Chapter 33: Reaping the First Team Member

Zhenling Academy — today's Martial Arts Arena was unusually lively.

No one had expected Jiang Qin to actually step forward for Su Lingwei, and the atmosphere that had been about to die down flared up again.

The spectator stands were a deafening roar of voices.

"The Killing Star's here — now there's really going to be a show!"

"Odds are open, odds are open! Who's stronger between Jiang Qin and Han Wenqing — any students with an opinion, place your bets fast, opportunity waits for no one! Last call!"

"Wait, why are you all betting on Jiang Qin to win? What's even the point of gambling like this!"

"Right? You two from the Student Union — you really have that little faith in your own president? Have a little confidence in him at least."

"Pfft, you really think I'm stupid…"

At that moment on the dueling platform, Jiang Qin rubbed his fists together with a grin and walked toward Han Wenqing, a restless eagerness faintly stirring in him.

"President Han, we meet again. How should we do this today?"

"You look to be in good shape — you won't refuse my challenge, right? Even if you do refuse, I'm still going to make a move. But I'd still rather you accept it. After all, I am a law-abiding citizen."

Han Wenqing's brow twitched — he didn't have a shred of fighting spirit. He wasn't stupid.

When this monster was still at the Spirit Drawing Realm, his strength was already no less than his own. Now he'd broken through to mid Spirit Sea Realm, and his Spirit Energy seemed to have been fully tempered — his power had surely undergone a qualitative leap. Did he stand a chance?

Right — he could still run!

Thinking this, Han Wenqing decisively turned to flee, but before he could leap off the platform, Jiang Qin, who had sensed his intention, flashed behind him and struck out with a palm…

Run?

If I let you get away, I'll write the character Jiang backwards!

Just three minutes later, the Martial Arts Arena had fallen utterly silent.

Jiang Qin stretched contentedly, clapped his hands, and walked off with Su Lingwei after a job well done, leaving only Han Wenqing lying in a crater with a battered face, utterly devoid of will to live — and what was even more hateful, that woman had transferred all his Contribution Points away!

He swore that once his injuries healed, he'd resign from the position of Student Council President!

Whoever wants to be president can have it!

He'd rather die than do it again!!!

…

After leaving the Martial Arts Arena and arranging with Su Lingwei the time and place to meet tomorrow morning, Jiang Qin headed to Renwu Tang to take on a mission.

By the time he got home, it was already evening.

"You're back." Shen Shuyun happened to be carrying dishes out from the kitchen and greeted him with a smile.

Jiang Qin nodded. "Starting tomorrow I'll be out on missions. I might be back very late, so don't wait for me to eat."

Jiang Hanhan, sprawled on the sofa, was stunned — a first-year doing third-year work, is that really appropriate?

But then she thought about her perverted brother's combat power and figured it actually wasn't inappropriate. Although within the Four Great Academies Spirit Drawing cultivators were as common as dogs and Spirit Sea cultivators roamed everywhere, outside, Spirit Sea Realm was already considered a minor expert.

"Oh, right, bro — Teacher Zhou Lian delivered the martial technique and Divine Spirit Blood he promised you today."

"Good."

Jiang Qin walked over to the sofa, unable to wait, and picked up the martial technique from the table.

A copy of the S-Class Martial Technique 【Wind Thunder Infinite Steps】.

Just right — he had a mission to carry out tomorrow, so practicing it tonight to the entry-level shouldn't be a problem.

As for the Divine Spirit Blood…

Jiang Qin picked up the small porcelain jar on the coffee table and opened it, revealing a strange golden liquid inside.

Unlike the foul-smelling blood of Fierce Beasts, this Divine Spirit Blood also gave off a faint fragrance, as if tempting one to swallow it.

His mother Shen Shuyun walked over and explained with a smile: "The Divine Spirit Blood's effects are extremely potent. You can't take it directly right now — you can dab a small amount on your skin, and your body will absorb it automatically."

Hearing this, Jiang Qin tentatively reached out to touch the golden blood in the jar.

But a strange scene unfolded.

The golden blood seemed to have gained a spirit of its own and was actually dodging Jiang Qin on its own.

Shen Shuyun's face showed surprise — this was her first time encountering such a situation. By all reason, Divine Spirit Blood was merely the blood of Otherworld gods; it shouldn't have developed intelligence like certain spirit artifacts or spirit fruits.

Jiang Qin, however, thought of something — the blessing the will of Lanxing had given him before he crossed through the Otherworld Rift.

One of the rules:

【It said, Its child — a heart-wall like a heavenly chasm, no god may invade!】

Could it be that this rule judged the Divine Spirit Blood posed a risk of erosion to him, and so the rule took effect?

"Does Divine Spirit Blood erode a person's will?" Not knowing, he asked — Jiang Qin spoke up to inquire.

Shen Shuyun thought briefly, then nodded: "Even the hair of a god contains a trace of a god's will, let alone Divine Spirit Blood. But using it in small amounts won't affect a Martial Artist — on the contrary, it's beneficial."

"There was once a group of madmen who, in pursuit of strength, replaced their own blood with the blood of gods."

"So their wills were occupied by Otherworld gods, and they caused great chaos on our Lanxing. Hundreds of millions of humans died, until the strongest stepped in and destroyed their foundation. Now they can only hide behind the scenes — that's the Church of All Gods that everyone today is hunting down!"

Jiang Hanhan showed great interest in these hidden tidbits — her personality was naturally drawn to thrilling things.

Jiang Qin put the lid back on the jar in his hand and tossed it to her. "Since I can't use it, it's yours."

"Whoa, so generous!"

Jiang Hanhan caught it with delight and grinned wickedly: "Bro, aren't you afraid I'll get a huge power-up? That's arming the enemy, you know!"

Hearing this, Jiang Qin glanced at his not-very-bright little sister and headed toward the dining table, shaking his head as he walked:

"You're too weak. Even if I'm arming the enemy, so what — it'd only take about one second anyway."

"…"

Looking at her daughter's aggrieved and indignant expression, Shen Shuyun shook her head helplessly.

It all depends on who you're comparing against.

At least among the younger generation, she had never seen anyone stronger than her son — and with such a resilient heart. There had been people like this before, and without exception, they had all gone on to shake Lanxing with their names.

Jiang Qin's experiences and talent were destined—

As long as he could survive, the future would surely bring Huaxia another supreme expert who stood shoulder to shoulder with the gods.

Dinner time was warm and cozy; Shen Shuyun cherished days like these.

The scenes she had once imagined had become reality. Watching her son grow bit by bit, she felt gratified in her heart, and never forced anything on Jiang Qin — as long as she fulfilled what a mother ought to do, she was already content.

After dinner, Jiang Qin returned to his room upstairs.

He walked to the balcony facing the river view, took out that copy of *Wind Thunder Limitless Steps* and opened it.

"Body like swift flowing wind, steps like startling thunder falling. Where the void's barrier is shattered, one flash and across the nine heavens!"

Half an hour later.

A quick read-through gave him a basic understanding.

Rather than calling it a body technique martial art, it was better described as a martial art combining body technique and leg technique.

Swift as flowing wind — if there were obstacles in the path ahead, one stomp would shatter them. What an overbearing body technique…

According to this manual's description, there was no need to wait until breaking through to the Divine Image Realm — merely achieving minor mastery of this martial art would allow one to travel through the air.

What man has never fantasized about soaring through the sky?

Jiang Qin could hardly wait to begin cultivating the first step…