198 Discussing the Results
“As expected of Senior Brother Haoyue!”
“He reached the twelfth stage! The number one throne is still ours!”
“And that’s not all. Zhang Jia and the other two are still hovering around the tenth stage. They’re still far from Senior Brother~”
In front of Azure Dragon Pass, the crowd clapped their hands excitedly and surrounded Zhang Haoyue, who had just walked out of the cellar.
Zhang Haoyue still looked as if he was bathing in the spring breeze, and a smile that had never faded on his face.
“Everyone, don’t flatter me. I’m just relying on the influence of my father’s family to have my current achievements by luck. If you were in my situation, you would definitely do better than me.”
He looked at everyone humbly. He generously admitted that he had won the favor of many people by relying on his father.
Zhang Jia replied, “Big Brother is too humble. If I were in your position, I would have led the younger generation astray. If it weren’t for you restraining me, I wouldn’t have achieved what I have today.”
Zhang Jia was bald and had a rough and honest appearance.
In the entire Nine Dragons sect, there were only three people who had broken through to the bone pattern realm under the age of thirty. One was the eldest son of the Li family’s second master, and the other two were Zhang Haoyue and Zhang Jia.
“If it were anyone else, the Nine Dragon sect’s eldest senior brother, we might not even have the chance to survive…” The one who spoke was a young man from the Li family. When he looked at Zhang Haoyue, his eyes were filled with admiration.
Everyone walked to the front of Elder Sanlong amidst a joyous and harmonious sound.
“Elder.” Zhang Haoyue respectfully handed over his stone.
“Not bad.” Elder Sanlong looked at Zhang Haoyue expressionlessly.
This young man was indeed perfect. Whether it was his temperament or talent, he was unique in the Nine Dragons sect. No one could find any fault with him.
Zhang Haoyue bowed respectfully with a smile and lowered his head.
Then…
He saw the ranking of Azure Dragon Pass. Qin Huai’s name appeared at the eleventh spot, and beneath the numbers was a striking result: ninth stage.
Hiss…
Gasps could be heard from behind him, and the noise of the crowd seemed to have weakened by quite a bit. It was obvious that many disciples had noticed the change in the rankings of the Azure Dragon Pass.
“Elder Sanlong, could it be that you wrote it wrong…”
“What kind of joke is this? Who is Elder Sanlong? Our Nine Dragons sect is famous for its strictness. Even if your mother wasn’t your mother, Elder Sanlong couldn’t have written it wrong.”
“Why are you attacking me personally?”
The crowd whispered.
As for the young people who belonged to the Zhang and Li families, their moods had a subtle change. However, most people did not feel good about it.
Even though Qin Huai was a member of the Li family, they had started slandering and hating him the moment he entered the sect… Now, they realized that Qin Huai had become someone they could not reach.
The jealousy and pride in their hearts didn’t allow them to think highly of Qin Huai. Many people, especially the Li family, hoped that he would die quickly.
Li Haoyu was one of them. He was the son of Li Zhezhi, the head of the third branch. He was at the peak of the eighth refinement and was considered one of the best in the Li family. He was also a loyal follower of Zhang Haoyue.
“No matter how strong Qin Huai is, he’ll never be able to catch up to Senior Brother Haoyue,” he suddenly blurted out.
It was as if a gunpowder barrel had been ignited, and a wave of slander instantly erupted in the surroundings.
“Everyone, please don’t say that. There has never been a fixed fate on the path of martial arts. It has always been hard work that makes up for it.” Zhang Haoyue had a pleasant expression as he defended Qin Huai.
“As for Brother Qin, he is a hardworking and talented person. If Brother Qin can truly surpass me one day… I might feel a little lonely, but I’m more than happy for Brother Qin.” He had a sincere look on his face and expressed his emotions perfectly.
“Tsk tsk, look… What is the wind of a leader?”
“We are ashamed of our inferiority.”
The young men of the Zhang and Li families sighed. Facing Zhang Haoyue, they were like the sun and the bat. They didn’t dare to peek at that light, as they would feel their souls burning.
…
In the Zhang family’s courtyard, Zhang Haoyue and Zhang Cheng were squatting, feeding the chickens and ducks.
Zhang Cheng grabbed a handful of millet and played with the little chick. Not far away, an adult hen trembled as she looked in this direction. She lay in her nest and did not dare to move.
“Father, Qin Huai’s growth… It seems a little unexpected.” Zhang Haoyue spoke with a kind smile on his face. “I’m worried there will be changes.”
Zhang Cheng looked like a player as he teased the little chick. “The stronger Qin Huai is, the more it means that the extra white dragon doesn’t just give him an advantage.
“Didn’t Divine Doctor Xu already say that his foundation is very poor, but he was able to cultivate to this stage so quickly? It must have something to do with that extra white dragon.”
He stood up and turned around to look at his son. “You should know that the most precious treasure of our True Path Sect, the qi confinement and one body technique, has the effect of changing the level of a person’s life.
“And this additional white dragon might be the same. When the time comes… Your bones will also become stronger.”
Zhang Haoyue said in a deep voice, “That Qin Huai seems to be proficient in poison techniques. There’s a high chance that Divine Doctor Xu’s poison has already been cured by him. Maybe he’s already suspecting us.”
He had seen it very clearly. Even though Qin Huai treated him like an ordinary person, Zhang Haoyue was still very vigilant.
A person who was proficient in poison techniques would definitely not have a simple mind. It was very likely a temporary distraction.
“So what if he suspects? Why didn’t he dare to do something about it? Isn’t it because he’s not strong enough?”