Marrying Wives and Attaining Immortality in a Chaotic World

Chapter 163: Top Male Genius

The news that Xu Lian, the “grassroots genius” who had fought his way up from the first level to the 3,764th level, had defeated Young Master Ming of Duke Ying’s household in a single move spread like wildfire among the commoners of the capital. It quickly caused a sensation and made Xu Lian a household name.

Before, the rumor that Ying Ming and Jing Que had teamed up in the arena, but still couldn’t defeat Xu Lian… was just that – a rumor that lacked solid evidence. But now, this real achievement had firmly established Xu Lian’s strength and reputation.

It seemed as if the capital’s commoners, who had been suppressed for too long, had finally found an outlet for their pent-up emotions. Like a dam bursting, a tidal wave of enthusiasm swept Xu Lian, the grassroots genius who had risen from the bottom, to the pinnacle of fame, elevating him to the status of a top genius of the younger generation.

This forced the top geniuses in the elimination round to take notice and inquire about Xu Lian’s background.

Unfortunately, Xu Lian had risen too fast. Only those close to him knew his origin, and outsiders could find out nothing about him no matter how hard they tried.

At Duke Ying’s residence

Jing Que came to visit Ying Ming, who was lying on a bed with his body wrapped in bandages. Jing Que looked at him with a strange expression and asked, “Did you really get defeated by that Xu Lian in a single move?

Ying Ming replied gloomily, “It was indeed a single move, not even half a move… If you don’t believe me, you can challenge him yourself.”

Jing Que hesitated, then shook his head. “My strength is about the same as yours. If you were to be defeated in a single move, I’d probably suffer the same fate. I don’t want to get beaten knowing that I can’t win.”

Ying Ming said, “Back then, during our duel in the arena, we completely ignored him. Looking back now, he must have been laughing at us, watching us two rookies fight each other…”

Hearing this, Jing Que’s face turned red with embarrassment. He also felt awkward. At that time, they had treated Xu Lian as a nobody who had fought his way up from the bottom. Little did they know that in Xu Lian’s eyes, they were the real rookies…

Seeing Jing Que’s discomfort, Ying Ming couldn’t help but burst into laughter, only to wince in pain as his wounds split open.

The noblewoman of Duke Ying’s household, who had personally brought over some medicinal soup, couldn’t help but chuckle as she reached the doorway.

She walked in smiling and placed the soup on the table next to the bed. “I didn’t realize at the time that he was a hidden top-tier genius. In fact, I thought you two should have kicked him out of the arena before you settled your match. Fortunately, you didn’t. Otherwise, it would have confirmed the rumor that the two of you combined couldn’t defeat him.”

This made Jing Que’s face turn even redder, and he felt utterly humiliated.

Ying Ming, on the other hand, was more composed. After all, he had a thicker skin, and since he had already been publicly defeated in a single move, he had no more psychological burden.

The noblewoman of Duke Ying’s household said, “A top-level genius like him is destined to become a powerful figure in the future. It would be a shame if you two didn’t try to befriend him.

There are still about twenty days left before the elimination round. Why don’t you two, on behalf of Duke Jing and Duke Ying’s household, host a meeting for the young geniuses? 

Invite Xu Lian and the other top geniuses who have already arrived in the capital to participate in the elimination round. You can also invite some of the geniuses who did well in the preliminary rounds.

Remember that there’s only one position for the royal son-in-law, but there are many unmarried sisters and cousins in your families. 

If they can form connections with these geniuses and marry into their families, it would greatly expand the networks of Duke Jing and Duke Ying’s households.”

Ying Ming and Jing Que exchanged glances, both feeling tempted by the idea.

Jing Que nodded and said, “Thank you for the advice, Auntie. I understand.”

The noblewoman of Duke Ying’s household picked up the now slightly cooled medicinal soup from the table and handed it to Ying Ming, saying, “Drink it yourself,” before leaving.

With his hands stiffly wrapped in bandages, Ying Ming had no choice but to look at Jing Que pleadingly. “Cousin, can you help me?”

Jing Que called to a maid who had been giggling at the door and then left.

A few days later.

Xu Lian received an invitation to a gathering of young geniuses jointly hosted by Duke Jing’s and Duke Ying’s households.

