Chapter 1084: Chapter 10083: Ninefold Talents Gathering

"Lady Murong, you flatter me."

Ling Chen calmly cupped his hands. His grievances with the Azure Dragon Family had been settled, and faced with the goodwill from this Murong Qingcheng, Ling Chen naturally wouldn’t ruin someone’s gesture for no reason.

"Previously, our Azure Dragon Family caused offense, I hope Brother Ling Chen can forgive us."

Murong Qingcheng smiled sweetly, and that look in her eyes could extinguish the anger of any man.

"Lady Murong, you overthink it."

Ling Chen glanced at Murong Qingcheng and then shook his head, "The previous matters have been written off. I, Ling Chen, am not a petty person, and won’t hold grudges over such trivial matters."

From Ling Chen’s tone, Murong Qingcheng sensed a deliberate sense of distance. She could naturally feel that Ling Chen seemed unwilling to have much entanglement with her, trying to forge a friendship at this moment might not be a smart move.

"That’s good then."

Murong Qingcheng nodded slightly, showing no sign of displeasure on her face, "With Brother Ling Chen’s current strength, even among the youth of the entire Nine Provinces Land, you can rank high. Even compared to the young talents of those major sects, you’re not much worse off, probably able to rank in the top thirty at least."

"Top thirty?"

Upon hearing this, Ling Chen raised an eyebrow. With the strength he had exhibited, killing a Senior Half-Saint was as easy as slaughtering pigs and dogs. Even against a first realm Saint, Ling Chen had confidence to battle and even defeat them! Yet, such strength could only place him in the top thirty among the youth?

It was already rumored that on the Nine Provinces Land, the strongest forces were not the Nine Great Families, but those colossal entities hidden in secret realms across various major states.

Sects.

No matter where on the Tianyuan Continent, sects were always the true rulers of this land.

"Top thirty, that ranking is indeed not low."

Murong Qingcheng laughed and shook her head, "The land of the Nine Provinces is vast, and the young generation is a constellation of stars. With strength like mine, although considered good within our Azure Dragon Family, in the entire young generation I’m afraid I can only barely squeeze into the top hundred."

"Oh?"

Ling Chen’s pupils slightly contracted, his heart filled with surprise. He wasn’t quite sure about Murong Qingcheng’s strength, but as the favored daughter of a first-class power like the Azure Dragon Family, she was rare even in the Central Dynasty. Unexpectedly, someone like her could only be within the top hundred?

Isn’t this a bit of an exaggeration?

Seemingly noticing Ling Chen’s thoughts, Murong Qingcheng still shook her head with a wry smile, "I’m not belittling myself, but I have interacted with those people and witnessed them personally."

"Once you come into contact with them, you’ll know that I’m not speaking empty words. For those stationed at the pyramid of the young generation, killing Saints may be as easy as eating or drinking."

"Killing Saints? As easy as that?"

Ling Chen’s pupils shrank, and he couldn’t help being taken aback.

Compared to the Sky Apex Realm, reaching the level of Saints not only brings a massive leap in power but also an enhancement in life force.

After cultivating a Saint Body, one’s lifespan surpasses limits, reaching the five-hundred-year mark, and they gain the ability to regenerate lost limbs.

For example, Huangfu Qi, whose arm Ling Chen had severed; if he had cultivated a Saint Body, he could regrow it with his own power.

Currently, Ling Chen felt confident enough to defeat a first realm Saint, but not confident enough to kill one.

Killing Saints as easily as eating and drinking?

Ling Chen realized he still had a considerable gap to such a level.

If what Murong Qingcheng said was true, then this young generation was indeed deep and filled with hidden talents.

"Thank you, Lady Murong, for informing me about all this."

Ling Chen cupped his hands towards Murong Qingcheng. He knew little about the young generation, and those major sects across the Nine Provinces were also a mystery to him. Before, his strength was lacking, his level not sufficient, but now, it was necessary to start learning these things.

"No need to thank me, even if I don’t tell you these things now, you will eventually find out."

Murong Qingcheng waved her hand. She had told Ling Chen all this to extend goodwill; otherwise, she wouldn’t have wasted her breath telling him so much.

"As far as I know, every year-end, the Central Dynasty holds the Jiuliu Conference, summoning the young generation from all over the world to participate, to evaluate their ranks and exchange ideas."

"Jiuliu Conference? Sounds a bit like the Heavenly Sword Conference."

Hearing these terms, Ling Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly. By the name, it seemed like another genius gathering for the young generation.

"The nature is somewhat similar, but there are significant differences."

Murong Qingcheng explained patiently to Ling Chen, "The Jiuliu Conference is mainly a grand event for evaluating the ranks of the young generation. At that time, not only will there be young talents from various sects and aristocratic families across the Nine Provinces, but also several elders of great reputation from the entire Nine Provinces Land, who will assess the grades of the young talents."

"The last Jiuliu Conference evaluated the Four Kings, Twelve Divine Marquises, Eighteen Heavenly Talents, and Thirty-six Heroes, encompassing the entire young generation of the Nine Provinces Land. Each of them is well-known, even famous worldwide."

Hearing this, Ling Chen fell into contemplation. Outstanding, Heavenly Pride, Divine Marquises, Kings... Unexpectedly, the grading among the young generation was so rigorous.

"This Jiuliu Conference does seem interesting..."

Ling Chen, after listening to Murong Qingcheng’s introduction, developed a slight interest in the Jiuliu Conference.

"With Brother Ling Chen’s strength, you might not make it into the Twelve Divine Marquises, but entering the Eighteen Heavenly Talents seems highly likely."

Murong Qingcheng said with a smile.

"If I have the time, I might go and see."

Ling Chen neither affirmed nor denied it. After all, men tend to have a competitive spirit, and it would be false to say he didn’t want to try at the Jiuliu Conference.

After further conversation, Murong Qingcheng sensed Ling Chen’s cold demeanor and decided not to stay longer, exchanged brief words, and then left with her people. As they departed, other powerhouses on the island gradually dispersed.

Watching the lively island beginning to quiet down, Ling Chen stretched lazily, finally resolving the trouble here.

At this juncture, it was time for him to leave.

This time, having killed Huangfu Qi and an elder from the Huangfu Clan, the Huangfu Clan was sure to not let it rest quietly, so he needed to leave quickly to avoid their attention.

With a swish, Ling Chen departed using his sword.

Soon, the island was deserted, plunging into silence.

However, just where Ling Chen left, a peculiar black aura emerged, like a slender black snake, secretly slithering out, shooting off into the distance, disappearing into the far void.