Chapter 117: I Understand the True Meaning Better Than You Do!

The Essence of Detonation, also known as the Essence of Explosion, is a remarkably potent form of fire-elemental essence. It is particularly devastating when applied to offensive techniques.

The audience fell into a deathly silence as they listened to Luo Tian’s question. Everyone knew that Senior Brother Luo was addressing Shen Lingfei, and no one dared to make a sound or draw unnecessary attention to themselves.

Shen Lingfei lay on the ground like a dead dog for several breaths before he realized he was still alive. The sharp, stabbing pain in his abdomen had yet to subside. Enduring the agony that threatened to tear his internal organs apart, he took a few labored, shallow breaths and asked with unwilling resentment, "How do you know about Detonation?"

This encounter had been incredibly stifling for Shen Lingfei. He hadn't even brought up the matter of Tang Yueran yet; he had only intended to humble this arrogant boy, Luo Tian. He never expected Luo Tian’s movements to be as swift and violent as a thunderous storm. Before he could even unleash his full strength, he had been rendered incapable of fighting.

*Shameless villain.*

Shen Lingfei lacked the energy to even curse Luo Tian’s underhandedness in his heart.

Luo Tian, while contemplating the Essence of Detonation he had sensed from Shen Lingfei’s attack, casually offered guidance: "The Essence of Detonation is most easily comprehended through the violent explosion of fire elements. That instantaneous burst of power creates a formidable lethality. This essence is no great secret. However, the Detonation you displayed was nothing more than an empty shell; you have only grasped its most superficial aspects. Truly, you are a fool."

Luo Tian’s refusal to show him any face by knocking him down, followed by such arrogant and disparaging remarks, was something Shen Lingfei simply could not accept.

*Who does this brat think he is? What does he even know?*

"Nonsense!"

Even though Shen Lingfei had not fully recovered, he knew he could not remain sprawled on the ground without dignity. It would be a blow to both the Shen family’s reputation and his own. "You haven't even mastered the Essence of Detonation yourself; what right do you have to lecture me?"

"I don't understand it?"

A look of mockery spread across Luo Tian’s face. He had originally planned to rest briefly after returning and then find a Shen family disciple to provoke, defeat them cleanly, and incidentally share his insights on essences. He hadn't expected Shen Lingfei to charge forward like a blockhead, begging to be trampled. "Even if I hadn't mastered it, I still know more than you do!"

"Arrogant! Who do you think you are?"

Shen Lingfei panted heavily. Only now was his body beginning to recover; the force of Luo Tian’s kick had been so heavy that he simply couldn't handle it. "You got a bit of lucky break, and now you think you're something special? If people say you can provide guidance on Qi cultivation, I might believe it. But to suggest you can lecture others on essences? That is a total fantasy!"

As soon as these words were spoken, even the outer sect disciples who had remained silent all showed expressions of deep agreement. Regardless of what one thought of Shen Lingfei, his point was perfectly valid.

Qi is the energy that cultivators draw from heaven and earth to refine for their own use. Because everyone’s physical constitution differs, they choose to refine the Qi most suited to them.

And what are essences? Simply put, they are the specific characteristics of an element comprehended from the elements of heaven and earth, which can also be understood as the nature of that element’s power. These characteristics can be used for attack, defense, or to enhance speed or vitality.

To give a simple example: if a fire is right before your eyes, it might not cause any harm, but if you factor in its scorching heat, it could potentially injure people without even making contact. Large amounts of earth and stone in a desert, if left alone, cannot hurt anyone and are merely trampled underfoot. But if someone were buried in the sand or a giant boulder fell from the sky, even the strongest person would perish. When essence is combined with its corresponding energy, it produces powerful and obvious effects.

However, while it sounds easy, it is not simple to execute. Luo Tian being able to see where one needs to be careful in their meridians while refining Qi is normal. But essences require an extremely high level of comprehension; this is not a problem that can be solved simply by refining a certain type of Qi.

Seeing that everyone around him agreed, Shen Lingfei felt for the first time that these ignorant fools had at least some brains. His tone grew more impassioned. "Luo Tian, stop playing the mystic! Do you really think you can go around swindling people just because you learned a few things from somewhere? Come with me to the Enforcement Hall! If you admit your mistake, I won't pursue this!"

Knowing he couldn't beat Luo Tian, Shen Lingfei devised a plan to use the sect’s authority to deal with him. The Shen family had significant influence within the Enforcement Hall; once Luo Tian was inside, there was no chance he would leave in one piece. If he didn't strip a layer of skin off him, this brat would really think the Shen family was easy to bully!

"That’s too much..."
"Senior Brother Luo’s advice earlier wasn't wrong, is it really worth going to the Enforcement Hall?"
"Exactly. Essences are elusive and have no clear path to comprehension. It’s normal for Senior Brother Luo to be stuck, but is it fair to be bullied by the Shen family like this?"

Hearing the whispers of the disciples, even Li Yang began to waver in his usual trust. He leaned toward Luo Tian and said, "Senior Brother Luo, don't go! Even if you only offer guidance on Qi cultivation, everyone sincerely respects you as a Senior Brother. Don't engage with a lowlife like Shen Lingfei."

