Ever since that day, Su Chen had been studying at the Tianfeng Martial Academy.

As the premier martial academy in the Tianfeng Kingdom, its profound heritage was beyond question. Its founder, like Marquis Jinghai, was one of the ten great powerhouses of the kingdom.

Without exception, all who were qualified to study here had the blood of the Tianfeng Kingdom's most powerful nobles flowing through their veins.

"Young Marquis, Young Master Feng Hongyu has sent an invitation for you to attend a banquet."

A pretty, well-mannered woman stood by Su Chen's side, speaking with the utmost respect.

Su Chen glanced at the invitation in her hand.

The special metal insignia on the invitation alone was worth a fortune.

Information about Feng Hongyu surfaced in his mind.

He was a genius from the main branch of the royal clan, having broken through to the first level of Spirit Mark at the young age of seventeen.

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Su Chen accepted the invitation without saying much.

The woman also remained silent. She was a handmaiden bestowed by Marquis Jinghai to care for Su Chen. Having been with him for three years, she understood the Young Marquis's personality.

He was likely interested in the banquet.

After the woman rose and left, Su Chen toyed with the invitation in his hand and let out a soft sigh.

His grandfather, Marquis Jinghai, truly cared for him, even sending several Spirit Sea Realm experts to guard him day and night.

Though it was a kind gesture.

It also prevented Su Chen from slipping away to visit the familiar places of his past life.

And then there was the Tongling Technique, still buried in the earth.

He wouldn't be able to retrieve it anytime soon.

Fortunately, the portion of the Tongling Technique he had translated in his previous life was enough to allow him to cultivate all the way to the Spirit Sea Realm.

Su Chen set the invitation down. He wasn't going to Feng Hongyu's banquet because he was interested in the festivities or wanted to join the crowd.

Rather, he would use this opportunity to observe the most elite members of the Tianfeng Kingdom's younger generation and see if any of them could pose a threat to him.

Or, perhaps, find those he could win over to aid his grand ambitions.

And while he was at it... see if there were any children of 'old acquaintances'.

...

Five days later.

A lavish estate was filled with a multitude of young people.

Any one of these youths, if thrown into another region, would be enough to cause a sensation.

The most noble blood flowed through their parents' veins.

A luxurious carriage pulled by nine flying horses stopped in front of the estate, drawing frequent glances.

Each flying horse was exceptionally beautiful, their silver contours like exquisite works of art.

The crucial point was that every single flying horse actually possessed the strength of the Spirit Mark Realm, a rare breed of exotic beast.

"It's the Young Marquis of the Jinghai Marquis Residence!"

A buzz went through the crowd.

They were geniuses in their own right.

But the young man seated in that carriage was even more of a genius than they were, his bloodline even more noble!

At this moment, inside the estate's palace hall.

Mist swirled and vibrant clouds billowed, creating a scene like a paradise on earth.

Twenty to thirty figures were seated, chatting happily.

"The Young Marquis of the Jinghai Marquis Residence has arrived!"

Following the servant's announcement, everyone simultaneously looked up in the same direction.

A young man with an indifferent expression and an aura of nobility slowly walked into the palace hall, his gaze sweeping across the room.

Su Chen did indeed spot the descendants of several of his enemies.

Without a change in expression, he took the seat of honor next to the host.

Seeing Su Chen arrive, Feng Hongyu's face lit up with joy. "Clan Brother, my royal father speaks of you constantly, describing you as a celestial being. Seeing you today, I see you truly live up to your reputation. It's no wonder he holds you in such high regard."

Feng Hongyu was the forty-third son of the current king of the Tianfeng Kingdom and was quite favored.

Yet he addressed Su Chen as "Clan Brother," undoubtedly a move to close the distance between them.

Su Chen raised his eyes and said calmly, "My thanks to His Majesty and Your Highness for your great favor."

Though they were words of gratitude, his face was an icy, emotionless mask.

Feng Hongyu, however, didn't mind in the slightest.

Geniuses were always a bit arrogant, especially one who had earned the effusive praise of the old guard from the main branch.

He was confident enough that he could bring this genius under his wing.

As cups were raised and toasts were made, Su Chen met many scions of the Tianfeng Kingdom's noble families, each with ancestors of illustrious military achievement.

Among them... was the descendant of the enemy he thought of day and night.

The son of Yu Zhengde, commander of the Xuanwu Army and the renowned Xuanwu Marquis!

Su Chen lowered his head, his eyes already filled with killing intent.

"That old fool Yu Zhengde had daughters his whole life, only to finally sire a son."

Su Chen didn't know whether to consider this a gift from the heavens.

If his most precious son were to die right in front of him...

What would that look like?

But now was not the time. His current identity was too noble, and he had spent too many Fate Reversal Points. To perish along with one of Yu Zhengde's descendants would be far too great a loss.

After the banquet ended, Su Chen acted as if nothing had happened.

...

In the blink of an eye, another three years passed.

In these three years, Su Chen's cultivation had reached the seventh level of Spirit Mark.

This year, Su Chen turned sixteen.

He had also become acquainted with many geniuses and even nobles of the Tianfeng Kingdom.

Any discerning person could see that Su Chen's future was limitless.

This, however, made Su Chen's group of brothers and his good-for-nothing father burn with jealousy.

As long as Su Chen remained in the Jinghai Marquis Residence, they would never have their day in the sun.

"Brother Feng Chen!"

A clear voice rang out as a bright, smiling girl of fifteen or sixteen walked in. At her young age, she already possessed a beauty that could topple nations.

Princess Huai'an, hailed as the number one beauty of her generation in the Tianfeng Kingdom.

She was the most beloved daughter of the Tianfeng Kingdom's king.

She was also Su Chen's fiancée in this life.

Besides Feng Huai'an, his grandfather, Marquis Jinghai, had also arranged matches for him with many other daughters of nobility, hoping he would produce heirs and expand the family line.

"So it's Huai'an."

Su Chen concealed the hatred in his eyes, looked up, and spoke faintly.

Feng Huai'an energetically pulled out a pile of items—pills, cultivation techniques, and even Spirit Weapons.

"Brother Feng Chen is participating in the martial competition tomorrow. These things will definitely be useful to you!"

Feng Huai'an pushed the large pile of items in front of Su Chen, her large, watery eyes crinkling into crescents, looking playful and lively.

If outsiders were to see the number one beauty of the Tianfeng Kingdom, Princess Huai'an, treating a man this way, it would likely break the hearts of countless young talents.

Seeing so many items, a trace of astonishment appeared on Su Chen's face. Among the things Feng Huai'an had brought were many priceless treasures, and the pills were all fourth-grade.

It was as if she had plundered half the national treasury.

Su Chen pushed the items back and said flatly, "Even without these things, I am still the number one genius of the Tianfeng Kingdom."

"If you take so many things from the royal palace at once, the consequences could be severe if your royal father finds out."

Feng Huai'an shook her head repeatedly. "My royal father dotes on me so much, he would never punish me."

Feng Huai'an pushed the items back to Su Chen, her cheeks puffed out, making her look just like an adorable kitten.

"Brother Feng Chen, these are all gifts from me. You can't refuse them."

Helpless, Su Chen had no choice but to accept the items.

Seeing this, Feng Huai'an was overjoyed.

But Su Chen felt a faint sense of guilt.

"That I am scheming against such an innocent young girl... If she knew the truth, she would probably hate me to her very core."

The smile on Feng Huai'an's face never faded.

She was like the bright moon in the depths of darkness.