Once One Has Known the Vast Sea, No Other Water Will Do
The private room was silent, the atmosphere somber and oppressive.
In the deathly silence, only the candlelight flickered gently in the breeze, casting shadows on their faces, as if they too were sighing at the regret of this reunion.
After a long while, Miaochen slowly raised her jade hand, her fingertips lightly touching the cold wine glass. As if she had made a great decision, she suddenly picked it up, tilted her head back, and drank it all in one gulp.
The spicy liquor flowed down her throat, just like the bittersweet memories of those years, making her eyes slightly red.
She looked up at Huo Cangliang, her beautiful eyes swirling with a complex mix of love, hate, anger, and infatuation. There seemed to be a lingering affection from the past, yet also a hint of indifference worn down by time, and a touch of helplessness at the cruel twists of fate.
His lips moved slightly, and he murmured to himself, "Having seen the ocean, other waters seem insignificant."
These few words, however, were like a heavy hammer, striking Huo Cangliang's heart and shattering his hopes.
After speaking, Miaochen stood up, took light steps, turned around resolutely, and walked quickly towards the door of the private room.
"I'm doing very well at the Shuiyun Sect now, let's remain fellow disciples!"
Don't think about those unnecessary things.
Youth has faded, and feelings are no longer the same; let those past experiences become beautiful memories.
Her voice was clear and crisp, yet it carried an undeniable detachment, echoing in the small space, each word striking at Huo Cangliang's desolate soul.
As soon as he finished speaking, that graceful figure had already crossed the threshold and disappeared from Huo Cangliang's sight.
As if all his strength had been drained away, his legs went weak, and he slumped into the chair, his eyes vacant and forlorn as he stared in the direction Miaochen had left, a bitter smile tugging at the corners of his mouth that was more painful than crying.
"In the end, I can't go anymore..." he murmured softly, as if speaking to Miaochen who had gone far away, or as if whispering to his own shattered dreams.
Huo Cangliang's hand trembled as he reached out and grasped the wine pot on the table, his knuckles turning white from the force.
He put the spout to his mouth, tilted his head back, and gulped down the liquor, which spilled out and soaked his clothes, but he didn't care at all.
At this moment, he was filled with despair and regret, and all he wanted to do was get himself completely drunk with this spicy liquor.
It seems that only in this way can the heart, riddled with wounds, be numb, forget this heartbreaking reunion that feels like a dream, and let all sorrow drown in the strong intoxication.
Inside a lavishly decorated study in the Yang Family mansion.
Yang Buxiu was wielding his brush, painting a picture of Fierce Tiger Descends the Mountain.
A majestic, white-browed tiger with piercing eyes, roaring towards the sky, leaps off the page.
Ta-da!
A series of hurried footsteps came running in from outside.
Yang Buxiu looked at the Human Path wiping the sweat from his forehead and said, "Steward, what's gotten into you this time, all in such a hurry?"
"My dear, I have investigated and found out the information you requested."
"What? Tell me quickly!"
"Yes! The one who had a conflict with the young master was a disciple of the Azure Cloud Sect who came to participate in the Grand Martial Arts Tournament."
"Their team leaders are Zong Yi Huo Cangliang and Supreme Elder Hua Qiang."
In terms of strength, it shouldn't exceed the Saint Realm Ninth Stage!
Yang Buxiu slammed his hand on the table and said, "Have the Second Elder take a few people to capture them all. The clan chief needs to give them a good talking to."
Anyone who dares to offend the Yang Family will pay a heavy price.
"Yes, home!"
Outside the Trial Tower, a huge crowd had gathered, with people constantly coming and going through the tower gates.
Those who went in all wore smiles and were full of ambition.
Most of the people who came out of there were dejected and resentful.
Shu Huaigang, Liu Shuyao, and others were all staring intently at the position of Hua Qiang's name on the list.
In just a short while, Hua Qiang had already risen more than 40 stories.
Everyone was incredibly excited; the speed was simply too fast.
Those who have successfully navigated the checkpoints know all too well the difficulty and danger of those checkpoints.
The monsters inside are extremely powerful, and the cultivation level of anyone who enters is suppressed, corresponding to each level.
Relatively speaking, they were all weaker than the monsters inside.
This is a battle where the weak overcome the strong, a true test of skill.
Each level increases in difficulty as the number of monsters increases.
The Normal difficulty level is hard to pass, while the Hard and Nightmare levels are even more difficult to handle.
Even so, Hua Qiang's speed in clearing the levels still dazzled them.
It's like they've been given chicken blood and injected with hormones.
Their speed in completing the challenges broadened their understanding and worldview.
The reaction of the Azure Cloud Sect disciples influenced some disciples from other places nearby. They also paid attention to Hua Qiang and were shocked by his speed in clearing the level.
Is this even human?
Is it really that simple?
It felt like he wasn't facing ferocious monsters inside, but rather a flock of lambs waiting to be slaughtered.
The hunters are inside, hunting their prey with ease.
Inside the city palace, the carved beams and painted rafters, the golden splendor, all exuded luxury and majesty.
A middle-aged man dressed in brocade robes— Guo Xilin, the city lord of Yuxing City —was greeting several distinguished guests with a beaming smile.
Some of these guests were sect leaders, exuding the imposing aura of superiors with every gesture, and there were faint fluctuations of Spiritual Power behind them, clearly indicating their profound cultivation.
Some were the patriarchs of powerful Lineage in Yuxing City, Lineage were deeply rooted in wealth and extremely rich. Their accessories were all rare treasures, and their overall demeanor was extraordinary.
The group sat around a table laden with delicacies, clinking glasses and chatting happily.
Amidst the laughter and chatter, their gazes frequently drifted to a large display screen on one side of the hall, which showed the real-time dynamics of the challengers Trial Tower.
Guo Xilin had just picked up a glass of wine when his expression changed slightly as he glanced at the screen out of the corner of his eye.
His gaze was fixed on a challenger named Hua Qiang, and he secretly marveled, "This guy is moving so fast!"
He hadn't paid much attention before, but now Hua Qiang has been climbing rapidly like a rocket from the first floor, and in the blink of an eye it has already broken through to more than 40 floors.
Guo Xilin couldn't help but recall his own experience of venturing into the Trial Tower, a place fraught with danger and peril.
The monsters on each floor are exceptionally ferocious, and their Spiritual Power pressure is enough to make one's heart tremble with fear. Every step forward comes at a great cost.
This person's speed can only mean that he has extremely strong combat power!
He secretly wondered: I wonder what level of level he chose. If it was the normal level, it would be understandable, which means he is a rare genius.
But if it's the difficult level, then it's a monster-like existence.
As for the Nightmare difficulty, he subconsciously shook his head, finding it hard to believe that anyone could clear it so quickly.
Guo Xilin's unusual behavior naturally attracted the attention of the others present.
These people were all shrewd, and following his gaze, they all locked onto the name "Hua Qiang".
They were secretly alert, exchanged a few meaningful glances, and silently made a mental note of this person.
After all, such a formidable opponent could very well threaten the elite team they brought, and might become the biggest variable in the subsequent competition.