Reception Hall.
Ye Yushi asked, "From what your father said, it seems that the Four Nations place great importance on the Genius Battle in the Old Capital, even the Military Lord will be personally attending."
Shen Yu nodded and said, "The Genius Battle holds extraordinary significance for the Four Nations. If a genius from any country stands out in the battle, the country and their martial arts schools will attract more young people."
Chen Tang suddenly understood.
For the Four Nations, the Genius Battle was a great opportunity for publicity.
Previously, there were years of war, and the population declined sharply. The youth is the future of a nation.
Chen Tang asked, "Aren’t there any asures to restrict population movent among the Four Nations?"
Whether in Beiqian or Nanxia, there are docunts and passes for travel. It’s incredibly difficult for ordinary people to leave their hotowns, let alone with families in tow.
"How can that be?"
Shen Yu was taken aback and said, "Although the Four Nations are at war, we are all people of the Celestial Pot Continent, free to migrate within the continent. Even a nation’s Military Lord cannot restrict that, or else it would cause panic and rejection, leading more people to flee."
"In my father’s governance, the people of Chuansi Country live fairly well, with not much pressure, and a simple and open lifestyle. Therefore, so also choose to live in Chuansi Country."
"However, talented young people in the Celestial Pot Continent still choose other three nations to cultivate stronger martial arts."
Chen Tang had heard Shen Yu ntion that the other three nations were founded by families who guard divine artifacts, with so legendary connections to deities.
He wasn’t convinced about Sea Gods, Sun Gods, and the like.
It’s likely that so strong individuals reached the pinnacle of their cultivation, using thods beyond ordinary comprehension, and were thus revered as deities.
As for what those divine artifacts are, perhaps they’re the weapons these strong ones left in the world.
Ye Yushi asked, "Are the Three Great Divine Artifacts really that powerful?"
"Powerful indeed!"
Shen Yu nodded earnestly and said, "The Three Great Divine Artifacts contain mysterious and great power. Once we get to the Old Capital, every participant will have a chance to closely encounter one of them."
"The three families are strong because their martial arts techniques and secret martial techniques are all derived from the Three Great Divine Artifacts."
"For the past decade, the top five in each Genius Battle have all been from the three families. Therefore, many talented young people want to join them and train in the secret techniques passed down from the artifacts."
"This year, my father has been ticulously nurturing soone like Feng Xing, who had a chance to break into the top five, but unexpectedly..."
Speaking of it, Shen Yu sighed lightly.
Ye Yushi asked again, "Besides Feng Xing, isn’t there anyone else who can compete?"
"No."
Shen Yu said, "There are so young people in the army preparing to participate, but they’re far behind Feng Xing. It seems there’s only one who has just cultivated Qi Sensing and hasn’t yet reached the Fifth Grade."
At first glance, it’s unbelievable.
But thinking it over, it makes sense.
In the last decade, the other three nations have shone in every Genius Battle, attracting all talented young people in the Celestial Pot Continent, leaving the rest lacking.
For Chuansi Country, this is a vicious cycle.
The young people who stand out in the Genius Battle have unlimited potential and will surely beco pillars of the nation and martial arts experts in the future.
In the long run, the strength of the three nations will continue to grow.
While Chuansi Country is the opposite.
In less than a century, Chuansi Country might be on the verge of collapse.
Shen Yu said, "My father holds Feng Xing in high regard, personally teaching him martial arts for three years, and even Uncle Wanderer passed on a set of Tiger Subduing Fist to him. Their betrayal must have dealt a heavy blow to my father, fortunately, Brother Chen has helped us this ti."
Amidst the conversation, a loud noise ca from outside.
The three of them looked towards the sound, only to see a young man in his early twenties, dressed in a pristine white brocade robe, walking towards them with his head held high, chest out, looking quite pleased.
Behind him followed eight young guards; by their steps, they seed well-trained, with solid foundations.
"Cousin?"
Upon seeing the newcor, Shen Yu frowned slightly, a trace of disgust passing through his eyes.
In a low voice to Chen Tang and Ye Yushi, Shen Yu said, "His na is Shen Yuanjie, my fourth uncle’s son, eight years older than ."
Noticing the change in Shen Yu’s expression, Chen Tang and Ye Yushi exchanged a look but remained composed.
"Haha!"
Before entering the door, the man laughed heartily and said warmly, "Yu’er, we haven’t seen each other for nearly a month. I heard you ca back from the Hermit Continent, so I ca to see you."
Bringing the group into the reception hall, upon seeing Chen Tang and Ye Yushi, Shen Yuanjie frowned and shouted, "Where did these ugly hillfolk co from?"
The art of disguise and makeup by Granny Zijing was truly amazing.
Both Chen Tang and Ye Yushi not only had their appearances changed, but also their entire attire transford greatly.
For instance, Chen Tang was wearing tattered capri pants with frayed edges and so sand and mud on them, exposing a tanned ankle, looking like soone doing hard labor for years.
Ye Yushi no longer had the air of the Jade Flute Fairy, appearing just like a rustic country woman.
"Cousin, don’t speak nonsense!"
Shen Yu imdiately stood up, scolding, "They are friends I know."
"Damn!"
Shen Yuanjie couldn’t help but curse while showing a disgusted face, saying, "Yu’er, what kind of company do you keep? It’s embarrassing!"
Grumbling, Shen Yuanjie found a seat near the door, trying to stay as far away from Chen Tang and Ye Yushi as possible.
"They are all good people."
Shen Yu retorted, "Moreover, it’s none of your business whom I befriend."
Shen Yuanjie rolled his eyes and casually asked, "By the way, Yu’er, how was your trip to the Hermit Continent?"
"It was quite smooth."
Shen Yu replied nonchalantly.
Shen Yuanjie’s eyes flickered, he touched his nose and asked, "I heard there are hermits everywhere over there and assassinations daily. Did you encounter any?"
A thought crossed Chen Tang’s mind.
The question seed to show concern, but it was sowhat strange.
Even on the Hermit Continent, hermits wouldn’t randomly assassinate people.
Unless soone had posted a bounty targeting Shen Yu.
Shen Yu had just returned, yet Shen Yuanjie seed to know about it in advance.
Sitting next to Shen Yu, Ye Yushi gently touched Shen Yu’s arm while serving tea right after Shen Yuanjie asked.
Shen Yu instinctively looked at Ye Yushi.
Ye Yushi signaled with her eyes, blowing on the steam of her teacup, lightly shaking her head.
Shen Yu didn’t quite understand Ye Yushi’s intention, but she was clever enough not to answer Shen Yuanjie, instead asking in return, "Why are you asking?"
"Ha!"
Shen Yuanjie laughed indifferently, "Nothing, just worried about you. By the way, speaking of friends, let introduce my eight friends to you."
As he spoke, Shen Yuanjie turned sideways, looking at the eight people behind him, and said proudly, "These eight, all under twenty, are known in Jianghu as the Eight Great Vajra!"
The so-called Eight Great Vajra is just a nickna he gave them, sounding impressive.
Shen Yu wasn’t interested in the "Eight Great Vajra," simply raising a hand in greeting as a form of acknowledgent.
Shen Yuanjie continued, "The Genius Battle is about to begin. I ca to see you and brought them along. Earlier, we went to the army to spar with the young participants, but unexpectedly... alas!"
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