Chapter 294: What is Being Wealthy and Powerful?

  "Do you think I'm afraid?"

  Xiao Hongchen raised an eyebrow and retorted.

  "Cut the crap. Just tell me if you agree to compete with Qin Xiao or not."

  Meng Hongchen was too impatient to waste words with Xiao Hongchen.

  Xiao Hongchen put his hands behind his back, looking as if he were the only one in the world who could do it. "My talent is unparalleled in the world. Why would I be afraid?"

  Meng Hongchen said, "Alright, I'll come for you first thing tomorrow, and we'll go find Qin Xiao together."

  The next day.

  Royal Soul Mentor Academy.

  Inside Laboratory No. 3.

  Qin Xiao, who was sitting cross-legged, suddenly opened his eyes.

  A faint smile of satisfaction appeared at the corner of his mouth.

  "Not bad."

  "The whale fat, combined with the pills given to me by Kong Deming and then by Jing Hongchen, has allowed my cultivation to leap three levels in just one night, reaching level 24."

  It has to be said that Kong Deming really knows his stuff.

  The unknown pills were of very high quality.

  They enabled Qin Xiao's cultivation to break through continuously.

  Even a thick yer of oily mud-like substance was sticking to Qin Xiao's body.

  All of these were impurities that had been expelled from his body.

  They were fundamentally improving Qin Xiao's physique.

  After getting up and taking a bath, Qin Xiao felt even more refreshed.

  However.

  When Qin Xiao came out of the bathroom, he couldn't help but be stunned.

  In the boratory.

  There were two more people.

  A boy and a girl.

  Meng Hongchen was also stunned.

  Wasn't this the guy who had tricked her out of five gold soul coins?

  But after eating the grilled fish, the resentment in her heart had long since dissipated.

  She was even looking forward to meeting Qin Xiao again.

  And she had secretly made up her mind that if she had the chance to meet him again, no matter what the cost, she would hire Qin Xiao as her personal chef.

  For no other reason.

  Just because the grilled fish was so delicious.

  "Why are you here?"

  Meng Hongchen couldn't help but ask.

  "What's so strange about that?" Qin Xiao was puzzled. Where else would I be?

  After all.

  He didn't even have the status of a formal student.

  "Sister, do you know him?"

  Xiao Hongchen's mind raced, and he smiled. "Brother, since we're all acquaintances, that makes things easier.

  I'm looking for Qin Xiao. I wonder where he is?"

  As he spoke, his eyes kept scanning the boratory.

  Qin Xiao: "..."

  You're looking for me but don't recognize me?

  What a joke?

  He said expressionlessly, "I am Qin Xiao. What do you want?"

  Uh? So this guy in front of me is the real deal. Xiao Hongchen's face turned strange.

  "What? You're Qin Xiao?"

  Meng Hongchen was stunned.

  She never expected that the young man she wanted to hire as a chef was actually the person they were looking for.

  Good at cooking grilled fish, handsome, and talented.

  At this moment, Qin Xiao's image in Meng Hongchen's mind became much more vivid.

  Grandpa really understands my heart.

  I'm very satisfied with the job he arranged for me.

  Meng Hongchen felt delighted.

  "As genuine as it gets. So, what do you want with Qin Xiao?"

  Qin Xiao was puzzled. What on earth do these two want?

  Moreover, the girl's gaze was strange, as if she were looking at him like a piece of grilled fish, seeming to want to devour him.

  "Hello, Qin Xiao.

  My name is Meng Hongchen, and this is my brother Xiao Hongchen."

  Meng Hongchen quickly introduced herself.

  Indeed, it's them. Qin Xiao's heart stirred, recalling the information about the two.

  Without a doubt.

  They are geniuses, extremely rare in the Hongchen family and even in the Sun and Moon Empire.

  At this moment, Xiao Hongchen directly stated his purpose, "Qin Xiao, let's be straightforward. I'm here to challenge you."

  "I don't accept."

  Qin Xiao shook his head.

  If he accepted every challenge that came his way, he would be busy all day.

  "Hmm?"

  Xiao Hongchen's expression changed. "You don't accept? Why not?"

  However.

  Before Qin Xiao could respond, Meng Hongchen tugged at Xiao Hongchen's sleeve first, "Brother, he disagrees. Let's just drop it.

  A forced melon is not sweet."

  Xiao Hongchen looked at Meng Hongchen in surprise, noticing the serious look on the girl's face.

  So, she's genuinely advising me?

  This is just, outrageous.

  "You're wrong there. A forced melon may not be sweet, but it can quench your thirst."

  Xiao Hongchen shook his head, sticking to his own idea.

  Meng Hongchen was stunned for a moment, then said, "Brother, how long did it take you to become a second-level Soul Mentor?"

  "A little over a year. Why do you ask?"

  Xiao Hongchen suddenly smiled, "Did you forget? I hold the record for being the youngest second-level Soul Mentor in our Hongchen family.

