A Useless Slot

The woman was tall and slender, her alluring curves wrapped in a long red dress. Her skin was fair, her features exquisite, and a faint smile rested on her pure yet charming pale face.

So far, apart from Xuan Su, she was the most beautiful woman Lin Chen had ever seen.

However, that was all. Lin Chen held no particular interest in Liu Ya, a woman who had only briefly appeared in the original world. His gaze was merely a man's instinctive appreciation and comparison.

There were billions upon billions of living beings on the Tianxuan Continent. Even within the Eastern Profound Region alone, there were countless women favored by heaven. Women like Liu Ya, dazzling geniuses within a dynasty yet ordinary beyond it, were simply far too numerous.

Even so, Lin Chen could still sense the abrupt change in the atmosphere both inside and outside the square after Liu Ya appeared.

Within the Great Qing Dynasty, Liu Ya had countless admirers. Compared to her respectable strength and talent, her beauty often drew even more attention.

"Has little brother Lin Chen taken a liking to her?"

As Lin Chen gazed into the distance at Liu Ya, lost in thought, Liu Cheng, seated nearby, suddenly patted him lightly on the arm and asked.

"Haha... Big Brother Liu Cheng, you jest."

Lin Chen smiled faintly and gently shook his head.

The road ahead was long, and he would not remain in the Great Qing Dynasty for too long. Liu Ya's cultivation talent was exceptional among low- and mid-level dynasties, but compared to the entire Tianxuan Continent, it was quite ordinary. Without some special opportunity in the future, her achievements would be rather limited. She was not suitable for him.

He had no interest in nurturing decorative vases that might one day break free of their limitations. His strength was limited, and so was his energy. Liu Ya was not enough to make him stop and stay. Even Su Rou, whose talent was extremely impressive within the Great Qing Dynasty, could not do so.

He had wanted to interact with Liu Ya, Su Kui, and the others only because it would be more convenient to gather information within the Great Qing Dynasty. Having more friends was always beneficial, but with Liu Cheng and Liu Jiang appearing now, that thought had faded considerably.

When he left Qingyan City, Liu Mu had not gone into detail about Liu Jiang's identity or strength. Only a short while ago did he understand why Liu Jiang, whom Liu Mu had recommended, possessed such influence and could introduce him to Liu Ya.

Moreover, before this, he had never expected to be so welcomed by members of the Great Qing Imperial Family, much less make a friend like Liu Cheng, whose status and strength were both considerable.

"If you truly have feelings for her, your chances may be much higher than anyone else's. Your talent is no less than Su Kui's. My evaluation of you a few days ago was not fair."

Hearing this, Lin Chen smiled and shook his head again without replying.

If he had been lustful and somewhat tempted, Liu Ya before him would indeed have been an option. But he was not. Being with a woman for whom he had no feelings would bring nothing but instinctive pleasure.

It came quickly, and went just as quickly.

Seeing that Lin Chen did not respond, Liu Cheng smiled meaningfully and did not continue the topic.

"Liu An, twenty years old, Core Formation Realm minor completion, average talent!"

"..."

As time slowly passed, the younger generation of the Great Qing Imperial Family, who had originally stood in several rows at the center of the square, passed one after another through a designated passage toward their own seats as their records were read aloud. In the end, they completely cleared the square.

Compared to the Coming-of-Age Ceremony held by the Great Qing Imperial Family, the Arena Competition afterward was the true highlight.

Fame throughout the Great Qing Dynasty! A Low-grade Creation Martial Art!

Such rewards held an irresistible allure for the younger generation of the Great Qing Dynasty.

However, the most important thing was not merely that, but a spot in the Hundred Dynasties War eight years later.

Only yesterday did Lin Chen learn just how valuable the Arena Competition after the Great Qing Imperial Family's Coming-of-Age Ceremony truly was.

The Hundred Dynasties War was held once every twenty years. As a mid-level dynasty, the Great Qing Dynasty possessed more than twenty spots to enter the Ancient Battlefield. Within the Great Qing Dynasty, however, anyone wishing to participate in the Hundred Dynasties War could only do so through the Qing Xuan Sect or the Great Qing Imperial Family.

That was why the Great Qing Imperial Family offered such stakes at the Arena Competition following its Coming-of-Age Ceremony every three years. Its purpose was to increase the Great Qing Dynasty's strength in the Ancient Battlefield.

The Qing Xuan Sect did the same. Every three years, it also held a martial competition, offering spots and recruiting geniuses from all manner of forces within the Great Qing Dynasty.

Since the super sects were the true rulers of the many dynasties in the Eastern Profound Region, the Qing Xuan Sect and the Great Qing Imperial Family, which had received recognition from the super sects, had no conflict of interests. Instead, the two major powers stood united against outsiders, depended on each other, and jointly maintained and defended their rule over the Great Qing Dynasty.

The outcome of the Hundred Dynasties War not only determined the direct interests of the Qing Xuan Sect and the Great Qing Imperial Family, but also concerned whether the Great Qing Dynasty's foundation would remain stable and whether it could advance to a High-level Dynasty.

"For the Arena Competition following this Coming-of-Age Ceremony, anyone under thirty years old, with strength no lower than the Form Creation Realm, and holding an invitation may participate!"

"The final victor will receive the treatment of an honored guest of the Great Qing Imperial Family, three thousand Nirvana Pills, a Low-grade Creation Martial Art, and one spot in the Hundred Dynasties War eight years from now."

As the somewhat cold voice of the middle-aged woman in purple fell, a commotion immediately swept through the square and its surroundings. Excited breathing could be heard as clearly as falling leaves, drawing everyone into the tense atmosphere.

Watching the eager figures in the arena, a glint flashed through Lin Chen's bright black eyes.

He did not need a spot in the Hundred Dynasties War, but he was interested in the three thousand Nirvana Pills and the Low-grade Creation Martial Art.

The Pure Yuan Pills in his possession were clearly insufficient for him to successfully bid for the Natal Spirit Talisman seven days from now. The only valuable things he had were several high-grade martial arts and the Profound Gold Sword, a High-grade Spirit Treasure that was no longer of much use to him.

Originally, he had planned to have Little Marten bring out a few martial arts above the ninth grade for auction. But that would have been too high-profile and could easily draw the covetous eyes of greedy people, causing unnecessary trouble.

After all, in a mid-level dynasty like the Great Qing Dynasty, while currencies of exchange such as Pure Yuan Pills and Nirvana Pills were valuable, they were not rare compared to those scarce martial arts above the ninth grade.

But with these three thousand Nirvana Pills, he would be able to easily bid for that Natal Spirit Talisman. It would also be greatly beneficial for his upcoming journey to the Immortal Dynasty.

At the very least, before his Origin Energy cultivation reached the peak of the Creation Realm, he would not need to deliberately prepare cultivation resources. The value of three thousand Nirvana Pills was something even three million Pure Yuan Pills could not compare to.

Looks like I can make up for my lack of combat experience today...

Only by showing his brilliance could he achieve what he wanted.

By now, he no longer needed to keep a low profile in the Great Qing Dynasty.