Chapter 18: Genius Rankings
After Chu Minghui left, the tavern was abuzz with discussion.
Ye Qingchen, however, didn't care at all and continued eating and drinking with Ye Qing.
"It's him!"
Inside the tavern, a scar-faced man stared intently at Ye Qingchen, suddenly thought of something, and quickly took out a portrait from his chest.
In the portrait, there was a young man with a delicate face.
It was indeed Ye Qingchen!
"I didn't expect this kid to actually escape to the Imperial Capital! No wonder he was able to elude our Hong Family's Heaven and Earth Net!" The scar-faced man's expression remained calm, yet his heart was in turmoil.
"The speed of his sword strike was truly unbelievable, no wonder even the Young Clan Leader is no match for him!"
"This matter must be reported to the Clan Leader immediately..."
Outside the tavern.
Chu Minghui's face was sullen and venomous.
"Young Master Chu, are we just going to leave like this?"
The sharp-nosed, monkey-like youth was quite unwilling.
Slap!
Before he finished speaking, he received a slap from Chu Minghui, "Fool, even I am not his match in a single round. Staying any longer would only be humiliating ourselves!"
"Then what should we do?" The crowd looked ashen.
With their arms severed, they were almost crippled, so how could they swallow this grievance?
Upon hearing this, Chu Minghui snorted coldly, "Of course, we won't let it go just like that. Go find my elder brother and let him deal with this kid!"
The crowd raised their heads sharply, eyes filled with fear.
That one was a monstrous existence!
This time, even he was going to take action?
"Kid, this time, we'll settle all the scores!"
The crowd clenched their fists, eyes gleaming coldly.
...
Since he had already decided to participate in the 'Sect Selection Assembly', Ye Qingchen straightforwardly purchased a small courtyard in the Imperial Capital, planning to wait until the assembly began.
Ye Qingchen was also aware of some details about the selection assembly.
Although the minimum requirement to participate in the assembly was Qi Refining Tenth Layer, one still had to undergo three tests, and only those who passed all three would be accepted into the major sects.
Most people would be eliminated during these three tests, and only less than ten percent of the young talents would enter the sects.
Those who were selected were all exceptional geniuses.
As time passed, more and more young talents arrived in the Imperial Capital.
These talents, with their youthful spirits, were the crown jewels of their respective cities, naturally not yielding to each other, and frequently clashing with one another.
For a time, these large and small conflicts became the subject of conversations over tea and meals.
Even more, some enthusiasts released a list of top talents.
A total of seventy-two people, each one an extraordinary young talent.
Additionally, there was a list of ten beauties.
Each one was an exquisite beauty of a region.
In the small courtyard.
Ye Qingchen's long sword danced in his hands as he practiced the 'Torrential Rain Sword Technique'.
This swordsmanship was obtained from Hong Era.
"Fast sword! This set of swordsmanship pursues the ultimate sword speed!"
"The Torrential Rain Sword Technique, with the sword as rain, like a torrential downpour, perfectly integrates with the 'Blood Shadow Style' of the Grand Thousand Swordsmanship!"
"Endless torrential rain, these are my swords!"
Whoosh!
Ye Qingchen's moves shifted, merging the 'Blood Shadow Style' into the Torrential Rain Sword Technique.
In an instant, the long sword in his hand shot out in all directions at an unbelievable speed!
Throughout the small courtyard, Ye Qingchen's figure was no longer visible.
Everywhere, it was all sword rain and sword light.
Puff! Puff! Puff!
Wherever the sword rain passed, deep sword marks were left on rocks, the ground, and tree trunks.
"Zheng!"
With the sound of a sword ringing.
The long sword returned to its sheath.
At that moment, it was as if all rivers returned to the sea, with countless sword rains being absorbed into the sheath, vanishing without a trace.
At the same time.
Countless Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi surged in from all directions, forming a vortex before being absorbed into his body, eventually all gathered in his dantian.
"Phew!"
