Chapter 122: Chapter 120: Astonishing Strength

Upon hearing there was to be a verification, all the Civil and Military Ministers in the hall grew excited. Normally, they wouldn’t have much interest in a Martial Artist’s verification, but the situation was different now. Even the ministers who didn’t know what had transpired between Qin Li and the Crown Prince could see the Crown Prince’s undisguised hatred for him.

The martial arts arena was located outside the west gate of the Imperial Palace. It strongly resembled the stadiums from Qin Li’s past life, though with fewer seats—only about ten thousand. The annual spring tournament was typically held in venues like this. The Imperial Capital had many such arenas, but this one, belonging to the Royal Family, was the largest.

The ministers settled into the nobles’ private boxes, where servants promptly served them tea and snacks. This sort of outing was a novelty for them, so they all wore relaxed smiles.

Crown Prince Zhao Xinghe approached Qin Li and shot him an icy glance. Leaning close to Qin Li’s ear, he said coldly, "I will never let the matter of you killing my subordinates rest! Also, your name disgusts me! If... you are the same person as *him*, I will be sure to give you a proper ’welcome’!"

"I don’t understand what Your Highness is talking about. Since my arrival in the Cyan Dragon Kingdom, I have been a law-abiding citizen, running my business discreetly. The only ones who have come looking for trouble were those animals from the Daqing Gang. Could it be that those scoundrels from the Daqing Gang are Your Highness’s subordinates?" Qin Li’s words were not hushed; he spoke them loudly for all to hear.

The low buzz of discussion in the arena died instantly, and the atmosphere grew tense.

"You—What nonsense are you spouting? This is absurd! Why are you saying these things to me!" Zhao Xinghe’s face flushed crimson, his chest heaving. He couldn’t believe this damned, reckless fool would dare offend him so brazenly. Hatred swelled in Zhao Xinghe’s heart. He glared at Qin Li with a savage grin and said in a low voice, "Fine, kid. Just don’t regret this later!"

"Your Highness, what is that supposed to mean? Are you threatening me? What do you mean, ’don’t regret this’!" Qin Li exploded with fury, his eyes wide as he roared at Zhao Xinghe. "To think the Crown Prince of a nation could be so petty! I have no idea how I could have possibly offended Your Highness to be targeted like this at every turn! To hell with being a noble of the Cyan Dragon Kingdom! If this place doesn’t want me, there are plenty of other places that will!"

With that sharp retort, he turned to leave. The provocation sent blood rushing to Zhao Xinghe’s head. "Qin Li!" he bellowed. "I know it was you! It must have been! If you dare walk away today, believe me when I say I’ll immediately send men to hunt you down!"

"Silence!" Zhao Yuanli, who had been sitting in his private box with no intention of speaking, finally intervened. He saw the Crown Prince’s behavior growing more and more outrageous, to the point of openly threatening Qin Li. A deep look of disappointment flashed in his eyes.

The Second Prince, Zhao Xinghai, who was seated beside him, gently consoled, "Father, please don’t let your anger harm your health."

"If only your older brother were as sensible as you," Zhao Yuanli sighed. He then yelled at the Crown Prince, who was standing a short distance away, "Get in here this instant! The test will be handled by others. What does this have to do with you!"

Zhao Xinghe shot Qin Li a venomous glare and gave a subtle look to a nearby eunuch. Only then did he reluctantly return to Zhao Yuanli’s private box. Seeing his father’s grim expression and his younger brother sitting beside him, playing the part of the obedient and filial son, made him even more frustrated. He said to Zhao Yuanli, "Father, your son suspects this Qin Li is the same Qin Li from Yellow Sand City!"

"Nonsense! How could someone from Yellow Sand City speak with a Great Qi accent? Their ages may be similar, but haven’t you seen what the Qin Li from Yellow Sand City looks like?" Zhao Yuanli shot his son a cold glare. ’It’s a good thing I also possess Earth Level strength and have a long life ahead of me,’ he thought. ’Otherwise, if I were to pass the throne to the Crown Prince, a talent like Qin Li would surely leave at once! A genius Martial Artist with a great future, lost just like that! Xinghai is still the more sensible one.’

Zhao Xinghai interjected, "Elder Brother, even though you have a grudge against the Qin Li from Yellow Sand City, you can’t take your anger out on everyone who shares the name. There are thousands upon thousands of people in this world with that name. Surely you don’t plan to kill them all?"

Zhao Xinghe’s face was grim, and he remained silent. Inwardly, however, he was cursing, ’Second Brother, do you really think I don’t know what you’re up to? Hmph. As long as I draw breath, you will never get your chance! The day I ascend the throne will be your last... Hmph hmph!’

Just then, the sound of silvery, melodious laughter drifted in from outside. Hearing it, Emperor Zhao Yuanli’s stern expression finally softened into a smile.

"Father! Father! I’m here! How could you not call for me when something fun is happening? I’m heartbroken!" A thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl, exceptionally beautiful with fair skin, pushed open the door to the luxurious private box and entered with a smile. She wore a sky-blue dress, and her slightly wavy, jet-black hair cascaded over her shoulders.

"Oh, my two brothers are here as well," the girl said with a smile, her eyes glancing over the Crown Prince and the Second Prince.

