The Imperial Martial Pill Venerable

Imperial Capital, outside the Warrior Arena.

The recent, much-hyped deathmatch at the Warrior Arena had stirred up a huge storm in the Imperial Capital. Countless people were paying attention to this fight. After all, the identities of the two participants were anything but ordinary. One was the current prodigy of the Wang Family, and the other was a High-Level Teacher from Mingxin Academy.

The two main figures of the deathmatch had yet to arrive, but the area outside the Warrior Arena was already packed with people. "Tsk, tsk, what a spectacular scene."

"Of course it is. Wang Yan is a famous genius in the Imperial Capital. Who wouldn’t come to see his deathmatch? But the other one’s background is nothing to sneeze at either—the Academy’s youngest High-Level Teacher. It’s unbelievable just thinking about it."

"No matter how unbelievable it is, he’s a dead man today. From what I’ve heard, his strength is only Profound Yuan Eighth Grade. Compared to Wang Yan, who’s at Spiritual Element Ninth Grade, the gap is as wide as the heavens and the earth. There’s no way he can win."

"Sigh, fame came to him too young, so it’s inevitable he’d be arrogant. In this world, only strength is the ultimate guarantee. Just because he managed to become a High-Level Teacher, he dares to be so disdainful of others."

"I wonder how he even got that title."

"Look, Wang Yan is here." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Suddenly, a commotion broke out in the crowd. Not far away, a figure in red slowly approached. Wherever he passed, people voluntarily cleared a path, as if an Emperor was passing through. His presence was extraordinary.

Wang Yan strode to the gates of the Warrior Arena and glanced around. Not seeing Qin Ya’s figure, he raised an eyebrow and then stood still.

The flame-like red robe draped over him seemed to come alive, radiating waves of heat. Such an aura made the surrounding people’s hearts tremble. He truly lived up to his name as the Imperial Capital’s prodigy.

In the crowd, a beautiful woman in white gazed at Wang Yan, sighed, and said, "Wang Yan’s strength has grown. Although he’s still at the Spiritual Element Ninth Grade Realm, his aura has become even more domineering."

"Muu Xue, what are your chances if you were to fight him?"

Hearing her friend Feng Ling’s question, Muu Xue contemplated for a moment. "Although he and I are both at the Spiritual Element Ninth Grade, there are still differences in power within the same realm. If he were to face me... I don’t think I would lose!"

"Tsk, tsk, you really are one of the top ten prodigies on the Hidden Dragon List. That was a pretty domineering thing to say," Feng Ling said teasingly. "So what do you think will happen when Teacher Qin faces him?"

Muu Xue shook her head and said, "I don’t know. On the surface, Teacher Qin’s cultivation is far inferior to Wang Yan’s, but he seems to be shrouded in a fog that makes him impossible to see through. Since he dared to accept a deathmatch with Wang Yan, he must be confident. The outcome is hard to predict."

"That’s what I think, too."

"I didn’t expect Student Muu Xue to come watch the battle as well." Just then, a gentle voice reached the two women’s ears, but hearing it made both of them furrow their beautiful brows.

"Hmph, isn’t this Eldest Young Master Lu, Lu Chen?" Although Muu Xue was also displeased, her face remained indifferent. Feng Ling, however, made no effort to hide her disgust, snorting coldly as she spoke.

The newcomer was dressed in white, appearing gentle and refined, but a hidden light flickered in the depths of his eyes as he looked at Muu Xue. Lu Chen said, "It’s been a few days, Muu Xue. Your cultivation has improved again. It seems the day you break through to the Earth Element Realm isn’t far off."

"You flatter me," Muu Xue said tepidly.

Lu Chen paid her no mind, looking at Wang Yan and smiling. "I didn’t expect you would come to watch this good show, Muu Xue. It’s quite a surprise."

"That’s none of your business," Feng Ling sneered.

