Stunning the Entire Audience

Because of his stroll through the Chess Court alongside two beautiful women, most of the academy disciples present had already heard Yang Lingrui's name.

Previously, they had felt quite indignant, believing he was merely a lucky toad who had somehow managed to latch onto a pair of swans.

But at this very moment, as they looked upon Yang Lingrui's true features, they were instantly struck dumb.

So he had been using a disguise all along!

Furthermore, he had not concealed his face out of a need to hide flaws or obscure his identity.

It was simply because this face of his was far too dazzling.

Framed by the illusory, shifting visions of the stone, Yang Lingrui's mere presence gave off a dreamlike quality.

After beholding this face, no one could possibly think that Yang Lingrui was the one taking advantage by accompanying Li Qingwan and Feng Linghua.

In fact, some were beginning to feel that when the three stood together, Yang Lingrui was actually the most radiant of them all.

"To think such a countenance truly exists in this world."

"Though it brings me no pleasure to admit it, I must confess that in terms of appearance, I am far inferior to him."

"With such a striking appearance and the talent to trigger a phenomenon from the Dao Comprehension Stone, he truly embodies the very pinnacle of our dynasty's talent and grace!"

Voices of astonishment and praise rose in waves from the crowd.

"Shenglai, you certainly chose your man well!"

Xiao Yize watched Yang Lingrui, who was deep in the throes of comprehension, and nodded repeatedly. "A few days ago, I received a letter from my master saying he had taken in a Junior Brother for me named Yang Lingshu. He belongs to this same Yang family, does he not?"

"Indeed, he is Lingrui's clan brother," He Shenglai replied, nodding.

"Ha! What a marvelous coincidence! You brought one, and I brought one. It seems the elite family seat is already safely within the grasp of the Songshan Yang Family!"

Those who had already seen Yang Lingrui's true face, such as He Shenglai, Su Lingyun, Zi He, and Li Qingwan, remained relatively composed.

But the rest of the crowd was deeply shaken, not least several of the dynasty's top prodigies.

The gazes they directed toward Yang Lingrui held a subtle weight that went far beyond mere surprise.

Murong Qiuhan stood alone, dressed entirely in black and keeping her distance from the crowd. Her pale hands were clasped together, her slender fingers gently turning a gilt ring as her beautiful eyes closely studied Yang Lingrui.

When she had approached the Dao Comprehension Stone earlier, she too had triggered a unique manifestation.

However, due to her sensitive status, Wei Kangping had actively concealed the vision, preventing the other young cultivators from witnessing it.

The phenomenon she had aroused was that of a spirit bird spreading its wings and crying out to the heavens.

"A spirit bird riding the wind..."

She mused silently to herself. "The portents of this omen are quite favorable."

Feng Lingyue was equally dumbfounded upon seeing Yang Lingrui's true appearance.

"How can this be? It was him all along!"

"So back at the treasure ground, he gave a false identity!"

As realization dawned upon her, another thought struck her mind. She hurriedly turned her gaze toward Feng Linghua, who was standing amidst the other academy disciples.

Li Qingwan's gaze shifted to the same spot at that exact moment.

Right now, the attention of nearly everyone present was firmly fixed on Yang Lingrui.

Only the two of them noticed that among the crowd of disciples, Feng Linghua was standing completely still, clutching a painted scroll tightly in both hands while tears streamed silently down her face.

"Linghua, it is fine. Your sister is here."

Feng Lingyue rushed to her side in an instant, taking her weeping sister into a gentle embrace.

"Sister... sob... I..."

"It was all a lie... Sister, there never was a Young Master Lin... there was no such person..."

Feng Linghua choked out the words between her sobs, yet her fingers refused to loosen their desperate grip on the scroll.

Li Qingwan hurried over as well, gently clasping the girl's trembling hands. Seeing Feng Linghua weeping so piteously, like pear blossoms in the rain, a pang of deep sympathy struck her heart.

She turned her head back to look at Yang Lingrui, her eyes filled with a sharp, reproachful glare.

Her look seemed to say, "Look at the fine mess you have made."

At the very front of the academy ranks, Lian Xiaoman and several other prominent disciples who followed Shen Yue were also staring with wide eyes and dropped jaws, their inner calm thoroughly shattered by the revelation of Yang Lingrui's true face.

"He... he... he is actually that good-looking?"

Lian Xiaoman pointed a trembling finger at Yang Lingrui, her voice stuttering heavily.

