"Such a waste."

Sun Shicai stood a little further away. Seeing Tian Qiming only enduring ten moves under Chen Ming’s hand, he cursed inwardly.

He was definitely the most attentive to Chen Ming in the field, wanting to witness this young man’s martial arts.

Soon, another person stepped forward, naming Chen Ming for a challenge.

Sun Shicai felt a surge of joy in his heart.

This time, this kid named Wang Ruisheng obviously had much more strength compared to that previous waste.

The two quickly engaged, one wielding a saber and the other a sword.

Sun Shicai squinted, watching each move Chen Ming made. The more he observed, the gloomier his face became, until he almost ground his teeth audibly.

He had practiced the Five Elements Saber Technique for over ten years and naturally could see the significant differences between what Chen Ming displayed and what their master taught.

"The old bastard, he’d rather pass on the mantle to an outsider than to me."

Sun Shicai’s heart boiled with hatred.

He considered himself with exceptional talent and perseverance, unmatched among his brothers.

The eldest brother had a stubborn disposition.

The second sister, ever since getting married, had her mind away from the Martial Dao.

The third brother was weak-hearted, unfit for any significant tasks.

The fifth one was just a do-gooder, afraid to offend anyone.

The sixth fool was love-stricken, ran off to become a pirate for a woman.

The seventh was a fop, oblivious to worldly matters.

Only he had the right to inherit the mantle and carry forward the school’s legacy.

But that old bastard wouldn’t even give him a second glance; in the end, he passed the mantle to a hapless fool devoid of talent and brains.

It wasn’t surprising Sun Shicai thought this way.

After all, when Chen Ming was at Huo Mansion those years, he learned martial arts under Sun Shicai, so nobody knew better than him what kind of person Chen Ming was.

No talent, average understanding.

By this kid’s aptitude, he should have broken through to Ninth Grade only around thirty.

But within these few years, this kid had reached Seventh Grade!

His cultivation nearly matched his own.

No way there wasn’t something fishy about this; he wouldn’t believe it even if he were to die.

Sun Shicai’s first reaction was that their master had passed down the school’s mantle to this kid.

He had long known that Master Huo Chengkun had kept a mantle, never passed to the seven disciples.

He also knew the master’s cultivation far exceeded Sixth Grade, originally at Fourth Grade, only regressing due to serious internal injuries...

Sun Shicai pondered on his thoughts, his gaze increasingly gloomy.

Meanwhile, the two in the field decided victory.

After more than seventy moves, Chen Ming narrowly defeated Wang Ruisheng by a single move.

Of course, Sun Shicai’s keen eye could naturally see that Chen Ming had been holding back, which prolonged the match till now.

Indeed, the boy wasn’t dumb, knowing to spare others’ face.

Looking at Wang Ruisheng’s expression, he seemed rather grateful.

"However, why did the kid exhibit such ruthlessness against Tian Qiming earlier?"

Sun Shicai wondered slightly.

...

[You defeated a LV35 enemy, gained 700 experience points.]

Chen Ming glanced at the prompt that popped out and cupped his hands, saying, "Thank you for going easy on me."

Despite the battle appearing lively, in actuality, compared to those opponents at Eighth Grade, Wang Ruisheng was a fledgling, barely stronger than Tian Qiming.

In actual combat, experience was utterly important.

Though these two scions held high cultivation, they lacked combat experience.

If he unleashed deadly moves, he could end their lives within ten moves.

However, he’d no grievance with Wang Ruisheng, thus no need to let him lose too embarrassingly.

After three rounds, he had gained 1450 experience points in total.

Since breaking through to Seventh Grade, he hadn’t looked for previous folks to spar with. Daily, he could only "bully" martial art novices who sought him for guidance.

Within six months, Chen Ming discovered by chance when defeating Eighth Grade martial artists twice in one day, he could gain experience points twice, no longer limited to once a day like before.

He also experimented with Ninth Grade martial artists, defeating them twice within short intervals, without gaining experience points the second time.

There was likely a hidden mechanism that restricted gaining experience once a day at Ninth Grade, twice at Eighth Grade, probably three times at Seventh Grade. So forth.

Wang Ruisheng gave a ceremonial salute too, saying, "Thank you, brother, for your courtesy."

