Immortal Martial Emperor

The figure who had suddenly stood up instantly became the focus of everyone’s attention.

He wore a black robe, the uniform issued by the Spiritual Craftsman Guild, with a golden badge embroidered on his chest.

It depicted a great cauldron and a hammer, crossed over each other.

This was the official emblem of the Spiritual Craftsman Guild.

Everyone’s gazes converged on the badge, where five brilliant stars were shining.

HISS!

The sight of those five stars drew a collective gasp from the crowd.

Any expert who had dealings with the Spiritual Craftsman Guild knew this represented the status of a Fifth-Grade Spiritual Craftsman.

"A Fifth Grade Advanced Spirit Craft Master, Jin Zhiyong?"

"So it’s him, the strongest Spiritual Craftsman of the younger generation in the Imperial Capital. I hear he’s about to advance to a Sixth-Grade Spiritual Craftsman. If he takes a shot, he might actually be able to solve the Magic Cube!"

"I’m so jealous. If he solves the Magic Cube, he’ll earn a favor from Princess Zhu Ling’er!"

"I wonder what kind of condition he’ll propose."

The crowd was filled with surprise and curiosity.

Jin Zhiqiang’s eyelid twitched. ’I just told my little brother that Zhu Ling’er is a woman favored by Venerable Xiahuang. She’s off-limits!’

Zhu Ling’er’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled and asked, "So, it’s the second young master of the Jin Family. What might your condition be, sir?"

"Hehe, if I am able to help you solve the Magic Cube, I wonder if Princess Ling’er would grace me with her presence for dinner?" Jin Zhiyong said with a sly smile.

His charming eyes were filled with fervent desire and greed.

Zhu Ling’er let out an "Oh?" and said, "You... want to have dinner with me?"

"No, no, no!"

Jin Zhiyong quickly waved his hands and laughed. "What I meant to say was, if I can help you solve this Magic Cube, I would ask that you have dinner with the Eldest Prince!"

HISS!

"I was wondering why this kid was so bold. So he’s just trying to suck up to the Eldest Prince!"

"I have to admit, it’s a brilliant move. Everyone knows the Eldest Prince has been pursuing Zhu Ling’er for years. If Jin Zhiyong can win him a dinner date, he and the Jin Family will definitely gain the Eldest Prince’s favor!"

"If I’d known, I would have studied the way of the Spiritual Craftsman too."

Everyone sighed with emotion, their gazes on Jin Zhiyong filled with fervor and jealousy.

Zhu Ling’er showed no reaction, smiling calmly. "Are you that confident you can open the Magic Cube?"

"Hehe!"

Jin Zhiyong gave an arrogant laugh and swept his gaze over the crowd. "Among everyone present, if even I can’t open the Magic Cube, I doubt you’ll find a second person who can."

He truly possessed that level of confidence.

After all...

Even the Imperial Family and the Spiritual Craftsman Association in the Imperial Capital were vying to recruit him, acknowledging his talent in the way of the Spiritual Craftsman!

Zhu Ling’er gave a playful smile. "That might not be the case!"

"Hm?"

Jin Zhiyong froze.

Zhu Ling’er glanced at Private Room Number Three and said with a grin, "I’ve heard that Hong Yu is also a powerful Spiritual Craftsman! And it seems his talent in the way of the Spiritual Craftsman is even a notch above yours!"

"Hm?"

Jin Zhiyong’s expression darkened, and the smile on his face slowly froze.

’Hong Yu?’

He had naturally heard the name before.

He was a dark horse who had recently shot to prominence, possessing the combat power of an Unparalleled Genius.

Jin Zhiyong admired Hong Yu’s achievements in the Martial Dao, but he refused to accept that Hong Yu was also better than him in the way of the Spiritual Craftsman.

In fact, he was furious!

Ever since he was young, his talent as a Spiritual Craftsman had been his greatest source of pride and confidence.

Weren’t all the other Fifth-Grade Spiritual Craftsmen he met old geezers in their dozens or even hundreds of years?

