Martial Arrogance Dragon Soul-Chapter 218 - 208: The Background of Lu Yu’an
Qin Qing couldn’t help but nod in agreement.
Not to provoke Lu Yu’an?
He really didn’t wish to provoke Lu Yu’an, yet this Lu Yu’an kept holding a grudge against Qin Qing.
As for who Lu Yu’an was, Qin Qing also harbored some doubts in his heart.
This Lu Yu’an, it seemed he didn’t give much face to the Third Prince, Qin De, speaking without leaving any dignity for him.
"I don’t recognize most people in Luochuan," Qin Qing admitted truthfully.
Qin De nodded, "Have you ever heard of the Hidden Dragon List?"
"I had heard of it while at the Great Qian Martial Institute, but I never looked into it," Qin Qing said.
He had indeed heard of it, and more than just once.
However, Qin Qing hadn’t gone into the details, as he wasn’t the type consumed by curiosity.
Moreover, for him, whether it was the Hidden Dragon List or any other list, he wouldn’t care about it. Given the time, Qin Qing would almost always devote it to closed-door cultivation.
"The Hidden Dragon List is a ranking set up for martial artists under the age of thirty-five in the Great Qian Dynasty."
"Under thirty-five, strength, talent, actual combat results, and so on are comprehensively considered to decide the rankings of the Hidden Dragon List."
"The Hidden Dragon List selects a total of ten individuals."
"Generally speaking, young martial artists who make it onto the Hidden Dragon List are almost certain to form their Nascent Soul in the future."
"In the past, every martial cultivator who appeared on the Hidden Dragon List eventually advanced to the Nascent Soul Realm!"
As Qin De spoke, Qin Qing listened attentively.
"And this Lu Yu’an, he is currently the top of the Hidden Dragon List."
"The top of the Hidden Dragon List?" Qin Qing nodded slightly, "Those who can enter this list should all be Martial Dao Masters of the Golden Core Realm, right?"
"Exactly!" Qin De nodded.
"Under thirty-five, stepping into the Golden Core Realm, their talent is indeed very impressive. And to enter the Hidden Dragon List, one must be among the strongest of these within the Golden Core Realm..."
"So, making it onto the Hidden Dragon List, indeed, means there’s a very high chance they’re already halfway into the Nascent Soul Realm."
Qin Qing nodded, "So, this Lu Yu’an being the first on the Hidden Dragon List means that forming his Nascent Soul is a sure thing. No wonder he dares to swear by the heavens to help you, Third Prince, secure the position of Spring Hunt Leader."
"Hehe..." Qin De chuckled.
"Third Prince, are you feeling any regret?" Qin Qing glanced at Qin De, "If you had chosen to expel me from Wanhe Palace, the one sitting beside you now would be Lu Yu’an, the first on the Hidden Dragon List."
"There’s nothing to regret. Those who follow different paths do not scheme together," Qin De lifted his cup and drank it all in one go. "By the way, I almost forgot to introduce the other two to you."
"This is Qiao Chong," Qin De pointed toward the young man wearing a jade crown.
"Third Prince, I have already greeted Qin Qing!" Qiao Chong bowed with his hands clasped.
"So have I," the man sitting next to Qiao Chong, Luo Qingshan, also said.
"Qin Qing. Qiao Chong and Luo Qingshan, they are also outstanding talents on the Hidden Dragon List!" Qin De added.
"Oh?" Qin Qing’s eyes suddenly lit up.
Qin Qing had long sensed the fluctuations of True Intention from Qiao Chong, and Luo Qingshan was no different.
He simply did not know that these two were geniuses capable of making it onto the Hidden Dragon List.
"That’s nothing special. How big is Great Qian after all? This Hidden Dragon List can’t represent much," Luo Qingshan said nonchalantly.
"Among all the talented cultivators who came this time, there were six people from the Hidden Dragon List," Qin De continued.
"Six out of ten?"
