Sovereign of Stars-Chapter 36 – Request another lesson

The Imperial Capital Hunt, although conducted within the imperial city, begins with preliminary assessments held in various states and prefectures.
Even the preliminary assessments have their thresholds.
First, one must be in the Sea Transformation Realm.
Second, be under forty years of age.
Considering that those in the Sea Transformation Realm can typically live to be around 120 or 130 years old, forty is relatively young.
In the Yongning Prefecture, within the Prefect's residence, on a martial arts arena.
Dozens of Sea Transformation Realm experts who met the requirements gathered here.
Some familiar faces exchanged greetings.
"Brother Kang Jing, long time no see. Is this your younger brother Kang Xuan beside you? I heard he's a prodigy, already at the peak of the Sea Transformation Realm with formidable strength. If you both pass the preliminary, participating in the Imperial Capital Hunt together would be quite a tale."
"Not at all. There are many powerful Sea Transformation Realm experts in Yongning Prefecture, but only ten can pass the preliminary. Even I am not entirely confident, and as for my brother, he's just here for the experience."
The brothers were surrounded by many.
Both were of similar height, but the older brother, Kang Jing, was noticeably more robust, while the younger, Kang Xuan, was leaner.
This pair of brothers was quite famous in Yongning Prefecture, especially the elder, Kang Jing, who was rumored to have the strength to pass the first level of the Dragon-Seeking Tower.
It's known that in the entire Yongning Prefecture, fewer than ten Sea Transformation experts have passed the first level of the Dragon-Seeking Tower, most of whom are over forty, like the old City Lord of Beihan City.
Under forty and having passed the first level of the Dragon-Seeking Tower are rare.
If Kang Jing truly has the strength to pass the first level, he is surely among the ten who will pass the preliminary.
"Brother, you're too modest. You've long reached the pinnacle of the Sea Transformation Realm and recently comprehended a hint of Intent. If you challenge the Dragon-Seeking Tower, you'll surely pass the first level. Among the ten who pass the preliminary, you'll definitely be one, perhaps even the strongest," Kang Xuan whispered.
"Better to stay humble," Kang Jing smiled and then seriously advised, "Xiao Xuan, don't be careless in the preliminary. With your strength, as long as luck isn't against you, you should secure a spot in the hunt."
"Yes, I understand," Kang Xuan nodded earnestly.
He was eager to pass the preliminary and join his brother in the Imperial Capital Hunt.
After all, his brother was already thirty-seven. If he participated this year, the next hunt would be in five years, and by then, his brother would be forty and ineligible.
At this moment, a figure entered the Prefect's residence.
"Dragon Blade!"
"It's him!"
The dozens of Sea Transformation experts in the martial arts arena turned to look at the newcomer.
"Dragon Blade!" Kang Jing's eyes narrowed.
Among the under-forty Sea Transformation experts in Yongning Prefecture, few could make him wary, and Dragon Blade was undoubtedly the strongest.
"Seven years ago, he passed the first level of the Dragon-Seeking Tower. In terms of strength, among the under-forty Sea Transformation experts in Yongning Prefecture, he should be the strongest," Kang Jing thought.
As Dragon Blade stepped onto the martial arts arena, someone immediately led him into the inner courtyard.
"He's not standing with us?" Kang Xuan was puzzled.
"It's normal," Kang Jing replied, "In the past, only fifty or sixty people from Yongning Prefecture participated in the Imperial Capital Hunt preliminary, and only a few passed the first level of the Dragon-Seeking Tower. With Dragon Blade's strength, he's sure to pass the preliminary and secure a spot."
"He's just here for formality. He probably won't even need to participate in the preliminary to get a spot."
"Is that possible?" Kang Xuan was surprised but quickly understood.
The credibility of the Dragon-Seeking Tower is unquestionable.
Since Dragon Blade passed the first level, his strength is naturally convincing, and securing a spot is justified.
As everyone waited, two more people arrived and were immediately invited inside.
"Dragon Blade, Qiu Ze, and the female patriarch of the Ling Family, Ling Yu, all passed the first level of the Dragon-Seeking Tower. Their strength is undeniable. Besides them, no one else should be invited inside," Kang Jing thought.
Suddenly, a young figure arrived at the martial arts arena.
His arrival immediately drew everyone's attention.
"So young?"
"He looks so young, not even twenty!"
"Is this young guy also here for the Imperial Capital Hunt?"
Many had strange expressions.
Those who dared to participate in the Imperial Capital Hunt were usually confident in their strength, almost all at the peak of the Sea Transformation Realm.
Reaching the peak of the Sea Transformation Realm from the beginning of martial arts requires a long time to accumulate and enhance one's cultivation. Most reach the peak in their thirties, like almost everyone present.
Those under thirty participating in the Imperial Capital Hunt were rare.
As for those under twenty... there were some, but very few!
In the entire Heavenflame Dynasty, there were probably only a handful under twenty participating in this Imperial Capital Hunt.
As the young figure approached, everyone noticed his cultivation was only at the Sea Transformation level.
"A Sea Transformation level participating in the Imperial Capital Hunt? Isn't that overestimating oneself?" Kang Xuan sneered.
"Probably just a moment of impulse, or perhaps he doesn't understand the Imperial Capital Hunt, thinking it's a chance to showcase his talent. Such people appear every year; don't mind him. The preliminary will naturally eliminate him," Kang Jing chuckled.
The 'Sea Transformation peak' experts gathered in the martial arts arena all had amused expressions.
However, as the young figure reached the center of the arena, a servant from the Prefect's residence approached him.
"Young Master Su Xin, please follow me. The Prefect is waiting in the main hall."
"Alright."
