"Fen'er," Zhao Feng said with a smile as Qin Fen entered. "How's your training been these past days?"
Qin Fen grinned menacingly. "Rest assured, Mother. I've broken through to the peak of late Human Level, just a step from Earth Level. Dealing with Qin Chen will be child's play—one move, and he's done."
A look of pride crossed Zhao Feng's face. "Well done, Fen'er. But don't fixate on Qin Chen. I want you to aim higher, like your older brother, and become one of the capital's top geniuses."
"Mother, you always compare me to Big Brother. How can I match his talent?" Qin Fen grumbled.
His older brother, Qin Feng, was the Qin family's foremost prodigy and Zhao Feng's greatest pride. Qin Feng had displayed extraordinary talent from a young age, breaking through to Earth Level years ago. He'd fought alongside Duke Dingwu on the battlefield, earning numerous accolades, and now stood as the army's top lieutenant, a mere step from general. Qin Fen had grown up in his brother's shadow.
Thankfully, Qin Chen had always been there to make him feel better by comparison.
"Heh, my dear little brother, you'd better pray you don't awaken your bloodline tomorrow," Qin Fen sneered, his lips curling with malice as he thought of the upcoming academy exam.
Marquis Wu'an's Residence
A group of senior Tianxing Academy students, all noble scions of the capital's elite, gathered in the courtyard.
"Congratulations, Young Marquis! Breaking through to Earth Level is a grand achievement. Tomorrow, you'll graduate from Tianxing Academy, join Marquis Wu'an in court, and carve a path to greatness—perhaps even a kingship!" The young nobles surrounded a fair-faced youth with delicate, almost effeminate features, showering him with flattery.
The youth, dressed in ornate robes and lion-cloud boots, fanned himself with a paper fan despite the winter chill, exuding elegance. "I'll take your kind words," he said with a faint smile.
"Young Marquis is too modest! Once you soar, don't forget us!"
"Indeed!"
"At just seventeen, you're an Earth Level powerhouse. Few among the capital's noble heirs can rival you."
The group's sycophancy was polished to perfection.
Among them, Wei Zhen's face darkened, his mood sour as he watched the youth, Li Qingfeng. Both were heirs of marquis households and had been close, often socializing, but they were also rivals, each vying to outshine the other.
Now, Li Qingfeng had reached Earth Level, while Wei Zhen languished at the peak of late Human Level, his progress stalled. Worse, he suspected his stagnation stemmed from the kick Qin Chen had delivered to his dantian. He'd consulted physicians and alchemists, but none found anything wrong, fueling his frustration and hatred for Qin Chen.
"Brother Li!" Wei Zhen approached as the crowd thinned.
"Oh, Brother Wei!" Li Qingfeng smiled, tapping his fan against his palm. His gaze carried a hint of superiority, his lips curving into a half-smile. "I've reached Earth Level first, but you must keep up, Brother Wei. I'm looking forward to a friendly spar once you break through."
"I won't keep you waiting long," Wei Zhen said, suppressing his irritation, his tone proud. Then he shifted gears. "I came today with a request."
"Oh?"
"At tomorrow's academy exam, I'd like you to teach someone a lesson for me," Wei Zhen said through gritted teeth.
"Who?" Li Qingfeng raised an eyebrow. Wei Zhen wasn't one to ask for help lightly, especially for something he could handle himself.
"Qin Chen," Wei Zhen said, each syllable dripping with venom, his eyes blazing with hatred.
Li Qingfeng frowned. "Which Qin Chen?"
"The one you're thinking of."
"Him?" Li Qingfeng blinked, surprised. Qin Chen's notoriety was well-known: the illegitimate son of the Qin family, dubbed the "military god" lineage, and the first Tianxing Academy student at risk of expulsion for failing to awaken his bloodline. Though only a junior student, his name was infamous.
But such a nobody should be easy for Wei Zhen to crush. Why ask for his help?
Sensing Li Qingfeng's confusion, Wei Zhen gritted his teeth. "He's not as simple as you think."
"Oh? Do tell."
As Wei Zhen recounted the incident, Li Qingfeng's interest grew, his expression tinged with disdain for Wei Zhen's defeat by a supposed "weakling." "Heh, sounds intriguing. I'm in," he said casually.
Having reached Earth Level, Li Qingfeng would graduate after the exam. Disciplining Qin Chen would be inconsequential—no one would care.
Prince Kang's Mansion, Training Grounds
"Starry Brilliance!"
Zhao Lingshan wielded a Starlight Sword, thrusting forward. The air shimmered as if countless stars had ignited, their dense, unavoidable glow enveloping the space.
Clang, clang, clang!
The sharp clash of metal rang out. Three guards stumbled back, retreating nearly ten steps before halting. Their chests bore slash marks, the cuts reaching their inner armor.
"The Princess's skill is unmatched. We are no match for you," the guards said, lowering their swords with a sigh.
Clap, clap!
Prince Kang, Zhao Jing, stood nearby, applauding with a broad smile. He turned to Liang Yu beside him, gratitude in his voice. "Many thanks, Master Liang, for your guidance. My daughter's progress has been astounding. In just a month, she's broken through to Earth Level and will graduate from Tianxing Academy tomorrow."
Liang Yu waved a hand modestly. "You flatter me, Prince Kang. The Princess's exceptional talent—her third-grade bloodline and orange-grade mental aptitude—allowed her to master my mental techniques so swiftly, achieving Earth Level in a month."
Prince Kang smiled. "Regardless, it's all thanks to you, Master. After Lingshan graduates, I hope she can study under you to become a true artifact refiner."
"That's precisely why I pushed for her swift breakthrough and graduation," Liang Yu replied.
"Haha!" Prince Kang laughed heartily. "Tomorrow is the Tianxing Academy's annual exam. Would Master Liang care to watch Lingshan's performance?"
A striking figure flashed through Liang Yu's mind. "Absolutely," he said with a nod.
As Liang Yu and Prince Kang left the training grounds, chatting amiably, Zhao Lingshan resumed her practice, her sword dancing under the starlight.