Volume One: Qin Yang of the Northern Sea Chapter 30: Request

Provincial Party Committee Compound.

The old master and Qin Yang were playing chess when laughter echoed from the outer door. To their surprise, the visitor was none other than Master Baili Song, accompanied by a little girl—Baili He.

Baili He watched Qin Yang quietly, her cheeks tinged with shyness as she called out, "Brother Qin Yang, why haven’t I seen you in so long?"

"I—oh, I was away on a business trip," he replied.

Upon hearing this excuse, she stuck out her tongue playfully; after all, she had heard the truth from her grandfather.

Old Master Ye sipped his tea, a hint of a smile on his lips as he looked at Baili Song. This old fox never visited without an agenda. If he’d come here, there must be a reason.

Baili Song rubbed his hands together awkwardly, then looked at his well-behaved granddaughter. "Brother Qin, it’s like this. Didn’t you say last time that as long as we found a master at the Profound Realm, Baili He’s illness could be cured? I’m here to ask for your guidance."

"Oh?" Qin Yang’s interest was piqued at the mention of a Profound Realm master. The most powerful person he’d met so far was the Enchantress—both of them were at the Mid-Awakening stage. He had never even seen a true Daoist expert, let alone someone at the Profound Realm. His face lit up with excitement.

"Very well, that’s not a problem. I have only one request: let me meet this martial predecessor," he said, his tone resolute and sincere.

Old Master Ye watched Baili Song, pondering who he might have found. After a moment’s reflection, it seemed there was only one possible candidate.

"Could it be him?"

Baili Song knew he couldn’t deceive Ye Tian, so he nodded. At this, Old Master Ye’s heart was filled with astonishment.

Three days later.

The Provincial Party Committee Compound was completely sealed off—guards were posted every few steps, weapons in hand, all faces solemn and alert.

Two inconspicuous vehicles slowly entered, passing unimpeded. Clearly, these were the expected guests.

Standing at the entrance, Qin Yang was about to meet the legendary martial predecessor. He was brimming with anticipation, but the first figure to appear caught him off guard.

The Enchantress.

Next came an elderly man, his hair snowy white. When he tried to observe the man’s age with his spiritual sight, all was shrouded in mist.

Zhan Long immediately sensed something. He looked at the young man before him, and a kindly smile broke through his weathered features.

"Interesting," he murmured.

The Enchantress also spotted Qin Yang, and a wave of anger instantly colored her beautiful face.

"Grandfather, that’s the one," she said.

Hearing this, Qin Yang’s forehead filled with dark lines. Damn, she’s ready to badmouth me.

But Zhan Long seemed magnanimous, merely scrutinizing Qin Yang for a moment before looking away.

In that instant, Qin Yang felt as if all his secrets were laid bare.

So this is the might of a true martial expert, he thought. Terrifying indeed.

Though his face betrayed nothing, his heart churned with turmoil.

Activating the Immortal-Slaying Technique, the oppressive pressure vanished in a flash.

By this time, Baili Song had already stepped forward to exchange pleasantries, leading everyone inside.

"Baili Song, I’m doing you a great favor this time. How do you plan to thank me?" Zhan Long asked with a smile, settling into the main hall.

Baili Song’s face darkened. "Zhan Long, you old fox, every time you were wounded, who patched you up? Now I just ask a small favor, and you want payment? Go on, I can’t afford your help!"

Zhan Long nearly choked on his tea, deeply vexed. One word and he was being shown the door.

He had grasped the gist of the situation, and now looked at Qin Yang with curiosity. "Young man, is what Mr. Baili says true?"

"It is," Qin Yang replied without hesitation. "You’ll need the cooperation of a Profound Realm master, and then find an ice-element cultivation method for Baili He to practice. That will suffice."

"Ice-element?" Zhan Long frowned. Such techniques were extremely rare; he had never encountered an ice-element cultivator.

