ASER - Chapter 179
Chapter 179: Love Rival
The two rushed over, as if their lives depended on it. But before they arrived, in the area that had just exploded, a group of people in the adjacent gravity array were in a miserable state. Armor had exploded in droves, and over a hundred people from Kun Class, including Zhan Guang, were mangled messes of flesh and blood.
Not many people died. Anyway, the Kun Class members each had Grandmaster-level or even Spirit King-level elders backing them. The resources inherited from the first generation were too abundant; they had plenty of top-tier armor, spirit cultivation items, and forbidden objects. So they were only on the brink of death, but not dead. However, a few individuals did die.
They died tragically.
Fortunately, their area wasn't the epicenter of the explosion. Otherwise, even these princelings of Kun Class definitely wouldn't have survived. However, the most miserable were Jiang Wulin and Rong Wan.
Their location was the true core of the explosion.
However, being a mid-tier Star Realm cultivator, his physique was formidable. Plus, he also had top-tier armor. So his body was merely a mangled mess, severely injured, but still some distance from being on the brink of death. But in his daze... he saw the Ninth Prince, who had been blown to smithereens along with him, being swallowed by the halo of the explosion.
Dead? It was impossible for someone to attack them in such a suicidal manner. Unless... that was a doppelganger? A puppet? Or...
As he was about to lose consciousness, he saw a teleportation array appear within the halo. An identical Ninth Prince emerged. With a wave of his hand, fragments of an 11th-level Puppet Talisman from the halo fell into his grasp and were crushed by him.
This was the last scene, and then his world plunged into complete darkness.
So he didn't know that this Ninth Prince had stripped off his clothes and pants. Just as he was about to extend his demonic claws towards Rong Wan, he let out a sound of surprise.
Because Rong Wan's body had dissipated.
It seemed she had decisively left when she saw him pull down Jiang Wulin's underpants, revealing his mangled little penis.
Doppelganger? A double Puppet Talisman? Neither. It was a substitution technique.
This woman had placed a substitution technique within her body from the very beginning. Her real body was long gone from here. Perhaps even when she was attacked earlier, it wasn't her real body.
She was even more cautious than Jiang Wulin.
At this moment, in a cultivation room in a courtyard in Lushan's Fourth Heaven, Rong Wan, sitting cross-legged, spat out a large mouthful of blood. Her aura also fluctuated wildly, mainly because she was shocked when she saw that Ninth Prince pulling down Jiang Wulin's underwear.
Her head throbbed.
The main body substitution technique could borrow most of the main body's power, but it was also connected to the spiritual body. Although it could save one's life and leave a backup plan when handling matters, one still had to pay a considerable price.
As she stabilized her injuries, the door to the cultivation room opened, and a cold woman in black attire with red lapels looked at her with cold eyes.
"Sister..."
"I told you long ago not to provoke... Was it Chen A'Diao?"
"No, it seemed to be the Ninth Prince. I didn't intend to move against Chen A'Diao; I was just cooperating superficially. But I didn't expect this Ninth Prince to be so troublesome."
Rong Wan briefly explained the situation.
Rong Xi seemed lost in thought. "You mean this Ninth Prince is a bit strange, and his style of doing things is particularly similar to Chen A'Diao's? Especially the way he stripped equipment and snatched storage rings later on?"
Rong Wan: "Yes, but he knew Jiang Wulin and I were still conscious, which is tantamount to revealing his identity. Moreover, the things this person used are only available from the royal armory, right? The imperial family wouldn't possibly sell such strategic weapons to Chen A'Diao—the fact that her official position was revoked is the best proof. Whether it's that bomb or the 11th-level Puppet Talisman that neither Jiang Wulin nor I could see through, if Chen A'Diao had such powerful disguise and puppet techniques, she wouldn't need to go to such lengths. She could have just lured us over and attacked with an explosion, perfectly clearing her suspicion without exposing herself. I always feel that this Ninth Prince wanted to frame someone, and the whole incident exposed too many clues pointing to 'Chen A'Diao'."
Rong Xi: "So there was originally a Chen A'Diao over there?"
"Yes, I also suspected if she was someone else in disguise. But later, when this Ninth Prince attacked, this Chen A'Diao made a move, and I captured the spiritual power of both individuals."
She took out two small vials.
Rong Xi took them, hooked a fingertip towards the mouth of a vial, and the spiritual power seeped into the wristwatch-like device on her wrist. After a moment, data was displayed.
"It's consistent with Chen A'Diao's energy signature."
Rong Wan said in a low voice: "I suspect this Ninth Prince ambushed Chen A'Diao to prove he was also in Mirror Blade Gorge. Then he set off the explosion, acted so ruthlessly, and even let me see his Chen A'Diao-like behavior... Clearly, he wants to blow things up so that the family elders behind us will pressure and target Chen A'Diao. This is framing someone."
