Everyone stood up, even the Elders. A middle-aged man was walking from the entrance and there was pin-drop silence where only his footsteps were echoing through the whole hall. Du Chan looked at him. He appeared to be in his 40’s but today is his 100th birthday.

A girl was walking behind him. She was wearing a white dress reaching the floor. Her face was covered with a white silk veil only revealing her beautiful eyes. Even though her face was covered, it was unable to cover up the cold, arrogant noble sensation which was bone-deep.

Du Chan stared at her and thought:

‘I’m glad I was born in this world…..seeing such beauties, even if I die I wouldn’t have regrets’

Because he had never seen beautiful ladies before, even in his past life, movie actresses were not this stunning.

Both walked to the throne, the king sat on it and the princess sat beside him.

“Please be seated” the king said.

He looked at the elders, folded both his fists together and announced:

“Thanks for coming!”

“It’s not a big deal, the king helped us when we were in trouble so we always respect the king” Elder Yue said.

The elder from the Ten Thousand Sword sect just nodded. The elder from Frozen Ice Valley did not even care what the king was saying. She just stood up and said.

“I only came here for my disciple, thank you for having me” she said with an arrogant tone.

The hall went silent

“Cough, of course. We are honoured to have an elder from Frozen Ice Valley,” the king responded.

After he clapped his hands, a group of women came carrying wine. The smell filled the hall.

“This wine is one of the best in the whole continent. It is called bone wine, enjoy!”

They gave a big jar of wine for every table. Then the king lifted his filled glass. All did the same and drank it.

Du Chan was about to say “cheers” but seeing everyone silent, he chose to remain silent too and drank the wine. The wine was very good. It felt like he got wings and started to fly in the sky.

“Hmm, my daughter had a breakthrough and entered the Blood Condensation realm. She awakened the royal bloodline and…..the legendary low-grade earth spirit root” the king said very happily.

“WHAT?” everyone in the hall shocked except Du Chan and the elder of Frozen ice Valley.

“Haha” King laughed.

“Congratulations princess for awakening the low-grade earth spirit root” everyone started to applaud.

The elder from the Ten Thousand Sword sect looked at the Elder from Frozen Ice Valley and said:

“Looks like there is going to be another monster in your sect”

She just gave an arrogant smile back at him. Elder Yue didn’t say anything, he just looked at her and smiled.

Du Chan was just looking at the princess, but when he heard about spirit roots he got confused, he had never heard of it.

“Sect master, what are spirit roots?” Du Chan asked the sect master who was sitting beside him.

“I will just tell you the basic idea about it. When you break through into the Blood Condensation realm, your bloodline will awaken and the spirit roots will be born in your abdomen” sect master said.

“Okay….” Du Chan didn’t understand why they don’t tell him everything. ‘Elder said if I join I will know everything, I think I need to join that sect’ he thought.

Everyone started to take out and give the gifts they bought for the king and princess.

An old man took out a rock, it was dark blue.

“As expected from the old man from the Ti family. He gave a mid-grade spiritual stone as a gift” someone said.

“Yes, the Ti family is famous for digging mines” someone said.

“I heard they found a new mine” someone said. The murmuring was nonstop.

That old man gave it to the king and bowed.

“Thank you, old man” the king said.

“It’s my pleasure” that old man said and sat back in his chair.

Another man came in front of the King and took out a sword. It looked like it was made of crystal.

“King, I made this from a rare material called ice crystal” he said that and gave it to the king.

“Hoo, I believe this will help the princess then” the king took that sword and swung it twice.

“Of course” that man answered.

“Here take this” the king said and gave that sword to the princess, she just took that sword and swung it. And kept it.

“I think she likes it” the king said with a smile.

That man bowed to the king and princess and went back to his seat.

Everyone gave their gifts, some gave the best items, and some did not. But the king took all of them with gratitude.

At last, the elder from Ten Thousand Swords went and bowed to the king.

“I only respect strength, and the king is best at that so I will….” He said and drawing out his sword “…..ask to have a duel”

Huh? Everyone in the hall stopped murmuring and looked at the Elder like he was a monster. Coming to a king’s birthday party and asking him for a duel is madness.

“Hahaha sure, let’s have a duel after this celebration is over” the king replied with a laugh.

Elder put his sword back and said:

“Okay, I will wait”

The Elder from Frozen Ice Valley stood up and went straight to the king and princess, and the Princess came in front of her and kneeled on a single knee.

“Master” the princess said. The voice was cold as ice.

“Hmm, what happened,” the elder asked, her voice was calm and gentle. It’s like a different person.

The princess was silent.

