Chapter 873, Beyond All Expectations

Translator: Silavin

 

“Qin Yichen…” Manager Lin’s brow furrowed tightly as he gazed at Qin Yichen, who had remained silent throughout. He couldn’t help but call out with concern in his voice.

 

The latter had already held tremendous prestige within Brilliant Sky Sacred Land. He genuinely worried that this incident might dampen his fighting spirit and determination.

 

“I’m fine.” Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Qin Yichen slowly exhaled, forcing a smile onto his face as he shook his head.

 

This turn of events was beyond all expectations for him! Clearly, this was targeting him specifically.

 

Originally, given his performance at the Brilliant Sky Sacred Lake, securing a spot should have been absolutely no problem.

 

However, now even the slot he had already earned had been unreasonably stripped away!

 

Moreover, they hadn’t even left him time to appeal!

 

The person had already left. Even if he appealed, what use would it be?

 

Furthermore, even if he did appeal, this matter would still be handled by the Northern Brilliant Hall.

 

And this affair was highly suspicious. It seemed as though they had intended to exclude him from the start.

 

This indicated it was not a decision made on the spot by that Elder, but rather something predetermined based on certain instructions.

 

“The Northern Brilliant Hall’s Hall Master?” Qin Yichen’s heart sank.

 

When he had publicly executed Yi Buyan, he had effectively offended that Northern Brilliant Hall Master. At the time, if he had not produced the Compound Pill and attracted the attention of the Pill Hall’s upper echelons, let alone anything else, whether he could have remained in the Sacred Land would have been questionable.

 

However, regarding this matter, due to their positions, it was difficult to determine who was right or wrong.

 

Yi Buyan had intended to kill Li Yuanba, which was why Qin Yichen had furiously struck him down. And the Northern Brilliant Hall Master’s reaction was also within reason.

 

Truth be told, the fact that this powerful figure had not personally moved against Qin Yichen already counted as magnanimous forbearance.

 

Even if he were in that position himself, if someone killed a prospect he valued, his reaction would likely be even more intense!

 

“Fellow Senior and Junior, this Qin still has matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave first.” Qin Yichen cupped his fists toward the worried gazes, then strode toward the exit of the Battle Hall.

 

“Senior Brother Qin…”

 

“Senior Brother Yichen…”

 

Wherever Qin Yichen passed, the densely packed crowd parted to create a wide path. Low, worried calls continuously rang out.

 

Facing those concerned gazes, Qin Yichen merely wore a bitter smile as he strode forward with large steps, quickly departing from the Northern Brilliant Hall.

 

“*Haaa…* I hope Senior Brother Yichen’s fighting spirit won’t be damaged by this.”

 

Among Brilliant Sky Sacred Land’s Outer Sect, Qin Yichen had already become a legendary existence. Whether in the Southern Brilliant Hall or Northern Brilliant Hall, his achievements had earned the respect and admiration of countless Disciples.

 

Watching his somewhat desolate retreating figure, many Disciples’ hearts secretly sighed.

 

…

 

Throughout the journey back from the Outer Sect, Qin Yichen remained silent.

 

Not until he returned to his courtyard and saw that graceful silhouette did his inner turmoil finally settle.

 

Feng Qianxue sat cross-legged on a stone platform in the courtyard. At this moment, the platform had turned completely red, like heated iron, yet remarkably, the stone hadn’t melted.

 

This was clearly specially prepared for Feng Qianxue.

 

Currently, Feng Qianxue was cultivating. Behind her, a vague Phoenix Manifestation faintly appeared. Waves of majestic momentum spread from her delicate frame, rippling outward in rainbow-like halos that encircled her body, making her appear extraordinarily sacred, like a fairy.

 

Seemingly due to this Phoenix Manifestation’s fluctuations, the little beast sleeping in Qin Yichen’s embrace poked its head out from his collar. Those bright eyes stared directly at Feng Qianxue.

 

Qin Yichen had grown accustomed to its unusual reactions.

 

“Hmm?” With just a glance, he noticed something different about the little beast’s body.

 

Originally, patterns had appeared on its now somewhat gecko-like form. Upon closer observation, Qin Yichen discovered that from within those crack-like patterns, something seemed to be growing.

 

Seemingly noticing Qin Yichen’s attention, the little beast stretched lazily before burrowing back into his embrace.

 

“This fellow…” Qin Yichen had wanted to get a clearer look at what was growing, but it did not give him the chance.

 

“Brother Yichen, you’re back!” In the courtyard, Feng Qianxue opened her eyes. Seeing him, she immediately rushed over.

 

Qin Yichen naturally grasped her soft, boneless hand and drew her into his embrace.

 

At this moment, all his troubles vanished. What did it matter if he could not participate in the Saints City competition? It was merely losing one training opportunity.

 

For Qin Yichen, training opportunities were abundant.

 

For the following period, Qin Yichen rarely left the courtyard, even visiting the Pill Hall less frequently.

 

He cultivated alongside Feng Qianxue in the courtyard, advancing their cultivation realms.

 

Seven days later…

 

*Haaa…* Qin Yichen opened his eyes but could only sigh.

 

He had long ago reached the threshold of the Late Stage Martial Emperor Realm, yet even now, he still could not take that final step.

 

“It seems that to break through this bottleneck, secluded cultivation won’t be enough.” He felt that what he lacked was not the accumulation of Yuan Energy, but merely the right opportunity.

 

The path of the Martial Dao, this was his first time truly walking it. Unlike Spiritual Energy cultivation, where once Spiritual Energy accumulated to a certain level, breakthrough was simply a natural progression for him.

 

But Martial Arts cultivation was different.

 

Qin Yichen stood up. Realizing he had not visited the Pill Hall in several days, he informed Feng Qianxue before heading in that direction.

 

“Hmm?” Walking along the path, Qin Yichen vaguely sensed an unusual atmosphere.

 

Fewer people passed by, and even those one or two who did wore gloomy expressions, hurrying past.

 

“Could something have happened?”

 

Qin Yichen’s heart trembled as he thought of the Saints City competition.

 

Seven days had passed and the results should be out!

 

“I wonder how that brute Li Yuanba did.” Qin Yichen felt worried.

 

Though Li Yuanba was thick-skinned and resilient, the participants in the Saints City competition were all formidable. Accidents could still happen.

 

“Qin Yichen.”

 

Just as he was thinking of inquiring about Li Yuanba’s situation, a somewhat familiar voice called from the side.

 

“Manager Yu Liang?”

 

Qin Yichen turned his gaze. When he saw that figure, surprise flashed through his eyes. This person was precisely the Outer Sect Manager who had originally brought them into the Sacred Land, Yu Liang.

 

At this moment, Yu Liang seemed to have just returned from outside, though his expression, like those Sacred Land Disciples, was far from bright.

 

Looking at the youth before him, Yu Liang felt considerable emotion.

 

Originally, he had accepted Qin Yichen only for Li Yuanba’s sake, never expecting that the talent Qin Yichen displayed would far surpass even Li Yuanba’s!

 

“Manager, what were the results of the Saints City competition?”

 

Worried about Li Yuanba’s condition, Qin Yichen asked urgently.