"Boom!"
A blazing golden sun shone overhead as the celestial dragon crashed down from the heavens.
Chen Sanshi caught the force of the mountain-crushing strike once again. The rock beneath his feet caved inward, leaving deep impressions. The power of Exploding Blood was terrifying—before he could unravel his opponent's technique, he couldn't hope to counter directly. Even defending was barely possible.
"You can still hold on?"
Cao Fan's bloodshot eyes flashed with surprise. "This heir has met many strong opponents, but it's my first time facing the Nine-Dragon Body. I've heard the qi and blood of this physique are incredibly resilient, but I didn't expect it to be this formidable!"
Before the duel began, he had studied the Unified Spear Technique several times. He knew Chen Sanshi's moves and rhythm. In his mind, this battle was one he could not lose.
The repeated clashes of their weapons rang out like thunder, shaking the entire arena.
Some with weaker cultivation turned pale from shock.
At this level of intensity, even a single slip could mean death before one had time to surrender. One wrong move, and a blade would take your life.
"What heavy killing intent."
Second Senior Brother Cheng Wei clicked his tongue. "Looks like His Highness is dead set on killing Lord Chen."
"No kidding," Rong Yanqiu said, twirling a plum blossom in her fingers. "If you ask me, Junior Brother Chen had better jump off that stage while he still can."
"Ninth Senior Sister!" Sun Li exclaimed anxiously.
"Alright, alright, no need to panic," Rong Yanqiu replied lazily. "I'll go take a closer look, alright? Such a sweet girl—already worrying over a man."
She started walking toward the platform.
"Sis?"
Sun Buqi frowned slightly, sensing something off. "Wait—you're not seriously trying to make Sanshi my brother-in-law, are you?"
Sun Li glared at him. "Shut up."
Ye Fengxiu leaned against a stone pillar, silent.
"He's definitely going to lose," Meng Guangxin muttered, hefting his crescent shovel. "If Cao Fan wins, I swear I'll find a chance tonight to kill him myself!"
"You're insane!" Cheng Wei hissed. "Do you have a death wish?"
Meng Guangxin clenched his teeth. "What's the point of living otherwise? If that bastard Cao calls me 'senior brother' every day, I'd rather die! The Cao family—there's not a single good one among them!"
"Old Fifth, for heaven's sake, don't do anything rash."
"Ridding the world of a Cao—that is compassion!"
"…"
Sun Buqi stared at the duel on the platform. At first, his heart had been pounding in fear, but now… a faint spark of hope lit in his chest. "What if… we've all underestimated Sanshi? Maybe—just maybe—he can actually win?"
"Boom!"
The golden crow's radiance filled the sky. The burning blade descended like the sun itself.
Chen Sanshi was blasted back more than ten steps by the sheer impact. Only when the Dragon and Elephant Blood surged through his legs did he manage to dig his foot into the ground and stop himself, leaving a deep crater beneath him.
"Sixteenth round," he counted silently.
He barely had time to take a breath before the Golden Crow Blade came crashing down again. The Blood Python's aura shuddered as he struggled to evade, darting back and forth, looking like prey chased by its natural predator.
Yet, no matter how ferociously the Golden Crow and Heavenly Dragon pursued, they could only wound the Blood Python—but not kill it.
Cao Fan's expression grew more and more grave.
Losing was impossible.
But killing or crippling his opponent in a short time was proving far harder than he thought.
And Chen Sanshi—though clearly outmatched—kept pushing forward without retreating. What was he relying on?
As Cao Fan pondered this, his Azure Dragon Crescent Blade never stopped moving. Each swing burst with blinding light, forming what looked like a living dragon descending to the mortal world.
"I can't drag this out any longer."
His Exploding Blood state could last for about sixty rounds. After that, even he would start to weaken.
But nearly twenty rounds had already passed, and that Chen guy was still standing strong—looking on the verge of collapse, yet somehow never faltering, never showing a fatal opening, never going down completely. It was maddening.
Cao Fan didn't dare let his guard down.
His intent shifted—from killing—to forcing Chen off the stage.
Win first.
Once he had victory in hand, he could always find another chance later to finish the job. The goal of this trip was to obtain Grand Commander Sun Xiangzong's method to break through beyond Martial Saint—he couldn't afford distractions.
With that thought, he adjusted his approach.
Each strike of the Azure Dragon Crescent Blade now aimed not to kill, but to knock Chen Sanshi off the platform. And it worked—each blow forced Chen further back, closer to the edge.
But Chen refused to step down.
He'd rather take the hit head-on than move even a few steps backward.
