Chapter 35: This Is a Handsome Young Master
Zhang Ruochen sat cross-legged on the ground, his gaze fixed on the jade slip in his hand, carefully examining the contents recorded within.
The jade slip was naturally the one given to him by the mysterious woman. It contained a complete cultivation method for the "Nine Heavens Bright Emperor Scripture," as well as some of her cultivation insights and experiences.
"Nine Heavens Bright Emperor Scripture... this is a cultivation technique of the Bright Emperor lineage. It is said to be one of the supreme sacred texts of the Kunlun Realm. I never expected to obtain it so easily."
Zhang Ruochen's heart stirred with excitement. With this cultivation technique, his future path of cultivation would be much smoother.
However, he did not immediately begin practicing. Instead, he carefully put away the jade slip, stood up, and looked toward the distant mountain range.
"Since I have obtained the cultivation technique, it's time to leave this place."
Zhang Ruochen took a deep breath, his figure flickering as he transformed into a streak of light, flying swiftly toward the outside of the mountain range.
...
Outside the mountain range, in a dense forest.
"Whoosh!"
A figure suddenly appeared, landing on a thick tree branch. It was Zhang Ruochen.
Standing on the branch, he surveyed his surroundings. The forest was lush and vibrant, filled with the calls of birds and the fragrance of flowers, a scene of vitality.
"This should be the outer area of the Yunwu Mountain Range. As long as I head east, I should be able to reach the Yunwu Commandery."
Zhang Ruochen muttered to himself, then his figure moved, continuing forward.
...
Half a month later.
Zhang Ruochen finally left the Yunwu Mountain Range and arrived at a small town.
The town was not large, with only a few hundred households, but it was bustling with activity. The streets were lined with various stalls selling everything from groceries to daily necessities.
Zhang Ruochen found a restaurant, ordered some food, and sat down to eat while listening to the conversations of the people around him.
"Have you heard? The Yunwu Commandery is going to hold a grand martial arts tournament. It's said that the top three will receive generous rewards."
"Of course I've heard. I even heard that the princess of the Yunwu Commandery will personally watch the tournament. If anyone catches her eye, they might even become the prince consort."
"Tsk tsk, if I could become the prince consort, I'd be set for life."
"Hah, stop dreaming. With your skills, you probably can't even make it past the first round."
"Hey, don't look down on people. I've been practicing martial arts for years, you know."
...
Listening to the discussions around him, Zhang Ruochen's eyes flickered with thought.
"Martial arts tournament? Prince consort?"
He shook his head with a faint smile, not paying it much mind. After finishing his meal, he left the restaurant and continued on his way.
...
A few days later.
Zhang Ruochen finally arrived at the Yunwu Commandery.
The Yunwu Commandery was one of the nine commanderies of the Kunlun Realm's Eastern Region. It was vast and prosperous, with a population of tens of millions.
Standing outside the city gates, looking at the towering city walls and the bustling flow of people, Zhang Ruochen couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.
"After all these years, I've finally returned to the Yunwu Commandery."
He took a deep breath, then stepped into the city.
The streets of Yunwu Commandery were wide and clean, lined with shops of all kinds. Pedestrians came and went in an endless stream, creating a lively atmosphere.
Zhang Ruochen walked along the street, observing everything around him, feeling a sense of familiarity.
"Eh? Isn't that Young Master Zhang?"
Suddenly, an exclamation came from nearby.
Zhang Ruochen turned his head and saw a young man in luxurious clothes walking toward him, followed by several attendants.
The young man had a handsome face and a refined demeanor, clearly a scion of a wealthy family.
"You are... Young Master Wang?"
Zhang Ruochen looked at the young man, feeling somewhat familiar, but couldn't quite place him.
"Haha, it's me. Young Master Zhang, long time no see. You've become even more handsome," the young man named Wang said with a smile, cupping his hands in greeting.
"You flatter me, Young Master Wang," Zhang Ruochen replied with a slight smile.
"Young Master Zhang, what brings you to the Yunwu Commandery? If you have nothing urgent, why not come to my residence as a guest? I can show you around," Young Master Wang said enthusiastically.
