Betrothal gifts, an ancient tradition almost exclusively associated with Chinese culture.

With the progression of society, this tradition has even been abandoned by many of Chinese descent.

Song Jia clutched her phone, unable to believe what she was hearing, her captivating, star-like eyes flickering with disbelief.

A betrothal proposal, an early move! The hands holding the phone trembled slightly in Song Jia's grasp; she suspected she might be dreaming. Qin Fen, usually somewhat passive in matters of romance, was showing such initiative today.

A formal proposal! In this highly technologically advanced modern society, it hasn't completely vanished.

On the contrary, among many prominent and powerful clans, this tradition is regarded with even greater importance. To marry the granddaughter of Earth's Martial God, Song Dongwen, the step of presenting betrothal gifts was clearly unavoidable.

However, presenting oneself at Song Dongwen's doorstep to propose was not simply a matter of having sufficient strength; it demanded immense courage. Who was Song Dongwen? The Martial God of Earth, the Qilin! The supreme sect master of the Qilin Sect! While this supreme master rarely engaged in direct management of the Qilin Sect, the colossal organization certainly existed.

For a Divine Beast level martial artist, one whose power virtually superseded Federal law, if he was displeased with a suitor, he might simply strike the petitioner down on the spot. The police department's records would likely only gain another entry for a missing person, not a homicide case. Failing a proposal to another family might just result in lost face. Failing a proposal at the home of the Qilin, Song Dongwen, could cost far more than just face; one might leave their very life behind.

Song Dongwen, the Qilin! If you rashly proceeded with a proposal, in the eyes of the Qilin, it meant you disrespected him, violated his authority, and being struck down by a single palm strike would not be surprising.

Divine Beast level martial artists stand at the apex of current Federal martial power. Every martial artist who achieves the Divine Beast level has undoubtedly taken many lives.

This fact is absolutely indisputable. Even Qin Fen and Xue Tian have personally ended lives; how much more so for Divine Beast level practitioners? If their hands weren't stained with enough blood, martial artists challenging them daily would queue from the South Pole all the way to the North Pole region.

Divine Beast martial artists are not some masters of Confucian etiquette. They all possess exceptionally strong personalities and would never concern themselves with the opinions of common folk or feign the magnanimity of reclusive sages. You can hold them in contempt behind their backs, but you absolutely cannot stand before them, point at their nose, and declare your disdain. It's the exact same principle as not provoking a tiger's fangs.

Qin Fen's relationship with Song Dongwen? Anyone with a modicum of standing, provided they weren't deaf or blind, clearly understood that they were not on good terms.

Years ago, when Qin Fen participated in the initial trials for a prospective maternal grandson-in-law, Song Dongwen shut the entire process down with a single phone call.

The result was that the then-nascent Qin Fen showed an unexpected surge of defiance! He directly attacked and hospitalized every candidate whom Song Dongwen had considered the most promising, sending a clear signal of resistance to the Qilin, Song Dongwen, who hadn't faced such opposition in many years.

Subsequently, Song Dongwen issued a direct order: the first test for anyone wishing to marry his granddaughter, Song Jia, was to hospitalize Qin Fen in a one-on-one fight. Following this order, those who went looking for trouble with Qin Fen instead became experience points for his martial advancement. Not only did they fail to put him in the hospital, but his strength soared through continuous combat, eventually leading him to cripple Hades, the Little King of the Underworld.

This series of battles by Qin Fen, when analyzed indirectly, had truly touched the Qilin Song Dongwen's nerve.

Under such circumstances, if Song Dongwen were to arrive at Qin Fen's doorstep tomorrow and strike him dead with one blow, no one could rightfully object.

If one must not provoke the fangs of a tiger, must the fangs of a Qilin be spared?

The reason Song Dongwen hadn't appeared before Qin Fen these past few days, many speculated, was due to the Lord of the Sacred Martial Hall; even the Qilin would likely show him some deference, wouldn't he? Otherwise, if he killed Qin Fen in the Holy Land, it would likely cause the Martial Venerable to lose face; if a practitioner cultivating on his very territory was killed without retaliation, the reputation of the Martial Arts Holy Land itself would be at stake. Now, hearing that Qin Fen might be leaving soon, the safest place for him—the Martial Arts Holy Land—was about to be compromised. If he went to the Song family residence to propose, Song Jia's heart, beyond happiness, was filled with worry.

Over the last half-year, Song Jia had occasionally heard rumors about Qin Fen. Every time Song Dongwen heard that name, a malicious aura would emanate from him.

