King of Ten Thousand Years

Chapter 24: Chapter 24: Encounter

"Martial Mansion admissions?"

Seeing that Luo Tian was interested, Chen Haofei began to explain.

Every year, the major Advanced Martial Mansions in the Azure Cloud Kingdom would openly recruit new students.

The Lingyun Martial Mansion was the only Advanced Martial Mansion in Lingyun County. It ranked in the top twenty within the Azure Cloud Kingdom, second only to the three most elite Holy Mansions.

"Anyone under eighteen with a cultivation at the Second Layer of the Meridian Opening Realm is eligible to take the entrance examination."

Chen Haofei paused, then sized up Luo Tian.

"With your cultivation at the Third Layer of Meridian Opening and combat power comparable to the Fourth Layer, Brother Luo, you might not have a chance with the Three Great Holy Mansions, but getting into Lingyun Martial Mansion is a sure thing."

Chen Haofei said with conviction.

"Once you’re in the Lingyun Martial Mansion, the Du Family would never dare to openly move against a student. It would be a form of protection for you," Lin Yun added with a touch of arrogance.

"This is the perfect opportunity!"

A rare smile appeared on Ning Xueyao’s face; she was happy for Luo Tian.

For Luo Tian, the Lingyun Martial Mansion was an excellent destination.

As long as he was accepted into an Advanced Martial Mansion, the Du Family would have to be cautious and couldn’t act against him rashly.

Moreover, an Advanced Martial Mansion had stronger Martial Arts instructors and offered high-grade Cultivation and Martial Skills to learn, which would be beneficial for Luo Tian’s development.

"Are those three most elite Holy Mansions also admitting students?" Luo Tian asked.

’With my Divine Vein and limitless potential, it’s only natural that I’d want to enter the best Martial Mansion there is.’

"Heh."

Lin Yun scoffed dismissively, pouring cold water on the idea. "The three most elite Martial Mansions in the Azure Cloud Kingdom are known as Holy Mansions. They only accept true geniuses. You don’t stand a chance."

"The entrance examination for the Three Great Holy Mansions has two requirements alone," Lin Haofei explained.

"First, you must pass the examination of the County City’s Martial Mansion.

Second, you must have a cultivation at the Fourth Layer of Meridian Opening and be under eighteen."

’Such high requirements!’

Luo Tian was taken aback. Just reaching the Fourth Layer of the Meridian Opening Realm was difficult enough.

The Meridian Opening Realm had nine layers, with a major threshold every three layers.

The barrier to the Fourth Layer of the Meridian Opening Realm was incredibly difficult to break through. An ordinary Martial Artist would be hard-pressed to overcome it in less than a year or two.

"Even for those at the Fourth Layer of Meridian Opening, the chance of passing the Holy Mansion’s entrance examination is less than thirty percent. If you fail, you can’t even get into the regular Advanced Martial Mansions anymore," Lin Yun chuckled slyly.

"So, don’t even think about the Three Great Holy Mansions. You don’t even meet the most basic qualification to be tested."

A hint of disdain flashed in Lin Yun’s eyes.

He had taken the entrance examination for the Three Great Holy Mansions last year and failed.

"Xiaotian, you were stuck at the Ninth Layer of Body Tempering for three years, which delayed your cultivation. For now, getting into the Lingyun Martial Mansion is still a very good option," Ning Xueyao said comfortingly, gently patting his shoulder.

"Mm."

Luo Tian nodded. ’Getting into a Holy Mansion really is too difficult.’

...

Two hours later, Luo Tian and his party of four arrived at Lingyun County City.

Ahead of them was a massive city that stretched for dozens of miles. Its ancient, imposing walls stood more than ten meters tall, and one could faintly make out the scars left by Demon Beast attacks on their surface.

’What a huge city,’ Luo Tian marveled inwardly. The city gate alone was wide enough for four horse-drawn carriages to pass through simultaneously.

Within the city were towering pagodas, wide streets, and luxurious mansions. High above, several warhawks circled, their sharp eyes scanning the area on patrol.

Compared to Lingyun County City, Qingchang City seemed like a small town.

"Brother Luo, the Martial Mansion examination is in three days. Let’s go to my family’s estate first so I can give you a proper welcome," Chen Haofei said with a hearty laugh.

"Mm."

Luo Tian nodded, but he remained on guard.

Ever since he had entered the city, he had felt several gazes on him, filled with hostility and killing intent.

However, since they were inside the County City, whoever was watching him seemed hesitant to act.

That night, Luo Tian and Ning Xueyao stayed at the Chen Family estate.

As the Young Master, Chen Haofei arranged a lavish banquet for Luo Tian and even sent over beautiful singing girls to accompany him, though Luo Tian declined the offer.

"Young Master, an invitation has arrived from Young Master Qi Hong."

During the banquet, a family servant approached and presented an invitation card.

"Qi Hong?"

