Among martial artists, there was never a shortage of opportunists — those who dreamed of making a name for themselves overnight.
And Jiang Chen, as the champion of the first arena, naturally became the perfect shortcut to fame for such people. So even after that short, stout man was forcefully swept off the ring by Jiang Chen, the challengers kept on coming.
Before long, everyone discovered that this opportunistic mentality was nothing short of a joke. Two challengers stepped up in succession, and neither managed to last more than ten rounds.
This finally drove home a sobering truth to those waiting below: Pill King Zhen's talents were by no means confined to the Dao of Pills — his martial arts genius was equally monstrous.
When he had held out in the formation for three shichen, it hadn't been the Peacock Great Emperor cheating on his behalf at all. That had been pure, genuine ability.
After accepting three challenges, Jiang Chen didn't rush to press his advantage. Instead, he chose to rest.
By the rules, as long as he was willing, he could have accepted challenges continuously — even completed ten consecutive victories in one go and advanced straight through.
But considering that the Martial Tower competition had only just begun, and this was merely the Rising Star rankings, there was absolutely no need to push himself that hard.
So Jiang Chen decided to go at his own pace.
This composure of his won the admiration of the Peacock Great Emperor.
"He clearly has plenty left in reserve, yet he's neither arrogant nor impatient, and he doesn't rush for quick results. This Emperor grows ever more favorable toward this young man," the Peacock Great Emperor remarked with a leisurely smile.
Yunzhong Minghuang nodded in earnest agreement: "There's no question about this young man breaking into the Genius rankings. He might even have a legitimate shot at the Young Lord rankings in the end. The only pity is that his martial arts realm is ultimately a fatal shortcoming. Against truly top-tier opponents, at the seventh level of the Saint realm..."
This was Yunzhong Minghuang's only concern at present.
The Peacock Great Emperor chuckled: "There is a kind of genius who grows stronger the stronger the opponent. Yunzhong, you needn't worry about that. For a talent that comes along once in a thousand years, all we need do is relax and enjoy the show."
The next day, Jiang Chen continued accepting challenges.
As the arena champion, he was the target of every martial artist. In the world of martial arts, everyone wanted to cross swords with the strongest — and even if that strongest fighter was truly formidable, it did nothing to dampen anyone's enthusiasm for challenging him.
But on the second day, Jiang Chen's performance was just as steady as before.
It could even be said that his performances were becoming somewhat soporific. Not because he wasn't impressive enough, but because his execution was so rock-steady, so measured — never producing any spectacular, dazzling showdowns.
This disappointed those who had come hoping for grand spectacles. Everyone already knew that Pill King Zhen's talent in the Dao of Pills was breathtaking.
But everyone wanted to see Pill King Zhen put on a martial arts show.
Yet in these battles, Pill King Zhen didn't seem to employ any heaven-defying techniques at all — and his opponents simply lost, bafflingly, one after another.
Exactly how they lost, most people couldn't even articulate.
"Simple, practical, completely without frills. This Pill King Zhen really is impossible to see through," someone remarked.
"This is only the Rising Star rankings. It's perfectly natural that Pill King Zhen isn't using his full strength. If he showed his trump cards right from the start, what secrets would he have left for later?"
"True enough. At this level of competition, he's probably just warming up."
"Heh — already six consecutive victories. Looks like there's no doubt Pill King Zhen will take ten straight wins and advance, right?"
As for Pill King Zhen's advancement, there was little resentment. His strength was plain for all to see — if someone like this couldn't advance, who could?
Over at the Panlong Great Clan, the Third Young Master Ji had already returned before the Panlong Clan Master.
Standing before the Panlong Clan Master were three young men. The Third Young Master Ji was only one of them; the other two, Jiang Chen had also met — one was Young Master Liuxiang, and the other was Ji Zhongtang.
These two, along with the Third Young Master Ji, had been evaluated as the three young talents of the Panlong Great Clan most likely to inherit the position of Clan Master.
"Third, this Pill King Zhen has truly taken this Clan Master by surprise. Outstanding talent in the Dao of Pills would be remarkable enough — but martial arts talent this monstrous as well?" The Panlong Clan Master had clearly been captivated by Jiang Chen's performance.
The Third Young Master Ji wore a broad smile: "Clan Master, this kid hides his depths well — even I was kept in the dark. From what I can tell, his ambitions this time are far from small."
The Panlong Clan Master let out a light sigh: "Such a genius truly makes one envious."
This was no mere courtesy. The Panlong Clan Master's admiration for Jiang Chen's talent was now utterly genuine. He knew Jiang Chen's true identity. And precisely because he knew Jiang Chen came from a backwater like the Myriad Domains, such heaven-defying talent was all the more astonishing.
But Young Master Liuxiang furrowed his brows slightly: "Clan Master, Pill King Zhen's performance is somewhat suspicious. I don't know if I'm overthinking things, but I can't help wondering — could Pill King Zhen be a pawn planted in our Radiance King City by some hostile force?"
The Third Young Master Ji's displeasure was immediate: "Liuxiang, don't tell me you're just jealous?"
Young Master Liuxiang replied coolly: "You're reading too much into this."
"Who's reading too much into what? Isn't His Majesty the Peacock Great Emperor's judgment more reliable than yours?" The Third Young Master Ji sneered.