……

Wang Zongsheng quickly shrank his neck and gave an awkward laugh to his fellow disciples around him: “Hehe~ I mistook him for someone else, my bad.”

Meanwhile, he was inwardly groaning.

Fourth Uncle, Fourth Uncle, why do you have to put me in such a difficult position? I just joined the Basalt Hall, and you’re already causing trouble. How am I supposed to get by in the future?

Fortunately, everyone’s attention was not on Wang Zongsheng at the moment, which allowed him to slip through the situation.

In the sky, the elder stroked his beard, the more he looked at Wang Shouzhe, the more pleasing he found him: “Ice Ripple, what do you think of my new disciple?”

His tone was filled with undisguised pride.

Ice Ripple’s gaze was as cold as ice: “He looks decent, and he has reached the Spirit Platform Realm at such a young age, which is much stronger than you were at his age. However, I don’t know how much real skill he has. But, if he can make you so proud, this kid must have some abilities. Hmph~ I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do.”

“Haha~ You’ll know when you see it, Ice Ripple.” The elder said with a hint of pride, “I think he will definitely surprise you today.”

He knew that his Ice Ripple had always been a sucker for good looks. The core disciples and direct disciples she accepted were all very good-looking.

Ice Ripple was drinking her spiritual tea and didn’t want to bother with him anymore.

She turned to Fang You’an and said, “You’an, you arrange it.”

“Yes, Master.”

Fang You’an respectfully responded, then swept his gaze over the disciples of the Basalt Hall and asked in a gentle voice: “Who is in charge of recruiting new disciples this time? Are there any outstanding talents?”

Immediately, Zhou Kangde stepped forward, his voice slightly excited: “Reporting to Brother You’an, I was in charge of recruiting new disciples this time. We have recruited fourteen new disciples in total, all of whom have awakened their bloodline to the first level and have medium-grade qualifications. Among them, one has a Basalt bloodline with medium-grade A-level qualifications. Brother Yunhao, why don’t you come out and meet Brother You’an?”

A young man about twenty years old, dressed in a brocade-colored Xuanwu outfit, with a handsome and heroic appearance, walked out with a steady demeanor and said loudly: “I am Jiang Yunhao, I pay my respects to the two elders and all my fellow disciples.”

This young man had an extraordinary demeanor.

Facing such a big scene, he didn’t show the slightest fear, which indicated that he must come from a notable family.

A medium-grade A-level talent is quite rare, especially one with a Basalt bloodline.

Even in the Basalt Hall, such a disciple is very rare. Even the famous Ancestor Long Yan, when she first entered the Basalt Hall, only had a medium-grade C-level Elemental Water bloodline.

Later, before she advanced to the Spirit Platform Realm, she underwent a bloodline transformation with the help of a low-level bloodline improvement liquid, and reached the level of a medium-grade A-level Basalt bloodline.

The now famous Ji Mingyu, the pillar of the younger generation in the Basalt Hall, is also a medium-grade A-level Basalt bloodline holder.

For this reason, the high-ranking members of the Basalt Hall looked at Jiang Yunhao with a more serious gaze.

If this young man doesn’t slack off and diligently cultivates, he should be on the same level as Ji Mingyu in the future. With proper cultivation, he will definitely reach the Heavenly Man Realm.

Such a talent may not appear once in forty or fifty years.

Ice Ripple’s gaze also softened a bit, filled with satisfaction.

The Basalt Hall was quite lucky this time.

The only problem was that this young man was only about twenty years old, and his cultivation level was just barely at the middle stage of the Qi Refining Realm.

And that kid named Wang Shouzhe, who was obviously several years older, had already reached the early stage of the Spirit Platform Realm. Jiang Yunhao was probably not his match.

Immediately, Ice Ripple’s lips moved slightly under her veil.

Her direct disciple, Fang You’an, immediately understood and said with a gentle smile: “Brother Yunhao is truly extraordinary. I will invite you for tea in a few days.”

Then Fang You’an continued: “Today, we have a visitor from Changchun Valley. As the host, we should naturally entertain him well. Is there any outstanding disciple who would like to come forward and receive the disciple from Changchun Valley?”

His implication was, of course, that Brother Yunhao might not be a match, so he shouldn’t go up and embarrass himself.

However, before some of the outstanding disciples could speak, Jiang Yunhao’s handsome face changed.

He stepped forward and said: “Brother You’an, I am willing to fight.”

This was a good opportunity to show his face in front of the two elders and his fellow disciples, and he didn’t want to miss it.

“This……”

Fang You’an’s eyebrows furrowed.