Logically, after finishing the deed, this Ninth Prince should have immediately retreated to avoid suspicion, not have his main body teleport over to strip equipment and deliberately let the two of them see.
He was telling them—he lacked resources, he wasn't the Ninth Prince, he was Chen A'Diao.
"Moreover, that Chen A'Diao probably figured it out too. That's why she specifically shouted to remind us earlier, asking if the Ninth Prince was colluding with us to plot against her. Then she hid far away."
Unfortunately.
"We still fell for it."
"And from a motive perspective, if the Ninth Prince really was Chen A'Diao, then the Chen A'Diao who appeared was an accomplice in disguise. This means she had long anticipated this situation. Even if she wanted to deal with us, there was no need to be so ruthless. People died, the matter will definitely escalate, and there's no benefit. It was clearly just a conflict among students. Escalating it to explosions and deaths, with no actual excessive benefit, is actually out of character for Chen A'Diao."
Rong Wan pondered everything. The more she thought, the more it seemed on the surface to point to Chen A'Diao. But in reality, from all aspects, it inversely indicated that the Ninth Prince was stirring up trouble and slandering Chen A'Diao.
"This Ninth Prince is truly shameless!" To think Rong Wan previously felt that the two princes of the Tang Song imperial family looked quite noble and refined, with an outstanding demeanor and elegance, in contrast to Chen A'Diao's frivolous, arrogant, and unorthodox nature. She never expected this.
Rong Xi didn't speak, just looked at the vial thoughtfully. Suddenly, she said: "Regardless of whether he is Chen A'Diao or not, many people will now decide that Chen A'Diao did it. Don't make any moves, and the family won't either. It's best not to get involved in this matter. If there's an investigation later, just state everything you saw... Understand?"
After all, she was in the Martial Hall, on Lushan's primary combat frontline. And being a few years older, she knew far more than Rong Wan.
This matter wasn't simple, and it definitely wouldn't end simply.
"Zhang Xiaodao and the others should already be investigating, right? The Zhang family and the Lou family will definitely cause a stir." Rong Xi pinched the vial, her eyes narrowing.
Discussions were rampant in the rest area. The entire Lushan Academy seemed to have its attention drawn by this explosion. Those at the Lesser Spirit King level naturally knew about it too. However, their status was too high, and they wouldn't personally go to investigate the situation. Now, it was mostly Star Realm and Grandmaster-level individuals who went.
Zhang Xiaodao and his companion were stronger than Jiang Wulin and also faster. After entering the First Blade Mirror, they quickly rushed into the Second Blade Mirror, and then they starkly saw the dismal scene ahead.
First, amidst a sea of bare white buttocks, he saw his younger brother's butt.
His colleague said, "Ah, your brother has a plum blossom birthmark on his butt, no wonder you recognized him at a glance."
Zhang Xiaodao: "Shut up."
He flipped his brother's body over.
The expressions of both of them...
His little penis was blown to bits.
How dismal was the scene ahead? It was truly a field of bare white.
A group of people... lying prone, bare-bottomed, their underpants stripped off. Only the female cultivators were relatively better off; only their storage rings and armor were taken, nothing else was touched.
This scene was like a blatant mockery of them— "Stupid bastards, was it fun? I'll let you have your fun!"
Feeling intensely humiliated, veins bulged on the foreheads of both Zhang Xiaodao and his companion.
"It must be Chen A'Diao."
Zhang Xiaodao's face darkened, and he said gloomily, "It can only be Chen A'Diao."
No matter who did this, the blame must be pushed onto Chen A'Diao. Only then could their losses be compensated.
The initial goal must be achieved—to pull Chen A'Diao down, to suppress her!
At this time, Nie Yuanyuan, who had already entered the Third Blade Mirror, used the denser fog to change her appearance, reverting to her own. She then went to another hidden area, pretending to have entered from a different entrance. And in this area, she saw another "herself"—it was a Puppet Talisman given by Chen A'Diao, to ensure Nie Yuanyuan's alibi.
She retrieved the talisman and then quietly began to tackle Mirror Blade Gorge.
Her mission was complete; the rest was up to Chen A'Diao. But did this person sneak into Mirror Blade Gorge last night? It must have been last night, because too many cultivators, including Grandmasters, frequented Mirror Blade Gorge. Even if Chen A'Diao mixed in, she might have been seen. However, Lou Tanglie and his group, in order to prepare for today's events, had started clearing the area and setting up since last night.
The first three Blade Mirrors were mostly frequented by Star Realm cultivators. Grandmaster-level cultivators had long since entered other Blade Mirrors and wouldn't meddle in affairs here.
They were all "natives," with extensive connections. Many Star Realm cultivators in Lushan would give them face. People like Zhan Guang were merely their overt enforcers. And those cultivators who cooperated with the clearing, even if they disagreed, wouldn't disrespect them.