"Thirteen days, and I've finally reached the Qi Refining Twelfth Layer, achieving the position of Martial Arts Grandmaster!"
Exhaling a breath like an arrow, Ye Qingchen's eyes sparkled, like stars.
"Brother!"
At this moment, Ye Qing's voice came over. "Brother, have you heard? Your name isn't on the list of top talents!"
After the list was released, Ye Qing was very dissatisfied to find Ye Qingchen's name missing from it.
"My name isn't on it?" Ye Qingchen's lips formed a slight smile.
"Indeed, back in Cyan Cloud City, you could slay a Martial Arts Grandmaster like Mo Chen, and after arriving in the Imperial Capital, you even defeated Chu Minghui with a single sword! I really don't understand what those who ranked the list were thinking!" Ye Qing pouted angrily.
Ye Qingchen smiled gently and rubbed Ye Qing's head: "No need to be upset about this, let me take you out for a stroll!"
"Really?" Ye Qing's eyes widened.
Ye Qingchen nodded, "Of course!"
On the bustling street, anything new and intriguing would catch the little girl's attention.
Seeing this, Ye Qingchen felt a pang of guilt in his heart.
During the half month of arduous training, he was fine, but Ye Qing had been pent up.
Spotting a jewelry shop not far away, a thought occurred to Ye Qingchen, and he directly led Ye Qing inside.
"What do you two need?"
As they just stepped in, a maid came up to greet them.
Although the siblings were dressed quite plainly, the maid remained very enthusiastic.
"Brother!" Looking at the prices of the goods, Ye Qing couldn't help but tug at Ye Qingchen's sleeve.
"It's okay!" Ye Qingchen smiled at Ye Qing, then turned to the maid and asked, "Do you have anything suitable for my sister?"
"Please follow me!"
The beautiful maid led the way, and soon, the two of them were inside the shop.
And a necklace caught Ye Qingchen's attention.
The necklace was light green, with a silver teardrop gemstone embedded in the middle, cool to the touch. Not only was it beautiful, but it also kept the wearer warm in winter and cool in summer.
"I'll take this one!"
Ye Qingchen was very satisfied.
Just then, a commotion was heard from outside the shop, and a group of young men entered, surrounding a girl in pink.
As soon as the young men entered, they started shouting one after another: "Bring out the best jewelry in your store, I'll foot the bill, Wang Qinghu!"
"Hmph, like it should be your turn, it should be me instead!"
The group of youths competed to flatter the girl in pink, immediately making the jewelry store lively.
"An Mengxiang, this bracelet is made from South Sea pearls, with a luster so fine they're the cream of the crop. You'll look beautiful wearing it!" Wang Qinghu quickly brought over a bracelet.
"Too tacky!" The pink-clothed girl, named An Mengxiang, looked indifferent and uninterested.
Upon hearing this, Wang Qinghu's face stiffened, seemingly losing face in front of the other, and quickly shouted, "I want the best piece in your store, didn't you hear me?"
"But..." The maid who greeted them glanced at Ye Qingchen not far away and whispered, "That piece was just purchased by another customer."
"Is that so?"
Wang Qinghu's face turned cold, and that's when he noticed Ye Qingchen and his sister nearby, directly walking over. "Kid, I want the necklace in your hand!"
Ye Qingchen was slightly taken aback.
He understood that this group of youths wanted to show off in front of An Mengxiang.
But he didn't expect that the other party actually took a liking to this necklace.
This was for Ye Qing, how could he give it to someone else?
Ye Qingchen shook his head, "Sorry, not for sale!"
Wang Qinghu was slightly taken aback, frowning, "I'll pay double the price!"
"Not for sale!" Ye Qingchen shook his head.
A hint of displeasure appeared on Wang Qinghu's face, noticing that An Mengxiang was already glancing this way, he took a deep breath, "Triple! Don't refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit!"
"What if I refuse?"
Ye Qingchen's eyes grew cold, a hint of anger surfacing in his heart!
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