Volume Two: First Signs of Brilliance Chapter 0049: The Competition

State Guest Hotel

Wang Hao’s eyes were wide with shock, his gaze filled with disbelief. He had long since given up hope that Qin Yang would return; in his moments of despair, the man had suddenly reappeared before him, alive and unscathed, as if nothing had happened.

“Qin Yang, you’re all right! That’s wonderful. Where have you been these past few days? I was worried sick about you.”

Watching Wang Hao, especially seeing the genuine concern in his eyes, Qin Yang was moved. “Brother Wang, you’re asking so many questions, how am I supposed to answer them all? Let me go back to my room and take a shower first—I’ll explain everything afterwards.”

Whistling softly, he was halfway through his shower when suddenly the bathroom door was pulled open.

His eyes flew wide with alarm; he hurriedly snatched up a towel to wrap around himself.

What on earth is going on?

Standing before him was a woman—none other than the enchantress herself.

Her eyes went wide as well, and with a startled cry, she stumbled backward several steps.

Though she was no longer young, she remained quite innocent at heart. She had never seen a man’s body before. Flustered, she stammered, “W-what are you doing in my room?”

“Shameless.”

“Pervert.”

“Lecher.”

She hastily shut the bathroom door, rinsed the shampoo from her hair, and strode out.

At this moment, the enchantress was sitting cross-legged on the sofa, a frosty expression on her face.

“Well? Care to explain?”

He pulled out a chair and countered, “Explain what?”

“This is my room. I find it very strange that you ended up here. Even if you wanted to investigate me, there was no need to sneak in and spy on me in the shower.”

“Spy on you in the shower?” Her eyes widened. “Hmph, with that ugly body of yours, I wouldn’t want to look even if you begged me. Frankly, I have every reason to suspect you crept in here with ill intentions.”

“What?” Qin Yang blinked, then snorted, “Ill intentions—toward you?”

“Not interested.”

“And you say this is your room—what’s your room number, then?”

“8826.”

“Miss, would you please pay more attention? This is room 8828. Kindly show yourself out, and close the door on your way.”

Hearing this, the enchantress’s lovely face was filled with disbelief. She had entered with her keycard—how could she be mistaken? Suddenly, she glanced at the door and saw the number: 8828.

Her cheeks flushed a deep red. Had she really made a mistake?

“Hmph, self-important fool.”

She lifted her chin like a triumphant hen and marched out.

The secluded courtyard was truly unique, a world apart from the withering world outside—a realm unto itself.

Wang Hao recounted the events of that day, his heart full of gratitude as he looked at Wang Kun and Shao Bing.

Shao Bing smiled at Qin Yang. “No need for words of thanks. If you really want to show your gratitude, let’s have a spar.”

“I’ve long wanted to test your mysterious martial techniques.”

Shao Bing’s eyes shone with excitement. He had been at the Intermediate Initiate level for many years without breaking through. For some reason, since Qin Yang’s appearance, he felt a certain resonance.

He glanced at Wang Kun, who clearly shared the same thought.

Qin Yang smiled wryly, helpless. “Gentlemen, you are both esteemed seniors. I am but a novice in the martial path—please, show me some mercy.”

Hearing his self-deprecating words, the two men burst out laughing. “Qin Yang, there’s no need to belittle yourself. If you’re a novice, then we two old men are not even that.”

“Till now, we’ve only comprehended one Dao intent each. You, on the other hand, have grasped two. In time, you are sure to become a truly outstanding figure.”

“Outstanding figure?”

Wang Kun noticed Qin Yang’s confusion and smiled. “In the world of ancient martial arts, there are four such outstanding figures, each with the potential to reach the Profound Realm.”

Wang Kun was about to continue when a deep voice came from outside the door: “The four prodigies are Zhang Kuang of the Heavenly Martial Sect, Yu Chen of the Yu family, Leng Qianyou of the Demonic Sect, and Wu Jian of the Sword Sect.”

These four had all mastered multiple Dao intents, their ambitions immense. They refused to step into the Initiate Realm for now, but in terms of strength and ability, they were among the top even within that circle.

The deep voice belonged to Yang Cong. Although there had been some unpleasantness between him and Qin Yang in the past, now both had left all grievances behind. Yang Cong nodded to Qin Yang, sat down, and continued, “Of the four, Zhang Kuang is the strongest. He is a core disciple of the Heavenly Martial Sect, has received numerous resources, is upright and straightforward—a true martial arts fanatic.”

