44: Chapter 44 Fragment of a Heavenly Rank Martial Technique!

"Heh, what a coincidence!"

High atop the platform, Ancestor Zhou Tong of the Zhou Family looked down at the crowd gathered below Ring A, his gaze landing precisely on Liu Qingyun and Chen An, a playful smile surfacing on his face.

As a powerhouse of the Innate Realm with profound cultivation, even while sitting comfortably on the high platform dozens of meters away, he could still see every movement and hear every word spoken in the martial arts arena below.

Ancestor Zhou Tong had long been clearly aware of the grievances and animosity between Chen An and Liu Qingyun.

Ancestor Zhou Tong turned his head to look at Instructor Fan Suiyun, who was sitting beside him, and said with a teasing tone, "Brother Fan, tell me, you didn't rig this behind the scenes to pair these two enemies together on the same ring for a duel, did you?!"

"Brother Zhou, you jest! The Martial Examination is a major affair for the Imperial Court with strict rules. Furthermore, with you and County Magistrate Zhang Xuanming present to oversee and supervise, how would I dare to engage in favoritism or fraud?!"

Facing Ancestor Zhou Tong's teasing, Instructor Fan Suiyun smiled indifferently. His gaze swept calmly over Ring A below, his tone peaceful yet carrying a hint of deeper meaning, "The drawing of lots for the examination is entirely up to fate. Their meeting is merely a coincidence of Opportunity!"

"Haha, then it seems this really is fate!"

Ancestor Zhou Tong laughed heartily. He had only been teasing, so naturally, he wouldn't pursue the matter seriously.

He cast his gaze with great interest upon the two people about to step onto the ring, stroking his beard as he said slowly, "But having said that, Condensing Qi Stage 6 against the Ninth Stage of Condensing Qi is a difference of three whole minor Realms in cultivation."

"In this battle, this kid named Chen An is likely to face more misfortune than good!"

In his view, in a martial arts duel, cultivation is the Foundation.

A gap of three Realms is something an ordinary Martial Artist simply cannot overcome!

"I do not see it that way!"

County Magistrate Zhang Xuanming, who had been sitting quietly on the side, suddenly spoke softly. His eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Chen An, who remained composed below, a trace of unfathomable meaning flashing across his eyes.

"Oh?!"

Seeing that County Magistrate Zhang Xuanming had actually spoken, Ancestor Zhou Tong's eyes shifted, and he smiled, "Does the County Magistrate perhaps favor that kid named Chen An?!"

"While martial arts duels certainly value cultivation, however..."

County Magistrate Zhang Xuanming's eyes shifted, and he said indifferently, "Heart-Nature, Foundation, Martial Skill, and on-the-spot adaptability are all keys to victory."

"High cultivation does not necessarily mean strong combat power, and a lower Realm does not mean certain defeat!"

"The County Magistrate speaks the truth!"

Ancestor Zhou Tong's eyes flickered, and then he said, "However, I still favor Liu Qingyun."

"In that case, I wonder if the County Magistrate is interested in making a wager with me?!"

"How does Senior Zhou wish to wager?!" County Magistrate Zhang Xuanming narrowed his eyes slightly and turned his head to look at Ancestor Zhou Tong.

"I recently auctioned an earth-grade breakthrough pill from the Prefecture City. If I lose, this earth-grade breakthrough pill shall belong to the County Magistrate!"

"If, however, the County Magistrate loses..."

Ancestor Zhou Tong paused slightly, looked at County Magistrate Zhang Xuanming, and said slowly, "I have heard that the County Magistrate possesses a Heaven-Grade Martial Technique Fragment. I wonder if I might borrow it to read for a few days?!"

As soon as his words fell, the atmosphere on the high platform grew slightly tense.

The earth-grade breakthrough pill is a precious elixir that can assist a Acquired Realm Martial Artist in breaking through to the Innate Realm, with a single pill worth over one million yuan crystals.

As for the Heaven-Grade Martial Technique, it is an even rarer divine skill in the world, pointing directly to the Great Grandmaster Realm beyond the Grandmaster Realm. Even if it is just an Incomplete Manual, its value is immeasurable.

Sitting on the side, Instructor Fan Suiyun, upon hearing Ancestor Zhou Tong's words, could not help but shrink his pupils, a look of shock flashing in his eyes.