Compared to Tian Qiming’s crushing defeat, he could face the outcome.

Even though he lost, by comparison, it was evident he was far stronger than Tian Qiming.

At this moment, Zhao Shouchang spoke with approval, "Chen Ming’s saber technique has indeed reached a proficient level. At such an age, achieving this level in saber technique is quite remarkable."

Everyone present hearing the appraisal of Lord Admiral felt a chill in their hearts.

Reached a proficient level!

Such an evaluation was already quite high.

Some with self-perceived strength who hadn’t taken Chen Ming seriously began to reevaluate him.

Chen Ming humbly replied, "My Lord exaggerates; this junior is unworthy of such praise."

Zhao Shouchang asked, "Who taught you your saber technique?"

"I learned martial arts from Master Huo."

Sitting beside him, Yu Xiuming leaned in and whispered something, presumably informing him who Master Huo was.

Zhao Shouchang nodded and said, "You should diligently practice in the future to not waste your talent."

"Yes."

Under varied gazes of envy or jealousy, Chen Ming returned to his seat.

...

The Martial Arts Gathering continued.

The third person voluntarily stood up was a handsome young man, saying, "Qin Jinlin from Jiangzhou wishes to challenge Junior Sister Xiao of Xiaoshui Sect."

He had a gentle expression, looking more like confessing in public than competing.

Xiao Zhuyun rose gracefully and replied, "Sure, I’ve eagerly awaited your instruction, Qin Brother."

The two stood facing each other, their garments fluttering, resembling a perfect pair.

Chen Ming eyed Qin Jinlin with anticipation.

How reputable families claim themselves matters; in a commandery, one would use the commandery name as a prefix, as with Dai Commandery’s Tian Qiming earlier.

In Jiangzhou, using Jiangzhou as a prefix signifies a top-tier family, with just a few such in the entire Jiangzhou.

The Qin family is among them.

These elite families host ultimate peak experts.

The ultimate peak, as people say, refers to realms beyond First Grade.

"Please, Junior Sister."

Qin Jinlin exhibited gentlemanly elegance.

"Be careful, Qin Brother."

Xiao Zhuyun warned, thrusting a graceful, ethereal sword. It was precisely Xiaoshui Sect’s Yao Guang Sword Technique.

Qin Jinlin smiled slightly, with a flick of his sword, forming a sword bloom. He approached confidently.

He was undeniably showcasing his skills, the shimmering sword light dazzling onlookers.

Chen Ming thought, "Not all scions from these affluent families are incompetent."

Qin Jinlin’s swordsmanship wasn’t just visually appealing but also genuinely powerful. Undoubtedly, it was a proficient sword technique.

His mastery in swordsmanship was high; witnessing his ease showed he hadn’t exerted full strength.

Definitely a formidable opponent.

Chen Ming thought to himself, ridding any notion of facing him.

Compared to such proficient swordsmanship contenders, he preferred easier targets.

This man and woman, one with swordplay like a wandering dragon, the other graceful like a startled swan, delighted the spectators, reluctant to blink.

Finally, after thirty-odd moves, Xiao Zhuyun abruptly withdrew from the combat, slightly breathless, saying, "Qin Brother’s swordsmanship is astounding; I concede."

"Thank you, Junior Sister."

Qin Jinlin sheathed his sword, smiling.

Perhaps mistaken, Chen Ming felt Qin Jinlin glanced his way.

At this point, Zhao Shouchang spoke, "Nephew Qin’s Wandering Dragon Swordsmanship has grasped three essential aspects. Qin has raised a good son."

His tone was intimate, like addressing family.

Qin Jinlin didn’t dare to be disrespectful, respectfully saying, "Uncle Zhao, pardon me. I arrived hurriedly, just last night, and didn’t visit you beforehand. Please forgive me."

Zhao Shouchang laughed, "Nephew, I’m already glad with your visit; how could I blame you? You must stay longer; you haven’t seen Yan’Er and Xian’Er for two years, so have some bonding."

"Since our last meeting, I have deeply missed Sister Yan’Er and Brother Xian’Er."

Listening to their conversation, others felt disheartened.

Qin Jinlin, with a prestigious family background, such skill, and such close ties with Admiral Zhao.

What’s there to compete for?