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Dao of Money Chapter 54
🕑 Added 2025-01-06 01:07:29 +0000 UTCChapter 54
City Lord Li Baolong’s breath hitched in his throat as he looked at the sight before him in pure horror. He knew that the chaos below was something that wouldn’t leave his mind anytime soon. The arena stands rumbled with the weight of countless footsteps, the crowd scrambling to escape the nightmare before them. The once-exuberant tournament, a celebration of youthful talent and strength, had devolved into sheer pandemonium.
And it had all happened too quickly, he didn’t even get time to blink twice when Gu Tian turned into a… demonic being.
His fists clenched, nails digging into his palms as he tried to steady his nerves. The whole event had been a series of shocks, but none struck as deeply as this. Even his son, Li Xuan, losing had been a hard truth to face—one that bruised his pride as a father and City Lord. Yet now, knowing the identity of the man who had bested Li Xuan, he felt a strange relief. One he was guilty of.
Chen Ren’s skill had proven formidable, even praiseworthy. But that same young cultivator now hung in chains, bloodied and helpless, his life ebbing away under the demon Gu Tian’s blade. Blood gushed out from the gaping wound in Chen Ren’s stomach, pooling all around him. The sight churned Li Baolong’s stomach, his heart sinking further with every droplet lost.
To make things worse, he couldn’t do anything.
The barrier encasing the platform was thick, its translucent surface unmoved. All the powerful cultivators that were around the premise started attacking, attempting to break the surface with their best techniques but failed miserably. The barrier stood as a cruel mockery to their attempts, separating them from saving Chen Ren, leaving the latter to a grim fate.
Li Baolong turned abruptly to the sect elder standing beside him, the man’s imposing aura as steadfast as ever despite the chaos and the anxiety in the air. “Elder Yan Xiu,” he began, his voice tight, almost desperate. “We need to break that barrier. A promising cultivator like Chen Ren cannot die at the hands of a demon. It would be a disgrace to us all.”
Elder Yan Xiu stroked his long, silvery beard, his sharp eyes narrowing as he regarded the shimmering barrier. His calm demeanour betrayed nothing of the tension in the air. “Lord Li Baolong, it’s not that simple. None of us here—none, I tell you—have the strength to shatter that barrier.”
Li Baolong frowned. “You can’t mean that.”
The elder gestured toward the cultivators scattered across the stands, all of them hurling their mightiest attacks at the barrier. Fire, lightning, and blades of qi crashed against it in vain, leaving not so much as a crack. “Look around you,” Elder Yan Xiu said. “The strongest among us have tried and failed. That demon… somehow, he has created a barrier beyond even the reach of meridian expansion cultivators. Perhaps only a core formation cultivator could break through, but we have none here.”
Li Baolong’s jaw tightened. “So, we’re to stand by and watch him die?”
Elder Yan Xiu sighed, his eyes flickering with a rare glint of regret. “I cannot save him. But the barrier won’t last forever. When it falls, I will ensure that Gu Tian pays for his crimes with his life.”
Li Baolong turned back to the platform, his heart heavy as he watched the futile attempts to breach the barrier. Every strike against it sent faint ripples across its surface, but not a single fracture appeared. His gaze shifted to Chen Ren, his pale face, the blood-soaked chains holding him aloft, and the smirk plastered on Gu Tian’s face as he revelled in his victory.
The implications of it all rang like alarm bells in Li Baolong’s mind. A demonic cultivator infiltrating the tournament, killing its winner, and wreaking havoc—there would be no hiding this disaster. The news would spread like wildfire, reaching even the imperial court. Punishment was inevitable, and the city’s reputation would be in shambles.
Li Baolong’s hands trembled, as his mind chanted one word. Failure.
As his eyes moved once more to the place where Gu Tian’s blade had plunged into Chen Ren, he could only hope—desperately—that some miracle would intervene before it was too late.
Li Baolong’s focus remained fixed on Chen Ren, his mind a whirlwind of regret and self-recrimination. The young cultivator had proved him wrong in the most astonishing of ways, rising above his initial doubts and showing a brilliance few could match. Yet now, chained and bleeding, his life hung by a thread—a thread that frayed with every drop of blood spilling onto the platform.
This was his fault.
The city guards had failed to vet participants thoroughly, and that failure now rested squarely on his shoulders. Chen Ren’s life—no, his death—would be an indelible stain on Li Baolong’s record.