Chen Haofei’s expression turned serious as he examined the invitation.

"Brother Luo, it looks like we’ll have to go out tonight," Chen Haofei said with a smile after reading the invitation.

"What is it, Brother Chen?" Luo Tian asked.

"With the Martial Mansion admissions about to begin, young geniuses from every city have gathered in the County City."

"Tonight, the young talents from these cities are gathering at Full Moon Tower to discuss Martial Arts together," Chen Haofei explained.

"Geniuses from every city in Lingyun County, all gathered in one place?"

Luo Tian was somewhat surprised.

Under Lingyun County’s jurisdiction, there were seven or eight cities like Qingchang City.

And tonight, the young talents from these cities were gathering before the entrance examination to discuss Martial Arts and share their experiences.

It was a rare opportunity.

Luo Tian decided to go with Chen Haofei to Full Moon Tower and check it out.

...

「Lingyun County, Full Moon Tower.」

Tonight happened to be the night of the full moon.

Full Moon Tower stood beside a lake, where the young geniuses from the various cities were gathering by the water, surrounded by the moon’s reflection. The atmosphere was quite poetic.

"Chen Haofei, what took you so long?"

Lin Yun, who had already arrived at Full Moon Tower, called out from nearby.

"I was just hosting Brother Luo at my estate, so I was slightly delayed," Chen Haofei said with a laugh.

’Why is he here too?’

Lin Yun’s brow furrowed the moment he saw Luo Tian.

The youths at Full Moon Tower tonight were either from Noble Families with distinguished statuses, or they possessed high cultivation and talent.

’And Luo Tian?’

’A commoner Martial Artist, with no background and a low cultivation.’

"Qi Hong is here!"

A sudden clamor went through the youths present.

A handsome and powerfully-built youth in golden robes approached, surrounded by an entourage.

"That’s Qi Hong, the strongest genius taking the examination in Lingyun County this year! He’s from the Qi Family, one of the County City’s Four Great Families, and his cultivation is at the Peak of the Meridian Opening Realm Fifth Layer," Chen Haofei explained.

"Peak of the Fifth Layer of Meridian Opening?"

Luo Tian was flabbergasted.

His Spiritual Sense told him that Qi Hong’s cultivation and strength were clearly superior to Du Qian’s, and the Cultivation and Martial Skills he practiced must be far more profound.

"Brother Qi is guaranteed to take first place in the examination three days from now. No one can even contest it."

"This County City examination is probably just a whetstone for Brother Qi. His real target is the Three Great Holy Mansions."

Qi Hong’s arrival prompted a wave of compliments and fawning from the crowd.

"Tonight, I am merely the one who initiated this gathering. The true star of the show is not me," Qi Hong said in a deep voice.

"How is that possible? Young Master Qi isn’t the star of the show?"

The crowd laughed in amusement.

"Let us welcome our senior, the number one genius and beauty of Lingyun Martial Mansion, Liu Ziyan," Qi Hongfei suddenly raised a hand.

The next moment, a beautiful young woman in a pale yellow dress walked over with graceful poise.

The young woman’s features were exquisite and her skin was as white as snow, without a single flaw. She possessed the noble aura of a high-born lady, and her waterfall of black hair swayed in the breeze.

The crowd erupted, everyone stunned into silence and awe.

"So that’s Liu Ziyan? She really is the number one beauty of the Lingyun Martial Mansion, even more beautiful than the rumors say!"

"Not only is Liu Ziyan the top genius of Qingchang City, but she’s also a genius on the Azure Cloud Kingdom’s Human List. Her status is incredibly high."

At that moment, Liu Ziyan was like a celestial maiden who had descended to the mortal realm, capturing the attention of all.

’Liu Ziyan!’

Luo Tian froze as a vague memory surfaced.

Three years ago, the young woman before him had come to his family’s home, led by the master of the Liu Family, to propose a marriage.

Back then, Liu Ziyan hadn’t yet shown such astonishing talent, and his father was still the strongest Scattered Stream Martial Artist in Qingchang City, unmatched by any opponent.

However, his father had rejected the Liu Family’s proposal, and he himself, having a secret crush on Ning Xueyao, had not agreed to it either.

And now, that young woman from the past had transformed into a peerless beauty, a true chosen of the heavens, appearing at Full Moon Tower as the real star of the evening.

"Like you, Liu Ziyan is from Qingchang City. It’s said that two years ago, she awakened an Earth Tier Spiritual Vein and was immediately accepted as a personal disciple by the Mansion Master of the Lingyun Martial Mansion," Chen Haofei explained from beside him.

Both he and Lin Yun also stared at Liu Ziyan, utterly captivated.

Liu Ziyan maintained a reserved smile as she scanned the talented young geniuses of the County City.

Suddenly, her gaze landed on a familiar-looking youth. The color drained from her lovely face, and her expression instantly darkened.