Ling Tian Sword God

Chapter 43: Chapter 42: The Eve of Autumn Hunting_1

「Three days later.」

At the foot of Myriad Dao Mountain, Xiao Muyu was already waiting when Ling Chen rode his horse down the slope.

”I apologize for keeping you waiting.” Ling Chen reined in his horse, a hint of apology on his face.

”Actually, I didn’t wait long; I just arrived myself.” A subtle smile appeared on Xiao Muyu’s delicate face, warming the heart.

”It’s rather surprising she didn’t come this time.” Looking around, Ling Chen spotted no other figure, which puzzled him.

”You mean Junior Sister Xu Ruoyan, I presume.” Xiao Muyu naturally knew who Ling Chen meant. She also scanned her surroundings before saying, ”She’s not from our Wind Country, after all. Activities like these don’t concern her, so it’s only normal that she wouldn’t come.”

”True. She’s from another country and likely wasn’t invited.” Ling Chen nodded, then smiled at Xiao Muyu. ”Let’s get going!”

This Autumn Hunt, it’s said, has invited all the young powerhouses of the Wind Country. Although not all may attend, it’s still a rare and grand spectacle. Prince Tai’s invitation was merely a catalyst; Ling Chen would likely have participated in this Autumn Hunt even without it.

”Let’s go!”

With a forceful command, Ling Chen and Xiao Muyu spurred their horses southwards.

...

On the outskirts of the Royal City, the city’s largest training field was already teeming with people. Fully armed soldiers of the Forbidden Army secured the perimeter, their silver armor gleaming with a cold light, exuding an air of iron-willed discipline and grim readiness.

Gathered on the training field today were not only numerous royal nobles and high-ranking officials but also young powerhouses from every corner of the Wind Country. They had all been invited to participate in this nationally renowned Autumn Hunt.

When Ling Chen and Xiao Muyu arrived by horse, he too was slightly taken aback. For a moment, it seemed as if the vast majority of the Wind Country’s young talents were gathered here. It’s absolutely an unprecedented grand gathering.

”The Wind Country is vast, and the Divine Intent Sect isn’t its only major power,” Xiao Muyu remarked, gazing at the spectacular scene before them, a look of astonishment on her face. ”Other second and third-rate sects also have their share of promising young talents, some of whom are by no means inferior to the disciples of our Divine Intent Sect. Besides, among the members of the Imperial Clan and the scions of noble families, there are also extraordinary martial arts geniuses.”

She too hadn’t expected that a mere hunting event would attract so many young elites. The Divine Intent Sect is indeed a first-rate sect in the Martial World, but below it are many second and third-rate sects. In the Wind Country, aside from the Divine Intent Sect, there are also sects like the Fire Blade Sect and the Golden Shark Gang, which are quite renowned in the Jianghu.

”Ling Chen, you’re finally here! I was beginning to think you wouldn’t attend this Autumn Hunt.” Not long after Ling Chen and Xiao Muyu arrived, a figure approached them. It was none other than Prince Tai.

”When someone entrusts me with a task, I carry it out faithfully. I’m not one to break my word.” Ling Chen dismounted and handed the reins to one of Prince Tai’s attendants.

”Haha, in that case, it seems this Prince was judging a gentleman by petty standards. Please, come in.” Prince Tai laughed and gestured for Ling Chen to enter.

”Then, I’ll see you on the hunting grounds. From this moment on, we are competitors.” Xiao Muyu gave Ling Chen a cupped-fist salute, as she needed to join her family’s contingent.

”Yes, may the best person win.” Ling Chen was now representing Prince Tai, while Xiao Muyu had the backing of the Xiao Family. In the Autumn Hunt, they were rivals.

After parting ways with Xiao Muyu, Ling Chen followed Prince Tai into the training ground.

Inside the training ground, various Imperial Relatives and members of Aristocratic Families had gathered, each forming their own circles. This time, these young martial arts experts would represent either the Imperial Clan or these prominent families in the competition. Victory would not only bring honor to the family they represented, but they themselves would also achieve fame in a single stroke and receive generous rewards.

”There are a total of sixty-nine participants in this hunt, with varying levels of strength. Most are around twenty years old, which, in terms of age, puts you at a slight disadvantage,” Prince Tai explained the details of the Autumn Hunt to Ling Chen.

”Your Highness Prince Tai, I hear the rewards for this Autumn Hunt are quite substantial?” Ling Chen wasn’t concerned about the age difference; a few years wouldn’t create a significant gap in strength. He was more interested in the rewards, having heard that the top three would receive generous prizes.

”You’re right,” Prince Tai nodded with a smile. ”The top three finishers will each receive tens of thousands of taels of gold. The second and third-place winners will also be rewarded with Qi Creation Pills. And the first-place winner, in addition to one hundred thousand taels of gold, will receive a Void Spirit Pill.”

”A Void Spirit Pill?” Ling Chen’s eyes lit up. The royal family is truly generous. While one hundred thousand taels of gold is a huge sum, it doesn’t hold much allure for me. But a Void Spirit Pill... that’s a true godsend!

To break through to the Martial Master Realm in a short time, the Void Spirit Pill was essential for Ling Chen. He had never expected such a pill to be offered as a reward for the hunt.

”It seems you’re quite confident. In that case, this Prince will be eagerly awaiting your performance,” Prince Tai said with a smile, though there seemed to be a deeper, inscrutable meaning beneath it.

A fighting spirit ignited in Ling Chen’s eyes. The Void Spirit Pill—he had to obtain it. He would secure first place in this hunt, no matter the cost.

”It’s that brat?”

At this moment, on the other side of the training ground, a handsome young man dressed in a python-embroidered robe noticed Ling Chen’s arrival. His expression changed, and a hint of gloom surfaced in his eyes. This handsome man was none other than the Fourth Prince, Ying Wuqing.

”That seems to be the participant invited by Prince Tai. He’s supposedly some ’number one genius of the Martial World,’ named Ling Chen, son of the late Supreme Sky Feather.” The man next to him, also dressed in a python-embroidered robe, looked surprised. He was slightly older than Ying Wuqing; this was the Crown Prince of Wind Country. He himself was also a Martial Artist of the Second Realm, possessing considerable strength.

”So, Fourth Brother, you know him?” The Crown Prince looked at Ying Wuqing.

’Number one genius of the Martial World’? What load of crap! Nowadays, any random person dares to claim to be number one. He’s probably just riding on his old man’s reputation. Ying Wuqing sneered, then turned his head away. ”I wouldn’t say I know him. We’ve merely met once. He’s a thoroughly disagreeable fellow.”

”In that case, this hunt presents a good opportunity to teach him a lesson.” The Crown Prince’s smirk grew colder. ”This Ling Chen has long since fallen out of favor within the Divine Intent Sect and is now merely an ordinary disciple. There shouldn’t be any repercussions if you decide to teach him a lesson. However, Uncle Emperor might be somewhat displeased.”

As he finished speaking, his gaze fell on Prince Tai, who was conversing with Ling Chen.

Uncle Emperor is family, after all. Surely he wouldn’t fall out with me over an outsider? Ying Wuqing dismissed the thought, a cold light flickering in his eyes. This is a heaven-sent opportunity! If I don’t teach Ling Chen a lesson, where would my dignity as a Prince be? A mere disciple who has fallen from grace dared to show him such disrespect! This time, he would make Ling Chen understand the consequences of offending him to his face.