Son, Put Your Father To The Test (FF)

Wu Cheng, despite his immense rage, was a man of status. Even though fury surged within him, he couldn't afford to erupt in a public setting.

He took a deep breath, using his strong rationality to suppress his emotional outburst. A forced smile appeared on his face.

"Hehe, Junior Sister Shui Qingrou from the Northern Polar Temple, you've finally arrived. I thought you wouldn't come."

A calm voice came from the carriage: "The Wu family's invitation, of course, the Northern Polar Temple will give face."

Her meaning was clear.

It was for the Wu family's sake, not for Wu Cheng personally.

Wu Cheng's face twitched with a brief flicker of embarrassment, nearly losing his composure, but he held it together.

With a smile, he continued, "May I ask, Junior Sister Shui, who is the gentleman beside you? The women of the Northern Polar Temple are known for their cold and aloof demeanor. Publicly embracing a man like this could tarnish your reputation."

His words were sharp and biting.

As soon as he said this, many of the geniuses, who had been deeply focused on comprehending the laws of the Ten Thousand Laws Heavenly Pool, raised their heads sharply.

Earlier, when they heard Shui Qingrou had arrived, they paid no heed—admiring a beauty paled in comparison to cultivating at the pool. After all, the Ten Thousand Laws Heavenly Pool was a rare opportunity, and once it was gone, it might not return. They had to seize every second.

But now, with Wu Cheng's pointed comment, the news was explosive. Everyone was shocked.

Shui Qingrou embracing a man?

Such a scandalous rumor was impossible to ignore. Especially since many of them harbored admiration for Shui Qingrou themselves.

Instantly, countless gazes turned towards the carriage, and upon seeing the scene, many eyes widened in disbelief, while others clenched their teeth in anger.

Who was this man, bold enough to hold her!?

"Hehe, what's the issue with reputation? Shui Qingrou is just a woman, isn't it normal for her to have someone she likes?"

Shui Qingrou smiled faintly.

She gracefully held Qin Zi's hand and slowly stepped out of the carriage.

Immediately, Qin Zi felt countless sharp gazes fixated on him, as if they wanted to tear him apart.

One particularly intense gaze came from the golden bridge above—the killing intent within it was so strong that it seemed tangible.

"That must be Wu Cheng?" Qin Zi asked quietly.

"Hmm," Shui Qingrou nodded calmly, not bothering to explain further. She had nothing to hide, feeling no need to justify herself.

Seeing her demeanor, Qin Zi gently squeezed her hand in reassurance, then glanced down at the crowd below, smiling faintly as he said, "I am Qin Zi, from the Eastern Region. I've long heard that the Northern Region is teeming with talent, with geniuses everywhere. Now that I've seen it…"

"Not so impressive, right?"

Before he could finish, a cold voice interrupted.

Whoosh!

At once, all eyes shifted towards a sharp-looking young man with white hair. Murmurs quickly followed.

"It's Xue Mantian from the Floating Snow Sword Sect!"

"Prince Xue is one of the four great prodigies of the Northern Region, on par with the Wu family's heir!"

"There's bound to be a good show now."

Many began to gloat, eagerly anticipating Xue Mantian putting Qin Zi in his place, perhaps humiliating him, or at the very least, tarnishing his reputation.

Of course, they didn't underestimate Qin Zi. After all, anyone Shui Qingrou favored wouldn't be weak.

But even if Xue Mantian lost, watching him get beaten would still be entertaining for many.

Who doesn't enjoy watching the high and mighty fall?

At that moment, Qin Zi's gaze landed on the white-haired youth who had spoken, his expression turning cold. "Why drag the entire Northern Region into this? Your personal abilities hardly represent the whole."

Pfft!

Many onlookers couldn't help but laugh aloud, quickly covering their mouths—laughing wasn't appropriate, after all!

Xue Mantian, who had been radiating an icy indifference with a hint of mockery in his eyes, suddenly flushed with embarrassment.

He had intended to paint Qin Zi as someone who looked down on the entire Northern Region, hoping to stir up anger against him.

But Qin Zi's response had skillfully turned the tables—deflecting the insult while subtly implying that Xue Mantian himself was inadequate, without pulling others into it.

