Su Chen trained even more arduously at Lingyun Martial Academy. It had been nearly two and a half years since he had awakened the memories of his past life.
He had broken through from the ninth level of Spirit Awakening to the sixth level of the Spirit Gathering Realm.
This year, Su Chen was nineteen.
Such a cultivation speed was simply too fast, even shocking the entire academy.
After some discussion, the academy's council of Elders decided to cultivate Su Chen as a "Spirit Sea seed," a candidate with the potential to reach the Spirit Sea stage.
Everyone believed Su Chen was a genius.
Only Su Chen himself knew why he cultivated so quickly.
On one hand, it was because he had already walked this path of cultivation once in his previous life.
On the other, his talent, comprehension, and resources in this life were far superior to his last.
That was why his progress was so rapid.
But he was still a fake Spirit Sea seed.
However, Su Chen had no intention of clarifying. Why refuse free benefits? He simply treated it as the academy's investment in him.
The Xu Family was quiet, and there was no news from the Su Family he had founded in his past life.
Su Chen no longer had the mind to pay attention to these things. His focus was now on the Tianfeng Kingdom's grand competition for the younger generation, held once every ten years.
The academy placed high hopes on Su Chen, wishing for him to achieve a good ranking.
Su Chen, along with an academy Elder and a group of other geniuses cultivated by the academy, set out on the road to the Tianfeng Royal Capital.
His mischievous friend, Li Ming, also went with Su Chen to the Tianfeng Royal Capital.
"Su Chen, are you confident about this competition?"
"I'm suddenly feeling a lot of pressure. Just Lingyun Martial Academy alone has so many geniuses."
Li Ming gazed at the countless stars in the sky, a sense of bewilderment washing over him.
In the past two years, Li Ming had also successfully broken through to the Spirit Gathering Realm, and was now at the first level.
His best buddy, Su Chen, was already at the sixth level of the Spirit Gathering Realm, and was even a year younger than him.
He had originally thought Su Chen was a genius...
But without exception, none of the young disciples from the Martial Academy heading to the competition were any weaker than Su Chen.
The weakest among them was at the fifth level of the Spirit Gathering Realm.
"Geniuses in this world have always been as numerous as the stars."
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Su Chen looked up at the firmament. "In any given era, there is only one moon. All other stars are destined to be shrouded by its brilliance."
Li Ming looked at his friend, who suddenly seemed unfamiliar, his heart surging with emotion. "Are you saying you want to be the moon?"
Su Chen shook his head. "I am but the most insignificant of stars."
"But 'to hear the Dao in the morning and die content in the evening' is enough."
"If I can but witness that moon, see the true chosen one of the martial path, I would be content, even if my own light is overshadowed."
Li Ming was stunned. Was this still the same mischievous friend he hung out with every day?
He had suddenly become so profound and noble; it made Li Ming feel incredibly awkward.
Su Chen said seriously, "I'm just telling you not to be afraid of failure."
"There have always been many people in this world who are more outstanding than us."
Li Ming nodded, the knot in his heart untangling.
His best buddy wasn't afraid of failure, so what the hell did he have to be afraid of?
There was one more thing Su Chen didn't say.
*Sooner or later... I, Su Chen, will become that most brilliant moon, and a unique one at that!*
If one lifetime isn't enough, then two, or three... There will be a lifetime where he, Su Chen, will become someone everyone looks up to.
After Su Chen and Li Ming went back to sleep, no one noticed a middle-aged man step out from the shadows.
"'To hear the Dao in the morning and die content in the evening'... How many old geezers lack the open-mindedness of this young man."
...
After a long and arduous journey, the group finally arrived at the Tianfeng Royal Capital.
The Elder from the Martial Academy had already arranged accommodations for everyone.
Su Chen immediately rushed off to see his fiancée. When he brought her back to introduce to the group from the Martial Academy, Li Ming's face turned as black as coal.
*We promised to be single together, but you even have a fiancée!*
Su Chen gave a dry laugh. He trusted that Li Ming would understand.
