Chapter 372: Purple Cold Sand
The Martial Market Academy of Nanyun Commandery had selected a total of thirty-seven gifted disciples. After this calamity, six had died, leaving thirty-one remaining.
Although the losses were still severe, for He Yunlou, this was already the best possible outcome.
Who could avoid encountering unexpected incidents?
Thus, the Silver Moon Ship set sail once more.
Xue Yingrou was a very elegant woman, with snow-white skin, golden hair, and a slender, tall figure. She stood opposite Zhang Ruochen, less than two meters apart.
Zhang Ruochen could clearly smell the faint floral fragrance emanating from her.
Her voice was soft and sweet, tinged with shyness, as she said, "Thank you, Senior Brother, for saving my life. May I ask your name?"
Zhang Ruochen glanced at her and said, "Zhang Ruochen."
Xue Yingrou immediately memorized the name, offering a gentle smile. "I am Xue Yingrou. Senior Brother's swordsmanship is truly remarkable; you must have reached the pinnacle of the Sword Follows the Heart realm. I wonder if you could teach me a few moves?"
Xue Yingrou said, "Miss Xue, I think your top priority right now should be to tend to your injuries. Once you've fully recovered, we can discuss martial arts then."
"Hehe! I'll take that as you agreeing, Senior Brother Zhang! Once I'm healed, you must instruct me—no backing out." Xue Yingrou said with a beaming smile.
It had to be said, a beauty like Xue Yingrou was indeed stunning when she smiled, like a celestial maiden descending to earth, capable of stirring a man's heartstrings.
After Xue Yingrou left, with a *shua* sound, Duanmu Xingling flew down from the mast, landing behind Zhang Ruochen. She chuckled, "Zhang Ruochen, your charm is truly immense. You've only just arrived in the Eastern Domain Sacred Land, and already a beauty is smitten with you. You're not already captivated by her, are you?"
"How could that be?" Zhang Ruochen said with a light laugh.
"Tch!"
Duanmu Xingling looked unconvinced, crossing her arms in front of her chest. A sly glint flashed in her eyes as she mimicked Xue Yingrou's voice: "Senior Brother, once I'm healed, you must instruct me—no backing out. Hearing that voice makes me want to slap her."
Zhang Ruochen smiled helplessly. "Senior Sister Duanmu, do you really think I'm the type to be easily tempted?"
"That's not certain. Men, after all—eyes on the bowl, mind on the pot, never satisfied. Since Sister Chen isn't here, I have to keep a close watch on you. That vixen better behave herself, or I'll make sure she dies a miserable death."
Duanmu Xingling puffed out her proud chest, chin raised, a hint of disdain in her eyes. Then she added, "Besides, I think that Xue Yingrou is a bit pretentious and opportunistic. If you told her you're a martial artist from the Demon Ridge, from a remote, low-ranking commandery, do you think she'd still pay you any attention? That would be a miracle."
Zhang Ruochen looked at Duanmu Xingling's haughty demeanor and could tell she was worried he might fall for Xue Yingrou and walk into a trap.
It was actually quite normal. Martial artists from the Eastern Domain Sacred Land naturally looked down on those from a small place like the Demon Ridge. In their eyes, the Demon Ridge was still an uncivilized, barbaric land, like a backwater.
Zhang Ruochen could roughly tell that Xue Yingrou's active approach toward him was partly because he had saved her in her moment of greatest danger, and partly because she likely saw him as a proud son of heaven with a significant background.
He guessed that if she knew he was just a martial artist from a backwater like the Demon Ridge, she would sneer at him and wouldn't give him a second glance.
Of course, Zhang Ruochen didn't care what Xue Yingrou thought.
Zhang Ruochen smiled. "Senior Sister Duanmu, rest assured. Do you think I'm someone easily swayed by beauty? In my eyes, Senior Sister Duanmu is far more beautiful than her."
"You do have some discernment."
Duanmu Xingling felt a secret delight, brimming with confidence. How could a mere Xue Yingrou compare to me? If you saw my true appearance, you'd be utterly astonished!
Of course, Duanmu Xingling wouldn't let that smugness show on her face. Instead, she shot Zhang Ruochen a cold glare. "Smooth talker, a frivolous rogue. You've learned bad habits from Chang Qiqi!"
With that, she quickly fled, as if afraid Zhang Ruochen might notice the faint blush on her cheeks.
Zhang Ruochen was taken aback. He had only complimented her—how did that make him a frivolous rogue?
...
In a dimly lit cabin, seven or eight gifted disciples gathered together.
"Senior Brother, I just saw Senior Sister Xue going to find that guy," one disciple said, standing before Zi Hansha, clenching his fists with a cold, angry expression.
Another disciple snorted. "How dare he try to steal Senior Brother's woman? Does he have a death wish?"
"Senior Sister Xue is the number one beauty of our Nanyun Commandery. He can't just take her away! Senior Brother, we all know you and Senior Sister Xue are a perfect match, a golden couple."
Most of the disciples present secretly admired Xue Yingrou, so they naturally resented her contact with Zhang Ruochen.
However, they were self-aware enough to know they were no match for Zhang Ruochen, so they banded together to urge Zi Hansha into action.
