Chapter 182: Kong Xuan
Two powerful palm forces collided, producing a deafening thunderous roar.
The freezing cold energy and lightning power erupted from Zhang Ruochen's palm, surging like a tidal wave toward Xun Guihai.
A fivefold power amplification.
"Boom!"
Xun Guihai was sent flying backward once again, crashing through the railing and falling to the first floor of the Jintian Pavilion, smashing a table and landing disgracefully on the ground.
The surrounding martial artists immediately retreated far away.
Zhang Ruochen took seven steps back, channeling all of Xun Guihai's palm force into the air, appearing calm and composed.
"Let's go!"
Zhang Ruochen led the Peacock Half-Human head food girl down the stairs step by step, never looking back as he, along with Zhang Shaochu, Liu Chengfeng, and Zi Qian, prepared to leave the Jintian Pavilion.
The martial artists inside the Jintian Pavilion were all stunned.
If Zhang Ruochen's first victory over Xun Guihai was merely an accident, not a true display of strength, then the second time—when Xun Guihai even unleashed his ultimate technique, the "Penetrating Palm"—ended in defeat nonetheless.
It could only mean that Zhang Ruochen was genuinely stronger than Xun Guihai.
"With Xun Guihai's current strength, even the number one on the Xuan Ranking, Yan Lixuan, would be no match for him. If Zhang Ruochen can defeat Xun Guihai, doesn't that mean Zhang Ruochen's strength surpasses even the Xuan Ranking's top contender?"
"Zhang Tianqui, the top prodigy of the thirty-six commanderies of the Demon Ridge, only reached third place on the Xuan Ranking at the Mysterious Extreme Realm. Could Zhang Ruochen be even more talented than Zhang Tianqui?"
"Zhang Ruochen must have already reached the Earth Extreme Realm; otherwise, there's no way he could be this powerful."
On the second floor of the Jintian Pavilion, a highly respected martial arts elder stared at Zhang Ruochen and said thoughtfully, "Zhang Ruochen hasn't broken through to the Earth Extreme Realm yet. He hasn't cultivated his Qi Sea."
The elder's words were like a bombshell, sending the entire Jintian Pavilion into an uproar.
Did Zhang Ruochen already possess the strength of the Xuan Ranking's number one?
Such a prodigy was rare even once in a hundred years across the thirty-six commanderies of the Demon Ridge.
"Even if Zhang Ruochen hasn't reached the Supreme Extreme Realm of the Mysterious Extreme Realm, he's likely not far off," the elder added another explosive statement.
"Boom!"
The Supreme Extreme Realm of the Mysterious Extreme Realm?
No one could remain calm. They all turned to look at Zhang Ruochen again, their expressions shifting from mockery to admiration and reverence.
Since ancient times, the Supreme Extreme Realm had been a legend. Could Zhang Ruochen truly have reached that legendary level?
At this point, no one was discussing Zhang Ruochen's dispute with Ximen Guanren over the head food girl. Everyone was debating just how far Zhang Ruochen's strength had reached.
On the third floor, in the private room.
The talented elites were all stunned, filled with shock.
They now understood why Huang Yanchen had taken a liking to Zhang Ruochen. With such extraordinary cultivation talent, how many could rival him in the thirty-six commanderies of the Demon Ridge?
Huang Yanchen naturally knew Zhang Ruochen's strength better than anyone. She was aware that he had achieved the Supreme Extreme Realm at the Yellow Extreme Realm, making him unmatched in the thirty-six commanderies.
Chen Xi'er stood beside Huang Yanchen, graceful and elegant like a beauty stepping out of a painting, her eyes misty as she watched Zhang Ruochen leave. Smiling, she said, "Cousin, I think with Zhang Ruochen's talent, there's no need for him to spend a fortune competing for a head food girl. His conflict with Ximen Guanren was likely just a matter of pride, not genuine interest in that girl."
"So what?" Huang Yanchen remained cold, her eyes fixed on Zhang Ruochen's retreating figure.
Huang Yanchen knew well that Zhang Ruochen was straightforward and wouldn't deliberately lie. His earlier words were likely true—he was helping Zhang Shaochu bid for the head food girl.
But to apologize to Zhang Ruochen in front of so many martial artists was something Huang Yanchen simply couldn't do. Her pride was too strong, and she couldn't bring herself to lower her face.
"Once this matter blows over, I'll talk to him alone," Huang Yanchen thought to herself.
Seeing that Huang Yanchen didn't go after Zhang Ruochen, Chen Xi'er's eyes gleamed with a strange light.
For Chen Xi'er to find a fiancé more outstanding than Zhang Ruochen seemed nearly impossible. Why not just snatch her cousin's fiancé?
...
The head food girl was worth a total of four million silver coins, but Zhang Ruochen only had over a million on him. Fortunately, at the Tianyue Pavilion, cultivation resources could be exchanged for silver coins.
So Zhang Ruochen took out a million silver coins plus six drops of Half-Saint True Liquid and paid the Tianyue Pavilion. Then, he led the head food girl out of the pavilion.
One drop of Half-Saint True Liquid was worth five hundred thousand silver coins.
As the top disciple of the Western Courtyard, Zhang Ruochen received ten drops of Half-Saint True Liquid per quarter. He still had fourteen drops left.
