devastating forces. Even experts of the True Martial Realm shunned it, yet Chen Xiang cultivated the [Azure Dragon Divine Exercise] and sought to harness natural lightning for his training!

The strange phenomenon persisted until midnight. Chen Xiang's face, twisted in agony earlier, gradually relaxed. His garments hung in tatters, black scorch marks covered his skin, and wisps of smoke rose from the wounds. Yet over those injuries, a radiant azure light gleamed, carrying a potent wood attribute aura that healed the lightning's damage.

“As long as I grow stronger, this pain means nothing,” Chen Xiang declared inwardly, fist clenched tight as he withstood bolt after bolt, allowing heaven's fury to forge his flesh.

This technique truly earned its title as a Divine Exercise. It influenced the surrounding world and hardened the practitioner's body through lightning, rendering it far tougher.

Days slipped by. Chen Xiang endured countless lightning strikes during this period. At last, he finished his foundational body tempering!

Upon opening his eyes, twin bolts of lightning flashed within them, his gaze steady and unyielding. It was a mesmerizing display.

“It truly lives up to being a Divine Exercise! Mortal Martial Exercises are worthless in comparison! In merely one month, I've advanced to the 5th level of the Mortal Martial Realm!”

Chen Xiang now examined the five True Qi vortexes whirling in his dantian. They had expanded significantly since before. He could now manipulate True Qi freely. This marked the 5th level of the Mortal Martial Realm, the True Qi realm!

At sixteen years old, reaching the 5th level of the Mortal Martial Realm branded him a genius in many eyes.

Crimson True Qi danced in one of Chen Xiang's palms, azure True Qi in the other. Fire and Wood True Qi had been nurtured together via the Azure Dragon and Vermillion Bird Divine Exercises.

Chen Xiang sensed he had molted his old self and emerged renewed. Both his True Qi and body surpassed their previous forms. After all, his flesh had been lightning-forged, and his True Qi stemmed from a Divine Exercise.

Now Chen Xiang grasped why Divine Exercises held inestimable value. Cultivating them bestowed godlike might!

“Spirit Qi here is sparse. To surge ahead in cultivation, you'll need dan! With True Qi Flames at your command, you can start learning alchemy.” Su Meiyao's voice echoed in his mind.

Su Meiyao and Bai Youyou yearned for Chen Xiang's rapid strengthening. The faster he grew, the sooner they regained their power. The sisters dreaded their current weakness and vulnerability.

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“Well, if it isn’t the Chen Family’s great young master? The Yao Family’s genius alchemist has challenged you. He wants to compete with you in both alchemy and martial arts.”

Chen Xiang had just stepped through the Chen Family Gate when an arrogant youth approached and spoke to him.

“A challenge? When did this happen?” Chen Xiang asked, somewhat taken aback. He had been gone only a few days.

The youth laughed mockingly, his tone dripping disdain. “You haven’t even heard? We figured you hid out of fear! It started ten days ago, all because the Yao Family’s genius covets your fiancée. Tough luck for you!”

Chen Xiang barely restrained his urge to thrash the brat. With a forced smirk, he retorted, “Chen Zhenhua, remember when we were kids and I shoved your face into dog shit? You sure you want to keep mouthing off now?”

The brat was Chen Zhenhua, son of a commander from one of the Chen Family Branches scattered across the Southern Martial Empire. Those branch leaders wielded great strength and assembled at the Chen Family Villa only for crucial events.

Chen Zhenhua's face contorted in fury, but he swallowed it. Sneering, he shot back, “Of course I remember! Let's see you beat the Yao Family’s genius. I’m dying to see your face when you lose that beauty.”

Chen Zhenhua left, cackling.

Chen Xiang snorted and headed to find his father. En route, he caught wind that the Chen Family faced troubles, summoning all branch commanders.

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Tianhu Park, Inside the Library.

Chen Xiang rushed to his father and inquired, “Dad, has Grandfather really stepped down as patriarch?”

Chen Tianhu, looking solemn, nodded. “Yes. He’s entered seclusion to join a martial arts sect. Branch commanders are converging to vie for his spot.”

A Chen family patriarch's resignation demanded a new election. Chaos would ensue with battles, injuries inevitable.

Claiming a martial family's patriarch role brought vast authority, abundant resources, and many vied fiercely for it, risking life itself.

Chen Xiang's father aimed for patriarch too, drawing Chen Xiang into the fray. Without sufficient power, peril awaited him.

The Chen family patriarch seat never passed by bloodline. Competition decided it, for in this world, might ruled, and only strength compelled loyalty. Thus, patriarch hopefuls proved themselves through force.

Noting Chen Tianhu's grave expression, Chen Xiang asked cautiously, “Dad... Will this be tough for you?”

Chen Tianhu sighed. “Very much so. Many rivals seek the position, including those two brothers I wary of.......no need to mention it, but reject that Yao family genius’s challenge.”

Reject? Having heard of the so-called challenge, Chen Xiang had no plans to back down. Now at 5th level Mortal Martial Realm with Divine Exercises, his [Tai Chi Divine Exercises] concealed his aura, fooling even Chen Tianhu about his explosive progress.

“Dad, I won’t let the Xue family and Yao family belittle me! I must take this challenge!” Chen Xiang's eyes burned with battle lust, surging refined True Qi from his body, shrinking Chen Tianhu's pupils in shock. His son's growth stunned him.

Chen Tianhu assumed a lucky break during Chen Xiang's travels, but held back questions. Strength was what mattered.

Chen Tianhu clapped Chen Xiang's shoulders, chuckling. “Your dad’s got your back! Show that Yao genius there’s always a higher peak!”

Chen Xiang laughed dryly. “Dad, can you spot me some cash?”

Though Chen Tianhu lived lavishly, he kept Chen Xiang on a tight leash to avoid spoiling him into a wastrel. Thus, the elder's grandson appeared frugal next to peers.

Chen Tianhu shunned extravagance, spending wisely on strength-building for himself and Chen Xiang, curbing wasteful outlays.

“What for?”

“To buy spirit herbs for planting.” Chen Xiang murmured, eyes darting slyly.

Growing spirit herbs demanded skill and tender care. Usually, alchemists—bearded elders—handled it. A youth without experience diving in was odd, needing vast patience as prime herbs took years to ripen.

Chen Tianhu had never seen a teen tend spirit herbs, yet Chen Xiang's confident gaze prompted a sigh and a storage pouch.

“Lie to me, and I’ll beat you till sitting hurts for a month... Got it?” Chen Tianhu grinned menacingly, making Chen Xiang shudder.

“Here’s 3000 large spirit coins. No confidence to double it? Don’t beg for more later.” Chen Tianhu handed over a custom spirit note.

Chen Xiang pocketed it, grinning. “Don’t worry, I’ll be the Chen family’s youngest alchemist!”

Chen Tianhu reeled. Without a spiritual vein, alchemy seemed impossible for Chen Xiang, yet hope stirred. A family alchemist would bolster them greatly—they’d lacked one for years.

Chen Tianhu laughed. “Scram before I change my mind, no tricks or it’s the paddle! I’ll relay your answer to the Yao family.”

Clutching the 3000 large spirit coins, Chen Xiang dashed off.