Chapter 152: Chapter 129: Focus of Attention (3)

Gao Yimu reminded.

“I’m not very talented, so I wouldn’t dare compare myself to everyone here, much less talk about surpassing you all.”

Chu Lingguang said earnestly.

“Then how many bloodlines have you opened?”

Qi Shiwei asked.

Hearing this, Emperor Yue Xuan turned to go back inside.

The Roar of Bai Chuan was the sign of having opened every bloodline in the body. Qi Shiwei didn’t understand, but he knew exactly what it meant.

Chen Jin also turned to leave. His insight was no less than Emperor Yue Xuan’s.

“Are you just trying to hide your true strength from us?”

Seeing Chu Lingguang stammer, Gao Yimu snorted coldly.

“I’ve opened all of them.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Chu Lingguang had no choice but to answer honestly. Then, he too quickly went inside.

Gao Yimu and Qi Shiwei stood frozen in place.

“The Roar of Bai Chuan is the sign of having opened every bloodline. Did no one ever tell you that?”

Hu Yanlin, second on the North City Rankings, swaggered between the two, shaking his head.

“It would’ve been better if he hadn’t told us.”

Gao Yimu said numbly.

“If he’s opened all his bloodlines, what’s going to happen in the later matches?”

Qi Shiwei stood frozen in place.

With only nine people left in the Inner Courtyard, there were enough large beds for everyone. Chu Lingguang finally didn’t have to hide in a corner. As he lay down to rest, his status as a Lower-class Youth made the two Noble Family Descendants beside him frown. However, the thought that he had opened all his bloodlines and would undoubtedly escape his Humble Family background in the future made them change their tune. They accepted his presence, no longer concerned that sleeping next to a Lower-class Youth was beneath their station.

「Outside the Academy.」

An undercurrent was stirring.

After escorting the examinees to the Academy, Fan Zhibian hadn’t left the Qiling Governor’s Mansion. Instead, he had taken up temporary residence there. He wanted to be the first to learn about the training progress of the few promising youths he had his eye on.

He also wanted to use this opportunity to bring Emperor Yue Xuan under his wing.

Right then, he and Emperor Yue Xuan’s father, Yue Yuanshan, were in a tavern by the Academy’s lake, catching up.

Fan Zhibian said, “This year’s Martial Arts Examination has produced many heroes, but from what I know, Nephew Yue is the top examinee from the Qiling Governor’s Mansion. His talent is every bit as impressive as Yan Zhen’s.”

“You flatter him, Lord Fan,” Yue Yuanshan said with a quick smile. “I heard a Lower-class Youth named Chu Lingguang appeared in South City. He defeated Yan Chengdu to take the top rank. His talent might be on par with my son’s.”

“Hahaha, Mr. Yue, you know as well as I do that he’s just a Lower-class Youth. How could his talent possibly compare to Nephew Yue’s? As for Yan Chengdu… hmph. He only ran off to South City because he was afraid he wouldn’t make the top ten in the Jin City Martial Arts Examination. To think he ended up being defeated by a Lower-class Youth… He has utterly disgraced the Yan Family,” Fan Zhibian said with a look of utter disdain.

“From what I understand, Lord Fan, you personally brought Chu Lingguang here. You must know his abilities better than anyone.”

Yue Yuanshan asked. Of course, he didn’t actually believe Emperor Yue Xuan could lose to Chu Lingguang; he was just making small talk. Chu Lingguang’s status as a Lower-class Youth had stirred up a lot of controversy lately, and since Fan Zhibian was the one who had brought him, Yue Yuanshan decided to raise the topic.

“He’s merely average,” Fan Zhibian said with complete confidence. “If I’m not mistaken, when the news arrives shortly, you will see that Chu Lingguang has been assigned to the Outer Courtyard.”

“You are right, my lord. A Lower-class Youth would have no opportunity to learn an Advanced Breathing Method. Expecting him to activate the Day and Night Breathing Technique in just ten days is indeed asking too much.”

Yue Yuanshan nodded noncommittally.

“Feng Junyi thought he’d found a prize talent and came to gloat in front of me. I wonder if he’ll get to see the news from the Academy when it comes out.”

Fan Zhibian was still brooding over the matter.

Chu Lingguang and Lin Longde were both from Feng Junyi’s faction. He refused to believe those two could best the likes of Chen Jin while training at the Academy.

In the taverns lining the lake, people were keeping a close watch on the Academy.

After one month of intensive training at the Academy, any examinee who distinguished themselves would be granted a great opportunity by the Court, helping them advance further on their Martial Arts path.

People from all regions were monitoring the situation at the Academy.

The Qiling Governor’s Mansion was no exception.

In the tavern next door, Yan Zhen was also awaiting news.

Dressed plainly, Yang Shaorong lingered by the lake with Wang Chao and the others. Their only junior brother was now training at the Academy, and they weren’t hoping for him to cause a major stir. They just prayed that Chu Lingguang wouldn’t be ostracized or targeted because of his status as a Lower-class Youth.

They themselves all came from Humble Families.

The wealthiest among them had started out only slightly better off than Hei Hu’s family. They all knew from personal experience that until a Lower-class Youth possessed sufficient strength, it was nearly impossible to integrate into the circles of the Noble Families and easy to become a target.

Guo Wei had sent a letter instructing Yang Shaorong to closely monitor the Academy and send word by carrier pigeon the moment anything happened.

“My Lord.”

“The news is out.”

Just then, one of Fan Zhibian’s deputies entered the private room, holding a scroll.

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