Only Zi Hansha had the strength to teach Zhang Ruochen a lesson.
Zi Hansha had always been arrogant and proud of his talent, undefeated among his peers in Nanyun Commandery. Even though Zhang Ruochen had displayed formidable strength earlier, he still had confidence he could defeat him.
Moreover, Zhang Ruochen had stolen his thunder earlier, which had already displeased him.
Now, Zhang Ruochen dared to make a move on Xue Yingrou—it was like touching his reverse scale. As those disciples said, Zi Hansha had long regarded Xue Yingrou as his future woman.
Anyone who dared to covet her would die.
Zi Hansha flexed his finger joints, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "Don't speak nonsense. Xue Junior Sister and I are just fellow disciples. If she wants to associate with someone, I can't control that."
Just as the disciples grew anxious, thinking Zi Hansha wouldn't intervene, he changed his tone.
"But as her senior brother, I naturally have to test whether Zhang Ruochen is worthy of her."
"So, Senior Brother, you're going to deal with that kid? Hehe!"
Zi Hansha said, "It's just a martial arts spar."
Hearing this, the cabin erupted in a series of laughter.
...
After returning to his cabin, Zhang Ruochen immediately took out the Time-Space Crystal and entered its inner space to continue refining the Dragon Pearl.
Currently, his Qi Sea contained six hundred and ninety-six drops of True Qi.
If he activated the *Nine Heavens Bright Emperor Scripture* and channeled it through his thirty-six meridians to refine the Dragon Pearl at full power, he could increase his True Qi by about eighty drops per day.
Even at this rapid cultivation speed, reaching ten thousand drops of True Qi would still take a considerable amount of time.
Only by cultivating ten thousand drops of True Qi could he break through to the later stage of the Heavenly Extreme Realm.
After seven days of cultivation, Zhang Ruochen's True Qi in his Qi Sea reached one thousand two hundred and seven drops, finally stabilizing his cultivation at the middle stage of the Heavenly Extreme Realm.
Since he couldn't remain in seclusion indefinitely on the Silver Moon Ship, Zhang Ruochen emerged from the Time-Space Crystal after seven days and went to visit Lin Fei.
From the Demon Ridge all the way to now, Kong Xuan had been taking care of Lin Fei.
Kong Xuan had been diligent and devoted, almost like a little maid by Lin Fei's side, attending to her every need.
After meeting Lin Fei and giving Kong Xuan some guidance on cultivation, Zhang Ruochen left.
Before he had taken more than a few steps, he encountered Xue Yingrou again.
Their eyes met, and both offered faint smiles.
With her injuries healed, Xue Yingrou was in much better spirits than a few days ago. Her eyes were exceptionally bright, her skin radiant, and her demeanor even more elegant.
Standing on the deck, with the white sea of clouds behind her and the azure sky above, she looked like a scene from a celestial painting.
"Senior Brother Zhang, my injuries are healed. Can you teach me a few sword techniques now?" Xue Yingrou's eyelashes were long, her lips crystal-clear, and her voice was like a heavenly melody.
Zhang Ruochen smiled, about to respond.
Behind him, footsteps sounded.
A group of gifted disciples approached. At the forefront was Zi Hansha, holding a purple longsword. He laughed, "What a coincidence! I've long admired Brother Zhang's swordsmanship. I wonder if Brother Zhang could instruct me first?"
Zhang Ruochen turned around and saw twelve silver-robed disciples walking over. The man at the front was none other than Zi Hansha, the senior brother of the Nanyun Commandery Martial Market Academy.
He was indeed a striking figure—tall, with sword-like brows and eagle-like eyes, exuding a sharp, intimidating aura.
With Zhang Ruochen's current spiritual power, even without opening his Heavenly Eye, he could easily gauge Zi Hansha's strength.
This man's cultivation had reached the Minor Extreme Position of the Heavenly Extreme Realm, a full two realms above Zhang Ruochen.
Moreover, his talent seemed exceptional; the aura he emitted was even more formidable than some martial artists at the Great Perfection of the Heavenly Extreme Realm.
"I am Zi Hansha, the senior brother of the Nanyun Commandery Martial Market Academy."
Zi Hansha stopped three zhang away from Zhang Ruochen and introduced himself first.
So, he was a senior brother-level existence. No wonder his cultivation was so strong.
In both the Martial Market Academy and various sects, rankings were generally based on strength rather than age.
Only the strongest individual could claim the title of senior brother.
Of course, there were exceptions.
For instance, if a senior brother was older and possessed outstanding moral character, everyone would still respect him and regard him as their senior brother.
Just like Si Xingkong.
Zhang Ruochen glanced at Zi Hansha and said, "I am Zhang Ruochen. Greetings, Senior Brother Zi. Senior Brother Zi, you jest! With your cultivation at the Minor Extreme Position of the Heavenly Extreme Realm, how could I possibly instruct you?"
Zi Hansha waved his hand. "Junior Brother Zhang need not be modest. When you fought the Red Blazing Crow, I witnessed your exquisite swordsmanship, which left me in awe. I've been wanting to seek your guidance."
In his heart, Zi Hansha certainly didn't believe he was truly inferior to Zhang Ruochen.
The higher he lifted him now, the harder the fall would be later, wouldn't it?