Chapter 90

(Updated at noon, seeking recommendations and new readers to follow. The story will get even more exciting, with a major climax waiting for everyone!)

In an instant, all sounds at the foot of Blood Shackles Mountain vanished.

A wandering martial artist couldn't help but cautiously nudge his companion, muttering, "Did I hear wrong?"

His companion ignored him, eyes wide open, staring intently at the young man who appeared calm and composed not far away.

The middle-aged swordsman raised an eyebrow, looking at Su Qinen with some surprise. With a renowned Sword Immortal from the Huashan Mixuan List present, to dare use such dismissive words was more than just bold.

However, not far away, some elders from the Four Symbols Dao, Tianyun Fort, and the Dian Family of the One-Character Lightning Sword showed thoughtful expressions. They had some understanding of the grand era hundreds of years ago, and the complex ties of cause and effect between Huashan and Wudang's Qingyang Peak, which had become difficult to untangle over five hundred years.

"What courage!"

"What arrogance! Do you think Huashan has no one?"

Several Huashan disciples bristled, and a few of them even emitted a true qi field, the imposing aura of internal true qi surging like waves.

Unfortunately, their cultivation was still shallow, the oldest not exceeding twenty-three years old. The qi field could only extend ten zhang before weakening, and by the time it reached Su Qinen, it was already very faint. The only imposing aspect was the aura, but Su Qinen was not afraid of such things. None of these Huashan disciples had reached the second-rate realm, and they had not yet entered the spiritual domain. In this aspect, Su Qinen, who was below second-rate, was unafraid of anyone.

"Su Qinen, what lowly status you have! With a death sentence, you dare to insult Huashan!"

Lin Ming's eyes were sharp and cold. He stepped forward, his blood qi surging, almost forming a qi field. Some martial artists, especially those from humble origins and third- or fourth-rate sects, were secretly alarmed. To form a qi field, one typically needed the strength of a fine horse to barely achieve it.

Looking at Lin Ming, who was only seventeen or eighteen, such power was truly remarkable. A protector of the Four Symbols Dao sighed, "Indeed, from a top-tier sect, with the presence of a Daoist spirit, although not as strong as the major national sects, a disciple like Lin Ming would be a prime candidate for the sect leader in a first-rate sect like ours, worthy of focused cultivation."

With one hand behind his back, Su Qinen looked at Lin Ming ahead, his tone calm and composed, "He treats me as nothing, I treat him as a pig or a dog."

What!

Even the leading protector of the Four Symbols Dao showed a hint of change. This young man from Wudang was truly merciless, treating Huashan as pigs and dogs.

The air seemed to become stagnant, the atmosphere oppressively heavy. Gu Xuantong, who had been conversing with an elder from the Bagua Sect, reined in his smile and slowly turned around.

This turn, in Su Qinen's spiritual perception, was like a towering mountain blocking the way, an asphyxiating pressure. Of course, the Sword Immortal, mindful of his status, did not deliberately target him, but it still caused a shock to his spirit. A renowned figure on the Huashan Mixuan List, one of the strongest forty-nine among the first-rate figures in the entire Han Empire, even the leaders of ordinary first-rate sects and families would treat him with respect and not dare to be disrespectful.

Gu Xuantong gave Su Qinen a deep look, as if trying to pierce through him and discern his true nature.

However, Su Qinen guarded his mind, focusing his spirit, and the second level of the "Mystic Soul Great Technique" was pushed to its peak. His spiritual power spread throughout his body, forming a barrier, concealing his true nature and blocking the piercing gaze.

In a short moment, Su Qinen felt a significant drain on his spiritual power, nearly depleting three-tenths of it. If he had only the first level of the "Mystic Soul Great Technique," it would have been exhausted in an instant, revealing his true nature.

This made Su Qinen realize the terrifying power of first-rate figures, and those on the Huashan Mixuan List were the most terrifying among them.

"Now, with the gathering of many eyes on Blood Shackles Mountain, our Qingyang Peak lineage has just been reconnected, and I have yet to reach the foundation stage. With a criminal record, I have become a target for criticism. My foundation is still too shallow. I can only rely on the momentum, the support of the righteous sects and families. I will compete openly, and the outcome will be in the hearts of the people. No matter how high the Sword Immortal's status and skills, he cannot oppress the younger generation. Once he is criticized, it will not only be his shame but also the disgrace of the entire Huashan."

Su Qinen thought to himself. This was a necessary strategy, but after the days of combat and life-and-death experiences in the Moya Mountains, he had undergone a transformation. His cultivation had improved, and his understanding of martial arts techniques, their application in life-and-death situations, and the timing of actions, especially his martial awareness, had been honed to perfection. Su Qinen believed that he could now easily kill his former self from when he first entered the Moya Mountains without any cost.

"Lin Ming, go defeat him. You are two years older, remember, do not exceed three moves," Gu Xuantong said, his tone calm, "but do not harm him. It is good for a young man to have such ambition. The half-year agreement still stands. Huashan always keeps its word, and once a word is spoken, it cannot be taken back."

"Yes, Elder!"

Lin Ming took a deep breath and stood seven zhang away from Su Qinen.

When Gu Xuantong spoke, many martial artists nodded in approval. Indeed, as a top-tier sect and one of the Five Great Mountains, Huashan, and as a renowned martial artist, Gu Xuantong's words were impeccable, showcasing the dignity and demeanor of a major sect.

"You, who do not know your place, I was going to use heavy hands to teach you a lesson, but the Elder is kind, so I will only use three moves. I fear you won't even last one move." Lin Ming's eyes were cold, his blood qi surging, creating a heavy atmosphere.

Su Qinen did not respond, but his extended hand moved slightly, his face calm, showing no emotion, his gaze indifferent. This made the Huashan disciples furious, unable to tolerate such disdain and disregard.

Lin Ming's eyes shot out a fierce gaze, his blood qi trembling, a surge of blood qi rising from behind his head, forming a towering column of blood qi, like a wolf's smoke, creating a fierce wind and raising dust, sweeping in all directions.

Su Qinen saw everything, his gaze calm. If Huashan cannot be disrespected, can his Qingyang Peak lineage be disrespected? Although he was a suspended death row inmate and his status in Wudang was not legitimate, he had a righteous heart, and he had never felt guilty. He would not tolerate any disrespect!

To treat others as pigs and dogs, to hear the wind and see the rain as pigs and dogs!

Su Qinen caught the gazes and voices of some martial artists. Most people are foolish, and he did not bother to comment.

Only with a pair of fists and a long sword, he would create a clear and just world!

"Receive my palm!"

With a cold command, Lin Ming took several steps, his tall figure moving with the weight of a mountain lion, each step shaking the ground, leaving deep footprints.

"Huashan's 'Mixuan Technique'!"

A martial artist shouted. This was Huashan's famous foundation technique, with ten levels of cultivation, known for its thick blood qi and powerful strength. The force was highly condensed, and when combined with the Mixuan Palm, it was among the top in the world, perhaps not in the top ten, but close.

Whoosh!

Lin Ming's speed was fast, crossing seven zhang in a breath. His clothes fluttered, and his long hair rose. His palm turned red and instantly swelled, like a giant hand descending, compressing the air and creating a strange wind.

Bang!

At the same time, behind him, the air distorted, and a fine horse raised its head and neighed, tearing through ancient time and space, descending into the human world. (Updated at noon, seeking recommendations and new readers to follow. The story will get even more exciting, with a major climax waiting for everyone!)