Chapter Forty-Seven: Shock

Yangzhou City, Yi’an Police District Hospital—within one of its wards, Luo Feng lay quietly on the bed.

“What audacity! Not only did they frame a quasi-warrior’s family, they even tried to assassinate a quasi-warrior!” Wang Lang was furious after hearing what had happened. “Luo Feng, even if this wasn’t instigated by Qin Ming, if I had found out, I wouldn’t have let it slide! You must understand, we warriors are destined to fight on the front lines, to protect our homes, to hunt down savage beasts. If we can’t even protect our own families, who would still be willing to go out there?”

“Brother Wang, I didn’t expect you all to be so concerned!” Luo Feng said gratefully. “Leave this matter to me. I’ll handle it myself.”

Yesterday, Luo Feng’s father had been beaten. In a fit of rage, Luo Feng nearly killed someone, but ended up being thrown into jail by the enemy’s machinations. Since his quasi-warrior status hadn’t been officially granted yet, he thought it would be fine to wait a couple of days. Who would have guessed they’d almost manage to assassinate him instead?

It was only at the crucial moment that his spiritual power awakened, though he passed out soon after.

Wang Lang had just arrived as well.

“If you want to handle it personally, I’ll let you. But remember, you’re not alone. You have me, you have Qin Ming, you have the Martial Hall, and countless warriors across the world behind you. There’s nothing to fear!” Wang Lang said forcefully. “If Qin Ming had come today, ha—he would have torn this place apart. That kid is a Warlord Emissary from headquarters, flying his own fighter jet to pick you up. This year, maybe in a month or two, he’ll reach the Warlord realm!”

“To think Qin Ming would progress so quickly!” Luo Feng murmured in a daze, “And to think… he actually cares about me.”

After all, this was only a minor episode.

At the headquarters of the Extreme Martial Hall, in the innermost room on the top floor of the Ninefold Tower, Inspector Liu He had withdrawn, his helmet resting at his side. His eyes, which had been closed in meditation, snapped open.

“He’s still not out? It’s been so long; he must have at least reached the third level by now.”

“The third level!” He repeated, rising to his feet, deep in thought.

“To break into the third level on his first attempt! This means…”

“This means his combat intuition is extraordinary!”

“Eighteen years old. In two months, he’s become an advanced Warlord. In just half a month, he’s trained the Ninefold Thunder Blade to the fourth level. His movement techniques are flawless. Now, adding in his combat sense…”

“A genius like this is rarely seen in a century!”

“His teacher…”

A thought stirred in Liu He’s mind, and he couldn’t help but rub his hands together.

Virtual Space.

Trial Tower, Third Level, Second Stage.

Two hundred golden vultures circled overhead in a dense swarm. In a flash, several dived down.

Flying beasts were the hardest to deal with—they had the advantage of altitude, and their dive speed was blistering. If you failed to react in time and got snatched into the air, the outcome was often gruesome.

Their screeches were piercing. Their wingbeats stirred tornados. Sharp talons glinted like alloyed hooks.

Fortunately, this was no longer the grasslands, but the wilderness, with forests, ravines, and rocky outcrops. If this had taken place over open grasslands, it would have been a true nightmare.

Qin Ming displayed his movement technique, darting rapidly, but the golden vultures’ dives were almost too swift to dodge. Thankfully, his movement was at a flawless level; otherwise, he might not have escaped.

His Bloodshadow Blade struck like thunder.

Each time he dodged, a bird’s head would fall.

He moved like a lone skiff on a stormy sea, weaving through the vultures’ plunges, seemingly about to be surrounded and killed, yet always slipping away at the last moment, even counterattacking from desperate positions.

Feathers flew; sand and dust swirled.

Qin Ming fought from rocky outcrops into the forest, then from the forest to the streamside. Wounds gradually appeared on his body, and even his battle attire was torn in several places.

“Dealing with flying beasts really is a nightmare,” Qin Ming mused, growing even calmer.

