Adding Friends Can Make Me Stronger

Chapter 137: Linglong Holy Land… And I’ll Sell Nothing, Just Die!

The scene instantly quieted down.

Duanmu Longque’s expression showed clear astonishment. He had expected someone with at most tenth place strength on the Hidden Dragon Ranking to tremble in fear before him. But instead, the opposite happened.

This person was not only unafraid but carried an air of calmness and ease, even arrogantly saying he might accidentally kill Duanmu Longque.

“Interesting, you’re quite bold.

“Are you hiding your panic with this bravado?”

Duanmu Longque twisted his neck, his gaze turning cold. “Or do you have a trump card to contend with me?”

Despite his words, he didn’t believe the person before him had great strength. He possessed everything others had and even the rare Strange Fire. Why would he lose?

“You’ll find out if we fight,” Meng Changqing slowly drew his sword. His entire demeanor suddenly changed, becoming like a divine sword drawn from its sheath, sharp and imposing.

At the same time, countless grey lights surged from the sword mark on his right hand, covering the Crimson Sky Sword and transforming it into an unremarkable grey long sword.

Boom!

In an instant, the long sword seemed to come alive, with boundless killing intent soaring to the sky, tearing through the clouds. Even the surrounding flames retreated significantly.

“The Sacred Spirit Slaughter Sword Technique? If that’s your confidence, I will crush it,” Duanmu Longque remarked at the pervasive killing intent.

“Too much talking,” Meng Changqing shook his head.

Previously, Duanmu Longque wasn’t this talkative in battle. With that, Meng Changqing didn’t wait any longer and took the initiative.

Whoosh!

He vanished instantly without warning, catching everyone off guard.

Duanmu Longque’s pupils contracted as he realized he couldn’t sense Meng Changqing’s presence. Instinctively, he dodged backward, avoiding the sword’s edge, but still lost several strands of hair.

“You!” Duanmu Longque was in disbelief.

He recognized Tai Xuan Sect’s Light-Chasing Sword Technique, perfected to its peak. But how could someone at the second level of the Dao Creation Realm move so fast? Even he found it hard to react without being serious.

“Wait, is this a secret technique?” Duanmu Longque’s eyes narrowed as he noticed unfamiliar, obscure black characters floating on Meng Changqing’s body, exuding a mysterious aura.

At the same time, Meng Changqing’s true essence far surpassed the second level’s standard, even exceeding Duanmu Longque’s.

“How is this possible?” Duanmu Longque was stunned.

True essence at the second level stronger than the ninth level? What secret technique is this? No wonder I couldn’t react earlier.

“Be serious, or I might really kill you by accident,” Meng Changqing smiled, pressing the attack again.

“You’re asking for death!” Duanmu Longque’s face showed anger. He realized the opponent was indeed formidable, especially with that extraordinary secret technique.

—

“Linglong Daluo Tian!” At the Wanxiang Pavilion, Yuan Cang suddenly stood up, his pupils contracting. He sharply looked at Xi Yingqing. “It seems the Linglong Daluo Tian really valued you, passing on even this secret technique.”

His words carried a chilling tone.

Xi Yingqing’s expression didn’t change, but inside, he was surprised. As an incarnation, he couldn’t detect everything, so he didn’t know about this secret technique.

“Linglong Daluo Tian,” Xi Yingqing recalled.

This was an exclusive secret of the Linglong Holy Land, drastically enhancing the quality of blood, true qi, and true essence. However, perfecting this technique was challenging, requiring rare and precious resources, some possibly extinct and found only in ancient places.

How did this young man master it?

“The family’s disciple from the Holy Land must have passed it on,” Xi Yingqing thought.

The sect had investigated the Meng family, as it did with any true disciple, to ensure resources were allocated to trustworthy individuals. He knew Meng Changqing’s background well.

Others, including Duanmu Yang, were confused.

What was Linglong Daluo Tian? They recognized the Linglong Holy Land, one of the four great Holy Lands of Central Province.

“Could this kid actually be something?” Duanmu Yang felt uneasy, especially seeing Duanmu Longque still struggling to defeat Meng Changqing, even appearing evenly matched.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Countless sword lights burst in the air, with endless flames surging.

Duanmu Longque’s expression grew grim as he realized he couldn’t defeat Meng Changqing without using the Ten Thousand Serpents Devouring Heart Flame.

In contrast, Meng Changqing’s swordsmanship was overwhelming, with each strike of the Sacred Spirit Slaughter Sword Technique containing boundless killing intent.

Even a small wound could spread death energy, continuously eroding life. If not for his innate fire body and the Strange Fire, he would have been devoured.

“No wonder no one dared to practice this top sword art of Tai Xuan Sect. Its power is indeed extraordinary,” Duanmu Longque shattered several sword qi, speaking coldly. His Ten Thousand Fire Celestial Scroll was strong but not as powerful.

“My God, who said this would end in five moves? It’s been over a hundred!”

“And it looks like Duanmu Longque is slightly on the defensive!”