He had reached the level of a Fifth Grade Advanced Spirit Craft Master at the mere age of twenty, causing a sensation in the Imperial Capital back then. Yet Zhu Ling’er was now claiming that Hong Yu, who was a few years younger than him, was even more talented? This was a slap in the face, a direct assault on Jin Zhiyong’s pride and his last nerve.

"Princess Zhu Ling’er, I admit that Hong Yu has unparalleled strength in the Martial Dao, but..."

Jin Zhiyong’s eyes filled with contempt and indignation. "When it comes to skill and talent as a Spiritual Craftsman, I consider myself leagues ahead of Hong Yu. To even compare me to him is a downright insult!"

Zhu Ling’er tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled. "There’s no need to be angry, Young Master Jin. Ling’er was only repeating what she’d heard!"

"Hearsay? Hmph, I’m afraid it’s more likely some people are just arrogant and blowing their own horn, aren’t they?"

Jin Zhiyong aimed his barb directly at Hong Yu.

Inside the private room, Hong Yu wore a frustrated and wry smile. ’Damn it, how did I get dragged into this for no reason?’

He had planned to ignore it.

But Jin Zhiyong’s next words infuriated him.

Jin Zhiyong declared arrogantly, "In the way of the Spiritual Craftsman, what matters most is talent and the guidance of a great master. I, Jin, have studied under a renowned master since childhood, mastering various Secret Techniques and the art of inscribing Spirit Array Runes. How could some country bumpkin possibly compare? I implore Princess Ling’er not to believe such rumors and be fooled by an ignorant hick!"

’Country bumpkin? Ignorant?’

Hong Yu’s eye twitched, and anger began to burn within him.

’I had no intention of competing with Jin Zhiyong at all.’

’I haven’t even said a single word from start to finish, yet he’s been constantly belittling and mocking me.’

’Isn’t he just forcing me to step up and slap him in the face?’

"Princess Ling’er, you should just agree..."

Jin Zhiyong was speaking eloquently when he was cut off by a voice from the private room.

Hong Yu said calmly, "Princess Ling’er, I also have some interest in this Ancient Magic Cube. I wonder if you would allow me to give it a try?"

"Hm?"

Everyone was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at Private Room Number Three.

A cunning glint flashed in Zhu Ling’er’s eyes. "Young Master Hong is willing to help me? I couldn’t ask for more!"

Her expression and tone were much more enthusiastic than when she had been speaking with Jin Zhiyong.

Even a blind man could tell the difference!

This made Jin Zhiyong’s face darken further; it was obvious Zhu Ling’er had more faith in Hong Yu!

’Damn it! That country bumpkin, that stupid pig, he dares to compete with me? What gives him the right?’

At this thought, Jin Zhiyong said sarcastically, "Tsk, tsk, society really is going downhill. Every Tom, Dick, and Harry is crawling out of the woodwork. I admit your Martial Dao talent and strength are high, but do you really think just anyone can become a Spiritual Craftsman?"

Hong Yu retorted without backing down, "I just can’t stand the sight of certain petty characters."

"Are you calling me petty?"

Jin Zhiyong flew into a rage, rolling up his sleeves and pointing at his own chest. "Open your damn eyes and look! I am a dignified Fifth Grade Advanced Spirit Craft Master. You dare to challenge me? Fine! I’ll give you a chance. We’ll both try to solve the Magic Cube. Whoever loses has to admit they’re trash in front of everyone and crawl on their knees once around the moat!"

"Holy crap, now we’ve got a real show!"

"Crawl once around the moat? Hahaha, I’m getting more and more excited!"

"But Hong Yu probably won’t agree, right? I’ve never heard of an expert at the Unparalleled Genius Level having the spare energy to also delve into the way of the Spiritual Craftsman!"

"I agree, it seems impossible. After all, Hong Yu’s Martial Dao talent is so high, and I heard he’s also a Spiritual Power Cultivator. If he were a Spiritual Craftsman on top of that, it would be too heaven-defying!"