"There is always a heaven beyond the heavens, and men beyond men... this old saying speaks the absolute truth."

"Hiss-he truly is remarkably handsome. Even when measured against those Senior Brothers in our academy famed for their looks, this man utterly eclipses them!"

Good-looking.

Strikingly good-looking!

As Shen Yue listened to the astonished praise echoing around him, those specific words suddenly struck a chord in his memory.

"He is a very good-looking person."

Li Qingwan's words from that afternoon reverberated clearly within his mind.

Shen Yue's brow twitched. He turned his head sharply, his eyes landing on Li Qingwan, who was currently holding Feng Linghua's hand and offering quiet comfort.

And it was that precise turn of his head that allowed him to catch the exact look Li Qingwan was directing at Yang Lingrui.

In that single instant, Shen Yue understood everything.

Turning back to face Yang Lingrui, the hand he held hidden behind his back suddenly clenched into a tight fist, only to slowly relax a mere breath later.

"Indeed... I cannot compare to him..."

For the first time since his birth, Shen Yue tasted the bitter, hollow sting of absolute defeat in an endeavor.

Over with the Su Family.

Su Lingyun gazed upon Yang Lingrui, who had successfully drawn forth the stone's phenomenon. Though a smooth smile graced his face, the murderous intent swirling within his heart grew immensely heavier.

He was beginning to feel a tremor of regret.

During the illusionary realm of the Dharma Assembly that day, he should have simply killed or crippled Yang Lingrui when he had the chance.

Yet, in Su Lingyun's eyes at that time, Yang Lingrui had been nothing more than an insignificant ant to be crushed at his whim.

He had never given a single thought to a low-born cultivator who had barely reached the Fourth Stage of Qi Gathering, let alone viewed him as a threat.

Who could have foreseen that in a few short years, this youth would grow to a height that forced him to look upon him with genuine wariness?

"You recognize him?" Su Lixue asked as she walked up beside him.

"I do. Why? Have you taken a fancy to the boy?"

Su Lixue rolled her eyes directly at his remark. "I merely wished to remind you that he is a piece on the He Family's board."

"I am well aware."

Seeing that Su Lingyun would not even spare her a glance while speaking, Su Lixue lost all interest in continuing the conversation. She turned on her heel and departed.

Zi He stood apart like a detached observer, quietly watching the myriad reactions of the crowd play out before him.

Yang Lingrui had gone to extraordinary lengths precisely to keep this face of his hidden from the world.

Yet, despite all his meticulous calculations, he had failed to account for this sudden brush with the Dao.

In the end, beneath the watchful eyes of the entire assembly, his true countenance had been laid bare.

Ah... perhaps this is for the best, he thought with a touch of wry amusement. At least he will no longer have to trouble himself with disguises, now that everyone knows.

He simply wondered how many other women-aside from his own unfortunate younger sister and that young maiden from the Painting Court-would end up with broken hearts and tear-stained cheeks because of Yang Lingrui in the days to come.

Just as the whispers regarding Yang Lingrui's appearance reached a peak, the spiritual aura enveloping his body underwent a sudden, dramatic shift.

His cultivation began to surge wildly. Within a matter of breaths, his aura rocketed from the threshold of the Eighth Stage straight toward the very peak of the Eighth Stage!

"Look at that! His cultivation is rising at a terrifying speed!"

"Good heavens! First he triggers a manifestation, and now he has entered a state of sudden Epiphany!"

"To think such a marvel could occur... just how profound is this man's innate comprehension?"

"He has reached the peak of the Eighth Stage... no, he has broken through to the Ninth Stage!"

The spectating disciples could no longer comprehend what they were witnessing.

Any single one of the traits Yang Lingrui had displayed today would be more than enough to stun the world. Yet, every single one of these miraculous qualities was concentrated within a single person, bursting forth all at once in this brief window of time!

Because Wei Kangping had been aware beforehand that Yang Lingrui was actively suppressing his cultivation, he had remained entirely unbothered when the youth's realm first began to climb.

However, when he observed that the surge of spiritual power showed absolutely no signs of slowing down even after crossing into the Ninth Stage, a look of deep, searching interest finally flickered in his eyes.

The moment his spiritual sense swept over the boy, a faint, meaningful smile graced the Elder's face.

"He truly is a child blessed with no shallow Providence. This is a genuine Epiphany."

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