Chapter 55

"Chen Zhao is really impressive, his initial score is so high, twenty points higher than Xing Que and Chen Hao's initial scores four years ago."

In a refined room of the Yanhuang Battlefield, a beautiful woman named Qingqing, dressed in a luxurious purple gown, covered her red lips with her hand, her eyes wide with surprise.

She is the mistress of the Xing Manor, the best friend of Lady Xuelan, and the wife of Xing Sheng — Lady Yuan Yu.

They are the women of the legendary Twin Saints of the Xing Clan.

In their youth, they were both incomparably beautiful, and even at their current age, they show no signs of aging.

Their skin and appearance are like those of girls in their twenties, tender and well-preserved.

"The main reason is that the masters are very familiar with Zhao's strength, so they directly placed him at the front," Xuelan said proudly.

"However, this is not Zhao's final score. He has been particularly diligent lately and has made a lot of progress." Xuelan added.

"Zhao is indeed impressive. Growing up with so much affection, he can still work hard. I really envy you for having such a son," Lady Yuan Yu said with a sigh.

"Yuyu, don't say that. Although you only have Xing Que as your son, his performance in the Tianfu is well-known."

"Besides, you are Zhao's godmother. These three children belong to both of us sisters," Xuelan quickly said with a smile.

"Lan, you are so sweet, no wonder Chen is so devoted to you."

"Sister, don't tease me. Xing Sheng is also devoted to you."

"Enough, we are getting old, don't be so affectionate together." As they chatted, a deep voice came from outside.

When they turned around, two tall and handsome young men entered the room.

These two young men each had their own characteristics: one was slender and graceful, the other was robust and domineering.

The slender one looked similar to Chen Zhao, and should be Chen Hao, Chen Zhao's elder brother. The other was Xing Sheng's son, Xing Que.

The words just spoken were from Xing Que.

"Brother, be a bit more polite to our mother," Chen Hao said with a smile.

"If you are too polite, they might turn into young girls," Xing Que said, shaking his head with a bitter smile.

"You are so impolite. Look how considerate Hao is."

"I asked you to come to support your brother, but you only arrived now. Chen Zhao has already topped the Yanhuang List," Lady Yuan Yu said with a playful scold.

"The current first place doesn't count. I have heard that Zhao will have a tough time this year. We'll see how it goes. Lin Xiaoxiao from the Thunder Venerable Manor and Li Shufan from the Tianji Palace are both very strong."

"Li Shufan is the youngest direct disciple of Chancellor Qin, who has inherited Qin's true teachings. As for Lin Xiaoxiao, her state is similar to that of the 'First on the Heavenly List' four years ago," Xing Que said calmly.

"Are they really that strong?" Xuelan frowned, feeling the pressure.

"Of course. Mother, if you were stricter with Zhao and didn't always indulge him, he might have a better chance. Now, it's at most twenty percent," Chen Hao said.

"Even so, there is still a chance. As elder brothers, how can you say such things as soon as you arrive? I asked you to come to support your brother," Lady Yuan Yu said, dissatisfied.

"Of course, Zhao is our brother, and we will support him," Xing Que said.

"Even if he doesn't become the top disciple this time, with his current talent and the strength of our Xing Clan Merchant Guild, it won't be difficult to get him into the Tianfu within three months."

"The only difference is the title of 'Top Disciple,'" Chen Hao said.

"Zhao's talent is really impressive. He is at least in the top three for his age. If he works harder, his chances today could be around forty percent," Xing Que said.

"That's not bad! Once he enters the Tianfu, with you two as his elder brothers, no one will dare to bully him," Xuelan said, relieved.

"Mother, what are you talking about? Our people from the Xing Clan, how can they be bullied? If anyone touches a hair on his head, I will destroy their entire family," Chen Hao said with disdain.

"Count me in," Xing Que said, clenching his fist and smiling.

Xuelan laughed, very satisfied with the bond between her sons and their talents.

These are the true pride of the Zhuque Kingdom.

She suddenly thought of a certain old and frail woman and her notorious son who had provoked Chen Zhao. She couldn't help but laugh.

"Godmother, you are laughing so happily. Is there any good news?" Xing Que asked.

"It's because there are too many people without self-awareness."

"Who are you talking about?" Xing Que asked.

"You will know soon," Xuelan said mysteriously.

...

"Li Tianming, it's your turn. Hurry up and go up."

After a long wait, Master Mu Wan finally called him, urging him to quickly ascend the platform.

Today, she was very busy, and by midday, she was already drenched in sweat.

But such a beauty, even when sweating, still smelled sweet.

"What level is my opponent?" Li Tianming asked, hoping to face a strong opponent to get a higher initial score.

"Beast Pulse Realm, Ninth Level," Mu Wan answered.

"Damn, are they underestimating me?" Li Tianming said, feeling frustrated.

"I can't help it. You registered as Beast Pulse Realm, Ninth Level. Oh, have you broken through to Spirit Source Realm?"

Master Mu Wan sensed a change in his aura. A Spirit Source Realm Beastmaster is fundamentally different from a Beast Pulse Realm one.

