Chapter 570: The Apprenticeship Ceremony Officially Begins

Chapter 570: Chapter 570: The Apprenticeship Ceremony Officially Begins

Cheng Yuan raised a hand, pointing at the retreating figures of Jin Hai and his two companions. "If I’m not mistaken, Jin Hai and I have already met. We had a friendly discussion, and he’s decided to leave."

Liu Deshui followed Cheng Yuan’s finger with his gaze, but unfortunately, Jin Hai’s group was moving too quickly. They soon vanished around a corner, and Liu Deshui saw nothing.

Liu Deshui was speechless. ’This kid is handsome enough, but why is he so full of it?’

’A friendly discussion?’

’With Jin Hai’s explosive temper, he’d negotiate my ass!’

"Friend, I’m not kidding you. I’ve heard the Jinling Yang Family is a Martial Dao Clan that prefers to solve problems with force! They don’t interfere with conflicts between guests; they tacitly allow everyone to settle things privately! You really need to leave, and quickly! If Jin Pengfei sees you, the consequences will be unimaginable."

Cheng Yuan knew Liu Deshui meant well. He reached out, took Liu Deshui by the arm, and pushed him back down into his seat.

"My friend, thank you for your kindness. I owe you one. But don’t worry, Jin Pengfei absolutely will not be back. The apprenticeship ceremony is about to begin. Just relax and watch!"

"Ugh, why are you so stubborn!"

As the two of them were talking back and forth, the last wave of honored guests arrived.

Cheng Yuan’s eyes lit up. It was the Hu and Zhu Families from Dongshan!

With the support of the Elixirs provided by Cheng Yuan, Hu Yidao and Zhu Song had already reached Martial King Peak, just a hair’s breadth away from becoming Martial Emperors!

At their current level of strength, Hu Yidao and Zhu Song could absolutely be considered unrivaled in Dongshan.

Unfortunately, in the presence of all the world’s greatest masters, Hu Yidao and Zhu Song didn’t measure up at all.

After all, within the super Martial Dao Clans or Sects, it wasn’t unheard of for thirty-year-olds to become Martial Emperors!

Yang Haoyu had even achieved the rank of Half-Step Martial Saint!

The only reason the Hu and Zhu Families had received an invitation was entirely because of Cheng Yuan.

Or to put it another way, they had been dragged into this mess by him.

The two of them hadn’t brought any younger family members, only a few guards. They had come prepared to die in the Jinling Yang Family’s home.

Cheng Yuan walked forward to greet them warmly. "Uncle Hu, Uncle Zhu, you’re here!"

The two men’s expressions changed drastically, and they looked at Cheng Yuan with alarm.

"Xiaoyuan, how could you dare come to the Jinling Yang Family’s home? You’re too reckless! Go, now! We’ll risk our old lives to make sure you get away from here!"

Cheng Yuan gestured with his chin toward Li Baizhan and Yang Qianhuan. "Uncle Hu, Uncle Zhu, don’t worry. With my two senior brothers here, no one can touch me!"

Only then did the two notice Li Baizhan and Yang Qianhuan, and their expressions eased slightly. ’With the Dragon Lord and Dragon Head here, the Yang Family will surely have to show some restraint, right?’

’Hopefully, Cheng Yuan can make it through this ordeal!’

...

「In the main house.」

Yu Fanghua let out a long, turbid breath.

The Merak King Body was not just about giving; there were rewards as well.

Yu Fanghua had refined the Essence of Life from Yang Jian. Her Essence, Qi, and Spirit were completely restored, and her complexion was better than ever. She looked like a radiant, newly-married young woman.

Yang Jian’s complexion was even better. Having obtained a massive amount of Celestial Dao Origin, his very level of existence had been elevated.

Outwardly, Yang Jian no longer showed the slightest sign of old age. He looked like a man in the prime of his life.

"Fanghua, the apprenticeship ceremony is about to begin. Shall we go?"

Yu Fanghua gave a slight nod and took Yang Jian’s arm. Like a divine couple, they walked out of the main house and toward the training grounds.

They appeared to be walking briskly, but in the next instant, their figures flickered and vanished from the servant girls’ line of sight.

In moments, the two of them arrived at the training grounds.

Led by Yang Lingzhi, all the members of the Yang Family rose to their feet and shouted in unison.

"We welcome the Old Matriarch! We welcome the Second Old Master!"

SWISH!

Every head turned in unison toward the entrance of the training grounds. They saw Yang Jian, and beside him, the peerlessly beautiful Yu Fanghua.

Many of the older-generation powerhouses subconsciously gulped, their eyes filled with unconcealed desire.

Decades had passed!

