Throughout the entire day, Chen Ming didn’t know how many martial artists he had "defeated." He was numb to it all, as no matter if they were of Ninth Grade, Eighth Grade, or Seventh Grade, none could withstand his single palm strike.

Toward the end, he couldn’t even bother to check the prompts popping up, so he simply ignored them.

Finally, by evening, as the sky began to darken, there were still many people waiting in line outside. Quite a few had come directly with their luggage, afraid of missing the registration.

Gu Junrong and Wang Mingkai, with much persuasion, repeatedly assured that registration could continue the following day before finally dispersing the crowd.

Today’s registration work was finally over.

"Thank you all for your hard work."

Chen Ming said to all the staff present.

"It wasn’t hard."

"Second Young Master, you’re too courteous."

"It’s what we should do..."

"..."

The dozen or so people present all responded sincerely. This Second Young Master was genuinely generous and didn’t mistreat them at all. There was not only a supply of hot tea but also exquisite snacks.

Lunch was even ordered directly from the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, and was very sumptuous.

It was simply a matter of guarding the door and maintaining order, hardly a strenuous task.

It was unclear when, but everyone started calling Chen Ming "Second Young Master." As long as someone called him that, others followed, and it sounded intimate.

...

On his way back, Chen Ming opened the panel, seeing that in the points column, there were over thirty thousand more points.

This meant that around seven or eight hundred people had come to register today.

However, only about a hundred received qualifications, with a higher elimination rate than in previous days.

"I didn’t expect there to be so many martial artists just in Jiangzhou. All those who came were martial artists, with at least Ninth Grade cultivation,"

came the voice of Gu Junrong with a sigh from outside.

Wang Mingkai said, "Heh, it truly opened my eyes. I’m afraid all the Ninth Grade martial artists from Jiangzhou have come."

"I noticed that some people look quite familiar. They must have been here in the past few days, didn’t get a qualification, felt unwilling, and came to register again."

"More than that? There are over ten people who come every day, and we can’t even chase them away. Truly shameless."

Gu Junrong said, "It’s understandable, as this is a Third Grade master taking disciples. Who would willingly give up?"

"What can they do even if they’re unwilling? The conditions were personally set by the two elders, not the senior brother. Coming multiple times doesn’t change anything."

Listening to their conversation, Chen Ming suddenly remembered the commotion caused when this news first spread in Qingfeng City.

His gate was nearly flattened by people.

Almost all the disciples from the Huo Sect came to seek him, wanting to register.

Regardless of whether they knew him or not, even the Seventh Grade martial artists he had recently offended and gone to fight at their homes, brazenly came to his door to seek registration qualifications for their children and disciples.

Chen Ming became the hottest person in Qingfeng City overnight.

The appeal of a Third Grade master accepting disciples was even more exaggerated than he had imagined for the lower-level martial artists. The entire Qingfeng City was ignited.

In Qingfeng City, almost every martial artist under forty years old came to register.

These people clearly did not meet the requirements; coming was in vain. On seeing anyone over thirty, Chen Ming directly eliminated them.

Yet people would go off, shave their beards, and come back the next day to register under a fake name, thinking he couldn’t recognize them, leaving Chen Ming in fits of laughter and tears.

Such people were not just one or two; he encountered them every day.

Chen Ming shook his head, no longer listening to their conversation, thinking it was time to enhance his strength.

Thus, he opened the panel.

[Level: 40]

[Current Points: 117,564]

[Cultivation Technique: "Iron Horse Stance" (Fifth Level Perfection), "Three Yang Body Refining Skill" (Ninth Layer Perfection), "Six Yang Qi Cultivation Skill" (First Layer 6999/100,000)]

[Martial Skill: "Three Talents Fist" (Mastery), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Mastery), Zhuang’s Flying Knife (Mastery), Swallow Returning Sword Technique (Mastery), "Vermilion Bird Swordsmanship" (Beginner 50,032/100,000)]

He looked at the more than 110,000 experience points and felt a slight thrill in his heart. With these experience points, he could significantly improve his strength, finally having the confidence to face other Sixth Grade martial artists.

"Increase the swordsmanship first!"

Previously, Chen Ming was invincible, with few opponents at his level, relying on his highly proficient martial skills.

Now, naturally, he prioritized boosting his martial skills.

He directly invested 50,000 points into "Vermilion Bird Swordsmanship."

Instantly, his brain buzzed, and countless insights surged into his mind.

After a long while.

Chen Ming opened his eyes again, only to see the "Vermilion Bird Swordsmanship" line changed to proficiency 32/200,000.

As expected, it would require 200,000 experience points to reach proficiency.

Without hesitation, he took out 30,000 points and added them to "Six Yang Qi Cultivation Skill."

Suddenly, a terrifying heat surged within his body...

...

When Chen Ming returned home, he had completely digested the enhanced strength. At this time, his family was waiting for him to join them for dinner.

His carriage arrived at the door, and the dishes started to be served. By the time he sat down, the dishes were already served and still steaming hot.

Big brother Chen Rui’s mustache had grown denser, making him look much more mature, and even his energy and spirit seemed different from before, imbued with more sophistication and authority.

Sister-in-law Wei, however, looked different, appearing radiant and seemingly younger by a few years.

She basked in Chen Ming’s glory and had now become the popular figure among the women’s circle in Xiushui Street. Many people sought her out every day, and she experienced for the first time what it felt like to be the center of attention in a social circle.

When she married into the Chen Family, she never dreamt of having such a fairy-like life.

