Chapter 104: The Consequences of Full Effort Under Tension
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
The pine forest was expansive, its air tinged with the light fragrance of pine resin. The branches overhead were densely packed with needle-like leaves, resembling clusters of emerald swords. A clear spring trickled gently through the forest, while nearby, a Fire Spring spread silently, its crimson glow illuminating the towering pine trees. The scene was serene and breathtaking, yet no one paid it any attention. The atmosphere was charged with an almost unbearable tension.
No one had expected such an encounter so soon after entering the spiritual cave.
Li Qing Xu, dressed in flowing purple robes and wielding a purple bamboo staff tempered by celestial light, stood with a calm smile. He appeared entirely untroubled, exuding quiet confidence. This time, it wasn’t him being cornered—it was his opponent, Li Qing Yue, who found herself unexpectedly blocked by him and two others.
The two others, however, hadn’t yet acted, seemingly caught off guard by the sudden confrontation. Li Qing Yue, clad in gleaming silver armor, let her dark hair flow freely in the breeze. Without a word, she began advancing toward Li Qing Xu with deliberate, unyielding steps.
Her presence was commanding, her demeanor unshakable. Though her figure was as delicate and graceful as a willow, the armor lent her a forceful aura that was entirely new.
Her entire body radiated a flowing light, parting branches and vines in her path. It was as if the ground beneath her feet paved itself with glowing brilliance, a pathway that extended unbroken toward her adversary.
“Wang Cai Wei likely won’t act. Stay here and don’t follow me,” Li Qing Yue transmitted silently to Qin Ming and her three Golden Armor Protectors.
Qin Ming had already come to the same conclusion—Wang Cai Wei wasn’t likely to intervene. Helping Li Qing Xu would surely strain her relationship with Cui Chong He, and it wasn’t a position she’d want to take.
Zheng Mao Ze, standing nearby, looked uneasy. He wiped his brow nervously, clearly regretting his involvement in such a precarious situation.
He knew full well that killing either Li Qing Yue or Li Qing Xu outright wasn’t possible here. Even if one of them were severely injured, they’d undoubtedly escape the spiritual cave. Taking a side now would only invite trouble.
Zheng Mao Ze weighed his options. Over the past two years, he’d grown closer to Li Qing Xu—a young genius with an extraordinarily protective and terrifying master. However, Li Qing Yue’s meteoric rise also made her a formidable opponent, one who wouldn’t hesitate to confront anyone head-on.
After some hesitation, the slightly stout Zheng Mao Ze spoke up. “We’re all friends, aren’t we? Old companions from the past. There’s no need for hostility.”
Qin Ming raised an eyebrow. That certainly fit Zheng Mao Ze’s character. Despite his rough and blunt appearance, he was thoughtful and calculating.
Zheng Mao Ze had also noticed Wang Cai Wei’s reluctance to act. He knew her better than most—she had always maintained an impeccable image, rarely showing anger or frustration. She was, after all, the esteemed scion of the Wang Family, and her reputation mattered greatly.
Several factors convinced him she wouldn’t join the fray. Firstly, Li Qing Yue had confronted Li Qing Xu to settle an old score related to Qin Ming, an old acquaintance of theirs. Wang Cai Wei, being part of that history, wouldn’t want to be seen siding against Li Qing Yue—it might tarnish her reputation as someone cold or disloyal. Secondly, Li Qing Xu was already being targeted by several core disciples. His chances of claiming the near-immortal artifact were slim, while Li Qing Yue remained a top contender. Aligning against her would only create long-term problems.
True to his prediction, Wang Cai Wei, clad in sleek black armor, smiled warmly. Her radiant expression felt like a spring breeze, disarming and reassuring.
She stepped forward to mediate. “We were all close once, weren’t we? Why let this place divide us? Together, we’d be unstoppable. Isn’t cooperation better than conflict?”
Li Qing Yue, still advancing, briefly smiled at Wang Cai Wei and nodded at Zheng Mao Ze in acknowledgment of their words. But her focus remained unshaken—her steps carried her resolutely toward Li Qing Xu.
Li Qing Xu sighed inwardly. This was not unexpected. Despite the veneer of diplomacy, he knew there was no avoiding this confrontation. He had to face Li Qing Yue.
He was, of course, exceptionally strong. Without his abilities, Tang Xu Mi, Jiang Sheng Yu, and others wouldn’t have joined forces against him.
With a calm, expressionless face, Li Qing Xu glanced at Wang Cai Wei but said nothing. He then turned to Zheng Mao Ze and transmitted a silent message through a secret technique.