He would rather die than lose this fight.
That stubbornness played right into Cao Fan's hands, giving him even more openings.
"Good! If you won't step down, then you'll die even worse!"
Cao Fan finally spotted his opponent's greatest weakness. Excitement surged through him. His roar echoed like a beast's. The Exploding Blood state intensified further, compressing its duration from sixty rounds to fifty—but his power surged higher.
He was confident.
If Chen Sanshi kept forcing himself like this, within forty rounds, he'd be dead without question.
"Lord Chen really goes all out," said Pei Tiannan atop the city wall, forgetting even to sip the tea in his hand. "He's stronger than I thought. For someone so young, his qi and blood run unbelievably deep.
"Still, while his stamina gives him an edge in drawn-out fights, a duel on a small platform is different. There's no space to maneuver. If he traps himself in a confined area, he'll lose his biggest advantage.
"At most, he can last another ten rounds. After that, even if he wants to jump off the stage, it'll be too late."
"Throwing away his life like this… he's insane," Eunuch Hou muttered in disbelief.
Rong Yanqiu arrived beside the arena.
Even as a Profound Manifestation realm general, her heart thumped wildly at the sight—it was sheer madness. She could feel the aura radiating from Chen Sanshi—a fierce, almost demonic will to fight to the death.
Truth be told…
He didn't need to go this far.
Rong Yanqiu had heard plenty about how their master favored him. Not long ago, the old man had even burned through part of his own life span to block tens of thousands of enemies just to help Chen Sanshi cross the river safely.
After that, even if Chen Sanshi remained an inner disciple, he'd surely be promoted to true disciple within a couple of years.
Even if he didn't know the full story, he must have sensed the Grand Commander's regard for him.
Who knew—maybe one day he really would have to call that old man father-in-law.
So why fight like this?
But then she thought again.
Without that fighting spirit, would Master have even noticed him in the first place?
It was because of this tenacity that he'd earned that recognition—not by trying to show off.
To confuse the two would be to lose the very thing that made him who he was.
After all these years...
For all his years, the old man had never favored a disciple who hadn't even formally entered the sect.
Though it was only everyone's guess—Master never said it outright—they could all see how differently he treated Chen Sanshi.
"Not good!"
Rong Yanqiu's heart tightened as she stared at the battlefield. She almost rushed forward to stop the fight but forced herself to stay put.
Blood began to trickle from the corner of Chen Sanshi's mouth.
Internal injuries!
When two martial artists fought, in the end it always came down to whose body was stronger.
Those who had reached Perfection in tempering organs could unleash Exploding Blood freely, their inner organs tempered enough to withstand immense shock.
But with only Minor Achievement in tempering organs, it was another story.
If this were a wide open field, Chen Sanshi could have used the terrain to lessen the impact. But he refused to leave the ring's boundary. That meant he had to bear an opponent's strength many times greater than his own head-on. His Mysterious Five-Organs Body hadn't formed yet, so his organs were far weaker. Now they were taking serious damage.
"Why? Why must you fight me? The world already belongs to the Cao family! How could you possibly win against me?!"
Cao Fan's muscles bulged, veins rippling like molten metal. His long blade howled as if it could split heaven and earth. As he shouted, his killing intent only grew fiercer. "Die for me!"
After unleashing eighteen chained slashes, he caught the moment when Chen Sanshi was forced back. He slammed his blade into the ground, used it as leverage, and charged like a rampaging beast.
In the same motion, he ripped the Azure Dragon Crescent Blade free, spun several times midair, and with the weight of endless qi and blood, brought it down in a brutal move known as Lion Slash.
"Great Sun Burns the Sky!"
"Boom—!"
In an instant, the world darkened.
The blood-red setting sun above seemed to be grasped in Cao Fan's hands. Merging with his blade, it transformed into an unstoppable divine dragon descending from the heavens, crashing down with the power of heaven and earth.
This strike—was the strongest killing move in the Golden Crow Heavenly Dragon Blade Technique.
Chen Sanshi could have dodged.
But he didn't.
His feet were already at the very edge of the platform. One step back, and everything would be for nothing.
So instead, the furious python lunged forward—straight into the divine dragon's wrath!
"Clang!"
The blade of the Reed-Leaf Spear cracked wide open.
Even the Azure Dragon Crescent Blade vibrated violently, forced back a few steps.
The price—was excruciating.
Chen Sanshi's organs felt as if thousands of knives were tearing them apart. The taste of blood filled his throat. He forced it down, refusing to spit it out. The platform beneath his feet sank several inches. Half his body now hung beyond the edge, one step away from defeat.
