Free Web NovelChapter 105: Chapter 97: The Struggle for the Human List Has Always Been Difficult
As expected, guys I can take down in one punch don’t give many retribution points.
Only by grinding them under my heel and utterly humiliating them do I get a massive number of points.
But unfortunately, I missed my chance.
The members of the Wang Clan stood with dazed expressions, their minds reeling.
It was as if the sky had fallen, and a buzzing filled their ears.
’How could this be...’
’The clan’s strongest expert, Beicang, was taken out in a single punch? Even his clothes were blown to shreds...’
Everyone was in a stupor.
In that moment, they could almost hear the sound of their own spirits breaking.
As for the young woman who had warmed fine wine, waiting for Wang Beicang to come and drink, she could only stare blankly. Her hand went limp, and the wine jug fell to the ground.
’How could this be?’
"Did you all see that?!"
Suddenly, a sharp cry rang out.
It echoed in everyone’s ears like a clap of thunder.
Everyone snapped out of their daze and quickly turned to look.
They saw Wang Qinglian approaching from a short distance away. Clad in a white dress that matched her cold personality, her gaze was as sharp as a steel blade as it swept over the members of the Wang Clan.
"Every one of you is arrogant and complacent, refusing to strive for more! You’re so immersed in past glories you can’t see straight. Do you really think you’re all geniuses? In the face of a true genius from the outside world, you are nothing!"
"Chen Xuan is only the third-ranked genius in Canglan Province, and he hasn’t even made it onto the Human List, yet he’s beaten you to this state!"
"If you were facing the first or second-ranked geniuses of Canglan Province, you would have been crushed even more easily!"
"Are you still so pleased with your own meager accomplishments?"
Wang Qinglian’s voice was like a blade, chilling them to the bone.
"If I were gone for a single day, you would all be trampled by outsiders!"
"You’re all nothing but skeletons in a tomb!"
BOOM!
Her words struck them like a bolt of lightning to the heart.
The Wang Clan members all looked dazed, their minds roaring and buzzing with her words.
’Are we... really that pathetic?’
’Just one genius, ranked a mere third in Canglan Province, has ground our entire Wang Clan under his heel?’
’How could this be?’
Chen Xuan shook his head slightly, not bothering to watch Wang Qinglian berate her clansmen.
He simply turned and headed back to his residence.
He was now looking forward to seeing what this Martial Land baptism of the Wang Clan was all about.
’With my current strength at the Seventh Layer of Gang Energy, if I go through the Martial Land baptism... with a bit of a boost, I might really be able to reach the peak of Gang Energy!’
Chen Xuan thought to himself.
By then!
He could make a powerful return and settle his old scores.
"Incredible. Truly incredible!"
The Wang Clan’s Clan Leader, Wang Zhengxuan, sighed softly as he watched Chen Xuan’s departing figure. "Give him time," he said, "and he will surely soar to the heavens."
"Clan Leader, I have an unmarried daughter... perhaps..."
Vice-Patriarch Wang Rufeng’s eyes glinted.
"A fine idea!"
Wang Zhengxuan smiled.
"Then I’ll go speak with him myself."
Wang Rufeng said with a chuckle.
「As the sun set and dusk fell.」
Wang Rufeng knocked on Chen Xuan’s door. With a smile, he called out, "Young friend Chen Xuan, would you mind opening the door?"
CREAK!
The courtyard gate opened.
Chen Xuan appeared in the courtyard and asked quizzically, "And you are?"
"I am Wang Rufeng, Grand Elder and Vice-Patriarch of the Wang Clan..."
Wang Rufeng was the very picture of courtesy. He smiled and said, "I was astounded by your performance today. Your talent is truly a rare sight in Canglan Province. Might I ask your age, and whether you are wed?"
"Hm?"
"Ahem... I have a daughter, unwed, sixteen years of age, and as beautiful as a flower..."
"That’s enough, Vice-Patriarch. Say no more!"
Suddenly, a voice as cold as frost came from inside Chen Xuan’s room.
Wang Qinglian, dressed in white purer than snow, stepped out. Her gaze was electric, and she carried an aloof air that kept others at a distance. She looked at Wang Rufeng and said coldly, "A true man should focus on his cultivation. Trivial romantic entanglements will only hinder his progress. Do not mention this again. Leave at once."
"Well..."
Wang Rufeng looked awkward. "Elder Qinglian, you’re here as well? But..."
"There are no buts."
Wang Qinglian said icily, "He needs to focus on his cultivation!"
"Very well!"
Wang Rufeng gave a sheepish smile, clasped his hands in farewell, and departed, though he was wondering to himself.
’Could it be that Qinglian has taken a liking to this young man?’
’But the age gap is just too large, isn’t it?’
’Chen Xuan is twenty at most...’
’And Qinglian is already thirty-six.’
’Even for a True Qi Realm expert, thirty-six is considered extremely young.’
’But compared to a twenty-something, it still feels a bit like she’d be robbing the cradle...’
"Thank you for the save, Elder Wang."
Chen Xuan said, clasping his hands.
"Rest up. We leave for the Martial Land baptism tomorrow, and we’ll need to travel quickly."
Wang Qinglian said.
"Travel quickly?"
"Correct. The Martial Land baptism takes place at Broken Boundary Mountain, where our Canglan Province meets Celestial Essence Province. There’s an ancient spiritual fire spring there that opens once every two years. Each time, three factions—the Wang Clan of Canglan, the Celestial Sword Sect, and the Mixed Element Sect—send people inside."
