Chapter 679 - 676: Probing

Chapter 679: Chapter 676: Probing

"What’s wrong? Is this Xifeng that tough?" Bi Xiaoyu asked, her brow furrowed.

"Heh, not what I’d call tough. It’s nothing." Qin Ya gave a faint smile, then stroked his chin thoughtfully. "However, from what the records say, Xifeng has an aloof personality, but he’s also incredibly proud. Logically, he wouldn’t challenge a Martial Artist with a weaker Cultivation than his own. And yet... that’s exactly what he did."

"You mean... someone put him up to this?"

"Across the entire Divine Capital, only a handful of people hold a grudge against me. And the one with enough power to make someone like Xifeng take action is most likely... Yann Yuntian."

At the mention of Yann Yuntian, a cold glint flashed in Qin Ya’s eyes.

’A Venerable. Trouble, just as I expected.’

Upon hearing this, Bi Xiaoyu’s expression turned grim. To the person she used to be, a Venerable was a being of legend. Even now, after following Qin Ya and growing much stronger, a Venerable was still an untouchable existence, an impassable gulf.

’I’m still too weak. I can’t help him...’

At this thought, her resolve to become stronger solidified.

"Heh, we’ll deal with whatever comes our way. A single Xifeng is hardly a threat to me. Besides, it’s gotten a bit boring staying in the Divine Palace. Xiaoyu, come take a walk with me."

"Yes."

And so, Qin Ya and Bi Xiaoyu left the Divine Palace.

「Inside a brothel...」

Qin Ya sat in an Elegant Pavilion, sipping fine wine and watching the beautiful women dance gracefully on the stage below. He seemed to be having the time of his life, and the surrounding crowd couldn’t help but stare in astonishment.

"Damn, isn’t that Qin Ya? What’s he doing here?"

"To be so carefree when facing a challenge from the number one master on the Celestial List... there’s truly no one else like him."

"Is he just carefree? Or is he confident he’ll win?"

"I heard Xifeng is already waiting at Nine-Fingered Celestial Peak, building his Sword Intent. Meanwhile, Qin Ya is still here carousing. Talk about polar opposites."

"Hmph. With that kind of arrogance, he’s bound to learn his lesson the hard way."

「In the blink of an eye, half of the ten days had passed.」

In that time, not only did Qin Ya neglect his Cultivation entirely, but he also took Bi Xiaoyu sightseeing all over the city. They had left their mark on most of the Divine Capital’s famous attractions.

His actions undoubtedly sparked heated debate throughout the Divine Capital.

Some said Qin Ya was just being theatrical. Others claimed he was so confident that he didn’t even take Xifeng seriously. There were also those who believed he had given up on any hope of victory and was simply throwing in the towel. Still others thought he was putting on an act to lull Xifeng into a false sense of security.

.........

A lone boat drifted across the surface of a lake. At its bow sat a youth in white robes, holding a fishing rod with an indifferent expression. Beside him, a peerlessly beautiful woman in an emerald-green long-robe stood silently, a longsword cradled in her arms as she gazed at the water.

Just then, a bamboo raft slowly approached from not far away.

On the raft stood another young man in white, holding a Jade Fan. He was strikingly handsome, with sharp brows and bright eyes, and a slight smile played on his lips, making him instantly likable.

He slowly approached the small boat. After a glance at the fishing Qin Ya, he flicked his sleeve. An impossibly gentle breeze flowed out, and the bamboo raft came to an immediate halt without creating so much as a single ripple on the lake’s surface.

Clearly, the newcomer’s control over his power had reached a masterful level.

Time flowed on, and nearly half an hour passed in a flash.

Suddenly, ripples spread across the lake, and the fishing line went taut. A slight smile touched Qin Ya’s lips. With a flick of his wrist, a carp about the length of his forearm leaped from the water and landed on the deck. Qin Ya grabbed it, tossed it into a basket, and said to Bi Xiaoyu, "We’re having braised fish tonight."

"Yes, Sir."

"I’ve long heard that Qin Tianjue has been out enjoying the sights these past few days. Seeing you today, it’s clear you’re unconcerned by Xifeng’s challenge," a gentle voice drifted over.

Qin Ya looked over with a smile. "If I’m not mistaken, you must be Xifeng’s good friend—the former number one master on the Celestial List... Shen Yun."

"The very same."

"And what might bring you to me today?"

"No special reason. I just wanted to meet the man himself—to see what this Qin Tianjue, who’s caused such a stir in the Divine Capital and is hailed as an unparalleled prodigy, is truly like," Shen Yun said with a faint smile, lightly waving his Jade Fan.

"That’s not it." Qin Ya shook his head.

"Oh? And what’s not right about it?" Shen Yun asked, a bit puzzled.

"You also want to test my strength."

As soon as Qin Ya spoke, the atmosphere turned instantly tense. Ripples spread across the lake as the fish below seemed to sense danger and scattered into the depths. Within a breath, the lake became so still that even the whisper of the wind was clearly audible.

"Qin Tianjue... you truly are extraordinary."

After a long moment, Shen Yun gave a wry smile.

He had to admit it. He had come here not just to meet Qin Ya, but also to test his strength. His only motive was to give Xifeng a slightly better chance of winning. As his friend, it was the only thing he could do for him now.

Qin Ya’s bizarre behavior lately had made him particularly uneasy. His mind had been in turmoil, which was what led to this meeting today.

"Does Xifeng... know about this?"

"He doesn’t."

"Alright. Bring it on."

As he spoke, Qin Ya slowly rose to his feet. A terrifying aura surged from him. If the Qin Ya from moments before was a harmless sheep, the man standing now was a Divine Dragon soaring through the heavens, looking down upon all mortals!

Feeling this astonishing presence, Shen Yun’s expression grew heavy. ’Just as I thought,’ he mused. ’This Qin Tianjue’s strength cannot be judged by his Cultivation alone.’

"Then I ask for your guidance."

SWOOSH...

Abruptly, Qin Ya’s figure flashed, appearing in the air above Shen Yun. He struck down with his palm. Before the terrifying Palm Qi even arrived, its sheer pressure caused the lake’s surface to roil. Ripples spread out in ever-widening circles, churning up massive waves.

CRACK, CRACK...

The bamboo raft beneath Shen Yun’s feet instantly disintegrated into splinters. Yet, his feet seemed to be supported by an invisible force, allowing him to stand upon the surface of the lake. Abruptly, a gentle breeze swept up to meet the descending Palm Qi.

The gentle wind and the ferocious Palm Qi collided in an instant!

Though the wind was gentle, it was impossible to destroy. The Palm Qi was equally formidable. The two forces canceled each other out, sending ripples spreading through the air.

On the lakeshore, willow trees swayed violently, while sand and stones tumbled from the cliff faces, rolling into the water with a series of splashes...

Bi Xiaoyu, seeing this, had already rowed their small boat far away from the battle. A fight of this level was far beyond her ability to interfere.

............

「Nine-Fingered Celestial Peak, one of the Divine Capital’s great wonders.」

It was so named for its nine connected peaks, which resembled the nine fingers of a hand. At the summit of the first "finger," a youth in a green shirt sat with an indifferent expression. A white longsword rested across his lap, his body was wreathed in Sword Qi, and his Sword Intent permeated the air for thousands of feet around him. Suddenly, the Sword Intent retracted as a youth in white slowly approached.

Xifeng glanced over, his brow twitching. "You’re injured?"

Shen Yun gave a faint smile. "It’s nothing serious."

Then, his tone grew heavy. "Qin Ya... he’s terrifying. Be careful."

Xifeng asked no questions, merely giving a faint nod.