But he didn't retreat.
He bore the entire force on his body, taking it all.
Cao Fan's blade only paused for a heartbeat before sweeping forward again like a storm.
"Enough already," Rong Yanqiu muttered, unable to hold it in any longer.
Even if he could last a few more rounds—two, maybe three—the outcome was already clear.
She didn't know if Chen Sanshi heard her. She only saw him take two steps forward.
"You want death so badly? I'll grant it!"
The Blood Python let out a sorrowful roar.
The Divine Dragon surged once more!
"To last this long is already a miracle," Pei Tiannan sighed, setting down his teacup.
"Shouldn't we stop this?"
Eunuch Hou's voice trembled slightly. "Lord Chen's internal injuries are serious, yet he refuses to surrender. If this keeps up, he might destroy his foundation entirely. Since the result's already decided, why not announce the heir as the winner early?"
"Eunuch Hou, are you showing favoritism?"
Pei Tiannan's tone was calm, but his words sharp. "If no one admits defeat, then dying on the platform is what he deserves. Since when do we break the rules ahead of time?"
"Governor Pei, that's not quite right."
Eunuch Hou frowned. "This humble one merely worries for the Great Sheng Dynasty's own talent. That's all."
Pei Tiannan arched a brow. "So you're saying Wen Qiushi isn't a talent?"
"You—"
Eunuch Hou snorted coldly and turned away, ignoring him to keep his eyes on the ring.
"Boom!"
Another wave of savage slashes crashed down from the Azure Dragon Crescent Blade.
Chen Sanshi's vision blurred. His injuries worsened because he kept meeting strength with weakness—using his disadvantage to clash against Cao Fan's advantage.
Twenty-six… twenty-seven!
With each round that passed, his injuries deepened. But at the same time, he was learning—his body memorizing every rhythm of his opponent's strikes.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
"Ahhhh—!"
Cao Fan's frenzy grew more violent. He swung his blade wildly, every strike making blood spill again from Chen Sanshi's lips. To him, that blood was like a drug—exciting, addictive, intoxicating.
"What are you still holding on for?!"
He had thought Chen Sanshi was saving some final trump card, something akin to his own Great Sun Burns the Sky. But no—there was nothing. The man was simply enduring through sheer will.
Unbelievable.
At first, Cao Fan had wanted to kill him and failed.
Then, after giving up on killing and just wanting victory, the fool had practically thrown himself into death's grasp.
Cao Fan never cared much for Wen Qiushi.
That man had been nothing but a sycophant, licking his boots after he arrived in Liangzhou.
But there was a saying—when you beat a dog, you look at its master.
Chen Sanshi had killed his dog.
If he didn't take revenge, who would ever dare to follow him again?
And worst of all, from start to finish, Chen Sanshi had never shown a trace of fear toward him!
A mere official… unafraid of imperial blood—unforgivable!
"This will be the last strike!"
"Clang!"
With killing intent blazing, Cao Fan once again unleashed Lion Slash—Great Sun Burns the Sky!
But the expected end never came.
His final blow didn't land as it should have.
Chen Sanshi not only blocked it—but with a strange, almost invisible flow of force, he dissolved the attack completely.
This time, it looked effortless—like water diverting a torrent. He didn't even take half a step back.
Cao Fan's eyes widened.
Following the trail of their weapons, his gaze met a pair of blood-glowing pupils staring right back at him. His heart jolted violently.
Thirty!
Chen Sanshi silently counted.
The thirtieth round.
[Skill: Unified Spear Technique—Song of Blood Complete!]
The world slowed.
Everything around him seemed to move at half speed. His opponent's movements became painfully clear.
Golden Crow Heavenly Dragon Blade Technique—an art unmatched in its realm.
And now, before Chen Sanshi's eyes, it was full of openings. The motion of the Azure Dragon Crescent Blade seemed sluggish, almost clumsy.
The dying Blood Python opened its eyes once more—and this time, it lunged back at the divine dragon for the final hunt!
"How… how is that possible?!"
Cao Fan's brows furrowed tight, his face twisting in disbelief.
That final attack should have ended it, or at least left his opponent crippled.
So where—where did this sudden burst of strength come from?
How could this man still stand—let alone counterattack?!
"What—?!"
On the city wall, both Pei Tiannan and Eunuch Hou shot to their feet at almost the same time. They stepped forward quickly, leaning over the parapet to see more clearly.
Even Grand Commander Sun Xiangzong straightened slightly in his seat.
"Good!"
Sun Buqi stretched his neck as far as he could.
