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Chapter 157: The Protagonist Fang Yuan's Dilemma
🕑 Added 2023-06-15 00:08:54 +0000 UTC
At this precise moment.
"I must respectfully defer the compliments, esteemed seniors, for I fear they are not warranted,"
The countenance of Jiang Chen mirrored a blend of agreeable astonishment and modest discomfiture. Subsequently, with reverence, he extended the Heavenly Pearl Soul Nourishing Pill nestled in his palms and earnestly entreated, "Junior Sisters Ruxue and Xiaojing find themselves in precarious health. I implore the two respected seniors to provide a curative method."
"Very well."
"We shall accept your offered pill."
Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning provided their concurrent assent.
Without delay, a gentle, alluring force diffused from the Soul Embodying Ring, gradually drawing the Heavenly Pearl Soul Nourishing Pill towards itself.
Subsequently.
"A method does exist to salvage your junior sisters, albeit its execution proves challenging."
"Within our Everlasting Baseless Immortal Domain, a formidable entity once devised a secret art predicated upon the cultivation method of the Nether Demon Clan."
"Used in conjunction with certain commonplace natural treasures, it can alleviate the symptoms of the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi invasion."
"However, the issue lies in the fact that this secret art is arduous to master!"
"Despite your commendable aptitude, Jiang Chen, it remains uncertain whether you can acquire its understanding before the condition of the two maidens deteriorates beyond salvation."
Nangong Wan heaved a sigh, "We can only strive with all we have and leave the rest to destiny."
"Is this secret art truly that formidable to master?"
"Why shouldn't I make an attempt at learning it as well? If Jiang Chen fails to seize its essence and I succeed, I shall step forth."
A spark ignited in Fang Yuan's eyes as he put forth this proposal.
"An agreeable plan."
Jiang Chen swiftly nodded his assent, "In this manner, we might be better positioned to ensure the earliest possible recovery of Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing."
Fang Yuan was left feeling somewhat irked.
He had intended to secure the verbal consent of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning as a means of salvaging his dignity.
However, Jiang Chen had preemptively given his approval!
Despite the negligible impact of this event, it was enough to stir discomfort in Fang Yuan.
"If such is the situation,"
Shangguan Ning commenced, "You both may engage in studying the cultivation method concurrently."
Following this, she and Nangong Wan, leveraging their residual soul power, began to craft ethereal characters in the air, utilizing the minute dust particles as their canvas.
These characters constituted the mantra of the secret art.
It bore the name 'Nether Qi Extraction Secrets'!
Upon one glance, Fang Yuan set his mind on deciphering it.
Jiang Chen, with a flicker of amusement in his gaze, too embarked on the exploration of this secret art.
Were he not in possession of the Wordless Heavenly Jade, under the sway of the Heavenly Fate Value, he might potentially fall short against Fang Yuan.
However, he held the Heaven-Defying Fate Changer, the Wordless Heavenly Jade!
Even though the qi and blood energy he had accumulated from the Red Maple Heavenly Valley was expended, precluding him from mastering the secret art instantaneously, his martial prowess, reshaped by the Wordless Heavenly Jade, was fully capable of eclipsing Fang Yuan!
As the moments leisurely unfurled.
Fang Yuan's journey in practice was punctuated with self-assured strides, progressing without a hitch.
Conversely, the countenance of Jiang Chen was etched with gravity, punctuated by sudden creases of confusion, his eyebrows knitting together.
"Jiang Chen, have you encountered a stumbling block so soon?"
Fang Yuan couldn't resist a comment.
At last finding a window to suppress Jiang Chen, he threw caution to the wind and seized the moment!
"Indeed, I seem to have stumbled upon an issue."
Jiang Chen nodded gravely.
'Your martial prowess leaves much to be desired, doesn't it?'
Fang Yuan snickered inwardly, even as he outwardly feigned concern and suggested, "Perhaps surrendering might be a wise choice."
Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning found themselves mildly surprised.
Both were well aware of Jiang Chen's remarkable aptitude, but his current performance appeared to be falling short, a development that came as quite unexpected.
Thus.
Concerning Jiang Chen's seemingly underwhelming performance, they chose to reserve their judgment for the time being.
At that juncture.
"No, surrender is not an option!"
Jiang Chen shook his head, then inquired with a demeanor of humility, "May I request the esteemed seniors to elucidate the thirteenth line of the secret art..."
Upon hearing this, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning couldn't help but break into internal smiles, silently affirming that they hadn't misjudged Jiang Chen!
