After a long time, Chen Bilin left.
Watching the proud back disappear, Qin Zi slowly gathered his thoughts, a hint of self-mockery appearing on his face.
Turns out it was just wishful thinking!
How embarrassing.
But, this is quite normal. Which young man doesn't wish for someone to like them, maybe even willing to take risks for them?
Especially when it's a little beauty!
However, since things weren't as he imagined, he was too lazy to think more about it and didn't feel any regret.
His life wasn't a script in the storyteller's hands. Not every character that appeared could be entwined with him for a lifetime.
There are countless beauties in the world, but for him, most can only be passersby or not even acquaintances.
The right person will enter your world at the most appropriate time and in the most suitable way.
This cannot be forced.
Step back and think... he's still young, not even eighteen yet. Why think about this?
If he doesn't train well, his dad might break his leg, and he wouldn't be able to get up every morning!
"Better hurry and train. In a month, he has a duel with Gao Jianli of the Gao Family."
Thinking of Gao Jianli, he felt a bit of a toothache.
This guy, allegedly very strong, seems to have reached the ninth stage of the Yuan Dan realm, and his swordsmanship seems high.
And he's only at the fifth stage of the Yuan Dan realm.
Although he can challenge across levels, so can the other guy. Genius against genius, the advantage of talent cancels out a lot.
Thus, the gap in cultivation becomes particularly obvious, putting a lot of pressure on him.
The reason he opposed Gao Jianli before was just not to lose face in front of everyone.
Who is he?
The son of an invincible powerhouse!
Even if he loses face, he can't disgrace his father, so no matter who it is, just go against them!
Really...
Showing off feels great for a moment, but it's a disaster afterward!
…
In the blink of an eye, a month passed.
In this month, Qin Chuan's reputation quickly spread throughout Minghao City, even to many surrounding areas.
So, all influential forces within Minghao City came with gifts to pay a visit.
Just like paying respects to the mountain head.
To this, Qin Chuan accepted it calmly.
No gift is no good!
He collected many gifts, didn't even need to remember who sent them since they didn't dare expect a return gift.
This is the face of a Nirvana realm powerhouse!
If you give, it's your duty.
If you don't, it's showing no respect!
Although nothing would happen if you don't give, if everyone else does and you don't... can you sleep at night?
So.
Qin Chuan sat at home, earning handsomely, building up a substantial family fortune.
In the future, handling something like "Tingyu Building" won't be a struggle.
Boys should be raised poor.
It's beneficial for honing willpower.
It means that money must be in the hands of the boy's father, so it's convenient to spend it and trip him up, honing the boy's willpower...
"Gao Family's Gao Jianli is here to challenge!"
At this moment, a clear voice sounded from outside the courtyard, neither humble nor arrogant, even carrying a hint of sharpness.
"Oh? Quite bold."
Qin Chuan raised an eyebrow, a hint of an amused smile on his face.
To this day, no one in Minghao City dared to offend him, yet Gao Jianli still dared to challenge him.
It must be said, it takes some courage.
"Xiao Zi, let's go."
Qin Chuan said to Qin Zi, who had just walked out of the training room.
"Hmm."
Qin Zi nodded, following Qin Chuan towards the outside, walking all the way to the entrance of the courtyard.
In front of the gate, on the stone-paved open space, stood a plainly handsome young man in white, holding a sword in his right hand, emanating a fierce aura.
It was Gao Jianli!
Not far on the street, a crowd had already gathered, each face filled with anticipation, yet cautious.
Ready to run at any moment.
If Lord Qin Chuan got angry and slapped Gao Jianli to death, they might also be affected.
"Junior Gao Jianli, pays respects to the senior."
Upon seeing Qin Chuan, Gao Jianli respectfully bowed in greeting.
"No need for formalities."
Qin Chuan waved his hand, then said, "Honestly, your presence here today surprises me."
He gazed into Gao Jianli's eyes, his eyes slightly sharp as he said, "Aren't you afraid to die?"
"Afraid, but I had to come."
