The bedroom, the study, the living room, the bathroom—Qin Fen looked at the layout of the rooms and finally understood why Xue Tian had said there was no need to pack any luggage. Even for the most basic contract tier, the Holy Martial Hall provided extraordinarily generous housing arrangements. What about the benefits-tier and the Inner Holy Martial Hall accommodations?
He opened the badge in his pocket; every appliance in this room was available for use.
Lao Qin! Lao Qin!
The badge suddenly projected a beam of light, within which Xue Tian’s figure materialized. Judging by the background, he had already left his own room and was standing in the hallway.
Hurry up and use the badge to set the door settings. Set it to a state where I can enter freely.
Free entry? Qin Fen pulled up the badge's functions and quickly browsed. The Holy Martial Hall wasn't so antiquated that martial artists were confined to wooden shacks; on the contrary, many parts of the complex possessed a sense of groundbreaking technology.
While rooms in other cities were still using electronic password locks, the locks in the Holy Martial Hall had entered a special intelligent state. Once the owner set it up, anyone designated could pass through the door without any hindrance whatsoever.
If an unlisted person attempted to forcibly break in, the door would immediately send the information to the Hall of Discipline’s Law Enforcement Division, and martial artists from that division would quickly arrive to handle the matter.
Beep… beep… beep…
A series of alarm sounds rang out from the badge. Qin Fen realized he had received quite a few system messages.
Humanity Block, Building 122, Seventh Floor, Block Kai-Sa. Set as permitted to freely enter your room.
Humanity Block, Building 122, Seventh Floor, Block B, Xue Tian. Set as permitted to freely enter your room.
Humanity Block…
Qin Fen began setting up his list of freely entering personnel, mimicking the others. His peripheral vision caught sight of the woman on the rooftop of the distant building through the window.
Huh? She noticed me already? Fenghua Danyun held her delicate chin, her eyes sparkling with a hint of delighted surprise. Interesting! This is truly promising. I wonder who will defeat him? Training this one should be more fun than dealing with that little lunatic!
A mysterious chill shot through Qin Fen’s body. He gently rotated his shoulder joints, looking at Fenghua Danyun with genuine curiosity. She clearly held no malice, so why did he feel such a creeping dread?
Don't tell me she has a crush on you? Xue Tian entered Qin Fen’s room without ceremony, casually opening the refrigerator and gulping down a can of nutrient water. Sigh, why doesn't such a beautiful woman take a liking to me?
Caesar, mimicking Xue Tian, pulled a refreshing can of nutrient water from Qin Fen’s fridge. I have a strange feeling about that woman; there’s something off about her.
After spending several months together, the others had unconsciously picked up Xue Tian’s habit of easy familiarity, especially the casualness he showed towards Qin Fen. Even the taciturn Solomon and Morad, who harbored hostility toward Qin Fen, treated the place like home, raiding the refrigerator for nutrient water.
Qin Fen sighed repeatedly as he watched his heavily depleted refrigerator. Whether that woman was strange or not was debatable, but he was certain his room had been invaded by a band of bandits.
Beep…
Qin Fen’s badge sounded another alarm, this time requesting a video call, just as Xue Tian had done moments before.
Qin Fen was somewhat curious. Having just arrived at the Holy Martial Hall, he knew no outsiders. Everyone he knew was in this very room. Who could be trying to contact him?
Accepting the request, a beam of light appeared in the room.
The woman, the beautiful woman on the distant rooftop.
Qin Fen scrutinized Fenghua Danyun in the projection. Now that the distance had narrowed, she was several times more beautiful than seen from afar. The Holy Martial Hall even harbored such a stunning beauty.
Qin Fen asked politely, Hello, may I ask what business you have?
Keep up the good work! Fenghua Danyun said with a playful smile, vigorously waving her seemingly harmless delicate fists. I’m rooting for you!
Good work? Qin Fen looked quizzically at the vanishing projection. What was that all about? This woman suddenly appearing to spout some inexplicable words and then disappearing instantly?
A knock sounded at the door.
Qin Fen used his badge to open it, revealing two martial artists he didn't know well, though he had seen them downstairs shortly before.
The two young martial artists standing at the door looked slightly troubled, peering cautiously into the room. Excuse me, do you gentlemen have a moment?
Xue Tian craned his neck to look down, answering immediately with a grin. Tell the newcomers downstairs that people like us, who deal in fortunes worth hundreds of thousands per second, aren't available for casual meetings. If you want to meet us, make an appointment first! What’s wrong with arriving a few days early? Does arriving early mean you can summon us at will? We’re busy!
Qin Fen glanced at the open space below. This time, not many people had arrived—exactly ten, standing not far off, each wearing an air of arrogance. The martial artists from Building 122 stood silently nearby.