At first, he wanted to decline, but then he thought better of it. After all, he had defeated Ying Ming in a single move, leaving him severely injured. Moreover, the commoners of the capital had been singing his praises nonstop… If he didn’t attend this gathering, it might give people the impression that he was too arrogant, which could harm his chances of becoming the royal son-in-law.

So, he decided to accept the invitation and had the messenger inform Duke Jing’s and Duke Ying’s households that he would attend on time.

During these days, he hadn’t been idle. Besides touring the capital with the three women, he had been focusing on increasing Huo Xin’er’s affection.

Why was he focusing on Huo Xin’er?

Because his single move defeat of Ying Ming had shown Huo Xin’er his true strength, making her admire him even more. This was the perfect time to deepen their relationship.

The results were obvious. Huo Xin’er’s affection for him had risen from 80 to 85, matching Miao Yueyue’s affection level. It was about to reach the 90 mark.

On the day of the meeting.

Xu Lian took the invitation, rented a beast-drawn carriage, and left the inn where he was staying, heading to the venue.

The meeting, jointly hosted by Duke Jing and Duke Ying, was held in a mansion. 

The capital, with its 3,764 levels, wasn’t just made up of streets. In fact, each level was huge, especially the lower levels, which had mountains, forests, rivers, and mansions. So the presence of a mansion wasn’t surprising.

Arriving at the mansion.

Xu Lian handed over the invitation and entered. He realized that he was early, being the first to arrive. However, the place was already set up, with mountains of fine wine and delicacies laid out for self-service… essentially a buffet?

After waiting for a while, just as he finished a glass of wine, Ying Ming and Jing Que arrived, accompanied by a large group of noble ladies.

When they saw Xu Lian, the two of them were stunned for a moment, then quickly walked over.

Ying Ming clasped his hands and smiled. “Thank you for coming, Brother Xu.”

Jing Que also clasped his hands in greeting.

Xu Lian returned the gesture and then looked at Ying Ming with an apologetic expression. “How are your injuries? At that time, I thought you were a decent person and wanted to show you the utmost respect by going all out. I didn’t expect you to get hurt so badly. I’m truly sorry.”

Ying Ming’s mouth twitched as he forced himself to smile. “Brother Xu, you’re too kind. In a sparring match, injuries are inevitable.”

Then.

He gestured to the large group of noble ladies behind him. “You already know Jing Que from the arena. Let me introduce you to the sisters and cousins of Duke Ying and Duke Jing. Each of them is sweet-looking, gentle, and virtuous.”

“…” Xu Lian’s eyes widened as he immediately understood the true purpose of this gathering. The joint hosting by Duke Ying and Duke Jing’s households was essentially a matchmaking event.

Thinking about it, it made sense. Now that the capital was filled with top male geniuses, even prestigious households like Duke Ying’s and Duke Jing’s couldn’t resist the temptation to woo these top talents…

After all, once the royal son-in-law selection was over, these top male geniuses would leave the capital and return home. No doubt, they would become powerful figures in the future.

In terms of strength and influence, they would be no inferior to the two ducal households.

If the daughters of the two households could marry these top male geniuses, it wouldn’t be considered a downgrade. In fact, in some ways, it might even be seen as marrying up.

Jing Que’s face flushed as he averted his gaze, pretending not to know Ying Ming. He couldn’t bring himself to participate in something that felt so much like “pimping”. He left it to Ying Ming to handle the rest.

Ying Ming proceeded to introduce each of the hundred or so sisters and cousins from the two households to Xu Lian. Xu Lian felt a little overwhelmed. Was it really necessary to go into such great detail?

Xu Lian didn’t remember a single one of them. Well, actually, he did remember one – a young girl named Jing Se. There was no helping it. This girl was just too sweet-looking, especially when she smiled, revealing two sharp little canine teeth and a pair of crescent-shaped eyes. Who could resist such an impression? She was truly unforgettable.

She was the direct daughter of Duke Jing’s household, Jing Que’s younger sister.

Noticing Xu Lian’s frequent glances in her direction, Jing Se couldn’t help but ask, “Why do you keep looking at me?”