They reported the next ten-odd disciplesâ results, whose prey were all soldier level beasts; only the number differed. The situation remained the same until it was Jiang Jianâs turn.
âSixteen soldier level beasts, and one general level beast.â
Jiang Jian looked pretty proud of himself when he heard his achievement, and received great attention as he had expected. Everyone was excited at the news since a general level beast was still beyond reach for them. They didnât even dare provoke such a beast.
But Jiang Jian had killed one! Although it was possible that he did it in collaboration with others, it was him to whom people attributed this feat. It was natural that he would get more awards when he went back.
In this way, Jiang Jian ranked first.
The process continued when the noise finally died away. Jiang Chen became the center of attention when it was his turn. Jiang Jian whistled and smirked. âJiang Chen looks like a mess, as if he had had three desperate fights. I canât wait to know his result.â
âHe might just have rolled on the ground,â Jiang Jun, who was punched by Jiang Chen earlier, said sarcastically. The disciples of the west courtyard burst into laughter on hearing him speak, which sounded harsh.
In the meantime, the disciples of the east courtyard lowered their heads. On their faces appeared a mixed expression which was difficult to read. The two guards who had protected Jiang Chen looked at each other. Then one of them took one step ahead and reported seriously, âTwenty soldier level beasts and five general level beasts!â
The smirks on many peopleâs faces were frozen instantly. They couldnât believe what they had just heard. But the guards sounded so sonorous and forceful. They couldnât be wrong.
The news set everyone on fire. The achievement of killing twenty soldier level beasts was already amazing, but it was neglected. What excited people was the second part of the guardâs report.
Five! Five general level beasts! What does that mean? It was already amazing that Jiang Jian killed one general level beast in collaboration with others. But Jiang Chen killed five general level beasts alone! It was unimaginable.
âItâs impossible. The Wind Move Guard must have helped him. Otherwise it is impossibleâŚâ Before Jiang Jian could finish this sentence, he had already felt the severe look from the Second Elder and other guards. He realized how inappropriate his words were and shut up immediately.
However, he was unwilling to throw in the towel, since his father was expecting great news from him. He approached challenging him in a new way. âJiang Chen, do you dare take a punch from me? You killed five general level beasts, so I suppose you shouldnât be afraid of my punch.â
The atmosphere became awkward. The disciples looked at Jiang Jian confusedly. The difference between two cloud levels was as much as a bullâs force. Especially when it came to palm against palm, Jiang Chen was in an unfavorable situation. Jiang Jian was obviously being a bully, and he knew that. Thatâs why he didnât say that this was a contest.
Many who were as doubtful as Jiang Jian about Jiang Chenâs achievement looked over to him, curious to see whether he would take the challenge. It looked like that if Jiang Chen denied, his achievement would be questioned and his effort of that day would be totally wasted.
âFine. Iâll take a punch from you.â
Jiang Jian was sneering inside. If he won by this punch, he would get the chance to make a fuss. âDonât worry. I wonât make too much of an effort.â
âWell, you should.â
âDonât try to bluff me.â
Jiang Jian jumped into the air and flew over to Jiang Chen, throwing a haymaker. As soon as his vigorous genuine Qi started to function, all grass and leaves along his way were blown down.
Jiang Chen started to attack at the same time. Both the guards and the Second Elder found the air stirred by Jiang Chenâs arms very unusual. It was whirling. They didnât understand why.
Bang!
When their two palms hit against each other, the complacent expression on Jiang Jianâs face was frozen instantly, and then he turned pale. The next thing he knew, he was thrown into the air.
The result was decided in just one punch, but it was Jiang Jian who lost. Why? Why had the one in the lower cloud level won? Many rubbed their eyes to make sure what they saw was real. When they found it was real, they were left speechless.
Jiang Chen smiled. That was the power of spiral Qi.
Jiang Jian wasnât injured. He continued their war of words after he got up. âNo big deal. You have been able to beat me since long ago. Youâve had no progress at all.â
âWell, better than you. Iâll break your legs if you break into the east courtyard again!â Jiang Chen scolded.
Jiang Jian said coldly with a livid face, âYou can only show off here. Thatâs all. You wonât get so lucky when the spring festival comes.â
âYou think so?â
Jiang Chen didnât take it seriously, which made Jiang Jian angry. However, it did matter to Jiang Chen, although he pretended it didnât. Among these disciples, Jiang Jian was in the highest level. If that represented the best ability of the new generation of the Jiang Mansion, they wouldnât be able to survive in the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
The thing was, those elder excellent disciples were no longer hanging out with these babies. They were having adventures in the Hundred Thousand Mountains and had found some fame. For example, Jiang Jianâs brother, who was one of them, was studying in Cangnan Institution in the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
The winter hunt signified the start of winter. A few months later it would be the spring festival. The travelling disciples would all return by then. In addition, many strong men who were travelling around would come to the Jiang Mansion to join the celebration.
That was why Jiang Jian was so arrogant. Even though Jiang Chen could have gone back to Cloud Nine by then, he hadnât had any real progress in the past year.
Looks I have to try harder.
The winter hunt wasnât enough to reignite his grandpaâs confidence in the east courtyard. Jiang Chen had to do better.
The spring festival would be the best opportunity.
There are still three months left. It should be easy for me to achieve the Gathering Yuan State by combining the use of a method and the holy pulse. Jiang Jianâs face will be funny then.
âŚ
Jiang Chen felt great on his way back. It was an amazing thing to acquire othersâ admiration and respect by displaying your actual strength. He didnât rush to go back to the east courtyard. Instead, he decided to wander about downtown.
He hadnât paid much attention to this place since he arrived in the Nine Heavens Continent. But Jiang Chen had travelled to many places in the Sacred Zone and had seen many brilliant and rare landscapes. This small mountain town didnât look interesting to him at all.
âChild Chen.â
âChild Chen.â
He didnât realize he was already in the east courtyardâs area until more and more people on the streets were greeting him. No matter what happened to the east courtyard, there were always some kindhearted people who respected him sincerely.
That was because his father was a great man. The east courtyard had earned a lot of money during these years, but the taxes they levied on citizens was the lowest, which was almost a miracle.
âChild Chen, the west courtyard is making a scene in the Holy Clothing Shop. Would you like to go and have a look?â
âOh, really?â
The west courtyard kept making all kinds of excuses to take over the east courtyardâs properties. Jiang Chen was informed of this, but hadnât seen it in person. So he went to the Holy Clothing Shop. As expected, many people were gathered outside of the shop. Quarrels could be heard from outside.
âLi Hong, what are you up to? This is the east courtyardâs shop. Why should you people take it over?â It was Fan Tuâs voice. It was difficult not to identify his loud voice.
Li Hong? He is one of the stewards of the west courtyard. He and Fan Tu are enemies. Jiang Chen knew this wouldnât end well.
The Holy Clothing Shop was a clothing shop, not to be belittled. It possessed several textile dyeing factories. All clothing textiles in the Southwind Ridge came from this shop. The winter had come. People would need to buy new clothes. It was expected that the business would keep growing during the next a few months. The west courtyard chose this occasion to scramble for it, so that they could kill the goose that laid the golden egg.