Ling Chen listened to these words and couldn't help but shake his head inwardly. It seemed that in many people's eyes, he had become someone who relied on connections and lacked real substance.

Before long, the first watch of the night passed. More and more people arrived at the open-air courtyard, well over a hundred in total, and the atmosphere grew increasingly lively.

Those who came to participate in the Sword Discussion Conference included not only talented individuals from all corners of the land but also princesses and daughters of reputable families from Aqua Country.

If these young ladies took a liking to any genius, they could also take the initiative to express their affection.

Any power would spare no effort to win over potential talents, even by means of marriage alliances, to get closer to that talent.

This was the survival method that kept the great families and aristocratic clans thriving!

At the same time, talents also needed the Cultivation Resources provided by these powerful factions to truly become strong.

Therefore, this Sword Discussion Conference held such an allure. It was not only an opportunity to showcase one's martial arts and make a name for oneself throughout the land, but also a chance to mingle with the powerful and noble families of Aqua Country.

At the other end of this open-air courtyard stood the Guantian Pavilion, where the princesses and aristocratic young ladies stayed. If they took a fancy to a young genius, they merely needed to use one of their personal belongings as a token and have an attendant deliver it to the person in question, making their interest clear.

"Today's gathering is indeed a grand occasion!"

Ling Chen observed the scene, his eyes lighting up slightly. It seems my trip here wasn't in vain after all. Many young talents were seated around a pool, in the center of which was a dueling platform approximately thirty meters long and wide. Clearly, this platform was the designated area for martial arts contests.

Looking around, the figures in the elegant seats were all young and possessed extraordinary demeanors.

"It is indeed quite grand," Xu Ruoyan said, looking at Ling Chen with a smile playing on her lips. "However, although many young talents have come to this Sword Discussion Conference, not many are truly competitive. From the seating arrangement, you can see the four strongest participants in this Sword Discussion Conference sitting over there. They are 'Speed Surpassing Dust' Huang Shenyi, 'Eternal Saber Guest' Lin Mo, 'Reckless Scholar' Luo Xibai, and 'Ghost Killing Sword' Xue Jingfeng. Their respective rankings on the Heavenly List are seventeenth, fourteenth, ninth, and sixth."

"Those people are all top-tier talents of Aqua Country."

A glint appeared in Ling Chen's eyes. These individuals are already renowned talents in the Jianghu, having carved out reputations for themselves in the Martial World.

"Heh, what's this?" the Second Prince suddenly interjected, his tone rather sarcastic. "Brother Wuchen, you're the young expert who saved Junior Sister Xu's life. Surely your strength isn't inferior to these few, right?"

"Of course!" Gongsun Zhi, the Prime Minister's son, chimed in from the other side, deliberately raising his voice. "The Second Prince is merely stating the obvious. Since Brother Wuchen is so highly regarded by Miss Xu Ruoyan, he must be extraordinarily powerful. The champion of this Sword Discussion Conference will undoubtedly be Brother Wuchen!"

Clearly, they weren't being sincere but wanted to incite everyone's irritation towards Ling Chen. The higher they praised him now, the more tragic his downfall would be when he was eventually defeated.

"Those gentlemen are rare talents in Aqua Country," Ling Chen replied with a faint smile, his tone indifferent. "I am hardly worthy of being compared to them."

However, upon hearing this, the Second Prince and Gongsun Zhi exchanged a glance. A hint of mockery surfaced in their eyes; Ling Chen's words undoubtedly confirmed their suspicion: This kid is just an embroidered pillow, all show and no real skill!

Xu Ruoyan merely smiled and remained silent. Of course, I know Ling Chen's true capabilities, she thought. He just enjoys feigning weakness and doesn't like to reveal his strength easily.

At this moment, she suddenly rose from her elegant seat and whispered a few words to a Female Disciple of Sky Void Palace beside her.

The disciple seemed somewhat surprised, but after Xu Ruoyan nodded in affirmation, she withdrew, apparently to make some preparations.

In a short while, as the din subsided slightly, an elder from the royal family of Aqua Country appeared before everyone. He leaped onto the dueling platform in the center of the pool, and his voice soon rang out across the courtyard.

"Today's Sword Discussion Conference has gathered most of the young talents of our Aqua Country. You are all here to spar, discuss martial principles, and share experiences. This is truly a grand event in the Martial World."

"I hope that while you enjoy your wine and tea, you will actively participate and make friends through martial arts. After all, only by doing so can you win the hearts of the beauties in the Guantian Pavilion and establish your reputation across the world."

The elder's words had a considerable stirring effect, eliciting waves of enthusiastic response. To put it plainly, who wouldn't want to win the heart of a beauty? And from a personal standpoint, who wouldn't want to achieve fame?

"There is one more thing," the elder continued. "The person who wins first place in today's Sword Discussion Conference will receive an invitation from Miss Xu Ruoyan to enjoy flowers and exchange Martial Arts experience with her."

The elder's final sentence instantly ignited the atmosphere.

The prospect of enjoying flowers and exchanging Martial Arts experience with Xu Ruoyan—wasn't this a chance to be alone with her? For many, it was a long-cherished dream.

"I didn't expect being first in the Sword Discussion Conference came with such a benefit! This is a great opportunity to impress the beauty."

The 'Reckless Scholar' Luo Xibai's eyes lit up. Unfolding his plum blossom folding fan, he turned to Xue Jingfeng beside him and said with a laugh, "Xue Jingfeng, a fellow like you definitely wouldn't be Junior Sister Xu's type. Why not cede this chance to me? Once I become the Sky Void Palace's favored son-in-law, you'll certainly be well rewarded."

"You think you're worthy of Junior Sister Xu?"

Xue Jingfeng let out a cold laugh. "Beauties have always belonged to the strong since ancient times. If you truly have the ability, then defeat me fair and square. Unfortunately, you lack that strength."

"Haha, that's not necessarily true."

A sharp glint flashed in Luo Xibai's eyes. Today, I will settle things with Xue Jingfeng and switch our rankings on the Heavenly List! he resolved. Besides, he thought, with my charm, if I can enjoy flowers and discuss martial arts with Xu Ruoyan, I will surely win her favor.

The Second Prince sneered inwardly. Admiring flowers is the most they'll get. Every one of them dreams of winning Junior Sister Xu's heart? What a joke! My junior sister isn't interested in any of these so-called geniuses. No matter how hard they try, they'll never win Xu Ruoyan's favor. Besides, the Sword Discussion Conference is merely a contest of swordsmanship; True Qi cannot be used. Therefore, cultivation strength offers no significant advantage. It truly comes down to whose martial arts techniques are more exquisite. Although my own power might not match theirs, when it comes to martial arts skill, I'm confident I'm second to none!

At that very moment, a series of delicate exclamations came from the Guantian Pavilion. Numerous young talents looked towards the sound. The pavilion was a dazzling sight, filled with beautiful women as numerous as clouds, stirring the hearts of all present.

Even if we don't win first place, many thought, performing well in this Sword Discussion Conference still gives us a chance to win a beauty's heart!

"Start already!"

"Yes, I can't contain my fighting spirit any longer!"

Some young talents shouted one after another, itching to display their talents and ambitions on the dueling platform.