"I bet Hong Yu won’t dare to accept the challenge!"

Hearing the crowd’s comments, the expression on Jin Zhiyong’s face improved considerably.

He looked at Hong Yu’s private room with arrogance and contempt, clearly believing that Hong Yu wouldn’t dare to bet against him.

Unexpectedly, after a moment of silence from Private Room Number Three, Hong Yu’s laughter rang out. "Although this kind of bet is child’s play, since you’re so keen, it wouldn’t be right for me to spoil your fun. But the stakes are a little too small. How about this: in addition to what you just mentioned, whoever loses also has to compensate the other for emotional distress and slander. How does that sound?"

"Emotional distress?"

Jin Zhiyong was taken aback.

Hong Yu said calmly, "Whoever loses, in addition to the two things you mentioned, will also give the other party Elemental Essence Ore worth no less than one billion Gold Coins. How about it?"

"Huh? One billion in Elemental Essence Ore?"

Jin Zhiyong’s eyes lit up. He was completely confident in himself and was certain that Hong Yu was just handing him free money.

The same thought echoed in the minds of the other experts. ’Has Hong Yu gone mad? He knows he’s going to lose this bet, yet he’s raising the stakes so high?’

"Maybe he’s just dumb and rich!"

Naturally, Jin Zhiyong readily agreed.

Then, Hong Yu also walked out of the private room.

The two of them walked to the center of the hall.

Hong Yu smiled. "You can go first."

"Hmph, if you want me to go first, I’ll go first!"

Jin Zhiyong sneered and picked up the strange Magic Cube.

The Magic Cube was covered in all sorts of peculiar patterns that were both profound and bizarre. At first, Jin Zhiyong’s expression was relaxed and at ease.

But as he continued to study the patterns on the cube, his face gradually grew solemn, and a thin layer of sweat beaded on his forehead.

’Like this? No, it should be like this...’

’Still wrong. How is this possible?’

’Impossible, this is absolutely impossible! I’ve already tried more than 1,300 deductions, but none of them work. How can this be?’

More and more sweat poured down Jin Zhiyong’s forehead, his face growing pale. A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes. ’No, I absolutely cannot fail, or they’ll laugh me to death. Yes, I’ll have to try that one move!’

Jin Zhiyong took a deep breath, focusing his full attention on the Magic Cube.

He planned to use a reverse-deduction method to probe the Magic Cube, understand its patterns and structure, and open it.

However...

The moment his Spiritual Power entered the Magic Cube and he began the reverse-deduction, it was like his flesh had slammed into a porcupine. An intense, piercing pain shot through him, and with a "WAH," he spat out a mouthful of blood. The Magic Cube in his hand fell to the ground with a CLATTER.

Jin Zhiyong staggered, nearly collapsing.

"Alas, he failed!"

"Even Jin Zhiyong failed. It seems this Magic Cube truly is strange!"

Everyone couldn’t help but sigh.

Jin Zhiqiang rushed forward to support Jin Zhiyong, feeding him a Pill to stabilize his injuries. "Are you all right?" he asked in a low voice.

Jin Zhiyong shook his head, staring intently at the Magic Cube. "This Magic Cube is too bizarre. I’m afraid no one below a Seventh-Grade Spiritual Craftsman can open it." Thinking this, he felt a little better and muttered, ’If I can’t open it, Hong Yu can forget about it, too. At worst, this will be a draw. It’s just a pity I didn’t get to slap that Hong Yu in the face...’

Just as he was thinking this, he suddenly heard a "CLICK."

The sound wasn’t loud, but it was crisp and clear.

Hearing this sound, the expression on Jin Zhiyong’s face froze. He stiffly turned his neck to look at Hong Yu, and his rigid features instantly twisted into an incredible expression...

"Th-th-this... how is this possible?"

[Two more Chapters to come. Happy birthday to Young Master Yunjian!]