Supreme Alchemist
Chapter 2343: 2333: The Weakness That Isn't a Weakness

Chapter 2343: Chapter 2333: The Weakness That Isn’t a Weakness

Long Qingtu’s light smile suddenly froze, his entire being rooted in place. He naturally understood the significance behind the Vermilion Bird appearing behind Long Yan, but he never thought that such power would manifest through Long Yan.

Behind him, Qing Li also revealed a peculiar expression. According to her intelligence, Long Yan was supposed to possess the Azure Dragon’s Mysteries. For this, Qing Li felt her deductions couldn’t possibly be wrong. Yet, now the roaring Vermilion Bird behind Long Yan was ceaselessly straining her fragile nerves.

“How could this be? Where did this power come from?”

Long Qingtu’s heart grew anxious, his voice instinctively louder than before. If Long Yan had used ordinary martial arts techniques, that would have been acceptable. But pulling out the Vermilion Bird Secret meant enmity with the Vermilion Bird Clan.

The Sacred Beast Clans were exceedingly protective of their legacies. Naturally, Long Qingtu knew that the abilities Long Yan displayed did not stem from those clans’ inheritances. After all, upon receiving such legacies, one’s strength would at least reach the level of Divine Emperor Fourth Stage, destined to become one of the Four Great Families’ Family Heads in the future. However, Long Yan’s current strength was far too weak.

But then, where did Long Yan’s abilities come from?

Long Qingtu was utterly puzzled by this matter. If those people discovered Long Yan’s secret, the consequences would be unthinkable.

Under Long Qingtu’s intense gaze, Long Yan merely smiled faintly. Behind him, five Sacred Beasts materialized in succession—Xuanwu, Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and Qilin.

Each released its unique radiance. In an instant, the small world was filled with a kaleidoscope of brilliant hues. The Sacred Beasts roared, enclosing Long Yan in the center. Even Long Qingtu couldn’t help but feel waves of alarm at the power emanating from them.

There was no need for Long Yan to hide anything from Long Qingtu. He explained how he had merged with the accompanying Strange Fire of the Sacred Beasts. Though Strange Fire was unique to the Star Domain, Long Qingtu still recognized its nature.

“But now, I simply can’t let you go.”

Heaven only knew what the Four Great Families would do upon witnessing this divine ability. Just imagining it made Long Qingtu’s scalp prickle. However, Long Yan was no longer the same as he was before. Unlike earlier, Long Yan was now wielding his divine abilities, making it far more difficult for Long Qingtu to defeat him in a single move.

Two streams of light clashed violently. As the Demon Spear swept forward, a vivid green brilliance surged toward Long Qingtu.

“Azure Dragon’s Mysteries!”

“Time Imprisonment Finger!”

In an instant, Long Qingtu’s movements slowed, as though stuck in slow motion. Yet Long Yan sensed something was amiss. By logic, the vast disparity in strength between the two should have only allowed him to immobilize Long Qingtu for a mere moment. But now, three or four breaths had passed, and Long Qingtu was still caught in slow motion. This discrepancy unsettled Long Yan.

Suddenly, Long Qingtu’s figure vanished into thin air. The Time Imprisonment Finger had struck a mere phantom. Long Yan felt a chilling sensation spread across his back. Without hesitation, he thrust the Demon Spear behind him.

“Clang!”

The sharp sound of metal meeting metal echoed. Long Yan’s Demon Spear collided with a long sword. This was a move Long Yan had used earlier, but now, surprisingly, Long Qingtu had exploited it instead. Had Long Yan seized the opportunity to attack just now, Long Qingtu’s long sword might already be pressed against his neck.

Nearby, Long Qingtu was panting heavily. Ever since reaching his peak, he hadn’t encountered an opponent this formidable. Most notably, his current adversary was none other than his own grandson.

Long Yan, of course, had no idea that his grandfather had already classified him as a true rival. If he knew, what would he think?

The True Qi between the two erupted violently, shattering the surrounding ground inch by inch under the sheer pressure.

“Nine Star War Dragon Decision!”

From Long Qingtu’s star river surged a radiant light, giving rise to a majestic Star Dragon hovering in the starry sky. But the Star Dragon before him was far more detailed and lifelike than the one Long Yan had summoned—each scale impossibly distinct, enveloped in layers of starlight, exuding awe-inspiring grandeur.

Not to be outdone, Long Yan channeled dense power into the shaft of the Demon Spear. A formidable Blood Qilin appeared amidst the air, drawing surrounding brilliance toward itself. These gathered lights seemed to nourish the Blood Qilin, making its silhouette increasingly vivid and lifelike.

Two tigers cannot share a single mountain. From the mouths of the two divine beasts erupted thunderous roars that shook the heavens. Both colossal figures charged toward each other. No one could tell how expansive Long Qingtu’s sealed space actually was, but when the two Sacred Beasts collided, even the space itself trembled.

The Blood Qilin opened its massive maw, spewing a blood-red breath toward the Star Dragon. But the Star Dragon, despite its bulky form, was extraordinarily agile, deftly evading the attack. Its powerful claws slammed against the Blood Qilin’s body.

Inside the Blood Qilin, Long Yan felt his Qi and Blood recoil violently, yet he fearlessly commanded the beast to retaliate. The Qilin’s sturdy front hooves fiercely struck the Star Dragon.

Long Qingtu maintained his usual calm demeanor, though the slight twitch of his eye betrayed the fact that Long Yan’s strike was far from insignificant.

The two massive beasts battled endlessly within the confined space, while the top-tier Strong Ones outside could only wait in silence. None dared to interfere with Long Qingtu’s seal. These watchers, protectors of the Commercial City, held no sway before such powerful figures from the Three Great Forces.

“Not bad, but you’ve reached your limit, haven’t you?”

After several clashes, the outcome became apparent. Long Qingtu’s Star Dragon remained magnificently intact, while the Blood Qilin’s light had faded, its massive body covered in cracks.

“Give up!”

Long Qingtu’s words brought a faint pang of defiance to Long Yan’s face. Having come this far, he felt his strength should have soared even higher. Could it truly be that he had no options left against Long Qingtu?

Long Yan refused to believe it. Though Long Qingtu was revered as a Land Immortal, he was still bound by human flesh. And humans, inevitably, have weaknesses. Long Yan scrutinized Long Qingtu, hoping to discern a flaw amidst his composed exterior.

But he failed. Reluctantly, Long Yan had to admit that Long Qingtu appeared utterly flawless, an undeniable truth. Yet the more impeccable he seemed, the more determined Long Yan grew to find a weakness and bring him down.

“There is a weakness. But with your current strength, that weakness doesn’t even qualify as one.”

Yun Huang’s voice rang out, but her words left Long Yan’s heart utterly chilled. What did it mean for a weakness to not count as a weakness?