Such temperament is ideal for martial cultivation.

Rumor has it among the martial world that Yu Chen is the most enigmatic of the four, having already comprehended three Dao intents, and is rumored to be seeking a fourth. Whether true or not, no one can say.

There is, however, another bit of news: Leng Qianyou, one of the four prodigies, has arrived in Xishan County.

The revelation was explosive.

Each of the four was legendary in the ancient martial world. If word got out, it would cause an uproar among martial artists everywhere.

They were the brightest stars of the martial world, with countless admirers—especially Leng Qianyou, an infamous enchantress with an enormous following.

Hearing this, Qin Yang felt his blood boil with excitement. To face such geniuses would be a true test, a rare chance to hone his own martial path.

Shao Bing waited until Yang Cong had finished, then dragged Qin Yang toward the training grounds below.

“Qin Yang, my signature technique is the Five Elements Staff. Pick any weapon you like, so you don’t feel I’m taking advantage of you.”

The training grounds were lined with weapons of every kind, but none caught Qin Yang’s eye.

He summoned Ink Dragon to his hand and smiled. “I’ll stick to my own.”

Shao Bing frowned. His Five Elements Staff, forged on the principles of the five elements, was long and formidable. If Qin Yang used only a dagger, it would put him at a disadvantage. “Qin Yang, why not pick another? My cultivation is higher than yours—if my weapon is superior too, isn’t that a bit unfair?”

“Senior Shao, haven’t you heard the saying, ‘an inch shorter, an inch more dangerous’?”

“And don’t underestimate my Ink Dragon—it has accompanied me through many battles and claimed many lives.”

Seeing Qin Yang’s confident smile, Shao Bing laughed heartily. “Very well, that was presumptuous of me. Let’s begin.”

Wang Kun and Yang Cong both sat up straight, faces alight with anticipation.

Yang Cong in particular, having lost to Qin Yang before, was eager to know the extent of Qin Yang’s abilities. He knew Qin Yang had grasped a Dao intent, but not which one.

By now, Shao Bing was already in motion, his Five Elements Staff whistling through the air, sharp gleams slicing in all directions.

He had mastered the gold aspect of the five elements—gold signifying relentless sharpness.

The wind stung like blades across the face.

Golden Staff.

His staffwork was fierce and overwhelming, impenetrable. Combined with its terrifying sharpness, no one dared to face it directly. Shao Bing’s assault was relentless, his technique seamless as he swung at Qin Yang.

Bang!

Ink Dragon flicked upward, blocking the strike. The force drove Qin Yang back, sliding more than ten meters before he came to a stop.

“Heh, interesting.” Shao Bing smiled. That was only a probing strike; if this was all Qin Yang could do, he wouldn’t take him seriously.

The staff techniques changed again, like a king of the forest. In the air, golden light coalesced into a roaring lion, its razor claws crashing down, blotting out the sky.

Wang Hao stood to the side, face flushed with excitement—he’d never have witnessed such a battle, were it not for Qin Yang.

Qin Yang activated Gale Steps, his body moving with subtle precision. Wang Kun and Yang Cong watched intently; though each of Qin Yang’s movements was small, he managed to dodge every attack, his footwork flawless.

Suddenly, he pushed off with his legs, body darting aside.

At that moment, Ink Dragon turned blood-red in his grip, murderous intent swirling like a hellish abyss.

The Way of Slaughter.

Yang Cong’s hand trembled with shock—The Way of Slaughter was one of the ten supreme Dao paths.

He hadn’t expected Qin Yang to master it. Shao Bing’s face was alight with excitement as he shouted, “Good!”

His attacks became even faster, holding nothing back.

Now Qin Yang too unleashed his full strength, activating the Berserker Body; his aura surged. The two traded blows, fierce and lively.

“Exhilarating! But the pressure is still lacking. Senior Wang, join us!”

Without hesitation, Wang Kun accepted Qin Yang’s invitation and joined the fray. He had long wished to test himself in such a contest.

With the pressure mounting, Qin Yang felt no anxiety—only exhilaration.

The will to fight soared, blood and energy surging like a tide.