Arrogant!

Gao Mingchuan felt his heart fill with anger, the blood vessels in his forehead pulsating.

For the sake of his descendants’ future, he could put aside his dignity and humbly ask for help. However, his pride as a martial artist prevented him from tolerating such humiliation.

How dare this brat look down on me!

He was absolutely treating him as a nonentity.

Gao Mingchuan had been renowned for many years, even Huo Chengkun wouldn’t dare be so arrogant.

A young rascal in his early twenties, who only broke through to third grade three months ago, didn’t even consider him at all.

Fine!

Very well!

A trace of coldness flashed in Gao Mingchuan’s eyes. Initially, he planned to let it pass, end it in a draw, maintaining the little guy’s dignity without hurting his own reputation.

Now, he changed his mind, determined to teach this young man a lesson, making him aware of his prowess.

"Here I come!"

At this moment, Chen Ming also made his move, a common maneuver called Green Pine Welcoming Guest.

Gao Mingchuan, gripping two short sabers which appeared without warning, seized an opening and twisted his blade backhandedly. This strike was exceedingly swift, poised to wrench the weapon from Chen Ming’s grasp.

"Good!"

Suddenly, Chen Ming called out and withdrew his hand, evading that precisely aimed and fierce twist.

Gao Mingchuan was somewhat surprised; this young man had some skills.

Just as this thought crossed his mind, a scorching presence directly assailed his face.

"What?"

His hair stood on end; the power of this sword was so strong it made him realize he was up against a formidable foe. Without daring to confront it directly and without thinking, he rolled on the ground, narrowly evading it.

Gao Mingchuan was just about to get up when Chen Ming’s second sword attack arrived.

This sword sealed off all paths for retreat.

Moreover, the sword carried burning True Qi that shocked him to the extreme. This clearly was an exceptionally advanced Inner Power True Qi, likely the direct heritage of a major sect.

At this point, Gao Mingchuan couldn’t evade anymore, lifting both sabers, exerting his lifelong power, and forcefully blocking.

With a resounding clang.

Chen Ming felt a tremendous force surge forward, being thrown back, involuntarily retreating more than ten meters before coming to a halt.

He thought, "Such profound power. I should avoid direct confrontation."

He intended to advance again, when suddenly Gao Mingchuan spoke, "My little brother, your swordsmanship is superb, I concede defeat to you."

What?

He admitted defeat already?

Chen Ming was taken aback, and then noticed a notification appearing, [You have defeated a level 47 enemy, gaining 5000 experience points]

Five thousand points, still a delightful surprise. It meant that by defeating twenty level 47 opponents, he would have a hundred thousand points.

In his eyes, Gao Mingchuan became much more agreeable; the old man was quite sensible.

Chen Ming said, "Old Gao is modest, your profound power I truly cannot match."

Gao Mingchuan’s face twitched slightly, feeling anger, thinking he was being ridiculed. He said no more, saluted with his hand, and turned to leave.

...

The Gao Mansion, with tall walls and deep courtyards, was far more impressive than the Chen Family.

This was the foundation of a family, requiring a buildup over time.

In the study in the back garden, a handsome young man paced back and forth in the room, like an ant on a hot pan, occasionally glancing outside the door.

Next to him sat a middle-aged man with a calm expression, "Hao’Er, sit down. At such a time, you must remain still. Your grandfather is going in person, I think that one named Chen will give some face."

"Yes, father."

Gao Chenghao returned to his seat but remained anxious, unable to calm himself down.

No wonder he was so anxious; the opportunity to become an apprentice under a Third-Grade expert was right before him. Missing it would leave lifelong regret.

He had been outstanding since childhood, belonging to the best among the young generation in Qingfeng City. Especially gifted in Saber Technique.

He broke through to seventh grade a year ago, initially planning to head to Jiangzhou after the New Year to apprentice under a Fourth-Grade expert in Sword Dao.

Unexpectedly, news came that two Third-Grade experts were accepting apprentices. He was overjoyed.

Becoming an apprentice to a Third-Grade expert would be such a fortunate opportunity!

Gao Chenghao immediately signed up, confident that his talent would surely be chosen by a senior with the golden saber.

As a result, he didn’t even pass the qualification for signing up.

Shocked and angry, he discovered that the person responsible for enrollment was none other than Chen Ming, younger than him, who had already reached sixth grade.

This Chen Ming, known for his narrow-mindedness, likely held a grudge from months ago when he visited him, and his grandfather avoided seeing him, creating obstacles to ruin his chance.

Gao Chenghao could only seek his grandfather.

Grandfather asked many to plead at the Chen Family, yet Chen Ming was indifferent. Helplessly, grandfather had to visit Chen Ming himself.

Worried that Chen Ming might refuse to meet, he went directly to visit him at night.

Gao Chenghao could only wait at home for news, unable to sit still due to anxiety.

Suddenly, he noticed a shadow outside the door and stood up excitedly, "He’s here."

Gao Father saw as well, similarly standing up and greeting him, indicating his heart wasn’t as calm as he appeared either.

Father and son soon realized something wasn’t right. Why did the shadow outside have somewhat unsteady steps?

"Grandpa!"

"Dad!"

At this moment, the person outside finally entered the room; it was Gao Mingchuan, with a flush on his face. He suddenly let out a black blood with a ’wah’ and fell into his son’s arms.

The two were greatly shocked, "Dad (Grandpa), who injured you?"

After spitting blood, Gao Mingchuan’s face turned from red to white. He grasped his son’s wrist forcefully and said weakly, "Don’t make a fuss... in the future, do not provoke that... Chen Ming... help me... sit up..."