The faces of the two young men at the door grew more troubled. They looked cautiously at Qin Fen’s expression. Can you spare just a little time?
A genuine show of force, then? Qin Fen sized up the two young men before him. If he continued to refuse now, wouldn't it drag these people down with him? Otherwise, why would they have tried to issue this initial warning?
Sigh! Xue Tian shook his head and ambled to the doorway. Your current demeanor doesn't reflect the iron spine a martial artist should possess.
A sharp glint flashed momentarily in the eyes of the two young martial artists, though their faces maintained smiles masking frustration.
Endurance? Xue Tian gave them a thumbs-up. Very good! I thought you’d been scared witless, but it turns out you’re just enduring. Excellent! As long as you hold onto the desire for vengeance and refusal to submit, your future achievements will never be limited to this level.
The forced smiles on the faces of the two young martial artists morphed into wry grimaces. To be lectured by martial artists of the same age group—if this were any other time, they would have already lashed out. But now, having witnessed the ferocity with which that fierce Westerner fought, they sought his consent before acting. Who would dare underestimate him now?
Morad’s eyes, filled with murderous intent, rose silently as he stood and walked toward the door.
Just one? The two young martial artists looked worried. Morad is certainly strong, but those downstairs are all martial artists who have been at the Holy Martial Hall for a year.
Even outside, if two martial artists in their prime age difference by only one year, the gap in strength can often be astonishing.
Moreover, those downstairs are already nineteen, nearing twenty, and have been in the Holy Martial Hall for a full year.
A martial artist who has been in the Holy Martial Hall for over a year versus one who just entered? The two young men covertly glanced at Qin Fen. If he went down, there would naturally be no issue, but if someone else went? Perhaps…
Qin Fen looked back up toward the woman outside the window. So that was what her cryptic words meant. However, he suspected she was about to be disappointed. The strongest among those gathered below barely reached the peak of Nine-Star Transformation; none had even reached the True Innate Realm of Profound Snow Rebirth. Anyone from this room could easily settle the matter.
Not enough? Yang Lie stood up, stretching his arms and legs. Add me to the count. That should be enough, right?
Two...?
The two young martial artists at the door hadn't moved, their eyes fixed expectantly on Qin Fen, as if they wouldn't leave until Qin Fen himself descended.
Caesar looked at Yang Lie in surprise. What are you...?
Before I met Lao Qin, my greatest desire was to enter the Holy Martial Hall. While that is no longer my ultimate aspiration, I still want to see exactly what makes the martial artists cultivated by the Holy Martial Hall so exceptional.
Qin Fen looked at the two young martial artists who refused to budge. How about this: I will watch the fight from the window. If the situation turns sour, I will go down immediately. How does that sound?
The two martial artists exchanged helpless smiles. This man defeated Hades, the Little King of Hell, to the point of hospitalization. Now that he has made his statement, what else could they say?
Whoosh… Morad suddenly threw open the window of Qin Fen's room. Before the two young martial artists could react, he leaped out like a great roc.
Whoosh! Another window in Qin Fen's living room was flung open. The Little Dragon King, Yang Lie, executed a Dragon Soaring maneuver and leaped out while the two young men watched, dumbfounded.
Beautiful!
Everyone in the room exclaimed praise simultaneously. The aid they received from Wuguan had boosted Yang Lie and Morad’s strength significantly in a short time; their movements possessed even more flair than before.
Huh? Fenghua Danyun looked at the two who had leaped out with surprise. What exquisite skill. Not only are they martial artists who have undergone Bone Washing Rebirth, but the true marvel is the artistic conception behind their techniques—form and spirit perfectly unified.
Bang! Bang!
Two thuds echoed as feet met the ground, kicking up dust that drifted past the knees.
The ten martial artists below exchanged looks of surprise mixed with disdain, repeatedly sizing up Yang Lie and Morad. No one had ever heard of young martial artists daring to enter the fray with such a provocative display, responding to a senior’s visit in this manner.
Why is it just the two of you? We heard more than just you two were coming today. Where are the others? Do I need to go up and invite you personally?
Yang Lie sized up the speaker. Judging by his arrogant attitude and strength, he was clearly the leader among the ten. His build was reasonably balanced, and his features weren't exactly handsome but weren't entirely repulsive. It was the arrogance radiating from his brow that was bothersome.
A show of force, is it? Yang Lie rotated his ankles. You want to fight? Then why all the pointless chatter? I also wish to witness how truly outstanding the people trained by the Holy Martial Hall are.
Huang Fengwan, who had regained his senses, subtly ground his teeth, his eyes flicking with a measure of pity toward Yang Lie. Ouyang Yan was originally a benefits-tier contractor when he first entered the Holy Martial Hall. It was only because he failed subsequent assessments that he was demoted to the basic-tier.