  Oh, no, wait, I'm also the record holder for third and fourth levels.

  And before long, once I become a fifth-level Soul Mentor, I'll set yet another new record."

  As he spoke, he proudly puffed out his chest even more.

  "But Grandpa said that Qin Xiao became a second-level Soul Mentor in just over a month.

  You're like a warrior who dies before even engaging in battle, you've already lost before you've even started."

  Meng Hongchen couldn't help but mutter quietly to Xiao Hongchen, trying to remind him.

  On the contrary, upon hearing this, Xiao Hongchen just smiled faintly, "You really believe that kind of talk?

  I'm certain that Qin Xiao must have had some foundation before joining our academy."

  Becoming a second-level Soul Mentor in just over a month?

  Impossible!

  Absolutely impossible!

  I'd rather die than believe it.

  "You don't even trust Grandpa's words?"

  "Grandpa is old, he's bound to make mistakes sometimes……"

  "Oh, I get it now, you're saying Grandpa is getting senile!"

  Meng Hongchen looked astonished.

  Xiao Hongchen: "……"

  He had to say, he felt that Meng Hongchen was acting very strangely today.

  "Dream, what's wrong with you, why are you always siding with others today?"

  "I'm not." Meng Hongchen stuck out her tongue, "I'm just looking at the issue from an absolutely rational perspective."

  As she spoke, she also gnced at Qin Xiao intentionally or unintentionally.

  Qin Xiao had an expressionless face.

  But he understood in his heart.

  This girl was trying to win his favor.

  It was just a bit outrageous.

  "Alright, if you have nothing else, you can leave. I have things to do."

  Qin Xiao didn't want to waste any more words with the brother and sister.

  Wouldn't it be better to spend this time on some scientific research?

  Or, taking a couple of bottles of pills to boost my cultivation would also be good.

  "No way!"

  Ignoring Meng Hongchen's attempts to stop him, Xiao Hongchen walked straight up to Qin Xiao and decred loudly, "You have to compete with me."

  "On what grounds?"

  "Of course, it's not because of my influence, but because of this……"

  Xiao Hongchen flipped his hand and took out a jade bottle from his spatial soul conductor, "There are quite a few pills in here that can boost one's cultivation, and they are just right for you at the moment."

  "Oh?"

  Qin Xiao's heart stirred.

  Invisible spiritual energy spread from within his body, and in an instant, he knew the grade of the medicine.

  It has to be said, it's really good.

  Not inferior to the one Kong Deming gave to him through Jing Hongchen.

  If he got this bottle of medicine, he might be able to break through level 40 before the Soul Master Tournament.

  From this, he could also see that Jing Hongchen treated his two granddaughters very well, willing to spend a lot of money.

  But Qin Xiao didn't rush to agree.

  "How do you want to compete? My soul power is only in the 20s, I'm just a legitimate second-level soul mentor."

  If you ask Qin Xiao if he can make soul conductors beyond his level?

  The answer is definitely yes.

  But if he can get this bottle of pills with just a third of his effort, why bother to exert eight-tenths of his effort?

  Isn't that just asking for trouble?

  So, this Xiao Hongchen should be taken advantage of when possible.

  It would be a waste not to, considering how proactive he was in coming here himself.

  "Alright, since that's the case, I won't make it too difficult for you. Let's carve a second-level array, whoever finishes first wins.

  And if you win, this bottle of pills is yours."

  "What if you win?" Qin Xiao asked curiously.

  "Like you have anything I'd want. You must be joking."

  Xiao Hongchen disdainfully curled his lip. "I don't want anything if I win. I just want to prove that I'm stronger than you."

  "Hmph."

  After hearing Xiao Hongchen's words, Qin Xiao couldn't help but ugh.

  There aren't many young people like this.

  It's great to have someone who willingly gives you resources for free. The more, the better.

  "What are you ughing at? Will you agree or not? Give me a straight answer."

  "Alright, I accept your challenge."

  Qin Xiao nodded and then looked at Meng Hongchen, saying: "Then I'll ask you to be the witness."

  "Sure, sure."

  Meng Hongchen replied quickly, nodding her head vigorously like a chick pecking at rice. "You can trust me. I promise to keep an eye on Xiao Hongchen and make sure he doesn't cheat."

  Xiao Hongchen: "……"

  He looked at his sister, at a loss for words.

  He even began to doubt.

  Who is the outsider here?

  Would a real sister treat her brother like this?

  At the very least, she shouldn't, right?

  But now, Meng Hongchen's behavior was not just siding with the outsiders. It was like she was elbowing her brother in the face.

  "Alright, no problem, let's get started."

  Qin Xiao pnned to finish the competition quickly.

  He didn't think it was necessary to waste too much time on a stranger. If it weren't for the pills that Xiao Hongchen had brought, which had somewhat tempted him, he would have kicked these two out long ago.

  "Hmph, are you that eager to be defeated by me?

  Come to think of it, I also want to see just how talented you really are."

