A journey through the world of martial arts

Chapter 161 Combat Showdown
The Chen family residence in the capital of Qi.

After more than a month of building momentum, coupled with the king's deliberate neglect, the name of the Dragon King had spread throughout the capital. Some far-sighted people were keeping a close eye on the Chen family, watching to see what they would do next.

Meanwhile, some people who only care about immediate interests have rushed to create golden statues of the Dragon King and enshrine them in their homes, offering incense and sacrifices every day, turning most of the capital into a sacred place of incense offerings.

At that moment, Chen Jue was discussing the next steps with Chen Cong and several clan elders in the main hall when a servant suddenly came to report that the Imperial Preceptor, Daoist Wei Feng, and his two junior brothers had arrived.

"It seems they can't sit still any longer." Chen Cong waved his hand, dismissing the servants, and then turned to look at Chen Jue, who was in the main seat.

“They arrived earlier than we expected, but that’s alright. The sooner we resolve this, the better for our plans. Second brother, go and invite them in yourself.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Cong agreed, turned around, and left the main hall, arriving outside the manor.

"I am deeply sorry for not welcoming you properly, Your Excellency, please forgive me. Gentlemen, please come inside." Chen Cong gestured to Wei Feng and the other two.

Wei Feng and the other two nodded and bowed, then followed Chen Cong into the manor. Upon arriving at the main hall, seeing that all the important members of the Chen family were present, Wei Feng knew what was going on and bowed to everyone.

Upon seeing this, the Chen family members hurriedly stood up and returned the greetings. After the greetings were completed, Chen Jue invited them to take their seats.

"What brings the Imperial Preceptor here?"

Wei Feng put down his teacup and said in a calm voice, "I have heard that the Chen family worships the Dragon King. I have also heard that the Dragon King's golden body is full of mysteries. I wonder if I would have the honor of seeing it?"

Upon hearing this, most of the Chen family members frowned. They hadn't expected the Grand Preceptor to be so straightforward, directly presenting his stance, which caught them somewhat off guard.

However, Chen Jue remained calm and replied in a low voice, "The Grand Preceptor's actions are appropriate, but a few days ago it was a festive day, and the Dragon King's golden body displayed its divine power and descended to bestow blessings. It is currently receiving incense offerings in the ancestral hall, so the Grand Preceptor will have to wait several more months to see it."

"Oh, this is indeed an unfortunate time for me. However, I have heard that the golden body of the Dragon King was created in Anle City. Since evil spirits often appear in the southeast, could this Dragon King be an incarnation of some evil spirit to bewitch people?"

Wei Feng's eyes turned cold as he listened to Chen Jue's refusal. He was truly ungrateful. Although he intended to discuss the distribution of benefits with him, he did not necessarily have to submit to a subordinate position. He had to make sure he showed the right attitude, otherwise the other party would only think that he was weak and easy to bully and would press him further.

"Imperial Preceptor, please be careful with your words. The Dragon King is a primordial deity, worlds apart from those demons and monsters. Even if the Imperial Preceptor is in charge of spreading the Dao in the capital, he cannot fabricate something out of nothing. Does this mean the entire Chen family is a henchman of demons and monsters?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Jue was furious. No matter how well-mannered he was, he could not tolerate Wei Feng's words. He immediately glared at him coldly, while the members of the Chen family all stood up and glared at him angrily.

Upon seeing this, Wei Feng chuckled lightly, swept his sleeve, and a gentle breeze arose. Everyone shuddered and involuntarily sat back down, staring at him with expressions of shock.

"What does the Imperial Preceptor mean by this? Does he think the Chen family has no one to rely on?"

Having said this, Chen Jue's face turned quite ugly. It seemed that the other party was intentionally trying to intimidate him so that they could gain the upper hand in the subsequent negotiations. However, Chen Jue dared to do this because he had something to rely on.

Chen Jue reached into his robes and took out a delicate jade pendant with dragon patterns. It was radiant and glowed with a blue light, clearly not an ordinary item.

In Wei Feng's eyes, this thing contained incense and divine essence, which he could not obtain in a short time. He then straightened his expression, bowed to Chen Jue, and said, "I was a bit rash just now, and I apologize to Patriarch Chen."

Seeing that Chen Jue's expression had softened slightly, Wei Feng said again, "I believe Patriarch Chen is aware of my purpose in coming here. The key to this matter lies with that Dragon King. If we cannot meet him in person, I'm afraid this matter will never be resolved. I urge Patriarch Chen to consider this carefully. This 'Heart-Protecting and Mind-Clearing Pill' was refined by our sect and has the effect of calming the mind. Consider it my apology."

With a flick of his finger, a yellow pill landed in front of Chen Jue. The latter looked at it and said in a deep voice, "I will consider this matter carefully and will give the Grand Preceptor a reply soon."