However, the cultivation he received during nearly a year as a benefits-tier member—both in elixirs and guidance—far surpassed that of basic-tier martial artists. Thus, immediately after his demotion, he became the pinnacle figure among the basic-tier martial artists of his age bracket.
Demotion was never something glorious. Ever since being demoted, Ouyang Yan had become fanatical about intimidating newcomers, and his attacks were always more vicious than others.
Huang Fengwan always speculated whether Ouyang Yan was afraid of being mocked for his demotion, which was why he attacked with such ruthlessness? Why did he target newcomers who dared to resist with such heavy blows?
What did you say? Ouyang Yan’s face instantly turned ashen, his ten fingers clenching so tightly they made a sound like crushing beans. A suffocating aura instantly locked onto Yang Lie. Since you wish to see for yourself, today I will open your eyes.
Just you? Yang Lie shook his head repeatedly, his eyes filled with disappointment. You haven't even reached the peak of Nine-Star. What can you show me?
…
The scene suddenly fell into an intense silence, like the calm before a storm.
The young martial artists of Building 122 watched Yang Lie with apprehension. This newcomer had just touched upon Ouyang Yan’s most sensitive nerve—the very reason he was kicked out of the benefits-tier contract.
Ouyang Yan’s eye twitched incessantly. No one had dared to touch this raw scar for months. In the past, among the basic-tier contractors, anyone who poked at this wound had ended up hospitalized. Yet today, a newcomer dared to be so insolent.
Huang Fengwan clenched his teeth tightly and stepped forward quickly. Senior Ouyang, it’s inevitable that newcomers entering the Holy Martial Hall possess some arrogance, but please ensure you maintain proper restraint during the traditional tempering process.
I will certainly maintain restraint, Ouyang Yan replied, his voice sounding like the freezing cold of winter. You’ll be staying in the hospital for half a year, then.
Yang Lie’s brow furrowed deeply. This atmosphere in the Holy Martial Hall was truly irritating, and Ouyang Yan, in particular, evoked strong disgust, leveraging the attempt to establish dominance to try and put someone in the hospital for half a year.
Half a year, is it? Yang Lie stood tall and proud, one hand behind his back, his spine ramrod straight. Very well, I will make sure you spend half a year in there! Watch closely. Today, I will use only this one hand to strike you down.
You? Ouyang Yan spat out a string of words between his teeth. The skin and muscle on his exposed body instantly turned golden-yellow—a color radiating from within, not from any strange dye applied externally.
Golden Bell Shield!
One punch!
Yang Lie remained unmoving, completely unaffected by the pressure of Ouyang Yan’s aura, displaying the same fearless spirit Qin Fen had voiced that day: You won't even withstand one punch from me.
Nonsense!
The moment Ouyang Yan’s sharp voice escaped, Yang Lie moved. With a stomp of his foot, several low-lying plants near his body violently shook. His Dragon Form movement instantly erased the twenty-meter distance between them, descending from above with the Eighteen Divine Dragons Gathering Wind and Cloud technique, the resulting sonic boom roaring like a congregation of dragons crying out.
It was the same Eighteen Divine Dragons Gathering Wind and Cloud technique, yet Yang Lie’s execution possessed less of Qin Fen’s overwhelming gravity and more freedom and unrestraint!
The surging, wild wind instantly enveloped Ouyang Yan!
Upon launching the attack, Ouyang Yan’s expression changed dramatically. He stared intently at the fist that was absolutely impossible to evade, leaving only the option to meet it head-on.
Rage pushed his aura to its peak. Ouyang Yan threw his head back high.
Open!
True Qi surged violently within Ouyang Yan, the pressure of the Eighteen Divine Dragons Gathering Wind and Cloud squeezing his potential.
The yellowish skin instantly deepened in color to gold, his arms looking as if they had been smeared with golden paint—thick as calves, his two arms were raised high above his head, bracing against Yang Lie’s Eighteen Divine Dragons Gathering Wind and Cloud.
Bang!
Three power-filled arms collided! The sound of muscle and bone impacting was immediately followed by the crack of shattering bones. Blood sprayed from the pores of Ouyang Yan’s arms, instantly dyeing his yellow limbs red.
As Yang Lie’s Eighteen Divine Dragons Gathering Wind and Cloud struck, Ouyang Yan was slammed and compressed. Not only did the bones in his arms break, but the bones in his shoulders and legs also fractured with explosive sounds. Blood gushed simultaneously from all seven orifices, and his entire body was sent flying backward like a cannonball, instantly knocked unconscious.
I told you, you won't even withstand one punch from me. Yang Lie’s gaze, sharp as lightning, swept across the remaining nine opponents: All of you, come at me together!