This was hardly a proposal; the outcome could very well be that of a lamb walking into a tiger's maw.

"Qin Fen..." Song Jia murmured into the phone, "Every time my grandfather hears your name, his aura becomes unstable. I think, perhaps you should...."

"Wait a bit longer?" Qin Fen's face held a quiet, gentle smile. "From the very beginning of this, I've been in a passive or semi-passive state. When it comes to you, there are things I should have borne, but you carried them all. Every time I think of it, I feel I haven't been man enough. As for your grandfather, I don't want to continue being passive under his command."

"But..."

"No 'buts'," Qin Fen interrupted firmly. "All you need to do now is wait quietly; you don't need any more pressure. I will settle some matters, and I'll be there soon." Qin Fen tightened his grip on the phone slightly. "This time, it's my turn to protect you. I've completely realized that a man should strike proactively, not passively accept challenges from others."

Snap... Sizzle...

......

The look of surging pride on Qin Fen's face instantly dissolved into a wry, helpless smile. In a moment of excitement, he hadn't paid attention to the force in his hands. The "expensive" phone was utterly crushed in his inadvertent grip.

"Qin Fen, you broke that one yourself."

Yang Lie immediately stepped back half a pace, creating some distance from Qin Fen.

The others reacted just like Yang Lie—first retreating to a safe distance, then reacting. A wry smile spread across Qin Fen's face as he repeatedly shook his head looking at the debris of the phone. Previously, if he broke something, he could find someone else to foot the bill; this time, it seemed he would have to pay for himself.

Helplessly, Qin Fen gathered the shattered remnants and tossed them into a nearby trash receptacle. "Let's go see the world's other geniuses."

The group exchanged knowing smiles, put force into their steps, and sped back toward the dormitory area.

Returning to the dorms, a long-absent smile touched Qin Fen's eyes. When he was last here, he was a fresh newcomer, constantly fending off challenges from older residents. Now, he was considered an elder, ready to observe the so-called newcomers.

The selection made by the super-newcomers who arrived months ago regarding the basic level of the Outer Sacred Martial Hall once again gave the residents of the Inner Sacred Martial Hall a headache: another martial artist identifying as Outer Item, Basic Type.

At the foot of Building 122, Qin Fen spotted two familiar figures from a distance.

Bai Sheng and Gao Yuan. The two senior martial artists who were the first to show kindness when Qin Fen first entered the Sacred Martial Hall. Qin Fen increased the force beneath his feet, accelerating his approach, and soon stood before Bai Sheng, bowing slightly. His eyes held a look of profound apology as he spoke, "Senior, I am sorry..."

Bai Sheng and Gao Yuan were momentarily stunned, then smiles of understanding appeared on their faces. "Kid, there's nothing to be sorry for. You did what you did for our own good, didn't you?"

A wave of emotion surged through Qin Fen. That day, when he helped the two seniors master the Level Six Qi Vibration, giving them an unimaginable short-term boost in martial arts, both parties felt it was a well-intentioned act. However, after half a year of diligent cultivation and gaining a deeper understanding of the martial path, Qin Fen now realized that his intervention might not have been entirely correct.

Initially, Qin Fen had wondered: if someone of his strength could assist other martial artists in grasping the Qi Vibration, then martial artists who had undergone Marrow Cleansing Rebirth should certainly be able to do the same. Why then were there so many martial artists in the Sacred Martial Hall stuck at the Fourteen-Star level for years? Once they achieved Level Six Qi Vibration, they possessed the basic ability to attempt Marrow Cleansing Nirvana.

As his strength grew and his understanding of the martial path deepened, Qin Fen understood something: some aspects of the martial path cannot rely on external aid.

For example, something like the Level Six Qi Vibration must be experienced and realized internally. If external force is used to achieve it, even if it appears to lead to rapid advancement, it carries the deep flavor of pulling up seedlings to encourage growth.

If Bai Sheng previously had a ten percent chance of breaking through to Marrow Cleansing Nirvana, now that chance was truly zero.

Over the past six months, Bai Sheng, Gao Yuan, and the absent Ren Tiansheng had gradually grasped this truth through their cultivation.

The inability to elevate one's lifelong Star Level power is a blow to a martial artist that outsiders cannot possibly imagine. In half a year, Bai Sheng's brow carried an added layer of age, and his recent smile contained an even more aged quality.

"Heh, it's nothing!" Bai Sheng slapped Qin Fen's shoulder forcefully. "Without you, perhaps I would never have reached Level Six Qi Vibration in my life. Stop blaming yourself, kid! Tell me about your results from this special training."