The response was witty, effective, and left Xue Mantian with no way to refute it!

"Hmph! So, you think I'm inadequate? Is that it?" Xue Mantian finally retorted, his tone icy.

"You were the one who said it," Qin Zi replied, his voice calm. "I merely urged you not to insult the heroes of the Northern Region. After all, I began by praising the Northern Region's talent. You were the one who suggested otherwise, not me."

Whoosh!

Another statement that left Xue Mantian speechless, like a snake being grabbed by the throat—paralyzed.

His face flushed from red to white, eventually settling on a cold smile. "Heh, your words are sharp indeed. But I wonder if your strength matches your tongue."

Qin Zi straightened, radiating confidence. "A man's strength should not just be in his words. True power comes from his… abilities."

Next to him, Shui Qingrou blushed slightly, pinching his waist, making him wince in pain.

"Argh!"

"Ugh, this public display of affection is too much!"

"I can't take it anymore. Someone, please put an end to this!"

Below, several geniuses were roaring internally, wanting nothing more than to rush over and finish Qin Zi off.

Wu Cheng's expression grew darker, his fists clenched so hard inside his sleeves that they made cracking sounds.

"Bastard! Flirting with her in front of me—are you mocking me!?"

Xue Mantian roared angrily.

Qin Zi's face returned to calm, and he slowly bent down, his eyes glinting with amusement as he said, "You think so little of yourself. If I mock you a little… what's wrong with that?"

"Outrageous!"

Xue Mantian had no more patience for words and drew his sword.

"Clang! Clang!"

However, just as he unsheathed it halfway, a gust of wind forced it back into the scabbard. The wind lifted his white hair, and when he turned, he saw Qin Zi standing right beside him, as if he had passed by in a breeze. Qin Zi's cheek brushed the wind, a smile playing on his lips.

"Get lost!"

Xue Mantian reacted instinctively, kicking out. But before he could extend his leg fully, Qin Zi's foot landed squarely on his knee.

Boom!

The force was terrifying, gathering at a single point and completely knocking Xue Mantian off balance, sending him crashing to the ground!

Yet Xue Mantian, worthy of his title, reacted swiftly. As his body fell forward, he rolled with the momentum.

"Clang!"

In the middle of his roll, his sword flashed out, and as he knelt on one knee, he swung it horizontally, aiming to sever Qin Zi's legs.

The sword gleamed brightly, resembling a flawless arc of snow, small but powerful, slicing through everything in its path!

But Qin Zi simply leaped, both feet leaving the ground.

At that moment, the world seemed to slow down.

The brilliant arc of sword energy spread beneath him, and Xue Mantian held his stance from the slash. Meanwhile, Qin Zi, suspended three feet above, bent his legs back and spread his arms wide as if embracing the sun…

Boom!

Time snapped back to normal. Qin Zi's feet crashed down like a mountain, stomping onto Xue Mantian's sword, driving it halfway into the earth.

The ground trembled!

The hard floor shattered, creating a deep crater, while the sword bent underfoot, its hilt buried in the ground.

"You!"

Xue Mantian, horrified, looked up just in time to see a leg swinging toward him—a powerful kick that swept through the air like a blade, unstoppable!

He released the sword hilt, crossing his arms in front of him. A silver-white barrier of energy surrounded him as a defense.

Boom!

The kick smashed through the barrier like it was glass, slamming into his crossed arms with unstoppable force.

"Whoosh! Bam! Bam! Bam!"

Xue Mantian shot backward like an arrow, crashing through over a dozen ornamental rock formations before finally slamming into a pavilion, buried beneath its rubble.

"He… did Snow Prince just lose?"

"Maybe not yet."

The crowd murmured, eyes narrowed in apprehension.

And sure enough—

Moments later, the debris began to float, as though weightless, and a white-haired figure slowly rose from the ruins.

Xue Mantian kept his head down, his voice low. "I admit you're strong, but…"

Before he could finish, a shadow appeared in front of him. Qin Zi's hand grabbed his head, slamming it back into the ground.

Boom!

The earth quaked as a dust-yellow shockwave rippled out, sending debris tumbling back to the ground.