Many speculations flashed through Chen Ming’s mind.

Then the question arises.

He asked, "Why is this martial arts competition related to that quota?"

Gu Yuyin couldn’t figure it out either; after all, her understanding of the quota was also limited.

She reminded him, "Seventh brother, perhaps you shouldn’t go today. Those First Grade experts will become ruthless for the chance to reach the Divine Treasure Realm, killing anyone who stands in their way. The Gu Family is, after all, too far away."

Chen Ming looked at her and suddenly laughed, "The Gu Family is far, but the Wu Family is nearby. I’m sure they’ll be interested in this quota."

"You mean—"

Gu Yuyin was taken aback, already guessing his thoughts.

Chen Ming said, "Call Brother Wu over."

For the Wu Family to ally with the Gu Family, they naturally are not an ordinary family. In this world, matching social status is essential.

His idea was simple: involving the Wu Family would be enough to ensure his safety.

He was still far from the Divine Treasure Realm, not to consider this within a year or two, and giving away the quota wouldn’t hurt.

Moreover, with his current strength, even if he snatched the quota, he couldn’t keep it. Better to give it to the Wu Family and form a good relationship; in the future, mixing in Xiazhou would have strong backing.

The premise is that the Wu Family didn’t already know about this.

...

Before long, when Wu Zhenhang arrived and heard Chen Ming mention "that quota," he almost stood up, exclaiming, "You mean these competitions are related to that quota?"

Seeing his reaction, Chen Ming knew he was right, nodded, and said, "That’s what Miss Xia said."

Wu Zhenhang was unable to remain seated, stood up, paced around the room, his expression unable to hide his excitement.

Moments later, he paused, looked at Chen Ming, and asked a soul-searching question, "Why would Seventh Young Master tell me about this?"

Chen Ming replied calmly, "The Gu Family is far away in the Capital City; by the time the news reaches them, it’ll be too late."

Wu Zhenhang bowed deeply and said, "Whether this succeeds or not, the Wu Family will always owe Seventh Young Master a favor."

Chen Ming laughed, "We’re family; that’s unnecessary to say."

Then, Wu Zhenhang left, evidently to arrange for the news to be sent back home.

...

At the initial hour of Si, Chen Ming followed the Wu siblings to the Money Gang to participate in the martial arts competition.

On the way, Wu Zhenhang walked alongside Chen Ming, whispering, "If I’m not mistaken, it should be that the Money Gang discovered a Secret Realm deep within the gold mine."

"Secret Realm?" Chen Ming asked.

Wu Zhenhang glanced at him, feeling somewhat sympathetic. As a core member of the Gu Family, he didn’t even know such common knowledge. It reflected his situation within the Gu Family.

"It might be an ancient practitioner’s leftover abode, or it could be an independent world. It can be large or small. Such places are all called Secret Realms."

"I see."

Chen Ming knew that this is a secret only known to aristocratic families and sects, "What is the quota then?"

"The quota is the only way to enter the Secret Realm. The authority to issue quotas naturally lies with the owner of the Secret Realm. Miss Xia asking you this implies that winning the martial arts competition grants a quota. Hence, the answer is clear: the Gang Leader of the Money Gang is the owner of the Secret Realm."

Wu Zhenhang knew a lot of secrets, deducing many theories accordingly, "I guess Miss Xia deliberately disclosed this to you."

Chen Ming was a bit puzzled, "Why would she do that?"

Such a precious quota, the more people who know about it, the more chaos it brings.

"Simple, muddy the waters. The Money Gang is probably in trouble now. Xia Shaowen hasn’t reached the Divine Treasure Realm yet. Even if he became the owner of the Secret Realm, it’s hard to keep it protected. It might even bring about disaster. He let his daughter disclose this to you, and thereby to the Gu Family, forcing those eyeing the opportunity to ally with Xia Shaowen when the Gu Family gets involved."

As they spoke, they arrived at the Money Gang.

The two ceased discussing the matter.

More spectators arrived today than yesterday.

As Chen Ming appeared, he caught the attention of countless people, as the crowd automatically parted to create a path for him.

