Reborn After 3,000 Years, I Adopted the Future Empress - Chapter 4:

Chapter 4: The Duel Begins, Lin Tian Presses Aggressively

What met Ye Chen’s eyes was Qing’er completely surrounded by spiritual energy that had turned into dense white mist, like immortal energy circling her. She looked like a tiny celestial being.

That wasn’t the most shocking part. What mattered was the surge of profound energy within Qing’er’s body—she had directly transformed from an ordinary mortal into a cultivator, and her cultivation level had instantly reached the 5th stage Mortal Martial Realm!

“In just a few breaths, without the aid of any expert or consuming any pills, she jumped five stages in cultivation. Damn…”

Ye Chen was normally refined, but right now he nearly let out a curse.

For Qing’er to transform from mortal to cultivator meant she had awakened her martial meridians. To improve by five entire stages in an instant, and even trigger such an overwhelming celestial phenomenon, it meant the grade of her martial meridians was extremely high.

Once today’s matters were over, he’d definitely take Qing’er to the Martial Meridian Hall to test her meridian grade.

Only once her martial meridian level was confirmed could she take the proper grade of martial meridian pills to further enhance it. For example, someone with royal-grade martial meridians should only take royal-grade pills. Taking heaven-grade pills would yield little result, and emperor-grade pills might even cause the body to explode.

Seeing Ye Chen stare at her as if she were a monster, Qing’er felt a bit embarrassed and said, “I just followed the method in the Beginner’s Guide to Cultivation. My strength suddenly surged, and now I feel like I could punch a bull to death!”

Ye Chen’s expression drastically changed. “Wait, are you saying that you followed the method in Volume One of the Beginner’s Guide and managed to learn it without any explanation?”

That manual, as its name suggested, was an entry-level guide—but it was notoriously obscure and hard to understand. Without a senior’s guidance, even getting started was extremely difficult. Even with guidance, most people needed half a year or more just to learn the first volume.

Ye Chen himself had exceptional talent and took a full month to master it, which had already caused a sensation. He’d even felt quite proud about it.

If Qing’er had really learned it in a few breaths, it would be devastating.

Qing’er shook her head, which made Ye Chen breathe a little easier—until she added, “Brother, it wasn’t just Volume One. I think I learned all nine volumes.”

Ye Chen: …

“Brother, this manual was too simple. Do you have something more advanced? I want to learn it. Brother, why did you suddenly go quiet? Did I make you mad because I’m too dumb…?”

“Qing’er, I’m not mad. I just… want some peace and quiet!”

…

The night passed quietly.

Early the next morning, the central plaza of the Imperial Capital was packed with people.

Today was the grand showdown between Ye Chen and Lin Tian.

Although no one doubted the outcome, everyone still came to enjoy the spectacle.

Moreover, there were rumors that Ninth Princess, Jian Ling’er, might show up in person today.

Jian Ling’er, hailed as the most beautiful woman in the Sword Empire, was also the only daughter of the Sword Emperor himself. She was deeply cherished by her father and pampered by her eight older brothers, who were all obsessed with spoiling her.

She was, without a doubt, the most noble woman in the entire Sword Empire.

But Jian Ling’er rarely appeared in public. For most people, just catching a glimpse of her today would make the trip worthwhile.

“Brother, is that Sister Jian Ling’er really as beautiful as they say?” On the way to the central plaza, Qing’er tilted her head and asked.

At the mention of Jian Ling’er, a cold glint flashed in Ye Chen’s eyes. He said seriously, “She’s not even one ten-thousandth as beautiful as you.”

That wasn’t just empty praise. When Qing’er grew up, she would not only be unmatched in strength but also in appearance—recognized as the number one beauty of the Profound Sky Continent!

Qing’er didn’t believe it. On their way here, she had heard too many people praising Jian Ling’er’s beauty—comparing her to a goddess, claiming her looks could topple nations.

As for herself? At best, she looked like a cute porcelain doll.

“By the way, I gave you two slightly more advanced cultivation manuals yesterday. How far did you get… or did you already finish them?” Ye Chen rubbed her little head.

