Volume Two: Emerging Talents Chapter 0045: Invitation

Famed from a single battle, his name resounded throughout Xishan County. At the very least, every martial artist who came to this place knew of the event: a young warrior had defeated the renowned Whirlwind Leg, Elder Yang Cong. A rising star had just appeared, and some even dug up his hometown—Beihai.

For the first time, the name Qin Yang of Beihai entered the public eye.

Returning to his room, he announced his intent to seclude himself. Battle was the best method to elevate one’s own strength. He gained much insight, and what delighted him most was his understanding of the power of thunder.

Yang Cong believed that comprehending the thunder’s might would inevitably lead him into the Dao, but it was not so. Qin Yang’s ambition extended far beyond; although stepping into the Dao realm allowed him to grasp other attributes, as long as he remained uncommitted, he was free to pursue the myriad paths, a simplicity unmatched. Once he settled on a path, seeking to comprehend other Daos would become exponentially more difficult.

Moreover, the Dao had nine levels, each a world of its own. Even without entering the Dao realm, he could still greatly increase his strength.

As night gradually fell, he had fully comprehended the power of thunder—the first level of the thunder Dao. He was about to bathe when suddenly his phone rang. Unexpectedly, it was Ye Meier calling. Though puzzled, he answered and soon slipped quietly out.

At night, Xishan County transformed into a city that never slept. Ancient streets thronged with traffic and crowds; some even set up stalls, creating an atmosphere of unparalleled bustle.

After asking seven or eight people, he finally found the Xishan Bar Ye Meier had mentioned.

Ye Meier sat at the bar. Her exquisite face and stunning figure, especially with the bar’s high temperature prompting her to shed her coat and reveal a black shirt and black stockings, made her irresistibly alluring.

She ordered a cocktail. After a day of negotiations, she sought a bit of relaxation. Of all she knew here, only Qin Yang was someone she could converse with comfortably.

Soothing music played as Qin Yang finally arrived, his eyes scanning the surroundings, instantly spotting Ye Meier. His brows furrowed; at that moment, she was being harassed by several street punks.

Spotting Qin Yang’s arrival, Ye Meier brightened with delight, like a young girl.

Witnessing this, Qin Yang couldn’t help but laugh. Ye Meier, after all, was the CEO of a multi-billion corporation; such playful expressions hadn’t appeared for years.

Not only Qin Yang, but even the surrounding punks were stunned.

An extraordinary beauty.

“Kid, I advise you not to meddle, or you’ll regret it,” threatened the red-haired youth, his gaze sharp.

The two beside him followed suit, grabbing beer bottles. “Kid, we’re from the Xishan Society. Judging by your look, you must be an outsider. If you come here as a dragon, you must coil; if a tiger, you must crouch.”

He laughed. If such words came from a martial arts elder, he might take them seriously, but these were ordinary men, wildly arrogant. He sneered, “Have you never heard the saying? ‘No fierce dragon crosses the river; only a true dragon dares to cross.’”

“Now, Xishan County belongs to the martial artists. For you street punks to come out is tantamount to courting death. Offending a martial artist—I can tell you plainly, you might not even know how you died.”

Ni Shuai’s body trembled; he understood these truths. His boss had warned him long ago. If not for the sight of such a stunning beauty, he wouldn’t have dared show himself.

Now, with the beauty before him, he couldn’t simply accept Qin Yang’s words. Times were chaotic; what if the other was bluffing?

He thought quickly, exchanging glances with the other two.

They understood, and together raised their beer bottles to strike Qin Yang.

His gaze flashed like lightning, the world around them blurred. The two seemed to enter a hellish abyss, immediately wailing in terror.

Flailing helplessly, their eyes hollow, faces twisted with fear.

Ye Meier laughed, seeing this. She was no martial artist and knew nothing of what transpired. “Qin Yang, are those two possessed? Why are they dancing?”

“Perhaps,” he replied.

The red-haired youth’s face changed drastically. He hadn’t cared for Qin Yang’s warning, but now realized he’d hit a hard wall. His expression was uglier than crying. “Bro, big bro, could you let my brothers go?”

Qin Yang smiled, “I can let them go, but how shall we settle your offense against me?”

The red-haired youth instantly knelt. He was just a punk, not ready to die. “Big bro, I was wrong.”

Just as Qin Yang was about to let them go, a stranger approached.

His stride was that of a dragon, his step a tiger’s. Two miniature whirlwinds hung at his waist, clad in a white suit, his delicate skin even finer than Qin Yang’s, his face wreathed in a smile.

He glanced past Qin Yang, fixing his gaze on Ye Meier. “Hello, beautiful. My name is Shangguan Yu. Pleased to meet you.”

“Get lost,” Qin Yang interjected, his words carrying double meaning. The red-haired youth grabbed his two subordinates and fled, especially the two who looked at Qin Yang with eyes full of terror—they swore never to cross paths with him again.

“Sorry, I don’t wish to know you,” Ye Meier replied.

Shangguan Yu, undeterred, kept smiling. “Ye Meier, female, twenty-seven. Five years ago, married into the Bai family of Bincheng. Her husband died in a car accident that very day. Afterwards, she took charge of the Bai family business, doubling its value annually, rising from assets in the billions to an estimated two hundred billion. Every investment she made paid off handsomely.”

“This time, she came to Xishan County to invest in real estate. Negotiations with Jinghe Company went poorly. Allow me to introduce myself: I am Shangguan Yu, future heir of Jinghe Group.”

Ye Meier’s anger flared. He had investigated her without permission, crossing her bottom line.

Her eyes brimmed with disgust. “Sorry, I don’t wish to know you.”

What?

Shangguan Yu was shocked. He couldn’t believe his ears; this tactic had never failed before, yet here it faltered.

His cultivation required the absorption of yin to supplement yang; the purer the woman, the greater his strength would grow through union.

His brows furrowed, his face darkened. “In that case, Director Ye, let me be blunt: your company won’t enter Xishan County.”

A low laugh escaped him, only then noticing the young man beside Ye Meier. Shangguan Yu’s brows knitted, displeasure written all over his face. “Why are you laughing?”

“I laugh at those who don’t know their limits. You think you can rule all of Xishan County with a single hand? You’re still too green.” With just a glance, Qin Yang could tell Shangguan Yu was no good—surely he’d ruined many young women over the years.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have reached the peak of the Heavenly Enlightenment realm at such a young age.

His gaze upon Ye Meier was lecherous; it was clear his motives for approaching her were anything but pure.

“And who are you to comment on my affairs? My business is none of yours,” Shangguan Yu snapped, barely containing his anger in front of the beauty.

Qin Yang’s smile faded, his voice icy, the air seeming to freeze. “My name is Qin Yang.”

Shangguan Yu’s eyes narrowed sharply at the name. The reputation of Qin Yang from Beihai had spread across Xishan County that day. He never expected to meet him at night, and more importantly, to find him connected to Ye Meier.

Ye Meier had become his obsession.

“I’ve heard Qin Yang of Beihai is formidable—even Whirlwind Leg Yang Cong was no match. Is it true?”

“You’re welcome to try.”