The Emperor of the Three Realms

chapter 31

The same two people had faced off once more, and Yan Yiming lost and was once again completely outdone.    

Jiang Chen once again became the winner and used the same Eastern King Points to win.    

The only difference was that Yan Yiming had used his family legacy this time around and his mindset had been adjusted from underestimating his opponent to full combat readiness.    

But, Yan Yiming was still a fallen person.    

And, it is within three agreed steps.    

That said, Yan Yiming was still unable to receive three of Jiang Chen's attacks even when the first attack had been fully prepared.    

Of course, Yan Yiming was not as lucky this time. Jiang Chen had left his face during the fight last time and he had not really used his original qi.    

This time, Yan Yiming's repeated provocation had surpassed Jiang Chen's limits. Thus, Yan Yiming had sensed at least 70% of Jiang Chen's strength.    

After this defeat, Yan Yiming would probably not be able to get out of bed without recuperating for three to five months first.    

“How does it comply? A bucket full of water does not sway, but a half bucket of water likes to sway back and forth; a knowledgeable person does not like to boast, but a fool likes to be haughty and preening. This adage might be aimed at people like you, right?”    

Jiang Chen did not care whether Yan Yiming was still alive or dead. Fights between heirs were more common in the capital, not to mention the Hidden Dragon Trials were originally designed to increase competition between heirs.    

The heirs who were unfriendly to Jiang Chen all took a step back involuntarily when they saw Yan Yiming lying prostrate on the floor.    

They were very afraid of being seen by Jiang Chen. They did not even have Yan Yiming's strength to fight back if he challenged them.    

At this point, no one believed that Jiang Chen only had three meridians of true qi.    

Only a fool would believe that Jiang Chen was at the beginning realm of true qi after that prick.    

Could it be that someone in the early realms caused such an injury to Yan Yiming?    

Jiang Chen did not think much of defeating anyone like Yan Yiming. After all, his current strength was at the peak of five meridians true qi.    

With all his advantages, it was certain that he could defeat Yan Yiming, who was at six meridians true qi.    

If he found it difficult to defeat someone who even had six meridians of true qi, then all the advantages that had been given to him in his past life would be a joke.    

As for Jiang Zheng, he puffed out his chest in delight. He had already enjoyed the treatment that others had been waiting for the last time in the Healing Hall. And today, he once again received the respect of those around him.    

What is the point of being a servant? It was so that things would go smoothly, and be able to walk upright proudly, wherever he went.    

And today, Jiang Zheng's waist was quite upright.    

“Organizer, young duke of my house wants to register for three basic exams.” Jiang Zheng's voice was also louder than usual.    

If this had happened before, Jiang Zheng would have felt extremely embarrassed to register for the elementary examination at such a shameful time.    

However things became very different after Jiang Zhen trampled on Yan Yiming. How could a high-level practitioner, who had acted rudely towards Yan Yiming, not be able to pass even in the three basic exams?    

Why didn't he come before? It was because our young duke was too busy to come and pass the examination!    

Other than Jiang Chen, there was no one else who had not passed the three basic exams before the deadline.    

However, no one dared to cause any trouble for Jiang Chen in this step of the process.    

He soon arrived at the testing site for the first exam.    

There's a big disc in the middle of the ring. The disk was punctuated by twelve holes. Each of the holes had a white jade column erected in the center.    

This is a column of true qi used in testing true qi.    

No one can cheat in this test. The candidate would be able to light up the number of white jade columns according to how many meridians true qi possessed.    

One can store his strength, but cannot falsely increase his strength.    

That is, if you have ten meridians true qi, you can display eight levels, or even four meridians true qi.    

But if you only have four levels, there's no way you can manifest additional meridians just like that.    

Therefore, this was a test that no one could cheat.    

“No wonder Jiang Chen in the past could not pass this test. How could three meridians of true qi pass through?” Jiang Chen shook his head slightly and walked forward, placing his palm in depression and circulating the five meridians of true qi within his body.    

The disc started spinning with a crackling sound.    

The white jade columns on it started to light up one by one.    

One column, two, three, four, five…    

Some onlookers heaved a sigh of relief upon seeing the lights stop at the fifth column, whereas some others were slightly disappointed.    

All sorts of reactions were present, but Jiang Chen did not care about it. He did not reserve his strength for this particular test.    

“Eh? Looky. Although there were only five columns lit up, this light.” Others immediately noticed it after one person showed it.    

“True, usually we only bring up a dim blue light. Jiang Chen's actual qi lights were green! And look, there is no dirt in the light, each column is quite balanced and pure. ”    

“It looks like we underestimated this Jiang Chen!”    

"It's reasonable! With the purity of true qi like this, I think he would be able to put up a fight even if he challenged someone in the advanced realm of true qi!”    

