Chapter 406: Chapter 233: The Executive Deputy Pavilion Master Sits in Town—Come and Challenge! (Part 2)

“Master still lost.”

Qin Shi remarked while digesting the dark cuisine, feeling sorry for Old Zhang’s bad luck.

He had just started out, piloting a King Level Divine Machine, and should have been making a big impression, showcasing his skills.

But before he could even crack the top ten, he bumped into the biggest boss of the Star Cup, Qi Wuxiang.

He was eliminated miserably!

“Later on, Master focused and created the ‘Cosmic Furnace Secret Manual,’ only to face He Lanchan, who had made a stunning debut in the Star Sea.”

Third senior sister Yu Weiwei reminisced over these past events with a sigh; the path of martial arts often hinges on seizing the right moment.

If one is always slightly lagging, always a step behind, it becomes exceedingly difficult to catch up.

Back then, the first generation of the Ten Outstanding burst onto the scene, dazzling the galaxy.

Why were Qi Wuxiang and He Lanchan the most noticed ones?

The reason was simple.

Everyone was eager to see which of these two would consistently stay ahead, rule for a millennium, and become a Martial God!

But the result was regrettably disappointing.

He Lanchan passed away while sitting in meditation, Qi Wuxiang withdrew from the world.

Neither of them could take that final half step.

“If only Master had a little bit of luck, things might have been different.”

Yu Weiwei lamented, feeling sentimental as a disciple watching her Master grow old and weary.

“What’s the level of Master Zhang, actually?”

Qin Shi asked curiously.

“Celestial Gate Fourth Stage, Master is probably stuck at the ‘Progenitor’ threshold. Beyond that is the ultimate leap, complete sublimation, reaching the level of He Lanchan and Qi Wuxiang.”

Yu Weiwei responded.

“Tsk! Master Zhang indeed has bad luck; it’s a non-combat fault.”

Qin Shi wiped his mouth, sharing the sentiment of regret.

If Old Zhang had worked a little harder, perhaps I could be living comfortably under the protection of a legendary figure.

After all, there aren’t many of the first generation Ten Outstanding still alive; this kind of living relic demands respect wherever they are.

If Qi Wuxiang came forward, even the chairman of the Martial Arts Association would have to greet him respectfully as a senior.

“Time spares no one; even the Martial Gods struggle against its erosion, having to use slumber to delay the drain of life.”

Yu Weiwei sighed lightly, as Master piloted the Divine Machine to break through blockades, crossing the star river to eliminate troubles.

It wasn’t without a desire to indulge once more before the impending end of his life.

Ever since second senior brother Shen Changyuan was killed, Master went on a killing spree.

The Heng Province authority then fixated on him, placing him on the danger list.

From then on, he was bound to a wheelchair, ceasing to go out and staying silent for a long time.

On one hand, he didn’t want to cause more trouble, lest the disciples of the Nanhuang Daoist School be troubled by the Martial Arts Association or other forces; on the other, his lifespan was running short, unable to endure the upheaval, only temporarily suppressing that breath of life.

“Is there really nothing in the Star Sea to extend life?”

Qin Shi frowned.

“A Grandmaster’s body has transcended the ordinary; common life-nourishing rare resources no longer work.”

Yu Weiwei shook her head:

“Unless it’s something containing parts of the ‘immortal’ quality.”

Qin Shi raised an eyebrow and asked:

“Like what?”

“Most are related to the Star Gods. Star Gods are the only beings close to the pillars of deities; they can accumulate parts of the immortal quality within their bodies.”

While listening to Yu Weiwei’s explanation, Qin Shi’s mind popped up the image of that pixel-styled cute creature on the Monument Panel.

“Little Qin junior brother, with Master not at the Daoist School, Nanhuang Daoist School relies entirely on you.”

After Qin Shi finished his meal, Yu Weiwei got up to clear the tableware, smiling gently:

“You must know, it’s quite common for Daoist Schools to issue challenges to each other or come to call for duels. Without Master here, someone might come to test your strength.”

Such a good thing?

Qin Shi’s eyes sparkled, revealing a bit of excitement.

He was eager to be beaten by experts, while stacking armor and consolidating himself.

Accumulating steadily until he could master the Hundred Forms Refining Stance and Cultivation Furnace, thoroughly stepping into a specialized domain.

“I’ll have Senior Brother Ren open the doors right now to welcome guests from all directions!”

Qin Shi rubbed his hands, planning to get a small bench to sit at the door.

In his wandering thoughts, a bold idea suddenly emerged.

Moments later, the exhausted Zhou Ning came in, carrying two large barrels of ink with a grim face:

“Old Qin, aren’t you being a bit too high-profile with this?”

“Are you talking to the acting deputy head of the Nanhuang Daoist School, the Supernova of the Tai’an Metropolitan Area, the top scorer of the Heng Province Top 100, the local number one genius?”

Qin Shi intentionally gave him a side-eye.

“You’re listing off menu items.”

Zhou Ning’s mouth twitched.

He watched as Qin Shi swung the mop, moved his arm with force, and wrote boldly!

The two rows of big letters were like couplets, neatly displayed in front of Zhou Ning.

He grimaced and said:

“Isn’t this too arrogant.”

Zhou Ning hung the words outside, fluttering in the wind.

He then looked back at Qin Shi, who sat at the door munching on sunflower seeds like he was settled in.

“Why does it seem like he’s waiting for fish to bite, like when my old man goes fishing? Who would take the bait anyway?”

…

…

“The World’s Number One, Peerless Dao?”

The next day, in front of the Nanhuang Daoist School’s gate, three figures appeared in the wide open space, one of them reading out the words hung outside.

“Is this Qin Shi’s writing? This successor of the Nanhuang Daoist School is indeed quite arrogant, fitting the stereotype of what I imagine the path of martial arts to be.”

The speaker was tall, standing straight without any slack, like a long spear pointed skyward, clearly someone with military service experience.

The burly man to his left resembled a giant gorilla, even taller by half a head, roughly estimated to be close to two meters, with muscles so strong they made his camouflage overalls tight.

In contrast to these two, the one on the right looked “thin and weak”, standing at a mere one meter seventy, with fair skin, looking like a scholarly gentleman.

“After all, having recently made a big splash, as the strongest young talent around, no doubt. High-spirited and flamboyant, it’s understandable.”

The scholarly gentleman spoke slowly, with a rather refined tone.

“Pfft! A kid who doesn’t even have his hair fully grown dares to call himself the ‘world’s number one’? What, he wants to be Qi Wuxiang’s successor? A good beating will set him straight!”