"I have broken through."

"Don't be impatient. Take it step by step. Beat your opponent, and I will continue to arrange matches for you until you lose," Mu Wan said seriously.

With her words, Li Tianming felt reassured. Some masters might give a score based on their first impression, and even if he won, they might not continue to arrange matches for him, preventing him from improving his ranking.

Li Tianming ascended the platform. There were several matches happening simultaneously, and he was not the focus, so not many people noticed him.

Soon, his opponent, guided by his master, also ascended the platform.

Li Tianming recognized him. He was from the Thunder Venerable Manor, Beast Pulse Realm, Ninth Level, named Liu Qianyang.

"Meeting again, what a coincidence," Li Tianming smiled.

Liu Qianyang's expression was very different.

He had personally witnessed Li Tianming defeat Chen Ding. The last time, he was suppressed by Li Tianming, and his broken nose had not yet healed.

Seeing his opponent was Li Tianming, he trembled.

"Master, I refuse to fight this person!" To Li Tianming's surprise, Liu Qianyang directly shouted at the masters around him.

"Reason?"

"This person is named Li Tianming. Three years ago, he was a disciple of the Yanhuang Academy, but he was expelled for moral corruption!"

"He has no right to re-enter the academy and no right to fight me!"

Liu Qianyang's eyes were wide, and he spoke hysterically, clearly very afraid of Li Tianming.

"Don't talk nonsense. Three years ago, Li Tianming was not expelled from the academy. We have reviewed it, and he has the right to re-enter."

"Liu Qianyang, you have no right to refuse the fight. Otherwise, you will be disqualified from the ranking battle."

Master Mu Wan was nearby, and her attitude was clearly more firm.

"I protest! How can a person who drugged and violated a woman become a disciple of the Yanhuang Academy!"

"The Yanhuang Academy is a holy place and cannot tolerate such filth! I still refuse to fight this person!" Liu Qianyang said, agitated and shouting loudly.

Because he was from the Thunder Venerable Manor, the masters did not immediately expel him, even though he was causing a disturbance.

However, his words drew the attention of many people.

People noticed that his opponent was Li Tianming, who had caused a stir during the qualifying matches.

This name reminded many people of a scandal from three years ago.

The protagonist of this scandal was not a significant figure, but because it involved the top disciple of the imperial examination that year, now the top disciple on the Heavenly List, Lin Xiaoting, the scandal spread throughout the land.

"Is this Li Tianming?"

"This Thunder Venerable Manor disciple is right. A morally corrupt person like this has no right to be a disciple of the Yanhuang Academy. The academy is a holy place."

Many people focused on Li Tianming, starting to discuss him.

Li Tianming himself did not expect that his first appearance today would draw so much attention.

The audience today was ten times larger than during the qualifying matches, and the attention on him was overwhelming.

"Filthy person, why don't you just go back to the filthy mud? It's disgusting to come back and make a fool of yourself again."

"I despise such men the most."

"Fortunately, Lin Xiaoting arrived in time back then, or the goddess of Tianfu would have been defiled by this beast."

"Yes, the pair in Tianfu, a perfect match, are like a divine couple."

"I wonder if they are here now, watching this disgusting person."

Such discussions were happening among many people.

Liu Qianyang did not expect that his quick thinking would cause such a resonance. He wanted to say more, but suddenly someone called him from behind.

"Qianyang!"

Liu Qianyang turned around and saw his sister, Liu Qing.

This beautiful woman had a cold expression. "Fight directly and don't disgrace the Thunder Venerable Manor. No matter what, a disciple of the Thunder Venerable Manor is not a coward who retreats without a fight."

"Sister, but..."

"Don't argue. Many elders are watching."

With these words, Liu Qianyang realized that the elders were making him fight directly.

His sister had just been in the Thunder Venerable Manor's room and now came down, clearly with the elders' intentions.

The elders' dissatisfaction made Liu Qianyang even more nervous.

Before the masters decided how to handle the situation, Liu Qianyang stretched his neck, summoned his companion beast, the Lightning Leopard, and shouted at Li Tianming:

"I've changed my mind. As a disciple of the Thunder Venerable Manor, I should defeat you, a morally corrupt person, and make you ashamed!"

These words caused a wave of cheers from the crowd.

Refusing to fight was a cowardly act, while upholding justice was the act of a true hero.

Liu Qianyang's image instantly reached its peak.

"Very well, I should thank you, Liu Qianyang," Li Tianming said.

"Thank me for what? For letting everyone know that you, a disgraced joke, have returned?" Liu Qianyang sneered.

"Something like that. Your notification method was very effective. I'm now a celebrity," Li Tianming smiled.

"So?"

"So, your role is over."

Li Tianming did not even summon Little Yellow Chicken, but walked directly toward Liu Qianyang.

"You dare to underestimate me? A disciple of the Thunder Venerable Manor would rather die fighting than let you gain any advantage over me!"

Liu Qianyang shouted, bringing the Lightning Leopard