Jun Wudi placed the two plaques together for comparison. Pointing at the one bearing a long spear, he said that Tianfengcheng Prefecture possessed the most troops on the continent, so its unified emblem was a long spear. Fengtian Prefecture was Tianfengcheng Prefecture's first subordinate force, and aside from the patterns, everything else was the same as Tianfengcheng Prefecture's.
Jun Wudi then pointed to the other one. Its unified emblem was a spiritual medicinal plant, the symbol of Cangshan Medicine Manor, whose subordinate forces were almost all located in the Jianghai Region.
Jun Wudi said to Lu Chen, "Though I don't know what you're trying to do, the person you're looking for must be in the Jianghai Region, and they must belong to a force under Cangshan Medicine Manor."
Lu Chen cupped his hands to Jun Wudi in thanks. "Thank you, Uncle Jun."
At that moment, Young Master Jun suddenly said, "Second Uncle, Lu Chen still hasn't joined a sect. Before long, it'll be time for the sects to recruit disciples, won't it? I want you to take Lu Chen in as an inner disciple."
Young Master Jun kept blinking at Lu Chen, signaling for him to speak.
Lu Chen understood what Young Master Jun meant. Entering Fengtian Prefecture would not only give him the protection of a sect, but also let him search the Scripture Repository for the force to which this plaque belonged.
He immediately rose and cupped his hands toward Jun Wudi. "Little Lu begs Uncle Jun to take me in."
Young Master Jun also kept praising Lu Chen's abilities from the side. Yet Lu Chen was only in the Qi Gathering Realm and had no qualifications to enter the inner sect. Still, Young Master Jun had previously boasted that Lu Chen could come straight to him whenever he had trouble.
Just as Jun Wudi was considering how to admit Lu Chen, Young Master Jun leaned close to his ear and quietly told him that Lu Chen had already developed a divine ability, and that it was exceptionally powerful.
Jun Wudi instantly stood and stared at Young Master Jun. "Is what you said true?"
The entire tent fell silent in an instant, and everyone turned to look at Jun Wudi.
Jun Wudi realized that he had lost his composure and hurriedly told everyone to continue drinking and making merry.
Jun Wudi sat back down and asked Young Master Jun, "Is what you said true?"
"It is, Second Uncle. Just take him in. I guarantee there won't be any mistake. Lu Chen's strength is definitely above mine."
Jun Wudi looked at Lu Chen, still unable to believe it. A person like Lu Chen, who seemed to have no background at all, had actually developed a divine ability. Moreover, Young Master Jun had already reached the great completion of the Qi Gathering Realm, and Lu Chen was stronger than him. Jun Wudi simply could not imagine how deep Lu Chen's strength ran.
He turned to look at Nantian Yijian, who had come with Lu Chen. At that moment, Nantian Yijian was drinking with the others. Seeing Jun Wudi looking at him, he raised his cup and toasted him.
Looking at Nantian Yijian, Jun Wudi suddenly thought of how he had been in his youth—equally uninhibited, roaming the world with carefree grace.
Taking one disciple was taking one, and taking two was still just taking two. He might as well do someone a good turn. Besides, if someone like Lu Chen called Nantian Yijian brother, how poor could Nantian Yijian's talent be? And the surname Nantian was not one ordinary people could possess. With that thought, he agreed to take both Lu Chen and Nantian Yijian under his wing as his final disciples.
"Fine, fine. I'll take the two of you into my sect as my final disciples."
Lu Chen had originally thought that being accepted into the outer sect would already have been excellent. Yet now, he and Nantian Yijian were both being accepted as final disciples.
No matter what Jun Wudi's intentions were, apart from the villagers of Qingfang Village, his two grandfathers, and Nantian Yijian, Jun Wudi was the first person to treat him this way.
Lu Chen hurriedly stood and respectfully performed a junior's salute.
"Little Lu thanks Uncle Jun on Yijian's behalf. Once the Secret Realm ends, Little Lu will definitely bring Yijian to perform the kowtow ceremony of discipleship before Jun Wudi."
"Good, good, good. What a fine young man."
Jun Wudi had Lu Chen sit down. He had not expected Lu Chen to possess not only extraordinary talent, but also such understanding of etiquette. It seemed he had made the right decision.
