Chapter 120: Shocking Strength!

When the civil and military ministers heard that a test would be conducted, every one of them became excited. Normally, they might not have much interest in this kind of martial artist validation, but this situation was different. Even ministers unaware of what had previously happened between Qin Li and the Crown Prince could see the sheer hatred the Crown Prince held for Qin Li radiating from him.

The Martial Training Arena was located just outside the western gate of the Imperial Palace. It closely resembled the stadiums from Qin Li’s past life, just with fewer seats, only about ten thousand in total. The annual spring dueling tournaments were also usually held in such venues. There were many similar arenas in the Imperial Capital, but this one belonged to the Royal Family and was the largest.

The ministers filed into the noble Private Boxes. Servants were already delivering tea and snacks. This kind of event was novel for them too, so smiles of easy enjoyment were visible on all of their faces.

The Crown Prince Zhao Xinghe walked over to Qin Li and glanced at him with extreme indifference. Leaning close to Qin Li’s ear, he whispered coldly, “I will never let go of you killing my men! Also, your name disgusts me! If… you are the same person as that one… I will show you proper hospitality!”

“Young Master Zhao, what are you talking about? I really don’t understand.” Qin Li’s voice carried no attempt at concealment as he spoke these words loudly, addressing the Crown Prince by name. “Since arriving in the Azure Dragon Kingdom, I’ve followed the laws and conducted my business quietly. Only those beasts from the Great Green Gang troubled me. Are you saying those Great Green Gang hoodlums were your men?”

The buzzing murmur in the Martial Training Arena instantly faded away. The atmosphere turned tense.

“You! What nonsense are you spouting? Utterly absurd! Why tell me this?” Zhao Xinghe’s face flushed crimson, his chest heaving slightly. He couldn’t believe this damned reckless fool dared to offend him so openly and blatantly. Seething with hatred, Zhao Xinghe glared at Qin Li with a vicious smirk and whispered, “Fine. Kid. Just wait. You’ll regret this later!”

“Young Master Zhao, what do you mean by that? Are you threatening me? What do you mean I’ll regret it?” Qin Li feigned anger, staring straight at Zhao Xinghe and shouting angrily, “I never expected a country’s Crown Prince to be so petty! Moreover! I have absolutely no idea where I offended the Crown Prince! Why be so hostile towards me? If this is the aristocracy of the Azure Dragon Kingdom, I refuse it! This place doesn’t want me, but there’s always somewhere that does!”

Qin Li turned as if to leave. Zhao Xinghe, infuriated and flushed with rage, roared, “Qin Li! I know it’s you! It can only be you! If you dare leave today, believe me, I’ll send men after you to kill you immediately!”

“Silence!” Zhao Yuanli, seated in the Private Box, hadn’t intended to speak, but watching the Crown Prince descend into publicly threatening Qin Li filled him with profound disappointment.

The Second Prince Zhao Xinghai sat beside him, softly comforting, “Father Emperor, please don’t let this upset you.”

“If only your elder brother were as sensible as you!” Zhao Yuanli sighed lightly, then shouted towards the Crown Prince not far away, “Get in here this instant! Someone else will arrange the test! What does it have to do with you!”

Zhao Xinghe shot Qin Li one last venomous glare and signaled a eunuch with his eyes. Then, reluctantly, he walked into his father’s box. Seeing his father’s dark expression and his second brother playing the role of the compliant, filial son beside him, his mood soured further. He faced Zhao Yuanli and declared, “Father Emperor, I suspect this Qin Li is the Qin Li from Huangsha City!”

“Nonsense! Would someone from Huangsha City have the accent of the Great Qi Kingdom? While their ages might be similar, haven’t you seen the appearance of that Qin Li?” Zhao Yuanli shot his son a cold look. Thankfully, he thought, I possess Earth Rank strength myself and a long lifespan remains. Otherwise, if I were to pass the throne to this Crown Prince, Qin Li would likely flee far away immediately! A martial artist of such immense promise would surely slip away! Xinghai is proving far more sensible.

Zhao Xinghai chimed in beside them, “Elder Brother, even though that Qin Li from Huangsha City is your enemy, you can’t take out your anger on everyone named Qin Li. There are countless people under heaven with that name. Could you really kill them all?”

Zhao Xinghe’s face remained gloomy. He stayed silent, but internally cursed: Second Brother! Do you really think I don’t know what you’re scheming? Hmph! As long as I draw breath, you’ll never get that opportunity! The day I ascend the throne will be the day you… hmph!

Just then, a sound like silver bells ringing floated in clearly from outside the box – an incredibly sweet and melodious laugh. Hearing this voice, the stern expression on Emperor Zhao Yuanli’s face finally softened into a faint smile.

“Father Emperor! Father Emperor! I’m here! You didn’t even call your daughter for something fun! Your daughter is going to be so sad!” A remarkably beautiful girl, about thirteen or fourteen years old with fair skin, pushed open the door to the luxurious Private Box and walked in. She wore a sky-blue dress, her long, jet-black hair slightly wavy and cascading over her shoulders, a brilliant smile lighting her face.

“Oh? My two older brothers are here too.” The girl glanced at the Crown Prince and Second Prince with a light laugh.

This girl was Princess Zhao Qianqian, full sister to both the Crown Prince and Second Prince, His Majesty Zhao Yuanli’s most cherished princess. It was precisely for her that Eunuch Li had led men to capture the Green Plush Cat.