Jiang Yunhao continued: “Brother, please rest assured. I have been diligent in my studies and training since I was a child, and I have had my own adventures. I have challenged the Spirit Platform Realm and remained undefeated. Even if I can’t beat the older brother from Changchun Valley, I won’t embarrass myself.”

Seeing his confidence, Fang You’an thought for a moment and then nodded: “In that case, Brother Yunhao, go ahead and experience the strength of the brother from Changchun Valley. Don’t be afraid of losing, after all, age is a factor.”

“Yes, Brother.”

Jiang Yunhao’s spirit lifted, and he was the first to jump onto the stage, bowing to Wang Shouzhe with neither arrogance nor humility: “I am Jiang Yunhao, please teach me, Brother.”

Wang Shouzhe was speechless.

Originally, he wanted to end this quickly. He and the elder had already agreed to just have one match.

How could he get excited about fighting a young genius who was six or seven years younger than him?

Just as he was about to decline, suddenly, a powerful spiritual sense enveloped him.

He heard the elder’s voice in his ear: “Kid, just fight one more round, it will make me happy.”

“This……”

Wang Shouzhe frowned slightly.

“I’ve created a small space with my spiritual sense, you can speak freely, others can’t hear.” The elder’s voice rang out again.

Ice Ripple frowned and glanced at the elder with a strange look.

What was he saying, as if she didn’t exist?

However, she didn’t stop him, she also wanted to hear what the kid had to say.”Master, we agreed to only have one match,” Wang Shouzhe said, “I need to save some energy for the tougher opponents later.”

“Just one more match, and I’ll give you three liang of Changchun Ling Tea,” the Changchun Master directly tempted, “Your opponent is just in the Qi Refining Stage, it won’t take much of your energy.”

“One tael.”

Wang Shouzhe, of course, knew that Changchun Ling Tea was a good thing, and he immediately asked for a high price.

“One tael! Do you think my Changchun Ling Tea is like those wild tea spirits outside?” The Changchun Master’s beard twitched, “At most five liang!”

“Five liang is too little.” Wang Shouzhe shook his head, “This opponent is a mid-grade A-class, at least eight liang, otherwise, Master, you can let other disciples go.”

Other disciples?

What a joke! Are they going to embarrass themselves? Among the young people of their Changchun Valley lineage, apart from Wang Shouzhe, who could fight a mid-grade A-class little genius? They couldn’t possibly send a disciple in their thirties to embarrass themselves, could they?

“Eight liang it is.” The Changchun Master gritted his teeth, in great pain, “But you have to fight well and show the prestige of our Changchun Valley.”

The Binglan Master on the side was frowning and sneering in her heart.

This old and young pair, they really know how to play, treating her Xuanbing Palace like a dish! Such bargaining, do they really think her Xuanbing Palace has no means? Hehe, just wait and see.

Eight liang of Changchun Ling Tea, it’s quite a profit.

How would Wang Shouzhe know that the Binglan Master was watching from the side? Having gained benefits, his reluctance naturally disappeared.

He casually walked onto the stage, and bowed to Jiang Yunhao, “Brother Yunhao, I am much older than you, even if I win, it would not be a fair victory. Why don’t we call off this fight, you can step down.”

Unexpectedly, Jiang Yunhao sneered a few times, “Brother, you better take care of yourself first. If you lose to me, wouldn’t that be embarrassing?”

Alright~ Good intentions are not appreciated~

Wang Shouzhe sighed in his heart, but still maintained his graceful demeanor and bowed, “In that case, please make your move first, brother.”

“Alright!”

Jiang Yunhao didn’t refuse, he immediately drew his Ice Iron Cold Sword, displaying his body technique, and attacked Wang Shouzhe.

His basic skills were solid, fast as lightning, and his swordsmanship was even more outstanding, flowing like water, extremely fast and impenetrable.

Coupled with his powerful Xuanbing bloodline, it even brought down a series of ice crystal snowflakes around him, as if forming an ice field, making the surrounding air much colder.

Don’t underestimate his ice field, the gap between masters often lies in the details. Once affected by the field, even if the movement is half a beat slower, it’s a loss!

This young man is extraordinary, he seems to be only slightly inferior to Wang Luoqiu or Wang Luoqing, the two geniuses.

No wonder, his tone is so strong.

Unfortunately, his opponent is Wang Shouzhe. Even if his five younger sisters join forces now, it’s hard to measure his depth.

Let alone Jiang Yunhao, this little genius.

Wang Shouzhe just slightly swayed, and drifted away like a willow catkin, all of his opponent’s sword moves fell through.

“Humph~ Pretentious.”

Jiang Yunhao’s face turned cold, he intensified his attack, and his swordsmanship became even more fierce.

