Qu Yutang
"Heavenly Splendor Dynasty!"
Trial Valley!
These two names instantly ignited the passion of the many martial artists in the teahouse!
"What are we waiting for! Let's set off for the Heavenly Splendor Dynasty!"
"That's right! Let's take a gamble! Maybe we can achieve great success!"
The atmosphere in the teahouse was instantly electric, with many martial artists even paying their bills on the spot and eager to set off.
Seeing the crowd's high enthusiasm for the Heavenly Splendor Dynasty's trials, the well-informed burly man with a bulging beard rolled his eyes and spoke again, "Gentlemen, while the trials of the Battle of the Flood Dragon Gate are tempting, they are still some time away from officially starting. Moreover, the journey from here to the Heavenly Splendor Dynasty is long and not without its challenges. I have assembled a small adventure team and am preparing to head to the Heavenly Splendor Dynasty. If you trust us, why not join us? The registration fee is cheap, only three white crystal coins! We can look out for each other on the road and help each other out—wouldn't that be wonderful?"
Upon hearing this, the group, who had been somewhat hesitant, immediately became interested. Three white crystal coins were not much for these martial artists who had spent years licking blood from the edge of a knife. Traveling together would undoubtedly greatly increase their safety.
Just as everyone stepped forward, ready to consult the burly man about joining the team, Dongfang Yueming, who had been quietly sipping his tea, slowly stood up, preparing to leave.
"Hey! Young man!" Seeing this, the burly man with the bushy beard quickly spoke up to persuade him to stay. "What? Not interested in our team? We're all going to the Heavenly Splendor Dynasty, it's good to travel together!"
Upon hearing this, the surrounding martial artists all turned their gazes to Dongfang Yueming, many Central Capital expressions of anticipation for a good show.
"Hmph, an outsider, actually thinks he's something?"
"Exactly! The Central Continent isn't like those poor, remote places they live in!"
"Don't let his young age fool you; his cultivation is quite strong. If it really came down to a fight, at the same level, the strength and foundation of martial artists from the Central Continent are far beyond what these outsiders can match!"
Various sarcastic and pointed comments reached Dongfang Yueming's ears without any attempt to conceal them.
However, Dongfang Yueming seemed not to hear them at all, choosing to ignore these prejudiced and arrogant words. He simply nodded slightly to the burly man with the bushy beard as a response, and then walked straight out of the teahouse.
Dongfang Yueming's dismissive attitude instantly enraged the local martial artists who were already dissatisfied with him!
"Hey kid! What kind of attitude is that?!"
"Too arrogant! Do they really think they can look down on everyone just because they have some power?!"
"Stop right there! Explain yourself!"
Several hot-tempered local martial artists even slammed their fists on the table, their eyes blazing with anger, looking as if they were about to teach Dongfang Yueming a lesson!
Inside a dark and heavily guarded hall of the Heaven-Surging Alliance.
An elderly man dressed in black robes, exuding a chilling aura, sat high on a throne, his eyes flashing with a sinister light. He was a Grandmaster- level elder of the Heaven-Surging Alliance.
"Still haven't found Gao Long's whereabouts?" The Grandmaster Elder's voice was hoarse and low, filled with displeasure.
Kneeling below was a martial artist also dressed in black. This man possessed a powerful aura and was clearly an Internal Force Realm expert, a figure of considerable status within the Heaven-Surging Alliance. Yet, before this Grandmaster Elder, he dared not even breathe loudly.
"Reporting to the Elder," the Inner Force said, his voice trembling, "I... I sent men to investigate, and it seems that Young Master Gao Long... he has likely been murdered. The scene has been cleaned up, but judging from the remaining traces, the murderer was ruthless, and... it seems they left behind a trace of extremely domineering fire-attribute true intent. Based on the strength of this intent, the murderer's cultivation level should be at the Qi Refining Realm."
"Oh? Qi Refining Realm can kill Gao Long and even knows how to destroy the evidence?" A hint of surprise flashed in the Grandmaster Elder's eyes. "It seems he's quite a talented genius?"
