Chapter 342 - 341: Qualification
Yun Province. The Ao Family!
Powers from every faction had gathered here, preparing to vie for the Cyan Cloud Order.
"Everyone has gathered here, and I know full well why."
An old man in a gray robe stood in the void, a slight smile on his lips as he swept his gaze over the many Martial Artists before him. "It’s all for this Cyan Cloud Order, isn’t it?"
As he spoke, a palm-sized Token appeared in Ao Zhanyun’s hand. It glowed with a cyan light and was engraved with floating clouds. Upon seeing it, a fiery glint flashed in everyone’s eyes. At that moment, a young Martial Artist in a purple robe, his face full of arrogance, said, "Elder Ao, the Cyan Cloud Order belongs to the worthy. In my opinion..."
Just as he was about to spout some self-righteous nonsense, Ao Zhanyun suddenly laughed aloud. "This disciple from Purple Cloud Heavenly Mountain is right! The Cyan Cloud Order belongs to the worthy. Since I obtained this Cyan Cloud Order, I knew I couldn’t hide it from all of you, so I had no intention of doing so. It’s better to bring it out into the open."
"Let’s all figure out a way to decide who it belongs to."
Hearing this, the crowd exchanged glances, then looked at Ao Zhanyun with peculiar expressions. ’This old fox, what is he plotting now?’
"Heh, now this is a surprise."
A man in purple robes chuckled. He was none other than Hex Ziqing, the current Sect Leader of Purple Cloud Heavenly Mountain, whose Cultivation had reached the Half-Step King Realm. He looked at Ao Zhanyun and said, "Brother Ao is actually willing to hand over the coveted Cyan Cloud Order? Heh, there isn’t some catch, is there? Brother Ao, you’d better make things clear."
Ao Zhanyun sighed. "Decades ago, I would have certainly fought you all for it. Unfortunately, my Realm hasn’t advanced an inch in all these years. Even if I went to your Kunyun Palace, I’d only be able to scrape by as a Steward."
"I’m much happier staying here as my family’s ancestor."
"Besides, with all of you coming here together, how could I possibly hold onto this Cyan Cloud Order? It’s better to take it out and trade it for peace for my family." Ao Zhanyun’s words were logical and well-reasoned, and the crowd couldn’t help but be somewhat convinced.
Perhaps the circumstances of these past years truly had worn down Ao Zhanyun’s fighting spirit.
However, a few people still felt disdain.
’Hmph. This old fox is really putting on a good show.’
’Those words might fool others, but trying to fool me? Not a chance.’
Hex Ziqing said indifferently, "Since Brother Ao has put it that way, we can avoid a conflict. So, let’s discuss how to decide the ownership of this Cyan Cloud Order. Hmm, Brother Ao, since you’re the one who proposed this, you can start."
"Then I’ll share my idea."
Ao Zhanyun said, "We are all Martial Artists, so naturally, we should decide this with martial prowess. There are many factions present. Why don’t we each send out two representatives to hold a competition? The winner gets the Cyan Cloud Order, and no one else is allowed to try and snatch it."
"What does everyone think?"
"Agreed."
"Deciding ownership with martial arts is exactly what I had in mind."
"Then it’s settled."
Ao Zhanyun smiled faintly. "Excellent. In that case, I will set the location for the competition in the Feiyun Mountain Range. I assume no one has any objections?"
"Fine."
"Fine."
As he finished speaking, Ao Zhanyun let out a low cry, his True Essence circulating as he abruptly flung the Cyan Cloud Order away. The Token shot through the sky like a meteor, creating thunderous sonic booms as it flew at high speed. In the span of a breath, it crossed a hundred miles and slammed into one of the towering peaks of the distant Feiyun Mountain Range!
With a deafening BOOM, the entire mountain peak collapsed!
"Now, please send out your representatives."
Ao Zhanyun said with a smile.
At that very moment, an indifferent voice slowly drifted over.
"Everyone, would you mind if I joined the fun?"
As the voice fell, a figure in white appeared, walking on air.
The newcomer was none other than Qin Ya.
"Hmph. A junior dares to join the fun?"
