Qin Chu said nothing, feeling a bit uncomfortable.
At this moment, Shangshuchun Xie stood up. He wanted to challenge, and since there was an opportunity to fight for the Azure Dragon Family's interests, he naturally had to seize it.
Qin Chu also stood up; he never shied away from a fight!
Shangshuchun Xie looked at Qin Chu, "Fighting you isn't the Family's intention; I just purely want to see how strong you are. I hope you don't misunderstand."
Qin Chu nodded, then stepped onto the arena. In truth, he didn't care what Shangshuchun Xie's motive was; no matter who it was, no one could stop him from taking the top spot on the Azure Cloud Ranking.
Once in the arena, Qin Chu and Shangshuchun Xie began to fight.
After a few rounds, Shangshuchun Xie's Aura erupted, but it was suppressed by Qin Chu's Sword Intent, which was bolstered by Battle Intent.
With his Aura at a disadvantage, a special energy appeared on Shangshuchun Xie's longsword—an extremely chilling Sword Qi.
Noticing the unique nature of Shangshuchun Xie's Sword Qi, Qin Chu unleashed Vermilion Bird Holy Fire, adding it to his own Sword Qi attacks, thereby suppressing Shangshuchun Xie's chilling Sword Qi.
Shangshuchun Xie roared as he desperately fought Qin Chu, but to no avail; all his attacks were blocked by Qin Chu's Sword Arts.
With Sword Spirit Realm, Qin Chu could accurately pinpoint the weak points in Shangshuchun Xie's Sword Arts, making it easy to break them.
After fending off Shangshuchun Xie's offense, Qin Chu began his counterattack.
At this point, Shangshuchun Xie retreated a distance and directly conceded. He had used his strongest attack and couldn't harm Qin Chu, so continuing the fight would be pointless, as Qin Chu's subsequent burst would utterly crush him.
With Shangshuchun Xie's concession, his ranking was fixed at third place.
Receiving the challenge for second place, Senior Sister Shangshuyu stood up, told Ye Ming she would forfeit, then looked at Qin Chu, her eyes filled with a sense of grievance, because Qin Chu's attitude had changed, maintaining a subtle distance from her during their conversations.
Looking at Senior Sister Shangshuyu's eyes, Qin Chu felt a pang of heartache, "Senior Sister, this concerns the Vermilion Bird Soft Armor; otherwise, I wouldn't contend with you."
At this moment, Ye Ming announced the end of the ranking competition, and the rewards would be distributed next.
The top twenty on the Azure Cloud Ranking each came forward to receive their rewards.
Qin Chu stepped onto the stage, where a staff member from the City Lord's Mansion brought a red tray.
Ye Ming took the prizes from the tray and handed them to Qin Chu one by one: the Vermilion Bird Soft Armor, three hundred Spirit Stones, and three Pure Origin Pills. Pure Origin Pills were very precious Medicinal Pills that could instantly replenish Origin Qi.
Qin Chu cupped his fists to Ye Ming, and after receiving his rewards, he stepped off the arena. For him, this Azure Cloud Ranking competition was now over.
Off the arena, or rather, the awards platform, Qin Chu handed the Vermilion Bird Soft Armor to Qin Longhan, then sat beside Qin Lingxi.
"Qin Chu, you seem unhappy!" Qin Lingxi said.
Qin Chu shook his head, "No, I just can't quite figure some things out."
On the stage, others continued to receive their awards. The biggest winners this time were the Vermilion Bird Family and the Azure Dragon Family; the Vermilion Bird Family took first and fourth, while the Azure Dragon Family secured second and third.
With the rewards distributed, Ye Ming announced the conclusion of this Azure Cloud Ranking competition.
Qin Chu stood up, "Within half a month, I'll be at the Alchemist Guild. Anyone who wants to challenge me, Qin Chu, I'll accept. But I don't have time to waste with you all; whoever fights me, it's a life-and-death battle. After half a month, I won't have time to accept challenges."
Leaving that statement, Qin Chu stood up and left. His mood was indeed not very good. Putting aside other things, Senior Sister Shangshuyu hadn't told him the truth; this was a fact, a deception.
Shangshu Tianye, who was about to leave, looked at Qin Longhan. After nodding to Qin Longhan, he led the Azure Dragon Family's people away.
