BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
Before the first Jade Cauldron could even land, Long Chen kicked away the second, then the third, the fourth... and finally the seventh!
This scene left everyone utterly stunned. However, what Long Chen did next made their jaws drop.
The seven Jade Cauldrons fell one after another, only for Long Chen to catch and stack them all, supporting their entire weight with a single finger!
"Good heavens! Is Long Chen’s aptitude really that formidable?"
"He’s holding up seven cauldrons with just one finger!"
The crowd was aghast, staring at Long Chen on the stage as if he were a god.
"Impossible!" Su Miaoyu’s face turned ashen, her body trembling involuntarily.
The Su Family members were collectively dumbstruck, refusing to believe their eyes. That Long Chen still possessed such terrifying aptitude, even after losing his Emperor Meridians, filled them with both shock and envy. Especially the Long Family traitor, Long Yu, who was grinding his teeth so hard it seemed they might shatter.
"Chen Yao, I didn’t lie to you, did I? You’ve really found a treasure this time," Ling Yan said, her beautiful eyes twinkling as she watched Long Chen.
Beside her, Chen Yao, who had already crushed the armrest of her chair, shot up and began to clap. "Excellent! Long Chen, I’m definitely taking you in!"
"Young Clan Leader!" The Long Family Members were overcome with excitement, some even shedding tears of joy. They knew that with the protection of Steward Chen Yao from the Human Institute, Long Chen would live, and the Long Family would not be annihilated. More importantly, this meant their Young Clan Leader, Long Chen, still had a boundless future even without his Emperor Meridians!
After all, not even Su Miaoyu, the one who had obtained the Emperor Meridians, could lift the Seventh Cauldron with ease. Yet, Long Chen had not only lifted it effortlessly but was supporting all seven with a single finger!
"My brother is just that outstanding!" Long Xin gazed at Long Chen on the stage, her admiration and infatuation on full display.
Lifting seven Jade Cauldrons effortlessly, and with just one finger...
Suddenly, Chu Lingjun made an offer. "Long Chen, your aptitude surely surpasses that of a Warlord. You will surpass a Warlord in a year at most! On behalf of the Martial Ancestor Heavenly Court, I invite you to train in the Heaven Institute. The position of Junior Institute Master will be yours, and you will have unlimited access to our resources. What do you say?"
Her words made everyone’s breath catch in their throats. Not only was Steward Chen Yao of the Human Institute trying to recruit him, but now even Chu Lingjun, the strongest disciple of the most powerful Heaven Institute, was making a terrifying offer! However, what truly stunned them was her declaration: "You will surpass a Warlord in a year at most!" Not even Su Miaoyu, with her Emperor Meridians, had received such a high evaluation!
"Big Brother Shangguan, is what she said true?" Su Miaoyu asked, her expression dazed and unwilling to believe it.
Shangguan Ming’s face was grim. "It’s true," he said in a low voice. "But you must not be discouraged. Remember, you possess the Emperor Meridians! You only lack the time to fully integrate with them. Your future will undoubtedly be stronger than his—stronger than anyone’s! From ancient times to now, the Emperor Meridians have always represented the pinnacle of aptitude. That will never change! You are destined to become the strongest in the world!"
Hearing this, Su Miaoyu snapped back to her senses. Her gaze grew firm, and pride returned to her face. Just as Shangguan Ming had said, the Emperor Meridians were the strongest aptitude known throughout history. As long as she achieved perfect integration, she would surely become the world’s most powerful expert!
Su Miaoyu narrowed her eyes, a cold glint flashing within them. It doesn’t matter what kind of constitution he has to possess such aptitude. I will simply kill him during the martial duel later! Then, all of this will vanish like smoke and clouds!
"Exactly," Shangguan Ming nodded. "No matter how great his aptitude is, he’s no match for you! Your Martial Arts Realm is far beyond his!"
At that moment, Long Chen gently set down the seven Jade Cauldrons. He then turned to Chu Lingjun and cupped his fist. "My apologies, but I have decided to train in the Human Institute!"
His declaration stunned everyone, including Chu Lingjun herself. Within a ten-thousand-mile radius, who didn’t know the power of the Heaven Institute? Even the Earth Institute had to bow before it! Yet Long Chen had actually refused Chu Lingjun’s invitation? He had forsaken the chance to become the Junior Institute Master of the Heaven Institute and all its vast resources?
"I truly wish to know why," Chu Lingjun asked, frowning in confusion.
Long Chen slowly turned to Ling Yan and Chen Yao. "Executive Ling had Steward Chen invite me, and they offered their protection first. I, Long Chen, cannot be ungrateful."
Chu Lingjun was taken aback once more. She stared deeply at Long Chen and said, "I admire your loyalty. However, if you insist on joining the Human Institute, you will find it very difficult to survive today. With your current Martial Arts Realm, you are no match for Su Miaoyu. But if you join the Heaven Institute, I can destroy the Su Family for you!"
"What?!"
Everyone’s eyes went wide, scarcely believing what they had just heard. Chu Lingjun was actually willing to personally act and promised to help Long Chen annihilate the Su Family?
At this, the entire Su Family was gripped by terror. Some of them collapsed to the ground, their hearts filled with the ashes of despair. Even Shangguan Ming was afraid, staring at Chu Lingjun in disbelief. No one could understand why Chu Lingjun valued Long Chen so highly.