Qing’er nodded enthusiastically, but then her face dimmed. “But I was so dumb this time. It took me a whole half hour to finish both.”

A whole half hour and she still thought it was slow?

Ye Chen wanted to bury himself in a hole.

“Brother, how long did it take you to learn them?” Qing’er looked at Ye Chen with admiration.

Ye Chen pretended not to hear and quickly changed the subject, “Come on, let me see how much your cultivation level improved.”

Qing’er’s face turned gloomy again. “Not much this time…”

Ye Chen probed her aura—she had indeed only advanced three more stages.

But considering she had just reached 5th stage Mortal Martial Realm the night before, and now was already three stages higher—that was still a record-breaking pace!

Once everything settled, he would immediately take Qing’er to the Martial Meridian Hall to test her meridians. Ye Chen couldn’t wait to see just how monstrous her initial martial meridian grade really was.

“Look, it’s Ye Chen!”

“The Imperial Capital’s number one heaven’s favored child! The man who triggered three celestial phenomena in one night—what a presence!”

“Sigh, he could easily live off his looks, but his talent is just as terrifying. He really leaves the rest of us no chance at all!”

“Exactly. Honestly, only Ninth Princess is worthy of becoming his cultivation partner!”

…

As Ye Chen entered the plaza, countless eyes turned toward him. Some even exaggeratedly shielded their eyes, as if his brilliance was blinding.

Almost at the same time, Lin Tian entered as well. Hearing the crowd flatter Ye Chen, he found it laughable.

But when he heard people say Ye Chen and Ninth Princess were a perfect match, Lin Tian’s face immediately twisted.

He had fallen for Jian Ling’er at first sight and already considered her his.

Despite his senior’s repeated objections, he had deliberately issued this duel to Ye Chen—not just to prove himself, but to show the world he was the true number one heaven’s favored child of the Sword Empire and the one worthy of Jian Ling’er.

“Ye Chen, get on stage and fight!” Lin Tian leapt onto the arena.

Around them, whispers rose in waves, all ridiculing Lin Tian as a fool rushing to his own death.

But Lin Tian’s cold smile only grew. The more they mocked now, the harder they’d be slapped in the face once he showed his true power.

However—

To everyone’s shock, Ye Chen didn’t respond to Lin Tian’s provocative gaze. Instead, he said calmly, “I still have things to do. Today’s duel is canceled. You win.”

Like thunder, Ye Chen’s words exploded across the crowd.

The tension had built to this moment, and now he said… he wasn’t going to fight?

He could easily crush Lin Tian in one move and win Ninth Princess’s favor, yet he gave up? Had he lost his mind?

“Chen’er, you’re not running a fever. What nonsense are you spouting?” Ye Wuyá quickly stepped forward and touched Ye Chen’s forehead.

The War King Manor was already declining—his father was away seeking medicine, and Ye Wuyá’s martial meridians had been damaged. If Ye Chen could win Jian Ling’er’s favor and marry her, it would bring new life to the family.

Who would have thought Ye Chen would back down now?

And to a no-name adopted son of the Lin family no less…

“Father, I’m not speaking nonsense. I truly don’t want to fight today,” Ye Chen said gravely, pulling Qing’er with him as he turned to leave.

“Stop right there!” Lin Tian’s cold voice rang out.

Ye Chen turned, frowning slightly. “I’ve already given you Ninth Princess. What more do you want?”

Standing with his hands behind his back, Lin Tian spoke word by word, “I want you to cripple your own martial meridians and kneel in defeat.”

BOOM!

Lin Tian’s words shocked everyone.

Wasn’t he being ungrateful?

Facing Ye Chen’s angry glare, Lin Tian sneered, “I bet you sensed something—realized you’re no match for me—and decided to back out, hoping to regroup and challenge me again when you’re stronger?”

Ye Chen didn’t respond, but Lin Tian coldly snorted and continued, “Then you’re delusional. Let me tell you the truth. I’m far beyond what you can imagine. Even if you trained for 100 or 1,000 years, you still wouldn’t be able to catch up to me.”

“But I’m always thorough. I believe in cutting weeds at the root. You only have two choices—cripple your martial meridians yourself, or I’ll do it for you.”