Chapter 5865: Arrogant
Long Chen actually directly broke through the wooden giant’s blockade, arriving right in front of Liu Rujiao’s true body. His hand hovered less than three inches from her face.
Right now, Liu Rujiao’s body was still fused with the wooden giant. She couldn’t move at all.
If Long Chen struck now, he could crush her effortlessly. Once her physical body was destroyed, the wooden giant’s soul would lose its anchor. Her Sovereign sprout flame would then be extinguished, and she would be dead.
Upon seeing this, the Undying race’s experts paled.
But just as Long Chen’s hand was about to touch her forehead, he abruptly stopped and pressed his middle finger to his thumb.
Thwack!
With a crisp sound, he flicked her forehead. A large bump instantly swelled where he struck.
The sharp pain made Liu Rujiao tremble, and the wooden giant shuddered in sync.
“Wake up! If you don’t cut off the connection now, your core energy will be completely overdrawn. You’ll cripple yourself!” Long Chen shouted.
Liu Rujiao’s eyelids twitched. Slowly, she opened her eyes.At that moment, her connection to the wooden giant broke, and it collapsed into dust.
Seeing this, everyone couldn’t help but sigh in relief. They now looked at Long Chen in a new light.
From the start, Liu Rujiao had declared this a life-and-death duel. Victory or death—there should be no mercy.
However, he still didn’t kill her. Not only had he spared her, but he’d also broken her divine ability mid-activation, essentially saving her life.
Liu Xihua smiled faintly. This was the wisdom expected of the human race.
Chu Yao and Liu Ruyan both let out sighs of relief. If Liu Rujiao had died—whether by Long Chen’s hand or the collapse of her Sovereign sprout flame—the situation would’ve escalated beyond control.
For now, this was the best possible outcome. Long Chen had shown mercy.
Liu Ruyan and Chu Yao exchanged a smile. As long as this fellow was thinking clearly, things could be settled peacefully.
“I’m still not convinced. I could’ve won,” Liu Rujiao said through gritted teeth, her face pale.
“You couldn’t. Even if I gave you a hundred chances, you still wouldn’t win,” Long Chen replied flatly. “Your power was impressive just now. But when your strength surged, your speed, reflexes, and perception all dropped. No matter how strong you are, it’s meaningless if you can’t hit your opponent. I’m guessing it was your first time using that move in actual combat?”
“...How did you know?” asked Liu Rujiao.
“Because if you had used it before, you’d already be dead,” Long Chen replied coolly.
“You—!” Liu Rujiao’s anger flared.
But then she paused. She thought about it and realized he was right. She would’ve never used that technique against an equal opponent, and the stronger opponents would’ve definitely spotted its flaws.
In that kind of real fight, she wouldn't have survived.
“There are two main reasons you lost,” said Long Chen. “First, the human race does have a natural advantage before the Human Emperor realm. Second, you’ve never actually fought humans before. You lack real combat experience. That’s not just about you…”
His gaze swept across the crowd.
“…that goes for every single one of you. You’re all greenhouse flowers—arrogant frogs at the bottom of a well.”
The crowd instantly erupted in fury. Whatever goodwill Long Chen had earned just now vanished in a puff of smoke.
“Don’t believe me?” Long Chen raised his chin. “Then step up. I already said it… I’m undefeated beneath the Human Emperor realm. And above that? I can fight one-on-one. Aside from Miss Xihua, anyone who has a problem with me can come challenge me right now.”
Long Chen’s words instantly caused an uproar. After all, quite a few senior experts of the Undying race had gathered here today.
This wasn’t just a challenge to the younger generation—it was a slap to the face of the entire Undying race.
Liu Ruyan’s smile quickly vanished. She had just been praising him inside for showing mercy. After all, this place was her home, and she didn’t want to completely break things off with her family.
However, Long Chen looked like he wanted to turn the Undying race on its head, vexing her.
At this sight, Chu Yao grabbed Liu Ruyan’s hand and reassured, “Don’t worry. This is his strategy.”
“What strategy?”
Chu Yao explained, “Aiya, don’t you understand your own people? They look down on the human race for being weak and full of tricks. But they respect strength. Why do they worship the Sovereign Lord? Because he’s the strongest of the Undying race. And why can’t Miss Xihua command the same authority? Because she can’t beat the Sovereign Lord.”
With sparkling eyes, Chu Yao continued, “Long Chen is doing this to establish a powerful image of himself in their hearts. Only someone strong can make them submit. Otherwise, they will never change their opinion of the human race.”
Hearing that, Liu Ruyan fell silent. She didn’t quite understand, but she trusted Chu Yao.
Finally, Liu Xihua stepped forward, suppressing the chaos.
She said, “Alright, this competition ends here. Anyone who doesn’t like it should work hard on getting stronger instead of just shouting loudly here.”
Though many were disgruntled, the fact was undeniable—Liu Rujiao had already lost. Only two disciples in the entire crowd had any chance of beating Long Chen. But what if they lost as well? Were they going to send out late-stage Demon Emperors to save face? Then what would happen to the Undying race’s reputation?
Eventually, the spectators all dispersed with gloomy expressions. Only Liu Xihua remained behind. Chu Yao and Liu Ruyan immediately stepped forward to greet her.
Liu Ruyan was in a particularly good mood today. Her earlier grievances with Liu Xihua had faded. After all, her mother hadn’t actually done anything wrong. She had even saved Long Chen back then. Thinking back to the harsh words she’d spoken, Liu Ruyan felt a bit ashamed.
“Can we talk?” Liu Xihua asked gently, smiling at Liu Ruyan.
“…Should I go sit somewhere else?” Long Chen asked.
“No, no need. I actually have some questions for you too,” Liu Xihua replied with a warm smile.
Liu Ruyan hesitated. She was worried Liu Xihua might interrogate Long Chen and ruin the atmosphere.
Sensing her unease, Liu Xihua chuckled softly and said, “Let’s just chat casually. After all, if we’re talking about the human race’s customs, wouldn’t that make me your mother-in-law? It’s only natural for me to get to know my future son-in-law.”
Liu Ruyan’s face flushed red, but her heart was filled with joy. Liu Xihua had clearly accepted Long Chen.
Unable to hold back her smile, she took Long Chen’s hand and happily led the way back toward the mountain waterfall.