Chapter 74

Silence fell over the entire venue!

This outcome was beyond anyone's expectations.

Even among the Song family's camp, everyone was stunned, still reeling from the shock of Qin Shuo's final punch.

Strong!

Too strong!

Inner Strength transforming into Qi, defeating a Tongmai Realm martial artist!

Such a feat is rare even in Songyang Prefecture, let alone across the entire Yunzhou.

"Little Yan, your junior brother has limitless potential!"

Song Tianhao's eyes lit up with shock, and finally, a victorious smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

Originally, he had already given up hope.

But now, Qin Shuo has given him a great surprise.

As long as this youth does not die prematurely, his future achievements are immeasurable; he may not even stop at Condensing Truth, possessing the potential of a Grandmaster.

Grandmasters are few and far between even across the entire Yunzhou.

Such beings command wind and rain; to ordinary people, they are nothing short of living immortals.

Song Tianhao has decided: once this Yuan Magnetic Grotto expedition ends, he will increase his investment in Qin Shuo to help him break through to Tongmai as soon as possible.

Given the strength Qin Shuo has shown today, once he enters Tongmai, he will be fully capable of standing alone, even surpassing the father of Tian Bai of the Tian family.

Song Yan also smiled faintly upon hearing this, her tense heart instantly relaxing, and she genuinely rejoiced for Qin Shuo.

This junior brother of hers is truly growing stronger and stronger.

Three months ago, he was merely a lowly apprentice at the Liuhe Martial Arts Hall; now, he has transformed completely and can already contend with Tongmai Realm experts—such growth speed inspires both envy and despair.

"Perhaps I will never catch up to his footsteps in this lifetime," Song Yan sighed inwardly.

Earlier, when Qin Shuo had just entered Inner Strength Great Perfection, she still thought that upon returning to the Song family, she could catch up quickly by taking pills.

But now it seems that even if she breaks through to Inner Strength Great Perfection, it would be of no use.

The gap between them is too vast—not just in martial realm, but also in martial comprehension and body tempering; they are not on the same level.

Take Fang Lin, for example: although his realm is slightly higher than Qin Shuo's, Qin Shuo bridges the gap through his physical body and fist intent comprehension.

Furthermore, by relying on the Burning Blood Secret Technique, he utterly crushed his opponent.

Such talent, even in the genius-rich Yunzhou City, is as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

"Lost…… Lin'er actually lost!"

Compared to the Song family's cheers and celebration, the entire Fang family has fallen into a deathly silence.

Fang Yongping's eyes are dazed; he simply cannot accept this outcome.

For this Yuan Magnetic Grotto contest, he was determined to win, sparing no resources or effort to help Fang Lin break through to Tongmai.

Yet Fang Lin was defeated by some unknown brat who came out of nowhere—how could he possibly accept this?

But reality is what it is; he cannot change it even if he refuses.

At least, the Song family will not relinquish the Yuan Magnetic Grotto; if the Fang family wishes to return, they can only break face and fight a great battle.

"Just what is this brat's background? Even the elder brother lost to him!"

Fang Yan frowned tightly, his fists clenched so hard his nails dug in, his face full of resentment and jealousy.

"Investigate! Go back and investigate! I want to see exactly who this person is, daring to interfere with the Fang family's good fortune."

Fang Yongping's face darkened, but he also knows now is not the time to act out; he can only stare fixedly at Qin Shuo, as if trying to see through him.

"Fang Family Head, the victory is now decided; do you Fang family still have anything to say?" Song Tianhao said, his heart light with joy.

These past years, he has had to deal with pressure from branch families and provocations from the Fang family, leaving him utterly exhausted in body and mind.

Qin Shuo's appearance has given him hope, to end this state of being constantly manipulated, plagued by internal troubles and external threats.

"Song Family Head, may I ask where this young brother comes from?"

Fang Yongping said coldly: "According to the rules, only disciples of our Fang and Song families may participate in this grotto contest; if you bring in outside help, the victory would not be honorable."

"He is my junior brother. When we made the original agreement, it never said that participants had to bear the surname Song," Song Yan replied.

Her father was ambushed and killed by the former Fang family head during the struggle for the Yuan Magnetic Grotto.

Therefore, facing Fang Yongping's questioning, Song Yan showed no pleasant expression at all and directly retorted.