"Very well then. I have troubled you for too long. Farewell."

Having received the reply, Wei Feng did not wish to linger and left with Meng Yu and Wang Xiao.

"Master, this..."

"No need for further words, everything depends on the Dragon King God's will." Chen Jue said in a deep voice, silencing everyone.

"Second brother, come with me." Chen Jue called out to Chen Cong, who hurriedly followed him to the ancestral hall in the backyard.

Pushing open the ancestral hall door, one sees rows of memorial tablets with golden statues of the Dragon King seated on them, surrounded by incense smoke, their divine power awe-inspiring, making one dare not look directly at them.

As Chen Jue and his companion lit incense and prayed, just as the incense sticks were inserted into the incense burner, the golden statue suddenly emitted golden light, creating a golden sea in the room. Within this sea, a small golden dragon swam back and forth. Upon seeing Chen Jue and his companion, a majestic voice entered their ears.

What brings you here?

“Your Majesty, the Imperial Preceptor Wei Feng has come today, saying he wants to discuss important matters with you. We dare not act on our own initiative, so we have come to ask for your instructions.”

Chen Jue then recounted the events, and after a moment, he heard the Dragon King's reply.

"I agree to this matter, but it depends on how sincere they are. If it's a 50/50 split, we can settle it here. Otherwise, we'll have to have a contest of magic to determine who's the main player."

"Yes, we understand." Chen Jue understood upon hearing this.

"This is the Incense Divine Pill, which is of great benefit to the cultivation of incense supernatural powers. You may keep it for yourselves or distribute it among yourselves, it is all up to your will."

After saying that, more than a dozen golden pills flew down and floated in front of Chen Jue and the other person. Then, the golden light dissipated, and the Dragon King's golden body was restored to its original state.

After the Dragon King disappeared, Chen Jue and his companion got up and carefully put away the golden pills, intending to leave them for the talented members of their clan.

"Second brother, in three days, you must go to the Imperial Preceptor's residence in person and tell him our demands. If he does not agree, we can only do as the Dragon King said, and it will be nothing more than a battle."

"Yes, I understand."

Meanwhile, after Wei Feng and his two companions returned to the Imperial Preceptor's residence, Meng Yu asked Wei Feng, "Senior Brother, is that Incense Golden Dragon Fruit really that difficult to deal with?"

"It's not that it's hard to deal with, it's that it's very difficult to deal with. This incense dragon is already entangled with the Chen family's qi, and the Chen family is also connected with the national fortune of the Qi Kingdom. If you want to kill it with one blow, unless the Dao Lord personally takes action, it will be in vain."

"If the Chen family fights us and the outcome is decided, wouldn't we be doomed to lose?" Meng Yu's heart tightened upon hearing this. If they were defeated by the demon race, the situation would be dire.

"Don't worry, although we can't defeat the Incense Golden Dragon, it's not necessarily able to overwhelm us either. At worst, it will be a stalemate, and the king will certainly maintain a neutral stance. The best outcome will be a split. However, I'd like to see what this Incense Golden Dragon is capable of."

At this point, Wei Feng said to Wang Xiao, "Junior brother, send a message to the sect, reporting everything you've found about incense offerings and supernatural abilities in Anle City. Knowing your enemy is the key to victory in every battle."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xiao responded and immediately took out a communication jade talisman to send the message back.

After a moment, the sound transmission jade talisman emitted a jade light. Upon seeing this, Wang Xiao reached out and took it, handing it to Wei Feng. The latter took it but did not look at it; instead, he put it away.

“My two junior brothers, I need to go into seclusion for the next few days to meditate, so I will temporarily entrust all matters to you.”

"Yes, Senior Brother." Meng Yu and Wang Xiao responded and came down. Seeing that Wei Feng had no further instructions, they left the room.

After the two left, Wei Feng activated the room's protective barrier, then sat upright on the cloud bed and carefully examined the information transmitted through the jade talisman.

Several hours later, Wei Feng finally opened his eyes, looking exhausted.

"I never imagined that the art of incense offerings would be so intricate. It's not something to be underestimated. No wonder the demon race is willing to invest so much effort in supporting it. If incense offerings and deities are truly spread throughout the land, then those mortals will really become their source of power. What a vicious scheme."

Wei Feng felt a chill in his heart. Although the Supreme Path also transmits the Dharma, it is not this extreme.

"This battle is unavoidable."

For seven consecutive days, Wei Feng stayed in his room to comprehend the Daoist arts and cultivate the debunking abilities within the jade talisman. On the eighth day, while Meng Yu and Wang Xiao were discussing matters with Chen Cong again, they suddenly heard a clear and melodious voice that lingered for a long time.

