Yaoye

Five years later.

At the Imperial Family's C-Grade Training Ground, two young men were engaged in a one-on-one spar, trading blows back and forth in a spectacular match.

Yet anyone with a discerning eye could see that they were in completely different states. The more burly young man was already at the end of his strength, giving it everything he had.

The handsome, slender young man, meanwhile, advanced and retreated with measured ease, his steps unhurried. Clearly, he felt no pressure from his opponent.

Bang! After exchanging another punch, Zhao Gang staggered back several steps and nearly fell off the platform. Panting heavily, he steadied himself and repeatedly waved his hands, ending the match.

"Enough, enough. You're a monster. I've obviously worked so hard, and my talent is even better than yours, yet I'm still just a bit behind you. What the hell is that?"

"Haha, that only means you haven't worked hard enough," Chen Guan replied with a smile.

Five years was enough to change many things. Take Zhao Gang, for example. Spurred on by Chen Guan, he had become determined to surpass him and trained several times harder than before. Every time he made progress, he would seek Chen Guan out for a spar.

After clashing so many times, he had long since cast aside his grievances and regarded Chen Guan as a true opponent.

Because of this, Zhao Gang had made great progress over the past few years. He was now at Dou Qi Stage Six. Even across the entire Jia Ma Empire, he could barely be considered a minor genius.

His progress was not slow, but compared to Chen Guan's, the gap was still enormous.

"Tell me honestly. What stage are you at now? Are you about to break through to Dou Qi Stage Seven?"

"You're overthinking it. I'm only a little ahead of you. Work a bit harder, and you'll catch up soon enough."

"Heh."

Zhao Gang rolled his eyes, grumbling inwardly, I'd be an idiot to believe that again. He had heard those words more than ten times already! It was not just Zhao Gang—his peers watching from the sidelines were equally curious. Over the past few years, Chen Guan had devoted himself wholly to cultivation and had never tested himself in public. His life was always the same dull routine: training, eating, sleeping.

Seeing how composed he was in every spar, Zhao Gang tried to imitate him, as did their peers. Yet few could endure it for more than three months. It was simply too dull and tedious.

After experiencing his routine for themselves, quite a few precocious peers sighed. A person like him truly deserved to be powerful. If he were not, there would be no justice in the world.

They envied him, but they were not particularly jealous.

The two young men stepped down from the platform side by side, unaware that their exchange had already caught the attention of interested observers.

On the distant city wall, Yan Hongtao stood respectfully behind Jia Xingtian and a slender young girl clad in brocade. Without shifting his gaze, he reported the results of the past half-year's training.

The girl was named Yaoye, the First Princess of the Jiama Imperial Family. She had accompanied her grandfather past the Training Ground today and had climbed the wall on a whim to take a look. Since her strength was not particularly high, Yan Hongtao's report only left her satisfied; she noticed nothing unusual.

However, Jia Xingtian, an established Dou Emperor of the Jia Ma Empire, was utterly stunned.

Just over nine years old, and already at Dou Qi Stage Nine!

Moreover, judging by his aura, he had not merely entered the stage. He was already within reach of becoming a Dou Zhe. Jia Xingtian had never imagined that such a genius had been overlooked within the Imperial Palace! "That boy in black on the platform—the handsome one. What's his name?"

"Chen Guan. He is one of the two geniuses I mentioned earlier. His talent is quite good. Back then, he was the second to sense Dou Qi Energy. And that boy trains diligently. He is either cultivating or on his way to cultivate. This group of boys has become much more hardworking because of him," Yan Hongtao answered truthfully.

"Chen Guan."

Jia Xingtian pondered for a moment. The name sounded somewhat familiar.

After thinking for quite a while, he finally remembered. Wasn't this the boy he had brought back from Wutan City?

"Mm, very good. I had originally thought that Xiao Yan of the Xiao Family in Wutan City possessed talent that eclipsed the empire, but I never expected someone to be even more outstanding than him. Hongtao, have him come see me."

Jia Xingtian was in an excellent mood. A few days ago, he had secretly gone to take a look at Xiao Yan. At nine years old, Xiao Yan was already at Dou Qi Stage Eight, fully deserving of his great reputation. Jia Xingtian had recently been considering whether to find an opportunity to win him over, yet today had brought him an unexpected delight.

Yan Hongtao accepted the order and left. Yaoye, meanwhile, looked at the young man below a few more times. But with her limited strength, she only felt that he was somewhat handsome and had an outstanding temperament. There did not seem to be much else special about him.