As these thoughts gnawed at him, a ripple of qi brushed against his senses. It wasn’t just any qi—it was primordial, pure, and made him lose track of what he was thinking. He glanced toward Elder Yan Xiu, whose usually composed expression had shifted to one of shock. He hadn't been the only one to sense it.
“What’s going on?” Li Baolong muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Before an answer could form, the world itself seemed to respond.
The skies darkened with unnatural speed as clouds coiled above the arena, their swirling mass deepening to a foreboding shade of black. A low rumble rolled across the sky, growing louder with each passing second until it sounded like the roar of an impending storm. Lightning forked through the clouds, illuminating the ominous scene in brief, blinding flashes.
More ripples of qi radiated outward, stronger and more concentrated. Li Baolong’s gaze snapped to Chen Ren, his instincts screaming that the source of this power was none other than the young cultivator.
“What… is this?” he muttered again, his voice trembling now.
Suddenly, a roar tore through the chaos—a sound so primal and overwhelming it seemed to shake the very air. The platform trembled, cracks spider webbing across its surface as the ground beneath it groaned in protest. Gu Tian, who had stood confidently over his chained prey moments ago, staggered back, his expression betraying the first flicker of unease.
Then, it happened.
A golden light erupted from Chen Ren, flooding the arena so intense that many shielded their eyes. Within the brilliance, something formed, rising higher and higher into the sky.
Li Baolong’s breath caught as the shape solidified—a colossal golden dragon, its scales shimmering like polished gold and its eyes burning with ancient wisdom and fury. Lightning danced along its sinuous body, the flashes framing its silhouette against the roiling clouds. The sheer majesty of the beast stole every ounce of air from Li Baolong’s lungs.
The dragon roared again, and this time the sound carried an unearthly power, shaking the very heavens. The darkened clouds parted in deference to the creature, exposing a brilliant shaft of sunlight that bathed the dragon in a divine glow.
Hovering above the platform, the dragon lowered its gaze to Chen Ren, its massive form exuding both ferocity and reverence. The demonic cultivator Gu Tian stumbled further back, his smug confidence
evaporating like morning dew under the sun.
Li Baolong’s hands trembled as he took in the sight. His lips moved on their own, forming the words he scarcely believed. “A cultivator… blessed by the golden dragon himself. I… I can’t believe it.”
***
The surge of power was overwhelming.
Chen Ren’s entire body felt like it was being pushed to the edge, stretched so thin it might tear apart. It was as if liquid lightning poured through his veins, crackling with power, threatening to rip him open. Each pulse of energy surged like a tidal wave, filling him up until he thought he might explode into nothingness.
Above him, the sky growled with thunder, lightning dancing across the dark clouds like veins of the heavens themselves. Chen Ren raised his head, his breath catching in his throat.
The golden dragon, no longer just flashes in his vision, was there in all its glory. Its enormous form coiled through the stormy skies, its scales glowing with an unearthly brilliance. The air around it shimmered with its power, and even the heavens seemed to tremble in its presence.
Squinting, Chen Ren tried to focus, but the dragon's sheer size and majesty left him in awe. It wasn’t just a creature—it was a force of nature.
Chen Ren glanced down at himself and froze. The blade that had impaled him was sliding out, its edges slick with blood. He gasped softly, but no pain followed.
Instead, he watched as the wound in his stomach began to heal, the torn flesh pulling together, glowing with the same golden light as the dragon above. The pain that had threatened to consume him moments before was gone, replaced by a surging power roaring inside him like a raging storm. His qi wasn’t his own anymore—this was something far greater, far wilder—and it sent a shiver through him.
His golden eyes snapped toward Gu Tian. The man who had once stood so confidently now looked frozen in place. His arrogant sneer had vanished, replaced by wide eyes darting between Chen Ren and the dragon above. For the first time, fear crept into Gu Tian’s face, making him seem smaller, weaker.
“What... what are you?” Gu Tian stammered, his voice trembling with disbelief.
Chen Ren’s lips curved into a faint, almost amused smile. “I don’t know,” he said softly. “But I know one thing—you’re going to die.”
The chains binding Chen Ren glowed with golden cracks, light spilling out like molten gold. A loud crack echoed as the chains shattered, the fragments disintegrating into sparks. Free at last, Chen Ren stepped forward. Each movement hummed with energy, sparks flickering around him. He wasn’t just wielding lightning anymore—he was lightning, his body alive with raw power.
Gu Tian’s face paled, and he took a step back. Then another. Panic filled his eyes as he turned and ran, desperate to escape. But Chen Ren was faster.