So this, in turn, gave A'Diao an opportunity, allowing her to sneak in last night and also set up a large array and hunt Xuangang Spirits...
But to obtain dozens of Xuangang Spirits in just one night, with Lou Tanglie and his group not noticing at all—this wasn't what Nie Yuanyuan admired. After all, Chen A'Diao suppressing numerous Star Realm cultivators with her Glimmer Realm cultivation was no joke; it wouldn't be strange for her to kill mid-tier Star Realm cultivators. What she marveled at was this person's scheming mind.
Her calculations were too precise.
But what was her purpose in making such a big scene? And once things escalated, the powerhouses of Lushan wouldn't turn a blind eye. Once they got involved...
Nie Yuanyuan suddenly felt she might have boarded a pirate ship.
"I wonder what her other body went to do."
Main body, doppelganger, puppet—Chen A'Diao's methods were ever-changing. As a collaborator, even she couldn't tell which one was Chen A'Diao's true body.
A'Diao's main body was the Seventh Prince, Dantai Sheng. Time rewound to when she and her doppelganger, Dantai Ke, separated. She had already arrived at the Library Pavilion in the guise of Dantai Sheng.
Actually, A'Diao knew that when the Mountain Head told her about the channels for earning points, he actually thought she was suited for the Library Pavilion.
First, Mirror Blade Gorge was suitable for cultivators who were blade users, had strong physiques, and strong spirituality. Her talent points weren't focused on these three aspects. She was also prone to being ambushed and plotted against; going there was actually disadvantageous. At most, she could get the 250 points from the First and Second Blade Mirrors. Going further up was impossible, unless she relied on capturing Xuangang Spirits or Blade Ghouls to exchange for points.
Second, the Library Pavilion didn't require physical combat, only mental effort, which suited her.
How to use her brain? A'Diao first saw an ancient building constructed from redwood, exuding an antique charm and a profound scholarly atmosphere. Further in were elegant waterside pavilions and corridors by lotus ponds. Inside, on enormous bookshelves, were individual compartments. These compartments were sealed and had restrictions, each containing books.
These books could be precious codices from the first generation, recording many secrets, or they could be cultivation manuals for direct practice, and so on.
Previously, what A'Diao treasured most were the books in the study of "Heaven and Earth." Those books later became the theoretical basis for her work on the Yinglong bloodline.
But these before her eyes were the true foundation of Lushan.
Knowledge determines everything.
A'Diao wanted to pick up a book she was interested in to read, but as soon as she touched it, she was reminded.
"Requires 5 points."
A'Diao checked her Lushan account; her wristwatch showed 250 points, obtained from entering two Blade Mirrors.
Toilet: "I only see ways to spend points, not where to earn them."
A'Diao temporarily gave up reading and started to move, passing through various areas. "The books in the Library Pavilion are divided into two categories. One category is the collection inherited from the first generation. The other category is new books written by contemporary people, whether teachers or students, usually original secret techniques. After being written, they are submitted to the Library Pavilion for value assessment and exchanged for points. However, regardless of the category, they are graded, such as Glimmer, Star, Grandmaster, and so on."
"Look, someone is creating an original secret technique right now."
A'Diao leaned against a bookshelf and saw an oval area in the main hall of the first floor. Outside this area were desks and chairs for Lushan disciples to write secret techniques. Inside was a large, suspended sphere of light. Within this sphere were countless characters and runes, rotating at a speed comparable to spatial fragments in a turbulent cosmic flow. A book could be vaguely seen floating within the light.
It was a collection of an era's civilization.
"This is a Book of Civilization, a transcendent-level spiritual artifact, a level higher than the Thousand-Hand Guanyin statue the Mountain Head used on the assessment day... The entire Library Pavilion might have more than one. Terrifying."
Although A'Diao had already investigated the situation in the Library Pavilion, she couldn't help but feel emotional at this moment.
Lushan had too many treasures. Whether it was Mirror Blade Gorge, the books in this Library Pavilion, or the Book of Civilization, all were supreme treasures that countless people outside would flock to.
Toilet: "No wonder the Mountain Head thought you were suited to come here. Does he think you can write original secret techniques?"
A'Diao: "In terms of bloodlines alone, I can thrash many Grandmasters. But this stuff is very time-consuming, otherwise... Look."
As they were talking, someone finished writing. Carefully holding the original manuscript, they sent it towards the Book of Civilization.
The Book of Civilization engulfed it. The thin booklet's pages rustled and flipped inside, as if being flipped by a spiritual entity.
Very quickly, perhaps in about five seconds.
"Failed."
The book was flown back out, unchanged, landing in the young man's hand. The young man sighed, but didn't seem discouraged, and sat down again to review and revise.
At this moment, about thirty to forty people were writing furiously. They had successively submitted a dozen or so books, all of which were rejected.