Zhen Han came to Senior Sister Shangshuyu's side and led the somewhat dazed Senior Sister Shangshuyu away from the City Lord's Mansion square.
"Mother, Qin Chu is angry with me," Senior Sister Shangshuyu said to Zhen Han.
"This guy is throwing a tantrum. It's nothing serious, just minor things," Zhen Han said.
"It's not a minor thing. He probably thinks I lied to him. Although he still calls me Senior Sister and is still very respectful, it's not the same as before," Senior Sister Shangshuyu said.
Zhen Han patted her daughter's shoulder, "Let's talk when we get back."
Back at the Azure Dragon Family, Senior Sister Shangshuyu recounted some of the circumstances after she met Qin Chu.
"Mother, I didn't want to lie to him, so I didn't mention some things. There was indeed a concealment. When Shangshuchun Xie called me Princess, his attitude changed. In his heart, the Princess of the Azure Dragon Family is synonymous with being annoying, because the Princess of the Azure Dragon Family didn't reject the White Tiger Family's marriage proposal before resolving her engagement with him. This is a betrayal," Senior Sister Shangshuyu said to Zhen Han.
Zhen Han thought for a moment, "These matters aren't your fault. Didn't you run away from the marriage? That shows you don't approve. The adults will resolve some things. Later, Mother will communicate with your father and get things sorted out."
At this moment, Zhen Han understood that her daughter and Qin Chu had already developed feelings. Qin Chu being angry and unable to accept some things was also reasonable.
Upon arriving at the Vermilion Bird Family's stronghold, Qin Chu chatted with his grandfather, aunt, and others, then returned to his room to Cultivate. His mood was very heavy. He didn't trust many people, and Senior Sister Shangshuyu was one of the most important. But now he found that some things weren't as he thought; Senior Sister Shangshuyu hadn't told him the truth. Her identity and status in the Azure Dragon Family were very high; she was one of the Azure Dragon Family's Princesses.
"One betrayal, one deception..." Qin Chu sighed, feeling a pang of bitterness.
After resting for a night at the Family's stronghold, Qin Chu went to the Alchemist Guild. As the top-ranked on the Azure Cloud Ranking, he naturally had to accept challenges. However, Qin Chu also realized he had overlooked a problem: the Martial Ban had not yet been lifted, making him vulnerable to being surrounded by others. This was a drawback, but since he had already made the announcement, he had to follow through. Qin Chu also discovered that he had overlooked a problem: the Martial Ban had not been lifted, making it easy for him to be surrounded by others. This was a drawback, but since the words had already been spoken, he had to continue. If it didn't work out, he would just run back. Anyway, President Mei said that if anyone had the ability, they could block him outside the Alchemist Guild, but once inside, no one else could attack him.
Not long after Qin Chu entered the Alchemist Guild's small courtyard, Lang Lang and Hei San arrived.
Lang Lang and Hei San first congratulated Qin Chu, then both said that Qin Chu's decision to accept challenges in front of the Alchemist Guild was unwise, as it made him susceptible to being surrounded by other Cultivators below the fifth stage, similar to previous situations where he couldn't leave.
"I just thought of this problem too. It was indeed a bit reckless, but since the words are out, what can be done? I can only continue. If it doesn't work, I'll just run back. Anyway, President Mei said that if anyone has the ability, they can block me outside the Alchemist Guild, but once inside, no one else can attack," Qin Chu said.
"Knowing you were in trouble, I came. If they want to gang up, we can only fight as a group. If we can't win, we run!" Hei San said with a smile. He had accepted Shangshu Tianye's arrangement, and he would continue to carry out the mission until Shangshu Tianye retracted the order.
Lang Lang and Hei San chatted with Qin Chu for a bit, then left; they were going to gather information.
Many people had gathered at the Vermilion Bird Family's stronghold; those who had been scattered earlier had returned, preparing for the upcoming great battle.
In the Azure Dragon Family's castle, Zhen Han found Shangshu Tianye and discussed her daughter's situation.
"What does the Vermilion Bird Family mean? Are they not planning to resolve the engagement issue, just leaving it hanging?" Zhen Han was a bit displeased because her daughter was unhappy.
"Qin Longhan isn't that kind of person. He should resolve this matter before the great battle begins," Shangshu Tianye said.