Chapter 343: Chapter 182: A Small Test of Skill
In this year of great drought, the entire Linji Prefecture was hot and arid. If one went outside for even an hour or two without drinking, they would become unbearably thirsty, their lips cracking.
Linji City was somewhat better off thanks to Jishui Lake. However, there were reports that in villages in the riverless regions outside the city, the dry conditions had caused even the rammed-earth courtyard walls to fracture. Some wooden house pillars had even burst with cracks.
Trees on the mountainsides were dying off in vast swathes. As for the farmlands, they had long since dried up and cracked open. You could dig many feet down without finding a hint of moisture, making it impossible to grow any crops.
However, such droughts were not uncommon in the Great Yu empire, especially in the Land of the North, where one was bound to occur every ten or twenty years.
The populace was also prepared. Every household had a deep cellar where they would store water before a drought hit, so it was rare to hear of anyone dying of thirst.
The current drought wasn’t considered the most severe. According to records in Linji Prefecture, during the worst drought, the water level of the vast Jishui Lake was said to have dropped by half.
Many parts of the Jishui River’s middle and upper reaches dried up completely, their flow ceasing as great fissures many feet deep split the riverbed open.
Of course, a drought of that magnitude was a once-in-several-centuries event. The last one had occurred three hundred years ago. It was something most people had only heard stories of, an event they would never encounter in one lifetime, let alone several.
It was now afternoon, and the Inner City District was likewise steeped in the dry, oppressive heat.
The Shen Family’s compound was no exception, although the Shen Family Mansion was noticeably cooler than the outside. The humidity in the air seemed thicker here as well.
Chen Cheng followed Shen Qingyao and Shen Qingshuang through the main gate. The world inside was vast and sprawling, a hidden domain of its own.
After passing through several courtyards, they arrived at a residence in the deepest part of the compound.
The residence was situated on slightly higher ground than the rest of the compound, and a faint mist hung in the air above it.
The temperature dropped suddenly, carrying a distinct chill, much like the air in early winter.
The three of them walked through the gate into the residence. The front courtyard was quite spacious, enclosed by tall, covered walkways.
A garden in the center of the courtyard was lush with flowers and greenery, creating a serene landscape. In the middle of the garden sat a tranquil, emerald-green pond, home to pristine lotuses and fish of every color.
A group of Shen Family Elders was gathered in a pavilion, chatting leisurely. When the three of them entered, all eyes turned in unison to focus on Chen Cheng.
"Grandfather, this is Young Master Chen Cheng."
The two young women led Chen Cheng to the edge of the pavilion. Shen Qingyao bowed to Shen Mingyuan and made the introduction.
Although Shen Mingyuan looked like a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties, he was actually over sixty years old.
Chen Cheng had already heard about this from Shen Qingyao on the way, so he wasn’t surprised. He cupped his hands in salute toward Shen Mingyuan, his posture humble. "I am Chen Cheng. It is an honor to meet you, Patriarch Shen."
"So, you’re Chen Cheng!"
Shen Mingyuan nodded slightly, his sharp eyes sizing Chen Cheng up for a long moment. He was inwardly surprised.
’The young man before me has refined features. He’s humble and courteous, yet his expression and bearing are calm and composed. There’s even a faint air of nobility about him.’
’He lacks the flamboyance of a scion from a great family, yet he shows none of the servility of someone from a humble background.’
’Despite his humble origins, his bearing is more outstanding than any of the young masters from the great families I’ve ever met.’
"To have such a presence at so young an age... As expected of Senior Zheng Hun’s Closed-door Disciple!
I am Shen Mingyuan. The pleasure is mine!"
Shen Mingyuan also smiled and returned the gesture.
An ocean-like surge of Qi Blood Power erupted from his body, releasing the terrifying might of a Marrow Cleansing Realm expert.
The Shen Family Elders in the pavilion, being closest to Shen Mingyuan, were unable to withstand this pressure and hastily retreated.
The next to feel it was Chen Cheng, who stood directly facing Shen Mingyuan. He felt an immense pressure, and despite having prepared himself, he couldn’t help but be startled.
’In terms of the sheer density of our Qi Blood Power, the gap between me and a Marrow Cleansing Realm Martial Artist is enormous.’
’However, if I were to face Shen Mingyuan... it doesn’t feel like I’d be completely powerless.’
’Of course, that must be an illusion. After all, I’m just a Martial Artist at the Small Success in Bone Forging Realm, while Shen Mingyuan is not only at Marrow Cleansing Realm Perfection, but has also mastered the First Layer Realm.’
’If we were to truly fight, I probably couldn’t even withstand a single blow.’
The might emanating from Shen Mingyuan vanished in a flash, but the shock in his heart only grew more intense!
’Just now, I only revealed fifty percent of my true power, yet it was enough to make the Shen Family Elders at the Bone Forging Realm Perfection feel uncomfortable and retreat.’
’And Chen Cheng, who was facing me directly, experienced a pressure that was hardly any weaker than what those Clan Elders felt.’
’From what I can sense, Chen Cheng’s Qi Blood Power seems to far surpass that of a martial artist at Small Success in Muscle Strengthening Realm, though it probably hasn’t reached the level of Great Success.’
This realization surprised him even more.
’An ordinary martial artist in the Muscle Strengthening Realm, in Chen Cheng’s position, would have been so terrified their legs would be shaking. They probably wouldn’t even be able to stand.’
’After all, before a Marrow Cleansing Realm Martial Artist, those in the Muscle Strengthening Realm are as fragile as ants. I could wipe out a whole group of them with a flick of my wrist!’
’An ant will naturally feel a reverent fear before a powerful being who can decide its life or death at will.’
’It’s the same feeling a mouse would have at a tiger’s feet—it would tremble uncontrollably.’
’That is true presence!’
’But this young man shows no reaction. He’s as still as a tranquil well. There’s only one possibility: he possesses a resolute will and will not shrink back in the face of overwhelming power.’
’It’s like that mouse at the tiger’s feet—if its spirit is strong enough, it won’t be afraid!’
’This young man’s will is so incredibly steady. Truly a rare find! No wonder even Qingyao and Qingshuang, who are usually so proud, look upon him so favorably.’
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