Ye Fengxiu went a step further—literally—kicking off the ground and landing atop a stone pillar several zhang high, using lightness technique to look down directly over the arena.
"What's happening? Did he use my Merciful Deliverance Staff Technique?"
Meng Guangxin, who had lost hope halfway through and sat down to drink, jumped back up at everyone's sudden reaction, spilling his wine as he hurried to watch.
The setting sun burned red across the sky.
On the platform, the Blood Python hunted the Heavenly Dragon.
The Golden Crow Heavenly Dragon Blade Technique—once so fierce it was nearly impossible to block—now appeared riddled with flaws in Chen Sanshi's eyes. He no longer had to meet power with power. With each strike, he adjusted the angle and force of his qi and blood precisely to dissolve the attack, then counterattacked with deadly precision.
The one who felt it most clearly was, of course, Cao Fan.
His confidence began to crumble piece by piece, replaced by disbelief. He couldn't understand how, at some point, every attack of his started being easily deflected—as if Chen Sanshi could see the future, predicting each move before it happened, always choosing the perfect response.
No—this wasn't just prediction.
It was as if his blade technique had been completely deciphered!
Before the duel, Cao Fan had gained help studying the traits of the Unified Spear Technique, learning its signature "Frenzied" state. That had allowed him to remain composed and confident.
But what Chen Sanshi displayed went far beyond that. It was as though he had practiced the Golden Crow Heavenly Dragon Blade Technique himself countless times, knowing every motion by heart.
Yet that was impossible.
This blade art was a royal secret. Even within the imperial family, only those who passed strict aptitude tests were allowed to learn it. No one outside the Cao clan could possibly know it.
Then there was only one explanation—
During these thirty rounds of battle, Chen Sanshi had learned and cracked the technique on the spot.
Cao Fan's heart pounded wildly.
What kind of monster was this man?
To completely comprehend a peerless technique passed down for hundreds of years, created by the greatest experts in history—in just thirty rounds of combat?!
He would rather believe some traitor from the Cao clan had secretly passed it on to Chen Sanshi than believe this man was such a terrifying genius.
The Blood Python, once suppressed from start to finish, now surged with savage power. As the battle dragged on, its momentum grew until it stood equal to the divine dragon itself—neither side able to claim victory.
"No wonder…"
Rong Yanqiu shook her head in disbelief. "Even I'm starting to admire him. No wonder Little Junior Sister's completely taken with him."
"He's going to win… Chen Sanshi's going to win?"
The words spread like lightning through the crowd of tens of thousands.
People suddenly realized the impossible was happening right before their eyes.
From the beginning, everyone in the Great Sheng Dynasty had assumed the royal heir would take the crown.
But now—a different outcome loomed. And if that happened, no one knew how great a storm it would cause.
"That can't be, right?"
"A cultivator with only Minor Achievement in tempering organs fighting evenly against one at Perfection—that's already unheard of. Winning? That's beyond impossible."
"Don't be so sure. Look again—it might actually happen."
"…!"
As tens of thousands gasped, the crowd erupted like boiling oil.
But not everyone was surprised.
In one quiet corner, a group of soldiers remained calm, almost indifferent—as if they had expected this all along.
"I told you, I win—now hand over the ten taels of silver!"
"Bullshit! It's not over yet."
"That princeling's not lasting fifty rounds, just give up."
"Says who? He still has a chance!"
"…!"
While everyone else had bet on the royal heir, the soldiers from the Poyang County Garrison had their own private wager—on how long Cao Fan could last.
Some said thirty rounds, some forty, others fifty…
Not a single one bet on him winning.
Because none of them—ever—believed their general could lose.
In their hearts, the man who had led them from Poyang, fought through tens of thousands of enemies, and escorted over forty thousand refugees across the river was already something more than human.
A god could not lose.
"Useless trash!"
Someone muttered softly.
"Watch your mouth! You trying to get yourself killed for insulting the royal heir?"
"Show some respect! Don't drag the general into trouble!"
"…!"
…
"Even if you can break my blade technique, you can't defeat me!"
Cao Fan's heart was shaken to its core, but his face remained steady. Despite his shock, he made no careless mistake. His composure held—calm in the face of danger.
Even if his technique's advantage was gone, his realm still surpassed his opponent's.
In pure strength, Chen Sanshi couldn't match him.
His Exploding Blood state could last another ten rounds—surely enough to exhaust Chen's qi and blood.
But as eight more rounds passed, Chen's energy remained undiminished. No sign of decline.
Cao Fan's unease grew unbearable. Doubt clawed at his mind. Could this man already be at the Transforming Strength realm? Otherwise, how could anyone possess such vast qi and blood?
