Chapter 160: A Friendly Exchange
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
“Let him use one hand?” The words reverberated through the arena. It wasn’t just Li Dao Cheng who found it unbearable; even the disciples from the Exotic Immortal Lands rose to their feet, clearly agitated.
On the lapis lazuli-paved floor, the young man in green robes stood with one hand behind his back, the other raised casually, wearing a radiant smile. How could the target of this provocation, Li Dao Cheng, endure such humiliation? He stood up immediately, his voice filled with urgency.
“Elder, let me go down there! I’ve mastered the Wrestling Immortal Sutra, and I can face anyone from the Six Rulers Ancestor Court!” he pleaded passionately.
The elder from the Exotic Immortal Lands narrowed his eyes, clearly displeased. This turn of events was unexpected. They had always been the dominant force, yet today, someone was openly mocking them.
“Enough. Today’s matches end here,” the elder declared, shaking his head firmly, refusing to let Li Dao Cheng enter the fray.
He feared that even Li Dao Cheng might not prevail. A defeat would strip away their dignity entirely, leaving them exposed and vulnerable. His own spiritual senses were restrained within the Six Rulers Ancestor Court. With watchful ancient eyes monitoring his every move, probing the background of this green-robed youth was out of the question.
Still, his instincts told him the young man was no ordinary opponent. The elder’s sharp intuition sensed a formidable presence, perhaps a hidden trump card of the Six Rulers Ancestor Court, deliberately unleashed to dismantle the challengers.
“I’m standing here with both hands behind my back. So what?” Qin Ming, alias Qi Zi Zai, said boldly, his large sleeves swaying as he crossed both hands behind him. His calm confidence stirred a wave of surprise. Was he really implying he would only fight with his legs?
Disciples of the Six Rulers Ancestor Court erupted in excitement. This junior brother of theirs was fearless, a rare and powerful seed-level figure unlike anything they’d seen in years. The tables had turned; for once, it was the Exotic Lands who were being looked down upon.
The arena was bathed in the fiery glow of mist-like clouds, the splendor framing the green-robed youth like a celestial being. Qin Ming stood there, chin slightly raised, exuding an air of utter dominance.
“He’s so arrogant!” Luo Yao, a white-clothed girl, couldn’t help but mutter, grinding her teeth in frustration. Her anger mirrored that of Li Dao Cheng, who was seething.
Indeed, the Exotic Immortal Lands disciples were at their breaking point. Top disciples clamored for a chance to prove themselves. They were used to looking down on the New Awakening Path, seeing it as the route of those who had failed to ascend the Immortal Path.
Yet now, they were being disrespected in return.
But Mu Huai Jin, the elder, held firm. His gaze swept over the gathered disciples, his tone calm yet firm. “As Immortal Path disciples, how can you act so rashly? This is nothing but a minor exchange. Why let it bother you?”
He continued, his voice measured. “He lacks the fortune to tread the Immortal Path and relies on physical mutations for his strength. It’s natural for such individuals to rise quickly early on. But from the Outer Saint level onward, their progress slows. By the third realm, he’ll struggle to keep up with even the youngest of you.”
These words, conveyed through a private transmission, calmed the disciples. Defeat in such exchanges became trivial, a fleeting scene on the grand Immortal Path. Yet why did this fleeting scene feel so vexing?
Qin Ming’s taunts rang out again, fanning the flames of their indignation.
“I stand here, Qi Zi Zai, and ask: is there not a single Celestial Scholar willing to face me?” His voice echoed confidently, provoking even the calmest of the Exotic Immortal Lands disciples.
“No one dares to step forward? The so-called Immortal Path, with its boundless light illuminating the night sky, yet not one of you will fight?” Qin Ming continued. Luo Yao clenched her fists tightly, while Li Dao Cheng’s purple hair fluttered in anger. The other disciples were equally enraged.
The name Qi Zi Zai was destined to linger in their minds, a source of bitterness they would struggle to forget.
Mu Huai Jin’s efforts were in vain. The disciples, now thoroughly incited, rose to their feet. “Qi Zi Zai, I’ll—” one core disciple began, only to be silenced as Mu Huai Jin pressed a hand to his shoulder.