Looking at Bai Sheng's carefree demeanor, Qin Fen's self-reproach deepened.

"Fifteen Stars."

"Fifteen Stars?" The aged look on Bai Sheng's face instantly radiated the youthful vigor of vitality again, his smile blooming like a child who had received his favorite toy. "Good! Very good! Though I, Bai Sheng, may be..., my judgment is the sharpest!"

Bai Sheng happily slapped Qin Fen's shoulder. This child was someone he had chosen during the Newcomer Competition, and now, at less than twenty years old, his strength had reached Fifteen Stars! This was arguably the fastest surge in Star Level power among the young martial artists in the Sacred Martial Hall, perhaps even in the entire martial world. Bai Sheng already regarded Qin Fen as his own son in his heart; otherwise, he wouldn't have risked exposing his book to help him, nor would he have immediately made a bet with Gao Yuan upon Qin Fen's arrival to get his martial arts notes.

"Senior... I will find a way in the future..."

"Why are you becoming so fussy?" Bai //Sheng frowned, waving his hand dismissively. "Kid, remember this well. Don't carry the mental burden for my sake. If you absolutely must repay me, then break through to Divine Beast level for me! If you can reach Divine Beast level, I will shine brightly too, won't I?"

"Yes!" Qin Fen looked up at the vast blue sky. "Divine Beast level, I will strive my utmost to break through."

"That's better." Bai Sheng punched Qin Fen's shoulder, laughing. "Kid, after this special training concludes, what are your plans?" "I want to meet the new super-newcomer," Qin Fen said seriously, a trace of fighting spirit in his eyes. "And I want to challenge the Martial Maniac."

Challenge the Martial Maniac? Everyone was slightly taken aback. After this special training, not only had Qin Fen's Star Level strength transformed, but his personality was also subtly perfecting itself without him noticing.

Qin Fen, who had always passively accepted challenges, today spoke twice about taking the initiative—first, declaring his intention to propose to the Qilin Song Dongwen's family, and shortly after, revealing another idea. He would no longer passively wait for the Martial Maniac's arranged duel but would actively go out to challenge him.

"Super-newcomer?" Bai Sheng smiled. "This super-newcomer, you should all still know him."

Know him? Qin Fen's eyes lit up, somewhat surprised. Had Lin Liqiang or Inzarota gone mad? Abandoning their most specialized fields to come cultivate in the Sacred Martial Hall?

"That's right, you know him!" Bai Sheng nodded repeatedly. "He, like you, came from the Newcomer Competition. Du Peng..."

Du Peng? Qin Fen nodded suddenly. Du Peng hadn't been qualified to enter the Sacred Martial Hall back then, but that didn't mean he lacked talent forever. Du Peng might not equal Caesar and the others, but he was still a young martial artist with quite good innate talent. If he completed Blood-Washing Rebirth and achieved True Innate status, reaching Ten Stars while still young, then entering the Sacred Martial Hall as a super-newcomer would indeed be possible.

"Du Peng..." Qin Fen tasted the name of his comrade, while another name surfaced in his mind: Chen Feiyu.

Chen Feiyu, who lacked citizen status, should have also completed Blood-Washing Rebirth by now. Unfortunately, due to the restriction of his citizen status, he had to serve in the military for two years before he could obtain citizenship.

"Let's go see Du Peng."

Qin Fen followed Bai Sheng, moving forward quickly.

At this moment, people peeked out of windows in the roadside buildings. Qin Fen had emerged from seclusion; the former super-newcomer squad was out! This news spread faster than a black hornet. A large number of martial artists received the message.

Everyone was eager to see the state of the young man who had emerged from the special training today.

Curious gazes fell upon the group of young martial artists who looked somewhat mentally fatigued. However, few people would believe that this state of fatigue meant these young martial artists were easy targets.

On the contrary, this tired state exuded a powerful aura; anyone challenging them would be mercilessly crushed!

Now, against the once-unbeatable Martial Maniac, what chance of victory did Qin Fen truly possess? People peered out, most of their attention fixed on Qin Fen.

Du Peng's residence wasn't far from Qin Fen's building number. In half a year, the Sacred Martial Hall could only recruit a limited number of martial artists.

As the group neared the building, hurried but composed footsteps sounded from within.

A dozen or so young martial artists peered out, their eyes filled with hostility.

Unlike the others, these individuals had only joined the Sacred Martial Hall after Qin Fen's special training. They didn't know Qin Fen or Caesar, only occasionally hearing rumors about them.

