From these people, Ling Chen learned that the small swordsmanship gathering was scheduled for the first watch of the night. The location was this very restaurant, specifically its top floor, which featured a Sky Garden. The gathering was to be held there.

When the first watch began, Ling Chen arrived at the restaurant's top floor. He did not reveal his true identity, still wearing his mask and presenting himself as Dustless.

"Halt!"

However, as Ling Chen approached the entrance to the Sky Garden, an attendant from the restaurant stopped him.

"Please present your Swordsmanship Token."

The attendant stated coldly.

"If I don't have a Swordsmanship Token, does that mean I can't participate? Is there another way?" Ling Chen furrowed his brow.

"Naturally. You don't even have a Swordsmanship Token, yet you expect to attend our Swordsmanship Conference?"

Before the attendant could reply, a lavishly dressed young man nearby scoffed, his eyes filled with disdain as he looked at Ling Chen.

This lavishly dressed young man was a prince from Aqua Country, the second-ranking among the many princes.

"Exactly! The Swordsmanship Conference is an exchange for the geniuses of Aqua Country; it's not for any riffraff. Any young, renowned talent in Aqua Country receives a Swordsmanship Token. If you don't have one, it proves you're not qualified to be here."

Beside the Second Prince stood an effeminate-looking young man in a white robe. This was Gongsun Zhi, son of Aqua Country's Prime Minister. His gaze towards Ling Chen was arrogant, filled with disgust and disdain.

"Get lost. This is no place for someone like you. Don't be an eyesore."

The Second Prince sneered, flicked his sleeve, and prepared to enter the convention venue.

Just then, a fragrant breeze wafted over. Ling Chen glanced sideways and saw, not far behind him, an exquisitely beautiful woman in a plain dress. Her skin was like ice, her bones like jade; she was exceptionally beautiful and refined. Her breathtakingly delicate face was, however, strikingly familiar.

It was none other than Xu Ruoyan.

Ling Chen was startled, yet not entirely surprised. After all, this small swordsmanship gathering had invited all the young talents of Aqua Country, so Xu Ruoyan's appearance here seemed only natural.

"Junior Sister Xu."

The Second Prince's eyes instantly lit up, as if they might emit a green glow. He quickly strode over to Xu Ruoyan, his smile radiant. "Why did you come without telling your Senior Brother? I thought you wouldn't be attending this small swordsmanship gathering."

"Senior Brother, as a prince, you must have many matters to attend to; I wouldn't want to disturb you. I also have things to do, so I won't keep you company."

Xu Ruoyan's pretty face held an indifferent expression. This Second Prince had also studied at the Sky Void Palace and was significantly older, which was why he addressed her as Junior Sister.

However, it was clear that Xu Ruoyan merely knew him and nothing more.

She walked up to Ling Chen, a captivating smile gracing her lips. "Brother Wuchen, I trust you've been well."

"I didn't expect Miss Xu to still remember me."

Ling Chen cupped his hands in greeting, secretly sighing in relief. It seems Xu Ruoyan hasn't recognized me and still thinks I'm Dustless.

"Junior Sister, you know this man?"

The Second Prince frowned, his gaze on Ling Chen turning somewhat hostile. He knew well that this Junior Sister Xu was usually cold towards most men and would rarely initiate conversation with any. Yet, now she had actually struck up a conversation with Ling Chen.

"Of course, I do. Brother Wuchen once saved my life," Xu Ruoyan replied calmly.

"Saved your life?"

The coldness in the Second Prince's eyes intensified. He knew that many women, out of gratitude for having their lives saved, would pledge themselves to their saviors. Although Xu Ruoyan was no ordinary woman, there was still a chance things could develop that way.

"Then we truly must thank this Brother Wuchen properly. However, Junior Sister Xu, the Swordsmanship Conference is about to begin. Let's head inside," the Second Prince said, masking his gloomy expression with a smile.

"Alright."

Xu Ruoyan nodded slightly. "Brother Wuchen, why don't you come in with me?"

"I'm afraid not. I don't have a Swordsmanship Token. It seems this Swordsmanship Conference is not for me," Ling Chen said, shaking his head.

"One can't enter without a Swordsmanship Token?" Xu Ruoyan turned to the Second Prince. "In that case, I didn't bring my Swordsmanship Token either. Does that mean I can't participate in this Swordsmanship Conference?"

"Well... Junior Sister, given your status, how can ordinary people be compared to you?" the Second Prince stammered with a forced laugh.

Xu Ruoyan shook her head. "Since it's a Swordsmanship Conference, any capable member of the younger generation should be able to participate. Brother Wuchen is from Wind Country; that's why he didn't receive a Swordsmanship Token."

"Very well. Since Junior Sister Xu speaks for him, let us enter together." Although very reluctant, the Second Prince ultimately compromised. He didn't want to displease Xu Ruoyan over someone as insignificant as Ling Chen.

Passing through the entrance, the view broadened considerably. This large, luxurious courtyard belonged to the restaurant and was used to entertain distinguished guests. Each section of the courtyard was expansive, with uniquely designed interiors featuring rockeries, pools of clear water, pavilions, and terraces—nothing was lacking.

In the center of the courtyard lay a pond where various medicinal herbs grew, emitting a refreshing fragrance. Many talented young prodigies had already gathered by the pond. These included not only promising youths from the capital of Aqua Country but also outstanding figures from the nation's major families and major sects. Most of them were present, each an expert of the younger generation; none were unsightly or mediocre.

Just then, Ling Chen spotted a familiar figure: Huang Shenyi, the prodigy ranked seventeenth on the Heavenly List, also known as "Speed Surpassing Dust."

Huang Shenyi was seated in an elegant spot, dressed in a white martial robe, looking strikingly handsome and spirited. His seating position alone indicated his significant standing at this Swordsmanship Conference.

Besides Huang Shenyi, Ling Chen noticed three other young men seated in other prominent positions. These three young men exuded powerful auras; none of them were weaker than Huang Shenyi. One of them, a young man in black, emanated an exceptionally fierce aura that seemed to surpass those of the many other talents present.

Xu Ruoyan took an elegant seat, and Ling Chen sat beside her. Although their seats weren't at the very front, they were nonetheless in a prominent section.

According to the seating arrangement, even the Second Prince was only on par with Ling Chen. Gongsun Zhi, the Prime Minister's son, was seated in a position inferior to Ling Chen's.

"Who is this person? What right does he have to sit there?"

"Exactly! Isn't everyone here a renowned young talent from Aqua Country? We've hardly heard this man's name. Can he really be placed above us just because of his connection to Miss Xu Ruoyan?"

"What can be done? He managed to latch onto Miss Xu Ruoyan. But relying on such devious means won't get him far. If he doesn't possess strength matching his position, he'll likely face severe humiliation later."

"True. I bet many of the young talents present are eager to teach him a lesson and put him in his place."

Many of the young prodigies participating in the swordsmanship event murmured among themselves, their occasional glances at Ling Chen clearly showing their displeasure with him.