The expert with Inner Force lowered his head, not daring to reply.
"Hmph!" The Grandmaster Elder snorted coldly, his eyes flashing with murderous intent. "No matter who he is, no matter what his background is! How dare he touch someone from my Heaven-Surging Alliance, dare to touch my personal disciple Gao Long! If this grudge isn't avenged, what face will my Heaven-Surging Alliance have left?! Issue the order: at all costs, capture this scoundrel! I will personally avenge Gao Long!"
"Yes, Elder!" the expert with Inner Force replied hastily.
But then he asked with some difficulty, "But... in this vast sea of people, where should we begin to search for this person?"
A glint of shrewdness flashed in the Grandmaster Elder's eyes, and he sneered, "Since he's a genius, and the Battle of the Flood Dragon Gate is about to begin, what other purpose could he have in coming to this Central Continent? Go to the Trial Valley of the Heavenly Splendor Dynasty and keep a close eye on him! Don't let any young martial artist who displays a powerful fire-attribute Martial Dao True Intent escape!"
"Understood!"
"By the way, Elder," the Inner Force hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Should we inform Senior Sister Qu Yutang about this matter?"
Mentioning the name "Qu Yutang" even caused a subtle, complex look to flicker in the eyes of this Grandmaster Elder. Qu Yutang, the personal disciple of the leader of the Heaven-Surging Alliance, is a true prodigy! It is said that at such a young age, she has already condensed a mid-grade Qi Swirl Phenomenon, and her future achievements are limitless! She enjoys extremely high prestige among the younger generation of the Heaven-Surging Alliance!
Just then, a clear, melodious voice, tinged with a hint of coolness, drifted from outside the hall. "Oh? Is there something you need to tell me?"
Before the words were even finished, a beautiful figure had already appeared silently inside the hall.
The newcomer was dressed in a light purple dress, with a graceful figure, stunning beauty, and skin as white as snow, like a celestial maiden descended to earth. However, her bright eyes held a depth and indifference that were incongruous with her age.
The expert with Inner Force was startled when he saw the newcomer! With his cultivation level, he hadn't even noticed when the other party had appeared!
The Grandmaster Elder smiled kindly and explained, "Oh, it's Yutang. It's nothing serious, it's just that Gao Long... had a little accident outside." He briefly recounted what had happened.
"I see." Qu Yutang nodded calmly after listening. "It's only right to avenge Senior Brother Gao Long's death."
She sneered inwardly, "That idiot Gao Long, it's good he's dead! How dare he attack a fellow member of his own clan at the Blood Replacement Realm! He's utterly disgraced the reputation of my Heaven-Surging Alliance! This scoundrel deserves to die!"
The Grandmaster Elder, unaware of Qu Yutang's true thoughts, changed the subject with a smile and said, "Speaking of which, Yutang, you've gained quite a bit from this seclusion! Congratulations on successfully breaking through to the Internal Force Realm!"
Upon hearing this, the expert in Inner Force was once again greatly surprised! Qu Yutang... had actually broken through to the Internal Force Realm?! At such a young age, with such cultivation... she was truly a prodigy!
Qu Yutang smiled slightly and said modestly, "Elder, Yutang flatter me. I only broke through by chance."
"Hehe, Yutang, you have extraordinary talent. This is no fluke!" The Grandmaster Elder stroked his beard, wanting to continue praising him.
Qu Yutang cleverly interrupted him, "All of this is thanks to Master's meticulous guidance."
"Of course! The Alliance Leader is a man of great talent and ambition, with Heaven Reaching..." The Grandmaster Elder immediately seized the opportunity to flatter the Alliance Leader.
Qu Yutang listened quietly with a polite smile. But in her heart, she was filled with deep-seated hatred! "The leader of the Heaven-Surging Alliance... that ungrateful, treacherous villain! If he hadn't seized my Qu Family's unparalleled opportunities and profound resources back then, how could he have achieved what he has today?! Does he think I know nothing? Just wait... one day, I will personally take it all back!"