Chapter 401: Defeated in One Move
The sixteen soldiers guarding the gate also turned their gazes, staring in the direction of Chen Tianran and Zhang Ruochen.
They had not expected that the young man from earlier was actually a young prodigy listed on the "Eastern Region Wind and Cloud Report."
Could he really be that strong?
The Fire Wolf Half-Human soldier who had previously barred Zhang Ruochen from entering grew uneasy. If Zhang Ruochen truly was a distinguished guest of the Eastern Region Saint Manor, then with his status, dealing with a gate-guarding soldier would be a trivial matter, wouldn't it?
"I wonder if he's really that strong?"
The Fire Wolf Half-Human soldier's eyes were fixed tightly on the two about to clash in the distance, fervently hoping Chen Tianran could defeat Zhang Ruochen.
Just as Chen Tianran thrust his spear forward, Zhang Ruochen did not dodge but instead attacked proactively.
This was the perfect chance to test the sixth palm of the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Palm, which he had just mastered.
"Dragon God's Tribulation."
Zhang Ruochen's expression was calm as he mobilized his true qi without holding back, gathering power in both palms and striking with full force.
From his palms, streaks of lightning burst forth, forming a dazzling cloud of electricity.
Within the electric cloud, thunder roared and dragon cries echoed.
Then, a phantom of a divine dragon over ten meters long flew out, carrying a powerful surge of true qi as it collided with the Ghost King Spear in Chen Tianran's hand. In an instant, it neutralized the power of Chen Tianran's Ghost King Invisible Spear technique.
Yet the formidable palm force did not completely dissipate.
Chen Tianran's expression shifted. Only now did he realize how vast the gap between him and Zhang Ruochen truly was.
He quickly spread his arms, channeling all his true qi into the Ghost King Spear, activating the inscriptions within it.
He swung the spear horizontally to block.
"Bang!"
The dragon phantom slammed into the spear, shattering Chen Tianran's protective Heavenly Gang and sending him flying backward.
Twenty zhang away, Chen Tianran crashed heavily to the ground, his robes torn to shreds.
His arms, in particular, were lacerated with bloody wounds from the immense palm force.
Chen Tianran struggled to his feet, his arms aching as if they might split apart, his entire body trembling. Yet his eyes gleamed with excitement. "So strong! Let's fight again... cough, cough..."
As he tried to mobilize his true qi, a sharp pain shot through his internal organs.
Clearly, he had sustained internal injuries and could no longer continue the fight.
The dozen or so talented youths present were almost all ranked within the top hundred of the younger generation of the Chen Clan, each a master at the Heavenly Extreme Realm.
But even they were stunned into silence, unable to speak.
Though they had anticipated Chen Tianran was no match for Zhang Ruochen, the fact that Chen Tianran couldn't even withstand a single move from him was... too terrifying, wasn't it?
Was the top expert of the Eastern Region Saint Manor so easily defeated?
In truth, they didn't know that Zhang Ruochen had used his full strength in that strike.
The fact that Chen Tianran could take that blow and still get back up was already an impressive feat.
If it had been any other martial artist at the Small Extreme Position of the Heavenly Extreme Realm, they would likely have been torn apart by Zhang Ruochen's attack.
Chen Tianshu was the first to react, stepping forward with a smile. "Sixth Brother, now you should understand what it means that 'there is always a sky beyond the sky, and people beyond the people,' right?"
The proud daughters of the Chen Clan were also deeply impressed, their beautiful eyes fixed on Zhang Ruochen with admiration.
Some even cast flirtatious glances at him, openly expressing their interest.
The Chen Clan had always used marriage alliances to attract top-tier talents.
With Zhang Ruochen's aptitude, he was certainly a target for the Chen Clan's recruitment. If any of them could marry a prodigy like him, their status within the Chen Clan would undoubtedly soar.
The reason the Chen Clan had endured from the Middle Ages to the present without decline was not just because each generation produced a pillar of genius. More importantly, they knew how to recruit talent.
Marriage alliances were the best way to do so.
Besides, which genius wouldn't want to marry a proud daughter of the Chen Clan? They could win a beautiful bride while gaining the Chen Clan's protection and access to abundant cultivation resources. Only a fool would refuse.
And the Chen Clan never lacked beautiful young women.
Chen Tianran clenched his fists tightly. "Zhang Ruochen, do you think defeating me means you've conquered the geniuses of the Eastern Region Saint Manor? The number one prodigy of our Eastern Region Saint Manor is currently at the Liangyi Sect, training in a divine technique under a saint. If he comes down from the mountain, he can certainly match you."
Chen Tianshu chuckled. "Sixth Brother, why are you arguing? Brother Zhang is not an outsider; he's one of us. He's the fiancé of Cousin Yanchen and has come here to find her."
"What? Cousin Yanchen's fiancé?"
Chen Tianran slapped his forehead. "So you're one of us! Brother Zhang, why didn't you say so earlier?"
The main reason Chen Tianran had wanted to duel Zhang Ruochen was his unwillingness to see the Eastern Region Saint Manor outshone by a martial artist from a small place.
Since Zhang Ruochen was one of them, everything was different.
The Chen Clan's proud daughters who had harbored thoughts about Zhang Ruochen also felt a bit deflated. They hadn't expected Zhang Ruochen to already be engaged to Huang Yanchen. What chance did they have?
Chen Tianran's attitude immediately shifted, becoming quite warm. He grabbed Zhang Ruochen and strode grandly into the Saint Manor, barking an order to a Fire Wolf Half-Human soldier: "A-Si, go fetch Cousin Yanchen at once. Tell her to come out and welcome her fiancé."
