Cheat God
26. Wang Dynesty

From his perch on the ridge, Liu Chen leaned slightly forward, golden soul humming faintly within. The tension below hadn’t changed. Dozens of cultivators still stood warily before the blood-stained pond, hesitant, watching the rippling water like it might bite.

Five figures strode calmly to the front of the crowd, their matching robes fluttering gently in the valley wind. Their attire was a unique blend of deep red and ocean blue—like fire woven through water. A bold insignia was stitched on their chests: a crimson dragon coiled within swirling waves.

Liu Chen’s eyes narrowed. The Wang Dynasty… So they’ve arrived too.

He had heard the murmurs just moments earlier—people recognizing the symbol, whispering about one of the Four Great Empires of the upper realms. Wang Dynasty and Su Dynasty… two sides of a blade that never faced the same direction.

Liu Chen smiled faintly. Of course they’d be here. The Land of Bliss only opened once every generation—and those with true power never missed the chance.

He remembered a message from his mother not long ago, before he left for the trip: “Be cautious if you meet anyone from the Wang Dynasty. They proposed a marriage alliance with Su Qingyue not long ago. Naturally, she refused. But their pride won’t forget that insult quickly.”

Of course, Liu Chen had no concern over proposals. After all, Su Nanying was now his fiancée.

He continued to watch in silence as the apparent leader of the five—a tall young man with a narrow face and burning golden eyes—stepped forward.

“Everyone,” he said calmly, loud enough to carry across the valley. “The guardian beast is strong. But we are many.”

He turned slowly, sweeping his gaze across the assembled cultivators—over thirty in number now, some clearly wary, others visibly tempted.

“If we work together, we can bring it down. Any who aid us shall be rewarded. The lotus itself…” He paused and smiled, “...will go to the one who dares claim it.”

A murmur spread through the crowd. Temptation was a powerful thing.

Liu Chen sat back, amused. How noble. Using other people’s blood as bait, and calling it unity.And when half of them die, he’ll walk in with a calm smile and call it ‘destiny.’

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. These five were no fools. Their bearing, their confidence—it wasn’t arrogance. It was power. He could feel it. So these are elites raised by another great empire. Same level as Su Nanying’s side. Then they must also have ten young members present. Split into two teams, just like us.

He chuckled softly to himself. But didn’t move. Not yet. Instead, he wrapped his coat tighter around him and leaned his elbow against a rock, like a man watching a street performance.

“Let’s see your beast taming ability, oh noble prince,” he muttered under his breath.

The leader of the Wang group gave a final nod, and then—

“Move!”

Water exploded.

The pond burst upward in a surge of black mist and crimson light. A massive form shot out of the pool like a released arrow—scaled, hunched, and covered in armored bone plates.

The guardian beast had awakened.

Its eyes burned with greenish-black fire, its breath carrying the scent of rotting blood and divine suppression. Despite its age, its strength had not waned. Cursed energy clung to its body like chains, and yet its aura pulsed with ancient life.

The beast towered above the water now—coiled and looming like a forgotten nightmare born from the roots of the earth.

It wasn’t just a snake.

From its serpentine body sprouted jagged, bone-like fins, almost like crude wings curled against its back. Crimson scales shimmered like blood-forged steel, and along its spine, black-red veins pulsed—alive, writhing, and leaking a faint smoke that reeked of old curses. Its head was elongated, shaped vaguely like a dragon’s, but twisted—two horns grew unevenly from its skull, and its mouth opened wider than any normal beast’s, filled with jagged fangs that dripped green saliva.

Liu Chen’s eyes narrowed as he crouched behind his vantage point. A mutated dragon-snake… transformed after centuries inside cursed aura. No wonder the lotus survived untouched.

The beast let out a roaring hiss, and the cursed fog from the pool coiled around it like armor. The first cultivator to move was a lanky man in pale gray robes. With a sharp cry, he unleashed a barrage of spirit fire, hurling five flame wheels toward the serpent’s head.

The beast didn't even blink. With a flick of its tail, it shattered the flames mid-air—and the shockwave sent the attacker flying, blood spraying from his mouth.

Then came others. More than twenty Spirit Transformation Realm cultivators rushed forward, surrounding the beast. Swords gleamed, spears danced, talismans lit the air in a blur of light. From above, it looked glorious—like fireworks blooming before a storm.

But Liu Chen remained still. Too early… it’s not bleeding yet.

On the far left, the Wang Dynasty team joined the fray. Their leader stepped forward, his aura surging. He didn’t waste time with low-grade techniques.

His hand flashed, and the air around him twisted violently. From his palm emerged a glowing sigil—crimson dragon runes spiraling outward. The stone beneath his feet cracked as he struck forward. “Origin Skill – Crimson Tide Serpent Fang!”

A crimson wave of energy surged from his fist in the shape of a fanged serpent. It coiled mid-air and then shot toward the dragon-snake’s left eye. The beast reacted—rearing back, its body flexed and glowed as a red-black aura burst from its scales.

The impact shook the entire pond.Dust and cursed mist flew outward, and the ground trembled under the pressure.

The Wang leader staggered slightly but remained upright. Behind him, his four teammates sprang into action. One used a frost-type whip to bind the beast’s lower body. Another threw wind talismans that cut through the cursed fog like blades. The third released a beam of golden light shaped like a phoenix feather—it struck the beast’s scales but barely scratched them. All five are Soul Foundation Realm… and using Origin Techniques very easily. No wonder they’re from a Super Empire.

Liu Chen’s gaze was calm. He could feel the quality of their battle. They weren’t just talented—they were seasoned.

Still… The dragon-snake is not lost.

It moved with heavy power, its massive body crushing stone and splashing black water across the field. Every motion released a new wave of cursed aura, tainting the air.

Several Spirit Transformation Realm cultivators began to cough and stagger backward. One of them screamed as his protective shield melted like paper, and black veins crept up his arm. Its attacks carry curse essence now. Even a graze can cripple someone.

The beast opened its mouth again, and this time, a blood-red spiral of energy formed between its fangs. It fired toward the nearest group—three cultivators barely had time to react.

Boom!

The explosion swallowed them in red smoke. When it cleared, only one remained—on the ground, unconscious. His robes were half-melted, his body twitching with corrupted qi.

Liu Chen’s expression remained neutral, though his golden soul shimmered faintly. Even the Soul Foundation Realm would need teamwork to survive this. But the Wang leader didn’t falter.

He gave a sharp command, and his group adjusted formation. One of them dropped to his knees and slammed a crystal array plate into the soil. It flared with light.