Toilet: "These people are all Star Realm cultivators; they definitely have a certain level of skill. It's so difficult. It seems it won't be easy for you to earn points. You might waste a lot of time."
Chen A'Diao's time was not comparable to others'.
The higher the golden growth curve, the more precious the time cost. At her current cultivation speed, she could reach the peak of Glimmer Realm in less than a month, then prepare to break through to Star Realm.
This was a terrifying speed.
So for her to spend all her time here was actually far less worthwhile than for others.
However, there was a leaderboard on the side, with monthly and annual rankings. It recorded the rankings of points earned from writing original manuscripts within these periods. But this was for the first floor; the second, third, and higher floors had different rankings. This was to differentiate levels.
Imagine, Lesser Spirit Kings would surely also write original manuscripts. If they were on the same leaderboard, they would forever suppress these youngsters, so they had to be separated. A'Diao also saw a note below the leaderboard.
The manuals on the first floor were mostly below Star Realm. The second floor was for Grandmaster, the third for Spirit King. The fourth floor was the Forbidden Library, which few even among Lushan's Lesser Spirit Kings could enter.
If someone created a Grandmaster-level original manual on the first floor, they could directly gain access to the second floor, without needing other permissions.
It should be known that among both Kun Class and Qian Class combined, only A'Diao had permission to go to the second floor. Because this was the privilege of the Chief Scorer. But this was a privilege, not something earned by oneself. Throughout history, Chiefs had later proven their strength by writing original manuscripts.
A'Diao glanced and saw the names of Zhang Xiaodao, Rong Xi, and others in the top twenty.
However, the top three on the monthly leaderboard were Jiang Jingzhao, Li Cangxue, and Luo Bao.
Of course, A'Diao wouldn't waste time trying repeatedly like these people. But as she turned, she happened to see a little boy who was a head shorter than her, probably about fourteen or fifteen years old. He was a cute young boy, quite good-looking. However, he wasn't as mature for his age as Han Zhuo. This little brat still had baby fat on his face, but this shorty was strutting arrogantly. After sitting down, he began to write rapidly.
His speed was very fast; he was clearly confident and well-prepared, not like he was just making things up randomly.
Mainly, the words the other party wrote had slight spiritual fluctuations, indicating that his combination of words conformed to certain spiritual Dao rules. A'Diao became interested and continued to watch, leaning against the bookshelf.
After a short while, with a hum, the booklet in this person's hand was completed, its spirituality unified. He skillfully handed the booklet to the Book of Civilization.
"Hurry, hurry, I need to get points to go read books. Big Booky, hurry up."
He wasn't talking to himself. The Book of Civilization actually responded, "Got it. Done."
Everyone immediately saw a notification on the light screen: This booklet was rated as low-tier Star Realm, valued at 200 points.
This... it passed just like that?
A'Diao was stunned. This shorty was so formidable? A glance revealed that 200 points had been added after the third-place name, Luo Bao. And he had just barely surpassed the second-place Li Cangxue by one point, climbing to second.
"Ha, I'm second! Where's that silly big sister Li Cangxue?!"
Luo Bao was extremely excited. Others seemed unfazed, clearly aware of how formidable this Luo Bao was.
So young...
A'Diao glanced at him and found she couldn't see through his spiritual body.
Was this person's spiritual body stronger than hers?
Toilet: "He has a supreme treasure concealing his spiritual body and cultivation, yet he's not in Kun Class?"
A'Diao: "It's definitely not that he couldn't test in, but rather because Kun Class wouldn't be of much use to him. This inversely proves that his background and family's educational resources are already top-tier within Lushan. And his family probably also thinks he's too young and unsuited to get involved in the disputes between Qian and Kun Classes."
As for which Lushan bigwig this shorty's family was connected to, A'Diao didn't know. She hadn't been in Lushan long, and the Mountain Head hadn't mentioned them paying respects to any patrons. Currently, it was just classes, so she hadn't investigated much.
Anyway, all sorts of hidden powers would eventually reveal themselves.
A'Diao turned and began to pick out the books she needed. Because most people's attention had been drawn to Luo Bao's side, there were fewer people here now. A'Diao exchanged points for manuals and ancient texts one by one. However, when taking the books, she registered them under the name Dantai Sheng.
Of course, her identity information matched Chen A'Diao's. However, only the Mountain Head in Lushan was qualified to check this information, just like at Jinling Academy, only Jiang Zhou was qualified to check points.
This was to ensure that Lushan's internal members were not exploited by certain powerful individuals.
Moreover, A'Diao was the Chief Scorer; her identity had a layer of encryption, allowing her to freely change her ID.
Otherwise, A'Diao wouldn't reveal her own name while in Dantai Sheng's body. Wouldn't that be a BUG?
After finding the last book, just as she pulled it out to pay, a hand from the other side of the bookshelf also touched it.