Above, only half the golden vultures remained.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

This time, four mid-rank beast generals led the charge, diving from all directions, completely surrounding him with no way out.

“This is a kill strike!” Qin Ming gripped his shield, raised an eyebrow, and kicked off the ground, leaping into the air.

The vultures’ cruel eyes lit up with excitement.

In the air? Up there, they were the true rulers!

The world echoed with their screeches.

A sly smile played on Qin Ming’s lips. In mid-air, he flashed again, landing atop one of the mid-rank beast general vultures. The creature reacted quickly, snapping its beak upwards, but was still a step too slow.

A flash of the blade—thud!—a bird’s head fell into a hot spring, where a jet of steam sent it tumbling and spinning.

“Again!” Qin Ming’s fighting spirit surged. He strode through the air, approaching another mid-ranking beast general vulture.

The extension of his step, honed through repeated battles, was gradually becoming second nature.

This technique, walking on air, he called the Sky Tread.

Slashing wildly, blood rained down.

He swept through the battlefield, unmatched.

The number of golden vultures dwindled—soon, only a dozen remained.

Screeching madly, the four mid-rank beast generals suddenly gathered together, beating their wings as one. Instantly, a storm swept the land.

Trees were uprooted, streams flung into the sky.

“Not good!” Qin Ming’s expression changed. The air currents beneath his feet destabilized, and, having not fully mastered the Sky Tread, he lost his balance.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

The four mid-rank general vultures attacked together.

“Can’t survive this,” Qin Ming knew. Suspended mid-air, with unsteady footing, he had lost his initiative. There was no time to recover.

The vultures moved too fast for any further reaction.

“Should I reveal my true power level?” The thought flashed by, but he dismissed it.

Now was not the time.

After all, he had only mastered the first four levels of the Ninefold Thunder Blade.

“So…”

Tightening his grip on the shield with his left hand, he raised his blade with his right.

Smack!

Qin Ming slammed his shield onto the head of a golden vulture, using the force to spin violently, his blade weaving a net of steel that shredded feathers and flesh alike.

But he was also torn by their talons.

Screeches of agony rang out, and two of the vultures were dragged down with him in a desperate struggle.

The remaining vultures scattered.

When he hit the ground, his body was already perfectly intact.

“Cadet Qin Ming, trial complete. Trial Tower rating: 3.5. To continue, please apply. Automatic exit in five seconds…”

Five seconds later, Qin Ming’s consciousness was ejected from the simulation.

“How was it?” No sooner had he removed his helmet than he heard Liu He’s question.

The inspector’s gaze was avid, and beside him stood Yang Hui, obviously summoned by Liu He. He stood respectfully, barely able to contain his excitement.

“Mr. Liu!” Qin Ming set his helmet aside, a smile blooming on his face. “Trial Tower rating: 3.5!”

“What? 3.5?” Yang Hui couldn’t help exclaiming. Then, realizing himself, he laughed sheepishly. “The first time I tried, I died at the first stage. Even now, my best is only 2.7.”

He looked even more embarrassed now, wishing he could crawl into a hole.

“3.5!” Liu He immediately activated his smart wristwatch to check the records. Once confirmed, he gasped in admiration. “Incredible, truly incredible. To achieve a 3.5 rating on your first attempt in virtual space—this news will rock the entire camp, no, the whole world!”

“Power rating 3.5, Trial Tower rating 3.5—your combat amplitude is 12.25, just meeting the standard. You…”

Liu He gestured at Qin Ming, at a loss for words.

According to the contract, reaching a combat amplitude of twelve qualified for rewards.

Sign the contract today, give out the reward today?

For some reason, Liu He felt a peculiar ache, but in the next moment, his face broke into a broad smile. “Qin, you know our elite training camp gives one-on-one instruction. How about this—let me be your mentor?”

At this, Yang Hui’s eyes widened in astonishment.