Su Xin nodded and followed the servant to the inner courtyard.
The crowd in the martial arts arena was stunned by this scene.
"What's going on? How does a Sea Transformation level qualify to be invited inside?"
"Young Master Su Xin? Which Young Master Su Xin?"
"I know this Su Xin. He's the young master of the Su Family. Recently, during a battle between the Su and Pang families, I heard Su Xin killed a Sea Transformation peak from the Pang Family."
As Su Xin's identity was revealed, dissatisfaction rose among the crowd.
Clearly, Su Xin was also here for the Imperial Capital Hunt.
The three invited inside before him had all passed the first level of the Dragon-Seeking Tower, and their spots were undoubtedly secured. But Su Xin...
A Sea Transformation level, looking under twenty, relying on his status as the young master of the Su Family, why?
"What is the Prefect doing? Making us wait here while inviting Su Xin inside... The young master of the Su Family, such a big name, the Su Family, truly impressive," Kang Xuan complained, "And they say he killed a Sea Transformation peak from the Pang Family. A Sea Transformation level killing a Sea Transformation peak? What a joke!"
Su Xin had also passed the first level of the Dragon-Seeking Tower.
However, he used an alias and had only recently passed.
Moreover, he hadn't publicized his achievement, so only the top echelons of the Su Family knew, and most Su Family members were unaware.
Naturally, outsiders knew even less.
As for him killing a Sea Transformation peak... without witnessing it, who would believe it?
"Keep your voice down, don't let others hear."
Kang Jing reprimanded, "The Su Family is the largest family in Yongning Prefecture, with deep roots. The Prefect treating Su Xin differently is understandable."
Though he reprimanded, Kang Jing also frowned, clearly displeased.
However, it was merely a matter of preferential treatment due to status. Despite their dissatisfaction, none dared to voice it.
At this moment, a manager from the Prefect's residence stepped forward to host the preliminary.
"Almost everyone is here, so let's begin the preliminary."
"The rules for the preliminary are simple..."
As the Prefect's expert announced the rules, the preliminary for the Imperial Capital Hunt in Yongning Prefecture commenced.
However, the preliminary assessment only involved those gathered in the martial arts arena, including the Kang brothers. Su Xin and the other three, already invited inside, didn't need to participate. Their spots were already secured.
...
Inside the Prefect's residence, East Hall.
Led by a servant, Su Xin arrived at the East Hall, where several people were already waiting.
"Young Master Su Xin, this is the Prefect," the servant indicated a middle-aged man seated at the head.
"Su Xin greets the Prefect," Su Xin quickly saluted. He hadn't met the Prefect before but knew his surname was Wang.
"No need for such formality," Prefect Wang waved his hand, "Su Xin, I was an old acquaintance of your father. I didn't expect such a genius to emerge from the Su Family after its decline."
Su Xin merely smiled faintly.
"These three here, like you, have also passed the first level of the Dragon-Seeking Tower and can secure a spot without the preliminary. You should get to know them," Prefect Wang said.
"Su Xin, pleased to meet you all," Su Xin slightly bowed to the three seated.
Among them, the honest-looking Qiu Ze and the female patriarch Ling Yu of the Ling Family looked at Su Xin with peculiar expressions.
From Prefect Wang's words, they understood Su Xin had also passed the first level of the Dragon-Seeking Tower.
Yet Su Xin appeared under twenty and was only at the Sea Transformation level.
A Sea Transformation level passing the first level of the Dragon-Seeking Tower?
"It's you!"
Dragon Blade, upon seeing Su Xin's face, immediately stood up, surprised.
"Mr. Dragon Blade, long time no see," Su Xin smiled.
"Brother Dragon, you know this young Su Xin?" Ling Yu asked.
"Of course," Dragon Blade nodded, "Half a month ago, I met Brother Su Xin and even sparred with him. That battle was enlightening."
"Enlightening?" Qiu Ze and Ling Yu were taken aback.
Though they all passed the first level of the Dragon-Seeking Tower, Dragon Blade did so seven years ago, making him the strongest among them.
He claimed to have gained much from his battle with Su Xin?
This implied Dragon Blade lost?
"I only had a slight edge," Su Xin modestly replied.
He was clearly being humble.
In the past two months, Su Xin roamed Yongning Prefecture, challenging various experts.
Not everyone qualified for his challenges; most were exceptionally strong, capable of passing the first level of the Dragon-Seeking Tower.
Like the old City Lord of Beihan City or the old steward of the Tang Family Manor...
Dragon Blade, having passed the first level seven years ago, naturally faced Su Xin. That was half a month ago, and by then, Su Xin had reached the Sea Transformation level, his bloodline power enough to rival the Sea Transformation peak.
In their encounter, Su Xin easily won.
"Brother Su Xin, after our battle, I've reflected much and improved over the past half month. Since we've met again, may I request another lesson?" Dragon Blade asked.
"Of course," Su Xin smiled and nodded.
Beside them, Qiu Ze and Ling Yu were stunned.
"A lesson? Not a challenge?" Ling Yu understood the difference between the two terms.
A challenge implies equal strength, with humility leading to the term.
A lesson places oneself on a higher level.
Su Xin was stronger than Dragon Blade!
Even much stronger.
Realizing this, Ling Yu couldn't sit still.
"Young Brother Su Xin, since even Brother Dragon seeks your guidance, would you also be willing to instruct me?" Ling Yu asked.
The honest-looking Qiu Ze also stood up.
"No problem. In that case, let's have a good spar later," Su Xin smiled.
In the past two months, he had gained much from battling various experts.
Both Qiu Ze and Ling Yu were masters who passed the first level of the Dragon-Seeking Tower, and Su Xin was eager to spar with them.