Luo Tian turned his head, smiled faintly, and nodded noncommittally. Then, he spoke up: "Shen Lingfei, I understand essences better than you!"

*Does he really have a death wish?*

*He’s still being stubborn at a time like this. If I don't get you into the Enforcement Hall today, what use is there in me, Shen Lingfei, being alive?*

"Heh, you really won't give up until you see the coffin! Fine, I'm listening. Tell me then, what is this Essence of Detonation?"

Shen Lingfei sneered. If Luo Tian said even one thing that was incorrect, he would make sure he tasted the ten most brutal tortures of Shenyang. That would teach him a lesson.

"The fire element itself is extremely unstable. When the energy imbalance reaches a certain point, an explosion occurs naturally. The Essence of Detonation is most clearly manifested during this process."

Luo Tian possessed Qin Tianyu’s memories, so such basic knowledge was at his fingertips. With a little bit of phrasing, he could express it clearly and accurately. However, what was "basic knowledge" to Qin Tianyu—who had reached the peak of the Yuan Dan stage and possessed a True Spirit Dan—was likely profound information that ordinary cultivators would never encounter in their entire lives. Even though Qin Tianyu’s affinity was Wood, he naturally associated with experts of his own caliber, and their discussions on cultivation were always deep. As for cultivators like Liu Changtian with their ordinary Yuan Ling Dans, they weren't even fit to carry Qin Tianyu’s shoes.

*Is that all?* Shen Lingfei curled his lip in disdain. *Who doesn't know that?*

"The Essence of Detonation is also known as the Essence of Explosion. Its core essence lies in the word 'detonation.' It is not about killing power, but pure explosive force!"

Luo Tian spoke to himself. With so many disciples present, as long as his words made sense, they would naturally spread this information. Once the elite disciples of the four great families learned that he had a deep understanding of essences, they would surely be intrigued. Every cultivator wants to cultivate, grow stronger, and improve their strength. Furthermore, he had specifically brought Yuan Zhou back to serve as a witness to his slaying of a Pulse Flow stage cultivator; Li Yang alone likely wouldn't be enough to convince everyone.

Upon hearing this, Shen Lingfei’s expression suddenly turned serious.

"From extreme stillness to extreme movement, the violent change in an instant—swift and thunderous—that is the true essence of 'detonation.' The scattering of fire energy after the explosion is merely a superficial manifestation."

Luo Tian swept a blank gaze over Shen Lingfei. "Junior Brother Shen, you just wanted your Qi to scatter upon hitting me so that I would focus only on defending against the point of impact while ignoring the surrounding flesh? This move is decent, but because the power is dispersed, it only yields results when the opponent is caught off guard."

*Could it be?*
*It actually is!*

Shen Lingfei’s face flushed red and then paled. His eyes flashed with realization. His lips parted and closed, and he muttered a few words, but ultimately couldn't bring himself to speak. As someone who considered himself to have a study of the Essence of Detonation, comparing his own knowledge to Luo Tian’s, he knew the truth of these words. Without a doubt, even if they were unconventional, they contained profound truths.

*How could this be?* Shen Lingfei gritted his teeth, ready to pick a flaw, when he heard Luo Tian’s calm voice.

"Three thousand contribution points!"

Looking at where Luo Tian was pointing, Shen Lingfei was stunned. "What three thousand points?"

"For guiding you on the essence, three thousand points!"

Luo Tian explained indifferently, his face devoid of emotion, as if wasting any more expression on Shen Lingfei was a burden.

After a long moment of stunned silence, Shen Lingfei finally snapped back to reality, his anger boiling over. "Wasn't it three hundred? Why do I have to pay three thousand?"

*Isn't this just bullying?* For a moment, a sense of injustice surged within Shen Lingfei, even overshadowing his desire to pick apart Luo Tian’s words.

"Because your surname is Shen."

Luo Tian stepped forward impatiently, his posture aggressive. "Are you paying or not?"

*Pay more just because my surname is Shen?* A nameless fire burned through Shen Lingfei’s entire body. He wanted to use his fists to teach Luo Tian a lesson, but considering he likely wasn't a match for him, he felt the frustration of having nowhere to vent his anger. Seeing Luo Tian’s stance, he knew that if he said "no," a fist would likely be coming his way.

"Fine... I'll pay!"

Shen Lingfei viciously tapped his identity medallion against Luo Tian’s, gritting his teeth. "You just wait! I, Shen Lingfei, will remember this!"

Hearing this empty threat, Luo Tian merely shrugged indifferently. "By the way, I rescued these two from a Pulse Flow stage cultivator!"

He didn't care much for contribution points, but if Shen Lingfei was going to come and offer him money, it would be a shame not to accept his good intentions. Besides, this blatant discrimination against the four great families would surely become fodder for the disciples' conversations, making the spread of his reputation even more effective.

*Screech!*

Just then, a bird-like demonic beast’s cry echoed overhead. Liu Neng, his face as dark as the bottom of a pot, descended from the sky. He stared at Luo Tian expressionlessly. "Come with me. The Sect Master wants to see you."