"Impossible… impossible!"
Feeling his own blood energy drying up, Cao Fan roared in frustration. His Azure Dragon Crescent Blade could no longer press forward—it now struggled just to defend.
Before the watching crowd, the Blood Python began to dominate, its attacks growing fiercer by the moment.
"Lord Pei, hurry! Go down there now!"
Eunuch Hou's voice trembled. "They've gone blood-mad! He might not stop in time—don't let another accident happen!"
Of course, what he feared most was Chen Sanshi killing Cao Fan outright.
The image of Wen Qiushi's death still haunted him.
No one even had time to question how the duel had turned so completely. Fear took over.
If Cao Fan died on the ring, the fallout would shake the empire.
"Crack!"
Pei Tiannan tossed aside his shattered teacup and leapt straight from the wall, descending several zhang to the arena's edge, ready to intervene at a moment's notice.
The forty-ninth round.
Cao Fan's body gave out. His Exploding Blood state ended abruptly. Exhaustion flooded in like a wave. That technique was pure overdrive—once it ended, the backlash was inevitable.
His blade strength weakened sharply. Even his defense began to crumble.
But his eyes still burned with unwillingness.
He refused to accept it.
All emotions—shock, anger, disbelief—faded away, leaving only one feeling behind: unwillingness.
Cao Fan clenched his teeth. He was born into the royal family, yes, but he had never relied on privilege. From childhood, he had trained harder than anyone else, never once allowing himself the slightest laziness.
Waking at the first crow of the rooster to practice martial arts—that was his daily routine.
With talent, bloodline, and endless resources, he stood far above his peers. Even against ordinary Transforming Strength experts, he could hold his own. Until today, he had never lost. Not once.
And yet now, he was about to lose—to a man from the countryside.
A man with a Nine-Dragon Body, a "lesser" constitution that could never reach the Martial Saint realm. To lose to such a person—what humiliation. What shame!
This defeat meant one thing: his efforts weren't enough.
That Chen Sanshi—he must have worked even harder than he did.
He clenched his jaw. 'Heaven rewards diligence,' he thought bitterly.
Today, his loss was certain.
The hand holding the Azure Dragon Crescent Blade began to tremble. At last, he had to accept the truth.
Chen Sanshi!
That name would be engraved into his heart. Unless he defeated this man in the future, this shadow would never leave him. His blade technique would never shine like the burning sun again.
He had lost today—but one day, he would win it back.
Even if he had to cultivate the complete version of the Golden Crow Heavenly Dragon Blade Technique and sacrifice years of his lifespan, he would reclaim his honor. Otherwise, the history books would record this humiliation for eternity.
"Buzz—"
A roar echoed across the arena as a brilliant sight unfolded.
The Azure Dragon Crescent Blade was knocked high into the air by the Reed-Leaf Spear.
The python devoured the dragon!
The duel between dragon and serpent had finally reached its end—with the victory of the Blood Python!
"I… concede!"
Just before the spear tip touched his throat, Cao Fan's voice rang out across the martial field.
He surrendered.
The royal heir had admitted defeat!
Chen Sanshi—had won.
Tens of thousands of spectators stood frozen, eyes wide in disbelief.
A cultivator at Minor Achievement in tempering organs had defeated one at Perfection!
"Hiss—!"
"Chen Sanshi really made it to the end—and every one of his assessments before this was graded top tier!"
On the city wall, even the gathered officials were stunned silent.
Yan Changqing felt his face burn with shame. Before the selection began, he'd once asked Chen Sanshi to "assist" him. Yet now, he had been eliminated in the very first stage—while Chen Sanshi had fought his way to the top, defeating the strongest royal heir of all.
"Buzz!"
Chen Sanshi's arm veins bulged as his qi and blood surged violently. He withdrew his spear with effort and slammed its butt into the ground.
It wasn't that he wanted to stop—it was that he couldn't continue.
Pei Tiannan had already stepped onto the stage, ready to block if he struck again.
And more importantly—this wasn't like with Wen Qiushi.
He couldn't afford to kill this man.
He didn't yet have the strength to openly stand against the Cao clan.
He wasn't strong enough.
Still… he had won.
At last, he had won!
Bathed in the golden light of sunset, Chen Sanshi exhaled deeply. His body was injured, but his qi and blood were still vigorous—enough to fight another sixty rounds if he had to.
"Your Highness!"
Pei Tiannan rushed forward, ignoring everything else. "Are you hurt?"
"No."
Cao Fan closed his eyes, his face pale but composed. It wasn't injury—just exhaustion.