After dinner, Chen Rui called Chen Ming to the study, obviously to discuss something.

After the two brothers sat down, Chen Rui said, "Today, an old client invited me to dinner. When I arrived, Manager Qian from Four Seas Trading Company was there as well. He said that in the future, all herbal medicines from Four Seas Trading Company will be procured at Chunhe Hall. Although he didn’t propose any conditions, I also know that he wants to win you over. So, whether to take this business deal or not depends on you."

Chen Ming laughed and said, "Do it, why not earn the money?"

Chen Rui immediately responded, "Alright."

"However, don’t get too close to Four Seas Trading Company."

"Hmm, I understand."

With that said, Chen Rui knew where to draw the line.

Chen Ming thought the discussion was over and was about to leave. However, seeing that his big brother seemed to have more to say, he asked curiously, "Is there anything else?"

Chen Rui hesitated for a moment but decided to clarify, "Er Lang, people are saying that Golden Saber Elder has decided to take you on as a disciple. Is it true?"

Chen Ming said, "This is just a rumor, nothing of the sort."

Naturally, he had heard others mention this rumor before. It was quite normal; in Qingfeng City, among the younger generation, he was undoubtedly number one. Only Gu Yuantao could compare with him.

Gu Yuantao broke through to the Sixth Grade a little over a month ago and is currently in closed-door cultivation.

In others’ eyes, he has no formal mentoring, so wouldn’t getting apprenticed under Golden Saber Li Donglin be a certainty?

Chen Rui asked puzzled, "With your qualifications, if you want to apprentice under him, Golden Saber Elder would certainly not refuse. Why don’t you want to be his disciple?"

This was something he couldn’t understand at all.

Golden Saber Li Donglin was of the Third Grade, and in all of Jiangzhou, he’d be a renowned powerhouse. Becoming his disciple not only provides a reliable backer but also guidance from a renowned master, which would only expedite cultivation.

Clearly, this was a matter of great benefit; why was Er Lang unwilling?

Chen Ming couldn’t directly say that the person wasn’t qualified to be his master, so he found a reason, "His Sword Dao doesn’t resonate with me."

With such a lofty reason, Chen Rui found himself unable to persuade further.

More importantly, he believed his younger brother had his own reasons for doing things.

...

Chen Ming had just walked into the courtyard when he suddenly felt something and looked up to see an old man stepping out from the corner of the wall, greeting him with a bow and saying politely, "Chen young brother, it’s been a while."

"Elder Gao?"

He instantly recognized the man as Gao Mingchuan, a known Sixth Grade Martial Artist who had made a name for himself in the city over the years.

He had previously been an Escort Master, traveling far and wide in his youth, a seasoned man of the Jianghu. He had lived in Qingfeng City for over twenty years.

Before, Chen Ming had visited him several times; however, except for the first visit, Gao had claimed illness and refused to see him.

It was clear he was avoiding Chen Ming.

Now seeing him lively and spirited with bright eyes, he looked nowhere like a sick person.

Gao Mingchuan laughed heartily and said, "Not deserving of being called an elder. I’m just a few years older than you, you may call me older brother if you see fit. Just calling me Old Gao is fine too."

His demeanor was quite humble.

This was challenging for him as he was already in his eighties, having to lower his stance before a youngster.

Chen Ming asked him, "This late at night, why has Elder Gao come to my place? Is there something you wish to teach me?"

"Not to teach, just heard that you came looking for me a few times, regrettably, I had an old injury flare-up recently and my family blocked your visits. I only just learned of this, hence coming specifically to apologize."

"Elder Gao, you’re speaking highly."

Chen Ming responded nonchalantly.

Seeing Chen Ming unmoved, Gao Mingchuan gritted his teeth and said, "I’ve heard that you love sparring with others. If you don’t mind my old bones, I’m willing to spar a few moves with you."

Hearing this, Chen Ming exclaimed in delight, "Is this true, Elder Brother is really willing to spar with me?"

Seeing Chen Ming change expressions as fast as flipping a page, Gao knew he was waiting for this very remark and inwardly cursed, but for his beloved grandson, he had to swallow his pride and said, "I’ve heard your Saber Technique is remarkable and have longed to witness it."

After speaking, he immediately added, "Incidentally, I have a favor to ask."

Chen Ming smiled and said, "Feel free to speak, Elder Brother."

"I have a grandson who is quite talented, twenty-five years old this year, already at the Peak of Seventh Grade. He greatly admires Golden Saber Li Elder and wishes to be his disciple, yet can’t get the application qualification. Please, help us."

This matter was the real reason for Gao Mingchuan’s approach to show subservience.

Chen Ming patted his chest and said, "Is such a thing true? Elder Brother, rest assured, your business is my business. Your grandson is like my... junior. As long as he meets the requirements, I will definitely help him secure the qualification."

"Thank you so much, younger brother." Seeing that the conditions were agreed upon, Gao suggested, "No time like the present. Why not spar a few rounds here now?"

"Just as I wished."

Chen Ming said, fetching a Cyan Steel Sword from the house.

Seeing him take a sword, Gao Mingchuan was a bit puzzled. The man is famous for his Saber Technique, what does bringing out a sword signify?

Seeing Gao’s look of mystification, Chen Ming smiled slightly and explained, "I suddenly felt the Saber Technique doesn’t suit my temperament, so I decided to give up the saber and learn the sword."

"..."

PS: The update was slightly late, the word count increased by nearly a thousand words, hope you all don’t mind?