Inside the carriage, Su Zhining, clad in white garments as pure as snow, sat across from Chen Ming, her deep and clear eyes fixated on him, never shifting away.

Chen Ming had long noticed her gaze, discreetly closing the panel, and asked without showing any emotion, "Why does Miss Su look at me like this?"

"Your progress is much faster than I expected."

Su Zhining’s tone remained icy, though her exquisite eyes still focused on him.

Chen Ming laughed, "Miss wouldn’t have waited until today to realize that I am a martial arts prodigy."

Su Zhining said, "I have a martial uncle known as a peerless genius once in a century. It took him a year to advance from Fifth Grade to Fourth Grade. With your current progress, you may need less than six months to break into Fourth Grade."

"Miss is overestimating me."

Chen Ming’s smile was slightly forced, inwardly cursing the trouble.

Su Zhining followed him every day. To avoid exposing his secret, he had to spend time practicing inner strength daily, perhaps revealing some truth during his training.

He tried his best to average out his experience points, sometimes dividing them several times a day to make the increase in True Qi seem less abrupt.

Even so, his progress was still too fast, too exceptional.

Chen Ming knew who she was referring to, the one ranked tenth on the Celestial List in the World’s First Pavilion’s "World Ranking," was from the Celestial Dao Alliance.

Beside him was a comment that read, "A peerless genius once in a century, shocked the world by reaching the Celestial List at thirty."

During this time, Chen Ming had been sparring daily with Fifth Grades from Shang’an Trading Company, accumulating over eleven hundred thousand experience points in a month and a half.

He spent forty thousand points on the "Vermilion Bird Swordsmanship." If he added everything to the "Yin Yang True Skill," it would be even more terrifying.

This kind of opportunity is not frequently available.

Their sea voyage would take two or three months, or even up to half a year. There was such a long gap.

Luckily, there was soon a battle for the Cyan Cloud Ranking, where he could gather more experience points. Otherwise, if his progress slowed down in the coming months, with no improvement, Su Zhining would definitely become suspicious.

Chen Ming decisively changed the subject, "Speaking of which, Miss, will you participate in this Cyan Cloud Ranking? If not, it would be truly lacking."

"Such disputes over false reputations are of no benefit to martial artists. Many conflicts in the world arise because of this. The World’s First Pavilion’s actions can be said to disrupt the world."

Seeing the hatred in her eyes when she mentioned the World’s First Pavilion, Chen Ming wondered if she would tear down the pavilion once she gained enough strength.

...

Seven days later, Jiangzhou City arrived, a bigger city than Qingfeng City, its grand city gate bearing the marks of time.

It is said that this city gate was built over a thousand years ago, with a long history.

Entering the gate, Chen Ming sensed the city’s completely different atmosphere compared to Qingfeng City.

Qingfeng City is a new and youthful city, more commercial.

Whereas Jiangzhou City feels heavier, the pace slower, with more leisurely pedestrians and a higher ratio of martial artists.

Of course, this relates to the impending Cyan Cloud Ranking competition. Aside from those vying for the ranking, many came just to watch the excitement.

After entering the city, Chen Ming began observing this city.

On the other side, Feng Siyuan was bidding farewell to two friends encountered on the road, "Farewell, Brother Jiang, I wish you success and fame in the Cyan Cloud Ranking."

Brother Jiang was a handsome young man with extraordinary demeanor, bowing to Feng Siyuan and saying, "Thanks for the good wishes, my friend."

Then, the two parted ways.

After Brother Jiang’s carriage went far, Feng Siyuan boarded Chen Ming’s carriage, angrily cursing, "What a nonsense. Just the leftover shadow of Meng Clan, yet he looks down on people so much."

He was defending Chen Ming’s honor.

This morning, Feng Siyuan encountered Jiang Family’s carriage along the way, and recognizing them, stopped to greet them, traveling together.

The Jiang Family is one of the three great families in Jiangzhou, with a long history.

Jiang Shihua, the most outstanding young talent of the Jiang Family, had already reached Fifth Grade at twenty, and at twenty-three, was likely close to Fourth Grade, a strong contender for the Cyan Cloud Ranking.

This man, born into a top family with such remarkable talent, naturally had lofty pride. Even though Feng Siyuan was a member of the Feng Family, not particularly promising, he could still establish connections.

But upon hearing Feng Siyuan introduce that friend, Jiang Shihua found neither family nor sect, so he didn’t bother to associate.

Feng Siyuan was upset with Jiang Shihua’s disdain towards his friend, not giving any respect, but dared not express his anger in person.

Once Jiang Shihua left, he came to Chen Ming lamenting Jiang Shihua.

Chen Ming found it amusing; wouldn’t this mean he was insulting himself too?

He consoled, "It’s normal for the Jiang Family, a millennium family, to be prideful. If I had such a background, I’d be even more arrogant."

Feng Siyuan saw that Chen Ming was not angry at all, and instead was comforting him, and exclaimed, "Chen brother has a broad heart, I can’t compare."

Chen Ming laughed, "If getting upset every time someone looked down on me, then on the Cyan Cloud Ranking day, wouldn’t I be angered to death?"