He saw no point in stubbornly continuing. That would have only made his loss more disgraceful. By admitting defeat, he could at least retain some dignity for the royal family.
"Your Highness… how… how could this happen?"
Even Pei Tiannan, a Martial Saint himself, found it hard to accept.
"Skill inferior to another's—there's nothing more to say," Cao Fan said quietly, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. "Besides, there's still the final stage, isn't there?"
The bone-testing phase—a single top grade there was equal to two from the other stages.
If he calculated correctly, he could still win overall.
"About that final stage, Your Highness, I…"
Pei Tiannan hesitated, then reluctantly explained his earlier discussion with Grand Commander Sun Xiangzong before the competition began.
"What?! You fool!"
Cao Fan's temper exploded. "You mean to tell me the plan was for me to share the title of Chief Disciple with him—and call him brother in the future?! Do you even understand what this competition means?"
No one knew for sure if Sun Xiangzong truly possessed a method to break through beyond Martial Saint—but everyone agreed it was the only possible chance. Miss it, and there might never be another.
"Your Highness, please calm your anger. This… this is indeed my fault."
Pei Tiannan cursed himself inwardly.
Who could have imagined that Chen Sanshi would actually win? It should have been impossible!
"Lord Pei," Cao Fan said grimly as the two stepped down from the platform to a shadowed corner, "forget about the immortal method for now. Do you have any idea how many precious medicines are required just to reward the champion? You think the court has that many treasures to spare?"
"Of course I remember, Your Highness," Pei Tiannan said hastily. "Fortunately, it was only a verbal agreement—it doesn't count as binding. I… I'll handle it."
"Dong—"
The sound of a massive bronze gong echoed through the martial field, breaking the silence.
After a long pause, the supervising general raised his voice and declared, "Chen Sanshi—victorious! Graded A!"
The crowd erupted into an uproar.
"Little Junior Brother."
Rong Yanqiu stepped onto the platform and reached out to steady him. From the folds of her robe, she produced a small porcelain bottle. "This is a precious medicine for internal injuries."
Chen Sanshi glanced at it briefly, confirmed it was safe, and clasped his hands in gratitude. "Many thanks… Ninth Senior Sister."
Rong Yanqiu grinned and pinched his cheek. "You're incredible, Little Junior Brother."
Chen Sanshi instinctively stepped back, avoiding her playful hand.
"He really won?"
Meng Guangxin rubbed his eyes. "Good, good! That was a damn fine fight. Finally, no more pretending to be brothers with those Cao bastards!"
"Old Fifth, don't celebrate too early."
Second Senior Brother Cheng Wei frowned. "Have you forgotten? There's still the bone-test. Little Junior Brother's Nine-Dragon Body can't compare to the Innate Martial Saint Body—the Dragon Heart and Tiger Bones."
Meng Guangxin scowled in disgust.
He pushed his wheelchair closer to Fang Qingyun. "Old Fourth, you've been flipping through those books for days. Tell me—has anyone in a thousand years ever seen a Nine-Dragon Body reach Martial Saint? Hurry up and kick that Cao brat out of here. I'm sick of seeing his face."
Fang Qingyun shook his head slowly. "None."
…
The selection trials had finally ended.
All three chief examiners stepped onto the high platform.
Li Qianzong struck the bronze gong, his voice ringing through the air as he announced the beginning of the final phase of the competition—
Bone Examination!
"Bone examination?"
"I almost forgot—there's still that part!"
The duel just now had been so intense and unpredictable that most people only now remembered this final and most crucial stage.
To determine a martial artist's ultimate potential, the bone examination carried the greatest weight.
"Hiss~"
"Lord Chen is going to suffer here."
"Can't be helped. His physique's limited. No matter how strong he is, he can't reach the Martial Saint realm!"
On the high platform, Grand Commander Sun Xiangzong, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke. "You two—does what you said earlier still count?"
"Of course it does!" Pei Tiannan replied with a broad smile. "Grand Commander, starting next year, any contestant who wins against someone of a higher cultivation realm will be counted as earning two top grades."
Sun Xiangzong gave him a side glance. "Oh? Next year?"
"Yes, Grand Commander Sun," Pei Tiannan said quickly, taking several steps back as he spoke. "Rules can't just be changed on a whim—that would make the whole thing a farce. When the next selection begins, an official notice should be posted beforehand so that everyone knows the terms. Wouldn't you agree, Eunuch Hou?"
Eunuch Hou had already retreated more than ten zhang before answering, "This humble servant agrees with Lord Pei. The empire's resources are limited, and while His Majesty does admire Lord Chen, he ultimately lacks the foundation to become a Martial Saint."