"I appreciate the offer, Young Master Wang, but I have some matters to attend to. Perhaps another time," Zhang Ruochen declined politely.
"I see. Then I won't keep you. If you need anything, feel free to come find me," Young Master Wang said, not insisting further.
"Thank you, Young Master Wang."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Zhang Ruochen bid farewell to Young Master Wang and continued on his way.
Watching Zhang Ruochen's retreating figure, Young Master Wang's eyes flickered with a hint of strangeness.
"This Zhang Ruochen... seems different from before. His aura is much stronger, and he carries a faint sense of danger."
Shaking his head, Young Master Wang dismissed the thought and led his attendants away.
...
Zhang Ruochen walked through the streets, heading straight for the Martial Market Bank.
The Martial Market Bank was one of the largest banks in the Kunlun Realm, with branches in every major city. Zhang Ruochen planned to withdraw some sacred stones from his account to prepare for his future cultivation.
Soon, he arrived at the Martial Market Bank.
The bank was grand and imposing, with a constant flow of people coming and going.
Zhang Ruochen walked in, went straight to a counter, and said to the attendant inside, "I want to withdraw some sacred stones."
"May I ask for your name and account number, sir?" the attendant asked politely.
"Zhang Ruochen, account number 1379," Zhang Ruochen replied.
The attendant quickly checked the records, then looked at Zhang Ruochen with a strange expression.
"Sir, your account has a total of one million sacred stones. Are you sure you want to withdraw them all?" the attendant asked.
"One million sacred stones?"
Zhang Ruochen was slightly startled. He didn't expect his account to have so many sacred stones. It seemed that his father had left him quite a fortune.
"Withdraw them all," Zhang Ruochen said without hesitation.
"Alright, please wait a moment, sir."
The attendant quickly processed the transaction and handed Zhang Ruochen a space ring.
"Sir, this space ring contains one million sacred stones. Please check it," the attendant said respectfully.
Zhang Ruochen took the space ring, scanned it with his spiritual power, and nodded in satisfaction.
"Thank you."
After putting away the space ring, Zhang Ruochen turned and left the Martial Market Bank.
...
After leaving the bank, Zhang Ruochen found a quiet inn and checked in.
In the room, he sat cross-legged on the bed, took out the jade slip recording the "Nine Heavens Bright Emperor Scripture," and began to study it carefully.
The "Nine Heavens Bright Emperor Scripture" was divided into nine layers, each corresponding to a different cultivation realm. With Zhang Ruochen's current cultivation at the Fish-Dragon Realm, he could only practice the first layer.
He carefully read through the cultivation method for the first layer, memorizing every detail, then began to cultivate according to the instructions.
As his sacred power circulated, strands of golden light began to emanate from Zhang Ruochen's body, gradually forming a faint golden halo around him.
Time passed, and unknowingly, an entire day had gone by.
Zhang Ruochen slowly opened his eyes, a hint of joy flashing in them.
"The 'Nine Heavens Bright Emperor Scripture' truly lives up to its reputation as a supreme sacred text. Just practicing the first layer has significantly increased the purity and quantity of my sacred power."
He stood up, stretched his body, and felt the surging power within him, feeling extremely satisfied.
"Now that I have the cultivation technique, the next step is to find a way to break through to the Saint Realm as soon as possible."
Zhang Ruochen muttered to himself, a determined look flashing in his eyes.
...
The next day.
Zhang Ruochen left the inn and planned to find a place to train.
As he walked down the street, he suddenly heard a commotion ahead.
Curious, he walked over and saw a crowd gathered in a circle, pointing and discussing something.
He squeezed through the crowd and saw a young man in white clothes lying on the ground, covered in blood, his breath faint.
"Someone, help! This young master has been beaten badly," a servant beside the young man cried out in panic.
"What's going on?" Zhang Ruochen asked, frowning.
"Sir, you don't know. This young master provoked the son of the city lord and got beaten like this," someone nearby explained.
"The son of the city lord? Isn't that the city lord's young master, Wang Tian?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
"That's right, it's him. This Wang Tian usually bullies people in the city. No one dares to provoke him," the person said with a sigh.
Hearing this, Zhang Ruochen's brow furrowed even deeper.
