Eternal Cultivation of Alchemy

Chapter 3746: Green Flames

All 7 other men and women looked between Alex and the newcomer named Wangju, unable to believe that Alex had dared challenge someone so much stronger than him. All the other challenges made sense given how much weaker they were, but this one made Alex look like a madman.

Wangju spoke up after a brief pause. "The challenge I propose for you will be a simple one. We take turns attacking each other for 3 attacks. We are not allowed to dodge and can only defend. Whoever is moved the furthest from their original spot by the end loses."

Alex nodded. "That sounds like a fine plan."

"Take your station. I will be standing right here," the man said.

Alex nodded and moved a short distance back, far enough away that he would have ample time to set up a defense against the incoming attack. The distance was a bit of an issue for another reason, but he didn’t think anyone would notice the strangeness since they would be fully focused on the contest.

Once Alex was in his place on the sand, he looked toward the man. "Who goes first?" he asked.

"You challenged me. So I do," the man said.

Alex agreed. "Go ahead."

The man wasted no time. Green flames sprung out of his palm, immediately taking the shape of a sword.

’A Jin family member?’ Alex thought.

They were the only ones known to use green flames within the Sky God’s Realm. While the man didn’t wear a gray and green robe like the others did, he had to have some connection to them in some way.

The man gestured toward Alex, and the green sword sped in his direction, moving at an incredible speed.

Alex stared at the sword and focused his Intent on it. Since it was a creation technique, he had an easier time against it.

At first, he focused on the sword and the remaining Intent that was inside of it, which allowed the man to control its finer directions despite having already sent it forward. Alex first used his Intent to erase that.

The sword still flew toward him without any signs of stopping, so Alex used his Intent to push against the sword. Without any Intent inside of it, it was easier to push it, but there was still quite a bit of strength in that thing, as it wasn’t so simple as using Intent to move a regular sword.

What Alex did instead was alter its course just enough so that it would completely miss him in the end.

The sword landed behind him by a sand dune, causing a massive green explosion that made everything glow green.

Wangju’s eyes narrowed upon seeing Alex dodge his attack. He wasn’t sure what had happened at all, but somehow the attack had gone off course. His attempt at understanding the situation ended up being entirely futile.

"Your turn," the man said in the end, letting Alex go ahead with his attack.

Alex did nothing big. He formed a small ball of regular flame and threw it toward the man. The attack was so weak that it was almost an insult to him. He simply swatted away the tongue of flame, a look of anger flashing through his eyes.

"If you’re trying to make me angry, you are succeeding," Wangju said.

Alex gave a faint smile. "Thank you. It’s your turn now."

The man immediately prepared his second attack. He pulled out a sword from his storage, which immediately glowed a bright green color as flames overtook it completely. Alongside the flame, there was also a hint of white surrounding the sword.

’Sword Qi,’ Alex thought as he raised an eyebrow.

This one was going to be slightly tougher than the last one.

Sword Qi, by definition, was Qi formed through Sword Intent. For something like that to last the entire way through, the man would have to be constantly pouring his Intent onto it, so the Intent within it was going to be stronger.

It was possible that the man was likely going to notice it even.

The man swung his sword, and a crescent-shaped attack of green fire flew toward Alex.

Alex immediately used his Intent on the attack, attempting to erase his opponent’s Intent from it. As he did so, the man noticed it too. As something active was being fought against, there was no chance the man wouldn’t notice it.

However, even though he did, he didn’t understand it. It was a feeling the man had never had before, so he couldn’t explain what it was that Alex was doing to his attack. Over time, he felt himself lose control over the attack, and in the end, it was diverted off course once again, barely missing Alex.

Another green explosion took over the land in that moment, the heat from it being sensed by people standing a decent distance away.

Alex dusted his clothes slightly and turned toward the man.

"I believe it’s my turn now," he said, producing another tiny ball of flame before sending it toward the man.

The man hardly understood what it was that was happening here. The attack missing its target was strange enough, but what was stranger was that he did not sense Alex using any Qi at all. What was more, there was still the strange feeling from earlier that he hadn’t been able to understand.

His mind was calmer as a result, not easily offended by Alex’s attack. He took a moment to think through it all and finally spoke a moment later.

"You are stronger than you appear to be," he said. "At least, you are confident in yourself enough to challenge me. I’m guessing it has to do with some technique you have. However, I will warn you. No technique of yours will be able to stop my next attack."

The man raised his sword again as it burned in green fire. However, at the same time, a green illusion of a candle flame appeared behind his back.

This time, he was using his Spirit to attack.