In that instant, Ye Xuan felt as though a knife had been plunged into his chest, and he immediately clutched it tightly.
The excruciating pain in his heart surged toward him once more like raging waves and towering billows.
He felt that if he stayed here any longer, he might just die of anger.
But before leaving, he had to crush Xu Chen at least once.
That was right—through martial strength.
He sneered. "You sure know how to sweet-talk. Is your realm higher than mine?
This is no longer a month ago, Xu Chen."
Everyone present believed that his current realm was the strongest among the new students of Jixia Academy.
After all, at sixteen years old and already at the Early Fourth Rank, there could only be one such person in the entire Jixia Academy.
Shan Qianqian immediately stepped forward to stop him. "What are you competing for? Is it useful to fight over superiority every day?"
Xu Chen smiled. "No. Those who enter the Academy should fight and strive to be the best."
Shan Qianqian stamped her jade foot in embarrassment and annoyance. "Brother Chen, I'm helping you."
Xu Chen said blandly, "Test me. I came today to collect my reward as well."
Shan Qianqian was helpless. "Fine."
She did not dare anger Xu Chen, so she brought the testing stone before him.
Xu Chen did not waste words. He circulated the spiritual energy throughout his body and poured it into the testing stone.
The next second, Xu Chen's cultivation realm appeared on the testing stone: Mid-stage Fourth Rank.
The dazzling golden characters instantly entered everyone's sight, leaving them utterly stunned on the spot.
"Holy shit, Mid-stage Fourth Rank! That's even more monstrous!"
"In the end, Xu Chen still came out on top. That's insane!"
"This is outrageous—completely outrageous. That advancement speed is truly terrifying."
The thousands of people present cried out in shock, their eyes wide and their jaws dropped.
When Ye Xuan saw this, his face was filled with disbelief.
He had lost again!
How was that possible? How could Xu Chen's rate of improvement be so fast?
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At this moment, quite a few people who had previously looked at Ye Xuan with admiration and respect—
turned their heads toward Xu Chen instead, their faces full of worship.
The women in particular had already fallen for Xu Chen's handsome face.
Now that Xu Chen's strength was so heaven-defying as well, how could they not be shocked?
Even Tian Huo sighed. "Xu Chen, Xu Chen. No wonder the Palace Lord wanted to take you as a disciple. You truly are strong."
Xu Chen nodded. "So-so. I'm only one minor level above Ye Xuan. I still need to work harder."
Ye Xuan's face darkened further. This bastard.
Tian Huo laughed. "But Ye Xuan cultivates both alchemy and martial arts. He's a Fourth Rank alchemist and an Early Fourth Rank martial artist. In truth, he's stronger than you."
Hearing this, Ye Xuan's confidence swelled once more. In this regard, you're inferior to me, Xu Chen.
Everyone secretly nodded as well. Indeed, if they were judged comprehensively, Ye Xuan was still more outstanding.
Even Shan Qianqian wanted to say something, but found herself unable to speak.
Xu Chen agreed inwardly, but outwardly, he still acted like a villain. "An alchemist is nothing. If I wanted to, I could become one too."
Ye Xuan sneered. "Anyone can brag. You really know how to blow your own horn."
Xu Chen shrugged. "Being an alchemist would only waste too much of my time. I simply disdain it."
He possessed the memories of ninety-nine lifetimes. There were countless ways for him to obtain pills.
For instance, Shan Qianqian beside him was a future Ninth Rank alchemist, someone even more formidable than the protagonist.
If he used her as a tool, pills would truly come to him by the handful.
Thus, in his view in this life, relying on being an alchemist to obtain pills was the most troublesome and foolish method.
Tian Huo thought Xu Chen was joking and did not take it to heart. "Good lad, worthy of being Han Di's disciple.
Xuan'er, collect your two rewards and leave. It's time for you to cultivate."
Ye Xuan nodded. There were still ten days before the competition among the new students of the various academies. He had to work hard.
So what if he was Mid-stage Fourth Rank? I can reach it too.
With that thought, he stepped forward to collect his rewards, then returned with Tian Huo.
After Xu Chen collected his Fourth Rank pill, Shan Qianqian nearly managed to cling to him.
Fortunately, there were too many people here, and she was too busy to handle them all. Xu Chen took the chance to slip away.
However, the matter of Xu Chen and Ye Xuan spread through the entire Jixia Academy like a hurricane.
When Palace Lord Shangguan Luoyun heard of it, she immediately wanted to summon Xu Chen.
Xu Chen refused Shangguan Luoyun on the spot, using secluded cultivation as his excuse.
Shangguan Luoyun was so furious that she ground her silver teeth, secretly vowing to give Xu Chen a vicious beating the next time she saw him.
You stinking man, you're dead!
When Xu Chen went into seclusion once more, just as he had expected, the matter between him and Ye Xuan also spread into the imperial court.
At this time, the Empress's many imperial brothers were eyeing the throne like tigers eyeing their prey, each harboring ulterior motives.
Even the Empress's imperial sisters were each recruiting talents and expanding their power.
Meanwhile, the Empress stood alone, supporting the vast Heavenly Venerate Dynasty.
Inside the Empress's palace.
At this moment, the Empress reclined on her side upon the bed. Having just finished bathing, she wore a bathrobe.
Her slightly damp hair spilled down around her, carrying a faint fragrance that filled the room.
Pink gauze curtains concealed her graceful figure.
Even her slender jade legs were faintly visible beneath the curtains.
From this sight alone, one could tell that the Empress possessed beauty capable of toppling kingdoms and cities.
Her beautiful eyes were shut, one jade hand supporting her forehead, as though she were pondering something.
Whoosh!
The next second, a pretty figure flashed in from outside, kneeling with cupped hands.
"Your Majesty, Xu Chen of Qingyang City, whom you ordered me to find, has been located today."
The woman, dressed in black, spoke with a respectful expression.
Upon hearing this, the Empress abruptly opened her beautiful eyes, and two streaks of golden light burst forth.
Her expression turned cold, and an aura of majesty spread from her like raging waves, expanding in all directions.
Feeling that pressure, the Female Guard dressed in black immediately broke out in cold sweat.
That pressure alone was no weaker than that of a Seventh Rank expert.
A voice filled with authority came from the Empress's lips. "Speak."
The guard nodded and recounted everything that had happened between Xu Chen and Ye Xuan that day.
The Empress narrowed her eyes upon hearing it.
He is still Mid-stage Fourth Rank. Nothing has changed.
That protagonist, Ye Xuan, still cultivates both alchemy and martial arts and remains at the Early Fourth Rank.
Ye Xuan is still nothing more than an ant. It should take no effort for me to crush him to death.
I hope that in this life, you will not stand in Xu Chen's way.
"Continue investigating. Report every detail concerning the two of them to me."
The Empress said blandly.
The guard hurriedly nodded, then swiftly withdrew from the Empress's chamber.
In this life, I will not allow you to die. Xu Chen, you cannot die.
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