"It's Senior Brother who has emerged from seclusion."

Meng Yu and the other person jumped up in surprise, looking at Wei Feng's secluded cultivation location with joy on their faces.

In stark contrast to the two, Chen Cong looked grave. For the past few days, he and Meng Yu had been testing each other, but without any progress. It turned out that they were just trying to buy time for Wei Feng.

"Esteemed Daoists, I have presented all my conditions. If you cannot accept them, please come into my residence for a discussion." After saying this, Chen Cong left a piece of paper, bowed to the two of them, and then left with his servants.

Watching him leave, Meng Yu reached out and took the paper, without even glancing at it, casually stuffed it into her bosom, and walked towards where Wei Feng was in seclusion.

"Congratulations on your great progress, Senior Brother." As soon as Meng Yu and Wang Xiao saw Wei Feng, they immediately sensed an incomparably powerful aura emanating from him, which was no weaker than some of the elders in the sect.

"I'm sorry to have troubled you two junior brothers recently. Has there been any unusual activity from the Chen family?"

Wei Feng's cultivation progressed greatly, and he was very pleased. Next, he would have to deal with the incense and golden dragon of the Chen family.

"Senior brother, these are the conditions recently sent by the Chen family." Upon hearing this, Meng Yu presented the things left behind by Chen Cong.

Wei Feng took it, glanced at it, and then crushed it to pieces.

"There are quite a few conditions, but do you really think we are weak and easy to bully? My two junior brothers, please deliver a letter of challenge to the Chen family, saying that I wish to compete with the Chen family in the Daoist arts of the Dragon God."

"Yes, senior brother."

Meng Yu didn't ask about the outcome. He took the character "battle" that Wei Feng had written on the spot, stared at it for a while, and was terrified by the murderous aura it exuded. He dared not look at it any longer and immediately sealed it away.

He bowed and led Wang Xiao to the Chen family mansion.

After Chen Cong returned to his residence, Chen Jue saw his solemn expression and knew that the matter was going nowhere again. He also heard that Wei Feng had made great progress in his cultivation. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Get ready, the challenge letter will be sent over soon."

Upon hearing this, Chen Cong's heart sank. He didn't say anything more and was about to leave when a servant came to report that Meng Yu Wang Xiao had come to deliver a challenge.

Chen Jue and Chen Cong straightened their expressions and then had someone invite them in.

"Patriarch Chen, we two are here on behalf of our senior brother to deliver this challenge. We request that your Dragon God accept the challenge in two days." With that, he flicked his wrist, and a golden letter flew out, but it remained motionless three feet in front of Chen Jue.

Meng Yu remained expressionless, gave a bow, and left with Wang Xiao. He acted swiftly and decisively, without uttering a single unnecessary word.

"How arrogant!" Chen Cong was displeased with the two men's rudeness.

"Only with strength can one be justified. It seems the other side is quite confident," Chen Jue said calmly, holding the challenge letter.

"This was expected, it's just a matter of responding to each move as it comes. The Dragon King should already be aware of it, so it's best to present this challenge in person."

Chen Cong nodded upon hearing this, and the two went to the ancestral hall, placed the challenge letter on the table, and after a while, a golden light shone down, and the challenge letter instantly turned into countless points of light, which then disappeared.

"Keep everything as it is."

Hearing the Dragon King's voice, Chen Jue and his companion felt relieved. After paying their respects, they left the ancestral hall and had someone quickly clear an open space for the upcoming magical duel.

Once the challenge was issued, the king in the palace also learned of it and was very interested in the matter. So he summoned Chu Fan and Chen Ge and prepared to go to the Chen family manor to watch the battle in two days.

"Generals, which side has a greater chance of winning?"

Chu Fan and Chen Ge remained silent upon hearing this, knowing that it would be wrong to say anything more before they understood the emperor's thoughts.

Seeing the two of them like this, the king showed displeasure on his face, but was actually quite satisfied in his heart.

"General Chu, what are your thoughts?"

Hearing the king name names, Chu Fan broke his silence and said solemnly, "This humble general believes that the Grand Preceptor has a better chance of winning."

"Oh, what does General Chen think?"

The king offered no comment, but instead asked Chen Ge. Upon hearing this, Chen Ge declared firmly, "This humble general believes that the Chen family's incense-burning golden dragon is superior. After all, that astonishing phenomenon is the focus of everyone's attention, and its power is awe-inspiring."

The king listened to their conversation and smiled. "It seems that your two beloved generals have differing opinions. I am also curious to see which side is more capable. Generals, you must make proper arrangements for the trip and not be negligent!"

"The last general takes command!"