But from beginning to end, Wang Shouzhe just leisurely moved around the stage with his hands behind his back, like a willow catkin in a storm, unfathomable.

Although Jiang Yunhao’s attack was as dense as a storm, not a single bit of it landed on Wang Shouzhe.

He had underestimated Wang Shouzhe after all.

Whether it was his previous life or after his transmigration, he had never slacked off in his cultivation, especially in polishing the basics of Xuanwu combat skills and body techniques, he had been consistent for more than a decade.

He always understood one truth, no matter how good the talent is, one must be down-to-earth, and constant dripping wears away a stone.

“How is this possible?”

Jiang Yunhao’s face turned extremely ugly.

He had also fought against the Lingtai Stage cultivators in his family, and he thought he could compete with the Lingtai Stage cultivators, but he didn’t expect Wang Shouzhe to be so difficult.

His original plan was just to entangle with him, the longer he persisted, the better, and the more cards he exposed, the better.

But now, Wang Shouzhe’s elusive body technique gave him a feeling of being toyed with.

“Brother Yunhao’s basic skills are not bad.” Wang Shouzhe praised, “When you reach the Lingtai Stage, you will definitely be a master.”

This praise made Jiang Yunhao almost want to find a hole to crawl into.

His face was full of shame and anger, and he couldn’t help but intensify his attack.

But no matter how he attacked, no matter what moves he used. Wang Shouzhe never made a move, just relying on his body technique to deal with him.

Time passed bit by bit. Jiang Yunhao, who was only in the Qi Refining Stage, was starting to struggle.

In contrast, Wang Shouzhe was still as calm as ever, like a leisurely stroll in a garden, his face didn’t change at all.

Fang You’an’s pupils also slightly contracted.

He originally thought that this Brother Jiang Yunhao, even if he would eventually lose, should be able to hold his ground and probe the opponent’s bottom line, but he didn’t expect the opponent to toy with him just by using his body technique.

“Enough, Brother Yunhao, admit defeat and step down.” Fang You’an said loudly.

Continuing to fight would only exhaust him.

The disciples of Changchun Valley are best at endurance battles, once given the opportunity, they can drag you until the end of time.

There’s no point in continuing the fight.

Although Jiang Yunhao’s face was unwilling, he was helpless and immediately withdrew his sword, saying with a face full of shame, “I lost. This brother is truly amazing.”

At the same time as he admitted defeat, he was also shocked in his heart.

It’s worthy of being the Purple Mansion Academy, indeed a place where dragons and tigers hide, not comparable to his small city.

“You’re too kind~” Wang Shouzhe smiled and bowed, “It’s just that I’m a few years older. When Brother Yunhao reaches my age, you may not be inferior to me.”He was a mature-minded adult.

He came to the academy to expand his network, not his list of enemies, so naturally, he had to give the other party some face.

Sure enough, upon hearing his words, Jiang Yunhao’s face relaxed considerably, and his fondness for Wang Shouzhe increased significantly.

Immediately, Jiang Yunhao also put away his arrogance and sincerely said, “Brother Shouzhe is magnanimous! If there is a chance in the future, I should learn more from you.”

With that, he willingly jumped off the stage.

What was originally a situation that would lead to enmity was turned around by Wang Shouzhe in a few moves, and he even planted a seed of friendship for the future.

This junior was not simple.

Fang You’an secretly praised him in his heart, but his face still wore a smile, and he said loudly, “Junior Brother Shouzhe is extraordinary. Does any other outstanding disciple of our Xuanbing Hall want to go up and spar?”

Several outstanding disciples in their thirties and forties immediately vied to say, “I’ll go,” “I’ll spar.”

This was the fighting spirit of the disciples of Xuanbing Hall.

Even if Wang Shouzhe was extraordinary, they were not afraid at all, but instead, it aroused their competitive spirit even more.

“Everyone!” Ji Mingyu said loudly, “I see that Junior Brother Shouzhe is extraordinary and has the potential of a genius. Mingyu can’t help but itch to fight, so I ask my junior and senior brothers to give me a chance.”

Upon hearing that Ji Mingyu was going to take the stage, those outstanding disciples who had just been clamoring to go up all stepped back.

With Ji Mingyu making a move, Wang Shouzhe was undoubtedly doomed to lose!

“Ji Mingyu.”

Seeing this person was about to make a move, Wang Shouzhe muttered to himself in secret.

Although he had anticipated this scene in his heart, he secretly made a gesture to the sky.

The Changchun elder understood and immediately used his profound spiritual sense to envelop the two of them, asking, “Boy, what’s the matter now?”

