Martial Arrogance Dragon Soul-Chapter 162 - 152 - : The Contest Ends, Ranked First in the Assessment
The entire Great Qian Martial Institute was at this moment enveloped in complete silence.
This kind of silence was the stillness of the soul, and equally, the stillness of human voices.
Between heaven and earth, it seemed that only the howling of wind and snow remained.
All eyes were fixed upon the stage of the Cloud Palace, on that figure who, though riddled with countless wounds, still stood tall and erect.
No matter who it was, even those who stood on Qin Qing’s opposing side, in that brief instant, there was nothing left in their hearts but shock and incredulity.
Qin Qing had actually done it!
He had killed Xie Jin’an!
To think that Xie Jin’an had broken through to the Golden Core Realm during the duel.
Could a martial master of the Soul Refinement Realm really have killed a Martial Dao Master of the Golden Core Realm?
How utterly absurd did that sound?
"A martial master has killed a Martial Dao Master? Has such a thing ever happened in the Great Qian Dynasty?" Xu Qingyuan involuntarily exclaimed.
"Not just in the Great Qian Dynasty, I’m afraid that across the entire Tian Nian Star, this is an unprecedented event!" another elder said.
"It’s simply unimaginable. The gap between a martial master of the Soul Refinement Realm and a Martial Dao Master of the Golden Core Realm cannot even be described by a chasm, let alone the difference between heaven and earth..."
"Hahaha..." Bai Qiuhai couldn’t help laughing out loud.
Xu Fang and the others let out a heavy sigh of relief, revealing broad smiles.
Not long ago, they wanted to concede, wanting Qin Qing to give up on this fight.
But Qin Chang and the others simply did not agree, they even signaled to Xie Jin’an not to give Qin Qing any chance to concede, and to kill Qin Qing right there on the Cloud Palace stage.
But the result... Qin Qing had miraculously turned the tide and killed Xie Jin’an in the final moment.
A sword cultivator who had just broken through to the Golden Core Realm was slain by Qin Qing, which was a huge loss for Qin Chang, for the entire East Campus, and even for the Seventh Prince.
With Xie Jin’an’s talent, there was also a considerable hope he would break through to the Nascent Soul Realm in the future.
If he truly did break through to the Nascent Soul Realm, coupled with his identity and strength as a sword cultivator, he would have definitely become a top-tier powerhouse capable of influencing the overall situation of the Great Qian Dynasty.
Such talent was something the Seventh Prince would definitely recruit at all costs, to keep by his side as a pivotal figure in achieving his grand ambitions.
However...
He died just like that, in a duel that seemed so unequal in strength.
Not just Qin Chang, but Linghu Leiyue, Guan Hao, and Jun Jiulin were one by one filled with disappointment and speechlessness.
On the side of the disciples from the East Courtyard, there was dead silence.
Especially those who not long before were clamoring about trampling over the West Courtyard, with their arrogant expressions as if still frozen on their faces.
Of course, among all the disciples of the East Courtyard, the one with the most complex feelings at this moment was probably none other than Mu Yunlan.
"In just half a year’s time..."
"He’s grown to such an extent..."
"Originally, I thought he was just an ordinary person with a common martial talent but a decent Martial Soul... at most a bit luckier than the typical martial cultivator."
"But ever since, I took his Martial Soul, and Shangguan Xuan and I betrayed him... he’s seemed like a completely different person!"
"His Martial Soul could actually be reborn, and transform into a Ninth Rank Martial Soul! And his talent has become top-notch..."
"Now, in less than half a year, he’s grown strong enough to kill a Golden Core True Person..."
"If I hadn’t betrayed him back then..."
At this thought, a trace of bitterness, hesitation, regret, and confusion... emerged in Mu Yunlan’s heart.
Her hard and cold heart seemed to have developed a few cracks, causing her convictions to waver for a moment.
But quickly, this fleeting hesitation was dispelled by her, and her gaze became cold and steadfast once more.
"Perhaps, I’m losing to him now."
"All this seems like I’ve been wrong..."
"But, I believe it’s not! My Martial Soul is destined to have infinite possibilities. If one day I find the Divine Dragon Martial Spirit and devour it, then I will possess the best Martial Soul on the whole Tian Nian Star, a talent that surpasses all others!"
"On that day, what would a mere Qin Qing count for?"
With these thoughts, Mu Yunlan turned and left, disappearing into the ranks of the East Courtyard disciples, walking into the vast wind and snow.
In sharp contrast to the East Courtyard disciples’ bleakness, on the side of the West Courtyard disciples, after a brief moment of shock, there was deafening cheers.
"Senior Qin!"
"Senior Qin is invincible!"
"Senior Qin unbeaten in a myriad of battles!"
"The number one disciple of the Great Qian Martial Institute is none other than our Senior Qin!"
The cheers were unending.