The Gao family father and son were incredulous at his words.

Could it be, he was actually injured by Chen Ming?

In shock, they bumbled about and helped Gao Mingchuan sit up, watching as he sat cross-legged and exercised healing, his complexion gradually improving.

...

The Gao family father and son guarded the study overnight. It wasn’t until daylight that Gao Mingchuan recovered from his cultivation.

"Dad, are you alright?"

Gao Mingchuan sighed, "I’m afraid I’ll need ten days to half a month of recuperation to fully recover."

The father and son finally breathed a sigh of relief, "Dad, were you really injured by Chen Ming?"

A complex emotion flashed in Gao Mingchuan’s eyes, "The dominance of this boy’s True Qi is unmatched in my lifetime. Most likely a direct legacy from a major sect. This boy is hiding so deeply."

Last night, he only exchanged a single move with Chen Ming, yet that flame-like True Qi invaded his meridians; had he exercised cultivation to expel it immediately, it would have taken only half an hour. It wouldn’t have been so embarrassing.

However, he didn’t have the face to remain at Chen Mansion, forced himself to return home, and exerted his True Qi, leading to an internal injury.

Gao Mingchuan’s cultivation was the most ordinary cultivation technique, and naturally, his True Qi was also ordinary. Compared to a Seventh Grade Martial Artist, its power was formidable, able to easily crush.

But the quality of this True Qi, let alone compared to something like the Fiery Sun Divine Skill, even against first-rate cultivation techniques, is far inferior.

The highest his cultivation can reach is only to Fourth Grade, and even among second-rate techniques, it is at the bottom rung. Yet, even for such a technique, at the time, he found it to be a treasure.

Many Seventh Graders spend a lifetime unable to obtain it, wasting years.

Only upon reaching Sixth Grade can one see the vast gap between the bottom-tiered martial artist and the major sect’s direct legacy, akin to a chasm.

Gao Mingchuan grabbed Gao Chenghao’s wrist, "Hao’Er, you must succeed in apprenticing under Senior Gold Saber this time. The future of our Gao Family depends entirely on you!"

Gao Chenghao was filled with passion, "Grandpa, I will not fail in my mission!"

After a while, Gao Mingchuan suddenly said, "Also, spread the word that I went to beg Chen Ming last night to get Hao’Er entry qualification."

Gao Chenghao said in shock, "Grandpa, you mean..."

"I suppose I wasn’t the only one turned away by Chen Ming back then, right?"

...

...

After sunrise, at Ten Mile Pavilion, the recruitment was in full swing.

On the city gate’s tower, Zhao Shouchang, dressed in a blue robe, stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the long queue, smiling faintly, "Unexpectedly, this lad managed to stir up such a commotion."

Behind him stood two people, a man and a woman dressed in blue clothes, they were the two Fifth Grade Captains.

Their official rank was Fifth Grade, and both of their cultivation was at the peak of Fourth Grade.

Judging by age, both were in their thirties.

Li Guangjie snorted coldly, "It’s merely borrowing the influence of two Third Grade powerhouses. Without the cooperation of Guanglong Trading Company, what can he, a mere Sixth Grader, accomplish?"

Next to him, Du Caiyue said sarcastically, "What? Jealous? Indeed, he has the same ordinary background as you. Broke through Sixth Grade a few years earlier than you. Naturally, you can’t find him pleasing to the eye."

Li Guangjie sneered coldly, not refuting.

He knew, if he said one word, Du Caiyue would retort back with ten. The wisest action was not to respond.

Zhao Shouchang ignored the bickering of his two subordinates and said, "With so many martial artists gathering in Qingfeng City, the Blood Demon Sect will not hold back for long. Keep a close watch."

"Yes."

The two responded attentively.

As they were speaking, a white figure ascended the tower. This person was graceful, walking without a trace of worldly dust, impeccably clean, carrying a long sword.

Her face was covered with a veil, obscuring her appearance, revealing only a pair of ethereal eyes, now showing a hint of killing intent, "Zhao Shouchang, where have you coaxed my master to?"

Even facing a Third-Grade Admiral, she was fearless.

Li Guangjie’s expression darkened, his gaze fierce, he shouted, "Bold! How dare you be disrespectful to Lord Admiral!"

Du Caiyue’s face also turned gloomy, ready to capture the person at Zhao Shouchang’s command.

Zhao Shouchang waved his hand, saying, "You two leave first."

"Yes."

The two retreated, knowing well that with the master’s strength, this disciple of the Celestial Dao Alliance could not harm him.

After they left, Zhao Shouchang maintained his normal expression, "Miss Su, I can only tell you, your master went to confront a formidable enemy. He didn’t tell you for your own good. With your strength, you’d only be a burden to your master if you went."

The killing intent in the eyes of the woman in white gradually faded. She said faintly, "Nice tactic, Zhao. But, you likely don’t know, this time, the Blood Demon Sect sent a Demon Child. With the master absent, you’ll have to handle it alone."

After finishing speaking, she turned around and left.

Demon Child?

Zhao Shouchang’s gaze slightly flickered.

In the Longevity Sect, a Demon Child typically refers to someone who has received the true legacy of the Demon Skill, usually with cultivation not exceeding First Grade. Exceeding First Grade, one can be called a Demon Lord.

Such Demon Child, in any generation, often has several or even more than ten, and the one who survives ultimately can obtain the complete Demon Skill.

PS: A little later, the word count increased. Requesting monthly votes.