Five years had passed.
In the Royal Family's Martial Training Ground C, two youths clashed in a flurry of motion. Their sparring was intense and exciting, drawing the eyes of their peers.
However, anyone with a discerning eye could see the vast disparity between them. The sturdier of the two, Zhao Gang, was already gasping for breath, his movements growing ragged. He was at the end of his rope, pushing himself to his absolute limit.
His opponent, a slender youth with sharp, handsome features named Chen Guan, moved with an unhurried grace. He advanced and retreated in a calm, measured rhythm, clearly feeling no pressure from the other boy's desperate assault.
Bang!
After another exchange of blows, Zhao Gang was sent staggering back several steps, nearly toppling off the edge of the sparring stage. Panting heavily, he steadied himself and waved his hands in surrender.
"I give, I give! You're a monster, Chen Guan. A complete monster! I'm working myself to the bone, and my talent is obviously better than yours, but I still can't close the gap. It's infuriating!"
"Haha, that only proves you aren't working hard enough," Chen Guan replied with a light smile.
Five years is enough to change many things. Spurred on by his rivalry with Chen Guan, Zhao Gang had trained with a ferocity he never knew he possessed. Every time he made progress, he would seek Chen Guan out for a spar, determined to surpass him. Over time, his childish arrogance had faded, replaced by a genuine respect for his opponent.
This relentless drive had allowed Zhao Gang to make incredible progress, reaching the sixth stage of Dou Zhi Qi. In the entire Jia Ma Empire, he could be considered a minor genius. His progress was commendable, but compared to Chen Guan, the gulf between them remained immense.
"Be honest with me," Zhao Gang said, still catching his breath. "What's your real strength? Are you about to break through to the seventh stage?"
"You're thinking too much," Chen Guan deflected smoothly. "I'm just a little bit ahead. Work a little harder, and you'll catch up in no time."
"Heh." Zhao Gang rolled his eyes. If I believed that, I'd be an idiot. I've heard that same line at least ten times!
In truth, it wasn't just Zhao Gang; all of their peers were intensely curious about Chen Guan's true strength. But in the past few years, he had devoted himself entirely to his cultivation, never participating in public tests. His life was a simple, unyielding circuit: train, eat, sleep. It was a monastic existence that few could endure for more than a few months.
Many of the more perceptive youths sighed in admiration. A person with such inhuman discipline deserved his strength; it would be an injustice of the heavens if he weren't strong. There was envy, but very little jealousy.
The two youths walked off the stage side by side, completely unaware that their spar had been watched by figures of great importance.
On a high tower overlooking the training ground, Captain Yan Hongtao stood respectfully behind an old man and a slim young girl dressed in magnificent brocade robes. He delivered his report on the trainees' progress, his eyes fixed forward.
The girl was Yao Ye, the Eldest Princess of the Jia Ma royal family. She had been accompanying her great-grandfather when they passed the training ground and had come up on a whim. Her own strength was not yet profound, so after hearing Yan Hongtao's report, she was satisfied but had noticed nothing out of the ordinary.
Her great-grandfather, however, was a different story. Jia Xing Tian, the veteran Dou Huang of the Jia Ma Empire, felt a jolt of pure astonishment.
Just over nine years old, yet at the ninth stage of Dou Zhi Qi!
He could tell from the boy's aura that this wasn't a recent breakthrough, either. He was already close to condensing his Dou Qi vortex and becoming a true Dou Zhe. Jia Xing Tian had never imagined such a prodigious talent was hidden right here in the palace.
"That youth in black on the stage," Jia Xing Tian said, his voice laced with intrigue. "The handsome one. What is his name?"
"Chen Guan, sir," Yan Hongtao replied truthfully. "He is one of the two geniuses I just mentioned. His talent is excellent—he was the second in his batch to sense Dou Qi. Moreover, the boy's diligence is fearsome. He is either cultivating or on his way to cultivate. His work ethic has pushed all the others to train harder."
"Chen Guan…"
Jia Xing Tian mulled over the name, a flicker of familiarity in his mind. After a moment, he remembered. This was the boy he had brought back from Wu Tan City all those years ago.
"Well now. This is very good," Jia Xing Tian said, a rare smile gracing his lips. "I had thought Xiao Yan of the Wu Tan City Xiao Clan was a talent unmatched in this generation. I never expected to find someone even more outstanding right under my nose. Hong Tao, have him brought to me."
The old Dou Huang was in a fine mood. He had secretly observed Xiao Yan just a short while ago. The boy was at the eighth stage of Dou Zhi Qi at nine years of age, a feat worthy of his reputation. Jia Xing Tian had been contemplating how to win him over to the royal family's side, but today had brought an even more pleasant surprise.