“I’ve heard of this Ji Mingyu.” Wang Shouzhe frowned, showing a troubled expression, “His strength is extraordinary, I’m afraid I’m not his match.”

“Boy, how can you back down at such a critical moment? At least you should fight a fair battle before retreating, right?”

The Changchun elder was enjoying himself, but when he heard that Wang Shouzhe wanted to retreat, he felt a bit choked. Although he also knew that Ji Mingyu was indeed powerful, and Wang Shouzhe was most likely not his match.

“Elder, I have no choice.” Wang Shouzhe sighed “helplessly”, “I heard that he has a superior mid-level Xuanbing bloodline, and he is twenty years older than me, and his cultivation is almost at the mid-stage of the Lingtai realm. If I don’t go all out, I’m afraid I won’t have a chance of winning.”

“What?” The Changchun elder and the Binglan elder, who was eavesdropping, were both taken aback.

Did this boy mean that if he went all out, he might have a chance of winning?

The Binglan elder was the first to laugh in anger, his voice echoing in the small space created by the Changchun elder’s spiritual sense, “You little brat, aren’t you blowing your own trumpet a bit too much? Do you think my disciple Ji Mingyu is just any Tom, Dick, or Harry? Anyone can beat him?”

“Well… Elder Binglan.” Wang Shouzhe explained in a low voice, “What I meant was, I would have a chance of winning if I went all out.”

Wasn’t that the same thing?

The Binglan elder was quite annoyed and snorted coldly.

“Good, good, good.” The Changchun elder, however, was overjoyed, “Boy, let’s go all out and win this one, and let Elder Binglan have a good look.”

“No, the price to pay is too high.” Wang Shouzhe shook his head.

“Price, huh? Fine, I’ll cover your cost.” The Changchun elder said magnanimously, “As long as you win, I’ll give you five leaves of the longevity tree.”

These leaves of the longevity tree were extraordinary items. Even a single one had a very strong effect in battle. If given to those who were seriously injured, they could recover quickly.

These were treasures that were hard to buy outside.

Upon hearing this, the Binglan elder’s eyebrows twitched, and he thought to himself, ‘Changchun, you old thing, you’re really willing to pay the price just to beat me.’

Unexpectedly, Wang Shouzhe still shook his head and said, “I don’t lack the leaves of the longevity tree, and I’m good at healing myself. This thing is nothing more than chicken ribs to me.”

“What do you want then? As long as I can get it, it’s fine.” The Changchun elder said in a desperate manner.

“Since the elder is so sincere.” Wang Shouzhe finally said satisfactorily, “As long as the elder gives me a longevity fruit, I will give the elder a satisfactory result in this battle.”

“Longevity fruit!” The Changchun elder said in disbelief, “You, you, you, how do you know I still have a longevity fruit? Did that girl Lvwei tell you?”

“Elder, I was just asking casually, who knew you really had one.” Wang Shouzhe said leisurely, “If I want to win this battle, the price I have to pay is too high. I need a longevity fruit to compensate.”

“Changchun! You actually still have a longevity fruit.” The Binglan elder’s voice was somewhat angry, “When I asked you for it a few days ago, what was your answer?”

“Well, well… I also saved it with great difficulty.” The voice of the Changchun elder was quite helpless, “The longevity tree needs to grow on top-grade wood spiritual veins, and it takes a hundred years to bear a fruit. After taking this fruit, it can heal severe injuries, prolong life, and replenish lost lifespan.”

Wang Shouzhe had already learned about the effects of this fruit from his sister Lvwei.

It was said that if a mortal ate it, it could cleanse the marrow, break the shackles of lifespan, and live for more than a hundred years.

If a cultivator at the Lingtai stage ate it, all hidden injuries could be healed, and the lost lifespan could be replenished. As long as they didn’t die in battle, it was possible to live past two hundred years.

Even if a cultivator at the Heavenly Man stage ate it, it could supplement the deficiency of lifespan and live for another ten or eight years.

Of course, for cultivators at the Purple Mansion stage, the effect was not obvious,

At most, it could prolong life for a year or two.

But even so, the longevity fruit was a very rare and valuable treasure.

“Boy, do you have to have the longevity fruit to supplement you before you can win?” The Changchun elder was in a dilemma, “You’re not going to sell it, are you?””To be honest, Ji Mingyu is truly formidable,” Wang Shouzhe said seriously, “If I hadn’t accidentally heard about the effects of the Longevity Fruit, and this treasure had some use for me. Even if the elder offered more subsidies, I wouldn’t have used my trump card in this battle.”

