Chapter 9

After leaving the training ground, Jiang Xuan returned to his room to continue his cultivation. The day of the monthly trial was drawing near.

Three days later, Jiang Xuan opened his tightly closed eyes and shook his head: "It's indeed difficult to break through to the Sixth Stage of the Meridian Opening Realm."

The Sixth Stage of the Meridian Opening Realm is a significant milestone from the Fifth Stage, requiring more than twice the spiritual energy. Historically, many prodigies have needed at least a month to make this breakthrough.

"I guess I was a bit too eager!"

He chuckled and shook his head, then jumped onto the bed, intending to stretch.

... "Knock, knock, knock!"

Suddenly, a series of knocks and a young man's voice came from outside the door.

"Jiang Xuan, I'm taking you to a great place!"

Jiang Xuan opened the door and saw a robust young man standing outside.

The young man was Jiang Hu.

"Jiang Xuan, when you defeated Jiang Huan, it was simply amazing, really making us, the descendants of the collateral branches, proud."

Jiang Hu chuckled.

"To thank you, we, the descendants of the collateral branches, have saved up some silver recently and plan to take you to the Tian Shui Pavilion for a good time."

Jiang Xuan was taken aback.

He remembered that the Tian Shui Pavilion was a property under the Hundred Treasures Hall, with extremely high consumption. Only high-ranking officials and nobles could afford to enjoy it, not ordinary people.

"Let's go!"

Seeing Jiang Xuan's strange look, Jiang Hu was afraid he would refuse, so he hurriedly led him to the city center.

... The Tian Shui Pavilion is located in the heart of Tian Shui County, a bustling area where most of the visitors are wealthy or noble.

When Jiang Hu and his friends brought Jiang Xuan here, they felt a bit intimidated by the grand and ancient pavilion. Jiang Hu touched the money pouch tied around his waist, feeling a bit painful.

"Xuan, this meal is on us, brothers!"

He gritted his teeth and forced a smile, which looked more like a grimace.

Jiang Xuan shook his head with a bitter smile. He was thinking that it wasn't right to take the hard-earned money from his fellow clan members, especially since he could earn a 30% profit from the Tian Shui Pavilion every month as a deputy hall master.

However, despite his thoughts, his steps were no slower than the others, and he strode directly into the Tian Shui Pavilion.

As soon as he entered the Tian Shui Pavilion, Jiang Xuan felt the strange gazes from all around. After all, everyone here was from noble families, and a new face like Jiang Xuan was rare.

Jiang Xuan paid no attention and found a corner to sit down, with Jiang Hu and the others following suit.

Just then, a surprised voice suddenly rang out.

"Jiang Xuan!"

Jiang Xuan looked up and saw a girl smiling as she walked toward him.

"Hey! It's actually the daughter of the city lord, Yun Xi. Who is that guy? To think he would make Miss Yun Xi come over to greet him!"

"Could he be the young master of some powerful family?"

Jiang Xuan was also surprised when he heard the murmurs. The girl in front of him was the daughter of the city lord, the first beauty of Tian Shui County, no wonder she was so outstanding.

"Yun Xi!"

"I didn't expect to meet you here, Jiang Xuan. I must thank you for your help earlier."

Yun Xi smiled, her lively eyes filled with joy and gratitude.

"I didn't expect to meet you here either!" "Boss, we met some friends over there, so we won't disturb your conversation!"

Saying this, Jiang Hu and the others gave Jiang Xuan a knowing look and left the spot very tactfully.

Jiang Xuan's forehead turned black. What kind of person did these guys think he was? Was he that kind of person?

However, everyone then saw Jiang Xuan inviting Yun Xi to sit down, and they seemed to be having a pleasant conversation, far from the cold and distant demeanor he had just shown.

... "How shameless!"

The noble young men around them gritted their teeth in anger, wishing they could immediately go up and beat the guy up, then take his place.

"Where does this guy come from? Does he not fear death? I heard he would be here today!"

"Hey! You mean...?"

"Tsk! Who else! It's Qin Shou, the youngest son of the Qin family head! Despite his young age, he has exceptional talent and is extremely domineering!"

"He has been pursuing Yun Xi all along, but she has always cruelly rejected him. So he later declared that if anyone dares to pursue Yun Xi, he will tear them to pieces!"

"Indeed, there was once a prodigy who pursued Yun Xi in public under his watchful eye, and he was beaten so badly that he couldn't get out of bed for half a year!"

"You mean the wandering cultivator Yang Mu, who once became famous in Tian Shui County? I heard he was at the Fifth Stage of the Meridian Opening Realm, but he couldn't last three rounds against Qin Shou, who was at the Fourth Stage."

"Ah! To think that guy was so unlucky!"

Everyone shook their heads, and their eyes looked at Jiang Xuan with a hint of pity, as if they saw him as good as dead.

"Ah! He's here!"

Saying this, everyone's eyes turned to the entrance, where two figures were walking in slowly.

One was a young man and the other an old man.

The young man was dressed in black, his eyes scanning the crowd with a hint of disdain. However, when he saw the two people chatting in the corner, his sneer froze, and his face was filled with killing intent.

"Bang!"

A thunderous sound echoed, and Qin Shou's body turned into a gust of wind, instantly appearing above Jiang Xuan and Yun Xi. A terrifying punch immediately fell.

Jiang Xuan's expression turned serious, and a dragon head shadow instantly emerged from his body, merging with him. Carrying a fearsome dragon roar, it collided with the punch in the air amidst the malicious gazes of the onlookers.

"Crack!"

The wooden tables around them instantly shattered into pieces upon impact, while Jiang Xuan, standing at the center of the storm, remained as immovable as a mountain.

"Spit!"

On the contrary, Qin Shou, who was favored by the crowd, was sent flying back, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

Silence! The bustling pavilion suddenly became deathly quiet! One punch! Qin Shou was defeated with just one punch?

They stared in disbelief at the blood-spitting Qin Shou, feeling a sense of unreality.

Even Yun Xi, standing beside Jiang Xuan, showed a moment of shock. She knew Qin Shou's strength, though domineering, it was undeniable.

Otherwise, he wouldn't be considered a ferocious beast.

However, even the formidable Qin Shou couldn't withstand this young man's casual punch?

When did Qin Shou become so weak?