"Oh? It's been a while since someone carried on the glorious tradition. Do we have another one today who doesn't know how to live?"

"Heh, good timing! The Building Leader hasn't shown his power in a while; looks like these people are itching for a beating."

"Should we call the doctor first? When the Building Leader acts, he's never gentle."

"Hey, you lot, state your names!"

The dozen or so young martial artists chattered ceaselessly. The one positioned at the front was somewhat stout; in an era where martial arts reigned supreme and had naturally refined everyone's physique, this stature stood out conspicuously. The demand for Qin Fen to state his name came from him.

"Qin Fen."

"Caesar."

"Morad."

"..."

"Yang Lie."

"..." Solomon remained silent as usual.

......

The noisy young martial artists instantly fell silent, looking at Qin Fen with eyes full of doubt.

Regarding the storm generation that once graced the Sacred Martial Hall, the newer recruits held a great deal of skepticism.

In their view, the title of the strongest newcomer in the Sacred Martial Hall belonged to no one but their Building Leader, Du Peng.

Du Peng's formidable strength was something they had witnessed with their own eyes.

"Make way."

In the hallway, Du Peng's long-unheard, deep voice slowly resonated.

The young martial artists hadn't yet moved aside when an intense, blade-like fighting will surged out through the crowd.

Yang Lie and the others exchanged quick glances. "Who goes first?"

Before the words fully landed, a path opened in the crowd. The ground in the corridor suddenly vibrated repeatedly, the sound of successive footsteps resembling the charge of warhorses before battle. A dense, ancient battlefield atmosphere swept over those gathered in front of the building.

In the darkness, two beams of sharp light erupted from Du Peng's eyes. His surging body was like a general riding a warhorse on an ancient battlefield; the sound generated by his body friction with the air was akin to a warhorse's neigh. His right hand trailed slightly behind him, forming a saber steeped in killing intent, his aura locking precisely onto Yang Lie's celestial spirit cap.

As Du Peng unleashed this strike, Qin Fen suddenly felt an illusion in his eyes—the image of the deceased Du Zhanpeng seemed to overlap perfectly with Du Peng at this moment.

This strike felt as if it hadn't been delivered by Du Peng, but rather that Du Zhanpeng had descended upon him, controlling his body to strike.

Warhorse, great saber! Du Peng was like the Martial Saint Guan Yu on an ancient battlefield; where his right arm swept, ghosts wept and devils howled. Unparalleled ferocity!

Du Peng had finally grasped the essence of the Seven Star Immortal Thunder Cavalry Slash: the very essence of killing and warfare on the ancient battlefield!

Twelve Stars! The gasps of the newcomer martial artists rose to their throats. They had followed Du Peng for so long but had never seen him like this today. His strength was far greater than usual, and the intense fighting will and murderous aura meant that even a Jungle Ranger mobile armor unit facing him would only end up being sliced apart, let alone a body of flesh and blood?

Laughter filled Yang Lie's eyes as he straightened his body slightly. He had seen the Seven Star Immortal Thunder Cavalry Slash before. He raised his left foot and took a seemingly square step—the movement technique [Dragon Stride, Tiger Pace] created during the zero-gravity combat in the special training!

This step, while appearing solid and powerful, was not foolish; it instantly placed him within Du Peng's attack range. The moment his shoulders twitched, his right shoulder sprang out with a punch like a loaded spring!

This punch moved in a manner resembling the [Seven Star Immortal Thunder Cavalry Slash]; intense, iron-blooded killing intent from the ancient battlefield enveloped his arm and fist, the icy coldness squeezing the air, forcibly creating a visible air-pressure wave in front of the fist!

Although he couldn't achieve external Qi projection like Qin Fen, the Little Dragon King Yang Lie utilized his extreme cold specialized Qi to make his fist, which couldn't project Qi externally, exhibit a trace of the externalized state.

Thirteen Stars! Sharp light flashed in Du Peng's eyes. The two fists, which stirred up the sound of clashing swords and howling wind from an ancient battlefield, collided head-on!

Boom!

The solid ground shook repeatedly, countless pieces of turf cracking and lifting off the ground due to the shockwave. Du Peng's blood-engorged right arm instantly turned deathly pale. His full-force saber grip transformed into a fist, and the pores on his arm suddenly opened wide, surrounded by a visible white mist.

The icy Qi of the New Dark Nether Divine Art was instantly forced out by Du Peng. Yang Lie's Dragon Stride, Tiger Pace had already brought him before Du Peng, and his left hand silently pressed against Du Peng's lower abdomen...