Zheng Mao Ze’s expression shifted as he processed the words.
Li Qing Xu had invoked his master, the notoriously protective and fearsome elder, who still stood at the height of his power. He promised Zheng Mao Ze immediate rewards that would elevate his strength significantly.
Fear of Li Qing Xu’s master, combined with the allure of tangible benefits, caused Zheng Mao Ze’s resolve to waver. His face tightened as he made his decision.
“I’m sorry, Qing Yue. I have my reasons. But don’t worry—I won’t truly harm you or risk injuring your strength. I’m just here to show my presence.” He transmitted his justification, ready to act.
Beside him stood He Tai, a fearsome fighter who had mastered the Sky Ape Force. Renowned as a future martial arts master, He Tai had already slain Outer Saints during his Awakening Stage. He stepped forward confidently.
As He Tai, invited by the Zheng Family, prepared to engage, Zheng Mao Ze gave him further instructions. “Don’t attack her directly. Focus on keeping her four Golden Armor Protectors busy. Just stall them.”
However, Li Qing Yue’s icy expression shifted. Her gaze turned to He Tai, and she altered her path, charging toward him instead of Li Qing Xu.
It was clear she wasn’t about to let him harm her team.
Sensing her approach, He Tai unleashed his Sky Ape Force. His body surged with celestial energy, and his eyes gleamed with a savage light. The force radiating from him caused nearby pine trees to shatter and the ground to tremble.
Zheng Mao Ze quickly sent another transmission to Li Qing Yue. “I told him not to harm your people. I swear I’m being truthful. He won’t use his full strength.”
Reluctantly, Li Qing Yue believed him. Her Spiritual Eyes, trained to detect deception, confirmed his sincerity. Without a word, she turned back toward Li Qing Xu, rushing forward.
The forest glowed with radiant light as Li Qing Yue advanced. Gone was the ethereal grace of a celestial maiden—her aura now radiated undeniable power, commanding and fierce.
Li Qing Xu smiled faintly. While he didn’t have absolute confidence in defeating Li Qing Yue, having Zheng Mao Ze on his side tipped the balance in his favor.
In high-stakes combat, even a slight advantage could decide the outcome. And with Zheng Mao Ze’s support, the odds shifted significantly.
“Li Qing Yue, it seems you’ll be the first to fall,” Li Qing Xu remarked, his smile widening.
The vast pine forest exuded a faint aroma of resin. The dense clusters of pine needles on the branches looked like emerald swords, their presence imposing and serene. A clear spring meandered gently through the trees, while a Fire Spring flowed silently nearby, its crimson haze casting a fiery glow over the ancient forest. The scenery was stunningly beautiful, yet no one had the leisure to admire it. The atmosphere was electric with tension, gripping every soul present.
No one expected this encounter to happen so soon after entering the spiritual cave.
Li Qing Xu, dressed in striking purple robes that fluttered with the wind, stood with a calm smile, his purple bamboo staff forged with celestial light gleaming in his hand. His hair shimmered as if bathed in ethereal light, and a quiet power radiated from him.
He was not the one being cornered this time; instead, his adversary, Li Qing Yue, had unexpectedly found herself blocked by him and his allies.
The two allies had yet to act, seemingly caught off guard by this sudden confrontation. Li Qing Yue, wearing brilliant silver armor, her hair flowing with the breeze, said nothing as she advanced steadily toward Li Qing Xu.
She exuded confidence and strength. While her slender frame appeared delicate as a willow, the armor enhanced her presence, transforming her into a commanding figure. This was a side of her no one had seen before.
Her entire body glowed with divine light, parting vines and branches as she moved forward. The earth beneath her seemed to pave itself into a glowing path, expanding toward her opponent.
“Wang Cai Wei is unlikely to intervene. Stay back,” Li Qing Yue transmitted silently to Qin Ming and her three Golden Armor Protectors.
Qin Ming had already deduced as much. Wang Cai Wei, despite her potential alignment with Li Qing Xu, wouldn’t make such a bold move that might alienate others.
Nearby, Zheng Mao Ze wiped his brow nervously, clearly unsettled by the tense situation.
How did it come to this? He found himself in an impossible position—choosing a side here would only create lasting conflicts. On one hand, he had grown closer to Li Qing Xu over the past two years, drawn by his extraordinary talent and the terrifying reputation of his master. On the other hand, Li Qing Yue’s rapid rise made her a formidable figure who could hold her own against any opponent.
After some deliberation, Zheng Mao Ze, his stout figure standing firm, spoke up. “We’re all old friends. Isn’t there a way to resolve this without hostility?”
