84: Chapter 84 The Sixth Princess

After the first round of the Heavenly Pride Competition concluded, the prodigies who successfully advanced to the top twenty entered a three-day rest period.

These three days were intended to allow all participating Disciples to recover the essence, energy, and spirit consumed during the fierce battles of the first round, as well as to provide time for those injured in the arena duels to tend to their wounds.

This would allow them to face the second round of elimination matches in the best possible condition.

Lin Qing naturally had no need for recuperation. Having received five hundred Spirit Stones from Sect Master Shen Yurong last night, he planned to spend some at the Heshun Chamber of Commerce.

First, he wanted to identify the Medicinal Pills left behind by the Storage Ring's previous owner; he would keep the useful ones and sell the useless ones to the Heshun Chamber of Commerce on the spot.

Second, his Realm was already the Spirit Sea Realm, and he had been practicing the Five Elements Pulse Opening Method for some time. It was time to find some true Spiritual Qi-based methods for combat.

Lin Qing only informed Sect Master Shen Yurong and did not disturb Yun Nian and the others. After leaving the station alone, he walked straight toward the most prosperous commercial street.

The streets were still bustling with heavy traffic and crowds of people, exceptionally lively. Just as he passed the stall area of the intersection square and entered the commercial street, someone called out to him.

Two middle-aged men dressed in ordinary cloth clothes, with common and unremarkable faces, stepped quietly out from the crowds on both sides and followed beside him.

The middle-aged man on the left whispered to Lin Qing:

"Young Master Lin Qing, excuse the intrusion. My master would like to invite you for a conversation."

The two were dressed in common civilian attire with ordinary faces and showed no signs of any Sect or faction, clearly hiding their identities to avoid drawing attention.

However, Lin Qing had always been direct and straightforward; he didn't like playing games with people who hid their identities.

He asked bluntly:

"Who is your master?"

Hearing this, a trace of hesitation instantly appeared on the middle-aged man's face, as if he were in a difficult position and didn't know whether to tell the truth.

But Lin Qing had no patience for his hesitation. Seeing the man faltering and unwilling to speak plainly, Lin Qing simply lifted his foot to walk past them.

He had no interest in these mysterious invitations to begin with. Since the other party refused to reveal their identity, there was no need to waste more time.

Seeing Lin Qing turn to leave without another word, the two middle-aged men grew anxious.

The leading middle-aged man no longer hesitated and quickly stepped forward to block Lin Qing, whispering rapidly:

"Young Master, please stay! This lowly one dares not hide it any longer. My master is Her Highness, the Sixth Princess."

The Sixth Princess, Princess Duan Qingwan.

Hearing this name, Lin Qing stopped his movement and paused.

Lin Qing turned around, looked at the middle-aged man, and asked calmly:

"What does Your Highness want with me?"

Seeing that Lin Qing was finally willing to stop, the middle-aged man breathed a sigh of relief and quickly replied respectfully:

"In response to the Young Master, Her Highness only said she wished to make a deal with you. As for the specific details, this lowly one's status is too humble to know. Her Highness only instructed me to ensure your presence for a face-to-face discussion."

Lin Qing stood there, thinking quickly. He had heard that the Great Qi Imperial Family had more than one Heaven Rank Martial Art in their treasury; this might be an opportunity.

Having made a decision, he spoke to the respectfully waiting middle-aged man:

"Lead the way."

The middle-aged man bowed hurriedly and led the way respectfully, taking Lin Qing to a high-end restaurant on the commercial street. Lin Qing was not unfamiliar with this place.

He had previously interacted with Sun Shaoping here and had even obtained a Heaven Rank Movement Technique from him at the time.

The middle-aged man led Lin Qing all the way to the top floor without stopping.

The entire top floor consisted of only this one private room, surrounded by basic Formations that could effectively block Divine Thought probes.

Standing outside the carved wooden door, the middle-aged man bowed respectfully to Lin Qing and made a "please" gesture. He then turned and left, leaving the entire top floor to Lin Qing and the Sixth Princess.

Lin Qing raised his hand and gently pushed open the door. A refined scent of orchid and musk wafted out, refreshing the mind.

The room's layout was extremely sophisticated; there were no extravagant or ostentatious decorations, yet every detail exuded top-tier quality and style.

The floor was covered with a soft, snow-white animal skin carpet, making footsteps silent. By the window sat an ancient pearwood long table, set with a suit of mutton-fat white jade tea-ware. The teapot and cups were lustrous and translucent, clearly no ordinary items.

The entire room was quiet, elegant, and private, fitting the princess's noble status without being oppressive. Every detail showed careful thought.

At this moment, a figure was sitting at the table.

The woman wore a pale purple palace dress with dark gold cloud patterns embroidered on the hem. Her long hair was tied into an exquisite princess bun, adorned only with a single translucent white jade hairpin. Her face was pure and extraordinarily beautiful, and her temperament was dignified and grand.

It was indeed the Sixth Princess of Great Qi, Princess Duan Qingwan.

Hearing the sound of the door opening, Princess Duan Qingwan rose from her seat and greeted Lin Qing as he entered. With a gentle and appropriate smile, she took the initiative to welcome him:

"Young Master Lin Qing, you've arrived. Please, have a seat."

