CHAPTER 114: CHAPTER 114: AZURE HEAVEN DOMINATING BODY

According to Duan Shulin, Jiang Qiemo had already ordered the "Life-Sacrifice Sword-Drawing Technique" before, but at that time he was on his way to a Secret Realm and couldn’t receive the delivery, so he temporarily didn’t have Duan Shulin send it, waiting for him to come out of the Secret Realm to discuss further.

As for which Secret Realm Jiang Qiemo went to, Duan Shulin didn’t know, and recently there had been no news from Jiang Qiemo. A few days ago, he had sent him a message, but Jiang Qiemo didn’t reply.

The reason why "Life-Sacrifice Sword-Drawing Technique" was still on the inventory list is that the list given to Chen Guan by Duan Shulin was that of the Duan Family shop’s stock, not a regular sale list.

As long as the items are still in the warehouse, they will be on the list.

"If it’s convenient, when Jiang Qiemo contacts you, could you help me ask if he’s willing to sell it? I’m willing to pay a high price, or trade items," Chen Guan said, pondering.

"I can deliver the message, but you also know Jiang Qiemo’s background; he’s not someone who lacks money or items," Duan Shulin said helplessly.

"I know, it’s just worth a try." Chen Guan also knew the chances of Jiang Qiemo being willing to sell to him were almost zero. If it weren’t because this secret skill suited him perfectly and was a unique piece unlikely to be found again, Chen Guan wouldn’t even mention it.

"Alright, if I get in touch with him, I’ll have a proper chat with him." Duan Shulin agreed.

After returning home, Chen Guan didn’t devote most of his time to cultivating the Secret Technique of One like before.

Outside the Secret Realm, the Free Elemental Energy in the world was extremely thin. Cultivating the Secret Technique of One here might not even raise one Level in three years. He needed to find a place rich in Primordial Energy within the Secret Realm to cultivate, supplemented by Heavenly and Earthly Treasures to replenish energy.

Now, Chen Guan dedicated a lot of his time to practicing secret skills, wanting to improve the skill level.

Others practice secret skills, limited by Primordial Energy, and can only use the secret skill occasionally, so proficiency increases slowly, and naturally, level is hard to increase.

Chen Guan’s Primordial Energy was profound, enabling him to use secret skills continuously. Unfortunately, the energy was too thin here, but if he were in a place rich in Primordial Energy, absorbing energy would be much faster with the Secret Technique of One, speeding up secret skill practice.

Chen Guan wasn’t in a hurry for these few days. Once he joined the Celestial Court Army’s Reserve Team, he would gain permission to enter secret realms prepared for reserve members, as well as some special areas that were far superior to the places regular people paid to enter. There would be plenty of time to improve his secret skill level.

Early the next day, Duan Shulin contacted Chen Guan, informing him that the Azure Heaven Dominating Body had arrived, and asked where Chen Guan lived so he could deliver it.

Chen Guan went to pick it up himself. Upon obtaining the Secret Core of Azure Heaven Dominating Body, he used and learned the secret skill directly.

Secret Skill: Azure Heaven Dominating Body (Unique Piece).

Use Requirements: None.

Primordial Energy Consumption: 24.

Skill Level: 1.

After returning home, Chen Guan attempted to use the Azure Heaven Dominating Body.

At the instant the Azure Heaven Dominating Body activated, Chen Guan felt a substantial portion of the Primordial Energy in his body being severely drained. This energy penetrated his flesh and bones, causing his muscles to tense instantaneously, his skin to contract, and his bones to become denser.

Chen Guan’s entire body became sharp and angular, with pronounced lines, resembling a statue carved from steel, appearing full of explosive power, moving with the potential to shatter everything.

Chen Guan discovered that after activating Azure Heaven Dominating Body, not only did his body’s defense increase, but the increased physical strength also enhanced destructive power during attacks.

The higher the inherent strength, the more fierce the destructive force.

Only then did Chen Guan realize that Azure Heaven Dominating Body wasn’t merely a body protection skill; it had a substantial augmenting effect on destructive power, making it an integrated attack and defense secret skill.

This was distinctly different from body protection secret skills like Iron Cloth Shirt and Golden Bell Shield, which only enhance one’s defense. Although improved defense provides an advantage when confronting opponents, Azure Heaven Dominating Body was more domineering, transforming the body as solid as steel, brutally domineering, and even usable as an attack secret skill.

Unfortunately, merely five seconds later, Chen Guan’s Primordial Energy was depleted, and Azure Heaven Dominating Body was automatically deactivated.

Two days later, Ji Nanhong hadn’t sent any messages but showed up with gifts.

The matters here had come to an end, and she was going back to the Celestial Court Military Headquarters, intending to take Chen Guan with her and have him join the Celestial Court Army’s Reserve Team.

"Uncle and Auntie, rest assured, with me watching over Chen Guan, I’ll ensure he eats well and lives comfortably without any suffering," Ji Nanhong repeatedly assured Chen Yulian, who was worried about the dangers Chen Guan might face away from home, that she would take good care of him.

Hearing her speak, Chen Guan’s expression was somewhat peculiar, feeling like something was off.

"Nanhong, we’ll leave little Guan to you from now on. With you there, Auntie is reassured." Chen Yulian smiled and said.

Ji Nanhong left first, telling Chen Guan to meet up with her early the next morning.

Early the next morning, Chen Yulian made breakfast for Chen Guan. It was her first time waking up so early to prepare breakfast, as she hadn’t done so previously.

When Chen Guan was in school, he always bought his breakfast outside in the mornings.

"While away, harmony is precious, but don’t wrong yourself. Eat when needed, drink when needed, and don’t worry about what others think. Just be yourself comfortably," Chen Yulian reminded him a few more times when sending Chen Guan off.

"I know, Mom. Don’t worry, I’ll protect myself." Chen Guan nodded heavily, but just as he was about to leave, Chen Yulian pulled him back.

"Nanhong is a nice girl... you have to... hold onto that thigh..." Chen Yulian’s words immediately made Chen Guan’s expression turn peculiar again.

He thought Chen Yulian wanted him to treat Ji Nanhong well and not to let her down, but he hadn’t expected her to say such a thing.

"Parents’ hearts are so hard to comprehend," Chen Guan replied, waving goodbye to his parents. Chen Xinghe said nothing; there was no need to say anything. Everything that needed to be said had been said already, and a few more words wouldn’t change anything.

Arriving at the Celestial Court Army’s branch, Chen Guan accompanied Ji Nanhong on the journey to the Celestial Court Military Headquarters.

The Celestial Court Army’s headquarters was located at the Ancestral Court, so joining the Celestial Court Army was equivalent to entering the Ancestral Court.

However, it was not an imperial dynasty now, and the Chief Judge was not an Emperor, merely a spokesperson put forth by the Ten Great Families. Nominally, he was the highest official in the Divine Land, but the troops and resources he could mobilize were actually less than what any single family among the Ten Great Families could, and the Celestial Court Army was an important part of their armed forces.

The Chief Judge’s greatest weapon for maintaining power was not the Celestial Court Army but the mutual checks, balances, and interest disputes among the Ten Great Families.

Marriage alliances were very common between the Ten Great Families, and their intertwined love and hatred made it hard for anyone to remain independent.

The Chief Judge was also a part of this intricate network; he was elected by the Ten Celestial Kings and had various interest connections with the Ten Great Families. Two and a half of his three wives came from the Ten Great Families.