Zhang Shaochu looked deeply guilty and said, "Ninth Brother, I'm sorry. I never thought such a small matter would cause such a big misunderstanding between you and Princess Yanchen. I'll go explain the truth to her right now. Even if I have to kneel and admit my mistake, I'll make things clear."
After leaving the Tianyue Pavilion, Zhang Ruochen's mood gradually calmed. He said, "Fourth Brother, this isn't your fault. I'm also partly to blame. As for Princess Yanchen, I don't think I need to explain anything to her. If she still wants to be friends with me, she'll come find me. When that happens, I'll tell her the whole story."
Zhang Shaochu still felt extremely uneasy, believing he had caused a disaster.
If their father, the Commandery King, found out that his actions had led to a rift between Ninth Brother and Princess Yanchen, he would surely punish him severely.
Zhang Ruochen glanced at the head food girl and asked, "What's your name?"
Since leaving the Tianyue Pavilion, the head food girl had been staring at Zhang Ruochen with an adoring look, her beautiful eyes shimmering with a strange light.
In terms of beauty alone, her face and figure were no less than Zi Qian's or Huang Yanchen's, with a delicate, pitiable, and gentle charm.
She lowered her head and said softly, "Reporting to the young master, my name is Kong Xuan."
Zhang Ruochen nodded and said, "From now on, you'll follow Fourth Brother..."
"No!" Zhang Shaochu immediately shook his head and pleaded, "Ninth Brother, please don't give her to me. I'm begging you again. If Father finds out about this, he'll kill her and punish me severely."
If he could have won the head food girl without any trouble, Zhang Shaochu would have gladly accepted her.
But now, everyone knew that the head food girl had caused a rift between Princess Yanchen and Zhang Ruochen. News would quickly spread back to the royal capital of Yunwu Commandery, and the Commandery King would learn of it immediately.
If the Commandery King found out that Zhang Shaochu was the reason for the conflict between Zhang Ruochen and Huang Yanchen, he would surely send someone to execute Kong Xuan and heavily punish Zhang Shaochu.
"This is indeed a difficult situation," Zhang Ruochen said.
Understanding Zhang Shaochu's concerns, Zhang Ruochen pondered for a moment, then looked at Kong Xuan again. He took out the deed of sale and tore it to shreds. "Kong Xuan, you're free now. You can leave."
Kong Xuan immediately knelt on the ground, shaking her head frantically, her voice trembling with fear. "Young master, please don't send me away. Even if I'm free now, I can't escape the Demon Martial City. I'll be caught again and sold back to the Tianyue Pavilion or the Black Market."
A woman as beautiful as her, without strength or background, could hardly achieve true freedom.
Being sold to the Tianyue Pavilion was already a relatively good outcome.
If she were sold to the Black Market, her fate would be truly tragic.
Zhang Ruochen found it difficult to handle. He couldn't exactly send her back to the Tianyue Pavilion, could he?
"Alright, then you'll stay with me for now as my maid," Zhang Ruochen said.
Kong Xuan wept with joy. "Thank you, young master. Thank you, young master."
"Get up," Zhang Ruochen said.
Liu Chengfeng looked worried and said, "Senior Brother, Xun Guihai lost face after being defeated by you. He won't take it lying down. I'm afraid he might resort to hiring assassins to kill you."
Zhang Shaochu nodded in agreement. "And Lin Chenyu and Lin Ningshan. The Lin family has always looked down on you. Now that you're rising so strongly, they won't sit idly by."
Zhang Ruochen said, "Your concerns are valid. In that case, I'll stay in the Demon Martial City for now. As long as I'm here, they won't dare to kill me openly."
As the top prodigy of the Western Courtyard of the Martial Market Academy, who would dare to openly assassinate him?
"Open attacks are easy to dodge, but hidden arrows are hard to defend against. I suggest, Senior Brother, you stay at my father's residence. With my father guarding the place, who could kill you?" Liu Chengfeng said.
"Alright, then I'll have to trouble Senior Liu," Zhang Ruochen said.
Liu Chengfeng smiled. "My father owes you his life. He'll be more than happy to have you stay."
Under Liu Chengfeng's guidance, Zhang Ruochen and the others headed toward Liu Chuanshen's residence.
The commotion at the Tianyue Pavilion had drawn too much attention, and it would surely invite jealousy and hatred.
Zhang Ruochen had already decided that he would not leave the Demon Martial City until he reached the Earth Extreme Realm.
...
Xun Guihai walked out of the Tianyue Pavilion, his internal organs aching as if they were splitting apart, his heart filled with unbearable frustration.
From childhood to adulthood, he had always been a top-tier genius, adored by countless people. Today, he had been defeated by an outer academy disciple, losing all face.
How could he hold his head high again?
"Zhang Ruochen, if I don't kill you, I'm not human!" Xun Guihai roared in fury, disregarding all dignity.
A martial artist rushed over from a distance and knelt before Xun Guihai. "Reporting to the master, Zhang Ruochen has gone to Liu Chuanshen's residence."
"He thinks hiding at Liu Chuanshen's place will keep me from dealing with him?"
Xun Guihai's face twisted into a grimace. "Immediately have Father transfer twenty million silver coins to me. I'll spend a fortune to put a bounty on Zhang Ruochen's head. If Zhang Ruochen doesn't die, I'll never see the light of day again."
...
I apologize for the recent two days' updates. I won't go into the specific reasons, lest you think I'm making excuses. Let the updates speak for themselves. There will be two more chapters by midnight.