Chapter 341: Yun Lei

Chapter 341: Chapter 168: Yun Lei

“My name is Ning Chong, and I’m from Feng City…”

The young man introduced himself before Chen Cheng could respond.

However, before he could finish, another young man’s voice called out from a distance:

“Everyone, we have a long journey ahead. We’ll need to travel together from now on. Once we reach the north, we countrymen should support one another. How about we get together now and get acquainted?”

At these words, the young men and women who had gotten out of the carriages all gathered around.

Ning Chong and Chen Cheng were no exception.

However, Chen Cheng noticed that no one had emerged from the two carriages at the very back of the procession.

Those two carriages were incredibly luxurious. Even the drivers were dressed respectably, and more than a dozen maids and sturdy servants followed behind them.

From one of the carriages, the occasional lazy meow could be heard.

“Don’t get any ideas. The people in those carriages are nobles from the Prefecture City. They’re not people we can associate with…”

Ning Chong reminded him in a low voice.

Chen Cheng gave a noncommittal response and looked away.

Soon, the group of four men and two women had gathered.

“I am Fang Lang, from the Prefecture City. Nine Pillars of Blood Qi, thirty-sixth on the Prefecture City’s Martial Selection Golden List.”

The young man who had called for the gathering introduced himself first, his gaze slowly sweeping over the others.

“I am Zhao Dongping, from the Prefecture City. Eight Pillars of Blood Qi, forty-seventh on the Prefecture City’s Martial Selection Silver List.”

“Huang Jiao, from Zhao City. Nine Pillars of Blood Qi, third on the Prefecture City’s Martial Selection Silver List.”

“I am Su Bing, from the Prefecture City. Eight Pillars of Blood Qi. I haven’t participated in the Martial Selection yet.”

The next three stated their circumstances in turn.

Chen Cheng’s gaze lingered for a moment on the woman named Huang Jiao.

‘A woman from the Huang Family, one of Zhao City’s Seven Great Races?’

‘Nine Pillars of Blood Qi?’

‘She looks to be about twenty-five or twenty-six. She must be considered a top-tier genius among Zhao City’s younger generation.’

‘Except she clearly looked down on Zhao City’s Martial Selection and probably didn’t even live in Zhao City to begin with.’

At this thought, Chen Cheng couldn’t help but recall a saying from his past life…

‘The world is teeming with talent, like schools of carp crossing a river. Even the dragons among men find their journey arduous.’

In Zhao City, Huang Jiao would undoubtedly be called a phoenix among mortals, yet in the Prefecture City, she couldn’t even make it onto the Golden List.

Chen Cheng sighed inwardly. ‘The world is so vast. What I’ve seen and experienced is far too little.’

‘Being stuck in Zhao City was like being a frog at the bottom of a well.’

‘Only by truly venturing out can one realize how high the sky is, how wide the earth is, and that there are always people better than you!’

‘I must redouble my efforts!’

“I am Ning Chong, from Feng City. Eight Pillars of Blood Qi, Lin Kui of Feng City’s Martial Selection Golden List.”

Ning Chong grinned, nodding to everyone in greeting.

However, while the others responded with smiles, a hint of almost imperceptible mockery was hidden in their eyes.

“Feng City actually has a Martial Selection?”

Zhao Dongping raised an eyebrow, not even bothering to feign courtesy.

“I thought a poor backwater like Feng City only produced stuffy, pedantic scholars. I never expected it to have an Eight Blood like you, Brother Ning. A Lin Kui, no less! You’ve really opened my eyes!”

The smile on Ning Chong’s face stiffened, but he didn’t say much.

He had been in the Prefecture City for some time now. It was no secret that Prefecture City Martial Artists looked down on those from smaller places. He had even gotten used to it.

Of course, he had met a few Prefecture City Martial Artists who didn’t mind his background, but they were a tiny minority.

Most Prefecture City Martial Artists were friendly on the surface, but deep down, they utterly despised a country bumpkin like him.

“I am Chen Cheng, from Zhao City. Seven Pillars of Blood Qi, sixth on the Zhao City Martial Selection Silver List.”

Chen Cheng spoke up next, his tone flat, as if just going through the motions.

He had originally thought that making more friends would open more paths, and that there was no harm in befriending fellow Martial Artists.

But after seeing their attitude toward Ning Chong, he abandoned the idea of making friends. He just wanted this to be over quickly so he could return to the carriage and continue tempering his Four Gods Profound Body.

He needed to seize the time and try to condense his Eighth Pillar of Blood Qi within seven days.

“Chen Cheng? I’ve heard of you!”

Su Bing suddenly spoke up. Her bright eyes widened slightly, and a faint smile appeared on her pretty face:

“Sixteen years old! Defeating a secret arts user without using secret arts yourself! Even in the Prefecture City, that’s enough to be called a genius!”

At her words, everyone turned to look.

The gazes directed at Chen Cheng now clearly held more scrutiny, appraisal, and a carefully measured dose of friendliness.

“Younger Brother Chen, so young and with such a boundless future!”

Zhao Dongping grinned and said:

“Defeating a secret arts user without one of your own… strictly speaking, that can be considered defeating a stronger opponent. At least half a level stronger. That’s not something an ordinary person can do!”

“Younger Brother Chen, in that case, your Root Bone and Comprehension must both be top-tier!”

Fang Lang said with a chuckle:

“Although your Martial Selection results were average, you’re the youngest among us. When it comes to joining the Mountain and Sea Sect, you’re probably the one with the best chance!”

When he said this, a bit more envy crept into the others’ gazes toward Chen Cheng.

Even Huang Jiao, who had remained cold-faced the entire time, couldn’t help but be moved.

It was obvious.

The people present had very little confidence in their own chances of joining the Mountain and Sea Sect.

Although they were all stronger than Chen Cheng.

But Chen Cheng’s advantages were his young age and great potential. That was the kind of promising seedling that Sects preferred.

“Actually, my Root Bone isn’t ideal.”

Chen Cheng took the initiative to expose his own flaw.

He knew the principle all too well: the tree that stands tallest in the forest will be the first to be broken by the wind.

When you’re away from home and don’t have an overwhelming advantage in strength, appearing too outstanding and attracting envy and jealousy is by no means a wise move.

The key was.

Since Su Bing knew about his performance in the Martial Selection, it wouldn’t be difficult for her to inquire about his Root Bone as well.

Rather than wait for Su Bing to expose it, it was better to reveal it himself.