He wasn't part of the Crown Prince's faction, but on this matter, he had to stand with them.
After all—
the immortal method must remain in the Cao family's hands.
"You two… why are you standing so far away?"
Sun Xiangzong clasped his hands behind his back and spoke slowly, "This will be my last year overseeing the selection. What's the harm in taking one more disciple? In the end, it's all for cultivating talent for the Great Sheng Dynasty."
"Grand Commander Sun!" Pei Tiannan forced a strained smile. "Please, reconsider carefully."
"Little Pei, you really are just like your master," Sun Xiangzong said with a chuckle, shaking his head. "Every word that comes out of your mouth smells like nonsense."
"..."
Pei Tiannan stiffened. "Grand Commander flatters me."
"What if…" Sun Xiangzong's gaze turned sharp. "I insist on taking two chief disciples?"
"Grand Commander!" Pei Tiannan immediately stepped back more than a hundred zhang. "Those treasure medicines were transported from the capital! You may take as many disciples as you please, but whether the court's resources will still reach Liangzhou… that's another matter entirely."
Everyone knew the truth—
this so-called "selection" was nothing more than a battle for imperial resources.
Without those resources, the title of Chief Disciple was nothing but an empty name.
"Eunuch Hou?" Sun Xiangzong turned his cold gaze toward the old eunuch in the embroidered robe. "You're backing out too?"
"Grand Commander Sun, please don't make things difficult for this humble servant," Eunuch Hou said bitterly. "The imperial treasury truly can't spare more."
"You two, come here," Sun Xiangzong said with a faint wave of his hand. "Stand beside me."
Pei Tiannan and Eunuch Hou exchanged a nervous look, each silently urging the other to go first. Neither moved a step.
"Grand Commander…" Pei Tiannan forced another stiff smile. "This junior must say something. Regarding Ning Changqun's incident—yes, he caused chaos in the trials and deserved death, but His Majesty was still displeased by your executing him without permission. He only spared you out of respect for your past merits. If you act rashly again—"
"Enough," Sun Xiangzong interrupted, his tone quiet but heavy. "I said come here."
Pei Tiannan's hand brushed against his waist, confirming that the protective talisman the court had issued him was still there. That gave him a little courage.
He had been stationed near Liangzhou for a reason—to keep an eye on Sun Xiangzong should the old war god ever lose control.
With that in mind, he took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and stepped forward. "Grand Commander, please, think twice before acting."
Seeing him comply, Eunuch Hou reluctantly followed suit, his every step cautious.
Both men stood beside Sun Xiangzong, their hearts pounding.
But the Grand Commander only looked down at the stage and ordered calmly, "Notify them. Begin the bone examination."
Pei Tiannan exhaled a long sigh of relief. "It seems Grand Commander still values the greater good. Admirable—truly admirable."
"Before we begin," Sun Xiangzong said softly, glancing sideways at him, his tone rough and gravelly, "let me confirm one last thing. You're sure—there can only be one chief disciple? No regrets later."
"Chief is chief. There can only be one," Pei Tiannan said firmly.
"Good. I've given you your chance," Sun Xiangzong said, nodding slowly. "Don't blame me afterward."
Given us our chance?
A faint chill ran through Pei Tiannan's spine, but he couldn't figure out why.
Moments later, Cao Fan climbed the platform. He bowed respectfully toward the old commander. "Greetings, Grand Commander."
"Mm."
Sun Xiangzong's deep voice echoed. "You needn't undergo the test. The Dragon Heart and Tiger Bones of the Innate Martial Saint Body are known to all. Top grade—without question."
Li Qianzong, holding the results ledger, immediately read aloud, "His Highness Cao Fan—total score: five top grades!"
"Thank you, Grand Commander!" Cao Fan said, bowing again.
Cao Fan bowed and said excitedly, "Once a teacher, always a father. I'll never forget the grace of being taught and guided. In the future, I'll surely repay it tenfold!"
The "future" he spoke of, of course, referred to after his father ascended the throne.
Once Sun Xiangzong passed away, whether the Sun family could survive safely would depend largely on the Crown Prince's favor. That was precisely why Cao Fan had dared to join the selection in the first place.
"Today isn't the apprenticeship ceremony. Your Highness should step down for now," Sun Xiangzong said calmly. "Next."
Chen Sanshi stepped onto the stage.
"What a pity!"
As soon as he appeared, sighs rose from the crowd below.
"Same as me—he'll lose because of his physique," murmured Ye Fengxiu.
