When Sun Qiaomei beside Yang Heng saw Yang Chen casually take out two hundred spirit stones, her eyes immediately lit up, and the way she looked at Yang Chen gradually changed. What a joke—these were two hundred spirit stones, not something that littered the streets!
One had to know, what did two hundred spirit stones represent?
Yang Heng had once carried more than three hundred spirit stones on him, but having over three hundred spirit stones did not mean he could casually take out two hundred of them to reward a maidservant. When she saw those two hundred spirit stones ultimately go to Gu Mingyue, Sun Qiaomei's expression changed.
This was simply a waste of heaven's gifts.
Two hundred spirit stones could do so many things, yet he gave them to a maidservant?
Why give them to a maidservant?
If he gave them to her, she would accept without the slightest hesitation. She might even consider making Yang Chen her choice for a husband. Now her heart ached so badly it bled. Two hundred spirit stones!
She looked at Yang Heng, wondering whether everyone in the Yang family was this generous. That was right—Yang Chen was supposedly such trash according to outside rumors, yet he could casually spend two hundred spirit stones. What about you, Yang Heng? Wasn't your reputation outside supposed to be quite good?!
If even Sun Qiaomei reacted this way, there was no need to mention Zhou Huaiyi.
Zhou Huaiyi stared eagerly at Yang Heng. The meaning in his eyes could not have been clearer. How could he not want those two hundred spirit stones? Two hundred spirit stones! He had worked himself to the bone in the Yang family for over a decade, and he had probably earned only two hundred spirit stones in total. It could not be helped—how much could a servant earn?
The two hundred spirit stones Yang Chen gave Gu Mingyue directly equaled more than a decade of Zhou Huaiyi's hard labor.
He kept muttering in his heart, This...
I'm not asking you, Yang Heng, to give me two hundred spirit stones. Even something a little less would do.
Yet all he saw was Yang Heng's increasingly ugly expression. As for those spirit stones that could make one beam with joy, he did not receive even a single coin.
How could Yang Heng not want to flaunt his wealth like that once?
But he had no spirit stones.
The last time, he had squandered nearly all of his more than three hundred spirit stones. If he gave away what little remained, he would be completely penniless. If he asked his father for more, his father would probably break both his legs.
At that thought, Yang Heng's fury surged to the heavens. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Yang Chen, is playing these childish little games interesting?"
Yang Chen was thoroughly amused. "Childish little games? Yang Heng, remember this: I got these spirit stones from you. If you think these spirit stones are child's play, then you cannot even accomplish something as childish as this. What else do you have to say?"
"I believe Miss Sun would not want to be with a man who cannot even do something so childish, either."
After saying this, Yang Chen gave Zhou Huaiyi another indifferent glance. "Zhou Huaiyi, you changed masters, but he does not seem to hold you in much regard."
Zhou Huaiyi had been shouting fiercely just moments ago, but hearing Yang Chen's words now, his face flushed red and he could not say a single word.
A faint trace of regret had already begun to rise in his heart.
He had long since betrayed Yang Chen, reporting everything about Gu Mingyue and Yang Chen to Yang Heng. Although Yang Heng had promoted him several times, what tangible benefits had he actually gained? Did they amount to even a tenth of these two hundred spirit stones? In his heart, he cursed Yang Heng's ancestors for eight generations, but what use was that? Was regret of any use now?
"Mingyue, let's go!" Yang Chen said with a faint smile.
Seeing Yang Heng's expression of humiliation and rage, yet not knowing how to vent it, Gu Mingyue felt immensely satisfied. Yang Heng had repeatedly come looking for trouble with them, truly causing Yang Chen and her no small amount of trouble. Now that she saw Yang Heng suffering the consequences of his own actions, she naturally felt incomparably relieved.
However, just as she planned to leave with her young master, another mocking laugh suddenly rang out.
"Yang Heng, you merely lost to this trash because you were careless for a moment. It is no great matter. Spirit stones? Heh. As long as you make a name for yourself at the Lineage's Coming-of-Age Ceremony and rise completely, what are two hundred spirit stones worth? The Lineage will naturally reward you. Trash like him, who cannot cultivate martial arts, will naturally reveal his true colors at the clan gathering. When that time comes, would a mere two or three hundred spirit stones even catch your eye?"
The mockery in this voice was even stronger than Yang Heng's.
When Yang Heng heard this voice, it was as if he had seen reinforcements. Turning his head, he saw a youth even taller and more imposing than himself, leading a beautiful young woman whose appearance was slightly superior even to Sun Qiaomei's, as they slowly approached.
The young woman clung tightly to the man's arms, nestled against him like a little bird, displaying every bit of her gentleness and obedience. Clearly, she had already established a relationship with this man, which was why she was so uninhibited and showed no intention of concealing it in public. Unlike Sun Qiaomei and Yang Heng, whose relationship had not even begun to take shape.
"Brother!"
When Yang Heng saw this tall, imposing man, delight immediately appeared on his face.
When Yang Chen saw the man who had suddenly appeared, his gaze turned grave.
After searching his memories briefly, he knew the man's identity.
This man was none other than Yang Heng's older brother, Yang Wu, born three months before Yang Heng. Yang Wu was a bona fide martial arts genius of the Yang family. Though the same age as Yang Heng, he had already reached the Body Refining Realm Fourth Level. He was a true outstanding talent of the Yang family and had hopes of winning the championship at this year's Yang family gathering.
Yang Wu could be said to be the Yang family's treasure. Not only had he been born with a golden spoon in his mouth, but he also possessed astonishing talent.