The lowest barrier towards the advanced realm of true qi was seven meridians true qi. Such an assessment is truly a high compliment.    

Even the official in charge of this exam was slightly moved by Jiang Chen's original qi column, and he stared at Jiang Chen with a complicated look.    

Jiang Chen could see praise and doubt in that glance. Perhaps, in the eyes of that official, Jiang Chen even held back some of his original qi.    

“Alright, Jiang Chen, five meridians true qi. You passed the first basic exam!”    

The official continued to speak cheerfully, “Jiang Chen, congratulations. Your passing and performance values will be recorded and used as a reference.”    

“Thanks for the effort.” Jiang Chen smiled faintly. He would naturally respond well if someone was being polite to him.    

He easily passed the first basic exam. Jiang Chen had also anticipated this.    

He arrived at the place of the second basic examination after walking through several passageways.    

The second exam took place in a sealed room with sword aura.    

“Jiang Chen, the second exam is not the same as the first exam, and it contains a number of dangers. If you don't have four meridians true qi and your Amethyst Eastern Qi hasn't been trained to the “perfection” realm, chances are you will become a victim of the aura inside this room.” The organizers of the second exam reminded Jiang Chen of the danger, according to the rules.    

Jiang Chen nodded. “Thank you for your reminder, I'm ready.”    

“Then, log in.” The organizer nodded and said nothing more. Since the candidate had already come, there was no reason for the candidate to come out just because of his reprimand.    

The sword aura space was a square space measuring roughly ten meters by ten meters.    

Countless mechanisms were installed within this room. They would randomly fire out all sorts of sword auras, without following any rules or excuses.    

Candidates must last an hour in the room.    

In addition, one or two flying beetles will be placed indoors periodically. Candidates must shoot down at least ten flying beetles within an hour.    

They must remain unharmed indoors and shoot down at least ten flying beetles within the allotted time.    

In comparison, this exam is only slightly more difficult than the first exam.    

A practitioner would not be able to shoot down a flying beetle if he had not reached the four true meridians of qi. The speed of the flying beetle, the flying pattern, as well as the hardness of its armor, would not be easily overcome by someone in the early realms of true qi.    

“This presentation is rather interesting.”    

Streams of sword aura came shooting at him just as Jiang Chen was thinking about it. But this stream of simple sword aura posed no threat to him.    

The face of the second person leading the Trials, Du Ruhai, became extremely pale as he listened to the reports from a trusted person inside the secret room in a very limited area.    

“This boy has hidden the true power of five true qi meridians. And the purity of his qi was actually equivalent to the heir to the rank of a prominent duke!”    

Du Ruhai's face darkened upon seeing Jiang Chen's first test result. She had been harshly lectured by Princess Gouyu on that day in the Soaring Dragon palace. Although he has not been fired since, he is facing tremendous pressure from rumors circulating in the outside world.    

His credibility and influence were similarly affected on the team responsible for the Hidden Dragon Trials.    

This was the thing he least wanted to see. Du Ruhai had risen from the bottom rank. His desire for power is beyond all things.    

And now, the Duke of Soaring Dragon had given him an ultimatum. If he could not stop Jiang Chen, then he would lose Duke Long's trust.    

Losing Duke Long's trust meant losing his biggest backer. It could even be said that without the duke's support, all the wealth and power he was proud of would soon become a joke.    

Therefore, he had to suppress Jiang Chen. He just had to suppress Jiang Chen at all costs!    

He has to take a risk. Duke Long's ultimatum wasn't just a joke. If the duke becomes unhappy, perhaps Du Ruhai's corpse will be found on the streets tonight.    

“Xiaoma, come. I want you..” Du Ruhai issued a series of commands to the person he trusted the most.    

This Xiaoma was extremely loyal to Du Ruhai. He patted his chest as an affirmation after hearing Du Ruhai's instructions, “Relax sir, I will complete the task competently, and leave no clues whatsoever!”    

“Mm. If this problem is done smoothly, I will guarantee a rich life for you.”    

Inside the sword aura space, the bodies of over fifty flying beetles were lying carelessly on the slippery floor. The time passed exactly an hour.    

Jiang Chen did not leave the sword aura room, and even became increasingly excited.    

“No human opponent can match this sword aura space. Who at the same level can apply abstract and unsystematic movements like the mechanics of this room? Where else can I find a free opponent like this?”    

Jiang Chen was enamored of this room.    

Although the power of the sword aura attack in the room would double every hour, Jiang Chen became even more excited from the battle, and his interest increased.    

He had also become more skilled at utilizing his five meridians true qi as time went on. The clash between true qi and sword aura further increased his fighting intent and potential.