The ongoing battle shocked the audience, as it was entirely different from their expectations. Meng Changqing was continuously attacking while Duanmu Longque was mostly defending.

“We really underestimated him.”

“Who knew the guy who lay low until the top three had such skills!”

“Such powerful strength!”

“But Duanmu Longque hasn’t used his Strange Fire yet. Once he does, Meng Changqing is doomed.”

Everyone nodded.

No matter how strong Meng Changqing seemed now, the Strange Fire would still bring him down.

—

“Still not using your Strange Fire?” Amidst the dazzling sword light and terrifying sword qi, Meng Changqing forced Duanmu Longque back several meters. “If you don’t use it, you’ll lose.”

Meng Changqing stood mid-air, dressed in white as pure as snow, looking like an unparalleled swordsman.

“Unexpectedly, your strength is actually not inferior to Han Luoyu’s!” Duanmu Longque took a deep breath, looking solemnly at Meng Changqing, a sword mark on his chest.

There was no longer any trace of contempt in his eyes. Until now, only Han Luoyu had forced him to such a state. And now, there was another!

“Since you want to experience the power of the Strange Fire firsthand, I will oblige you!” Duanmu Longque tightened his grip.

He knew he couldn’t win without using the Strange Fire.

Whoosh!

As soon as he finished speaking, the tattoo on his back seemed to awaken. The entire martial arena transformed into an endless sea of fire.

A massive green fire serpent roared to the sky. The surrounding temperature soared crazily, causing even the void to warp slightly.

This was the power of the Strange Fire, and it was only a remnant fire!

“Strange Fire,” Meng Changqing’s eyes gleamed.

Observing from afar was entirely different from experiencing it firsthand.

This was why he had delayed until now. Otherwise, he could have used his sword intent to end the fight with one strike at the beginning.

Strange Fires were extremely rare, possessing diverse powers. He wondered what kind of power the Ten Thousand Serpents Devouring Heart Flame held. Han Luoyu had been defeated too quickly, so he couldn’t tell.

“Take my palm strike!” Seeing Meng Changqing’s face showing curiosity instead of fear, Duanmu Longque felt even more irate.

This guy! How could he not be afraid? He should be like Han Luoyu, shocked and disbelieving, then living in perpetual fear!

Boom!

The fire serpent roared, and palm strikes rained down.

With the addition of the Strange Fire’s power, the palm strikes became much stronger. Even Meng Changqing appeared somewhat ‘embarrassed’.

“It’s over. With the Strange Fire, the outcome is decided.” On the high platform, many disciples shook their heads.

Meng Changqing had already exceeded their expectations by lasting this long against Duanmu Longque.

They thought he would be defeated within five moves.

Who would have thought that Meng Changqing not only held his ground but even seemed to have the upper hand at times?

This truly surprised everyone.

Han Luoyu looked at Xi Yingqing. Seeing his master’s calm expression, he felt a stir in his heart.

Could it be that Meng Changqing had another trump card? But what could counter a Strange Fire?

—

“Meng Changqing! How do you feel now? Can you clearly sense the power of the Strange Fire?!” Duanmu Longque stopped and exhaled lightly.

It was clear that even he found it strenuous to use the Strange Fire. After all, it was a foreign object, not truly his own.

To fully control it, he would need to reach Divine Attainment Realm.

Not far away, a figure slowly emerged — it was Meng Changqing.

Aside from some scorched edges of his clothes, he was uninjured. The defense granted by his Stone Human bloodline was no joke.

“I see.” Meng Changqing nodded slightly.

In his battle with Duanmu Longque, he discovered the Strange Fire’s powers, which included burning and devouring. It seemed capable of consuming any type of energy to enhance itself. Even the killing sword energy had been partially devoured. He wondered if it could convert this consumed energy into pure power for its host.

“Duanmu Longque, let’s make a deal. Can you sell this fire to me?” Meng Changqing, excited by his discovery, asked sincerely.

With this fire, refining pills in the future would be much more convenient.

Hearing this, Duanmu Longque closed his eyes, his face twitching.

“Sell you what? You can go to hell!” He roared as he opened his eyes.

He had never disliked someone so much! No matter the situation, Meng Changqing always appeared calm and unaffected.

“Ten Thousand Fires: Flame Dragon Prison Palm!” Duanmu Longque clasped his hands together, preparing to unleash his strongest move to obliterate that detestable face.

“It seems we can’t negotiate. Let’s end this.” Meng Changqing shook his head slightly.

He had just asked casually. Now that he understood the Strange Fire’s abilities, there was no need to continue.

It was time to end the battle.

With this thought, Meng Changqing slowly closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking into his mind. The immense, illusory sword within him seemed to awaken.

Boom!

In the next second, the world seemed to tremble, falling into absolute silence. An indescribable oppressive force suddenly enveloped everything, making everyone feel as if a mountain was pressing down on them, even struggling to breathe!

“What’s happening?!” Someone exclaimed in horror. This sensation had come too suddenly.

“Wait!” Another person cried out.

They noticed their swords trembling violently, as if they were about to break free from their sheaths.