He immediately burst into laughter. "Come, come, eat. Eat. From now on, we're family."
Seeing Jun Wudi accept Lu Chen as his final disciple, Young Master Jun threw an arm around Lu Chen's shoulders. "Since you've become Second Uncle's final disciple, we're blood brothers now. From now on, call me Little Junzi."
Lu Chen looked at Young Master Jun. This was the first time since leaving the village that so many people had cared about him. He was deeply moved, thinking, Once I find Grandpa, I must let him know that so many people care about Little Lu too.
The rest of the time passed amid song and dance in the tent. By the end, no one knew whether someone was dissatisfied or whether it had been deliberately arranged, but the crowd insisted that Lu Chen and Young Master Jun, the two young heroes, have a sparring match to liven things up.
"Can you let us witness Little Hero Lu's strength?"
"Right, right! Why not let the two little heroes have a match?"
"Fight! Fight!"
Hearing the cries from below, Lu Chen and Young Master Jun looked at Jun Wudi. Jun Wudi nodded, signaling that they could go. He too wanted to use this opportunity to see whether Lu Chen's methods were genuine.
"Go on. Let these people see your strength. Only then can you stand firm here."
"Yes, Uncle Jun." Lu Chen knew he had no way to retreat from this battle. He had just arrived, yet Jun Wudi had accepted him as a final disciple; naturally, some people would be unconvinced.
In an instant, an open space was cleared in the tent.
Young Master Jun took a single stride and leaped into the arena. He pulled out a long spear from his storage pouch, flourished it at Lu Chen, and urged him to come down quickly.
Star Serpent Hidden in Clouds.
Lu Chen vanished before everyone's eyes.
While the crowd was still searching for Lu Chen, Young Master Jun suddenly sensed danger behind him. He dashed forward in a single stride, dodging Lu Chen's attack.
Lu Chen had wanted to give Young Master Jun a scare, but he had not expected him to evade it. He retreated several steps and assumed an attacking stance, signaling that he was waiting for Young Master Jun.
"Come on, Little Junzi. Show me your real strength."
Young Master Jun stood where he was, drenched in cold sweat. He had still underestimated Lu Chen. If he had not reacted quickly just now, Lu Chen's attack would have already landed.
I can only be more careful. Otherwise, I'll become a laughingstock.
Young Master Jun steadied his breathing and pointed his spear at Lu Chen. "This spear of mine is called the Eight Treasures Rolling Cloud Spear. It was forged from extraterrestrial meteorite iron and has never been defeated by anyone in the same realm. Draw your weapon."
Lu Chen shook his head. "I have no weapon. I'll use my fists instead. Let's see whether my fists are harder, or your spear."
Though he said that, Lu Chen also realized that he did not have a weapon he could use. It seemed he would have to get one afterward.
Lu Chen crooked a finger at Young Master Jun.
Young Master Jun answered with a spear flourish, then rushed before Lu Chen in one stride.
He raised his spear, shook it, attacked and defended, advanced and retreated. The spear radiance was like countless cold stars, ceaselessly striking at Lu Chen.
Facing the endless spear radiance, Lu Chen did not dare take it head-on with his hands. He could only use Star Serpent Hidden in Clouds to dodge without pause.
He kept slipping through openings to use Silver Serpent Emerging from its Lair, harassing Young Master Jun and trying to interrupt his attacks. But Young Master Jun's spear technique was airtight, able to attack when advancing and defend when retreating. For a time, Lu Chen had no solution at all.
Just then, Nantian Yijian suddenly shouted, "A sword dance, is it? I, Nantian Yijian, shall play a tune on the qin to add to the fun!"
Nantian Yijian pulled the Qiankun Thirty-Six Sword Qin from his storage pouch and ran toward the two of them.
Seeing the qin Nantian Yijian had taken out, Jun Wudi's eyes sharpened. He guessed that it was at least an Earth Tier magical treasure.
"Nantian... Nantian... and now he has such a magical treasure. Could he truly be from that Aristocratic Clan in the Nantian Region?"
Lu Chen watched Nantian Yijian run over. After spending so much time together, he had never heard that Nantian Yijian could play the qin. Then a sudden "Screech, screech, screech" of qin music rang out.
Lu Chen felt that his expectations for Nantian Yijian had been far too high. Was this playing the qin? This was playing with lives!