With a burst of speed, he closed the distance in an instant, his body a blur. His fist slammed into Gu Tian’s stomach with the force of a boulder, the impact echoing through the arena. Gu Tian’s body flew like a ragdoll, crashing into the barrier with a deafening thud before crumpling to the ground, limp and broken.
Slowly, Chen Ren walked toward him, his footsteps calm and deliberate. Gu Tian groaned, trying to push himself up, but his body wouldn’t respond. He looked up at Chen Ren, his eyes filled with desperation and fear.
“You can’t do anything,” Chen Ren said, his voice cold and steady. “You’ve already lost. You’re already dead.”
Gu Tian opened his mouth to speak, but before a single word could escape, a new voice filled the arena. It was deep and guttural, vibrating with fury and hatred, the kind of sound that made the air itself feel heavy. The arena seemed to darken, the oppressive energy thickening around them.
“No! You can’t hurt my disciple!”
The arena grew even darker, as if all the light was being pulled away. Chen Ren could feel something terrible before he saw it. The demon that had been floating behind Gu Tian began to change. Thick black smoke oozed from its body, and its shape became more monstrous. Its face twisted unnaturally, sharp horns grew from its head, and its eyes burned a fiery red. Its hands turned into claws, crackling with dark flames and surrounded by black energy.
The demon roared, a deep and terrifying sound, and threw itself at Chen Ren. Dark flames followed it like a shadowy trail, and the air around it seemed to grow heavy and foul, like it was alive and full of hatred. Just as the flames were about to reach Chen Ren, the golden dragon sprang to life.
With a roar that shook the ground, the dragon shot down like lightning, glowing brighter than the sun. Its golden energy smashed into the dark flames, sending sparks flying in all directions. Light and darkness collided in a loud explosion, shaking the arena. The demon staggered back, its eyes wide with shock.
The dragon’s voice filled the air, echoing across the battlefield. "You used to have strength," it said, its golden eyes locked on the demon. "But now, you are nothing. Just a broken piece of evil clinging to life. You can’t even touch my power."
Golden lightning surged forward from the dragon, swallowing the dark flames completely. The smell of burning filled the air as the black fire died out. The demon let out a scream, its ghostly form shaking under the dragon’s overwhelming power.
Desperate, the demon turned and darted toward Gu Tian.
Gu Tian screamed, his voice full of panic.
"What are you doing, Master?"
The demon’s cold voice answered, trembling with desperation. "I will take your body. It’s the only way for me to survive."
Gu Tian’s face twisted in horror as the demon’s smoky form rushed into his chest. He gasped, his body stiffening as if it was fighting the demon off. Then he collapsed, shaking violently on the ground. His body twitched and cracked, his bones shifting unnaturally. Black smoke poured from his skin, wrapping around him like a living shadow.
With a sharp, painful crack, horns erupted from Gu Tian's head, twisting upward like those of a beast. His skin darkened, splitting apart, and glowing red light seeped from the cracks like molten lava. His fingers clawed at the ground as razor-sharp talons replaced his nails. His body shuddered violently, sending waves of dark energy rippling outward, scorching and cracking the ground beneath him.
A guttural roar tore from his throat—loud, raw, and filled with a mix of agony and fury. The sound was inhuman, a terrifying blend of the man he had been and the monster he had become. When the transformation ended, Gu Tian’s eyes snapped open, glowing an intense red. Hatred and a consuming thirst for destruction burned within them. He was no longer human or a demon. He was something much worse.
With newfound strength, Gu Tian turned toward the barrier surrounding the arena. With a deafening cry, he unleashed a surge of power, shattering the barrier into fragments that dissolved into the air. Without hesitation, he prepared to flee.
But Chen Ren was already in motion.
Fury ignited within Chen Ren, his golden eyes blazing like fire as he roared, “You won’t escape—not while I’m here!”
He raised his hand toward the stormy heavens, and the dragon above roared in harmony with him. The storm responded to his call, bolts of lightning crashing down to form an electrified cage around Gu Tian. The demonic cultivator flinched, his escape route blocked.
This barrier was similar to the one Li Xuan had used before, but now it was stronger, infused with the full might of his qi and the dragon’s energy.
“Impossible!” Gu Tian snarled, his voice filled with rage and disbelief as Chen Ren closed in.
Chen Ren’s body crackled with lightning, and he surged forward like a streak of light. Gu Tian lunged, desperate to counterattack, but Chen Ren was faster. His palm struck Gu Tian’s chest with the force of a thunderbolt, breaking through every defense the demonic cultivator could muster.
