"I surren..." Seeing things turn against him, the boy hastily tried to surrender, but Qin Chao had no intention of giving him that chance.
After being brutalized by Ghost Douluo for a full six months, he had built up plenty of resentment. Mental health was especially important during adolescence, and Qin Chao was now using this boy as an outlet...
Thud! The sound of a fist striking flesh rang out, hammering the boy's surrender back down his throat...
"I surren..."
Thud!
"I..."
Thud!
The scene repeated over and over. Qin Chao was having the time of his life, while the boy beneath his fists had already been beaten beyond recognition and was barely breathing...
"Little Qin Chao, that's enough..."
Qin Chao had caused such a commotion that quite a few boys who had already finished registering came over to watch. The shock of these simple, direct physical blows was often more gripping than any dazzling soul skill. The brutality chilled every spectator to the bone.
As a Titled Douluo, Yue Guan was naturally decisive and ruthless when it came to killing. But if Qin Chao killed someone in full view of everyone, he would inevitably gain a reputation for habitual cruelty, which would do his future in Spirit Hall no good whatsoever.
Hearing his master speak, Qin Chao finally withdrew his fists. He flexed his slightly numb joints and let out a long breath.
Damn, no wonder everyone wants to get stronger. The rush that comes with power is terrifyingly good!
His gaze swept over the dying boy on the ground, and a cold smile curled his lips.
"Where's the healing soul master? Hurry up and treat him. He still hasn't apologized to my teacher, so we can't let him croak just yet..."
Healing soul masters were stationed in Spirit Hall's challenge area year-round. One immediately stepped forward at his words. Looking at the boy's deformed nose and jaw, the healer frowned slightly and instinctively glanced at Qin Chao beside him.
This little fellow looks as delicate as a girl, yet his strikes are so decisive and vicious. He's bound to be someone extraordinary someday...
The healing soul master gave Qin Chao a slight nod. Only after receiving his approval did the healer release his martial soul.
Soul rings flashed. As soul power flowed into the boy, his injuries gradually healed. Though he could not immediately leap to his feet, his life had at least been saved.
"I surrender! I surrender!"
The boy slowly regained consciousness. The instant his awareness returned, he shouted his surrender, utterly terrified by Qin Chao's brutal methods.
"Apologize..."
Qin Chao's voice was low and icy, as though it came from hell itself. After studying under Ghost Douluo for so long, he had picked up some of that inhuman, ghostly air.
Hearing Qin Chao's voice, the boy felt as if the King of Hell himself had summoned him. Not daring to hesitate, his knees buckled, and he dropped straight to the ground.
"Chrysanthemum Douluo, I'm sorry! I was blind and foolish to dare speak so arrogantly in your presence. Please show mercy, Senior Chrysanthemum Douluo. Just treat me like a fart and let me go..."
Tears and snot streamed down the boy's face, and his tone was quite sincere.
In such a public setting, Chrysanthemum Douluo naturally would not hold a mere brat to account. He simply waved a hand. "My disciple has already punished you on my behalf. We'll let today's matter end here. From now on, watch your words and actions when you're out in the world. If you offend again, I'm afraid you won't get away with mere flesh wounds..."
Chrysanthemum Douluo kept his eyes fixed on the boy, committing his appearance firmly to memory.
This boy must have ties to the Elder Hall. He absolutely cannot be allowed to live, but making a move in front of all these people would be rather inconvenient...
Having received Chrysanthemum Douluo's "forgiveness," the boy was overjoyed. He hastily agreed, then stood to leave...
"Wait..." Qin Chao's young yet icy voice sounded behind him. Almost reflexively, the boy turned and fell to his knees.
"Little brother, I've already apologized. Is there anything else you wish to tell me?" His voice trembled, and he looked on the verge of tears...
"Why such a grand bow? I don't have a red envelope for you..." Qin Chao muttered, yet a warm smile spread across his face. He reached out and helped the boy up. "I suppose we've gotten acquainted through a fight. I'm really looking forward to meeting you in the later matches..."
That's a lovely thing to look forward to, but please don't...
The boy wanted to cry but had no tears left. His legs went weak, and he nearly knelt again. "You must be joking. How could I possibly compare to you? Besides, I'm injured now, and I need to hurry home to recover..."
The boy hurried to declare his loyalty, even announcing publicly that he would withdraw from the assessment, which made Snake Lance Douluo beside them frown slightly.
He had indeed been tempted by the generous terms offered by the Elder Hall and had been ordered to find an opportunity to test Qin Chao, the most mysterious member of the Golden Generation. Unfortunately, his cultivation was nowhere near enough to make Qin Chao show his true strength.
Men died for wealth, just as birds died for food. Anyone tempted by enormous profits had to be prepared to lose their life to that temptation.
The boy was still congratulating himself on escaping with his life, unaware that the Grim Reaper's scythe already lay across his neck.
When Qin Chao reached out to help him up, a tiny silver needle had quietly pierced his flesh.
Wasn't it just poison? The boy had some, but Qin Chao had even more.
The poison on the silver needle was a specially formulated slow-acting toxin. It would cause no symptoms for three to five days, but over time, it would gradually clog his blood vessels. Every time he cultivated his soul power, he would take another step toward the King of Hell's palace. If the boy slacked off a little, he might live another six months or a year. But if he was particularly diligent...
Qin Chao said nothing and merely looked around. His gaze was sharp and icy, like the King of Hell taking roll.
Many people had gathered to watch, and all had been cowed by Qin Chao's savage methods. As his gaze swept over them, they instinctively lowered their heads to avoid it.
Chrysanthemum Douluo waved the crowd away and led Qin Chao to a secluded corner.
"That boy was probably a pawn planted by the Elder Hall. What do you intend to do..." Chrysanthemum Douluo asked quietly, studying Qin Chao's expression.
Killing was always cruel, but once someone was confirmed to be an enemy, ruthless measures were necessary. Qin Chao was still young. Chrysanthemum Douluo hoped he would not be softhearted, yet also felt that asking this of him was somewhat excessive.
Qin Chao's eyes remained clear, and even the curve of his smile had not changed. Yet his words were exceptionally cold. "He's already dead. I used the slow-poison needle..."
"Holy shit!" Chrysanthemum Douluo's expression changed dramatically. Though pleased by Qin Chao's decisiveness, he could not help wincing at the loss.
This lethal weapon was something he and Qin Chao had developed after a long period of research. Because the medicinal ingredients were scarce, they had only made one. Chrysanthemum Douluo had intended for him to keep it as a lifesaving trump card, yet this spendthrift had used it on a mere small fry!
"He was only a pawn! If you wanted him dead, you could have intercepted and killed him on his way home. Why use something so precious?" Chrysanthemum Douluo's heart ached. The slow-poison needle's main ingredient had been a treasure he had kept for years, and now it had been wasted just like that...
"Teacher, you're wrong. He wasn't a pawn..." Qin Chao stared into Yue Guan's faintly bewitching eyes, his expression utterly serious.
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