It seems that they were all here to vie for more cultivation resources. The vast majority of martial artists are short of cultivation resources, especially the higher their cultivation is, the more this is the case. Therefore, these martial cultivators must find ways to secure more cultivation resources.
And aligning oneself with the Imperial Court is sometimes the best way to compete for resources.
The Imperial Court possesses the most formidable ability to gather resources.
"These six people are Lu Yu’an, Shen Gongyuan, Pei Hong, Qin Zhantian, and from our side, Qiao Chong and Luo Qingshan," said Qin De.
"Does that mean, originally in the team of the Third Prince, four out of ten were on the list?"
Together with Luo Qingshan and Qiao Chong, and Lu Yu’an who had withdrawn before the banquet, the Third Prince originally had three experts from the Hidden Dragon List.
"If Lu Yu’an had not withdrawn from your team, Third Prince, you could pretty much have been assured of victory in the spring hunt a month from now," Liu Hongxue also commented.
"Third Prince, this makes Qin Qing feel somewhat guilty. If Your Highness hadn’t invited me today, it might have been better for you!" Qin Qing said, feeling remorseful.
"It’s no use talking about that now!" Qin De waved his hand, his face still adorned with a faint smile, apparently not disheartened by Lu Yu’an’s withdrawal.
"I’ve already said, ’Those who stand for different principles don’t make common cause.’ Lu Yu’an’s strength notwithstanding, if his principles do not align with mine, even if he joined my team, there could be divergence in the future!"
Qin De picked up his wine bowl, raising it towards Qin Qing, "Come, let’s finish this bowl."
Qin Qing filled his own bowl with fine wine, picked it up, clinked it against Qin De’s, and then downed it in one go.
"Qin Qing, I told you not to provoke Lu Yu’an, and there’s another reason for that, not just because he is a genius from the Hidden Dragon List," Qin De continued. "Lu Yu’an was born into the Lu Family. Have you heard of them before?"
Qin Qing shook his head slightly.
"I haven’t heard of them."
Qin Qing wasn’t very familiar with the power structure of the Luochuan Imperial City to begin with.
The major families he knew were the Shangguan Clan, Lin Family, Guan Clan, and a few other clans that had had conflicts with him.
As for the Lu Family where Lu Yu’an came from, he indeed hadn’t heard of them.
"The Lu Family is the real hereditary noble family of the Great Qian Dynasty. The heritage of the Lu Clan is even older than that of Great Qian. In fact, when Great Qian was established, our Qin Family and the Lu were allied clans, and the strength of the Lu was even greater than that of the Qin. However, due to some special reasons later on, the reign of Great Qian fell into the hands of the Qin Family."
"And the Lu Family, in accordance with an agreement with Qian Shihuang, chose to withdraw from the public eye, but over the years, even though the Lu have not appeared overtly, they have kept developing their lineage, quietly amassing and nurturing martial arts talents."
"It is said that the Lu Clan might be behind the present Luochuan Institution, which, it is believed, could already be under the control of the Lu Family."
Qin De’s words caused Qin Qing to show a contemplative expression.
He was unaware of how exactly Qian Shihuang had managed to persuade the Lu Family to withdraw.
After all, the world was conquered together by the Qin and the Lu.
There must have been reasons, difficult to clarify and articulate, behind it.
But, just like the Qin Family, the Lu Family had fought to conquer the world and, upon the stabilization of the realm, were forced to retire from it; there must have been immense dissatisfaction.
"Therefore, even we from the Royal Family do not dare to treat Lu Yu’an lightly!"
Qin Qing nodded slightly at these words.
No wonder Lu Yu’an dared to speak to Qin De in a threatening tone and didn’t seem to hold the Third Prince in high regard.
Just then, Qin Qing’s gaze shifted and met Lu Yu’an’s from across the way, where Lu Yu’an was looking at Qin Qing with a playful and mocking glint in his eyes.
Their gazes met in mid-air, Lu Yu’an’s mouth curved slightly, his eyes emitting a trace of chilliness...
