Extra’s Cultivation: I Became the Martial World’s Top Genius!

Elder Stonehead still had more to say about the assessment, but when he saw Song Chen relaxing under a tree, he immediately became irritated. He saw it as an insult to his authority that a disciple with such a meager cultivation base would dare remain seated while he, an esteemed elder, stood before them.

From where he stood, he pointed at the young boy.

"Song Chen, stop fooling around during the assessment ceremony! Get over here, right now!"

Every disciple turned to look at Song Chen. Some laughed, while others wore either plain or annoyed expressions.

"Hah! That serves that smug, untalented bastard right!"

"He pisses me off so much it's not even funny. He must think he's hot stuff or something just because most of the girls think he's handsome!"

"Right?! How can you be so untalented and yet handsome? I thought the higher one's talent, the more one's beauty will rival that of an immortal peach!"

"Fuck you, Chen!"

However, peacefully Song Chen stretched out his arms and yawned, then tucked them behind his neck like pillows, settling more comfortably against the tree.

"No, I think I'll stay here. I mean, there's no point in me partaking in the assessment when I know I'll just fail and get expelled, right? Just do it without me; I'm not that important, you see."

He closed his eyes, further showing his disinterest in the assessment.

Song Tianyu looked at Song Chen and could only feel sympathy.

『I can understand his struggles…

Imagine being the patriarch's only son, with everyone in the clan hoping your birth would change their fortunes, only to be born with just one spiritual sea and the worst talent grade possible for a cultivator. They constantly remind him of how he's a failure and even look at him like he's not even a person.

Worse, our clan brothers and sisters still call him the Patriarch's Biggest Failure.

It's not fair to him, yet somehow he remains calm about it all.』

While he had much to say, he remained silent, knowing that speaking out would only annoy Elder Stonehead and possibly cause more trouble for Song Chen.

True to his quick-tempered nature, Elder Stonehead screamed at the top of his voice.

"Song Chen! Come here right now, or I'll report you to Patriarch Scholarly. He'll give you the punishment of a lifetime, and even after he's done, I'll punish you myself!"

Song Chen exhaled a resigned sigh and stood up.

"Alright, alright, you win. I'll participate in the assessment."

He walked over to join the crowd of disciples, doing so with an air of elegance despite his reluctance.

Many of the male disciples gave Song Chen the meanest stares possible. If stares could cripple, he'd be as decrepit as a spirit beast after a hundred years without cultivation. Naturally, this was an everyday occurrence for him, so the young boy just whistled as he walked past them, having zero interest in whatever insults they had to shower on him.

"You people really need to grow up..." Song Chen mumbled.

He looked ahead to Elder Stonehead, who continued to speak.

"I have spoken with Patriarch Scholarly, and he has agreed to take into account the overall results of today's assessment and will reward the top six places. Especially first place, who will be fortunate enough to receive a Dragon Sea-Opening Pill."

Every disciple in the crowd hung their mouths open.

"A DRAGON SEA-OPENING PILL?!"

Only the ones who were reserved and exceptionally talented were able to maintain their cool──it was nothing new to them.

The Dragon Sea-Opening Pill was said to originate from the Dragon Immortal Continent and was the masterpiece of the Dragon God of the East.

It could greatly refine one's physique and enhance strength, but its true uniqueness lay in its ability to help a cultivator open all their spiritual seas. For those with great potential, it could even create a new spiritual sea!

Song Tianyu looked fairly surprised. "Wow, that's a generous offer. A pill like that would undoubtedly be a 5th-grade pill."

Elder Stonehead finished by saying.

"In addition to the first-place prize, the second and third-placed disciples will receive a Sea-Opening Pill each. As for fourth through sixth places, you will be rewarded with small body refinement pills to start off your new cultivation regimen."

"Hrmm..."

Song Chen took a moment to think, a frown slowly forming on his face as he slouched and sighed inwardly.

Just then, his train of thought was interrupted by a sudden uproar among the disciples.

"Huh?"

He looked around to see what had caused the commotion.

The young daoists were all smiling and pointing at a young girl praised as the next beauty of their generation.

"Look, it's Song Meiling!"

"Wow, she looks so beautiful. In fact, she's always beautiful!"

