Chapter 274 144: Measure (3)

At the critical moment, Huang Tao crossed his arms above him in a block. His fingers dug deep into the flesh of his own forearms, using his claw-like power to forcibly stabilize his stance.

A heel smashed down on his crossed arms with a boom like muffled thunder. The platform boards beneath his feet cracked from the impact, and his knees buckled violently, nearly forcing him to the ground.

But he didn't go down.

He gritted his teeth and held on. Seizing the moment Qin Zhao's attack had lost its momentum, he thrust out a claw hand, striking straight for Qin Zhao's side. The angle of the attack was vicious, cutting in from Qin Zhao's blind spot. His five fingers were tensed ramrod straight, the Power at his fingertips focused and sharp, as if firing five deadly arrows.

Seeing that Qin Zhao had no way to dodge, Qin Xiangyun leaped to her feet. The chair behind her slid back half a foot before tipping over and clattering to the ground.

The color drained completely from Zhan Mubai's face, and his breathing instantly grew ragged.

However, the Cloud Platform Hall Master, seated in the main seat, remained completely unfazed, as if everything was proceeding as expected and there was nothing worthy of his particular concern.

As expected.

In the next instant, Qin Zhao generated power from his waist and hips, infusing immense force back into his right leg's seemingly spent attack. He pressed down again, brutally throwing off Huang Tao's center of gravity. Qin Zhao immediately used the counterforce from that press to withdraw two steps. This time, the seemingly unavoidable claw strike failed to even graze his fine robe.

"Brilliant!"

Qin Xiangyun cheered, pumping her fist, and many others in the crowd joined in.

Zhan Mubai's mouth twitched. He forced a smile onto his face, but his breathing remained ragged.

In the distance, Pang Shixun and Hong Jinhai murmured a few words to each other. As they spoke, both men nodded from time to time, their eyes filled with approval.

Over with the group from Dragon Mountain Hall, Cao Miao wore a complicated expression. He sighed softly and said,

"The Huang Family's Young Qilin certainly lives up to his reputation. And Qin Zhao of Cloud Platform Hall is even stronger than the rumors claim…"

"Chen Cheng, today you've seen the power of a Secret Martial Artist with your own eyes. What do you think?"

"...I think... it's nothing special."

Chen Cheng adjusted his tone, trying to sound a bit more humble.

"I thought Secret Martial Artists would have some kind of transcendent ability... but from what I've seen, their Blood Qi is just more abundant, and their strength and speed are greater than others of the Same Tier… All of that…"

Chen Cheng had wanted to say that he could do all of that, too.

But on second thought, he decided it was better to be humble, so he left the last part of his sentence unspoken.

"You're not wrong about any of that."

Cao Miao watched the two combatants continue their bout on the stage and slowly explained,

"It's not that Secret Techniques lack extraordinary qualities; it's that those qualities only manifest once you reach a level above Transforming Force."

"Until you reach that level, the greatest enhancements from Secret Techniques are exactly what you've observed…"

"More abundant Blood Qi, a more powerful physique, and consequently, far superior speed, strength, defense, recovery, reflexes… all these abilities will far surpass others of the Same Tier."

"And for a genius like Qin Zhao, who has achieved a near-perfect Secret Inheritance Entry Level, the result of long-term cultivation is the ability to fight opponents of a higher tier."

"However, those who can achieve a perfect Secret Inheritance Entry Level are exceptionally rare. Across all of Zhao City, the last person to do so was at least a decade ago…"

Cao Miao sighed softly, then turned to Chen Cheng and said with a serious expression,

"Chen Cheng, if you want to follow in the footsteps of Qin Zhao and Huang Tao, your only path forward is to achieve the Secret Inheritance Entry Level yourself."

"I had Cao Zhao deliver a message to you previously… You've had three days to consider it, so you should have a clear answer by now, right? If you're willing, I can arrange matchmaking meetings for you with the various great families as soon as possible."

"There's no need to trouble yourself, Master Cao."

Chen Cheng refused calmly and without the slightest hesitation.

"In two months, I may have another path… Marrying into a great family is not an option I'm considering."

As soon as he said this, before Cao Miao could respond, a peculiar glint flashed in Zhuang Zhen's eyes.

"...So be it. To each their own. Still, it's best not to speak in such absolutes…"

Cao Miao sighed, his expression turning serious. "Follow your own path first. If, after two months, it doesn't work out, I will still have this option available for you as a fallback. I can make the arrangements for you then."

"Thank you, Master Cao!"

Chen Cheng cupped his fist in his palm and nodded, his tone sincere.

He knew he would never consider trading marriage for a Secret Technique, but he appreciated Master Cao's intentions. There was no need to be stubborn and spout nonsense about how he'd absolutely never consider it.

「Meanwhile.」

The match on the stage had been decided.

Qin Zhao slowly withdrew his right foot, which had been hovering half an inch from Huang Tao's throat.

"Excellent Leg Technique, Brother Qin. I, Huang Tao, concede defeat."

Huang Tao cupped his hands in salute, lowered his head, and quickly retreated from the stage.

Qin Zhao stood in the center of the stage, his gaze slowly sweeping across all the young prodigies below.

In his half-lidded eyes, there was no trace of victorious joy, not even the slightest ripple of emotion. His indifference was so profound it was as if he were merely glancing at weeds and ants by the roadside.

Below the stage, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Not a single one of the young prodigies, all of whom were the same age and Same Tier as Qin Zhao, dared to meet his gaze.

Finally, without even glancing toward Hong Jinhai, he turned and walked unhurriedly off the stage.

When one's power reached such a level, there was no need for Hong Jinhai to make an announcement. The title of Young Qilin belonged to Qin Zhao. Who else could possibly claim it?

Qin Xiangyun came forward to greet him, offering a handkerchief with a smile.

Qin Zhao didn't take it and walked right past her. Unannoyed, she simply kept smiling and followed after him.

However, as she passed the Dragon Mountain Hall area, Qin Xiangyun deliberately paused. She looked at Chen Cheng with a wide, smug smile and intentionally raised the pitch of her voice.

"Oh? Isn't this the prized disciple of the Dragon Mountain Upper Courtyard, Young Master Chen? What a coincidence, you're here for the Young Qilin Association too? Why didn't you go on stage? Not interested?"

The moment she spoke, many eyes in the crowd turned to Chen Cheng.

Anyone with eyes could see that Qin Xiangyun was being deliberately passive-aggressive to antagonize Chen Cheng.

However, everyone knew of the long-standing grudge between Dragon Mountain and Cloud Platform. The disciples of the two halls had always been rivals, so open conflicts and secret struggles were nothing new. A verbal spat like the one unfolding now was perfectly normal, and no one took it too seriously.

Just then, a figure strode in hastily from the main entrance—it was Cao Zhao, and his face was etched with anxiety.