“Sit down,” the elder commanded.
Qin Ming sighed inwardly. His provocations were aimed at luring Li Dao Cheng into the arena, hoping to stir his emotions enough to win the Wrestling Immortal Sutra. Yet the Exotic Immortal Lands elder was too cautious, refusing to take the bait despite everything.
Frustrated by their restraint, even Mu Huai Jin seemed tempted to step into the fray himself.
Meanwhile, the disciples of the Six Rulers Ancestor Court celebrated Qin Ming, praising him as a seed-level genius, a beacon of hope for their sect’s future. Yet Lu Zi Zai, a senior disciple, couldn’t help but frown. This name, Qi Zi Zai, felt unnecessarily ostentatious.
It was at this moment that Qin Ming extended one hand again. Retracting four fingers, he pointed one skyward—a gesture that needed no explanation. It was a prelude to another bold declaration.
“That’s enough. Step down,” someone whispered to him. Continuing further would only complicate matters.
Reluctantly, Qin Ming lowered his finger, turned around, and walked away. His retreat left behind an indelible image: an elegant, untouchable silhouette that would remain etched in everyone’s memories.
Behind him, the young disciples of the Six Rulers Ancestor Court chanted his name with fervor.
To Qin Ming, these audacious words and actions carried no weight. After all, as Qi Zi Zai, he could act as boldly as he pleased.
He thought the exchange had concluded, but to his surprise, an elder approached him not long after with news of another meeting—a so-called “friendly exchange.”
Qin Ming couldn’t help but feel a sense of resignation. The matter wasn’t over yet. Even the Six Rulers Ancestor Court elders hadn’t anticipated their polite invitation being so readily accepted by the other side.
Eager to get a closer look at Qi Zi Zai, Mu Huai Jin and the others were intrigued by the possibility that the once-stagnant Six Rulers Dao Ground might finally produce a figure who could revive its glory—a potential founder of a new era.
The grand hall of the lapis lazuli palace was vast, with thick columns engraved with ancient depictions of pseudo-divine creatures, exuding an air of antiquity.
The scent of tea wafted from the ebony tea table, mingling with the cheerful conversation of the elders present. Although the atmosphere seemed cordial, the three elders from the Exotic Immortal Lands were anything but pleased. Each of them sat with a wizened elder from the Six Rulers Ancestor Court, who stayed close enough to seem almost like companions. Their proximity was no accident—these old men were there to prevent the Exotic Immortal Lands elders from using their spiritual senses to probe the Six Rulers disciples.
Qin Ming arrived, his enthusiasm undimmed. The Exotic Lands disciples were also present, including the silver-armored girl who had been severely injured by the backlash of her Purple Core Thunderfire technique. Even those who had sustained grave injuries had been brought here.
In addition to Qin Ming, notable disciples like Zhuo Ya and Cui Chong Xuan had also come. Over a dozen disciples from the Six Rulers Ancestor Court were in attendance, adding to the anticipation.
Zhou Shi Ze suggested, “Perhaps we should leave this space to the younger generation. With us here, they might feel inhibited.” He then escorted Mu Huai Jin and the other elders to another area to enjoy their tea.
Qin Ming’s eyes sparkled with excitement as he surveyed his opponents, most of whom regarded him with clear hostility. Rising to his feet, he raised his cup and said with a bright smile, “Since we’ve already fought and come to know one another, let me offer this tea as a substitute for wine and extend my apologies.”
As the elders left the room, Qin Ming felt an even greater thrill of anticipation. Alone among his opponents, he embraced the challenge eagerly.
The younger disciples of the Six Rulers Ancestor Court were impressed by his audacity. Watching him stride into the midst of his rivals, tea cup in hand, they couldn’t help but admire him.
“This Brother Qi is truly extraordinary,” Cui Chong Xuan murmured, his eyes gleaming with respect. He had witnessed several of Qi Zi Zai’s battles and was in awe of his overwhelming strength and dominance.