“Let’s talk later” the elder said softly. Princess nodded and went back to her seat.

The elder came in front of the king and gave him a leaf which was snow white.

“This leaf contains yin essence, which may help you in cultivation” she said

“Thank you” the king said and took the leaf carefully and stored it in his storage ring.

She went back to her seat. Elder Yue and the sect master came in front of the king and took out their gifts. Elder Yue gave a pill.

“This pill is special, this will definitely help with the king’s ‘cultivation’ ” Elder Yue said and gave him that pill. King silently took that pill and smiled at him. The Sect master took out a bottle.

“This bottle is full of holy spring from our sect” the sect master said.

“Wow, good! Thank you” the king said.

Both of them came back and sat down. After some time, everyone ate the meal.

A kid jumped into the middle of the hall.

“Sorry to disturb you all, but it’s getting boring, let’s celebrate and have some entertainment”

He looked like 19 years old and in the 9th stage of the Qi Condensation realm.

“My name is Ti Jen, I will accept any battle from anyone. If anyone wishes to fight, then please step up” Ti Jen said proudly.

“Oh” king was surprised but was interested as to how they will fight.

“I will fight with you” another kid jumped in front of him. He was also in the 9th stage of the Qi condensation realm.

“My name is Xing Ba,” he said by folding both fists.

“Sure,” Ti Jen said and took out the sword from his storage bag. And Xing Ba also took out his sword.

Both of them held their swords tight, but were not moving.

“You, attack first” Ti Jen said with a smile.

“Okay” Xing Ba attacked first. He directly aimed at his neck and Ti Jen countered with his sword, and kicked in his stomach.

BOOM!

Xing Ba was pushed back. And Ti Jen smiled.

“Hmm, nothing special” he mocked him.

Xing Ba looked at him with a smile and said:

“Really?” After saying that he ran with great speed and aimed at his right arm.

“Your moves are easy to see” Ti Jen said and took a defensive position but when the sword was about to make contact with his right arm he felt pain in his stomach.

“Take it back” Xing Ba fooled him that he was aiming for his arm and kicked in his stomach.

Ti Jen was pushed back but he was perfectly fine

“Looks like I underestimated you, my apologies. Now I will get a little serious” Ti Jen said.

“A little? Looks like you’re still underestimating me!” Xing Ba said and swung his sword at him.

“No, I’m not” Ti Jen said and raised his sword.

*Sword Strike 1*

He used a martial skill! …Du Chan, who was staring at the princess, was disrupted by that skill. When he looked at the battle, he saw qi formed like a line and moving towards Xing Ba.

Xing Ba also used martial skill too.

*Shadow walk”

He dodged the sword strike with high speed. Du Chan was surprised to see such skills. Moving fast, sword skill.

‘Wow, so this is the use of martial skills!’ Du Chan thought. He can control the qi in the body but he couldn’t do that.

The fight continued, but after some sword strikes, both got tired and at that time. Xing Ba lowered his guard. And Ti Jen took advantage of it and won the match. Both of their family members gave them a pill and both of them sat down to recover, but the battle has already ended and Ti Jen won.

Another battle has started. Du Chan continued to watch the battles, some won some lost. But no one talked about anything. And a kid came into the middle of the hall and pointed his finger at Du Chan.

“I want to challenge you” That kid challenged.

“Me?” Du Chan said. It was a surprise that he chose him over all those genius!

“Yes, you” that kid said.

“Okay…” Du Chan started to walk and came in front of him.

“My name is Du Chan” he said.

And another guy said “My name is Wan Zhong” and took his sword out. But Du Chan remained like that without a weapon.

“Take your weapon out” Wan Zhong said.

Du Chan thought of taking out the dagger but it would attract too much attention so he stopped it.

“I don’t use weapons” he said but when Wan Zhong heard it he felt he was mocking him.

“Don’t underestimate me, even though you are from a higher sect I will not go easy on you!” Wan Zhong said.

“What? What are you talking about?” He doesn’t understand what he said

“You are not from the Extreme Martial sect?” Wan Zhong asked in confusion.

“No” Du Chan answers

“Then…why are you sitting with Elder Yue?” Wan Zhong asked.

“Hmm, that’s a long story. I’m his guest but let’s have duel first ” Du Chan said. And took his position. Both his hands were raised up top in front of his face. It was like he was in a boxing position.

“Yes” Wan Zhong said and attacked first. He ran in front of Du Chan and aimed at his neck.

Du Chan stood without moving. When the sword was about to reach him, he punched Wan Zhong’s right in the chin.

BOOM!

With a single strike, Wan Zhong crashed on a nearby table. His eyes rolled backwards and he went unconscious..….