"What? Does the Fang Family Head think our Song family is weak and bullyable, wanting to go back on his word? Today's affair is known to many forces in the prefecture city; if the Fang Family Head regrets it, does he not fear being laughed at by heroes across the land?"

Song Tianhao spoke in a calm tone, yet carried an undeniable authority.

The Song family martial artists behind him, upon hearing this, also gripped their weapons tightly, ready to fight at a moment's notice.

"Rest assured, the Yuan Magnetic Grotto is but a trifle; my Fang family can afford to lose it."

Fang Yongping's face was grim, but in the end he did not dwell further on Qin Shuo's identity.

Because the outcome is already decided, if the Fang family does not wish to earn the reputation of going back on their word, they must accept this defeat.

Most importantly, if they were to go to war with the Song family now, it would only result in mutual destruction.

Songyang Prefecture City, teeming with countless forces!

Overthrowing the Song family does not mean the Fang family can rest easy.

Once they show weakness, other families watching from the other shore will surely seize the opportunity to attack, destroying the Fang family along with them.

Therefore, without absolute certainty of victory, Fang Yongping does not wish to engage in a bloody battle with the Song family.

"Uncle!"

Fang Yan felt unwilling, not wanting to just give up like this.

But Fang Yongping ignored him, waving his hand at the Fang family members and saying: "Go!"

Speaking thus, he led the entire Fang family contingent down the mountain in a mighty procession.

"Junior brother, are you alright?"

After the Fang family members had completely withdrawn, Song Yan approached Qin Shuo, examining him up and down.

"I'm fine, just expended some blood and qi."

Qin Shuo shook his head, his face somewhat pale, but it was nothing serious.

"Junior Brother Qin's external cultivation technique is truly astonishing; thanks to you this time, otherwise our Song family would surely lose this Earth Cave contest."

Song Tianhao laughed as he praised.

Song Ci and Song Tianlin beside him remained expressionless, unsure what to feel in their hearts.

If it weren't for Qin Shuo defeating Tian Bai, our Song family would truly be in danger this time in the Earth Cave contest.

But Qin Shuo's appearance likewise broke the internal power balance of the Song family.

Once he breaks through to the Tongmai Realm, the direct line will inevitably see a great increase in strength, which for us collateral branches is certainly not a good thing.

"Just doing what I was entrusted to do, being loyal to the task." Qin Shuo smiled, "Moreover, isn't there also a quota for me in this Earth Cave?"

"Of course." Song Tianhao laughed happily.

Even if Song Yan does not intercede for Qin Shuo now, he would actively offer the quota of the Yuan Magnetic Grotto to gain Qin Shuo's favor.

To Song Tianhao, Qin Shuo at this moment is no longer the junior brother from some remote town, but the hope for the revival of the Song family.

"How should we arrange things next?" Qin Shuo looked toward Song Tianhao.

"You and Xuan have only minor injuries; take one Blood Qi Pill to recover your blood and qi, and you should be able to enter the Earth Cave directly."

"As for Shan..."

Song Tianhao glanced at Song Shan, whose chest was caved in and face devoid of blood, and shook his head: "With his condition, it's utterly impossible to enter the Earth Cave.

Second Elder, your branch should still re-select someone."

Upon hearing this, Song Ci's already gloomy face darkened further.

This time, our collateral branch has suffered a utter defeat.

The painstakingly cultivated Tian Bai was ruined by Qin Shuo.

The Yuan Magnetic Grotto we painstakingly won, Song Shan was severely injured in the contest and cannot use it at all.

After our collateral branch toiled for half a year, we gained not even a single hair—truly losing the wife and losing the army.

In contrast, the main line not only gained a genius external aid with the bearing of a Grandmaster, but Song Xuan will also surpass Song Shan in strength due to cultivation in the Earth Cave.

Comparing people to people, it's truly infuriating.

"This time's Earth Cave quota shall be selected from the Third Elder's branch.

I recall that Song He recently achieved Inner Strength Consummation; although weaker than Song Shan and Song Xuan, he still barely qualifies to enter the Earth Cave for tempering."

Song Ci spoke with a gloomy face.

"Good, then it's settled: Qin Shuo, Song Xuan, follow me into the Earth Cave. As for Song He, have Third Brother go notify the Third Elder."

Song Tianhao also deliberated, then made a decision, letting Song Tianlin and the Second Elder lead people back, while he himself takes Qin Shuo and Song Xuan to the Earth Cave.