The woman beside him was the daughter of a small family, Miss Yu. She was indeed beautiful, but there was a faint shrewdness in her eyes. Clearly, she was not a woman easily controlled.
Who knew whether Yang Wu recognized this? He seemed to truly believe Miss Yu was easy to control.
"Brother, you are right. What does it matter if I lost to him because I was careless for a moment? A fellow who cannot cultivate martial arts will ultimately be nothing but trash. At the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, he will naturally reveal his true colors." Yang Heng said viciously.
After thinking it over carefully, Sun Qiaomei also felt that Yang Heng's words made perfect sense. Calmly, she said, "Someone who cannot cultivate martial arts is ultimately just trash."
Yang Chen had once been treated by his sister like a flower raised in a greenhouse and had not practiced martial arts. In many people's eyes, this meant he could not practice martial arts and lacked the aptitude for it. One rumor spread into another, and many came to believe Yang Chen had no talent for martial arts and was genuine trash.
"Do not insult my young master! My young master is a genius!" Gu Mingyue shouted angrily.
Zhou Huaiyi seemed to regain his confidence at this moment and chuckled. "A genius? Gu Mingyue, would you not know whether your young master is a genius?"
"Now is precisely the beginning of the Coming-of-Age Ceremony. Many young talents of the Yang family have friends from other clans at their sides. Heh, Yang Chen, it seems there is not a single person beside you. Oh, right. You are trash at martial arts. Who from the other clans would think of getting acquainted with you?" Yang Wu sneered.
Yang Chen merely stroked his chin and did not rush to speak.
At present, the Coming-of-Age Ceremonies of the various clans were about to begin. Many young masters and young ladies would travel among the clans, beginning their search for marriage partners. Before the Coming-of-Age Ceremony even began, some gifted young talents from certain families would become targets of admiration and affection for young ladies from other great families.
Of course, these young masters and young ladies all chose carefully. After all, before the Coming-of-Age Ceremony began, no one knew how much the other truly weighed.
Take Yang Heng. Though he had an excellent reputation outside, Sun Qiaomei was still cautious. As the daughter of the Sun family, she had kept Yang Heng dangling and treated him as her second choice.
Yang Wu, on the other hand, was more outstanding. Though the Coming-of-Age Ceremony had not yet begun, he had swiftly captured Miss Yu's heart with his strength. Their relationship was now settled, and Miss Yu was already Yang Wu's fiancée. Their wedding date was set for several days after the Coming-of-Age Ceremony began.
This was the advantage brought by strength. Before the Coming-of-Age Ceremony began, young talents from other clans would try every possible means to make connections. After all, once the ceremony was over, those who shone brightly during it would inevitably receive the Yang family's support. Spirit stones, cultivation techniques, training—none of it would be lacking.
Why did Yang Caidie have so many spirit stones?
It was because Yang Caidie had passed the Coming-of-Age Ceremony and possessed exceptional talent. Her spirit stones had all been given by the Yang family.
At this thought, Yang Chen rubbed his nose. Speaking of which, he truly was the most shabby one. With the Coming-of-Age Ceremony about to begin, he did not have even a single friend. As for a young lady from some family seeking him out? That was even more impossible.
"Brother, you are right. Yang Chen is nothing but trash, haha! The Coming-of-Age Ceremony is about to begin, yet not a single woman from another clan has taken a fancy to him. On the other hand, it seems you have already settled things with Sister-in-law." Yang Heng hurriedly said with a fawning smile. His brother was far more outstanding than he was.
In the future, Yang Wu would surely become one of the Yang family's upper echelon.
Yang Wu did not speak. The young woman beside him nestled in his arms and said slowly, "The relationship has already been settled. But Yang Heng, do not compare this trash with your brother. That would be an insult to your brother. As long as women from other clans are not blind, none of them would take a fancy to trash that cannot cultivate martial arts."
"Perhaps some discarded trash of a woman might take a fancy to Yang Chen. After all, Yang Chen's future fate may very well be exile." Sun Qiaomei said lazily.
Mocked by these people one after another, Yang Chen instead calmed down.
However, just as he was about to speak, the crowd around them suddenly grew lively.
"Quick, look! Who is that?"
"My heavens, it is the Feng family's eldest young lady! Feng Xuewu, the Feng family's daughter, actually came to our Yang family!"
"How is that possible? Why would the Feng family's eldest young lady come to our Yang family?"
The Yang family was a middle-tier clan among the hundred clans.
Thus, even when there were marriage alliances, they were mostly with other middle-tier clans. Those who came to the Yang family's Coming-of-Age Ceremony to befriend its gifted young talents were actually geniuses from small clans seeking to climb a lofty branch. Miss Yu in Yang Wu's arms, for instance, was actually seeking to establish ties with the Yang family.
However, there was still a gap between middle-tier clans and great clans. The Feng family was a great clan, so virtually no one from great clans came to the Yang family's Coming-of-Age Ceremony. They were on different levels.
The Feng family was even one of the finest among great clans. Feng Xuewu had been recognized as a top genius several years ago, one of the Three Golden Hairpins of the Great Wilderness. The Yang family had never even thought of reaching so high, and even Yang Wu was no exception.
Now that Feng Xuewu had come to the Yang family, it naturally stirred much discussion.
When Yang Chen saw Feng Xuewu arrive, confusion appeared in his eyes. But very quickly, he revealed a faint smile, because Feng Xuewu looked at him from within the crowd.
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