"Oh, right. Muu Xue, you’re also an Alchemist, aren’t you? And that Qin Ya is an Alchemy Teacher. No wonder." When Lu Chen mentioned Qin Ya, a sinister, cold light flashed in his eyes. "That Qin Ya really doesn’t know what’s good for him. Although Wang Yan can’t compare to us, he’s still a genius at Spiritual Element Ninth Grade. For a mere Profound Origin Realm Martial Artist to dare compete with him... it’s utterly laughable."

Muu Xue’s expression turned cold. "Lu Chen," she said icily, "you are a student of the Academy. How dare you slander an Academy teacher like this?"

Lu Chen was stunned, clearly not expecting Muu Xue to defend Qin Ya so vehemently. But when he recalled how Qin Ya had embarrassed him at the Mountain Delicacies Tower, a fire ignited in his heart. "Muu Xue, am I wrong? Qin Ya is arrogant and conceited, thinking he can do whatever he wants just because he’s a High-Level Teacher."

"Teacher Qin is arrogant? Conceited? Heh, then what does that make you, badmouthing someone behind their back?" Feng Ling sneered from the side. "As an Academy student, openly slandering a teacher... what do you call that?"

"These two students are right. As a student of the Academy, not only do you fail to uphold its dignity, you repeatedly insult a teacher. What right do you have?" At that moment, a detached voice spoke up.

A woman with long hair, dressed in white and holding a longsword, walked over. Seeing her, Lu Chen’s face grew even darker. "And who are you?"

"A new Academy student, Li Peiyi."

The newcomer was none other than Li Peiyi. Knowing that today was the day of Qin Ya and Wang Yan’s deathmatch, she had come to watch. She was worried, but she also wanted to see just how wide the gap was between herself and Qin Ya.

She and Qin Ya were from the same city, so they could be considered town-mates. Moreover, it was Qin Ya who had saved the Li Family from being swallowed by the Qin Family back in Anxing City. So, when she heard Lu Chen slandering Qin Ya, she couldn’t help but speak up to defend him.

"A mere new student at the Profound Origin Realm dares to speak to me like that!" Lu Chen’s face was grim, his eyes glinting with a cold light. He felt utterly stifled. He couldn’t understand why so many people were speaking up for Qin Ya; even a Profound Origin Realm cultivator dared to ignore him.

Li Peiyi stood her ground fearlessly, radiating a sharp aura as she retorted tit-for-tat, "Was I wrong in what I said!"

Muu Xue and Feng Ling exchanged a glance, both seeing a look of surprise in each other’s eyes. They hadn’t expected this young woman to have such spirit.

The two women took a step forward, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Li Peiyi.

"Lu Chen, mind your status," Muu Xue said coldly. "As a master on the Academy’s Hidden Dragon List and a disciple of one of the Imperial Capital’s Four Great Noble Families, it won’t do you any good if word gets out that you’re picking on a new student."

The surrounding crowd had long since noticed the conflict involving Muu Xue and the others, and were watching from the sidelines. When Li Peiyi appeared, everyone couldn’t help but marvel that Teacher Qin’s social connections were surprisingly good.

"Tsk, tsk, he’s got some good luck with the ladies. The three women defending him are all rare beauties."

"That’s true. I’m actually a bit envious."

"I wonder what grudge this Eldest Young Master Lu has against Qin Ya to be slandering him like this and angering three beauties in the process."

"Heh, we haven’t even seen the deathmatch yet, and we already get to enjoy such a good show. Today is full of surprises."

With Lu Chen’s cultivation, he naturally heard every single word of the surrounding whispers. His face was as dark as water, and he grew even more furious inside. He let out a cold snort, his icy gaze sweeping over the crowd.

"All of you, shut up!"

He was an Earth Element Realm Martial Artist, after all, and a disciple of one of the Imperial Capital’s Four Great Noble Families. Most people were wary of him. With that shout, the surroundings immediately fell silent. However, at that moment, another voice suddenly rang out.

"Excuse me. Let me through."