Chapter 28

In the final battle, Prince Zhang Ruochen faced off against Situ Linjiang, the first genius of the Situ family.

Before the year-end assessment, Zhang Ruochen was still regarded by everyone as a waste, having just activated his Divine Martial Mark. However, now, no one dared to underestimate him, including Situ Linjiang standing opposite him.

"Fight!"

Situ Linjiang roared, immediately channeling his true qi into his spear.

The black spear was enveloped in flames, transforming into a fiery serpent that lunged towards Zhang Ruochen.

Situ Linjiang was well aware that Zhang Ruochen's cultivation and strength were absolutely inferior to his own. However, Zhang Ruochen's control over true qi and strength was extremely subtle, making him somewhat wary.

To win against Zhang Ruochen, he had to launch a fierce and relentless attack, leaving Zhang Ruochen no chance to counter.

As long as Zhang Ruochen had no opportunity to act, this battle was as good as won for him!

Situ Linjiang was indeed much stronger than Xue Kai, and his spear techniques were also nearly perfect. However, Zhang Ruochen remained calm, showing no signs of panic or fear.

"Red Fire Spirit Snake!"

The spearhead transformed into the head of a fiery snake, chasing after Zhang Ruochen and aiming for his back.

Zhang Ruochen crouched to avoid the spear, and the green water sword in his hand thrust out, directly targeting Situ Linjiang's right hand that held the spear.

Situ Linjiang took a step back to dodge the sword, then immediately attacked again, using the spear like a club to swing down at Zhang Ruochen's head.

Before the spear even landed, sparks rained down on Zhang Ruochen, burning small black holes in his imperial dragon robe.

Zhang Ruochen thought to himself, "What a quick reaction speed!"

At this moment, there was no time to dodge.

"Heaven Heart Sword Bell!"

All eleven of Zhang Ruochen's meridians appeared, and true qi flowed continuously into the green water sword, activating the two ice-type inscriptions within it.

He twisted his body and blocked with the sword.

"Whoosh!"

A three-meter-tall pale green bell shadow enveloped Zhang Ruochen, spinning rapidly and emitting a cold chill.

Situ Linjiang's spear struck the surface of the pale green bell shadow but was blocked by a powerful force, unable to shatter the bell shadow.

Blocked!

"Boom!"

The counterforce shook Situ Linjiang's arm, making it numb.

At this moment, Zhang Ruochen actively charged out from the sword bell, slashing at Situ Linjiang with a sword that released an eight-meter-long sword aura.

"Heaven Heart Guiding!"

Another lower-grade spirit-level sword technique!

Situ Linjiang's expression changed slightly, and he immediately retreated to dodge the sword aura. Then, he roared again and thrust his spear at Zhang Ruochen.

"Clap, clap!"

Due to the speed of the spear, the red flame spear rubbed against the air, causing the spear tip to turn red and sparks to fall.

Zhang Ruochen did not engage in a direct confrontation with Situ Linjiang but immediately leaped into the air to avoid the spear.

"Fool! In the air, you can't borrow any force, making you a live target. I'll see how you can avoid my second spear!"

Situ Linjiang's reaction speed was extremely fast. He pushed off the ground with both feet and leaped up, thrusting his spear at Zhang Ruochen's chest.

"Who said you can't borrow force? I'll borrow your force!"

Zhang Ruochen continuously swung his sword, colliding with the spear.

"Bang, bang!"

Each time the green water sword struck the spear, Zhang Ruochen's position changed subtly. In the blink of an eye, he had slashed nine times, each strike hitting the spear.

When the ninth strike landed, Zhang Ruochen was already below Situ Linjiang, who was now suspended in the air, becoming a live target for Zhang Ruochen.

Those nine strikes were executed in an instant. If one's eyesight was not sharp enough, they would only see a series of sword shadows, unable to discern the subtleties.

Trouble!

Situ Linjiang's mind was in chaos, not expecting Zhang Ruochen's control over strength to reach such a level.

The advantage and disadvantage had instantly switched.

"Whoosh!"

Zhang Ruochen thrust his sword out.

The green water sword was completely enveloped in cold air, its surface covered in ice crystals, and white cold air emanated from the blade.

At this moment, Situ Linjiang had not yet landed and could not borrow any force, making it impossible for him to dodge.

"Fire Snake Pointing the Eye!"

Situ Linjiang gritted his teeth and thrust his spear out, a burst of crimson flame power exploding from the spear tip.

"Boom!"

The battle sword and the spear collided, cold air and flames clashing, producing a loud metallic sound.

A massive force traveled through the sword to Zhang Ruochen's arm, forcing him to retreat seven steps.

