40: Chapter 40 The Shen Family of Fucheng

"Amazing, it's actually at the Ninth Stage of Condensing Qi, almost at Perfection!"

"Is this currently the highest cultivation level in the entire venue?!"

"I recognize him; he's Liu Qingyun from Class Jia. I heard his father is the Chief Instructor of Geng Class!"

"Impressive. That's one less spot for the Prefectural Academy now!"

Upon seeing the cultivation level displayed on Liu Qingyun's mystic light stele, a series of low exclamations immediately erupted across the venue. Everyone looked at him with expressions of shock and envy.

Even the Instructor standing nearby couldn't help but turn his head to look, a flash of admiration in his eyes.

To have the cultivation of the Ninth Stage of Condensing Qi at this age made him a shoo-in for the Prefectural Academy. It was almost certain that he would eventually break through to the Acquired Realm, and it was not impossible for him to even become a powerful expert in the Innate Realm.

Liu Qingyun let out a long breath, gazing at the nine scales lit up on the mystic light stele. With his ears filled with the sighs of amazement and envy from the surrounding students, he couldn't help but curl his lips into a condescending, arrogant smile, his expression extremely conceited.

Boom!!! ~~

Just as he was feeling self-satisfied, the mystic light stele next to him suddenly shook violently, erupting with a water-blue radiance that was far more dazzling and magnificent than the Qi Condensation light.

The blue light shot up into the sky, covering the entire venue. The moist, flowing light circulated on the stele, exuding a powerful aura that far surpassed the Qi Condensation Realm.

The pupils of all the students present shrank, and they stood there dumbfounded, staring blankly at the glowing mystic light stele, the discussions coming to an abrupt halt.

As for Liu Qingyun, who had just been full of pride and arrogance, the smile on his face suddenly stiffened, his expression froze instantly, and his eyes held nothing but incredulous astonishment.

"Th-this is..."

"Blue light, it's the Acquired Realm!!!"

"Heavens, it's Shen Qinglan! She's the head of our Class Jia. I never expected her to be an expert in the Acquired Realm!!!"

"This is crazy, an eighteen-year-old Acquired Realm expert!!!"

"You're all making a fuss over nothing; Shen Qinglan has long been an expert in the Acquired Realm!"

Looking at the water-blue radiance blooming and circulating on the mystic light stele, the students of the County Academy were completely stunned, and the entire venue was in an uproar.

Even County Magistrate Zhang Xuanming and Ancestor Zhou Tong, who were sitting on the high platform, were moved, their gazes locked tightly on the graceful young girl in front of the stele.

To achieve the Acquired Realm at eighteen—with such peerless talent, as long as she continued to practice without pause and accumulated steadily, stepping into the Innate Realm in the future was almost a certainty.

County Magistrate Zhang Xuanming stared at Shen Qinglan, a profound look flashing in his eyes. He turned his head to look at Instructor Fan Suiyun and spoke in a low voice: "Instructor Fan, is this..."

Ancestor Zhou Tong also sat up straight, his expression full of amazement and disbelief. He looked at Instructor Fan Suiyun, his tone testing: "Brother Fan, could this be the Shen Qinglan from your County Academy? Is she truly the recognized number one Prodigy and talented woman of our Wurong County?!"

"Haha, I didn't expect Brother Zhou to know of Qinglan's name?!"

Instructor Fan Suiyun laughed heartily, raising his hand to stroke the long beard under his chin, his brows filled with pride.

He then cupped his hands toward County Magistrate Zhang Xuanming and said, "County Magistrate, this girl is indeed the top Prodigy of our Wurong County Academy, Shen Qinglan!"

"As early as a month ago, Qinglan opened up her second Eight Extraordinary Meridians and steadily stepped into the Second Stage of the Acquired Realm."

"Good, good. At this age and with such talent, looking across the entire Chengtian Prefecture, she should be among the top tier!"

County Magistrate Zhang Xuanming's face showed a hint of appreciation. He nodded slightly and said, "I didn't expect the County Academy to have such a Prodigy. Instructor Fan, you have indeed taught her well!"

"County Magistrate, you flatter me!"

The smile on the corner of Instructor Fan Suiyun's mouth could not be suppressed, and he modestly said, "This is mainly because Qinglan's own natural talent is exceptional; I have only provided a little guidance."