Meanwhile, the disciples from the Exotic Immortal Lands were seething, some still bearing grudges from their earlier defeats. Several were visibly agitated, their battle armor clinking faintly as their spiritual energies flared.
But Qin Ming remained unperturbed. With no elders present, he doubted they would dare act recklessly within the Six Rulers Ancestor Court. Smiling radiantly, he addressed them.
“The past battles are insignificant to me; they’ve already vanished from my mind. Why cling to such trivialities? The road ahead is long, and if you wish to approach immortality, you’ll need boundless freedom and composure.”
The audacity of his change in demeanor left them unsettled. Yet his words carried a certain truth that they found difficult to refute.
Raising his cup, he continued, “Cultivation is about overcoming the mountains within our hearts, one after another. Let go of these fleeting victories and defeats—what do they truly matter?”
The disciples of the Six Rulers Ancestor Court were filled with admiration. This was what it meant to have vision—Qi Zi Zai lived up to his name, embodying freedom and composure.
Even the disciples from the Exotic Immortal Lands softened slightly, finding him less unbearable. However, their brief change of heart was short-lived.
“You must all work harder,” Qin Ming declared with a smirk. “I would hate for the day to come when you view my back as though it were separated by an unbridgeable chasm.”
Some of the Exotic Lands disciples, who had begun to respond to his “goodwill” with sips of tea, nearly spat it out in outrage. His arrogance had only grown!
The Six Rulers disciples were equally shocked. This Brother Qi was fearless! Standing amidst his rivals, he dared to provoke them further. They quickly moved closer, ready to intervene should tensions escalate.
For Qin Ming, it was all part of his plan. He wanted the Wrestling Immortal Sutra, and to seize it, he needed to stir emotions to their peak, creating dramatic highs and lows among his opponents.
Nearby, Luo Yao clenched her fists, her brows furrowed as she ground her teeth in frustration. She longed to punch that radiant smile off his face. Yet as she glanced at the Exotic Lands disciples surrounding him, she realized she might be in greater danger standing so close to him.
His words sounded hauntingly familiar. Then it struck her—months ago, in the Black and White Mountain, she had said something similar to a young man.
“This…!” she thought, her indignation growing. To be scorned by someone from the New Awakening Path was one thing, but the opponent’s radiant battle record only made it worse.
Turning his attention to Li Dao Cheng, Qin Ming added, “Your Wrestling Immortal Sutra isn’t bad, but none of you have truly mastered it.”
Li Dao Cheng was his primary target. As a top-tier aberrant and a key disciple, he was sure to possess valuable techniques.
But despite his simmering anger, Li Dao Cheng’s spiritual consciousness, enveloped in a haze of violet mist, kept him composed. His extraordinary willpower left Qin Ming disappointed. Without wasting further time, he turned away, seeking another opportunity.
The silver-armored girl caught his eye. He couldn’t ignore the allure of the Purple Core Thunderfire. Adding it to his Wind-Thunder Force would make for a formidable combination.
“You have a remarkable technique,” Qin Ming remarked to her. “But I can see flaws in your method, leaving hidden dangers. That’s why you fell so easily to me.”
Her delicate features, marred by the aftereffects of her technique’s backlash, twisted with anger. “Arrogant!” she snapped. “You think a single duel qualifies you to critique my mastery of the Purple Core Thunderfire?”
“Of course,” Qin Ming replied, his smile growing wider. He steered the conversation deliberately, eliciting her emotional investment.
To her astonishment, his insights sparked inspiration within her, offering clarity she had long sought.
By the end, even Qin Ming grew serious. The deeper he delved into the mysteries of the Purple Core Thunderfire, the more he realized its immense potential.
Meanwhile, Lu Zi Zai arrived at a hidden location within the Six Rulers Ancestor Court. Amidst swirling mists stood a colossal aberrant bird. It sensed his presence, and with a mere blink, its golden gaze scattered the night fog. The light emanating from its feathers threatened to set the heavens ablaze.
“Calm yourself,” Lu Zi Zai commanded.
The bird shrank in size, transforming into a palm-sized golden bird that perched on his shoulder.
With a sigh, Lu Zi Zai said, “Take this letter for me.”