Son, Put Your Father To The Test (FF)

After a long while, Chen Biling finally left.

Qin Zi watched as her proud figure disappeared into the distance, and slowly, a hint of self-mockery appeared on his face.

So, it was just wishful thinking!

How embarrassing.

But, this was normal. What young man wouldn't hope that someone likes him, someone who would even be willing to take risks for him? Especially if that someone was a pretty girl!

However, since things didn't turn out the way he imagined, he didn't dwell on it and felt no regret.

His life wasn't a story scripted by a storyteller; not every character who appears would be intertwined with him for life.

There are countless beauties in the world, but to him, most would only ever be passersby, people he wouldn't even know by name.

The right person will come into your world at the right time, in the right way.

This cannot be forced.

Taking a step back... he was still young, not yet eighteen—why worry about such things? If he didn't focus on his cultivation, his father might just break one of his legs, leaving him unable to get up every morning!

"I should hurry and train; there's still a duel with that Gao Jianli from the Gao family in a month," he thought, and immediately, the image of Gao Jianli gave him a bit of a headache.

Gao Jianli was rumored to be very strong, supposedly at the ninth level of the Yuan Dan Realm, and skilled in swordsmanship.

Meanwhile, he was only at the fifth level of the Yuan Dan Realm.

Although he could fight opponents above his level, so could the other guy. When a genius faces another genius, the advantage of talent is greatly reduced.

With the difference in cultivation, the gap becomes more evident, making this a daunting challenge.

The reason he had confronted Gao Jianli head-on was merely to save face in front of the crowd.

After all, who was he?

The son of an invincible warrior!

Even if he lost face himself, he couldn't afford to lose his father's face, so no matter who it was, he had to put up a front!

It really was a case of...

Enjoying the moment of glory, only to suffer the consequences later!

…

In the blink of an eye, a month had passed.

During this time, Qin Chuan's reputation spread quickly throughout Minghao City, even reaching surrounding regions.

As a result, all the notable forces within Minghao City brought gifts to pay their respects, as if they were paying homage to a powerful figure.

Qin Chuan accepted them all with ease.

Why refuse free gifts? He received many presents, so many that he didn't even need to remember who gave what, since the givers didn't expect anything in return.

This was the prestige of a Nirvana Realm expert!

Giving a gift was just a matter of course.

Not giving one was a sign of disrespect!

Although he wouldn't do anything to those who didn't give gifts, knowing that everyone else did, how could they sleep soundly at night?

As a result, Qin Chuan sat at home, amassing a considerable fortune.

At least now, if he wanted to handle matters like those involving "Tingyu Tower," he wouldn't be strapped for cash.

Boys should be raised with restraint.

It helps to build character.

Meaning, money should always be in the hands of the boy's father, so it can be used to set traps and toughen him up…

"Gao Jianli from the Gao family is here to answer the challenge!"

At that moment, a clear and calm voice rang out from outside the courtyard, neither servile nor overbearing, with a hint of sharpness.

"Well, he's got some guts."

Qin Chuan raised an eyebrow, a slight smile of interest appearing on his face.

As of today, no one in Minghao City dared to offend him, yet this Gao Jianli still came to answer the challenge.

There was no denying the man had courage.

"Qin Zi, let's go."

Qin Chuan said to Qin Zi, who had just stepped out of the training room.

"Alright."

Qin Zi nodded and followed Qin Chuan out, all the way to the front gate of the courtyard.

There, standing on the stone-paved ground, was an ordinary-looking young man in white, holding a sword and exuding a sharp aura.

It was Gao Jianli! Not far off, the street was lined with onlookers, all watching expectantly, yet cautiously, ready to flee at any moment.

In case Lord Qin Chuan got angry and crushed Gao Jianli with a slap, they didn't want to be caught in the aftermath.

"Junior Gao Jianli pays respects to the senior," Gao Jianli said, bowing respectfully upon seeing Qin Chuan.

"No need for formalities."

Qin Chuan waved his hand, then added, "To be honest, I'm quite surprised to see you here today."

