Chapter 72

Zhang Ruochen jumped off the back of the Blood Feather Eagle and saw four powerful and vigorous characters carved into the cliff to the south of the White Stone Square: "Western Academy Arena."

Each character was seven meters long, deeply etched into the stone wall, exuding a powerful sword intent.

It seemed to be the work of an ultimate master, who had used a precious sword to carve these words into the stone wall.

"The person who carved these four characters must have cultivated his sword intent to the realm of Sword Heart Enlightenment," Zhang Ruochen thought to himself.

Zhang Ruochen was currently at the advanced stage of Sword Follows Heart. Only by breaking through this stage could he reach the realm of Sword Heart Enlightenment.

Reaching the realm of Sword Heart Enlightenment was by no means an easy task. Many world-class experts at the Heaven Extreme level could not cultivate to the realm of Sword Heart Enlightenment.

In other words, if a Heaven Extreme martial artist could reach the realm of Sword Heart Enlightenment, he would definitely be considered a strong one among Heaven Extreme martial artists.

"This year, only a few people from Yunwu County State have come to take the examination for the Martial Market Academy?" An out-of-tune voice sounded.

A handsome young man walked over, and upon seeing Zhang Ruochen, Liu Chenfeng, Zixi, and other young martial artists from Yunwu County State, a mocking smile appeared on his face.

A rather robust young martial artist from Yunwu County State, extremely angry, said in a deep voice, "What do you mean?"

The handsome young man smiled and said, "Shen Mengxi from Sifang County State. I have no other intention; I just feel that the young martial artists from Yunwu County State are getting worse each year."

"What did you say?"

The young martial artists from Yunwu County State all showed signs of anger and surrounded Shen Mengxi.

Shen Mengxi remained calm, still smiling, "Is what I said wrong? The young martial artists from Yunwu County State are indeed getting worse each year. Last year, at least a hundred and a few people from Yunwu County State came to take the examination, but this year, only sixty or so people are left, not even a tenth of those from Sifang County State. Ha ha!"

The robust young martial artist said coldly, "Daring to insult the young martial artists of Yunwu County State, I will challenge you and personally knock you down."

"Alright! If you can withstand my three moves, I will immediately retract my words," Shen Mengxi said with a smile.

"Three moves? How dare you look down on me so much? I will definitely make you regret it."

The robust young martial artist roared, and the true qi in his body rapidly flowed, circulating through his meridians to his arms.

In an instant, his arms turned a deep red, emitting a faint heat wave.

The robust young martial artist suddenly rushed forward, clenching his fingers into a fist, and punched out, causing the air to make a "popping" sound.

A young martial artist was slightly moved and said, "Jiang Heng reached the early stage of the Profound Extreme realm three years ago, with quite substantial true qi. Moreover, he has cultivated the Fire Dragon Fist to the minor completion stage. Even when facing a mid-stage Profound Extreme martial artist, he can fight for over ten rounds."

The name of the robust young martial artist was Jiang Heng.

It should be noted that the young martial artists participating in the Martial Market Academy examination were all under thirty years old. Therefore, more than 70% of the martial artists were at the early stage of the Profound Extreme realm, while the remaining 30% were almost all mid-stage Profound Extreme cultivators.

As for late-stage Profound Extreme and minor Profound Extreme martial artists, they were extremely rare.

Among the sixty-seven young martial artists from Yunwu County State, there was only one late-stage Profound Extreme and one minor Profound Extreme.

The minor Profound Extreme young martial artist was naturally Zixi.

The other late-stage Profound Extreme martial artist was already twenty-nine years old, with almost no chance of becoming a student at the Martial Market Academy. Because his age was too large, it was impossible for him to reach the Earth Extreme realm before the age of thirty.

If an outer disciple of the Martial Market Academy could not reach the Earth Extreme realm before the age of thirty, they could no longer continue to cultivate in the Martial Market Academy.

Shen Mengxi from Sifang County State was also at the early stage of the Profound Extreme realm, but his combat power was actually even higher than Jiang Heng.

He swung his arm, releasing a wave of true qi that struck Jiang Heng's chest.

"Boom!"

Jiang Heng let out a惨叫, flew backward, and fell heavily to the ground.

A three-foot-long blood gash appeared on his chest, and two of his tendons were even severed, with bright red blood continuously gushing out of the wound.

With just one move, Jiang Heng was severely injured and would definitely not be able to participate in tomorrow's academy examination.

"Ha ha! The young experts of Yunwu County State can't even withstand one move from this young master, truly disappointing," Shen Mengxi said with a smile.

The young martial artists from Sifang County State, seeing Shen Mengxi severely injure a young martial artist from Yunwu County State with just one move, all laughed.

"Last year, only three people from Yunwu County State were admitted to the Martial Market Academy. This year, there might not be any."

"With Shen Mengxi's strength, he should be able to defeat everyone from Yunwu County State."

"Following this trend, it won't be long before Yunwu County State is annexed by our Sifang County State. He he."

Zhang Ruochen walked to Jiang Heng's side, took out a healing pill, the Holy Nirvana Pill, and had him take it.

The Holy Nirvana Pill is a second-grade healing pill with powerful medicinal effects. Although it couldn't help Jiang Heng recover his two severed tendons, it could quickly heal his external injuries. As long as his internal meridians were not completely severed, they could still be gradually reconnected.

After taking the Holy Nirvana Pill, Jiang Heng's face regained some color, and he said gratefully, "Thank you, Your Highness Ninth Prince."

"No problem, it's just a pill," Zhang Ruochen said with a faint smile, helping Jiang Heng up from the ground.