"I wish I had her talent and her looks. Any girl would be lucky to look half as good as her!"

The boys all had hearts in their eyes as they stared at her. While some girls had no problem praising her, others gave her venomous side-eyes, envious of her beauty.

Song Chen, on the other hand, just watched her with a calm stare.

Soon, others started to divert their attention to the young boy behind Song Meiling. He had long black hair, a slight widow's peak, brown eyes, and an oddly mean-looking face that made him look older than his age.

"Hey, isn't that Ye Shan?"

"Yes, if anyone's going to win that Dragon Sea-Opening Pill, it's either him or Sister Meiling. Their talents are unmatched!"

"Wow, I never thought I'd see Brother Shan and Sister Meiling standing in the same place. Ye Shan usually never comes to these classes, so this is a first."

"Yeah, I heard he's learning a special cultivation technique from his parents!"

They couldn't stop staring at them in amazement. With the way these young daoists gazed at them, it wouldn't be too far-fetched to say someone would spread themselves like a carpet on the ground just so these two young talents could walk over them.

"They make a great couple!"

A random voice in the crowd.

One of the many disciples who couldn't stop admiring Ye Shan and Song Meiling cleared his throat and proudly fought against this claim like a lawyer.

"Ridiculous. Sure, Ye Shan is talented, but how can you even think he's on the same level as someone like Sister Meiling? She is an exceptional talent, and let's not forget her beautiful face."

A nearby disciple nodded. "That's true!"

With that, the cheering and whispered praises continued.

Elder Stonehead didn't see any need to silence them, knowing they were wise enough to stop on their own.

Just as he predicted, most of them started to quiet down, perhaps hoping they would be fortunate enough to stand next to Song Meiling. Some even thought that idea too luxurious, considering simply breathing the same air as her to be enough of a blessing.

Quietly, Song Meiling walked through the crowd of disciples, who made sure to make way for her. She didn't pay most of them any attention nor did she act proud. She was calm, with a humble smile on her pretty face that was as smooth as a baby's skin.

"Who do you think she'll stand next to?"

"M-, Me, I hope."

"If the heavens bless me with the luxury of standing next to her, I'll pray in the mountains for a hundred days!"

Finally, Song Meiling stopped before Song Chen and gently waved with a cute, little giggle.

"Greetings, Big Bro Chen!"

The smile on her face could make a thousand flowers bloom and calm a raging storm.

The moment every disciple standing there saw the way such a top beauty greeted Song Chen, their jaws dropped, and some of them squeezed their faces like they wanted to strangle him to death.

Song Chen gave them a sly side-eye and grinned proudly.

They saw his facial expression and their faces twisted like they'd just tasted a thousand-year-old lemon.

Gently, Song Chen shook his head as if it was light work for him.

『Forget talent, my friends! In the realm of romance, I am the supreme master!

It is true that jade-like beauty is attracted to only those who have talent, but that isn't always the case! *devious chuckle* If you're as versed in the logic of the cultivation world as I am, then you'll understand. Indeed, the Chad tactics I learned from my manhua days shall not come to waste!

Behold! No matter how untalented you are, ignore the jade-like beauties, and they shall chase after you like disciples chasing after rare treasures!』

Proudly, he faced Song Meiling once again.

"Ohhh, hello there... Mei'er~"

Song Chen made sure his fellow disciples heard the affectionate tone he put into speaking such an intimate name he'd given her. To make it worse, he extended his hand and brushed her hair bangs to the side a bit.

"You should take more care of your hair, Mei'er~"

His words came out so warmly.

Song Meiling's cheeks turned red, and she lowered her head a bit, replying.

"Uh, uhm, th-, thank you, Big Bro Chen."

The faces of the spectating disciples throbbed with veins, showing their suppressed anger. They looked like they would explode if Song Chen made any other advancement. To them, untalented trash like him had no right to stand in the presence of a future immortal beauty like Song Meiling.

It was an offensive sight.

Some gritted their teeth like wild animals, and others growled like hungry mutts.

Song Tianyu, who stood near Elder Stonehead to watch, could only shake his head while chuckling inwardly.

『Hah, typical Chen…』