Upon hearing his sincere words, the elder pondered for a moment before saying, “Alright, to be honest, the Longevity Fruit doesn’t have much effect on me either. But you have to accept two conditions. First, you only get the Longevity Fruit if you win. Second, you have to promise to use it for yourself, not to sell it.”

“Deal,” Wang Shouzhe agreed without hesitation.

The elder’s brows furrowed slightly, her eyes flickering a few times, but she ultimately did not stop him. Even if Wang Shouzhe might have some hidden tricks, defeating Ji Mingyu was undoubtedly a pipe dream.

Once this matter was over, she had ways to make the elder obediently hand over the Longevity Fruit.

Their conversation was kept within a small circle, unknown to outsiders.

Once their conversation ended.

Ji Mingyu was already standing on the stage. He was dressed in the elegant and handsome uniform of the core disciples of the Xuanbing Hall, with a long sword hanging on his back, looking like a transcendent swordsman.

Seeing Wang Shouzhe come back to his senses, Ji Mingyu cupped his hands and said, “Brother Shouzhe, are you ready? If not, you can prepare a little longer, we’re not in a hurry.”

“Thank you for your consideration, Brother Mingyu,” Wang Shouzhe politely returned the gesture, “I’m ready, we can spar at any time.”

“In that case, Brother Shouzhe, please make your move,” Ji Mingyu said in a gentle and elegant manner, like a gentleman.

Regardless of age or cultivation level, he was far superior to Wang Shouzhe. If he had to attack first in such a spar, it would be somewhat undignified, which would be more embarrassing than losing the match.

“Thank you.”

After bowing, Wang Shouzhe immediately held a shield in his left hand and a sword in his right. He also put on a layer of ancient tree armor, making his defense impeccable.

The ancient tree armor was not light, and it would obviously slow down Wang Shouzhe’s movements.

“Smart! The gap in cultivation between the two is quite large. Even if Brother Shouzhe’s movement skills are practiced to perfection, I’m afraid he can’t match Ji Mingyu, who is nearly fifty years old,” Brother Jinshan explained Wang Shouzhe’s tactical intentions to the newly joined disciples beside the stage, “In this case, since the hit-and-run tactics are not advantageous, he can only defend and counterattack. Brother Shouzhe is playing to his strengths and avoiding his weaknesses.”

With Brother Jinshan’s explanation, the surrounding new disciples all looked at Wang Shouzhe with admiration.

At this moment.

After making some preparations, Wang Shouzhe said, “Brother Mingyu, please make your move.” After all, the other party had already given way, and he couldn’t take all the advantages.

“Alright, Brother Shouzhe, be careful.” Ji Mingyu didn’t refuse, his eyes flashed, and with a clang, he drew the treasure sword from his back.

The sword was about four feet long, crystal clear as ice, with the light of cold ice fluctuating uncertainly. As soon as it appeared, the surrounding air became several degrees colder.

This sword was obviously not an ordinary treasure sword.

Ji Mingyu didn’t have the mood to introduce this sword to Wang Shouzhe, he just stepped in the air, each step as if stepping on solid ground, ascending step by step. In a breath, he had flown more than ten feet high.

As his Xuanqi erupted, countless ice crystals and snowflakes swirled around him, fluttering uncertainly.

Suddenly.

He fell from the sky at high speed, his sword coming out like a dragon, carrying a fierce ice storm towards Wang Shouzhe. The temperature on the stage dropped sharply.

“Xuanbing Sword Technique.”

Wang Shouzhe was somewhat familiar with the Xuanbing Sword Technique, after all, his own Ancestor Long Yan was also very good at this sword technique.

However, Ji Mingyu’s Xuanbing Sword Technique, although it came from the same lineage as Ancestor Long Yan, had a completely different style.

Ancestor Long Yan’s sword technique was elegant and mysterious.

While Ji Mingyu’s sword technique was open and close, the sword momentum was grand and majestic.

This sword strike was extremely domineering, as if there were no rivals in the world.

Even Wang Shouzhe, as the opponent, couldn’t help but praise him in his heart. Indeed, there was no false reputation under the great name.

Ji Mingyu was truly extraordinary.

Wang Shouzhe retracted his aura, the “Heart Guarding Shield” suddenly shone, the shield light bloomed like a curved pot lid, blocking that majestic move.

“Boom!”

Thousands of ice crystals and energy spread out like a shock wave in all directions, causing the entire stage to tremble slightly.

The disciples who were watching too close to the stage all retreated one after another, their faces full of astonishment. The power of the touch was too great, wasn’t it?

“Good shield! Good defense!” Ji Mingyu was not surprised but delighted, and praised, “Come on, take another sword from me.”

……