Jiang Chen's quick query might appear obtuse at first.
However, in reality, the secret art contained a mere ninety-three lines in total.
The fact that Jiang Chen had managed to reach the thirteenth line of the secret art in such a short time was nothing short of extraordinary!
Fang Yuan stood flabbergasted, his disbelief etched across his face as it oscillated between shades of crimson and pallor, rendering him a veritable caricature of astonishment.
'The thirteenth line!?'
'How could this be possible!! How could he have progressed at such a pace!?'
'He must be fibbing, he must be intentionally posing a question about the thirteenth line!!'
'...'
Following his initial shock, a whirlwind of thoughts besieged Fang Yuan's mind.
He found it impossible to reconcile with!!
And he was unshakeably convinced that Jiang Chen was fabricating the truth.
Because, as the once celebrated prodigy of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, he had just navigated through the third line of the secret art!
Jiang Chen claiming to have reached the thirteenth line seemed preposterous in his view!
At this juncture.
"Jiang Chen, have you assimilated the first twelve lines of the chant?"
Shangguan Ning voiced the question that hung in Fang Yuan's mind; she sought to validate it.
"Indeed."
"The initial twelve lines of the chant, this is my interpretation and implementation of them..."
Jiang Chen nodded and gradually began to articulate his understanding, every word that followed about the secret art was beyond any cavil!
"Remarkable!"
"Truly remarkable!"
Shangguan Ning couldn't contain her admiration, "Your martial prowess undoubtedly ranks within the top five among all prodigies I've ever encountered!"
"Allow me to elucidate the thirteenth line of the chant for you."
Nangong Wan offered in her gentle tone.
On the flip side, Fang Yuan's expression was frozen, he was virtually questioning his own existence.
'Jiang Chen has genuinely assimilated the first twelve lines of the chant!'
'How can this be possible, this cannot be real!'
'Why am I just embarking on the fourth line, while he has already traversed twelve!!'
'This has to be a deception!'
Fang Yuan was inwardly roaring in hysteria.
He found it arduous to accept this unyielding reality.
In the interim.
[Ding! You've successfully undermined the protagonist, Fang Yuan, in public and dampened his spirit. Fang Yuan's Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 300 points!]
[Ding! You've gained 600 points of Villain Value!]
The system prompt resonated in Jiang Chen's mind, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.
Subsequently, upon processing Nangong Wan's elucidation, Jiang Chen exhibited a look of sudden comprehension.
However, he refrained from resuming his practice right away, instead turning his gaze towards Fang Yuan, expressing with a grin:
"I appreciate your concern earlier, Junior Brother Fang Yuan."
"As is customary, Junior Brother Fang Yuan must have delved deeper into the chant than I have."
"Senior Nangong Wan just clarified the thirteenth line of the chant. Now, I'll articulate my grasp of it. Please, Junior Brother Fang Yuan, lend your assistance in verifying its correctness."
Jiang Chen, with a serious mien, accorded a respectful bow to Fang Yuan before commencing his interpretation of the thirteenth line of the chant.
However, despite having fully deciphered the line, he deliberately interspersed a few inaccuracies in his explanation.
From Fang Yuan's perspective, listening to Jiang Chen's elucidation of the thirteenth line, a sudden wave of anxiety washed over him, cold sweat trickling down his back.
He had only managed to assimilate the first four lines of the chant!
How could he possibly discern the accuracy of the thirteenth line?
However, he had earlier disparaged Jiang Chen, scorning his martial prowess, all in a bid to emphasize his own superior skills.
At present, he alone knew he had merely navigated the first four lines of the chant.
Any humiliation would be suffered privately.
Yet, if he conceded his ignorance of the thirteenth line...
Then he would be publicly belittled in front of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, his reputation taking a severe bruising!
What should he do!?
Should he persist in feigning comprehension even in the face of ignorance?
Or should he candidly admit his lack of understanding?
Time was not on his side.
For a moment, Fang Yuan found himself at a crossroads, ill-prepared for the impending embarrassment.
Additionally, Jiang Chen's exceptional talent couldn't be denied, and his interpretations were likely accurate.
Consequently, he instinctively opted for the former.
Upon hearing Jiang Chen's rendition, Fang Yuan offered a subtle nod, uttering, "Hmm, your interpretation seems accurate."
"Ahh, I see!"
Jiang Chen feigned a moment of enlightenment, enthusiastically nodding in response.
"Mm-hmm."
Fang Yuan experienced a pang of weakness in his heart, reciprocating with a nod.
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