Falling in Love with a 500-year-old female elder - Chapter 38

Chapter 38: Courageous Scholar’s Triumph and the Revelation of Top Six

Inside the confines of the Seven Fortune Inn, after the names of the final four Heavenly Prides were unveiled, the atmosphere ignited with excitement. However, this fervor was short-lived, yielding to a sudden hush that settled over the inn. All eyes remained fixed on Ning Chuan, for everyone understood that the spotlight would truly shine upon the top six!

And these six individuals, if speculations were correct, ought to be the same six that Ning Chuan initially mentioned!

…

Seated by the window, Nan Yuexi couldn’t shake a sense of unease, despite her exalted position as the Saintess of the Heavenly Saint Palace. Her series of victories against opponents from the King’s realm didn’t guarantee her a spot in the top six. Anxious sensations pricked at her, undermining her usually formidable self-assurance.

…

The girl with the red umbrella, known for her eccentricity and apathy, betrayed a touch of seriousness in her eyes. Eccentric she might be, but she wasn’t foolish. The strength emanating from Sword Mound Swordsman and Nan Yuexi didn’t escape her perception. These two individuals very likely secured places among the top six.

A flicker of excitement stirred within her as she anticipated the unfolding of events.

…

From the southeast corner of the inn, Yan Qingfei’s voice rang out as he enthusiastically slapped Swordsman Jianzi’s shoulder.

“Come on, Brother Jianzi! Don’t let yourself end up in sixth place! If you’re sixth, I’ll have to bear being seventh!”

He pressed on, “Even if it’s tough, don’t settle for sixth! Aim for fifth and third positions!”

Swordsman Jianzi, usually impassive, couldn’t help but cast a wry glance at Yan Qingfei. The clench of his fist communicated more than words ever could.

The top six—this domain of competition exceeded his prior experiences, rousing tensions he hadn’t previously encountered.

…

The expression of the girl with the red umbrella shifted from her customary aloofness to one of heightened engagement and intrigue.

“This is becoming more and more… captivating.”

An odd spark ignited in her round eyes as she moistened her lips, revealing a growing exhilaration.

…

Now, from his elevated platform, Ning Chuan resumed his narrative with measured words:

“Let us now unveil the top six on the Heavenly Pride list.”

“Securing sixth place on the Heavenly Pride list is Yan Ling, the prince of the Great Yan Dynasty!”

“Prince Yan Ling, immersed in dragon energy day and night to cultivate his Tao, a supreme dragon vein taking root within him!”

“Crowned king at the tender age of twenty-six, entering the ranks of kings and becoming a peerless talent!”

“Now at twenty-eight, he stands at the Seventh Layer of the King Realm!”

“Once masked as the Ghost Face, he commanded legions, entered the realm of cultivation, dismantled the Five Great Traditions, and personally slew the leader of the Witch Demon Church’s Seal King Realm!”

“Battle achievements spoke volumes, earning him the title of overlord within the Great Yan Dynasty’s army!”

As this declaration resonated, the assembled audience collectively gasped.

Prince Yan Ling’s coronation as a king at twenty-six!

His return to the realm of cultivation and the personal defeat of a King Realm powerhouse!

Central State lay far from Cloud State, leaving the latter with scant knowledge of Central State’s affairs, particularly of such royal secrets.

Their shock was palpable.

In the distant Central State’s Great Yan Dynasty, Prince Yan Ling stood as such an illustrious figure!

Though Ning Chuan had briefly mentioned Yan Ling before, it paled in comparison to this detailed account. It was now evident just how formidable Yan Ling truly was.

“Yan Ling, the sixth rank, possesses such immense power. How astounding must the five above him be?”

Countless listeners pondered.

…

“What? His Highness Yan Ling ranks only sixth?”

Princess Huai Zhu and her attendant, Rouge, almost exclaimed in disbelief, promptly muffling their outbursts and bowing their heads.

“How can this be? My older brother is peerless on the battlefield. Even within Central State, few kings could surpass him. How is he ranked sixth?”

“Following this pattern, isn’t my older brother better than Yan Qingfei, a remnant of the previous dynasty?”

Disbelief marred Princess Huai Zhu’s expression.

“Your Highness, surely Mr. Ning made an error. This place is distant from Central State; perhaps Mr. Ning has not truly grasped His Highness Yan Ling’s might, leading to this decision.”

“Should I approach Mr. Ning and recount His Highness Yan Ling’s glorious feats?”

Rouge’s indignation was evident.

Princess Huai Zhu inhaled deeply, motioning for restraint.

“Let’s await what follows.”

She snorted softly before adding:

“I want to witness the power of the other five who surpass my elder brother!”

…

With sixth place announced, Nan Yuexi, Swordsman Jianzi, the Red Umbrella Woman, and others breathed sighs of relief.

With the sixth position unveiled, they should secure places within the top five.

This realization ushered in heightened tension.

Amid this mounting anticipation, Ning Chuan’s voice continued its calm flow:

“Claiming fifth place on the Heavenly Pride List is Lu Bing, the sightless scholar from Qing Lu Academy!”

“Lu Bing, a scholar from Green State, cursed with congenital blindness, spent two decades studying and cultivated the essence of Confucianism!”

“Entering the King Realm at twenty-five, Lu Bing becomes the first in the world to fuse Confucianism and Taoism, following the sage teachings for five centuries!”

“At his kinghood, Lu Bing pronounced a solemn oath: [May I foster a compassionate heart for the world, dedicate my life to its people, perpetuate ancient learning, and bring peace to all!]”

“Upon this declaration, Green State’s cultural spirit soared, rallying behind the blind scholar!”

“Beneath Qing Lu Academy, malevolent demons surged, devouring literary essence.”

“Undaunted, blind student Lu Bing single-handedly confronted countless beasts, subdued Kunlun with ease, and quelled the multitude!”

“Behold the scholar’s valor, willing even to plunge heaven and earth into the sea!”