Through the transparent glow of the restriction, their eyes met. A'Diao saw a pair of icy blue eyes the color of pale snow. The other person had skin as white as snow, hair like ink, and serene eyes. After seeing "him" (A'Diao as Dantai Sheng), she released her hand and turned to leave.
Lushan has quite a few great beauties.
A'Diao didn't think much of it, took the book, and went to a small cubicle to digest it.
In terms of intelligence, the prodigies from a group like Lushan definitely couldn't compare to shrewd individuals like A'Diao and her peers, who were filtered from a population of tens of billions. A'Diao felt that if Qian Class members were given some time, within a month, the rankings for the Book of Civilization on this first floor would soon be dominated by them.
This possibility was 100%.
And these Star Realm-level books on the first floor really weren't difficult for A'Diao; they merely served to broaden and enrich her knowledge base.
A'Diao's reading efficiency was too high.
She finished reading all 25 books in less than an hour. Then she took some draft paper and practiced for a while. Afterwards, she sensed the situation with the Ninth Prince in Mirror Blade Gorge. Knowing it was almost time to wrap things up, she went to return the books.
Coincidentally, when she went to return the last book, she saw the woman sitting by a window on one side of the hall, reading, and also saw the book on the other person's table.
This person must be Li Cangxue. One couldn't read these books without a certain level of skill, and her reading speed was also very fast.
Then let's invite her into the game.
Knock, knock, knock.
A'Diao deliberately went over and knocked on the other person's table.
The other person looked up and quietly watched him.
Of course, in her eyes, the person before her was handsome and extraordinarily noble. His eyes were cold, appearing aloof and arrogant, yet his actions seemed quite amiable.
A'Diao gestured towards the book in his hand to her, then walked back to the bookshelf and returned the book.
The woman lowered her eyes, her eyelashes like raven feathers. She pursed her lips, glanced at the draft on her table, and still got up and went over.
When she got there, the person who returned the book was already gone, but the book was there.
"This person is Dantai Sheng?"
She pondered in a low voice.
A'Diao had already come to the Book of Civilization and chosen a place to sit.
It had to be said, Dantai Sheng's appearance was damn useful. Coupled with his noble and arrogant temperament, he appeared more regal than the Ninth Prince's hypocritical and feignedly delicate demeanor.
Lushan wasn't completely uninformed about the outside world. On the contrary, since they had dug up A'Diao's information to the roots, they had naturally also investigated other Qian Class students. The two princes among them were key subjects of interest.
"It's the Seventh Prince."
"Is he going to start writing an original manuscript?"
"How many days has he been here... Instead of seizing the time to cultivate his physique to withstand the suppression, or go to Mirror Blade Gorge for training, he comes directly to the high-difficulty Library Pavilion?"
"Truly arrogant and ambitious."
These people discussed animatedly. Because Lushan and the imperial family were not on good terms, these people naturally disliked Dantai Sheng, and thus contributed a lot of Mental Power.
However, before they could start a second round of contemptuous remarks...
A'Diao started writing, her speed even faster and more ferocious than Luo Bao's. After a short while, he finished a small booklet and tossed it into the Book of Civilization, holding it between his fingertips.
Hum.
Low-tier Star Realm, 150 points.
He saw it and deliberately muttered in a cool and aloof manner, "So easy? I thought it would be much harder."
The dozen or two Lushan disciples who were currently writing diligently all looked up. Their gazes towards him conveyed a single sentiment—Fuck!
These people were all Star Realm cultivators. And to be nurtured to this level with resources, their foundations were naturally deep. They were considered the backbone elites of Lushan, with considerable aptitude. So the Mental Power they provided...
Was somewhat explosive.
The onlookers were also displeased.
This Seventh Prince was too annoying. What was there to be arrogant about? He had only written one book.
But since he was a prince, they could only be displeased and silently contribute a pile of Mental Power.
However, this Mental Power soon surged, because he had finished his second book.
He tossed it in again, and everyone's hearts leaped to their throats.
Hum, passed.
200 points.
At this, the Seventh Prince raised an eyebrow and said coldly, "Indeed, not difficult."
Holy shit!!!
The showstopper had arrived!
This damn prince is so hateful!
The Lushan people's composure was starting to crumble. Those seated almost snapped their pens.
It was infuriating! Even the arrogant Luo Bao wasn't as insufferably arrogant as this person. So what if he's a prince?!
"Seventh Highness is truly formidable. But please consider others before you speak. Of course, what I mean is, you should look at the people on the leaderboard. Don't be a frog in a well."
A'Diao, holding his pen and writing his third book, responded lightly, "When they were writing, did they not say it was simple? Did they think so in their hearts but didn't say it out of politeness? Or did they simply not find it simple at all—so, you think they are inferior to me?"