......

The scene fell silent. The young martial artists stood staring, hands covering their ears, watching the battle that had started in an instant and ended just as quickly.

The Building Leader Du Peng, who had held sway for days, was defeated instantly by the legendary former newcomer squad.

"Du Peng, haven't seen you in a few days, you've gotten this strong?" Yang Lie gave a thumbs-up, praising repeatedly. "Your progress is too fast."

Qin Fen was also startled by the strength Du Peng displayed. Twelve Stars! Du Peng had actually reached the Twelve-Star level! Caesar and the others, even after the special training, were only at Thirteen Stars, having entered the peak of the Planetary level.

Whether Du Peng's talent was good or bad was no secret to Qin Fen's team. How could he have advanced so rapidly without the Asura's special training?

This speed—if Caesar and the others hadn't undergone the special training, their current star level would likely be the same. Du Peng managing to keep pace with the rate of improvement Caesar would have had without the training could only mean one thing...

Du Peng, having fully assimilated the legacy of his brother Du Zhanpeng, experienced a true surge in power as the two forces merged and resonated; moreover, his current activity level was now comparable to that of Caesar and the others before their special training regimen. It could be said that Du Zhanpeng’s inheritance finally closed the last minuscule gap between Du Peng’s natural talent and that of Caesar and the rest.

Du Peng retracted his attacking posture, walking toward Qin Fen with a silent smile. No extensive words were necessary; he simply opened his arms for a solid bear hug.

The inferiority complex he once felt due to the gap in strength with the others had completely vanished during their recent exchange. Du Peng had already heard about the strange, yet absolutely effective, special training the others had undergone.

The young, newly advanced martial artists were stunned. How could their floor leader first engage in a fierce battle like that with these people, only to instantly turn around and embrace them one by one?

It appeared they knew each other. “Very impressive.

Your talent is no less than theirs.” Feng Hua Danyun’s voice, laced with keen interest, sounded slowly. Qin Fen’s happy smile suddenly froze, and Du Peng was momentarily confused; how could this companion, who had never flinched even amidst a storm of bullets, now show traces of fear in his eyes upon hearing such a melodious voice?

Du Peng looked at the others and saw the same expression on their faces—a look suggesting that certain past memories were too painful to revisit. “Since you all know each other, then I shall administer some special training as well.” Feng Hua Danyun stepped forward with a Lotus Bloom movement.

Du Peng realized he couldn't even track her figure before she materialized before him; this level of skill was the most astonishing he had witnessed since entering the Sacred Martial Hall. Feng Hua Danyun’s delicate wrist flicked lightly, resting on Du Peng’s shoulder.

She turned back toward Qin Fen, giving a small, toothy smile, “I will train your friend. How will you thank me?” “This…” Qin Fen was momentarily speechless.

Such training would be immensely helpful for Du Peng. To secure such a profound enhancement for a friend’s star-level capability was not something that could be guaranteed just because one possessed talent or the Asura title.

After half a year of training, Qin Fen could see that Asura also needed some time to rest. Her appearance now carried the distinct flavor of showing deference to the former trainees.

“How about this: promise to do three things for me in the future?” Three favors in exchange for Du Peng’s special training. Qin Fen agreed instantly without a second thought.

Even if one brought a mountain of gold before Asura, if she was displeased, the training would still be unobtainable. This kind of training could not be overstated; how could Qin Fen hesitate to agree to three favors to get his friend this profound benefit?

“You remember you promised me, yes?” Feng Hua Danyun’s smile held the air of a child whose trickery had succeeded. With a swift movement, she lifted Du Peng, not giving him a chance to resist, and vanished from their sight.

Caesar watched the direction Du Peng had disappeared, drawing a small cross over his chest and murmuring, “May God bless you.” Yang Lie looked at Qin Fen. “What are your plans now?” “A correction,” Qin Fen gazed toward the Inner Sacred Martial Hall.

“He sought me out last time; now it’s my turn to seek him.” “Qin Fen…” Ferreiro appeared soundlessly near the edge of the crowd, his expression tinged with awkwardness. “Master?” Qin Fen hurried forward, puzzled by the Elder’s demeanor, which carried an added layer of embarrassment.

“Xue Tian said he was looking for you.” “Xue Tian?” The awkwardness on Ferreiro’s face deepened slightly. He coughed, blocking his mouth with a clenched fist.

“I came to find you because there are a few things I need to discuss.”