Chapter 22

The atmosphere at the scene was intensely enthusiastic, even the expression of Princess Gouyu was unusually solemn. Although she showed little reaction on the surface, she was actually deeply shocked inside.

After all, the increasingly powerful Long Teng Hou was not a good thing for the royal family.

Especially this Long Juxue, if he really entered the Ziyang Sect, his future prospects would be limitless. Even Princess Gouyu, known as the kingdom's cultivation genius, had never attracted the attention of a secluded sect.

Jiang Chen was extremely skilled at reading people's expressions and moods. With just a casual glance at Princess Gouyu, he could see the conflict in her heart.

"Hehe, it's just that his talent is a bit better. The path of cultivation is like climbing a ten-thousand-foot abyss. Having better talent at most means climbing a bit faster. If you slip and fall, you'll end up shattered just like anyone else. Talent alone, without the right mindset, is futile."

His voice was not loud, as if he were talking to himself, but also explaining something to Dongfang Zhiruo.

The listener was attentive, and upon hearing this, Princess Gouyu's bright eyes flashed with a strange light. Her gaze swept over Jiang Chen's face, and suddenly she felt that this sharp-tongued young man wasn't so detestable after all.

"No, how can I just forgive this guy so easily?" Princess Gouyu immediately suppressed the little bit of goodwill she felt.

Jiang Chen stretched his waist and muttered, "I've already boasted enough and shown off enough. Isn't it about time? When are they going to serve the food? I'm so hungry I could stick my chest to my back!"

He didn't suppress his voice, and it sounded like the complaint of a spoiled young man.

However, in this enthusiastic atmosphere, it was rather jarring.

Long Zhaofeng had a lot more to say, but this jarring and sudden voice made him feel momentarily at a loss for words.

But what could he do? He couldn't just drag Jiang Chen out and beat him up, could he?

This Jiang Chen was always so out of place. A guy who dared to fart during the Heaven Worship Ceremony, saying a few stupid things in this situation was just his usual style.

Thinking about this, the mighty Long Teng Hou felt a bit better. He thought, "This guy is naturally brain-damaged. Better yet, with such an incompetent son, Duke Jianghan's legacy will be even more vulnerable. Later, when I persuade him to give up that semi-spiritual vein land, I'll have a better chance."

With this thought to comfort himself, Long Zhaofeng swept away his discomfort and laughed, "Yes, yes, everyone has been waiting, and it's my fault. Let's start the feast! Drink and eat to your heart's content!"

Long Juxue's gaze swept over Jiang Chen, and she recalled the incident at the Alchemist Hall. A subtle, almost imperceptible smile of conspiracy appeared on her beautiful face.

"Wait a moment! Today, we have a rare gathering of distinguished guests, especially the few main organizers of our Qianlong Trial. With so many heirs of the feudal lords present, why don't they all have some fun? Each can showcase their skills to add to the festivities today."

It was clear that Long Juxue was already assuming the identity of a Ziyang Sect disciple. Her words placed her on an equal footing with the main organizers of the Qianlong Trial.

"Good suggestion!"

"Haha, not bad, not bad. Showing off our talents in front of a future Ziyang Sect disciple, perhaps Miss Juxue will be inspired to introduce us to the Ziyang Sect someday?"

"Reasonable! Haha, today, we must show our talents in front of Miss Juxue."

"Winning a smile from a beautiful woman would be worth a lifetime of learning!"

Jiang Chen, with his memories from his past life, had a very strong intuition. Feeling Long Juxue's gaze sweep over his face, he knew this woman was targeting him.

Equally perceptive was Princess Gouyu. Although she didn't know where Jiang Chen and Long Juxue had a grudge, Long Juxue's not-so-hidden intentions were obvious to the clever Princess Gouyu.

Kicking Jiang Chen under the table, she whispered, "Brat, be careful! Long Juxue is targeting you."

Jiang Chen was quite surprised. When had Princess Gouyu ever cared about him? Didn't she want to beat him up?

Casually popping a fruit into his mouth, he laughed without a care, "Why target me? I'm just a harmless, spoiled young man. I can't threaten someone with innate talent."

Seeing his lazy demeanor, Princess Gouyu was momentarily angry, thinking, "You'll know how formidable Long Juxue is when you get beaten up."

Sure enough, Long Juxue chuckled and said to Bai Zhanyun and his group, "Earlier, Brother Bai and Brother Hong seemed to have some unpleasantness with Duke Jianghan's heir, Brother Jiang. Why not take this opportunity to spar? We martial artists can resolve our enmity with a smile, and all friendships are forged in sparring. Everyone agrees, right?"

Bai Zhanyun, hearing this, was delighted and immediately jumped up, "Right, Miss Juxue is right. No friendship without a fight, Jiang Chen, let's get to know each other well today, shall we?"

"Brother Bai, I, Hong, also want to get to know Jiang Chen. Let me go first?"

"Brothers, as heirs of the four major feudal lords, you can't take our business. I, Yan Yiming, have long admired Brother Jiang Chen."