“Hmm, Qianqian is here. Well now, this isn’t exactly ‘fun,’ little one. This is your father recruiting talents for the kingdom!” Zhao Yuanli, with his daughter, always wore an expression of gentle fatherly affection, never harsh or reproachful. His daughter was truly sensible too, completely devoid of the usual arrogant airs or spoiled nature of royalty, showing no trace of princessly haughtiness.

“Heehee, who is it?” Princess Zhao Qianqian spoke as she peered downwards. By this time, the equipment for testing the martial artist’s level was ready nearby. They awaited the Emperor’s word before Qin Li could begin the test.

“He doesn’t look much older than me,” Zhao Qianqian remarked casually. “What skills can he possibly have to earn such high regard from Father Emperor?”

Zhao Yuanli grinned kindly. “You’ll see in a moment! His strength vastly surpasses yours!”

Unconvinced, Zhao Qianqian pouted. “But I’m already a little genius, okay!”

“Haha, my daughter is a big genius! A big genius!” Zhao Yuanli chuckled heartily.

“Hmph! That’s right!” Zhao Qianqian wrinkled her nose slightly and moved to sit beside Zhao Xinghai. She felt closer to her second brother. Her eldest brother, the Crown Prince, always wore a stern expression, was too proud, and Qianqian didn’t enjoy his company very much. Zhao Qianqian, fourteen years old, already possessed strength at Sixth Tier of Profound Grade. While she had taken many kinds of Spiritual Medicine, her own talent was genuinely not weak. Thus, hearing her father praise that person more highly than herself stirred a current of discontent within her. She fixed her eyes intently on the young man below.

“May I begin?” Qin Li, with his vast Spiritual Sense, had perceived everything happening in the distant luxurious Private Box perfectly. Feeling no urgency, he simply asked casually as they seemed prepared.

“Yes! You may begin!” The eunuch who had been given permission nodded to Qin Li.

Qin Li looked at the red instrument in front of him, shaped vaguely like a shield. He focused his mind and took a deep breath. Suddenly, he bellowed, his body erupting with a sudden flash of blue light. He swung his arm fiercely, driving his fist towards the red testing instrument like a thunderbolt!

As that flash of blue light surged from Qin Li’s body, Princess Zhao Qianqian’s lips parted slightly in astonishment as she watched the young man, her expression one of utter disbelief.

Bang!

A colossal sound boomed, echoing through the vast expanse of the Martial Training Arena.

Immediately following, a flat, mechanical voice intoned: “Earth Rank. Seventh Tier!”

Qin Li stood there immovably like a mountain peak, wearing a simple smile. He looked like a victorious general waiting for the ensuing uproar.

Ah!

A wave of gasps, impossible to stifle, instantly rose from the Private Boxes.

Zhao Qianqian stared, stunned silent for half a beat. Then, she finally managed to mumble, “Father Emperor… are you… are you sure… he’s human?”

An excited gleam sparkled in the eyes of the Second Prince Zhao Xinghai. He kept chanting over and over in his mind: I’ve hit the jackpot! I’ve hit the jackpot!

Zhao Yuanli also leapt to his feet, enthusiastically exclaiming, “What an elite talent!”

Whoosh!

A wave of enthusiastic applause burst forth simultaneously from all directions, mingled with many uncontrollable cheers and shouts of approval.

The face of Crown Prince Zhao Xinghe was constantly shifting between dark and pale. He had to admit he had sorely underestimated this person. An Earth Rank Seventh Tier warrior! The falls of Swiftblade Sun Liu and the brothers of the Warblade Hall weren’t undeserved! Yet, the hatred in his heart for Qin Li had reached the boiling point. This bastard! He’s ruined my major plans! Qin Li was utterly out of the question for his personal use now. A stark resolve set within him: I absolutely must destroy you!

Zhao Yuanli turned back to look at his daughter, smiling as he asked, “So? My precious daughter. Are you convinced, finally?”

Zhao Qianqian gave a sly giggle. “Father Emperor, maybe he’s a Spirit Beast that’s undergone Transformation! Otherwise, how could he be so powerful?”

“Go on! Stop talking nonsense!” Zhao Yuanli playfully tapped her nose. “Spirit Beasts undergoing Transformation must at least possess Heavenly Rank strength!” Smiling, he added, “Now then, who will step forward to test Qin Li’s true capabilities? Which Retainer is present?”

“Your Majesty, this humble servant will test him.”

A somber, ancient voice rang out, causing an involuntary chill to run through everyone assembled. As court ministers, they knew the Celestial Rank Attendants well enough, and this speaker was none other than the leader of the Imperial Family’s fifty-four Celestial Rank Attendants – Chen Yihan!

The expedition to explore the Ancient Ruins at Phoenix Lake had resulted in the loss of men and great frustration, leaving Chen Yihan bitter for quite some time. However, as a ferocious warrior at Heavenly Rank Ninth Tier, no one in all of the Azure Dragon Kingdom who knew him dared show him anything less than utmost reverence.

Hearing this voice, Qin Li’s heart gave a slight thump. Zhao Xinghe! Impressive! he thought grimly. You actually managed this kind of tactic! You brought out this grand old man!

After all, Chen Yihan’s feelings towards Phoenix Lake weren’t limited to feeling humiliated. He nursed a deep hatred for those insignificant junior warriors who had snatched away the Black Water Kui Bull.

Furthermore, as a high-level Heavenly Rank expert – only one step shy of breaking through to the Heaven-Breaking Realm – his Spiritual Sense was overwhelmingly powerful! An ordinary person, no matter how effectively disguised, could never shield their aura from perception by such an overwhelming being!

In the luxury Private Box, Zhao Xinghe was also sneering coldly.