As Ye Qingchen secluded himself, the matter at Netherworld Mountain did not settle down. Returning to the Martial Arts Arena, Zhou Yuntian directly led a large group to sweep Netherworld Mountain.
Without the leadership of the Jiao Demon King, Zhou Yuntian handled the ordinary demons as easily as chopping vegetables. Unfortunately, even after turning Netherworld Mountain upside down, no clues about the mastermind were found.
Learning of this, Ye Qingchen, though silent, grew ever more certain that the mastermind might be hiding within Abyssal Valley in Tongxuan Continent.
This time, the seclusion lasted only three days.
Ye Qingchen emerged hastily from seclusion.
Regarding the last technique of the Stone Wall Four Styles, he was still completely baffled.
Upon knowing this, Qin Wentian laughed and comforted him, "In the path of cultivation, there must be relaxation as well as tension. Excessive strenuous training might have counterproductive effects."
"It’s been three months since I witnessed the stone wall martial arts, but the last technique..." Ye Qingchen frowned.
Qin Wentian laughed heartily, "You must know, even the True Martial Sect Leader, after multiple stone wall observations, only comprehended one Earth Rank Lower Grade Martial Technique! And you?"
Wind Follow Style, Mystic Rank Top-grade Light Skill!
Fierce Wind Style, Earth Rank Lower Grade Palm Technique!
Breaking Wind Style, Peak Earth Grade Lower Sword Technique!
"The final, yet unenlightened style must be a heaven-shaking technique, so don’t be anxious." Qin Wentian chuckled while handing over an invitation, "Seven days later, the royal family will host a Martial Arts Exchange Conference. They might even display a few Earth Grade cultivation techniques. You could observe and possibly gain enlightenment."
Ye Qingchen opened the invitation and looked.
It was sent by Chu Yao, the venue being at White Cloud Manor.
Ye Qingchen had heard of White Cloud Manor too. Known for its elegant environment, those who enter are naturally wealthy or noble.
"Alright, I’ll attend the banquet in seven days!" Ye Qingchen nodded.
In the following days.
Ye Qingchen did not plan to train further but fully relaxed.
After all.
Since acquiring the Nine Heavens Palace, it had been nearly a year. He had been rigorously training every moment. The nerves were tense, more is less.
Thus, he only took out one hour a day to train the Stellar Chapter of the Nine Revolutions Star Technique, honing star power.
As for the rest of the time, he roamed Taotian Peak’s scenic spots, completely relaxing both body and mind, until all accumulated negative emotions, stress, and worries were released.
On the seventh day.
Ye Qingchen brought along Hong Man, Jiang Churan, and Ye Qing to White Cloud Manor.
Handing the invitation to the guarding guards, they were led inside.
As it was still early.
So.
Ye Qingchen and the others strolled around inside.
Indeed, the environment within White Cloud Manor was truly elegant; strange rocks by serene springs, swaying bamboo groves, picturesque scenery, and vibrant spiritual qi, truly a rare treasure land.
"Ye Qingchen?"
At this moment.
A surprised voice came.
Ye Qingchen quickly turned to see Chu Yao, dressed in splendid attire, standing outside the courtyard with a joyful look at them.
"When I sent the invitation, Elder Qin said you were secluded. I thought you wouldn’t come!"
Outside the courtyard, Chu Yao was both surprised and delighted.
"With the princess inviting, how could I not come?" Ye Qingchen laughed.
"Greetings, Princess!"
Hong Man, Jiang Churan, and Ye Qing quickly greeted.
"We’re all friends, no need to be so formal." Chu Yao blushed slightly, studying Ye Qingchen earnestly. When she first met him, he was just an unknown youngster, but now he was a young hero renown across Cyan Continent.
"Chu Yao sister, could it be you like my brother?" Ye Qing asked, seeing Chu Yao staring unblinkingly.
"What nonsense!" Chu Yao was flustered, being confronted with her secret, urgently changing the subject, "By the way, how are your cultivations? Tonight, experts will gather. There are many skilled arrivals from elsewhere! How about you demonstrate?"
Before her words fell, Hong Man nodded heavily, looking at Ye Qingchen, "Ye Qingchen, I’ve long wanted to challenge you, hold back a little later!"
"Alright!"
Ye Qingchen chuckled in response.
"Here I come!"
Hong Man laughed loudly, pouncing straight ahead, arms like a bear hugging a tree, wrestling forcefully. With his strength, even a thousand-year-old tree would likely be snapped.
"Not bad!"
Ye Qingchen nodded slightly.
Hong Man had good aptitude; with Qin Wentian’s guidance and Kong Shun’s elixir nurturing, his cultivation had reached the Spiritual Sea Eighth Heaven, comparable to Lei Qianjue and others of the past.
He’s even starting to approach the likes of Lu Changsheng, Zhu Yun.
However.
Ye Qingchen raised his hand casually, easily blocking Hong Man’s grab.
"Again!"
Knowing the huge disparity, Hong Man dared not be overly confident, drawing his hands, with the Coiling Dragon Staff in hand, manifesting as countless staff shadows, aiming at Ye Qingchen.
Ye Qingchen stood unmoving, merely extending his jade-like right hand, sealing all Hong Man’s attacks.
"I’ll join in too!"
Seeing them aptly engaged, Jiang Churan couldn’t resist, drawing her sword with a buzzing sound. Instantly, the courtyard filled with chilling air, bamboo leaves covered in frost.
Once the sword was drawn, coldness enveloped.
Several chills shot towards Ye Qingchen.
"Excellent!"
Ye Qingchen couldn’t help but praise.
Jiang Churan’s prowess surpassed Hong Man slightly, especially having recently grasped seven or eight Ice Sword Intents like ’Frost Sword Intent’ and ’Ice Condensation Sword Intent’, weaker rivals would probably have their blood frozen.
However.
Even against the two combined, Ye Qingchen was at ease.
Though at Profound Pill First Heaven, Ye Qingchen’s strength far exceeded them, potentially defeating them with a single strike.
But.
To evaluate their depths, Ye Qingchen suppressed his power to Spiritual Sea Ninth Heaven; still, he effortlessly dominated.
After over a hundred moves.
Ye Qingchen lightly waved his palm.
"Pa!"
A loud boom.
At once.
The sword and staff shadows vanished into nothingness.
Hong Man and Jiang Churan felt a surging force overwhelming, bodies knocked off balance, trembling, retreating several steps.
"We’ve lost!"
Hong Man and Jiang Churan withheld their weapons, speaking in unison.
Yet.
They weren’t downcast, as Ye Qingchen was the strongest young genius of Celestial Peak Country and Cyan Continent, losing to him wasn’t disgraceful.
Moreover, Ye Qingchen pointed out flaws during the duel. Incorporating this battle into their practice, they would be even stronger.
"My brother won!"
Ye Qing exclaimed excitedly.
Chu Yao also nodded repeatedly, "Ye Qingchen, your skills are indeed impressive! Tonight’s Martial Arts Exchange Conference, your strength will surely shine."
Ye Qingchen smiled faintly, indifferent.
He cared little for the conference, merely here to relax and glimpse some Earth Grade martial techniques.
However.
Just then.
A mocking voice suddenly came:
"Shine? Him? A Profound Pill First Heaven kid? That’s laughable, in my eyes, they’re nothing but riffraff easily crushed!"
Ye Qingchen frowned upon hearing, looking up.
The others followed the sound.
Outside the courtyard, stood a group, their presence dignified, aura solid and refined, carrying swords—they were evidently experts.
Speaking was a leading silver-robed youth.
More disdainful, gaze arrogant as he looked at Ye Qingchen!