He walked up to the injured young man, crouched down, and checked his injuries.
"His injuries are severe. If not treated in time, he might be crippled," Zhang Ruochen said solemnly.
"Sir, please save my young master," the servant pleaded, kneeling and kowtowing.
"Don't worry, I'll do my best."
Zhang Ruochen took out a healing sacred pill from his space ring, fed it to the young man, and then used his sacred power to help him refine the medicine.
After a while, the young man's complexion improved slightly, and his breath stabilized.
"Thank you, sir, for saving my life. I, Lin Feng, will surely repay this kindness," the young man said weakly, struggling to sit up and bow to Zhang Ruochen.
"No need to be so formal. Rest well and recover," Zhang Ruochen said, helping him up.
At that moment, a group of people suddenly rushed over from a distance, led by a young man in luxurious clothes, who was none other than Wang Tian.
"Lin Feng, I didn't expect you to still have the strength to stand. Looks like I didn't hit you hard enough," Wang Tian said with a cold sneer, a cruel smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
"Wang Tian, don't go too far," Lin Feng said angrily.
"Going too far? Hah, I'm going to beat you to death today. What can you do about it?" Wang Tian said disdainfully.
As he spoke, he waved his hand, and the attendants behind him immediately surrounded Lin Feng.
"Stop!"
Just then, Zhang Ruochen stepped forward, blocking in front of Lin Feng.
"Who are you? How dare you meddle in my affairs?" Wang Tian looked at Zhang Ruochen coldly.
"I am Zhang Ruochen. I don't care who you are, but if you want to hurt him, you'll have to get through me first," Zhang Ruochen said calmly.
"Hmph, you're asking for death. Attack!" Wang Tian shouted angrily.
The attendants immediately rushed at Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen's eyes turned cold, and his figure flickered as he met them head-on.
"Bang, bang, bang!"
In just a few breaths, all the attendants were knocked to the ground by Zhang Ruochen, groaning in pain.
"You... what kind of technique is this?" Wang Tian's face changed drastically, and he stepped back in fear.
"Get lost," Zhang Ruochen said coldly.
"You... just wait for me!"
Wang Tian glared at Zhang Ruochen hatefully, then turned and fled.
After Wang Tian left, Lin Feng stepped forward and bowed deeply to Zhang Ruochen.
"Thank you for saving my life, sir. I, Lin Feng, am forever grateful."
"No need to be so polite. I just couldn't stand by and do nothing," Zhang Ruochen said with a wave of his hand.
"Sir, you have offended Wang Tian. He will definitely seek revenge. You should leave the Yunwu Commandery quickly," Lin Feng said worriedly.
"Don't worry, I can handle him," Zhang Ruochen said calmly.
Seeing Zhang Ruochen so confident, Lin Feng didn't say much more. He just reminded him to be careful before leaving with his servant.
After Lin Feng left, Zhang Ruochen also turned and walked away.
But as he walked, a faint, meaningful smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Wang Tian, son of the city lord? Interesting."
...
At the same time, in the city lord's mansion.
Wang Tian knelt in the main hall, his face pale with fear.
"Father, that Zhang Ruochen is too arrogant. He not only injured my men but also insulted you. You must make the decision for me," Wang Tian said, looking at the middle-aged man sitting at the head of the hall.
The middle-aged man was the city lord of Yunwu Commandery, Wang Lie.
Wang Lie's face was gloomy as he slowly spoke, "Zhang Ruochen? The son of the former city lord, Zhang Lin?"
"That's right, it's him," Wang Tian quickly replied.
"Hmph, a mere brat dares to act recklessly in my Yunwu Commandery? It seems he doesn't know his place," Wang Lie said coldly.
"Father, we must teach him a lesson, or he won't know the consequences," Wang Tian said, adding fuel to the fire.
"Don't worry, I have my own plans," Wang Lie said, a flicker of cunning flashing in his eyes.
"Go, keep an eye on him. If he tries anything, report to me immediately."
"Yes, Father."
Wang Tian responded, then respectfully withdrew.
Watching his son leave, Wang Lie's eyes grew deep and unfathomable.
"Zhang Ruochen... interesting. I'd like to see what kind of skills you have."