Engagement Canceled: I Can Extract Prefixes-Chapter 331 - 330: Declaration of Resolve

Cultivation is an extremely long path. Before the age of thirty, one has only just set foot on it.

Indeed, in youth, one’s ambitions are high, and comprehension is at its peak in life.

But to truly become a formidable individual, it comes down to long-term, steady improvement.

How many geniuses have fallen along the way?

Luo Zuchen hopes Shen Ye can stabilize his heart’s thought. In the cultivation path, one should not be overly arrogant despite having pride.

There are countless geniuses in the world.

This time, Luo Zuchen also wants to point out this issue to Shen Ye.

He can’t always be that young man with the greatest talent and potential.

In the vast world, who knows what kind of prodigy might emerge next.

But talent and potential do not determine everything.

It is rumored that some strong individuals stepping into the First-Grade Immortal Realm had even mediocre aptitude in their youth.

"Ye’Er, do you understand what this old man is saying?"

Seeing the lingering frown on Shen Ye’s face, Luo Zuchen was somewhat worried and couldn’t help but ask.

And Shen Ye, hearing these words, hesitated for quite a while.

"Mr. Luo, I understand the meaning behind your words.

Cultivation can span over a century, and as long as the heart’s thought remains unchanged, fleeting victories and losses do not matter.

It’s just...

I, Shen Ye, carry the name of the top prodigy, and I’m well-versed in both scholarly cultivation arts and martial arts cultivation methods.

I have pride, I have a resolute spirit.

I can lag behind the top geniuses of Qi and Yan countries.

But Shen Han is not worthy, he shouldn’t even be able to see my back."

Saying this, Shen Ye then turned his gaze to Luo Zuchen.

"Mr. Luo, do not worry about me, I am merely using this to declare my aspirations.

I have wasted too much time in recent days. I should have furthered my strength to the next level.

Too many distractions cloud my heart’s thought.

In the days to come, I will calm myself and devote myself to the cultivation method.

The Half-Step Fifth Grade is not my limit, Shen Ye."

Luo Zuchen looked at his disciple, and after a moment, nodded appreciatively.

"Ye’Er, with this declaration of ambition, your heart’s thought will become more steadfast. Focus on walking this cultivation path well.

As for those distractions, leave them to this old man to deal with.

After the matter of Praying to Heaven, Shen Han’s days will not be easy.

The ’unpropitious’ label above his head is not easily removed.

If Great Wei’s results in this Ten Nations Grand Competition are poor, we shall put the blame squarely on Shen Han.

We will say his ’unpropitious omen’ is too severe. Even when kept at a distance from others, it still impacted everyone’s competitive performance and affected Great Wei’s national fortune.

If Great Wei’s results turn out good, we can use it as evidence instead.

Only after Shen Han was kept away from others could Great Wei achieve such results.

In any case, this ’unpropitious’ label on Shen Han cannot be removed."

Having said that, Luo Zuchen did not further disturb Shen Ye, leaving him to cultivate alone.

This student of his seemed to return to his once-devoted cultivation state.

Unparalleled focus, unmatched dedication.

Thinking about it, a smile couldn’t help but appear on Luo Zuchen’s face.

The presence of Shen Han is not entirely a bad thing, at least it motivated Ye’Er to move forward.

On the path to the rise of every strong individual, there are always stepping stones.

Perhaps, Shen Han is just that stepping stone for Ye’Er’s ascent.

...

The location for the Ten Nations Grand Competition’s trials is a place called Ming City.

This place borders the three great countries of Wei, Qi, and Yan.

It is a crucial hub for commercial and trade exchanges.

The formation of this place was likely manipulated behind the scenes by the three great countries.

There are disputes between countries, but also a need for exchange.

Therefore, this place does not belong to any country, which naturally makes it the chosen spot for the Ten Nations Grand Competition.

The carriage sped on for three days and two nights before finally reaching the borders of Ming City.

Entering this city, one only needs to show their identity as a Wei national to gain unimpeded access.

But citizens from other small countries are required to pay a small city entry fee.

Apart from emperors of various countries, everyone in Ming City is prohibited from using rides and must travel everywhere on foot.

After getting off the carriage, Shen Han followed by Rong Shangping’s side, observing the surroundings.

The architectural style of Ming City is quite atypical, even somewhat disjointed.

It is obvious that these buildings were crafted by artisans from different countries.

The group lodged in an inn, where Vice Principal Rong Shangping seemed familiar, clearly not his first visit.

"By looking at the style of these inns, one should be able to tell which are established by our Great Wei people, right?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Han also nodded, as there was no mistaking the style of the inns.

The group rented a small room and had some food.

During the meal, Rong Shangping took the opportunity to explain the Ten Nations Grand Competition to everyone.

Shen Han already heard most of it from the principal, but for some of the companions, it was their first time hearing it.

"The rules of the Ten Nations Grand Competition used to be quite complex, but now there are some unwritten rules.

On the first day of the competition, the three great countries of Wei, Qi, and Yan will send people to challenge the young geniuses of various small countries.

At that time, they’ll challenge the twenty-two-year-old small country geniuses with a twenty-year-old.

Yet the disparity between the great countries and small countries is almost a gap.

Even with the age difference, the talented juniors from the great countries are far superior to those from the small countries.

The outcome will hardly be suspenseful.

In the end, Wei, Qi, and Yan will take most of the resources from the small countries, with each small country left with one-sixth of its resources.

After this, the true grand competition begins.

The seven small countries will compete amongst themselves to win other countries’ resources and replenish their deficits.

While the young juniors from the three great countries then truly begin the grand competition."

These rules had indeed been mentioned before during his time at the academy.

But what the vice principal said next was something Shen Han had just learned.

Throughout the Ten Nations Grand Competition process, there will be someone specifically responsible for transmitting real-time updates back to Great Wei.

In the Capital City, bulletin boards will be set up in downtown areas.

They will note the Ten Nations Grand Competition’s progress on the boards in real-time.

How many wins Wei has, how many losses, how many resources were obtained; all details will be recorded on the board.

"Your elder brother Shen Ye, once became famous overnight during the Ten Nations Grand Competition.

Four years ago, during the Ten Nations Grand Competition, Great Wei should have suffered a severe defeat.

But your elder brother Shen Ye overcame his level and won..."

Rong Shangping didn’t continue, as he understood Shen Han’s deep dislike for Shen Ye.

Praising Shen Ye’s excellence in front of him might upset him.

In reality, Shen Han didn’t mind this.

Moreover, for Shen Ye to earn the title of top prodigy, he undoubtedly excelled in various ways.

But none of that justified his attempt to take Shen Han’s life.

No matter how outstanding he was, he remained an enemy intent on taking his life.

After settling in the inn, two days passed before the official start of the Ten Nations Grand Competition.

During these two uneventful days, Rong Shangping shared his insights about the cultivation techniques and moves from other countries.

Shen Han listened attentively, but once, during the session, he received a message from Shi Yuezhu.

He quickly replied they’d talk later.

Hearing this female’s voice, those around understood.

This newly risen Sword Dao’s Pride already had someone in his heart.