As she spoke, without waiting for Lin Qing to move, Princess Duan Qingwan personally stepped forward, picked up the white jade teapot, and slowly poured warm tea into a cup, serving him a cup of hot tea with her own hands.

Any other Sect Disciple would likely have been overwhelmed by the honor of having the current Sixth Princess personally pour them tea. However, Lin Qing's expression remained calm and indifferent, without the slightest hint of constraint or formality.

He walked straight to the table and sat in the chair opposite Princess Duan Qingwan. He picked up the teacup, his fingertips lightly stroking the rim, and spoke in a flat tone.

"I wonder what kind of deal Your Highness specifically invited me here to make. Feel free to speak plainly."

Seeing Lin Qing's direct inquiry, Princess Duan Qingwan set aside her polite smile. Her expression turned slightly serious as she looked up at Lin Qing and said:

"Young Master Lin Qing, in yesterday's arena matches, you swept through the competition and advanced with great strength. Your power is obvious to all."

"I wonder if, with your strength, you are confident in defeating my Third Royal Brother, Third Prince Duan Chengyu, in the upcoming matches?"

Hearing this, Lin Qing glanced at Princess Duan Qingwan but did not answer or state his position. He simply picked up the teacup and slowly tasted the tea.

Seeing Lin Qing's actions, Princess Duan Qingwan understood that this youth did not like superficial pleasantries. Any further probing would only cause him to feel aversion.

She immediately stated her true purpose:

"Since the Young Master does not like beating around the bush, then Qinghuan will be direct."

"I would like to ask Young Master Lin Qing to defeat my Third Royal Brother, Third Prince Duan Chengyu, in the second round of the Heavenly Pride Competition's elimination matches."

"As long as you can do it, you may raise any request. Qinghuan will certainly do her best to satisfy it."

Lin Qing looked at her without any surprise in his eyes. Sibling discord and the struggle for the throne were traditional spectacles for imperial families.

As for what Princess Duan Qingwan actually wanted—whether to suppress Third Prince Duan Chengyu or to ascend the throne herself—Lin Qing didn't care at all. He only cared about his own interests.

Thus, Lin Qing directly stated his requirements.

"I've heard that the Imperial Family has many Heaven Rank Cultivation Techniques in its collection. I want three of them. The type doesn't matter, as long as the rank is sufficient."

Across from him, Princess Duan Qingwan's face immediately showed a troubled expression.

Although Cultivators mainly use spiritual power for combat after reaching the fifth rank, significantly reducing the need for martial arts, how many people can actually reach the fifth rank?

Furthermore, the unique nature of Heaven-Grade Martial Arts meant their value was not low, yet Lin Qing asked for three at once.

Even though Princess Duan Qingwan was a princess of Great Qi with some authority over imperial resources, she couldn't help but hesitate and weigh the options in her mind.

Lin Qing took in all the changes in her expression but did not rush her. He took the teapot, refilled his cup with hot tea, and sipped it leisurely, waiting patiently for Princess Duan Qingwan's decision.

Time passed minute by minute.

The room was silent, save for the occasional faint sound of the wind outside the window.

Princess Duan Qingwan sat at the table, her fingertips lightly tapping the surface as she quickly weighed the pros and cons.

Three Heaven-Grade Martial Arts were certainly precious, but if she could use this opportunity to ruin Third Prince Duan Chengyu's reputation and make him lose his eligibility for the throne, then the price of three Heaven-Grade Martial Arts was entirely worth it!

Once she had considered it thoroughly, the hesitation in Princess Duan Qingwan's eyes vanished. She looked up sharply at Lin Qing:

"Very well. I agree."

"As long as you can publicly defeat my Third Royal Brother, Third Prince Duan Chengyu, in the second round, Qinghuan will personally present three complete Heaven-Grade Martial Arts upon completion."

"However, this matter is of great importance and involves imperial secrets. I ask the Young Master to keep it strictly confidential and not reveal a single word to avoid any complications."

Lin Qing looked at her and nodded slightly; he wasn't the type to talk recklessly. He then asked:

"Can the Princess guarantee that I will definitely encounter Third Prince Duan Chengyu in the second round?"

Hearing this, a confident and composed smile appeared on Princess Duan Qingwan's face as she said with certainty:

"Rest assured, Young Master."

"Qinghuan can still easily accomplish such a small matter."

The deal was concluded, and both sides reached an agreement, making a verbal pact.

Lin Qing did not stay much longer. He stood up, nodded slightly to Princess Duan Qingwan, and then left the restaurant directly.

Inside the room, Princess Duan Qingwan slowly walked to the window. Looking at the bustling scenery of the Royal Capital of Da Qi, the gentleness on her beautiful face vanished, replaced by a depth unbefitting her age.

Gazing into the distance, her lips moved slightly as she murmured in a voice only she could hear.

"Who says the throne of Great Qi must be inherited by a man?"

Her goal had never been simply to suppress her brother; she wanted to be the ruler of Great Qi.

The current King of Qi had many children, but only she and Third Prince Duan Chengyu were truly talented enough to qualify for the throne.

As for the entry examination for the Chuyun Immortal Sect, she held no hope for it; she knew very well how strict the recruitment threshold for the Chuyun Immortal Sect was.