Situ Linjiang was even more disheveled, being thrown back and almost falling to the ground. Fortunately, at the last moment, he struck the ground with his spear, using the rebound to land steadily on his feet.

Only after regaining his footing did he notice that his right sleeve was completely frozen. He circulated true qi in his body, shook his arm, and the sleeve immediately shattered into pieces of ice, falling to the ground.

Without a break, the two engaged in battle again.

An old eunuch wearing a dove-gray official robe stood behind the Yunwu County King and exclaimed, "This is truly a clash between the geniuses of the younger generation, truly spectacular! His Highness the Ninth Prince, being of the royal blood, although only at the Lesser Apex of the Yellow Extreme Realm, can fight on equal terms with Situ Linjiang of the Situ family. It's simply incredible."

"Indeed! The Ninth Prince has matured late but possesses astonishing talent. His future achievements are beyond our imagination. Congratulations to the King, and congratulations to the King, for the royal family has given birth to another supreme genius," a general in armor flattered.

Hearing the praise, the Yunwu County King was naturally very pleased. There was no way around it; the Ninth Prince indeed possessed a heaven-defying martial talent. If they were at the same realm, the first genius of the younger generation of the Situ family would have already been defeated!

Which father would not be happy to have a child with supreme cultivation talent?

The Yunwu County King smiled and said, "The Ninth Prince's formidable combat strength is not accidental. Haven't you noticed that although he is only at the Lesser Apex of the Yellow Extreme Realm, he has already opened eleven meridians in his body."

"What? Eleven meridians at the Lesser Apex of the Yellow Extreme Realm?"

All the concubines, eunuchs, princes, princesses, generals, and ministers standing beside the Yunwu County King fixed their gaze on the training ground where Zhang Ruochen was.

If Zhang Ruochen had not used true qi, no one would have been able to see the number of meridians in his body. However, in the battle with Situ Linjiang, Zhang Ruochen had to use his full strength, and the number of meridians in his body was immediately exposed.

Of course, only those powerful senior martial artists could see the number of meridians in his body.

"Eleven meridians! Really? Is my ninth brother really that strong? I remember that when the Seventh Prince was at the Lesser Apex of the Yellow Extreme Realm, he had only opened ten meridians," the Ninth Princess widened her beautiful eyes, feeling extremely shocked.

If it weren't for the words coming from the Yunwu County King, she would never have believed that there was anyone with greater talent than the Seventh Prince!

The more meridians a martial artist opens, the stronger their martial body and the greater their potential.

For example, the Fifth Prince, who had reached the Greater Apex of the Yellow Extreme Realm, had only opened twelve meridians. Even if he cultivated to the Great Perfection of the Yellow Extreme Realm, he could open at most fifteen meridians in his body.

This means that even if he cultivated to the Mystic Extreme Realm or the Earth Extreme Realm, he would have only fifteen meridians in his body, naturally unable to compare with martial artists who had opened sixteen or seventeen meridians.

In the Yellow Extreme Realm, each additional meridian a martial artist opens adds to their potential.

Of course, opening fifteen meridians in the body is already more impressive than many martial artists.

"Eleven meridians! He is only at the Lesser Apex of the Yellow Extreme Realm, yet he has already opened eleven meridians. How is this possible? Could it be that he has even greater potential than the Seventh Prince?" Lin Fengxian was extremely shocked, never expecting Zhang Ruochen to be so talented.

This was not just talent; it was sheer genius, a prodigy.

Lin Nishan asked, "Father! Has he really opened eleven meridians?"

Lin Fengxian nodded, feeling a bit regretful. If he had known the Ninth Prince's talent was so astonishing, he would not have been so rude when Lin Fei returned to the Lin family to seek his help.

He should not have even arranged for Lin Nishan to be engaged to the Seventh Prince. After all, even if Lin Nishan married the Seventh Prince, she could only become a concubine, never the main wife.

However, if Lin Nishan were engaged to the Ninth Prince, given the Ninth Prince's former affection for her and their cousin relationship, she would undoubtedly be the main wife. If she could help the Ninth Prince become the heir to the throne, the Lin family's influence in the Yunwu County Kingdom would be much greater in the future.

Of course, it was too late to say anything now!

"Who said the Ninth Prince is definitely not a match for Situ Linjiang? Look, it's not clear who will win! Hehe!" Qin Ya laughed.

Mo Hanlin nodded and said, "The Ninth Prince has shown such formidable talent. His future achievements may not be lower than that of the Seventh Prince. After this year's year-end assessment, the situation in the Yunwu County Kingdom will change significantly!"