"Actually, forget it. Just tell her to come to my Phoenix Forest Pavilion. Today, I want to have a good drink with Brother Zhang. Also, summon all the brothers and sisters of the Saint Manor. Tell them that Old Six is throwing a banquet in honor of one of the six young kings of the new generation in the Eastern Region—Zhang Ruochen. Everyone must come to show their support. Heh heh! A king-level prodigy like him isn't something you get to see every day."
The Fire Wolf Half-Human soldier who had barred Zhang Ruochen earlier immediately knelt, kowtowing in apology. "Your subordinate, A-Er, begs the young master's forgiveness. I failed to recognize the young master's identity earlier. Please punish me as you see fit?"
"Young master" referred to Zhang Ruochen.
Chen Tianran's expression darkened. "What's this? A mere servant dares to offend Brother Zhang? Drag him away and have him sliced into a thousand pieces..."
Zhang Ruochen quickly intervened, smiling. "It's just a minor matter. He didn't really offend me; there's no need to punish him."
Chen Tianran thought for a moment. "Fine! Since Brother Zhang has pleaded for you, I'll let you off. But from now on, you'd better recognize people properly. Brother Zhang is one of the six young kings of the Eastern Region, not someone you can afford to offend. Your life is spared, but your punishment remains. Starting tomorrow, you'll serve hard labor in the Ten-Thousand Fallen Ore Mine for thirty years before you can leave."
"Thank you, young master! Thank you, young master's husband!"
The Fire Wolf Half-Human soldier kowtowed three times before retreating gratefully.
Chen Tianran was not a tyrannical man; in fact, he was quite shrewd. His reprimand of the Fire Wolf Half-Human soldier was also a way to show Zhang Ruochen that the Chen Clan regarded him as one of their own.
Sacrificing a servant to earn Zhang Ruochen's sense of belonging to the Eastern Region Saint Manor—why not?
Zhang Ruochen saw through this as well, so he gave Chen Tianran an out.
He was still an outsider, not yet formally married to Huang Yanchen.
That Fire Wolf Half-Human soldier was a Heavenly Extreme Realm master, undoubtedly a loyal servant carefully cultivated by the Chen Clan.
If an outsider, before even entering the Eastern Region Saint Manor, caused the death of a loyal Heavenly Extreme Realm servant over a trivial matter, how would the other Chen Clan members perceive him? Would they think Zhang Ruochen was too arrogant, too conceited, too self-righteous?
The Chen Clan, a massive aristocratic family, wielded immense power, but internal conflicts were fierce. Zhang Ruochen had no desire to step into the Chen Clan's internal struggles. Thus, he had to tread carefully, avoiding trouble whenever possible.
That evening, Chen Tianran hosted a grand banquet at the Phoenix Forest Pavilion, with hundreds of Chen Clan members in attendance.
Many had seen the latest issue of the "Eastern Region Wind and Cloud Report" and learned of Zhang Ruochen's recent major victories. Curious about this suddenly rising young expert, they wanted to get to know him.
Of course, some, confident in their own strength, wanted to challenge Zhang Ruochen.
But when they learned that Zhang Ruochen had defeated Chen Tianran in a single move, no one dared to challenge him anymore.
Chen Tianran ranked twelfth among the younger generation of the Chen Clan. If he couldn't do it, no one else could.
Huang Yanchen naturally arrived at the Phoenix Forest Pavilion as well. When she saw Zhang Ruochen, she showed no warmth, speaking coldly: "Young master, you sure have a lot of nerve, making me come all the way to welcome you."
"Zhang Ruochen, after achieving fame, have you gotten a bit too carried away?"
Zhang Ruochen smiled wryly. "Senior Sister Huang, I think you've misunderstood. That wasn't my idea. I came to the Saint Manor only to give you the Sword Heart Pill."
With that, he took out the pill bottle containing the Sword Heart Pill and placed it in his palm, offering it to Huang Yanchen.
Seeing the pill bottle, Huang Yanchen felt a warmth in her heart. The coldness on her face instantly melted, replaced by a hint of tenderness.
She knew the origin of that Sword Heart Pill—it was the reward Zhang Ruochen had received for becoming the top Sword Dao disciple, a symbol of honor.
The Sword Heart Pill was a seventh-grade pill, extremely precious. Though its effect on Zhang Ruochen was limited, taking it would still enhance his Sword Dao cultivation.
Yet Zhang Ruochen hadn't taken it himself. Instead, he had traveled a great distance to the Eastern Region Saint Manor to personally deliver it to her.
Just this gesture alone moved Huang Yanchen deeply.
She had always felt that Zhang Ruochen had no real feelings for her, that he only agreed to marry her because of the marriage contract.
But now, she realized that Zhang Ruochen might actually care for her; he was simply not good at expressing it.
Huang Yanchen bit her lip tightly, still keeping a stern face, but she snatched the pill bottle from him and clutched it tightly. "At least you have some conscience."
Zhang Ruochen smiled. "The third round of the Saint Academy assessment will certainly be dangerous. Any improvement in strength will make things a bit safer."
Huang Yanchen blushed slightly, then sighed. "It's a pity you came a day late. My mother left the Saint Manor yesterday to visit an old friend. Otherwise, I could have taken you to meet her."
Zhang Ruochen's expression turned a bit awkward as he rubbed his nose. "Even if I can't meet her this time, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future, won't there?"