Chapter 5: Chapter 9: You Are a Genius (5)

In this brief moment, the discussions below grew numerous, and the voices grew louder and louder.

"She's just a waste, what's there to see..."

"Hehe, I want to see what kind of punishment she gets. Causing a scene with servants in the Martial Arena like this, how embarrassing!"

"A useless person!" Words like "useless" and "waste" were spat out with heavy emphasis by those speaking. As they reached Nalan Zhenyue's ears, her brows twitched slightly, and her pupils grew even darker.

A faint displeasure flickered in the depths of her eyes, but she concealed it well.

"Go down first and treat your wounds. If anything happens, you can look for your Third Granduncle..." After a moment of silence, Nalan Yunqi suddenly spoke.

The disciples below, who were still eager to watch the drama, felt a sense of boredom upon hearing Nalan Yunqi say this.

Nalan Zhenyue did not answer immediately. She pondered for a moment, then raised her eyes to meet Nalan Yunqi's gaze and said, "I want to participate in the test."

Her expression showed no great fluctuation, and her words were as calm as could be.

With such a tone, it was as if she were saying, "Ah, the weather is nice today, let's go for a walk!"

Upon hearing this, the disciples below burst into laughter.

"Did you hear that? That waste said she wants to participate in the test?"

"Are you kidding me? Participate in what? The Summoner Ceremony? Or the Martial Artist Test?"

"Overestimating herself. Does she think a grain of rice can shine with brilliance?"

"Hahaha, maybe not! That waste actually wants to join; maybe that grain of rice really will shine!"

"It's killing me!"

"Shh, shh, don't laugh. She's younger than us. As her elder brothers and sisters, we should look after our little sister!"

"Give it a rest! Your hypocrisy is annoying! You clearly don't think that way, yet you say such things!"

"Hahaha!"

"Hehe, it's certainly lively today!"

As the commotion below grew, Nalan Zhenyue saw Nalan Yunqi's frown deepening.

After a moment, he finally spat out, "Nonsense!"

However, before Nalan Zhenyue could speak, the chaos-seeking Nalan Chengyi said, "Big Brother, why not let the child try? Since she has said this, she must have some confidence in her heart. Besides, it has been ten years. Back then, she was deemed unable to cultivate, but perhaps things are different today?!" As he spoke, he put on an expression of anticipation.

Standing beside him, Nalan Wenming was on Nalan Yunqi's side. Hearing Nalan Chengyi say this, he immediately refuted it: "That may be so, but Shiyi is covered in wounds right now. How can she participate?"

"Shiyi" was Nalan Zhenyue's ranking within the direct lineage generation.

Just as Nalan Wenming finished speaking, Nalan Zhenyue said flatly, "No problem."

At this moment, Nalan Chengyi really wanted to laugh out loud.

He really wanted to say: *See that? This girl is truly foolish. Even with you all saying that, she still wants to participate.*

Nalan Wenming was displeased and shot Nalan Zhenyue a sidelong glance.

"A Martial Artist? You aren't a Martial Artist, so are you participating in the Summoner Ceremony?" Nalan Chengyi stood up and asked.

"I challenge a Martial Artist," Nalan Zhenyue replied abruptly.

"..."

The entire Martial Arena fell silent for a second before an even greater burst of mockery erupted.

Ignoring their ridicule, Nalan Zhenyue turned around to face the crowd below. Her pitch-black pupils scanned the surroundings once, and she suddenly reached out, pointing abruptly at a youth. "You—"

"I challenge you!" Her voice was resonant and firm, regardless of the expressions others might make.

The youth appeared to be about fourteen or fifteen years old, with an extremely ordinary appearance, though his eyes looked exceptionally cunning. Upon hearing Nalan Zhenyue's words, he was initially stunned, but he reacted quickly. His eyes darted around as he said modestly, "That wouldn't be good... how could I..."

Despite his words, the youth's eyes were full of mockery and smugness.

The youth was named Nalan Chen, a child of one of Nalan Chengyi's concubines, and he was a Martial Artist.

Martial Artists were divided into ranks, from low to high.

Ordinary Martial Artists had nine entry stages. After the nine entry stages were Human-rank Martial Artists, Earth-rank Martial Artists, and Heaven-rank Martial Artists. Beyond that, the higher the rank, the more powerful the strength.