"Don’t worry about the technique—I have one," Qin Yang assured them. "Let’s rest a bit, and then we’ll begin. That way, Miss Baili He can recover as soon as possible."

Baili Song was visibly elated, nodding vigorously. This problem had plagued him for most of his life, and to think it would be Qin Yang who could solve it.

Zhan Long said nothing, but the Enchantress jumped in. "Qin Yang, you’re just an ordinary man. Cultivation methods? Have you been reading too many novels?"

Ordinary man?

The phrase hung in the air.

Zhan Long slapped his forehead. His granddaughter had told him all about Qin Yang, and now that he thought back, Qin Yang truly did seem like an ordinary fellow.

Yet, glancing at Baili Song and Ye Tian’s expressions, it seemed unlikely they were lying.

"Heh, no matter how powerful, one remains ordinary until the Dao is attained. Without enlightenment, one is still mortal," Qin Yang said quietly, breathing in the fragrant tea.

Zhan Long’s eyes lit up. From that one phrase, he was almost convinced.

The Enchantress balled her delicate fists and lunged at him, her steps as light as lotus petals.

Qin Yang made no effort to evade as the fist shot toward him. He was the Inheritor of the Immortal-Slaying Emperor; his mind brimmed with countless techniques. If he couldn’t dodge such a simple move, he’d disgrace his master.

He gently floated backward, a faint smile curving his lips.

Baili He’s eyes widened in amazement. It was her first time witnessing a battle between martial artists, and her face was alight with excitement.

The Enchantress, meanwhile, was also shocked. She had tested Qin Yang many times at the police station, always finding him an ordinary person. Clearly, he had been hiding his strength all along—and her own cultivation was still too shallow.

Qin Yang’s body stilled. He threw a punch, fierce and crackling with lightning.

Sensing the wild surge of force, the Enchantress’s face changed, and she tried to retreat, but Qin Yang would not give her the chance.

Just as his fist was about to connect with her lovely face, he stopped short.

"Such a beautiful face—it would be a shame to mar it," he teased.

"Courting death!" The Enchantress was on the verge of exploding with rage.

She was about to advance when Zhan Long intervened.

"You two may be at the same stage, but in terms of techniques and skills, the gap is vast. Let me try," Zhan Long said amiably. "Don’t worry, I’ll suppress my strength."

"How about it, young man?"

"I couldn’t ask for more," Qin Yang replied.

This was why he had insisted on meeting this martial predecessor—to test himself against him. The path of martial arts required real combat to advance.

And with a Profound Realm master, there was no fear of injuring his opponent. Qin Yang clenched his fist and unleashed a forceful blow.

A lightning element martial artist.

Lightning—an overpowering element, one not easily mastered. Zhan Long’s estimation of him rose.

The Enchantress snorted, "You think you can take on my grandfather? You’re still too green."

Zhan Long caught Qin Yang’s punch with one hand, stroking his beard with a chuckle. "Youngster, you’re still too inexperienced."

"Oh, is that so?" Qin Yang’s lips curled into a cold smile. "Then try this one."

"Phantom Hands!"

With his full strength unleashed, countless arms appeared in the air, overlapping so densely that it was impossible to tell the real from the illusion.

Even Old Master Ye was stunned by Qin Yang’s display. Never had he imagined that the young man he’d saved was such a monster, his power so formidable.

"Phantom Hands?" Zhan Long had never heard of such a move in the ancient martial world—it must not be a traditional technique. Now he was truly curious about what kind of master Qin Yang had.

"Youngster, let’s see how I break this move of yours!"

"Hahaha! You think it’ll be that easy? I doubt it," Qin Yang replied, excitement lighting his face. He let out a shout, "Mad Demon Overlord Body!"

In that moment, Qin Yang’s aura soared, reaching the peak of the Awakening stage.

All his power focused into that one move.

Bang!

Both men staggered backward, then burst out laughing instead of continuing the fight.

"Splendid—refreshing!" one exclaimed.

"Exhilarating!" the other replied.