When Xia Shaowen appeared and announced the start of today’s contest, a man in blue hurried up the stage, pointing his sword at Chen Ming, "Let’s see your swordsmanship, Gu Family scion."

Chen Ming didn’t waste words, jumped onto the stage, and began today’s first battle.

...

[You defeated an LV71 opponent, gaining 33,000 experience points.]

[You defeated an LV70 opponent, gaining 30,000 experience points.]

[...]

It was almost a repeat of yesterday. Chen Ming successively defeated several opponents, reaping experience points.

Initially, the crowd below continued cheering for Xiazhou’s Third Grade competitors. After several defeats, the cheers dwindled.

With his strength, Chen Ming almost defeated all the strongest of Xiazhou’s younger generation, dealing a huge blow to their morale.

When today’s fifth opponent also lost, the site fell silent temporarily.

"Peerless Young Master!"

Suddenly, someone shouted.

The scene was revived again, with people shouting, "Yes, we still have Peerless Young Master." "Peerless Young Master, we’re counting on you."

This spontaneous sentiment for their hometown, Chen Ming could understand; he looked towards the crowd below, at a conspicuous figure, waiting for him to take the stage.

The one Xia Mudan referred to as her beloved was most likely this person.

So far, he had defeated ten of Xiazhou’s Third Grade competitors, with Xia Mudan on the second floor having no reaction. Only a few from the Third Grade remain unchallenged now.

In response to the crowd’s calls, that Peerless Young Master finally moved, leapt onto the stage gracefully, provoking huge cheers.

Peerless Young Master looked at Chen Ming with eyes bright as stars, and said clearly, "Brother Gu has fought five battles consecutively, consuming a lot. Would you prefer to rest for a day and fight tomorrow?"

Indeed, the bearing of this person was truly admirable.

Chen Ming replied, "No need to wait for tomorrow, let’s fight again in three hours."

"Alright." Peerless Young Master agreed.

Then, in front of everyone, he sat cross-legged on the stage, began cultivating and regaining his consumed True Qi, while opening his panel.

[Level: 70]

[Current Points: 419896]

[Cultivation Technique: Iron Horse Stance (Fifth Level Perfection), Five Elements True Skill (Missing) (Seventh Level 187544/10000000)]

[Martial Skills: Three Talents Fist (Mastery), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Mastery), Zhuang’s Flying Knife (Mastery), Swallow Returning Sword Technique (Mastery), Vermilion Bird Swordsmanship (Mastery), Phoenix Dance of Nine Heavens (Fourth Level 3277/400000), Solitary Wild Goose in Heaven and Earth (First Level 700564/1000000)]

[Secret Technique: Disguise Technique (Mastery)]

Over the past two days, he had gained a total of 320,000 experience points.

With Peerless Young Master having such a big reputation, his strength must be extraordinary. The first level of Solitary Wild Goose in Heaven and Earth might not be enough to win.

Hence, he added 300,000 points to Solitary Wild Goose in Heaven and Earth in one go, raising this swordsmanship to the second level.

Instantly, his panel showed: Solitary Wild Goose in Heaven and Earth (Second Level 564/2000000).

At the same time, his mind was filled with numerous insights about this swordsmanship.

...

Three hours passed in the blink of an eye.

When Chen Ming stood up from the ground, many spectators who had waited drowsily instantly perked up, anticipating the upcoming epic battle.

Everyone was aware that if Peerless Young Master couldn’t defeat this Seventh Young Master from the Gu Family in the Capital City, no one among Xiazhou’s young generation could.

Among those present, the only ones siding with Chen Ming were Gu Yuyin and the Wu siblings.

She asked worriedly, "Can seventh brother win?"

Wu Zhenhang didn’t respond; he hadn’t seen Peerless Young Master’s skills, uncertain of his strength, but such a reputed figure couldn’t be simple.

Gu Xianyu was strong, yet not to the extent of crushing peers.

He wasn’t overly confident.

PS: Only a few days left, four thousand words requesting monthly votes.