His own physique wasn't outstanding. Getting this far had relied entirely on perception and willpower. Seeing Chen Sanshi's situation filled him with a sense of sympathy and regret.
"What good is physique?"
Meng Guangxin's booming voice echoed, "I've got a Martial Saint's body, but I've been stuck at the Profound Manifestation Realm for twenty years!"
"You say that like it's something to be proud of," Rong Yanqiu said with a sigh. "Master, Junior Sister Li, even Buqi all like him. After this, we should help him more—maybe he'll find a way to reclaim the position of true disciple through merit and battle achievements."
…
"Greetings, Grand Commander."
Chen Sanshi had been in Liangzhou for nearly a month, but this was the first time he'd seen the legendary Sun Xiangzong up close.
If not for the faint swirl of deep-blue qi circulating within the old man, he would've looked like any elderly villager sitting by the roadside.
Chen cupped his fists respectfully and said in a low voice, "Many thanks to Grand Commander Sun for saving my life by the Hongze River."
He hadn't seen it himself, but by all accounts, it had to have been Sun Xiangzong's intervention. Without it, things could have gone very badly.
"Mm."
Sun Xiangzong gave a faint nod, his voice like thunder crashing through the ears of everyone present. "Top grade. Step down."
Li Qianzong immediately followed with the official declaration.
"Chen Sanshi, five rounds of the Selection Trial—total score: six top grades! Ranked first overall. Designated Chief Disciple of the Grand Commander's Mansion!"
Top grade!
Cao Fan froze as if struck by lightning. He looked up in disbelief.
"What did Grand Commander just say?"
"Isn't he a Nine-Dragon Body?"
"The Nine-Dragon Body isn't the Martial Saint Body, right? This year it should at best qualify for B grade!"
"Even among B grades, it's not the best!"
The officers, eliminated contestants, and even Meng Guangxin's group of senior brothers all wondered if they'd misheard—until Li Qianzong repeated the announcement word for word.
"Grand Commander, you—you must be mistaken!"
Pei Tiannan interrupted, frowning. "If I recall correctly, Lord Chen's body is that of the Nine Dragons. In a thousand years, not a single one has ever reached Martial Saint. How can that possibly count as top grade?"
"Yes!" Eunuch Hou stepped in, echoing his confusion. "Grand Commander, it's called a bone test for a reason. You didn't even examine him—how can you declare him top grade?"
Their doubts were understandable.
Even favoritism had its limits, and this seemed far too blatant.
"Lord Pei, Eunuch Hou," Chen Sanshi said, loosening his belt, "I am not a Nine-Dragon Body."
He stripped off his outer robe, revealing a powerful, seamless musculature. Under his skin, veins coiled like living dragons, and a faint golden sheen glimmered across his body like tempered metal.
From the first match to the last, he had never truly shown the strength of his physique. Though Cao Fan had dominated early on, Chen had sustained no external injuries, and his clothes had concealed his body's nature. Unless one had exceptional eyesight, it was impossible to notice.
That was exactly why the bone test required direct inspection.
"Nine-Dragon Tendons… Vajra Body… Lord Chen, could it be—"
Eunuch Hou stepped forward and drew a small dagger from his sleeve. He gently pressed the blade against Chen's arm and drew it across.
"Zzz—"
The harsh sound of metal scraping against metal echoed through the air.
"Vajra Body!"
Pei Tiannan moved closer to inspect, his expression growing more and more serious. "Multiple physiques fused together… you—you're a Transformative Mysterious Body!?"
Transformative Mysterious Body!
Even among the countless bloodlines of the world, this was one of the innate Martial Saint constitutions!
Those who understood its meaning exchanged wide-eyed looks.
He was actually a Transformative Mysterious Body!
No wonder—no wonder everything before had seemed so unbelievable!
Finally, everything made sense.
A genius against a genius—this was how it should be.
If Chen Sanshi truly possessed an innate Martial Saint Body, then the results were beyond dispute.
Six top grades versus five.
He had truly won.
He was unquestionably the champion of this Selection Trial, the new Chief True Disciple of the Grand Commander's Mansion—and perhaps soon, one of the very few to touch the realm of Immortal Martial Arts that all martial practitioners dreamed of.
"Hah, looks like I've been wasting my time," Fang Qingyun said with a laugh, tossing aside the book in his hand. "Senior brothers, it seems we're about to gain another little junior."
"This year's Selection Trial—Champion: Chen Sanshi, designated as True Disciple. The remaining inner and outer disciples will be announced later by public notice."
"In seven days, the formal Apprenticeship Ceremony will be held—where teachings will begin."