  Xiao Hongchen said, also walking over to the b table and standing firm.

  Then he gnced at the blueprints on the table, and just happened to see one that was a second-level array.

  "Let's carve this one."

  "It's a bit challenging, but I think it's just right. What do you think?"

  Xiao Hongchen estimated that it would take him about a minute to carve this array.

  Qin Xiao also gnced in the direction that Xiao Hongchen was pointing and nodded faintly, "No problem."

  It has to be said that the array Xiao Hongchen chose was indeed somewhat difficult.

  It would take Qin Xiao about half a minute to carve this array as well.

  It's worth mentioning that even Xuan Ziwen, an eighth-level Soul Mentor, would need about half a minute to carve this array.

  "Alright, Meng, start the countdown from five seconds."

  Xiao Hongchen said to Meng Hongchen, then took out his carving knife and a piece of metal.

  Meng Hongchen nodded and opened her cherry lips, "Five, four, three, two, one, start."

  As Meng Hongchen's words fell, Qin Xiao and Xiao Hongchen's hands swiftly drew afterimages in the air.

  Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

  The carving knives fluttered like butterflies and danced like sprites.

  Xiao Hongchen and Qin Xiao were both immersed in their own worlds, in a state of self-forgetfulness.

  As time quickly passed, an exquisite array took shape in Qin Xiao's hands.

  Thirty seconds.

  Meng Hongchen came up with an accurate number in her heart and was extremely shocked.

  But she didn't forget her duty as a referee.

  As soon as the carving knife in Qin Xiao's hand stopped carving, she immediately shouted, "The competition is over!"

  Cng.

  Upon hearing this, Xiao Hongchen was struck like by lightning. The array in his hand fell onto the b table.

  His eyes widened with a look of disbelief.

  What on earth?

  Did Meng Hongchen say that Qin Xiao had finished carving?

  "Xiao Hongchen, are you alright?

  Qin Xiao finished carving in just 30 seconds. You lost."

  Meng Hongchen nudged the somewhat dazed Xiao Hongchen with her elbow.

  "I, I……"

  Xiao Hongchen finally came to his senses, and his eyes gradually regained their luster, "You, you actually finished the carving in just 30 seconds?"

  Faced with Xiao Hongchen's doubt, Qin Xiao shrugged.

  His attitude was very clear.

  As if to say, can't you see for yourself?

  "Alright, let me take a look myself."

  Xiao Hongchen muttered, "You don't have to be too smug. Completing the array carving doesn't mean the end. Speed isn't everything. If your array can't conduct soul power, that means you've failed."

  As he spoke, he picked up the array in front of Qin Xiao and injected a thread of soul power into it.

  Gradually, the array began to glow and shine brighter.

  "Finished.

  This is actually a finished array!

  And you only took 30 seconds to carve such an array……"

  Xiao Hongchen murmured in a low voice.

  In fact, his heart was far from calm.

  What does it mean to carve such a complex array in just 30 seconds?

  Let's put it this way.

  Don't be fooled by his current status as a fourth-level Soul Mentor. Even if he became a sixth, seventh, or eighth-level Soul Mentor, he might not reach this level.

  As far as he knew, only a small number of eighth-level Soul Mentors could achieve this speed.

  Because to carve this array so quickly, one needs a unique understanding and insight into the array.

  But Qin Xiao, at the level of a second-level Soul Mentor, had already achieved this. It was simply…….incredible.

  At this moment, the word "convinced" couldn't help but pop into his mind.

  "Brother, how do you feel? Convinced or not?"

  At this moment, Meng Hongchen picked the wrong moment to speak.

  Xiao Hongchen's expression froze.

  Even if he was convinced, could he say that?

  As the future heir of the Hongchen family, his pride wouldn't allow him to bow down to anyone.

  At least not now.

  "This time I was just careless. Next time, I'll definitely make up for today's loss."

  Xiao Hongchen said, putting the bottle of pills into Meng Hongchen's hand and turning to leave.

  Why stay?

  Wait for a feast?

  "Qin Xiao, congratutions."

  Meng Hongchen took the pills from Xiao Hongchen and turned to give them to Qin Xiao, with a delighted look on her face.

  "Thank you!"

  Politely replied, Qin Xiao took the rare bottle of pills in his hand.

  He couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

  No wonder the Hongchen family is so wealthy.

  This bottle of pills must be worth hundreds of thousands of gold soul coins, right?

  But then he thought again, it's normal.

  Mingde Hall is not short of money.

  In the original story, they spent 150 million gold soul coins to buy the Snow Empress.

  And if Mingde Hall is not short of money, how could the hall master, Jing Hongchen, be short of money?

  However.

  In the next moment, Qin Xiao frowned and looked at Meng Hongchen in confusion: "Aren't you going to leave with your brother?"

  Meng Hongchen lowered her head and looked at her toes, "Leave? From today on, we're cssmates."

  (End of chapter)

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