Two days later, at the back of the Chen family manor, Wei Feng and his two companions slowly approached and bowed to the king on the main platform. Meng Yu and Wang Xiao then sat down below the platform, while Wei Feng stood on an open space, his gaze fixed ahead.

A short while later, several figures carried a golden statue of the Dragon King to the training ground. After carefully setting it down, Chen Cong bowed to the king on the platform and then said to Wei Feng, "Greetings, Grand Preceptor."

Upon seeing this, Wei Feng bowed and looked at the golden dragon king statue in front of him. His expression turned serious, and a solemn look appeared on his face.

"Grand Preceptor, Dragon King, in this contest of magic, each will employ their own methods, and life and death will be left to fate. Please."

After saying this, Chen Cong quickly left and went to the viewing platform in the distance.

"This battle of magic is related to the future of our Chen family. I only hope that the Dragon King can really defeat the Imperial Advisor in one fell swoop." Chen Jue looked at the King's excited appearance not far away and his heart sank.

"Brother, there is no need to worry. With the Dragon King's divine powers and magic, even if we cannot win, we will not be defeated."

Chen Jue nodded upon hearing this, carefully examining the person and the statue in the room.

Wei Feng looked at the three-foot-tall golden dragon king statue, bowed, and then reached out to grab it. A vortex of energy rushed towards the golden dragon statue. Upon seeing this, the golden body suddenly rose into the air and stood upright, its whole body shining brightly with golden light, like the blazing sun. The light was so dazzling that everyone present closed their eyes.

At the same time, countless golden arrows shot out from within the golden light, forming a stream of arrows that hissed through the air and shot towards Wei Feng.

"A mere trick." Wei Feng snorted coldly as he looked at his opponent's move. He turned his body slightly to the side, flicked his sleeve, and a dense ball of dark light appeared. With a deep shout, he leaped into the air, and a suction force enveloped what lay ahead.

The golden arrows shot out with a whoosh, but suddenly changed direction three zhang away from Wei Feng. Most of them were swallowed up by the black hole vortex, while a few arrows flowed back and headed towards the Dragon King's golden body.

"What a brilliant move of returning to the source!" Chu Fan thought to himself, secretly applauding. He could also use this technique of using an opponent's force against them, but he would never be able to stop the golden arrow stream. Seeing the Grand Preceptor resolve the crisis so easily, he truly admired him.

Chen Jue and the others watching from the sidelines tensed up at the sight, but they quickly relaxed.

The golden arrows that rushed back into the arena were all absorbed by the golden dragon king statue, without causing any damage.

The two sides tested each other's strength with their first move, but neither could discern the other's true power. The Dragon King's Golden Body was unwilling to test the waters any further. As soon as the golden light faded, a golden dragon several meters long appeared, circling in the air, roaring with power that echoed across the land. Everyone present was startled and stood up, looking at the sky with excitement.

Seeing this, Wei Feng said, "This is more like it."

His body then soared into the air, and the long sword on his back was drawn with a clang. A flash of light shot out like lightning, piercing towards the golden dragon in the sky.

As Jinlong watched the flying sword, two beams of red light shot from his eyes. He collided with the incoming sword at the same time. The sword was momentarily stunned by the impact, and in that instant, a red auspicious cloud pattern landed on the sword, continuously eroding the spiritual light on it.

Knowing that the opponent had many tricks up its sleeve, Jinlong decided to destroy the opponent's longsword first. The red auspicious cloud pattern was a supernatural power it had created, called "Spirit Transformation," which was specifically used to neutralize spiritual objects.

Seeing his opponent make a move, Wei Feng's mind stirred, and a dark light flashed on his longsword. Four sword lights dispersed, continuously attacking the golden dragon's body from four directions. To everyone's eyes, the four swords flew up and down, firmly restraining the golden dragon. The sparks that flew out and the dragon scales that fell off all indicated that the golden dragon was at a disadvantage.

Taking this opportunity, Wei Feng recited an incantation and made a gesture with his fingers. A talisman landed in the auspicious cloud that was stealing spirits. The red auspicious cloud seemed to have met its nemesis and was quickly absorbed by the talisman. It dissipated in less than half a breath.

With his soul-stealing technique broken and himself threatened by the sword light, the golden dragon's situation suddenly became precarious. All the spectators stared intently at the sky, hoping for another twist of fate.

"Brother, don't worry. The Golden Dragon's abilities are far more than this. Just wait and see," Chen Cong whispered to his worried brother.

Chen Jue nodded slightly, watching the battle in the sky.

Although Wei Feng had the upper hand, he knew that his opponent had more tricks up his sleeve. So he added three points of force, withdrew his longsword, and each of the four sword lights split off, for a total of eight sword lights that kept attacking, determined to force his opponent to reveal his trump card.

(End of this chapter)