Chapter 5870: What Is An Old Fogey?
“Long Chen, I’ve been wondering for a long time… but what exactly is an old fogey?” The Earth Cauldron’s voice rang out in Long Chen’s mind.
Inside the primal chaos space, Huo Linger, Yao Linger, the Heaven Flipping Seal, and even the cocooned Evilmoon all quivered slightly, as if perking up their ears to listen.
Long Chen couldn’t help but laugh. So even someone as wise as the Earth Cauldron didn’t know this curse.
“It’s a way to insult people,” Long Chen explained with a grin. “Back on the Martial Heaven Continent, when someone dies of old age, their family must guard over their spirit for three days. During that time, a lamp is lit at the head of the coffin. That lamp is called a fogey[1]. Its purpose is to guide the spirit to the underworld so it doesn’t become a wandering soul. The flame has to be kept burning the entire time—three days and nights without going out. The family must keep adding oil to it. On the Martial Heaven Continent, only people who die of old age are treated this way. So, when someone curses another as an ‘old fogey,’ it’s like saying their coffin’s already waiting—they're just one foot in the grave.”
“...Don’t you think it’s wrong for you to curse your future father-in-law like this?” asked the Earth Cauldron after a pause.
“What’s wrong about it? He’s from the Undying race, so he won’t die from old age anyway,” Long Chen replied with a shrug.
“...”
Just then, Liu Ruyan’s body shuddered, and her divine sense was forcibly ejected from the Seven Treasure Space. Her expression was one of shock.
“Enpuda! I saw Enpuda!” she exclaimed.
Long Chen rolled his eyes when he heard this. He knew Liu Ruyan wouldn’t tread carefully—she had likely charged forward with everything she had.The Seven Treasure Space had seven levels. Enpuda was on the sixth. For her to reach that far in one shot... she really was ruthless.
Still, it wasn’t too surprising. Liu Ruyan was a true expert. She had followed Long Chen through countless battles on the Martial Heaven Continent. Though her senses had dulled after joining the Undying race, the intensity of the Seven Treasure Space had reawakened her instincts. In that regard, Liu Rujiao was far behind her.
“It is him. I killed him,” Long Chen explained simply.
At this time, Chu Yao also came out, her face pale. She had followed Liu Ruyan into the space out of concern. When Liu Ruyan got into trouble, she immediately joined her. But their opponents were too powerful, and both were expelled.
Seeing the pale-faced Chu Yao, Long Chen couldn’t help feeling a pang in his heart. Facing death like that was not a good feeling. It drew out a person’s most primal fear.
“Long Chen, what is this Seven Treasure Space? Where is it getting the energy to fuel such terrifying existences?” Chu Yao asked.
Long Chen shook his head. “I have no idea either. This space belongs to the Seven Treasure Colored Glass Tree, but I don’t know much about the tree itself. What’s more, this space has a strange, ghostly aura—almost like something from the underworld. In the beginning, it was a chaotic mess, but then it organized into seven levels. And on the final level… there’s a being I can’t even beat half the time. I’ve been killed by it a couple of times.”
“Even you can’t beat it? Then how did it appear in the Seven Treasure Space?” asked Liu Ruyan.
“I have no idea,” Long Chen said truthfully.
The Nether Emperor’s image had somehow been recreated by the Seven Treasure Colored Glass Tree. Even now, Long Chen couldn’t figure out how or why.
Because he was curious, he challenged the Nether Emperor every time he could. That resulted in him being killed over and over again.
The Nether Emperor only used a few techniques, but every single one of them was capable of countless transformations. Although Long Chen did manage to win a few times, he lost much more often.
Yet challenging the Nether Emperor was one of the key reasons Long Chen’s combat abilities had grown so quickly. That figure was the only one capable of withstanding his most powerful attacks. Through those battles, he’d gained invaluable combat experience. Without the Nether Emperor in the Seven Treasure Space, he wouldn’t have been able to digest Long Zhantian’s teachings nearly as fast.
By now, the Heavenly Daos were rapidly becoming more complete. Everyone was preparing for their breakthrough into the Human Emperor realm.
Long Chen had long since reached the peak of the Heaven Saint realm. His thirteen heaven veins had all reached their limits, but he continued to push himself without rest. After all, he knew that every bit of power he had right now would multiply tenfold or even more when he advanced to the Human Emperor realm. But he also knew that the advantage the human race currently held would disappear the moment they reached the Human Emperor realm.
Hence, Long Chen was constantly squeezing out his potential. At that point, the ten thousand races would shed their human forms and reveal their true bodies. The devils, demons, beasts, blood race, and Spirit race would all show their full potential. The rules of the world would shift. If the human race wasn’t strong enough… they would be crushed or even enslaved.
“I’m going to see that mysterious existence!” exclaimed Liu Ruyan.
After saying that, she directly returned to the Seven Treasure Space. Seeing that, Chu Yao immediately followed her.
Long Chen was speechless. Liu Ruyan really was too competitive. And Chu Yao… truly a sister through and through. Her loyalty made even Long Chen feel a little jealous.
Suddenly, Liu Rujiao coughed up blood. Startled, Long Chen rushed over and pressed a palm to her back, channeling life energy from the primal chaos space and his Spiritual Strength into her.
With his assistance, Liu Rujiao recovered. With a horrified expression on her face, she said, “What is that thing? Its pressure directly blew my body apart.”
“Didn’t I tell you to stay on the fifth level? Why are you running around?” scolded Long Chen.
Clearly, she had tried to explore the seventh level. Only the Nether Emperor’s pressure could have done that to her.
“I saw big sisters Ruyan and Chu Yao go ahead, so I wanted to follow. But I couldn’t find them. I thought they went even further, so I kept going… and then…”
Liu Rujiao was shaken, her face pale with lingering terror. The Nether Emperor’s killing intent had almost shattered her will.
“Just stay on the fifth level for now,” Long Chen said sternly. “Three days from now, try the sixth level. If you can last an incense stick’s time, then on the final day, I’ll go with you to meet that mysterious existence.”
Hearing that Long Chen would go with her, Liu Rujiao was revitalized. Her fear faded, replaced by renewed determination. After a short rest, she returned to the Seven Treasure Space on her own—without needing Long Chen to push her.
Time slipped by quickly, and soon the ten-day deadline arrived.
On this day, the entire Undying race was on edge. News of the gamble between Liu Changtian and Long Chen had already spread like wildfire.
After all, secrets didn’t exist within the Undying race.
At the core of the Undying race, the land split open, and a martial stage appeared.
Countless figures immediately rushed over to the spectator stands. Suddenly, a figure appeared on the eastern platform of the stands.
Instantly, the ruckus vanished. Silence fell like a curtain.
1. The characters for old fogey in chinese include the character for lamp. ☜