Chapter 9: Displacing Lian Yun with a Single Strike! Everyone Was Astonished!
At this moment, Jiang Lingyou furrowed her brows upon witnessing Lian Hua unleash her Martial Venerate energy and elevate her cultivation base.
In theory, marriage should hinge on power, wealth, and beauty rather than solely on cultivation level. However, this was a fantasy world where strength reigned supreme, influencing nearly every aspect of life. Just a few years ago, Xiao Zhen had been cast aside by Lian Hua due to his lack of power.
Given this reality, Jiang Lingyou recognized that she could not dismiss the importance of cultivation level. If she wanted a chance to compete for Xiao Zhen's affections, she needed to demonstrate comparable strength. Otherwise, it was clear that she didn't deserve him, particularly because Xiao Zhen was exceptionally talented. With time, it would only be a matter of time before he broke through to Martial Venerate.
"Buzz!"
Not one to waste time, she gracefully shifted her stance. The aura of her own Martial Venerate energy began to flow outward from her core, rapidly filling the space around her.
In an instant, a gust of wind stirred up dust, causing the surroundings to dim as her energy clashed with Lian Hua's.
The crowd gasped in surprise. They had not anticipated that the eighteen-year-old fourth princess was also a Martial Venerate.
She was incredibly powerful—truly remarkable.
Lian Hua narrowed her eyes. "You're a Martial Venerate as well?"
Jiang Lingyou smiled confidently. "You're not the only one who has put in the effort, dear Princess. How can you possibly compare to me now?"
Frustration coursed through Lian Hua, who reluctantly accepted the reality of her situation.
Turning to Xiao Zhen, she pleaded, "Xiao Zhen, are you really willing to offend my Lian family?"
Xiao Zhen replied calmly, "If I were you, I wouldn't make such foolish remarks right now."
Lian Hua's expression hardened. "If you agree to Jiang Lingyou, I will hate you."
"Not my problem," Xiao Zhen stated flatly.
Lian Hua's face grew increasingly dark, leaving her momentarily speechless. The elders of the Lian family looked equally uncomfortable; they had anticipated this kind of confrontation but had not expected Xiao Zhen to be so forthright.
He showed no intention of giving Lian Hua any leeway!
Seeing this, Lian Xiang rushed forward. "Xiao Zhen, don't be upset; it's not good for your health."
Xiao Zhen nodded. "I'm not angry. I just want to clarify that my affairs are none of her concern, and she'd better not threaten me. Frankly, she's not worthy of my attention, either in character or strength."
Gasps filled the air.
His words were more cutting than before!
It was clear that he held no respect for Lian Hua whatsoever.
Fury surged through Lian Hua. "Xiao Zhen, you should remember to leave some room for others. You're just a Martial Emperor now; if you meet an untimely end, your bravado will be of no use. Where do you get such misplaced confidence? If you believe you're worthy of me, the princess wouldn't give you a second glance."
Xiao Zhen retorted coldly, "You didn't leave any room for me back then, and I can easily defeat you now."
He had not revealed his full strength, wary of assassination attempts.
Three years prior, he had faced countless assassination attempts. Given his experience, he expected that danger would come knocking again now that he had returned with newfound power.
Thus, he chose to hold back, yet even at half strength, he could easily overpower Lian Hua.
Lian Hua sneered, "What arrogance! You think a mere Martial Emperor can best me? That's laughable!"
"Whoosh!"
Xiao Zhen shook his head, his patience wearing thin. He flickered forward, using Xiao's Movement Technique to close the distance between them in the blink of an eye.
Then, in Lian Hua's wide-eyed shock, he merely flicked her shoulder.
"Puff!"
With that single gesture, Lian Hua spat out a mouthful of blood, her body sent hurtling backward as if a kite had lost its string.
When she landed, her face was pale, her breath shallow, and blood stained the corners of her mouth. Her hair lay in disarray.
"How can this be?"
Everyone present gasped in unison.
Was it possible for a Martial Emperor to defeat a Martial Venerate?
No, what Xiao Zhen had just displayed wasn't the power of a Martial Emperor; it was the strength of a Martial Venerate, particularly the third level of that realm.
They had completely underestimated Xiao Zhen, as the Martial Emperor level was merely a facade he had chosen to show.
His true cultivation base was that of a Martial Venerate, having reached the third level.
Jiang Lingyou's red lips parted in surprise, her eyes sparkling with admiration. So he was stronger than she had imagined.
As expected of her future husband, she felt a sense of pride.
Lian Xiang blinked in disbelief. Was Xiao Zhen truly at the third level of Martial Venerate? She couldn't help but feel that he was even stronger than that.
Meanwhile, Lian Hua's expression darkened even further.
Xiao Zhen had advanced to the third level of Martial Venerate?
She was left in a daze; after all, three years ago, he had been just a Martial Commander at the ninth cycle, not even a Martial Emperor, while she had been a Martial Emperor at that time.
Now, Xiao Zhen's resurgence had propelled him to the third level of Martial Venerate. How could he be so powerful?
The members of the Lian family were equally stunned. Was he even human?
It wasn't as if his cultivation base had simply vanished; it had stagnated for three long years.
It was akin to being trapped by a flood, unable to escape.
Once the barrier was broken, the surge of power would be unstoppable.
It could only be concluded that Xiao Zhen's talent and comprehension in cultivation were truly extraordinary!