In this world, people like Jiang Shihua are the majority. It’s predictably certain that after he takes the stage, those from noble families and sects definitely won’t think highly of him.

Because he is neither from a noble family nor has a sect.

Feng Siyuan suddenly chuckled, "Now I’m looking forward to the day Jiang Shihua faces you on the arena. You must give him a real lesson."

Chen Ming laughed, "You do have confidence in me."

"Naturally, Chen brother, your cultivation has advanced dramatically over the past few years, I’ve seen it with my own eyes. In terms of talent, how can that self-important Jiang Shihua compare to you? I believe you can definitely beat him so soundly he’ll lose his way."

...

On the other side, inside the Jiang family’s carriage sat a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl, whose face flashed with a hint of mockery, "Seventh brother, you’ve met that boy named Chen, how do you feel about him?"

"Just so-so."

Jiang Shihua’s expression seemed calm, but the shred of jealousy in his eyes was unmistakable to his sister.

Jiang Yingxue laughed, "Since sister Xiyan sees him differently, he must possess some skills. I’ve heard he broke through from the sixth grade to fifth grade in less than half a year. He must be here in Jiangzhou City for the Cyan Cloud Ranking. Perhaps he might be a formidable rival to you, seventh brother."

Jiang Shihua sneered, "People are ignorant, only parroting rumors and spreading falsehoods. Trusting the rumor of reaching fifth grade from sixth in half a year? Qingfeng City consists of traders who always exaggerate. Do you believe such words, ninth sister?"

Jiang Yingxue seemed to enjoy seeing him lose composure, her eyes squinted with laughter, appearing quite pleased, "Sister Xiyan always knows what she’s doing, perhaps she wants to replicate our grandaunt’s past deeds..."

"Hmph!"

Jiang Shihua’s eyebrows raised, his gaze suddenly became sharp, and he spoke word by word, "I am not the Sea Suppression King, nor could he be Shang Jianfei!"

The Xiyan sister Jiang Yingxue mentioned is Zhao Xiyan.

They are cousins; her grandmother and his grandfather were siblings, making their relationship quite close.

A few years ago, their parents intended to arrange a union.

However, at that time, Zhao Xiyan broke through to the sixth grade and was unwilling to marry so soon, causing the marriage plans to be delayed.

In Jiang Shihua’s heart, he had long regarded her as his future wife.

Until last year, he heard some rumors suggesting Zhao Xiyan had unclear relations with a man. To him, this was nothing short of a grave insult.

Today, he happened to encounter Feng Siyuan, and upon hearing the name "Chen Ming" from the friend’s introduction, a fierce killing intent surged within Jiang Shihua.

If it hadn’t been for "Uncle Fu" beside him intervening, he would have drawn his sword and killed Chen Ming on the spot.

Seeing him truly enraged, Jiang Yingxue refrained from provoking him further.

Jiang Shihua asked, "Uncle Fu, why did you stop me from taking action?"

The coachman’s voice came from the front, "There was a Third Grade hidden in the shadows."

"Third Grade?"

Jiang Shihua was momentarily stunned, then said, "That must be protecting Feng Siyuan."

No matter how discreet the Feng Family remained, they could only deceive others. Entities like the Jiang Family understood the Feng Family’s real strength well.

The coachman replied, "The Family Head instructed that the young master’s purpose is to leave his name on the Cyan Cloud Ranking, and must avoid unnecessary complications."

Jiang Shihua, hearing his grandfather mentioned, said no more.

The coachman asked again, "Young master, should we return directly to the courtyard?"

"No, go to the Governor’s Mansion."

"Yes."

Jiang Yingxue observed her seventh brother with some amusement, fully aware that he was anxious.

Sister Xiyan has been residing in the Governor’s Mansion ever since she arrived in Jiangzhou City a few months ago.

...

...

The Feng Family also has a property in Jiangzhou City, a large mansion, much bigger than Chen Ming’s home. The building appears somewhat old, but it has all the servants needed.

Feng Siyuan eagerly invited him, so he stayed there rather than searching for an inn outside. It’s likely that all the inns were fully booked at this time.

Feng Siyuan arranged a large courtyard for Chen Ming and assigned several pretty maids to him.

He always thought Chen Ming’s two maids were too ugly, and had long intended to gift him prettier maids. So this time, he put the most beautiful maids in his courtyard.

Unfortunately, Chen Ming remained oblivious to such charms and did not let these pretty maids attend to him,

After nightfall, when Chen Ming confirmed no one was around, he spoke, "Miss Su, are you there?"

Su Zhining could be described as elusive, having suddenly left halfway and not shown herself since. He wasn’t sure if she was nearby.

After a while, there was no response.

"Looks like she’s not here."

Chen Ming felt somewhat worried, thinking of her naive nature, without him by her side, she might encounter those old foxes and be unaware of being taken advantage of.

Soon, he set aside these concerns, took out that piece of Sword Jade, and placed it next to his brow to meditate.

...

Early the next morning, Chen Ming went out on his own; he had a matter to attend to.

Ps: Only two Chapters today, contemplating the plot.