Raising his eyes, he looked at this person coldly. "Thank you for the compliment. You flatter me."
Grass Mud Horse!!!
The person who spoke flushed red with anger, and soon, someone indignantly went to find people.
Find someone to thrash this hateful Seventh Prince! Lushan's face cannot be lost! Absolutely not!
The first-floor area was very large; these people scattered to find help. And news about this damn prince Dantai Sheng acting pretentiously and humiliating people in the Library Pavilion quickly spread. Soon, a few female cultivators managed to find Li Cangxue.
"Cangxue, Cangxue, you're still reading! You don't know how arrogant that Seventh Prince is! He said all of us from Lushan are idiots! He also said you only have a pretty face and figure but no brains, a super vase..."
Li Cangxue: "?"
When they found Luo Bao, this is how they relayed the message: "Luo Bao, Luo Bao, Young Master Bao, that Seventh Prince is humiliating you! He said you're a shorty, and it's fine if you're short, but your brain is also average! It took you a month to climb to second place, and you only snuck up there when Li Cangxue hadn't started trying seriously!"
Luo Bao flew into a rage. The shorty leaped up, his face flushed red, and slammed the table!
However, they didn't find Jiang Jingzhao, because Jiang Jingzhao was not in the Library Pavilion today; he was outside. But someone sent him a message.
The content was: "That Seventh Prince flirted with Li Cangxue."
So, before A'Diao finished writing his third book, Luo Bao arrived.
"You're Dantai Sheng?"
A'Diao glanced at him, looking him up and down. "So short. Luo Bao?"
Aaaah!!
This wasn't said intentionally. Because Han Zhuo was already 1.8 meters tall, and this one... was he even 1.3 meters?
Luo Bao was furious and immediately pulled up a seat next to A'Diao. "You just wait! Let's compete to see who's more formidable. If you lose, you'll..."
He couldn't think of anything at the moment.
A'Diao: "The stake is one hundred thousand Star Coins. Anything less than one hundred thousand Star Coins is embarrassing."
Luo Bao came from an impressive background and instinctively agreed, "Fine!"
Others: "!!!"
How did they suddenly place a bet?!!
But it's human nature, an instinctive inability to resist things like gambling. These people quickly became excited. Privately, they frantically tagged their friends and relatives: "Come quickly, come quickly..."
Especially when they saw that the low-key Li Cangxue had also arrived, they became even more excited!
A'Diao saw Li Cangxue, glanced at the figure entering from outside the door, narrowed his eyes, and deliberately said, "Miss Li actually came?"
This person... he wasn't familiar with her.
Li Cangxue vaguely felt something was off. She realized this Seventh Prince might be up to something, but currently, it seemed like an overt scheme. She had come out of curiosity, but Luo Bao had clearly fallen into the trap.
"A bet?" she asked. She wanted to stop this potentially tricky bet.
A'Diao: "Mm, you want to participate? Then forget it. I never take advantage of beautiful women."
Li Cangxue had an icy and pure disposition and didn't react much to this, but others were angered to death.
Fuck, this damn prince, flirting with our Lushan's goddess!
And he had that bullshit expression of "You'll definitely lose, but since you're beautiful, I don't plan to bully you."
Actually, female cultivators?
Damn!
The female cultivators present exploded with anger. And Jiang Jingzhao, who had just entered, strode over and said calmly, "Two hundred thousand Star Coins, twenty-minute time limit, to decide victory or defeat."
Jiang Jingzhao added, "Taking too long is a waste, and that's what's truly embarrassing."
This remark was also quite pretentious, but the Lushan people felt good hearing it; it was tit for tat!
A'Diao tilted his head to look. He saw that this person's appearance somewhat resembled Jiang Wulin. It seemed they were family.
This Lushan was actually a microcosm of the outside world. The embryonic form of internal class monopoly had already taken shape. No wonder the Mountain Head was anxious for reform.
If it didn't change, it would become another corrupt imperial court.
One must know that its essence was to be a sacred place of education.
"Alright." A'Diao turned to Luo Bao. "Can you afford two hundred thousand?"
Who are you looking down on!
Luo Bao, angered, slammed the table again. "Two hundred it is!"
This shorty was really a firecracker.
Li Cangxue did not participate. She just folded her arms, leaned against a bookshelf, and quietly watched them. But she sensed other gazes, looked up, and saw two young men on the second-floor platform looking down. Both were around thirty years old, watching their squabble as if amused. One of them even smiled at her.
Li Cangxue lowered her gaze and looked back at A'Diao and the other two.
There was no fancy fanfare; if they were going to compete, they'd compete. Luo Bao and Jiang Jingzhao had already sat down and picked up paper and pens...
While they were writing, on the second floor.
"Truly a bunch of kids."
"Jingzhao's matter, aren't you worried?"
The Jiang family had three heroes in one generation; the three brothers were no ordinary individuals.
