<h4>Chapter 342 - Demon Emperor Sword</h4>


    A Heaven-tier divine weapon that rivaled the Imperial Sword?


    Zhao Qingyun’s offer immediately grabbed Long Chen’s attention. He was almost on par with Lin Zichen when he used Blood Sacrifice. What had ultimately led to his defeat were inferiorbat techniques and, more importantly, Lin Zichen’s Imperial Sword!


    When Zhao Qingyun noticed that it had piqued Long Chen’s interest, but there was still some caution in thetter’s eyes, so he smiled in exasperation. “Don’t think that this offer is too good to be true. There are many people who appreciate talent in this world. Also, the Heavenly Demon Pce and the imperial family have always been enemies. Our strength is somewhat equal. However, the imperial family has a powerful young Ninth River Stage cultivator, while the Heavenly Demon Pce does not. Based on your performance, I’m guessing that you hold a huge secret. If you be my disciple, you will be able to inherit my skills in the future. You’ll even be able to surpass Lin Zichen and make me proud.”


    Zhao Qingyun looked down. “I’ve been suppressed by the Sword Emperor all my life. Even my progeny is far inferior to his. I am unwilling to ept this fate.”


    “It’s not that I don’t believe you, your offer was just too sudden. That’s why I hesitated for a moment.” After hearing Zhao Qingyun’s sincere tone, Long Chen knew that this was an amazing opportunity. Zhao Qingyun could give him whatever Lin Zichen had that Long Chen did not. So what if he had to be his direct disciple?


    Furthermore, Zhao Qingyun had saved his life just now, and he was far stronger than himself. He was even the Heavenly Demon Lord, who held a first-tier position in the Cangyang Kingdom. Long Chen would not lose face if he had such a man as his master.


    Seeing as Long Chen’s guard was down, Zhao Qingyun felt confident and said, “You don’t have to decide just yet. Don’t you want to hear about this divine weapon that rivals the Imperial Sword?”


    “I was just about to ask,” Long Chen said with an embarrassed smile.


    “It could be said that this sword and the Imperial Sword were once a pair. When these divine weapons were born, the ancestors of the Heavenly Demon Pce and the imperial family each managed to snatch one. They then became the most powerful weapons for both ns. The imperial family ended up with the Imperial Sword, which Lin Zichen is currently using, while the Heavenly Demon Pce’s divine weapon is known as ... the Demon Emperor Sword!”


    “Demon Emperor Sword?”


    Based on the names, the swords were clearly a pair. The Heavenly Demon Lord would not lie, so this was a huge opportunity for Long Chen. If he could get the Demon Emperor Sword and storm the Biyang Imperial Capital, it would surely be a huge surprise to Lin Zichen.


    Long Chen gritted his teeth and asked directly, “Senior, what do I need to do in order to receive the Demon Emperor Sword?”


    At this point, he had decided to stay in the Heavenly Demon Pce. His cultivation level would increase if he went to the Western Sea Kingdom, but he was unlikely to receive morebat techniques and divine weapons. It would be very different at the Heavenly Demon Pce. Since they were rivals of the imperial family, they had a thousand years’ worth of wealth and experience. They probably had treasures andbat techniques as impressive as the imperial family’s inventory.


    Long Chen’s question showed that he was tempted.


    “To obtain the Demon Emperor Sword, you must first be a Heavenly Demon Pce disciple, specifically a core disciple. Only then you will have the right topete for it. Then you must be the strongest among all the other young disciples,” said Zhao Qingyun.


    “Deal! From today onwards, I, Long Chen, will be the direct disciple of Zhao Qingyun!” Long Chen dered boldly.


    “Don’t celebrate too soon. Although there are no core disciples as powerful as Lin Zichen, we have two disciples who have reached the peak of the Eighth River Stage, and even the Ninth River Stage. If you try fighting them now at the Fourth River Stage, you’ll be a joke. It’s also very possible that after joining the Heavenly Demon Pce, you’ll amount to nothing and be the butt of jokes.” Zhao Qingyun eyed him with a rare show of mischief, smirking.


    He was very satisfied with Long Chen’s decisiveness and determination.


    Eighth River Stage cultivators, as well as Ninth River Stage cultivators who were equivalent to Lin Zichen without the Imperial Sword. They were undeniably super strong. However, if he could injure Lin Zichen’s shoulder, why would he be afraid of Eighth River Stage cultivators?


    Of course, he would need time.


    “How much time do I have?” It would take time to rise from the Fourth River Stage to the Eighth through stable, honest means.


    “We don’t really have much. You have three months. Spend your time wisely,” Zhao Qingyun answered.


    “Three months?” Long Chen grinned. Three months was enough. In three months, he would rise from the ashes and storm the Biyang Imperial Capital!