He had not expected that Ancestor Zhou Tong would be willing to take out an earth-grade breakthrough pill as a wager, let alone dare to covet the Heaven-Grade Martial Technique Fragment treasured by the County Magistrate.

County Magistrate Zhang Xuanming's eyes darkened slightly. He looked deeply at Ancestor Zhou Tong, then turned his gaze toward Chen An, who was walking step by step toward the ring with a calm expression, and finally said, "Agreed!"

Hearing County Magistrate Zhang Xuanming accept the wager, Ancestor Zhou Tong couldn't help but grin and stroke his beard.

In his view, Liu Qingyun was certain to win this duel.

The reason for this was that he had already heard clearly about the identities, backgrounds, cultivation Realms, and past grievances of the two through the discussions of the students below.

Liu Qingyun, at the Peak of the Ninth Stage of Condensing Qi, came from a good background; his father was an Instructor of the Acquired Realm at the County Academy. He possessed a High-grade Martial Bone, had cultivated high-level Cultivation Techniques since childhood, and was usually a top-ranking student in Class Jia, with a solid Foundation and rich practical combat experience.

Conversely, Chen An was merely a student of Geng Class. Before the County Exam, he had only displayed cultivation at Condensing Qi Stage 2. He had no parents, a mediocre background, and only had a little bit of fame because he was childhood sweethearts with Shen Qinglan, the top student of the County Academy.

Although he did not know why Chen An had suddenly raised his cultivation from Condensing Qi Stage 2 to Condensing Qi Stage 6.

However, Ancestor Zhou Tong did not care.

Not to mention that as a Innate Realm powerhouse, he had seen too many Geniuses and Prodigies, and he also knew that there were countless Opportunities in this world.

Not to mention breaking through several minor Realms in a few days, he had even heard of people breaking through a major Realm overnight.

So what if Chen An had reached the Qi Condensation Realm Stage 6?!

Liu Qingyun had the cultivation of the Peak of the Ninth Stage of Condensing Qi, which was three whole minor Realms higher than Chen An's cultivation.

Moreover, Liu Qingyun had a father who was an Instructor of the Acquired Realm. He had cultivated high-level Cultivation Techniques and Martial Skills since he was young, and his daily practical combat experience in the County Academy's ring was far beyond what ordinary students could compare to.

Furthermore, Liu Qingyun did not look like someone who was soft-hearted.

The killing intent he secretly harbored toward Chen An, in the eyes of Ancestor Zhou Tong, a Innate Realm powerhouse, was as clear as a blazing torch in the dark night, completely visible.

If not for Instructor Fan Suiyun's warning and restraint just now, Liu Qingyun would likely have been unable to hold back and would have killed Chen An on the spot.

Ancestor Zhou Tong laughed inwardly; he really could not imagine how, with such a vast disparity, Liu Qingyun could possibly lose to a mere kid at the Condensing Qi Stage 6?!

That Heaven-Grade Martial Technique Fragment was something he was determined to obtain!

...

Ring A!

Upon hearing the two names called out by the Instructor acting as the referee on the ring, Liu Qingyun was stunned at first, and then, he suddenly turned his head to look at Chen An not far away, a sinister grin curling at the corners of his mouth.

He had waited for this moment, waited for it for too long!

Heaven has eyes!

It actually allowed him to encounter Chen An in the very first duel.

Watching Chen An, who didn't even glance at him and was walking toward the ring with an expression that remained calm and indifferent, Liu Qingyun's eyes surged with extreme killing intent, and then he also strode toward the ring.

...

"Heaven-Grade Martial Technique Fragment?!"

Chen An, who was stepping toward the stone steps of the ring, suddenly swept his gaze toward the direction of the high platform, a look of slight surprise flashing in his eyes.

He had not expected that County Magistrate Zhang Xuanming, who was only of the Innate Realm, actually possessed a Heaven-Grade Martial Technique Fragment.

"Chen An!"

Just as Chen An was about to step onto the ring, a graceful figure suddenly swept to his side.

Chen An turned his head at the sound.

He immediately met a pair of beautiful, clear eyes filled with worry; it was Shen Qinglan!

According to the examination rules, people were not allowed to move around freely during the competition, but as the top student of the County Academy, Shen Qinglan had entered the Acquired Realm at a young age and held a transcendent status.

The Instructors on duty, and even the powerhouses seated on the high platform, upon seeing this, were tacitly aware and chose to turn a blind eye.