"Brother Fan, I heard that this Shen Qinglan possesses Earth-grade bones, is that so?!" Ancestor Zhou Tong asked from the side.

"Correct, Qinglan does indeed possess Earth-grade bones!"

Instructor Fan Suiyun nodded, a flash of gratification in his eyes as he said, "Besides that, she not only has excellent Comprehension Ability but is also always diligent and hardworking in her cultivation. That is why she could break through to the Acquired Realm at such an age!"

"Has Instructor Fan already taken this girl as your Disciple and taught her personally?" County Magistrate Zhang Xuanming's eyes shifted, and he suddenly asked.

Ancestor Zhou Tong, who was listening, also felt his heart stir slightly, his eyes instantly becoming eager.

Possessing Earth-grade bones, excellent Comprehension Ability, and having achieved the Acquired Realm at a young age—a peerless Prodigy destined to step into the Innate Realm in the future. Which expert present wouldn't want to take her as an indoor Disciple and cultivate her carefully?!

Upon hearing this, Instructor Fan Suiyun's face flashed with a bitter smile. He shook his head and said, "I would like to, but Qinglan comes from an extraordinary background. I fear I do not have that good fortune, nor do I dare to climb so high rashly!"

When County Magistrate Zhang Xuanming and Ancestor Zhou Tong heard Instructor Fan Suiyun's words, both were startled. Their pupils shrank slightly, and a look of shock flashed across their faces.

What does that mean?!

Even Instructor Fan Suiyun, this County Academy Instructor and a Martial Artist at the Middle Stage of the Innate Realm, claimed he didn't have the good fortune and dared not climb high enough to take Shen Qinglan as a Disciple?!

Could it be...

"Brother Fan, does this Shen Qinglan have some immense background?!" Ancestor Zhou Tong's mind was shaken. He glanced at Shen Qinglan, who had already stepped down from the mystic light stele, and asked with curiosity and shock in his tone.

Instructor Fan Suiyun just gave a mysterious, faint smile and waved his hand, leaving Ancestor Zhou Tong feeling a bit irritated.

"Shen... could it be the Prefecture City Shen Family?!" Seeing Instructor Fan Suiyun's mysterious demeanor, County Magistrate Zhang Xuanming suddenly spoke up.

Instructor Fan Suiyun looked at the County Magistrate with some surprise, not expecting him to have guessed Shen Qinglan's background. But thinking of the County Magistrate's own background, he immediately understood.

However, Instructor Fan Suiyun still didn't say much, just nodded faintly, which was taken as confirmation of County Magistrate Zhang Xuanming's words.

Upon seeing Instructor Fan Suiyun's action, County Magistrate Zhang Xuanming's pupils shrank slightly. He looked at Shen Qinglan's figure again, his face no longer showing appreciation, but rather a hint of awe and amazement.

The Chengtian Prefecture Shen Family, that is...

...

"Heehee, how was it?!"

Amidst the shocked and envious gazes of the surrounding students and Instructors, Shen Qinglan walked down from in front of the mystic light stele, cold and arrogant. When she arrived in front of Chen An, the coldness and arrogance on her face melted away like ice and snow, and she raised her eyebrows at Chen An with a bit of coquettishness and playfulness.

"Hmm, Third Stage of the Acquired Realm, very impressive!" Seeing Shen Qinglan's proud and coquettish appearance, a hint of a smile flashed in Chen An's eyes as he said with a smile.

"Hmph, as long as you know it!"

Hearing Chen An's praise, Shen Qinglan's eyes immediately curved into crescent moons, smiling so much that her eyes bent. She looked just like a little girl who had just been praised for winning an award. She then said, "Don't be nervous; you already have a special admission spot for the Prefectural Academy anyway."

"Hmm, I know!" Chen An nodded slightly, speaking with a calm expression.

On the Martial Arts Arena, seeing that Shen Qinglan, this Acquired Realm expert and proud daughter of heaven, was actually so close to Chen An, an ordinary-looking student, and appeared so intimate, everyone couldn't help but feel as if they had eaten a lemon.

"Chen An!"

Just at this moment, the test finally reached Chen An...