Long Juxue said that friendships are forged in sparring, and these guys were all overjoyed. Finally, they had a legitimate chance to beat up Jiang Chen and humiliate him. This was a rare opportunity.

At this moment, the prominent feudal lords, receiving a nod from Long Teng Hou, also joined in the commotion.

"Right, right, we old guys are eventually going to be out of the picture. It's time to make way for the young. What a rare opportunity tonight. The heirs of the feudal lords can spar and build friendships, strengthening our kingdom's martial spirit. Excellent, excellent!"

"Indeed, indeed. The young are the future hope of the kingdom. If they are strong, the kingdom will be strong!"

In no time, over ten feudal lords joined in, all agreeing, and many more followed suit.

Yan Yiming, feeling extremely pleased, came to Jiang Chen and pretended to bow, "Jiang Chen, we had a misunderstanding earlier. Why don't we spar? No friendship without a fight. After the fight, we might become good friends, right?"

Finally, the challenge was directed at him, Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen sighed helplessly, dropped the fruit in his hand, and said leisurely, "Yan Yiming, right? If I were you, I wouldn't be the first to step up. With your status and strength, you're destined not to be the star of the night. Why be the vanguard? If you slip, you'll just embarrass yourself."

"Embarrass myself?" Yan Yiming laughed arrogantly, "Jiang Chen, if you're afraid, just say so. If you admit your mistake and beg for mercy, I might consider forgiving you."

"Admit my mistake?" Jiang Chen stood up leisurely, "I, Jiang Chen, don't even know how to write the word 'mistake.' As for you, you'll soon know how wrong you are. What did you say? A sparring match? Let's go."

Walking to an open area in the hall, Jiang Chen stood casually.

"Hehe, Jiang Chen, just pretend! A weakling with three meridian true qi, daring to stand up, I admire your courage," Yan Yiming sneered, lunged forward, and six meridian true qi surged, building a formidable aura, trying to overwhelm his opponent.

"Stop pretending! If you want to fight, do it quickly. I'm hungry and need to eat. I've been hungry for so long, it's not easy for me," Jiang Chen didn't buy Yan Yiming's act.

"Jiang Chen, with your mere three meridian true qi, pretending to be profound, you're asking for it! Take this palm!"

Since it was a sparring match and Princess Gouyu was present, Yan Yiming didn't use his family's martial arts but instead used one of the accompanying techniques of the "Purple Qi from the East" technique, the "Purple Cloud Palm."

Six meridian true qi was the strongest form of advanced true qi. With six streams of true qi, the palm wind was fierce, and the overwhelming momentum was like a sandstorm.

In one leap, Yan Yiming was as light as a swallow, his palms pushing forward, purple qi surging, and the palm shadows were like blooming plum blossoms, petals falling, creating a dazzling spectacle.

"Full of palm shadows, grass growing, and birds singing, petals flying. I didn't expect Yan Yiming to have perfected the 'Purple Cloud Palm' to its peak. Impressive, impressive!"

"The heir of the Yanmen Hou, indeed lives up to his name, one of the top ten feudal lords!"

For a moment, the scene was filled with praise. Even Bai Zhanyun and Hong Tiancong looked at Yan Yiming with serious expressions, deep in thought.

Just in terms of the "Purple Cloud Palm," their cultivation might not be much stronger. This Yan Yiming was quite a character!

"Hmph, to think Jiang Chen, with his mere three meridian true qi, has the courage to step up," Bai Zhanyun couldn't wait to see Jiang Chen beaten to a bloody pulp.

In the midst of the palm shadows, Jiang Chen was like a small boat in a turbulent stream, seemingly unable to escape the overwhelming attack.

Yan Yiming's victorious smile grew even wider.

At this moment, Jiang Chen moved.

Simply put, Jiang Chen just took a light step. But this step made Princess Gouyu, who was watching, suddenly flash a strange look in her eyes.

Because Jiang Chen's step was precisely where Yan Yiming's aura was weakest and his attack range was hardest to cover.

Just this tiny flaw, and Jiang Chen, as if he had anticipated it, stepped out that miraculous step almost simultaneously with Yan Yiming's lunge.

At the same time, Jiang Chen's arm lifted slightly, like a celestial being, and he casually pointed out.

Swoosh!

A sharp sound, like a meteor streaking across the sky.

It was impossible to tell where it came from or where it went.

The next moment, a惨叫传来，漫天的掌影突然像残枝败叶一样纷纷消散，燕一鸣潇洒轻盈的身躯，像秤砣一样狠狠地从半空中砸向地面。

砰！

结结实实！

砸得地面都微微有些震动起来！

这一摔，连围观的人都觉得自己的骨头都有些发痒。当事人恐怕摔得更惨。

而另一个当事人江尘，却轻轻拍了拍手，轻叹一声：“一口一个瞧不起咱三脉真气，还以为真的有多么牛逼。没想到轻轻一戳，就不行了！差劲，差劲。扫兴，扫兴。”

静，现场一片静寂！

此时无声胜有声！