Opportunity

Hearing Liu Cheng speak so politely, Lin Chen did not feel embarrassed at all. In terms of age, Liu Cheng was quite a bit older than him.

"Since that is the case, Brother Liu Cheng can simply call me Lin Chen."

"Lin Chen..."

Liu Cheng sized Lin Chen up, his sword-like brows drawing together slightly. After murmuring the name under his breath, he said, "Little Brother Lin Chen... you are probably not from the Great Qing Dynasty, are you?"

"To be honest, Little Brother Lin Chen, our Great Qing Merchant Association has branches in every prefecture of the Great Qing Dynasty, so our information network is fairly well-connected. We also have channels specifically provided by the Great Qing Imperial Family. A genius of your age should be someone I had at least heard of..."

Hearing Liu Cheng ask so directly, Lin Chen did not deny it. He nodded and briefly introduced his origins.

"That is right. I am indeed not from the Great Qing Dynasty, but from the Great Yan Dynasty."

After only a brief conversation, Lin Chen was no longer particularly curious about Liu Cheng's appearance.

It was perfectly normal for displays of strength and talent to draw attention. Liu Cheng's appearance was no accident. Lin Chen was certain that the testing light screen at the city gates earlier was definitely not merely for show.

For someone his age to reach the peak of Greater Accomplishment in the Form Creation Realm, it was hardly strange for a Creation Realm expert to be willing to associate with him as an equal. After all, his future was promising, with limitless possibilities ahead.

"I never expected a low-level dynasty like the Great Yan Dynasty to produce a genius like you."

Seeing Lin Chen speak so candidly, Liu Cheng praised him from the bottom of his heart.

"You flatter me, Brother Liu Cheng."

Lin Chen shook his head, neither confirming nor denying it.

Genius was always relative. There were always greater people beyond people and greater heavens beyond heaven. One could be confident, but never arrogant.

Even though his worldview was vast and his horizons lofty, and even Heavenly Sovereigns of the Great Thousand World did not count as true experts in his eyes, at present, he still had to address a Creation Realm cultivator as brother. This had nothing to do with anything else. One's own strength determined one's treatment and also changed one's standards in dealing with others.

Some things were not unique, nor could they be unique.

"Little Brother, you are too modest..."

"Back to the matter at hand. Our Great Qing Merchant Association happens to have information regarding a Natal Spirit Talisman. At the Great Qing Auction ten days from now, a method for condensing the seal of a Natal Spirit Talisman will be auctioned off. If you are interested, Little Brother, you may bid for it then."

After nodding in agreement, Liu Cheng spoke solemnly.

"Ten days from now... the Great Qing Auction..."

Lin Chen murmured to himself. A trace of determination appeared in his dark, bright eyes, and he then thanked Liu Cheng.

"Thank you for informing me of this, Brother Liu Cheng. I will certainly attend the Great Qing Auction ten days from now."

"Since Little Brother Lin Chen cares so much about this, you had best prepare more Pure Yuan Pills. If this Natal Spirit Talisman were in my hands, I would not mind giving it to you. Of course, that is merely empty generosity. The merchant association has its rules. Now that news of this spirit talisman has spread, even I cannot interfere with it."

Liu Cheng reminded Lin Chen, then offered a brief explanation.

Lin Chen did not think much of it. If Liu Cheng had given him something as precious as a Natal Spirit Talisman for no reason at all, that would have been the real problem.

"Brother Liu Cheng need not worry over this. The fact that you personally informed me is already tremendous help."

"However, I do have some minor matters at the moment and will need to trouble Brother Liu Cheng with them."

Lin Chen looked at Liu Cheng and spoke with a serious expression.

Liu Cheng was briefly stunned before saying, "What is it? Feel free to speak, Little Brother."

"As long as it is not overly difficult, I can resolve it for you."

Hearing the sincerity in Liu Cheng's words, a faint smile appeared on Lin Chen's previously serious face. "It is not really anything major. I simply wish to inquire about some information from Brother Liu Cheng."