"Great-Grandfather, is he really better than that one from the Xiao Family?"

"Haha, would Great-Grandfather lie to you? Yaoye, do you know his current strength? Dou Qi Stage Nine! He is a step ahead of Xiao Yan. And if I remember correctly, he began cultivating Dou Qi at least several months later than Xiao Yan. One can only imagine how extraordinary his talent is. So long as he does not die young, surpassing this Old Master in the future is not impossible."

Yaoye's red lips parted slightly in shock. She knew better than anyone what this meant. For a moment, countless thoughts surged through her mind.

"Yaoye, I know you are wise beyond your years and have a keen mind despite your young age. But do not overcomplicate certain matters, especially when dealing with this sort of genius. You must be even more careful in your interactions with him. Remember, excess is as bad as deficiency. You will receive him later—simply get acquainted with him. Also, give him a Qi Gathering Powder. When resources are allocated in the future, you may favor him somewhat as well."

"Great-Grandfather, I understand."

Yaoye nodded in agreement. Feeling the trust the Old Master had placed in her, warmth filled her heart, and she secretly swore that she would never disappoint him.

Before long, Yan Hongtao led the uncertain Chen Guan up onto the city wall. Without asking why Jia Xingtian was absent, Chen Guan performed a salute, and Yan Hongtao tactfully withdrew.

Chen Guan also saw the woman standing on the city wall with her back to him.

She wore brocade robes, and her figure was striking. Even from behind, he could sense a temperament entirely different from that of ordinary women.

A woman like this, at such a time and place—after mentally running through everyone who fit those traits, Chen Guan had roughly guessed her identity.

"Chen Guan greets the First Princess."

Yaoye turned around. She did not ask how he knew her identity, assuming Yan Hongtao had mentioned it. She looked him over from head to toe. Now that she knew of his talent, she could not help viewing him through a favorable lens. Her first impression was quite good.

"No need for such formality. Come over here and speak."

Her attitude was gentle, without the slightest arrogance born of her status. Such behavior already revealed much. He did not believe a princess would be so mild toward everyone.

"Chen Guan, you are only nine this year?"

"Just over nine."

"That truly is incredible. A nine-year-old at Dou Qi Stage Nine has not appeared in the Jia Ma Empire for many years. When I was nine, I believe I was only at Stage Seven. I was far inferior to you."

"Uh..."

Chen Guan gave an awkward laugh. There was no good response to that.

"You needn't be nervous. My name is Yaoye. You may have heard of me. The old man you met in Wutan City was my Great-Grandfather, Jia Xingtian, who possesses Dou Emperor strength. He just told me that you are at Dou Qi Stage Nine. I did not dare believe it at first."

Yaoye openly revealed her identity with great frankness, giving Chen Guan a more direct understanding of her.

She was only a little girl in her teens, not even an adult yet, but she could already handle matters this way. She truly was impressive, worthy of being the future light of the Jiama Imperial Family.

"Geniuses should not be buried. My Great-Grandfather originally intended to take you as his disciple, but he has spent most of his life secluded in the Imperial Palace and has no experience teaching disciples. He did not wish to mislead you, so he set the thought aside. It is clear that Great-Grandfather truly likes you, and I think highly of you as well. Whether for the empire's sake or my own, if you do not mind, you may call me Sister from now on."

Yaoye told her first lie of the day, and Chen Guan actually believed it, because the Second Will had mentioned Jia Xingtian taking him as a disciple.

So he wasn't taking me as a disciple now, but acknowledging me as a younger brother instead? Chen Guan deliberately waited a few seconds, but did not receive the Third Will. That meant this was not a fatal question, and he secretly relaxed.

"Sister Yaoye, you flatter me. It is my honor."

Chen Guan was not pretentious and immediately agreed.

He himself leaned toward that answer. Resources were indispensable if he wanted to grow stronger, and throughout the Jia Ma Empire, Yaoye was among the most valuable patrons. Only Xiao Xun'er surpassed her; even the one from the Misty Cloud Sect was merely about equal.

In any case, he had long since accepted the Imperial Family's favor. Owing a little more would not make much difference.

Moreover, she had already put things this plainly. If he still refused to show her respect, would he not be offending her for no reason? Between the two options, the answer was obvious.

"Giggle, you are more composed than I expected. Come, Sister is in a good mood today. I'll give you a meeting gift."