    “Hey, kid, are you trulymitted to taking this risk? You must know that since we are called the Heavenly Demon Pce, we naturally have the ‘demonic’ aspect within us. If you be my direct disciple, you will have an infinite halo around you. However, if you are not strong enough to live up to this identity, then infinite cmities wille. Are you prepared for this?” Zhao Qingyun asked solemnly.


    “I’m used to difficulties and challenges. I don’t care how deep the waters are in the Heavenly Demon Pce. In order to get the Demon Emperor Sword, I, Long Chen, must try!” said Long Chen with great determination.


    “Aren’t you worried that the rtionship between us as master and disciple might seem transactional? Isn’t that a little unhealthy?” Zhao Qingyun joked.


    “The unhealthiness will turn healthy with time, I think.” After some observation, Long Chen had a better grasp of Zhao Qingyun’s personality. Indeed, it was embarrassing for the Sword Emperor’s rival to not have a disciple who could fight Lin Zichen. Long Chen’s startling talent had indeed attracted his attention and revived his long-dead interest in recruiting disciples.


    “Alright, then. From today onwards, you shall be my ninth direct disciple!” Zhao Qingyun was happy with the confirmation of the matter. Although this disciple had not chosen him out of sincerity, but rather for the Demon Emperor Sword, Zhao Qingyun had his own ns.


    He was only nting a seed today. And maybe this seed would one day grow from annihting the dwarves to destroying the imperial family.


    “Ninth? Are you saying that the top two cultivators are my seniors?” Long Chen asked sourly. Due to the matter with the Ninth Prince, he didn’t like the thought of being called “Ninth Junior Brother.”


    “They’re not ...” Then, Zhao Qingyun exined awkwardly, “They’re not my direct disciples. You can say that I was blind years ago when I recruited disciples. Your senior brothers and sisters have not amounted to much. Even the best one is only at the Sixth River Stage. The most outstanding disciples in Heavenly Demon Pce are under the Three Demon Elders ...”


    “Oh, I see!”


    It was no wonder the old geezer was so enthusiastic in recruiting Long Chen. His disciples were just too embarrassing. Forget about the Sword Emperor—his disciples were worse than the disciples of the Three Demon Elders.


    Zhao Qingyun’s face twitched when he saw Long Chen’s look of realization. However, to be honest, he genuinely liked this disciple very much but could not show it too much as a master.


    “Long Chen, let me tell you this. There are currently two factions in the Heavenly Demon Pce. I am the Heavenly Demon Lord, and also the most powerful person there. That is why I hold the most power within the n. Of course, the three Demon Elders also hold certain influence, and they have countless disciples under them. Now that you are my direct disciple, you must be prepared to be challenged. My other disciples have not achieved much partially because they are so used to being bullied by the Demon Elders’ disciples ...”


    Zhao Qingyun was a little bitter.


    Long Chen did notugh at him. He understood that despite Zhao Qingyun being a powerful master, he felt miserable about having such weak disciples. The younger generation of disciples allpeted on equal footing, and Zhao Qingyun had indeed given his disciples more resources. However, he could not do anything if they could not produce results.


    “So, you’re my hope for giving me face,” Zhao Qingyun admitted honestly.


    “Give you face? Of course I will.” Zhao Qingyun was an interesting person. Long Chen gave an evil smirk and said, “As your favorite disciple, I will obviously make you proud. But, Master, how could you not have a wee gift for this new disciple?”


    “You brat, are you really asking me for stuff this soon?” Zhao Qingyun was speechless. “I can’t give you anything too precious for now, but tell me, what do you currently need most? I’ll help you think of a way.”


    Long Chen hesitated. If he asked for an advanced Earth-tierbat technique, it would be pointless because he was currently at the Fourth River Stage. Although Zhao Qingyun had exined everything in a casual tone, Long Chen knew that being in the Heavenly Demon Pce meant imminent danger. Without sufficient strength, he would be humiliated. Although he didn’t care about making Zhao Qingyun lose face, he could not stand being looked down on by others.


    Therefore, what he needed most now was to increase his cultivation level.


    Of course, Xiang, who was in his arms, also urgently needed help.


    “I want demonic beast carcasses. The higher the tier, the more helpful it will be to me.” Long Chen revealed his objective directly. Zhao Qingyun had already spotted many extraordinary abilities that Long Chen had, and Long Chen did not mind letting him know a little bit more. Long Chen was merely requesting for beast carcasses, not performing Blood Transmutation in front of him!


    “Demonic beast carcasses?”


    Zhao Qingyun froze, wondering why he needed them. But he still agreed immediately and said, “I don’t have demonic beast carcasses on hand right now, but I think there’s a Category Seven Earth-tier beast near Demon Emperor Mountain. Follow me there; I will kill it now and it will be my wee gift to you!”


    Long Chen was filled with emotion.


    Was this the benefit of having a master’s protection?