Wang Qinglian said in a mild tone, "Each faction gets roughly three spots. This time, you, Wang Rujing, and Wang Tao will represent the Wang Clan. I will be your escort for the entire journey."
"Sounds good!"
Chen Xuan nodded at once.
’An ancient spiritual fire spring!’
’That’s a perfect match for the Cultivation Technique I’m practicing.’
"But remember, the Martial Land baptism is far from peaceful. You must be wary of the Celestial Sword Sect and the Mixed Element Sect."
Wang Qinglian’s voice grew serious. "These two factions are major Martial Dao sects with thousands of years of history. They are powerful and deeply entrenched—first-rate powers across the entire Great Xia. Their disciples are even more monstrously talented; quite a few of them have even made it onto the Human List!"
"Furthermore, the fewer people there are for the baptism, the greater the benefits for those who remain. This makes a fight inevitable. When the time comes, no matter how they make their move, you have permission to strike back!"
"You must protect your own interests, understand?"
’This baptism was originally supposed to be for Wang Beicang and Wang Jinglan.’
’Unfortunately, both of them are now seriously injured.’
’So she had no choice but to send the weaker Wang Rujing and Wang Tao instead.’
’But at least Chen Xuan is here.’
’There shouldn’t be any major problems... right?’
"Understood!"
Chen Xuan nodded again.
’As I thought. No matter where you are, resources must be fought for.’
’If you’re not strong enough, you can’t even take what’s handed to you on a silver platter.’
"But I have one more question. What is this Human List you mentioned?"
Chen Xuan asked, intrigued.
"It’s a ranking of the strongest young experts in the forty-eight provinces of the Great Xia. Anyone under the age of thirty-five is eligible."
Wang Qinglian said nonchalantly, "There are a hundred spots in total, for the one hundred strongest in the land. I was on the list myself, four years ago. I was only removed automatically last year when I aged out. Most of the experts on the list are successors from thousand-year-old Martial Dao sects. If you get the chance in the future, you should give it a try. The weakest among them is at the Sixth Layer of Gang Energy. It’s possible some heroes from the Human List will be there this time as well."
"Oh?"
A glint appeared in Chen Xuan’s eyes.
’So there’s a list like that!’
’Under thirty-five!’
’And the weakest is at the Sixth Layer of Gang Energy!’
’Excellent!’
’A true expert should be the one to charge headfirst into the storm.’
"Speaking of which, the struggle of the Martial Dao is never limited to individuals. It’s always accompanied by the clashing and conquering of factions. Our Wang Clan may dominate Canglan Province and appear magnificent, but our insular views have caused us to be gradually surpassed by those great Martial Dao sects. Behind our glamorous facade lies immense danger."
"The Celestial Sword Sect and the Mixed Element Sect are constantly recruiting talents from across the land. The Celestial Sword Sect, in particular, recently produced a ’Little Sword Immortal’ of monstrous talent. He has already entered the True Qi Realm at age thirty-five!" frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
Wang Qinglian couldn’t help but shake her head. "Add to that the fact that these two major sects are eyeing our Wang Clan like tigers, engaging in both open and hidden struggles. The slightest misstep on our part could lead to our complete and utter doom!"
"Entering the True Qi Realm at thirty-five... isn’t that even more monstrously talented than you?"
Chen Xuan asked.
"No, he can’t compare to me!"
Wang Qinglian said with a proud tone, "At age thirty-five, I was already at the Sixth Layer of the True Qi Realm!"
"Fair enough!"
Chen Xuan was secretly speechless with amazement.
’This woman really is powerful.’
’Still, there are certainly a lot of prodigies in this world.’
"So that’s why you want to change the younger generation?"
"That’s right."
Wang Qinglian nodded coolly and waved her hand. "Alright, there’s no use in telling you all this. Get some rest. Once the Martial Land baptism is over, I’ll escort you back to Qinghe County."
She turned and left.
Chen Xuan acknowledged her, then closed the door and extinguished the lamp.
Outside the courtyard gate.
Wang Qinglian pursed her lips, unable to stop herself from looking back one more time at Chen Xuan’s room. A tumultuous feeling washed over her, and she furrowed her delicate brows.
’What’s wrong with me?’
’Why couldn’t I stop myself from talking to him so much?’
’Forget it. I’m already thirty-six, and he’s just a kid who hasn’t even finished growing up...’
Wang Qinglian shook her head.
’He needs to at least advance to the True Qi Realm before anything else can be considered...’
...
「Early the next morning.」
Chen Xuan arrived at the plaza early to find Wang Qinglian already waiting for him.
Beside her stood a man and a woman, both in their early thirties.
Both were at the Gang Qi Realm of cultivation.
"These are Wang Rujing and Wang Tao. Go ahead and get acquainted."
Wang Qinglian said.
The two wore complicated expressions as they looked at Chen Xuan, but they offered no greeting.
To be honest, if Chen Xuan hadn’t injured Wang Beicang and Wang Jinglan, they never would have had a turn at this Martial Land baptism. From that perspective alone, they really should have been thanking him.
The problem was, Chen Xuan had humiliated them all too thoroughly.
He had ground the entire thousand-year-old Wang Clan under his heel.
They truly didn’t know how to face him.
"Alright, follow me!"
Fortunately, Wang Qinglian didn’t make an issue of it. She spoke in a cold tone, then turned and leaped into the distance.
The three immediately used their Lightweight Skills and swiftly followed after her.