Pei Zhenshan and Mo Nian couldn’t help but exchange glances, both revealing smiles of helplessness mixed with relief.
"Mo Nian, are you sure you still want to trouble Qin Qing because of what happened with your sister?" Pei Zhenshan teased.
"Trouble him? I’m afraid I’d be asking for a beating," Mo Nian shrugged with an embarrassed smile, thinking back to how he had warned Qin Qing that he would find trouble with him after the duel assessment was over, and couldn’t help but find the thought amusing.
"Moreover, this guy Qin Qing, truly gave us at the West Courtyard a real reason to hold our heads high and breathe easy this time. How could I not thank him? Once it’s over, I’ll go back and give my little sister a good thrashing!"
"Qin Qing..." Jiang Ruorong also murmured, her eyes brimming with tears as she watched the figure on the stage. Finally, she could hold back no longer, tears of joy flowing freely.
Qin Qing, leaning on the Azure Dragon Spear, finally allowed himself a smile, despite his body being covered in bloody wounds that had frozen into dark crimson chunks of ice. The sight of him covered in red ice and frost was nothing short of harrowing.
But his aura, his composure, seemed never to have faded from his gaze.
He leaned on the Azure Dragon Spear, stepping down from the arena one step at a time.
Defeating Du Sen, crushing Tu Baihong, triumphing over Gu Fengxian against all odds, then turning the tables against Xie Jin’an who was on the verge of advancing to a True Person...
Qin Qing’s series of battles for this assessment at the Great Qian Martial Institute could be described as tumultuous and heart-wrenching.
Before the end of the year assessment at the Great Qian Martial Institute officially began, probably no one could have imagined that the West Courtyard could defeat the East Courtyard, let alone that a newly joined disciple would be the one standing up for the West!
There was no doubt that after this, the name of Qin Qing would once again cause a huge commotion in Luochuan Imperial City.
And this time, it would be remembered by the entire Luochuan Imperial City!
As for the debate within the Great Qian Martial Institute about who the top disciple was, there would likely be no further disagreement.
In the spectator stand, the Seventh Prince stood up with a complex expression, his eyes thoughtful. He glanced at Shangguan Yong next to him, didn’t say anything more, and left directly after standing up.
The two Martial Dao ancestors in the Nascent Soul Realm followed after him.
Shangguan Yong’s face turned exceedingly grim as if about to drip water, yet he didn’t hesitate and quickly followed the Seventh Prince.
However, the Third Prince now had a smile on his face as he approached Xu Fang. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦
"Dean Xu, congratulations! With this battle, the West Courtyard can truly claim a complete victory. My congratulations to you!" the Third Prince said to Xu Fang with a smile.
Xu Fang responded with a smile, "I never imagined things would turn out this way. Luckily, indeed!"
Xu Fang also breathed a sigh of relief.
The bet he had with Qin Chang had almost been given up for lost. He even pondered what he could do after the West Courtyard was disbanded, but unexpected was such a turnaround in the end.
The West Courtyard was saved!
And this might very well become a turning point, from which the West Courtyard could launch a counteroffensive against the East Courtyard!
And all of this was because of one person...
That person was Qin Qing!
"Four months ago, going to all lengths to protect Qin Qing seems to be the wisest decision of my life!" Xu Fang couldn’t help but feel fortunate.
"By the way, Dean Xu... please pass on a message to Qin Qing that when he has time, he should come to see me in the palace. This is a token; with this, he can enter the Wanhe Palace of my East Courtyard."
The Third Prince handed the token to Dean Xu, before adding, "Also, regarding the news about Qin Qing’s father, I’ll do my best to inquire for him."
"Alright!" Xu Fang nodded, "I will pass on the message to Qin Qing in just a moment!"
...
Qiushui Villa.
Qin Tong, Qin Shuang, Qin Yue, Qin Tao, and other people from the Qin Residence were all waiting here.
They all knew that Qin Qing was participating in the Great Qian Martial Institute’s duel assessment.
But at that time, no one came to disturb Qin Qing.
They all followed silently, awaiting news.
"That kid Qin Qing, it’s not easy for him. In this assessment at the Great Qian Martial Institute, there will probably be quite a few targeting him..."
"I hope brother makes it through this year-end assessment smoothly!" Qin Shuang silently prayed in her heart.
The people of the Qin Residence who followed Qin Qing to Luochuan now saw him as their mainstay.
Now, they did not dare to hope that Qin Qing could achieve much dazzling success within half a year.
They just hoped that Qin Qing could continue to step by step.
"The assessment is over!"
"Qin Qing has won the top spot in the entire institute!"
The gates of Qiushui Villa were suddenly thrust open, and Gong Yanghe was the first one to rush in.
Inside Qiushui Villa, everyone waiting in silence was stunned...
Almost everyone thought they had heard wrong.
Or rather, some of them simply couldn’t believe the words shouted out by Gong Yanghe.