"Worry about what?" The young man with stern eyes and brows had already left the balcony and gone to read on his own. "Winning or losing is his own decision. But to get angry over a woman, he's still too young."
"You're one to talk. Weren't you... for Li Cangxue's young aunt..."
The young man narrowed his eyes, his gaze cold. The other person was immediately frightened and shut up sheepishly.
Both of them were top figures in the Martial Hall, their status even higher than Zhang Xiaodao's. They wouldn't care about the squabbles of these brats around twenty years old.
What they were most concerned about now was the matter three months later.
Three months later, Langya Courtyard.
That Langya Jade Wall was their ultimate goal.
People who consistently score 60 think about qualifying exams. People who can score 90 think about major entrance exams. And people who consistently score 100 think about early admission.
Standing at different heights and looking up, the goals one sees are naturally different.
Those "big brothers and sisters" in their thirties who could enter the second floor didn't pay excessive attention to the situation downstairs. After all, it was just a squabble driven by the hot-headedness of a few brats in their early twenties.
So... 10 minutes later, Jiang Jingzhao had already finished two-thirds. Only the last part remained to complete this boring competition. And onlookers, seeing the sharp spiritual energy emanating from the booklet under his pen, began to discuss.
"Second Young Master Jiang is formidable."
"Indeed formidable. He should have improved again compared to some time ago."
"He should be a role model for our Lushan talents."
Everyone was praising Jiang Jingzhao. Luo Bao's progress wasn't bad either. Hearing everyone's discussion, he immediately glared at them angrily.
Everyone immediately changed their tune.
"But in terms of natural talent, Young Master Luo Bao is still more awesome. After all, to be so awesome at such a young age, that's truly awesome."
"Isn't that right? He's only 15."
Luo Bao: "It's 14 full years!"
That's right, only 14 full years!
Everyone continued to change their tune, clearly not wanting to offend this young master. And Li Cangxue also smiled faintly.
A'Diao glanced at Luo Bao. In fact, he truly considered this little brat the most terrifying. In terms of natural talent, he far surpassed Jiang Jingzhao. This was different from the starting line of the spiritual energy revival. These Lushan people had definitely been nurtured since childhood. Even if spiritual energy had disappeared, these "purebloods" of Lushan had laid their foundations early on—because many fundamentals of spiritual cultivation could benefit the human body even without spiritual energy, such as martial arts, knowledge systems, and mental fortitude, etc.
So in Lushan, older people actually had an advantage over younger ones and were generally stronger. This could be seen from the fact that these people's older brothers and sisters were all stronger than their younger siblings.
Toilet: "Also, this Lushan should be an independent small secret realm. Even if spiritual energy disappeared, they should have maintained the existence of this secret realm early on using ore treasures that store spiritual energy, just like the Heavenly Spirit Clan and their alien planet. So their foundation is much higher than humans'. Then the time value of their golden growth curve is actually more enduring than yours. Even at 30, their growth speed is very fast, unlike humans whose bones and constitution harden early."
A'Diao: "So those people upstairs just now are the real rookies. The ones below..."
Toilet: "You can still get distracted?"
Of course, he could, because...
Luo Bao suddenly laughed, "I'm almost done, Dantai Sheng! Just wait to lose!"
He saw that the spirituality of the booklet under Dantai Sheng's pen was so weak. Either the secret technique's level was very low, or the progress was very slow, failing to form spirituality in the written content.
So he would undoubtedly lose!
A'Diao's gaze swept lightly over him. He wrote the last word, put down his pen, closed the booklet after its spirituality was sealed, and tossed it into the Book of Civilization.
Luo Bao and Jiang Jingzhao were both stunned. Had this person given up?
A large crowd of onlookers had already gathered inside and out, numbering around two hundred. On the second floor, some teachers were also watching the excitement, such as Teacher Green Pepper and others; they were all on the second floor.
Both upstairs and downstairs were paying close attention, and more people were constantly arriving. They never expected this Seventh Prince to... give up like this?
Three seconds later, the Book of Civilization spoke.
"Mid-tier Star Realm, 700 points."
Snap! Luo Bao broke his pen. He looked at A'Diao in disbelief. Jiang Jingzhao frowned, but his composure quickly returned. His pen didn't stop, but he subconsciously glanced at Li Cangxue.
The latter was somewhat stunned, but a strange light flashed in her eyes. Her gaze towards the Seventh Prince clearly held some surprise and admiration.
It was that kind of... men are stunned when they see beautiful women, and beautiful women are stunned when they see strong individuals.
Moreover, this Seventh Prince was indeed very good-looking.
A handsome man with red lips and white teeth. Although arrogant, he indeed appealed to female preferences.
Jiang Jingzhao's composure suddenly became a little unstable.
