Transformation Diagram: Starting as a Skinny Dog-Chapter 318 - 217: Times Have Changed
"It’s truly remarkable how fame can nurture a person. Now that he’s become a Martial Scholar, he’s exuded such confidence. Originally, I intended to invite him to my residence for a chat, but unexpectedly, he invited me instead. He seems to regard himself as the ’master’ of this Baojiao County. Well, given his fame, potential, and strength, he has the confidence and status for such a thing. Very well, I’ll attend the gathering and see."
On the second day of the martial arts trial, Guan Hongluan obtained the Nine Yang True Pill she needed and left.
Within these five to six days, relying on the Nine Yang True Pill, she successfully broke through the bottleneck in her cultivation of the Dragon Subduing Refining God Sword. In one breath, she mastered the signature sword style of the Fifth Realm of the Dragon Subduing Refining God Sword, "Shrinking Sword to Inch," where she could manipulate the size of the sword energy, normally spanning several tens of feet, with her mind, making it more aggressive and fierce.
...
At night, at the entrance of the Fragrance Pavilion.
"Miss Sui, you’re here." Jiang Shaoyou had been waiting at the door early and saw Sui Qingfang and her cousin, Lin Xinglong, approaching one after the other from a distance.
"Brother Shaoyou." Sui Qingfang gave a bitter smile and said, "In this martial examination, neither of us passed. It can be said that we share the same fate."
Upon hearing this,
Jiang Shaoyou also sighed and smiled wryly, "Remember how, half a year ago, we gathered here with Junior Brother Chen Ku at the Fragrance Pavilion, and as the event ended, we wished each other success in this martial exam? Now... it’s truly despairing."
Sui Qingfang exhaled.
When mentioning this painful topic, she felt helpless.
Even though she started preparing six months ago, knowing this martial exam was presided over by the grandmaster Qin Yuxian, who would attract all young talents and outstanding figures from Qiu Dragon Mansion, with their Inner Qi cultivation, passing this exam was as difficult as climbing the sky.
Yet she never imagined that they would find it challenging to even pass the first stage, ’name on the monument,’ and were eliminated in the first stage, along with other young experts from Baojiao County.
"Ultimately, it comes down to insufficient strength. If we all had the prowess of Brother Lin, even if we couldn’t enter the Martial Arts Heaven and Earth trial, we could at least hold our ground on the ten stages in the Martial Temple." Jiang Shaoyou looked at Lin Xinglong behind Sui Qingfang.
This first wave of outstanding figures from the Prefecture City to arrive in Baojiao County was originally quite arrogant. However, even he could not enter the Martial Arts Heaven and Earth. He only earned the title of a Military Scholar on the stage in the Martial Temple.
Lin Xinglong glanced at Jiang Shaoyou, intending to say something.
What country bumpkin? He dares to compare himself to me.
He is now twenty-five years old and passed the martial exam seven years ago. He already holds the title of Martial Scholar.
Suddenly, he noticed a young man approaching in a long robe from a distance on the street.
Immediately, he withdrew his disdainful expression directed at Jiang Shaoyou and replaced it with a smile. He stepped forward, hands-cupped, and approached Chen Ku, saying:
"Young Shopkeeper Chen, do you remember me? I am Lin Xinglong, Qingfang’s cousin. Congratulations to Brother Chen on attaining the title of ’Martial Scholar’ in one fell swoop."
Chen Ku was slightly taken aback to see this richly clad young man greet him proactively. Upon hearing him introduce himself, Chen recalled who he was.
Was this not the young man who, back at the docks, boasted loudly about equalling Xie Qingfeng, and didn’t even glance at me when I passed by?
Now he has come voluntarily, smiling, to greet me.
As they say, one doesn’t hit a smiling face, so Chen Ku also smiled and cupped his hands, saying, "Hello, tonight is a gathering, everyone is welcome."
Lin Xinglong softly inquired, "I’ve heard that Brother Chen has also invited Commandery Princess Hongluan to this gathering, is that true?"
Chen Ku listened and instantly understood his intention; he was someone trying to cozy up to Guan Hongluan.
"I have extended the invitation, but I cannot guarantee the Princess will come." Chen Ku didn’t fully commit his words.
But just at this moment.
The clattering sound of carriage wheels came, and a graceful female voice inside laughed, saying:
"Initially, I wanted to invite you for a chat. Now that you act like the host and I’m the guest from afar, how can I not attend? Otherwise, I would be disrespecting you, Brother Chen."
As someone lifted the carriage curtain, Guan Hongluan stepped down gracefully.
Seeing the Commandery Princess from the Marquis of Han Shou’s Mansion in person, Lin Xinglong’s eyes lit up, and he immediately stepped forward, performing a salutation:
"I am Lin Xinglong. My father is the steward of Qiu Dragon Mansion, Lin Ruhai. It’s a fortunate coincidence that I once had the honor of meeting the Princess at last year’s Peony Fair at Qiu Dragon Mansion. Does the Princess still remember me?"
"Yes, I remember."
Guan Hongluan nodded at him, then walked over to Chen Ku, smiling, "Chen Ku, since you are the host tonight, I’ll look to you for arrangements."
"Please, Commandery Princess Hongluan!" Chen Ku gestured invitingly.
Lin Xinglong stood momentarily awkward, but quickly inhaled deeply and followed behind the two.
Jiang Shaoyou watched Lin Xinglong, thinking to himself, "Indeed, different people have different standings. This surname Lin, with his high-headed pride, usually despises others, yet even he has days where he’s invisible to some people."
Thinking this way, he looked to Chen Ku, feeling even more bewildered.
Not long ago, Chen Ku was just a small helper in the Medicine King Hall’s Butcher Court. At that time, although he saw the promising future of Chen Ku, never in his wildest dreams did he imagine that within just half a year...
