He couldn’t find a more tactful way to phrase it. He wanted to offer praise, but couldn’t; he wanted to criticize, but couldn’t do that either.

Jiang Chen was not a relative, unlike Chen Tian. Nor was he a close confidant with whom Chen Bo could share everything. When it came down to it, they were merely fellow disciples who were slightly closer than average.

Everyone had their own pursuits. Since Chen Bo disliked combat, Jiang Chen couldn’t force the issue.

“Wow, the top-ranked official disciples have all appeared at [Fire Peak]!”

At that moment, a clamor of voices erupted from another area.

Jiang Chen, Chen Bo, and those around them all looked over.

They heard the sound of splashing water. Immediately after, a red boat shimmering with emerald waves slowly descended from the sky.

Five people disembarked from the vessel—four men and one woman.

Each was young, handsome, and carried an extraordinary bearing.

The leader was none other than the current number one among the official disciples of the Rain Pavilion: Shui Wuhen.

Although this person possessed a single spiritual root, his comprehension was exceptionally high. Moreover, he had encountered a fortuitous opportunity in his childhood, obtaining the recognition of a growth-type Spirit Artifact known as [Autumn Water].

Because of this, Shui Wuhen not only possessed the enduring spiritual power characteristic of a Water Spirit Root, but he also far surpassed his fellow disciples in defense, attack, speed, and all other aspects.

Originally, he had been in second place, always suppressed by Chen Tian. But later, Chen Tian was favored by a Nascent Soul True Lord and became a core disciple. Therefore, in recent years, Shui Wuhen had monopolized the top position among the official disciples of the Rain Pavilion.

The other four individuals were equally formidable.

They were: Zhao Feng, the number one Wood Spirit Root among the official disciples of the Spirit Farm; Shi Yan, the number one Earth Spirit Root among the official disciples of the Earth Vein; Huo Ling, the number one Fire Spirit Root among the official disciples of the Alchemy Hall; and Jian Chen, the number one Metal Spirit Root among the official disciples of Fire Peak.

All were Single Spirit Root geniuses, each exceptionally outstanding. And without exception, every one of them had reached the Foundation Establishment stage.

Seeing Chen Bo staring intently at Huo Ling, Jiang Chen asked curiously, “Has Senior Brother taken a fancy to her?”

Chen Bo was taken aback for a moment before withdrawing his infatuated gaze and shaking his head. “No, we are childhood friends who grew up together. It’s just that now… things have changed.”

The little girl he once grew up with had now become the youngest alchemist in the Alchemy Hall. Furthermore, she was the number one Fire Spirit Root among the official disciples.

Thinking back carefully, their last conversation had been five years ago.

Right at that moment, Huo Ling suddenly moved close to Zhao Feng. From their intimate actions, it was clear that the relationship between them was most likely that of Dao Companions.

And not the hired kind of Dao Companions. It seemed more like… the kind that shared a bed.

Chen Bo watched this scene, his eyes narrowing slightly and his hands unconsciously clenching into fists. In the end, however, he did not have the courage to step forward, not even to simply say hello.

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow and asked, “Senior Brother, this Zhao Feng is a member of The Zhao Clan, the Spirit Farm’s number one cultivation family, right?”

Chen Bo nodded vigorously. “More than just a member. His father is the current clan leader of The Zhao Clan.”

Jiang Chen immediately understood.

To put it bluntly, in terms of his previous life, this Zhao Feng was a rich second-generation heir with status, position, and talent.

Whereas Chen Bo beside him was relatively ordinary by comparison. Although he was a member of the Chen family—a prominent clan—he was merely from a collateral branch. Moreover, if not for Chen Tian’s sudden rise, their family might not truly have been able to compete with Shui Wuhen’s backing family for supremacy anyway.

Shui Wuhen swept his gentle gaze over the surroundings and chuckled lightly. “So many people!”

“What use are numbers? They’re all trash,” Shi Yan said, revealing a disdainful expression.

Beside him, Zhao Feng and Huo Ling were whispering to each other. Huo Ling occasionally let out bell-like laughter.

Upon hearing Shi Yan’s words, a flicker of disgust passed through Jian Chen’s eyes.

At that moment, Shui Wuhen strode without hesitation toward Arena No. 1, which had just been cleaned.

This scene made everyone curious.

Soon, Shui Wuhen ascended Arena No. 1 and declared clearly, “Everyone, you’ve surely come here wanting to enrich your combat experience and improve your combat skills. Since that’s the case, why not come up and spar with me?”

As soon as these words were spoken, an uproar erupted.

No one expected that the number one official disciple of the Rain Pavilion would actually accept challenges from everyone. This was the closest opportunity to get near such a genius, truly a rare chance that comes once in a thousand years.

For a moment, many people were eager to give it a try.

Watching this, Jiang Chen speculated inwardly, It seems this Shui Wuhen wants to use challengers for testing. Could it be his cultivation realm or technique level has improved?

Meanwhile, on Arena No. 2, Arena No. 3, and all the way to Arena No. 5, people had also ascended.

It was none other than Zhao Feng, Huo Ling, Shi Yan, and Jian Chen—the four of them.

Clearly, they shared Shui Wuhen’s idea.

Seeing this, Jiang Chen’s eyes lit up and he hurriedly reminded, “Senior Brother! This is your chance to interact with Senior Sister Huo Ling again!”

“I… I’m afraid I can’t.” Chen Bo lowered his head, appearing entirely lacking in confidence.

Jiang Chen said seriously, “Didn’t you just say you wanted to improve your experience and skills?”

Chen Bo said despondently, “But I’m just an ordinary spirit farmer in the Spirit Farm.”

Hearing this, Jiang Chen pondered and said, “Our team still lacks an alchemist. Since Senior Sister Huo Ling is so outstanding, why not try to recruit her?”

These words made Chen Bo lift his head.

Whether it was because this excuse was truly compelling, or because of the confidence brought by his cousin Chen Tian’s status… after some thought, he actually squeezed through the crowd and walked step by step toward Arena No. 4, where Huo Ling stood.

Jiang Chen followed closely behind.

Soon, seizing the moment before anyone else challenged Huo Ling, Chen Bo stepped onto the arena first.

“Brother Sancai!”

Looking at the person who had come onto the stage, Huo Ling exclaimed in surprise.

Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Chen Bo greeted her with an expressionless face. “Fellow Daoist Huo, long time no see.”

Huo Ling was stunned for a moment. She instinctively glanced toward Zhao Feng’s direction but happened to meet his sharp gaze.

She couldn’t help but frown slightly, her willow-leaf eyebrows knitting together, before replying indifferently, “Long time no see.”

Jiang Chen was watching from below the stage when suddenly, another splashing water sound came from nearby!

He instinctively looked over—it turned out the match on Arena No. 1 was about to start!

Shui Wuhen’s opponent was a female disciple with a Metal Spirit Root.

She didn’t look very old. While others had long hair, hers was short. She wasn’t wearing the standard white uniform for official disciples either; instead, she wore very neat black training clothes.

“I remember this female disciple! She joined [Fire Peak] less than a year ago! I heard her comprehension is exceptionally high! Seems her name is Yan Fei?” someone nearby spoke up.

Seeing that Chen Bo and Huo Ling hadn’t started fighting yet, Jiang Chen focused his attention on Arena No. 1 instead.

Yan Fei controlled her Metal Sword Orb with her left hand. In her right hand, she held a silver shortsword.

Unlike other Metal Spirit Root users who stood motionless on their spot, she took the initiative, charging straight toward her opponent!