As a result, at this moment, this damn prince added, "You're competing with me, why do you keep looking at Miss Li? I'm not your love rival."
Jiang Jingzhao narrowed his eyes, looking at him coldly.
A'Diao picked up another small booklet, his tone calm, his expression composed: "Do you know why I'm still holding this little booklet? Is it because I want to continue writing to ensure I beat you? Of course not. In my opinion, in the remaining 5 minutes, you can only finish the secret techniques you're working on, but their scores will definitely not exceed 700. So, what am I holding it for?"
He was noble, cool, and aloof, and in front of everyone, he did an elementary school student's addition.
"Twenty plus twenty, very good, that's four hundred thousand Star Coins."
What a simple, unadorned, low-key, down-to-earth act. Very well performed.
Everyone: "..."
May a bolt of lightning strike this pretentious damn prince dead!!
Infuriating!
The shorty leaped up in anger, slamming the table. "Don't be arrogant! I'll go get my older brothers and sisters!"
Jiang Jingzhao took a deep breath, gave up on completing his secret technique, and put down his pen.
He didn't want to reveal in front of everyone that it indeed wasn't worth 700 points. He didn't want to lose, but he had indeed lost.
"Seventh Highness is formidable. How should I give you the 200,000 Star Coins? Payment?"
This person was deliberately asking for his account, probably wanting to investigate his true identity, suspecting he wasn't Dantai Sheng?
A'Diao gave the payment code. After Jiang Jingzhao paid, he decisively left. He couldn't afford to lose this much face. "I'll seek your guidance another day. Farewell."
But he hadn't taken two steps when he suddenly heard the Seventh Prince say lightly, "There's no need to seek guidance in the future either. Someone who, after losing, doesn't even complete their secret technique to openly show the gap, has too poor a mental fortitude. It's also a lack of self-confidence. This one, however..."
He looked towards Luo Bao.
Luo Bao, who had sat down after paying, continued to complete his secret technique and submitted it to the Book of Civilization, was suddenly flicked on his little ear by the Seventh Prince's slender fingers.
"Shorty, you're quite good."
Jiang Jingzhao's mood worsened.
Then this person left, his robes fluttering, taking with him the Mental Power of several hundred Lushan backbone elites.
Having gathered a thousand points, and with matters in Mirror Blade Gorge settled, if not leave now, then when?
After all, from the knowledge points he got from reading those books, he could currently only come up with these four minor secret techniques. He couldn't squeeze out any more. If a few more people came to challenge him, his well of knowledge would be empty.
As A'Diao left, he glanced back at the second floor. On the second floor, several young people were watching him, both men and women.
Among them, a red-haired young man and a woman in green robes felt the most powerful to A'Diao.
Their spiritual bodies were very formidable.
Their gazes met. He deliberately lowered his eyes and said softly, "Just so-so."
After saying that, he quickly ran off, lest the two from upstairs came looking for trouble. However, he did manage to provoke some Mental Power.
From Liu Qixun +8888888!
From Ye Guanlan +9999999!
From...
Heh! This Seventh Prince!
Some people on the second floor also contributed a large wave of Mental Power.
The reason they were emotional was because they found it terrifying—a Seventh Prince who could thrash both Luo Bao and Jiang Jingzhao after only a few days in Lushan was very scary.
Was this the prodigy selected by the Tang Song Nation from the outside?
No wonder for generations Qian Class had suppressed Kun Class. Although in the first generation, Qian Class was indeed stronger than Kun Class, this generation was different.
In this era, people from the outside didn't have spiritual energy to build their foundation. But they were different; they hadn't broken off the inheritance of spiritual cultivation. If they still lost like this, it meant they were indeed far inferior to the geniuses from outside.
On the other side, Luo Bao clutched his little ear, glaring angrily. But he inexplicably felt—I'm stronger than Jiang Jingzhao? Very good, this damn prince actually has good judgment.
"This Seventh Prince is so rampant."
"Good thing he left quickly, otherwise I..."
Someone ran to find Eldest Young Master Jiang. The latter learned of the situation, frowned, but had no intention of stepping forward. His mental fortitude was not comparable to his two younger brothers'. For now, he merely raised an eyebrow, "If the Seventh Prince is so formidable, then wouldn't the Chief Scorer Chen A'Diao be... What rank is he even?"
"As for Jingzhao's matter, it was just a competition. Wins and losses happen; it's quite normal. If I had to step in and settle scores every time each younger brother encountered something, wouldn't I be exhausted to death?"
Just as others were about to speak, everyone's wristwatch chimed.
Mirror Blade Gorge had exploded.
His third younger brother's little penis was blown off.
Jiang Moying: "..."
The people on the second floor: "..."
For a time, the two princes of the imperial family were cursed vehemently.
Not far away, Teacher Green Pepper lowered her eyes.
Why did she feel... something was off.
This familiar formula, this familiar taste.
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