"Ninth Prince? This year, among the candidates from Yunwu County State, there is actually a prince. That's great!"

Upon hearing Jiang Heng's words, Shen Mengxi's eyes immediately lit up, and he looked at Zhang Ruochen, saying, "I have long heard of the great name of the national treasure of Yunwu County State, the '先天功' (Xiantian Gong). Your Highness Ninth Prince, who has cultivated to the Profound Extreme realm at a young age, must have practiced the 'Xiantian Gong'. Could Your Highness give me some guidance?"

Seeing Shen Mengxi preparing to challenge Zhang Ruochen, Elder Xie, standing at the edge of the Western Academy Arena, frowned slightly, wanting to stop him.

After all, Zhang Ruochen was a prince of Yunwu County State, with a much higher status than Jiang Heng. If he were also severely injured before the examination, the Martial Market Academy would definitely be held responsible.

Elder Situ blocked Elder Xie and said with a smile, "Young people sparring, why should we interfere?"

Elder Situ was the guide for the candidates from Sifang County State and had a good relationship with Sifang County State, naturally speaking on their behalf.

The more young martial artists from Sifang County State who were admitted to the Martial Market Academy, the more rewards the guide would receive from the Martial Market Academy.

Therefore, each examination of the Martial Market Academy was not only a competition among the candidates from various county states but also a competition among the guides.

Elder Xie was somewhat displeased and said, "He is a prince of Yunwu County State. If anything happens before the examination, do you think the King of Yunwu County State will let it go?"

"Elder Xie, you are overthinking it. Nothing will happen. If something does, I will take responsibility. How about that?" Elder Situ said with a smile.

"Hmph!"

Elder Xie coldly snorted and stepped back.

Elder Xie did not want to offend Elder Situ, as Elder Situ's cultivation was one level higher than his. Since Elder Situ had taken responsibility, Elder Xie naturally gave him some face.

"The young martial artists from Yunwu County State are indeed too weak. Few can match Shen Mengxi," Elder Xie glanced at Zhang Ruochen and shook his head lightly.

Reaching the Profound Extreme realm at sixteen, his talent is not low, but he is still too young and cannot compare to Shen Mengxi. He will definitely lose.

"Since Shen Mengxi knows his identity, he won't use excessive force. At most, he will just defeat him and humiliate him, thereby undermining the confidence of the young martial artists from Yunwu County State." Elder Xie thought to himself and sighed again.

Seeing Shen Mengxi seek guidance from Zhang Ruochen, the young martial artists from Sifang County State all laughed, believing that Shen Mengxi would definitely win.

Prince Huoxing of Sifang County State, with his hands behind his back, stood in the center of the arena and said with a smile, "Shen Mengxi, if you can defeat the Ninth Prince of Yunwu County State in three moves, this prince will reward you with a True Martial Treasure!"

"Why three moves? One move is enough."

Shen Mengxi decided to perform well in front of Prince Huoxing, looking at Zhang Ruochen again and said with a smile, "Your Highness Ninth Prince, you heard it. If I defeat you in three moves, I will receive a True Martial Treasure. So, in the upcoming battle, I will give it my all. If I offend you in any way..."

Zhang Ruochen interrupted Shen Mengxi, saying, "Shen Mengxi, you must have misunderstood. I never said I would fight you."

Shen Mengxi was slightly stunned, then reacted and secretly laughed, "This Ninth Prince is quite flexible. After seeing my powerful cultivation, he definitely doesn't dare to fight me, so he is actively avoiding it. You want to avoid it, but how can I let you off?"

Before Shen Mengxi could continue, Zhang Ruochen said, "It's not the academy examination yet. You injured a martial artist from Yunwu County State, so you must compensate for the medical expenses. I won't extort you. Give me thirty thousand silver coins to compensate Jiang Heng. I won't pursue this matter further!"

A fair price, Zhang Ruochen neither asked for too much nor too little.

Shen Mengxi was stunned again.

Is this Ninth Prince joking?

The young martial artists from Sifang County State all laughed, looking at Zhang Ruochen as if he were a fool. This Ninth Prince is too naive!

Liu Chenfeng stepped forward and scolded, "Shen Mengxi, the Ninth Prince has asked you to pay thirty thousand silver coins in compensation. Will you pay or not? If you don't, do you think I won't break your legs?"

Thirty thousand silver coins were almost all of Shen Mengxi's wealth. How could he possibly pay?

Shen Mengxi knew that Liu Chenfeng was once a Yellow List martial artist, and he was definitely not his match. So, he looked at Zhang Ruochen again and said with a sneer, "The prince of Yunwu County State is just a coward, without the courage to fight me. It's a disgrace to the King of Yunwu County State."

Zhang Ruochen frowned slightly.

Liu Chenfeng smiled and said, "Shen Mengxi, you are too boastful. Even if you fight me, you will definitely lose. How can you even think of fighting the Ninth Prince?"

Shen Mengxi sneered, "Alright! If the Ninth Prince can defeat me, I will immediately give the thirty thousand silver coins to the injured martial artist from Yunwu County State and apologize to him. If the Ninth Prince loses, hehe, how can a strong person apologize to a weak one? What do you all think?"

"Shen Mengxi is right. A strong person cannot apologize to a weak one."

"If the Ninth Prince doesn't even have the courage to fight, he should go back to the palace of Yunwu County State and drink milk! Ha ha!"

The martial artists from Sifang County State all joined in, trying to force Zhang Ruochen to fight. If the Ninth Prince of Yunwu County State were beaten into a pig's head by Shen Mengxi, it would definitely be a very interesting thing.