Qin Ming observed the exchange quietly. This response matched Zheng Mao Ze’s personality—blunt yet thoughtful beneath the surface.
Wang Cai Wei, standing nearby in black armor, smiled warmly, her radiant expression like the warmth of spring. She stepped forward, attempting to mediate. “We’ve all known each other for so long. Why let this divide us? Imagine how powerful we’d be if we worked together instead of against one another.”
Li Qing Yue, still advancing, offered a faint smile at Wang Cai Wei and nodded toward Zheng Mao Ze, acknowledging their words but remaining resolute.
Li Qing Xu, meanwhile, sighed internally. He had anticipated this dynamic but knew he couldn’t avoid a confrontation with Li Qing Yue. A battle between them was inevitable.
Though outnumbered, Li Qing Yue exuded confidence, her divine radiance intensifying as she approached. Meanwhile, Zheng Mao Ze, faced with silent pressure from Li Qing Xu, reluctantly moved into position alongside his allies.
To Zheng Mao Ze, the stakes were high. Li Qing Xu’s terrifying master had promised rewards, and his loyalty was swayed.
Nearby, He Tai, a prodigious master of Sky Ape Force, moved to flank Li Qing Yue. Renowned for his combat prowess, He Tai had earned a reputation as a future martial arts master after slaying an Outer Saint during his Awakening Stage. His imposing presence only added to the tension.
As the battle loomed, Li Qing Yue shifted her focus toward He Tai, clearly concerned he might target Qin Ming and her other protectors. With calculated precision, she surged toward him.
He Tai sensed the impending clash and responded by unleashing his Sky Ape Force, celestial energy bursting from his body. His wild eyes glowed with primal energy, and the shockwaves of his power shattered nearby pine trees.
“Li Qing Yue, don’t worry! He Tai won’t harm your team—I swear it,” Zheng Mao Ze transmitted urgently. His voice carried genuine sincerity, enough to momentarily ease her wariness.
Still, her Spiritual Eyes confirmed his words were truthful. With a sharp pivot, she redirected her charge toward Li Qing Xu.
The battlefield erupted as both combatants clashed. The pine forest trembled, trees splintered, and rocks shattered under the sheer force of their celestial energy.
Meanwhile, Qin Ming decided to act. He hurled four short spears into the fray with a thunderous force, each weapon cutting through the air like lightning.
The four Golden Armor Protectors defending Li Qing Xu were formidable opponents, but Li Qing Yue’s sudden intervention disrupted their formation. Even so, they managed to deflect Qin Ming’s attack, their weapons clashing with his spears in a deafening collision that sent the projectiles skidding into nearby trees.
Realizing his raw strength wasn’t enough, Qin Ming gripped his Bronze Staff tightly and charged forward, ready to fight.
The battle grew chaotic. Li Qing Yue held her ground against both Li Qing Xu and Zheng Mao Ze, driving the fight closer to the Golden Armor Protectors.
Fueled by determination, Qin Ming pushed himself harder. “Let’s see if I can’t handle one of these so-called Outer Saints,” he muttered to himself. Memories of his last grueling fight in the desert flashed in his mind—he had paid a steep price but emerged victorious.
With renewed focus, he swung his Bronze Staff at the closest protector, only to see it shatter in half under a single strike from the opponent’s weapon—a halberd radiating celestial light.
Shock rippled through Qin Ming. His trusted weapon, forged with reinforced metals, had been destroyed so easily. The Golden Armor Protector, a young man wielding the halberd, sneered coldly as his celestial light extended beyond the weapon’s blade.
Undeterred, Qin Ming pressed forward, his Unified Celestial Light Force surging within him.
The Golden Armor Protector hesitated, clearly startled by Qin Ming’s unexpected strength. Seeing the opening, Qin Ming closed the distance, his celestial force erupting in a powerful blow that shattered the opponent’s defenses.
A burst of light from the protector’s armor saved him from a fatal blow, the defensive runes activating just in time. But Qin Ming didn’t relent. He targeted the opponent’s exposed hand, sending waves of celestial energy coursing through his body.
The result was devastating. The Golden Armor Protector let out a bloodcurdling scream as his body disintegrated within the protective armor, reduced to nothing but blood and dust.
The battlefield fell silent for a moment. The tide had shifted, and Qin Ming, though shaken, stood tall.
“Well, that wasn’t as bad as I thought,” he muttered, his confidence slowly replacing the lingering tension.
The skirmish was far from over, but the power dynamics had changed. Qin Ming had proven his strength, altering the course of the fight.