"May I ask whether Brother Liu Cheng knows someone named Liu Jiang, or could you introduce me to Miss Liu Ya?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Cheng looked at Lin Chen in confusion and asked uncertainly, "Uncle Liu Jiang... Liu Ya?"

"Why do you wish to see those two?"

Lin Chen let out a soft breath. He had overlooked the fact that Liu Cheng was also surnamed Liu and was highly likely a member of the Great Qing Imperial Family. It was perfectly normal for him to have an uncle-nephew relationship with Liu Jiang within the Liu Clan.

"My primary purpose in coming to Great Qing City is to befriend some of the Great Qing Dynasty's young geniuses. The reason I mentioned Uncle Liu Jiang from Brother Liu Cheng's clan is that a friend wrote me a letter of introduction and asked me to seek his help here in Great Qing City."

"That friend is named Liu Mu. Speaking of which, he could also be considered a member of the Liu Clan of your Great Qing Imperial Family."

After hearing Lin Chen's explanation, the doubts in Liu Cheng's heart immediately vanished.

"If that is the case, then it is nothing serious. There happens to be an excellent opportunity at hand."

"Three days from now, our Great Qing Imperial Family will hold a Coming-of-Age Ceremony for members of the imperial clan. This ceremony is held once every three years, and at that time, our Great Qing Imperial Family invites many powers from the Great Qing Dynasty to attend as guests."

"As long as you bring my invitation that day and show your abilities during the Arena Competition after the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, your wish will be easily fulfilled."

"The Arena Competition after the Coming-of-Age Ceremony is restricted to those under thirty years old. Anyone may participate, whether they are from the Great Qing Dynasty or not. The final victor will not only become famous throughout the Great Qing Dynasty, but will also receive a low-grade Creation Martial Art from the Great Qing Imperial Family."

"However, unless one possesses the strength of Greater Accomplishment in the Creation Realm, winning first place in that Arena Competition is basically impossible. But Little Brother, you may set your sights a little lower. As long as you reveal your strength and cultivation talent, why would anyone be unwilling to associate with you?"

Liu Chen wore a smile as he looked at Lin Chen with great appreciation, speaking at length and offering Lin Chen several suggestions.

Upon hearing this, Lin Chen immediately made up his mind.

Liu Cheng was right. The Arena Competition after the Coming-of-Age Ceremony truly was a good opportunity for him. After all, he did not have much time to remain in the Great Qing Dynasty.

Establishing connections as soon as possible and seeking out a route and method to reach the Immortal Dynasty were his true purposes in coming to Great Qing City.

As for Liu Cheng, it was not that Lin Chen had not considered asking him about it, but he gave up after thinking it over. Some matters needed to be approached step by step. Since they had only just met, it was not suitable to ask too many questions.

"There are still three days. It should not be difficult for my Origin Energy to make some progress and reach Lesser Accomplishment of the Qi Creation Realm..."

As Lin Chen nodded to Liu Cheng, he made plans in his heart.

After the two chatted briefly for a while longer, Liu Cheng left the private room. Before departing, he also arranged a place for Lin Chen to stay. Lin Chen did not stand on ceremony, since no matter what, he had paid the Great Qing Merchant Association five thousand Pure Yuan Pills.

Late night slowly arrived.

Within the luxuriously yet elegantly decorated room, Lin Chen sat cross-legged on the bed with his eyes closed. Origin Energy surged around him as strands and wisps of spiritual energy from heaven and earth continuously condensed into Origin Energy and entered his body, strengthening his increasingly resplendent golden core.

Not only that, as the Origin Energy of heaven and earth flowed through Lin Chen's skin and meridians, it continuously tempered his body, which had been condensed by heaven and earth.

Although the strength of Lin Chen's body could not compare to those who specialized in body-tempering arts, it was still exceptionally formidable, having innately surpassed the vast majority of living beings on the Tianxuan Continent.

On the Tianxuan Continent, the strongest power between heaven and earth was not Origin Energy, but the power of heaven and earth, also known as Supreme Power...