Wails instantly erupted all around them, and people began using their fists to stop Nantian Yijian from continuing.
"Stop him! My ears!"
"Ahhh... ahhh..."
"Stop him..."
But Nantian Yijian was not so easily stopped. Heart-rending howls echoed through the tent. "Stop him! Don't let him play anymore!"
"Spare me!"
Lu Chen had already been suspicious of Nantian Yijian's qin-playing skills, so he was not greatly affected. But Young Master Jun was different. Though he had never heard Nantian Yijian play, he thought that someone who possessed a qin could not possibly play too badly.
Young Master Jun had never imagined that it was not merely unpleasant—it was murder. Hearing that sound, his steps staggered, and his attacking rhythm broke for an instant.
Star Serpent Hidden in Clouds.
Hearing Lu Chen's shout, Young Master Jun inwardly cried, Not good!
Lu Chen had already seized the opportunity. He used Star Serpent Hidden in Clouds to rush before Young Master Jun and struck him with a palm, knocking him back several steps.
Dragon Descends to the Sea.
How could Lu Chen let such a fine opportunity slip away? Dragon Descends to the Sea attacked Young Master Jun from three directions at once, forcing him back step by step.
"He actually drove Young Master Jun back! So strong!"
"It looks like Young Master Jun has lost."
"Young Master Jun hasn't used his Lineage's ultimate technique yet. Who wins and who loses is still anyone's guess."
Nantian Yijian was finally stopped by the crowd. Watching the battle, the spectators cheered again and again, beginning to debate who had the greater chance of victory.
Seeing everyone laughing at him, Young Master Jun could not save face and wanted to use other methods to attack Lu Chen.
Fire Dragon Spear Soul, hah!
Young Master Jun pulled out Tianluo from his storage pouch, pressed it into a notch on the spear shaft, and formed a hand seal. At once, a fire dragon condensed around the spear and charged toward Lu Chen.
Lu Chen was somewhat dumbfounded as he watched the fire dragon flying toward him.
Lu Chen recognized the spear, and he recognized Tianluo as well. But when the two were combined, he could no longer understand what he was seeing. Still, he did not dare let his mind wander and became even more cautious.
"Fire Dragon Charge! Fire Dragon Thrust!"
Young Master Jun continuously swung the fire dragon, chopping and thrusting as he attacked Lu Chen without pause. Each fire dragon that struck the ground burned the tables and chairs to ashes.
With the Fire Dragon Spear Soul surrounding Young Master Jun, Lu Chen could no longer get close to him.
The Six Yang Palms that Split the Heavens consumed too much energy. At this moment, Lu Chen could not help sighing that he still had too few attacking methods.
Lu Chen watched Young Master Jun and quietly used the Azure Emperor Divine Tree. Countless tendrils stretched out behind Young Master Jun.
"Look behind Young Master Jun! What is that?"
"Branches? Tendrils?"
Hearing sudden cries of alarm from the crowd, Young Master Jun hurriedly used his Movement Technique to flee.
The moment Young Master Jun left, a tendril shattered the spot where he had just stood.
Seeing the tendril, Jun Wudi's expression became excited. "It truly is a divine ability, and such a powerful one at that. Taking this disciple was a good choice."
Young Master Jun clapped happily. At that moment, Jun Wudi looked at Lu Chen as though he had made some kind of decision.
Young Master Jun looked at the tendrils ahead of him. He had seen them before and knew full well how formidable they were.
"Little Lu, you're not the only one here with a divine ability. Look at my spear."
Young Master Jun stared intently at Lu Chen. He threw away the spear in his hand, pressed both hands against his waist and abdomen, and slowly drew out another long spear. This spear shone with brilliant silver light and carried an aura that seemed capable of piercing the heavens. One glance was enough to tell that it was no ordinary item.
"See? I told you Young Master Jun wouldn't fail so easily. Lu Chen is destined not to win."
"Young Master Jun, get up there and crush him!"
"Lu Chen, get up there and crush him! We believe in you!"
"..."
Seeing Young Master Jun take out that shining silver spear, everyone knew that the true battle had begun. The people at the scene split into two factions, one supporting Lu Chen and the other supporting Young Master Jun, their cheers rising without end.
Before you continue