Gao Jianli said with a resolute expression, "This battle is one I initiated myself. If I dare not face it, then I will never be able to lift my head in Minghao City from now on."
"As a practitioner of the Martial Dao, there can be no flaw in one's heart. If there is a flaw, it will be difficult to make any progress in the future."
"Everyone must overcome the hurdle in their heart. Some people can tolerate impurities, so even if they do disgraceful things, they can remain calm. But unfortunately, my heart cannot tolerate impurities."
"And so... I am here!"
He raised his head, eyes gleaming with intense battle intent, like a long sword, its sharpness fully revealed.
Qin Chuan was silent for a moment, then looked at Qin Zi beside him and said, "Go ahead, give it your all."
"Mm."
Qin Zi nodded and then walked forward. With each step, his momentum rose further.
"Crash!"
His aura surged continuously, like tidal waves crashing against the shore, the wind howling fiercely.
"Come on!"
Gao Jianli gripped his sword in his right hand and ran towards Qin Zi, his speed increasing until he seemed to transform into a flash of white light.
"Bang!!"
The next moment, the two collided, a massive shock sent dust swirling up, spreading in all directions.
The dust rolled, obscuring the sky and the sun.
The surrounding onlookers couldn't see the battle between the two, only the flashes and clashes within the smoke and dust!
"Bang bang bang!"
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
"Boom!"
The fight was fierce, the ground shook continuously, and even ghastly cracks spread across the brick-paved ground.
"Boom—"
After a long time, another loud noise came, like the dawn light tearing through darkness, sweeping away all the smoke and dust.
"Ah!"
"My eyes!"
The people around only felt a large amount of dust stab into their eyes like sand, causing chaos.
And in the battlefield, the dust had completely dispersed, revealing two figures standing back to back.
Time seemed to stand still.
"Puff!"
Finally, the figure holding the sword spat a mouthful of blood, body slowly collapsing, propping himself up with the sword, kneeling on one knee.
"I... lost..."
Gao Jianli said hoarsely, his expression mixed with self-mockery and some loneliness.
"It's really the Gao Family who provoked me first."
Qin Zi said.
"I know..."
Gao Jianli sighed and then slowly stood up, dragging his long sword as he walked away into the distance.
His arm cracked, blood seeped out, flowing down the sword's hilt, leaving patches of red plum blossoms along the sword's path...
"This..."
"One of the Four Young Masters, Gao Jianli, lost just like that? It's kind of unbelievable."
"Yeah, I find it unbelievable too, but on second thought, it's not so surprising, after all, Qin Zi is the son of a Nirvana Realm powerhouse!"
"Indeed, although the Gao Family is one of the top families in Minghao City, compared to a Nirvana Realm powerhouse, they are still somewhat weaker."
"It seems that the previous rumors are mostly true, Qin Zi's talent has surpassed the Four Young Masters."
The surrounding crowd was abuzz with discussions.
These people usually wouldn't pursue any truth, preferring to go with the flow, as it keeps them aligned with the majority and requires no thought.
"How was it?"
Qin Chuan looked at his adopted son.
"He is strong, but... I am stronger!"
Qin Zi said excitedly, as if seeking commendation.
"Is that so?"
Qin Chuan looked at him with a slight smile, then without explanation, walked into the residence.
For such explanations, it's better to let the grandpa in the ring handle it. If he did it, it would damage the image of an invincible powerhouse.
...
In the distance, on a secluded street.
Gao Jianli dragged his sword as he walked slowly, his steps staggering, the sword's tip still bleeding, leaving a line of blood on the ground.
"Young Master, how could you lose, you clearly already..."
A figure darted out from a nearby alley, seemingly having followed him all the way, finally unable to hold back.
Gao Jianli turned his head and gave him a bitter smile: "Do you think... I dared to win?"
"Huh??"
The person was stunned.
"I previously told Qin Zi that not bowing when weak is the original sin. Those words are true."
Gao Jianli's face showed a bit of complexity, then he shook his head with a smile. This smile was somewhat bitter, somewhat carefree.
"Now... it's my turn to bow."