Yan Hongtao bowed and departed. Yao Ye, hearing her great-grandfather's words, cast her gaze back down at the youth below. Lacking the insight of a Dou Huang, she saw only a boy with good looks and an exceptional temperament.
"Great-grandfather, is he truly more powerful than the one from the Xiao Clan?"
"Haha, would I lie to you, Ye'er?" Jia Xing Tian chuckled. "Do you know his current strength? Ninth stage Dou Zhi Qi! A step ahead of even Xiao Yan. And as I recall, he started his cultivation months after that Xiao boy. You can imagine his talent. As long as he doesn't fall midway, it is not impossible for him to one day surpass even this old man."
Yao Ye gasped, her red lips parting slightly. She knew exactly what those words implied, and for a moment, a thousand thoughts raced through her mind.
"Ye'er, I know you are precocious and have a sharp mind," Jia Xing Tian said gently. "But do not overthink things, especially when dealing with a genius like this. You must be careful. Trying too hard can be as damaging as not trying at all. Meet with him. Get to know him. And give him this Qi Gathering Powder. See to it that he is favored when resources are allocated in the future."
"I understand, great-grandfather." Yao Ye nodded, her heart warm with the trust he had placed in her. She secretly vowed not to let him down.
Soon, Yan Hongtao returned, leading a hesitant Chen Guan to the top of the tower. Seeing that Jia Xing Tian was no longer present, the captain bowed tactfully and departed, leaving the two youths alone.
Chen Guan saw the young woman standing on the tower, her back turned to him. She was dressed in fine brocade, her figure striking. Even from behind, she radiated an aura of nobility completely different from that of an ordinary woman.
Such a woman, at this time, in this place… After filtering through the prominent figures I know of… her identity is all but certain.
"Chen Guan pays his respects to the Eldest Princess."
Yao Ye turned around. She didn't ask how he knew her identity, assuming Yan Hongtao had told him. She looked him up and down, and knowing of his talent, she couldn't help but view him through a different lens. Her first impression was excellent.
"There is no need for formalities. Come, speak with me." Her tone was calm, devoid of the arrogance her status afforded her.
Such grace reveals much, Chen Guan thought. I doubt a princess is this gentle with everyone.
"Chen Guan, you are only nine years old this year?"
"A little over nine, Your Highness."
"Incredible. A nine-year-old at the ninth stage of Dou Zhi Qi… such a thing has not appeared in the Jia Ma Empire for many years. When I was your age, I believe I was only at the seventh stage. I am far inferior to you."
"Ah…" Chen Guan gave a slight laugh, unsure how to respond.
"Do not be nervous. My name is Yao Ye. The old man you met in Wu Tan City was my great-grandfather, Jia Xing Tian. He was the one who just told me you had reached the ninth stage. I couldn't believe it at first."
Yao Ye's frankness gave Chen Guan a clearer impression of her. For a girl who isn't even a teen to possess such poise is remarkable. She is indeed worthy of being the future hope of the Jia Ma royal family.
"Geniuses should not be buried," Yao Ye continued, her expression sincere. "My great-grandfather originally wished to take you as his personal disciple. However, he has spent his life in the palace and has no experience teaching. He did not wish to mislead a promising youth, so he set the idea aside. It shows how much he values you. I am also optimistic about your future, from both an imperial and a personal perspective. If you don't mind, you can simply call me sister from now on."
Yao Ye told the first lie of the day. But Chen Guan believed it, because the second suicide note had explicitly stated that Jia Xing Tian did accept him as a disciple in that timeline.
So, the plan changed. He doesn't accept me as a disciple, but wants me to see her as a sister instead?
Chen Guan waited for a few seconds, his senses on high alert. No third suicide note appeared.
This path isn't a fatal one. A wave of relief washed over him.
"Sister Yao Ye is too kind. It would be my honor." Chen Guan was not pretentious; he agreed immediately.
This is the correct answer. To grow stronger, resources are essential. In the entire Jia Ma Empire, Yao Ye is a top-tier connection. Only Gu Xun'er could be considered better, and perhaps Nalan Yanran of the Misty Cloud Sect is her equal. I already owe the royal family a debt. A little more won't be a burden. Besides, to refuse her after she's been so gracious would be to make an enemy for no reason. The choice is obvious.
"Hehe, you are more level-headed than I thought," Yao Ye said, clearly pleased. "Come. Since we are to be siblings, your sister is in a good mood today. I shall give you a meeting gift."
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