This girl was none other than Princess Zhao Qianqian, the full-blooded sister of the Crown Prince and the Second Prince, and Emperor Zhao Yuanli’s most beloved daughter. It was for her sake that Eunuch Li had been sent to capture the Green Furred Cat.

"Ah, Qianqian, you’re here," Zhao Yuanli said. He always acted as a doting father toward his daughter, never scolding her harshly. "This isn’t just for fun. Father is recruiting talent for the kingdom!" And indeed, his daughter was sensible, with no trace of the arrogance of a spoiled child and none of the airs one might expect from a princess.

"Hee hee, who is it?" Princess Zhao Qianqian asked, peering down below. The equipment for testing a Martial Artist’s level had already been set up, and they were just waiting for the Emperor’s signal for Qin Li to begin.

"He doesn’t look much older than me," Zhao Qianqian remarked casually. "What’s so special about him that Father holds him in such high regard?"

Zhao Yuanli smiled fondly. "You’ll see in a moment! His strength is far greater than yours, you know!"

Zhao Qianqian pouted, unconvinced. "But I’m already a young genius, you know!"

"Haha, my daughter is a great genius! A great genius!" Zhao Yuanli laughed heartily.

"Hmph, because I am!" Zhao Qianqian pursed her lips and sat down next to Zhao Xinghai. She was closer to her second brother; her eldest brother, the Crown Prince, was always stern-faced and far too proud for her liking. At fourteen, Zhao Qianqian had already reached the Sixth Tier of the Profound Level. Although this was aided by a great deal of Spiritual Medicine, her innate talent was undeniably strong. So, hearing her father claim that the young man below was stronger than her, she felt a little indignant and fixed her gaze on him.

"May I begin?" Thanks to his immense Divine Sense, Qin Li was perfectly aware of everything that had transpired in the luxurious private box. Seeing that all was now ready, he wasn’t in any hurry and asked the question casually.

"Yes, you may begin!" The eunuch, having received the go-ahead, nodded at Qin Li.

Qin Li faced the red, shield-like testing device. He focused his mind, took a deep breath, and let out a sudden shout. A brilliant blue light erupted from his body as he swung his arm and smashed his fist into the device.

The moment the blue light flared from Qin Li, Princess Zhao Qianqian’s mouth fell slightly agape. She stared at the young man, her face a mask of utter disbelief.

BAM!

A massive sound reverberated throughout the entire arena.

Immediately after, a mechanical voice announced, "Earth Level, Seventh Tier!"

A smile on his face, Qin Li stood as firm as a mountain, like a victorious general awaiting the cheers of his soldiers.

GASP!

A wave of audible gasps erupted from the private boxes.

Zhao Qianqian’s eyes widened. She was stunned for a long moment before stammering, "Father, are you sure... he’s human?"

The Second Prince’s eyes shone with excitement. ’I’ve hit the jackpot! I’ve really hit the jackpot!’ he thought over and over.

Zhao Yuanli shot to his feet and exclaimed, "What a genius!"

CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!

A wave of enthusiastic applause erupted from all directions, accompanied by the irrepressible cheers of the crowd.

Crown Prince Zhao Xinghe’s expression was dark and unsettled. He had to admit he’d underestimated this man; he never imagined he was a Seventh Tier Earth Level Martial Artist. ’No wonder Lightning Saber Sun Liu and the brothers from the Battle Blade Hall died at his hands,’ he thought. But the hatred in his heart for Qin Li only intensified, reaching an unbearable peak. ’This bastard! He ruined my plans! And since there’s no longer any chance he’ll work for me, I must eliminate him!’

Zhao Yuanli turned back to his daughter and said with a smile, "Well, my dear daughter, are you convinced now?"

Zhao Qianqian giggled. "Father, maybe he’s a Spirit Beast that underwent Transformation? How else could he be so powerful?"

"Nonsense, don’t be silly," Zhao Yuanli chuckled, gently tapping his daughter’s nose. "A Spirit Beast that has undergone Transformation would have to be at least at the Celestial Level! Now then," he announced, "who will come and test Qin Li’s true combat ability? Are any of our Tributors present?"

"Your Majesty, allow me."

The aged voice sent a chill through everyone present. As ministers of the court, they were certainly familiar with the Celestial Level Tributors. The speaker was none other than the head of the Royal Family’s fifty-four Celestial Level Tributors—Chen Yihan!

After suffering heavy losses during the exploration of the Ancient Ruins at Phoenix Lake, Chen Yihan had been dejected for a long time. However, as a formidable Ninth Tier Celestial Level Martial Artist, there was not a single person in the entire Cyan Dragon Kingdom who knew of him and dared to show him disrespect.

Hearing that voice, Qin Li’s heart skipped a beat. ’Zhao Xinghe, you’ve really got some nerve,’ he thought. ’To be so cunning as to drag this old titan into it!’

It was a known fact that aside from the humiliation he felt over the Phoenix Lake incident, Chen Yihan also harbored an intense hatred for the few Low Level Martial Artists who had stolen the Black Water Kui Ox!

Moreover, as a High Tier Celestial Level expert just one step away from breaking through to the Celestial Shattering Realm, his Divine Sense was exceptionally powerful! No matter how good a Disguise someone used, their underlying aura could never fool an expert of his caliber!

Inside the luxurious private box, Zhao Xinghe sneered.

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