The former number one beauty of the Ancient Martial Realm was still so breathtakingly beautiful!

It was as if time had been unable to leave a single mark on her face.

What shocked them even more was Yang Jian. He had been an old man, yet after not seeing him for only a few days, how had he become so vigorous and full of life?

Soon, the older powerhouses seemed to realize something, and expressions of bitter regret appeared on their faces.

’That old bastard Yang Jian actually managed to get his hands on a goddess like Yu Fanghua!’

’The man on the inside really does get the prize first!’

Even Cheng Yuan looked over with interest. Seeing how young Yu Fanghua was, he couldn’t help but draw a sharp breath.

’Yu Fanghua was the Old Dragon King’s former lover, and they were around the same age. The Old Dragon King is already a decrepit old man, so why is she still so young?’

Cheng Yuan activated his Double Pupil and looked toward Yu Fanghua, wanting to pry into the secrets of the Merak King Body.

However, to Cheng Yuan’s surprise, Yu Fanghua was a Martial Saint. Her Spiritual Power was immense, and she actually sensed his probing gaze.

Yu Fanghua let out a soft snort.

BOOM!

A staggering wave of Spiritual Power enveloped Yu Fanghua completely, and Cheng Yuan’s Double Pupil was forcefully repelled.

Cheng Yuan wasn’t discouraged, though. Based on the strength of her Spiritual Power, he knew he could still see through her true nature if he activated the second form of his Double Pupil.

’But doing so would be seen as a provocation by the Old Matriarch, and a fight would break out on the spot.’

Since Cheng Yuan hadn’t seen the Old Dragon King yet, he didn’t dare rashly provoke the Old Matriarch.

Under the gazes of the entire crowd, the Old Matriarch and Yang Jian ascended the martial arts platform.

It was Yang Jian’s first time in a situation like this, and he was a bit nervous.

Yu Fanghua, on the other hand, was used to the grandest of stages. She regarded the guests with poise and grace.

As her gaze swept across the crowd, Yu Fanghua felt a touch of disappointment. She didn’t see Huangfu Yanyi among the guests.

’What a pity,’ she thought. ’If only Huangfu Yanyi could see Yang Jian’s current state, he would surely be filled with regret!’

Yu Fanghua quickly collected herself and announced in a clear, deep voice, "A warm welcome to all distinguished guests who have taken time from their busy schedules to attend our Yang Family’s ceremony! Today’s events will consist of three parts! First, the apprenticeship ritual and expression of gratitude. Second, Martial Dao sparring. And third, the settling of grievances."

At once, the atmosphere among the guests grew tense.

After all, many of the guests present held grudges against one another.

And what better place to resolve them than here, on the Jinling Yang Family’s training grounds, in front of the world’s greatest masters.

After she finished speaking, the Old Matriarch and Yang Jian took their seats in the grand armchairs on the main platform.

Yang Haoyu stepped up to act as the master of ceremonies, smiling as he looked down at the honored guests.

"The reason the Old Matriarch has convened this grand ceremony is that our Jinling Yang Family has produced a second Merak King Body!"

An uproar swept through the crowd!

The onlookers below instantly erupted into a clamor.

"A single Merak King Body can create a Martial Saint! The Jinling Yang Family already has two Martial Saints, so does this mean a third is about to emerge? If this new Merak King Body also becomes a Martial Saint, that’ll make four of them!"

"It’s not just about becoming a Martial Saint! Old Master Yang’s talent was terrible, yet he still became a Sixth Grade Martial Saint! That’s an Ultimate Martial Saint! If the Jinling Yang Family produces two Ultimate Martial Saints, I’m afraid not even the Old Dragon King could keep them in check!"

"The landscape of the Ancient Martial Realm is about to change! Is a sixth Great Holy Land about to be established?"

...

Listening to the murmurs of the guests, Yang Haoyu felt a deep sense of satisfaction.

’That’s right!’

’Everything you’re saying is correct!’

’The Jinling Yang Family’s third Martial Saint will be none other than me, Yang Haoyu!’

’Once I become a Martial Saint, I’ll definitely pay a visit to Dragon Flame and have a nice, long ’spar’ with Yang Qianhuan!’

’As for Cheng Yuan?’

’Is a piece of trash who isn’t even a Martial Emperor worthy of a future Martial Saint like me dirtying my hands?’

’All I’d have to do is say the word, and the so-called heroes of the world would be scrambling over each other to take care of Cheng Yuan for me.’

Yang Haoyu’s voice boomed, "I declare the apprenticeship ceremony officially open! Let us give a grand welcome to the Yang Family’s second Merak King Body—Yang Qiuyu!!"