Gu Tian staggered, gasping as terror filled his glowing red eyes. “No! Please, forgive me! I... I don’t want to die! I don’t want to lose my chance at life!”
Chen Ren glared down at him, his golden gaze unwavering. “You would have killed me—twice. You’ve murdered countless others, showing no mercy to anyone. Tell me, why should I show mercy to you? Tell me!”
Gu Tian stammered, but his words were cut short as Chen Ren channeled a final surge of power into his palm, driving it deeper into Gu Tian’s chest. The impact shattered Gu Tian’s dantian, sending a wave of demonic qi spiraling into the air before dissipating entirely. Blood erupted from Gu Tian’s wounds, and his body convulsed violently.
A cry of agony echoed through the air, the last sound Gu Tian made before his lifeless form crumpled to the ground. His eyes, now dim, wept blood as his body lay still.
For a moment, silence hung heavy in the arena. But Chen Ren’s instincts screamed at him that it wasn’t over. His golden eyes scanned Gu Tian’s broken body until they landed on the faint glint of a ring on his finger.
Chen Ren noticed movement as dark mist began to seep from the ring on Gu Tian’s finger. The mist twisted and grew, forming into the shape of the ghostly specter that had been controlling him. The figure thrashed in the air, letting out a terrible scream as it broke free from Gu Tian’s body.
The specter flailed wildly, its shadowy arms reaching out in all directions as it tried to escape. It surged upward, desperate to flee the arena and save itself.
But before it could get far, Chen Ren felt something shift above him. The golden dragon, still floating in the stormy sky, moved. Its massive form glowed with lightning, and its glowing eyes locked onto the fleeing specter.
The dragon opened its huge mouth, lightning crackling around its jaws as it dove toward the ghost.
“No! You can’t!” the specter screamed, its voice filled with fear and panic. It lashed out with dark tendrils, clawing at the air in a desperate attempt to escape.
The dragon roared, the sound like rolling thunder, and with one swift motion, it devoured the spirit. The specter disappeared completely, leaving nothing behind but a ripple of golden sparks.
The dragon lifted its head, its glowing eyes turning to Chen Ren. He stood frozen, watching in awe and confusion.
“It’s finally over,” Chen Ren thought, still catching his breath. He looked up at the dragon’s massive form, but all he could focus on were its glowing, golden eyes.
Gathering his courage, he asked, “Thank you… but who are you? And why are you inside my star space?”
The dragon’s gaze remained calm. Even though the chaos had started to dissipate around him, the dragon was… unnaturally calm. “You are not ready to know. You are still too weak to handle my full presence outside your star space. When the time is right, all will be revealed.”
As it spoke, the dragon’s body began to break apart, turning into shimmering particles of golden light. The glowing fragments rose into the stormy sky before gently descending back toward Chen Ren. The light sank into him, and the faint golden glow around his body grew stronger for a moment before fading.
As the last of the golden light merged with Chen Ren, it flowed through him one final time, filling him with a warm, powerful energy. The golden glow shimmered across his body, lighting up every cut and bruise, making it look like they were healing for a moment.
Slowly, the light began to fade, breaking into tiny streams that drifted away like sparks before disappearing into the air.
The bright aura around him shrank until it was just a faint glow, then sank deep into his core, leaving his body empty and weak. Without the dragon’s energy, his body shook, and his legs buckled. He fell to his knees, crushed by exhaustion that felt like a giant weight pressing down on him.
Above him, the stormy sky began to clear.
The dark clouds parted, revealing a calm blue sky. The golden light that had filled the arena was gone, leaving only silence for a moment.
Then, the crowd’s shouts grew louder, cutting through the fog in Chen Ren’s mind.
He turned toward the noise, but his vision was blurry, and the people in the crowd looked like shadows. His body swayed, and the edges of his sight turned dark. Before he could stop himself, the darkness closed in completely.
Chen Ren collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud, and the arena, which had been so loud moments before, went quiet once again.
Comments
Sebastian Lachs
Ugh, cliché overload.
musashi
Nice fight and a good end to bad rubbish.
quiscon
Welp if nothing else he could probably squish some good benefits out of the city lord with this.
Potion
he felt a strange relief. One he was guilty of. -> he felt a strange relief, one he was guilty of.
Auralia
Well that’s one way to end a tournament
A Bellator
Do not tickle a sleeeing dragon... for you are tasty.
