Volume Three: The Dao's Will in the Ten Directions - Chapter 98: Major Matters

On May 15th, the white-clothed sword saint Aotian issued a challenge to Northern Sea Qin Yang and Nan Shan Nan.

The moment this news broke, the martial artists went wild, as if a hornet's nest had been poked, all rushing toward Bin City in a frenzy.

The white-clothed sword saint had not made a move for years, yet this was a well-known senior expert. In their eyes, Northern Sea Qin Yang remained a rising star.

The entire Dragon Group had been sealed after Ying Xiong fell to his blade, so no one knew—not even that he had already broken through to the Tong Xuan Realm.

The internet erupted.

Everyone discussed it heatedly.

"I am a martial artist: Is the white-clothed sword saint Aotian inviting Northern Sea Qin Yang because he believes the other party already possesses the qualifications to duel with him?"

Electrician No. 2 instantly posted: Damn, if that's true, Northern Sea Qin Yang must be terrifyingly strong.

Chang Jiang No. 7: Impossible, impossible. We must head to Nan Shan Nan on the fifteenth to witness this peak confrontation!

Over a million posts flooded the platforms declaring their intent to go, with tens of thousands more following, and the matter continued to brew and spread.

The municipal public security bureau's network supervision division noticed the posts and quickly escalated the report. Upon hearing the names of the white-clothed sword saint and Northern Sea Qin Yang, the bureau chief immediately contacted the National Security Bureau. These were martial experts whose confrontations ordinary people could never survive. The matter swiftly reached the Dragon Group. Ya Ji led a team of twenty new recruits, hurrying toward Bin City at full speed.

The online frenzy and the commotion within the ancient martial world left Qin Yang's mood untouched.

He concealed himself within this quiet alley, as if the world had vanished around him.

On this day, after his evening stroll, he returned to find the courtyard packed with people. He was astonished; this location was rarely known by outsiders, so how had so many arrived at once?

Upon closer inspection, it was not surprising—all were familiar faces.

Zhang Kuang from Tian Wu Sect, Wang Qian from Tian Mo Sect, Wang Kun, Shao Bing, and Yang Cong were all gathered inside. Wang Hao remained hidden to one side. No further thought was needed; this man had obviously brought them here.

What truly surprised him was the sudden arrival of Master Yi Deng. A monk like you, once entangled in worldly affairs for wealth and protection, had once harbored enmity between you. Now, instead of seeking you out for repayment, you yourself had come to join the gathering.

"Cough, cough, why have you all come? Please, come in and take some tea."

As guests, polite words were in order. Moreover, they had come out of concern for him.

At that moment, a woman emerged from the inner room, dressed in a flowing white gown. The others showed little reaction, but Qin Yang was taken aback. He had not expected Zhang Meng Qi to appear.

To be honest, he truly wished to shield Zhang Meng Qi from the ancient martial world. At the time, Ye Mei Er had left him no choice.

Zhang Meng Qi finished pouring the tea without any sign of departure. With a heavy sigh, she offered a bitter smile: "Three senior predecessors, I understand your goodwill. However, the duel with Aotian was arranged long ago. In truth, we have crossed paths before. He has been waiting for me to break through to the Tong Xuan Realm to test our strength. Now that I have finally stepped into that realm, he has come once more to issue the invitation."

"What? You have entered the Tong Xuan Realm?" Master Yi Deng's eyes bulged. During their previous encounter, he had still been suppressed to the early stages of the Dao Realm. Now, even the mid-stage of the Dao Realm had not been crossed, yet the opponent had already reached the Tong Xuan Realm.

Fucking monster and freak.

Very well, you win. Master will remain silent.

The surroundings fell deathly still. Especially Wang Kun and the others, who knew Qin Yang's true strength, nodded in understanding: "For this duel, what are our chances?"

"Even odds."

Even odds—that was already a high probability. If this declaration spread online, countless netizens would begin to spew venom.

"White-clothed sword saint Aotian, his sword is domineering and swift beyond measure. Anyone who has witnessed his techniques has already perished. We old fools know not what more to add."

"Most crucially, remain vigilant. Staying alive is the paramount concern."

Wang Qian then approached, clutching a porcelain vial. Zhang Kuang's eyes nearly popped out: "Holy shit, that's the Tian Ming Pill."

The surrounding crowd's expressions shifted at once.

The Tian Ming Pill was a rare and difficult-to-refine medicine unique to the Tian Mo Sect. Even they only produced two or three batches per year. Yet here they were, expending their utmost to deliver one to Qin Yang.

"The young miss instructed me to present it to you."

Zhang Kuang and the others instantly relaxed. After all, Qin Yang's acquaintance with the Tian Mo Sect saintess was no secret. But they had never imagined the bond between them ran so deep.

"Very precious?" Qin Yang knew little about the pill, gazing at Zhang Kuang in confusion.

Zhang Kuang shot upright: "Precious? This Tian Ming Pill contains three Dao Intentions within: Tian Ming, You Ming, and Huang Quan. An ordinary person ingesting it can at best comprehend one. With sufficient luck, two may be grasped. Notably, the Tian Ming Dao Intention has remained uncomprehended by any soul for countless years. It is said that mastering all three can forge the unparalleled and domineering Tian Mo Dao Intention—the supreme Dao Intention of the Tian Mo Sect, long lost to the world."

The listeners were stunned into silence, especially Master Yi Deng who swallowed audibly, his mind racing with thoughts of how to seize the treasure. He glanced around and realized he appeared the weakest here.

Qin Yang had not anticipated Leng Qian You bestowing him with such a precious elixir. He was about to refuse when Wang Qian interjected: "The young miss wishes for you to consume it, preparing for events that will unfold in one year's time."

One year's time?

Zhang Kuang paused, then his eyes suddenly gleamed, as if realizing something vital, though he said nothing aloud.

They chatted briefly before departing one by one. With so little time remaining before the duel, they had no desire to waste Qin Yang's moments.

Once all had left, Zhang Meng Qi's lovely face brimmed with concern: "Will it truly be dangerous?"

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Gazing at the adorable figure whose eyes darted about like a startled fawn, he grew afraid: "Precisely because of your expression that I withheld the truth."

"Rest assured, it will be all right. You should go now."

Zhang Meng Qi departed, carrying traces of guilt, solitude, and bewilderment.

No wonder Qin Yang had never accepted her. It seemed the two existed on entirely different planes.

He was a martial artist, a formidable one, while she was merely an ordinary mortal.

Destiny had already drawn an insurmountable chasm between them.

Qin Yang was unaware that after this parting, their reunion would occur years later.

In Bin City, atop a lofty skyscraper, a tall woman gazed at the scenery beyond the window, lost in a daze.

Northern Sea Qin Yang—why did the name still carry the character "Qin Yang"? Recalling memories from so many years past, a faint smile curved her lips. She wondered whether the other party fared well now.

Sometimes she struggled to restrain herself and longed to travel to the Northern Sea in search of him. Having not seen each other for years, she feared the encounter, afraid that he had already married, raised children.

Or perhaps found a new love.

Moreover, her identity was an inescapable shackle, rendering her powerless to act freely.

She could not love someone without reservation, as an ordinary person might.