Among the many factions, an Extraordinary Martial Artist saw this and snorted coldly, his face showing his displeasure. His gaze toward Qin Ya was filled with irritation.
’A gathering like this is no place for a mere junior.’
Suddenly, his expression shifted slightly.
’At this age? What monstrous Talent.’
When he perceived Qin Ya’s age, he couldn’t help but suck in a cold breath.
The others also looked at Qin Ya with a newfound sense of astonishment.
The disciples from Purple Cloud Heavenly Mountain, in particular, looked as if they had seen a ghost. They stared at Qin Ya, uncertain and alarmed, their mouths twitching as if recalling some embarrassing memory.
"If I’m not mistaken, that’s Qin Ya, isn’t it?"
"It is him. I can’t believe he’s already an Extraordinary Martial Artist."
"Heavens above, how does he practice his Cultivation?"
Among the disciples from Purple Cloud Heavenly Mountain who had come to the Ao Family’s estate this time, some had previously entered the Hidden Dragon Valley in search of opportunities. Their impression of Qin Ya was, to put it mildly, profound.
Back then, relying on the terrifying Defense Power of the Pseudo-Spiritual Artifact, Scenic Landscapes, Qin Ya had single-handedly chased down more than a hundred of them with just a spear.
How could they possibly forget a memory like that?
"Qin Ya!"
Fang Yu, a young prodigy from Purple Cloud Heavenly Mountain, ground his teeth in hatred.
"Oh? You know him."
Hex Ziqing, the Sect Leader of Purple Cloud Heavenly Mountain, asked curiously upon hearing their whispers.
"Reporting to the Sect Leader, back in the Sect’s Secret Realm, the Hidden Dragon Valley..."
Fang Yu recounted the events that had occurred in the Hidden Dragon Valley. As Hex Ziqing listened, the name Qin Ya sounded more and more familiar, until he finally had a moment of realization.
"Qin Ya, you must be the peerless prodigy whose fame has spread throughout the Celestial Dragon Sea Region. It is just as they say: seeing you once is better than hearing about you a hundred times. Your reputation is well-deserved," Hex Ziqing said.
Hearing this, the crowd exchanged glances.
"So what if he’s a peerless prodigy? The matter of the Cyan Cloud Order is of utmost importance. What right does a mere Sky-Controlling Martial Artist have to participate?"
a Master of a Noble Family said.
"Right?" Qin Ya chuckled softly. "What kind of right do you need?"
As someone long accustomed to a high position, how could this Master of the Noble Family ignore Qin Ya’s provocation? He gave a cold smile and gestured to an Elder beside him.
"Life or death doesn’t matter."
"Heh, yes, Patriarch."
Hearing the order, the Elder gave a savage grin. His figure blurred, shooting toward Qin Ya like a cannonball as his True Essence surged and he blasted out a tyrannical Palm Seal.
Lightning flickered around Qin Ya’s body, Condensing into dozens of Thunder Spears!
Purple electric serpents danced along the Thunder Spears, their power terrifying. They shot toward the Elder with a WHOOSH, their incredible speed creating constant sonic booms in the void.
The moment the Palm Seal made contact with the Thunder Spears, it was blasted to smithereens!
"This is bad!!"
Sensing the power of the Thunder Spears, the Elder’s pupils shrank. He cried out in alarm, his scalp tingling and his heart seizing with fear. His True Essence erupted from his entire body as he drew upon the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi, unleashing countless Palm Seals, layered one after another like crashing ocean waves.
But the Thunder Spears could shatter those waves and break the tide!
BOOM! BOOM! As if smashing through dead wood, the Palm Seals couldn’t resist the Thunder Spears in the slightest. They were shattered in an instant. In the blink of an eye, the spears reached a point three meters from the Elder. Then, with a thought from Qin Ya, the Thunder Spears violently exploded!
Powerful lightning rampaged! Electric serpents ran wild!
The Elder, unable to dodge in time, was instantly sent flying. His entire body, charred black as charcoal, tumbled to the ground, his status between life and death unknown.
"Now... am I qualified?"