He stared into Gao Jianli's eyes, his gaze slightly sharp as he asked, "Aren't you afraid of death?"

"I am, but I had to come."

Gao Jianli's expression was resolute as he replied, "I initiated this fight. If I didn't come to answer the challenge, I would never be able to hold my head high in Minghao City again."

"As a martial artist, I cannot have a flaw in my heart. If I did, I would find it difficult to progress further."

"Everyone must overcome their own inner demons. Some people can tolerate imperfections, so they can commit disgraceful acts and still find peace of mind. But I cannot tolerate such flaws."

"So... I came!"

He raised his head, his eyes gleaming with a fierce battle spirit, like a sword ready to strike.

Qin Chuan was silent for a moment, then he looked at Qin Zi and said, "Go, fight with all you've got."

"Alright."

Qin Zi nodded and walked forward, his aura growing stronger with each step.

"Whoosh!"

His presence surged, like waves crashing against the shore, the wind howling around him.

"Let's do this!"

Gao Jianli gripped his sword and charged at Qin Zi, his speed increasing until he seemed to turn into a streak of white light.

"Bang!!"

In the next moment, the two collided, the impact sending a shockwave that kicked up dust, spreading in all directions.

Dust billowed, obscuring the view.

The spectators could barely make out the flashes of light and the sounds of their fierce clashes amidst the swirling dust. "Bang! Bang! Bang!"

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

"Boom!"

Their battle was intense, the ground shaking, and cracks spreading across the stone-paved ground.

"Boom—"

After a long while, another loud explosion echoed, like the light of dawn tearing through the darkness, sweeping away all the dust.

"Ah!"

"My eyes!"

The crowd squinted as the dust, like sand, stung their eyes, leading to chaos and confusion.

But in the battleground, the dust had completely settled, revealing two figures standing with their backs to each other.

Time seemed to stand still.

"Pfft!"

Finally, the figure holding the sword coughed up blood, his body slowly collapsing, his right hand propping himself up with his sword as he knelt on one knee.

"I... lost…"

Gao Jianli's voice was hoarse as he spoke, his expression a mix of self-mockery and a trace of melancholy.

"The truth is, it was your Gao family who provoked me first," Qin Zi said.

"I understand…"

Gao Jianli sighed, then slowly stood up, dragging his sword as he walked away.

His arm was cracked, blood seeping out and dripping down the hilt, leaving a trail of red blossoms in his wake…

"This…"

"One of the Four Young Masters, Gao Jianli, just lost? It's hard to believe."

"Yeah, I find it hard to believe too. But on second thought, it's not that surprising. Qin Zi is the son of a Nirvana Realm expert!"

"Exactly. The Gao family may be one of the top families in Minghao City, but they're still a bit weaker compared to a Nirvana Realm expert."

"It seems the rumors were true—Qin Zi's talent has surpassed the Four Young Masters."

The onlookers whispered among themselves.

Most of them weren't interested in digging for the truth; they preferred to go along with the majority, avoiding the effort of thinking for themselves.

"What do you think?" Qin Chuan asked his son.

"He's strong, but... I'm stronger!"

Qin Zi responded excitedly, as if expecting praise.

"Really?"

Qin Chuan looked at him with a half-smile, then turned back to the house without further explanation.

It was better to let the "master in the ring" explain things, as it wouldn't be fitting for the image of an invincible warrior to do so himself.

…

Far away, on a quiet street.

Gao Jianli dragged his sword, walking slowly, his steps unsteady. Blood continued to drip from the tip of his sword, leaving a trail behind him.

"Young Master, how could you lose? You clearly already…" a figure emerged from a nearby alley, having followed him all the way, finally unable to hold back.

Gao Jianli turned to look at him, a bitter smile on his ordinary face. "Do you really think… I dared to win?"

"Huh??"

The man was stunned.

"I once told Qin Zi that failing to lower your head when weak is a crime. That statement is true."

Gao Jianli's expression was complicated, then he shook his head with a laugh, his smile tinged with bitterness and resignation.

"And now… it's my turn"