Lingyun Martial Academy was very welcoming to Wang Bailu, but the Spirit Sword Sect was not so welcoming to Su Chen.
Wang Bailu was a famous beauty in the Spirit Sword Sect. Although not as renowned as their Eldest Sister, who was one of the Ten Great Beauties of the Tianfeng Kingdom, she possessed a unique charm and had many admirers within the sect.
Su Chen's visit was like poking a hornet's nest; he was immediately surrounded by a crowd.
"You're Junior Sister Wang's fiancé? I challenge you!"
"If you lose, you must stay away from Junior Sister Wang!"
An older disciple from the Spirit Sword Sect angrily issued the challenge to Su Chen.
Su Chen did not accept.
*Damn it, where did this delusional, idiotic pretty boy come from?*
"Are you a man or not? Don't you dare face me in an honorable duel between men?"
"If I lose, I will disappear from Junior Sister Wang's sight forever. If you lose, you will break off your engagement with her!"
The Spirit Sword Sect disciple pursued relentlessly, his tone aggressive.
It seemed he thought this would suppress Su Chen and make himself look better in Wang Bailu's eyes.
"I just think it's unfair to Miss Wang, being used as a wager by someone like you."
"If you want a duel, I will accept. But I will not wager my fiancée. She is not a piece of merchandise; she is my future wife."
With that single statement, Su Chen earned the respect of the Spirit Sword Sect.
Wang Bailu's beautiful eyes, filled with a brilliant light, turned to the refined young man.
Humiliated, the Spirit Sword Sect disciple flew into a rage and attacked Su Chen, only to be subdued in a single move, shocking the entire Spirit Sword Sect.
In the end, a middle-aged man led away the dazed disciple, who was now questioning his very existence.
From beginning to end, Su Chen never learned his name, nor did he care to.
The two of them were simply not in the same league.
An Elder from the Spirit Sword Sect personally apologized to Su Chen and guaranteed that no one from their sect would trouble him again.
Everyone in the Spirit Sword Sect, from top to bottom, now admired Su Chen, their attitude doing a complete one-eighty.
Originally, they thought Su Chen was not worthy of Wang Bailu.
Now, they worried Wang Bailu was not worthy of Su Chen.
They were certain Su Chen would be a dark horse in the martial competition and achieve outstanding results. When that happened, countless daughters of nobles and royals would surely come knocking.
Wang Bailu also realized this problem. Her fiancé was so exceptional that she worried he might send her a letter of annulment if he became famous.
Therefore, in the days leading up to the martial arts tournament, Wang Bailu stuck to Su Chen's side at all times.
It wasn't until the tournament began and geniuses from all the major sects had gathered...
...that Wang Bailu finally gave Su Chen some free time.
Su Chen felt that this dark horse was about to collapse.
He had been worn down to a skinny horse.
But it was fine. Though he was a bit tired, Su Chen had, after all, spent his previous life in constant battle, walking the line between life and death. His combat experience was not something these wet-behind-the-ears youngsters could compare to.
Just like that, Su Chen became the dark horse of the martial competition, fighting his way into the sights of numerous powerful factions.
"Zhang Yuan, your Lingyun Martial Academy has really picked up a fine seedling!"
The Elders from the various factions gathered together, openly expressing their envy toward Lingyun Martial Academy.
Nineteen years old and at the sixth level of the Spirit Gathering Realm. Not only that, but he had even defeated a popular top-ten contender who was at a higher level than him.
Nangong Meng of the Tianlan Sect, twenty-one years old, at the peak of the ninth level of the Spirit Gathering Realm.
She was the most prized disciple of the Tianlan Sect's Elder, Li Qingyue.
Su Chen, merely at the sixth level of the Spirit Gathering Realm, relied on a fearless and indomitable martial spirit, fighting so fiercely that he forced Nangong Meng to concede defeat.
His name shook the world!
He was given a new title—the Martial Arts Maniac.
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