Lianxing remained unaware of Yao Yue’s transformation. At this moment, she was completely immersed in joy.
Ye Luochuan congratulated her, “Congratulations, Miss Lianxing, on your martial arts breakthrough.”
As he admired Lianxing’s exquisitely graceful figure, as breathtaking as the shifting seasons, Ye Luochuan suddenly recalled something. When Bright Jade Power reached its ninth and final level, not only did the practitioner’s skin become as translucent as jade, but their internal energy also ceased to dissipate outward. Instead, it was drawn inward, continuously accumulating.
As a result, during combat, the Bright Jade True Qi would not be depleted; rather, it would grow stronger, achieving an inexhaustible, endless state.
This effect was somewhat similar to Lingbo Weibu (Graceful Step Upon the Waves). Additionally, the practitioner’s true qi would create a vortex-like suction force within their body.
Anything that came into contact with them would be drawn towards them, as if iron to a magnet.
“Hiss!”
Ye Luochuan instinctively rubbed his waist. He certainly found Lianxing attractive. But even if he were fortunate enough to gain her favor, could he truly handle it?
…
Lianxing couldn’t read minds and naturally had no idea about Ye Luochuan’s inappropriate thoughts.
She smiled charmingly and said, “I should congratulate you as well. My meager cultivation may not be much in some people’s eyes, but your space ring—few would be able to remain indifferent to it.”
Ye Luochuan’s heart stirred as he caught the hint in Lianxing’s words. He already understood this principle. No matter how many rewards he obtained, without sufficient strength, they would ultimately become someone else’s spoils. He might not even survive to enjoy them.
From the moment he was selected for this livestream event, this reality had been set in stone. But for now, there was nothing he could do. All he could do was take things one step at a time and hope he could draw some kind of treasure that would allow him to ascend instantly.
…
【Tibetan Grandmaster Jiumozhi: This Bright Jade Power reaching the ninth level has directly elevated this female benefactor to the rank of Martial King—truly remarkable. In my domain, perhaps only the Duan clan of Dali’s Six Meridians Divine Sword could compare.】
【Tianshan Tonglao (Wu Xingyun): A frog at the bottom of the well, gazing at the sky.】
【Sword Deity Zhuo Bufan: Tianshan Tonglao! You slaughtered all sixty-one members of my Yizi Huijian Sect across three generations—this enmity is irreconcilable! I swear to kill you!】
【Tianshan Tonglao (Wu Xingyun): Laughable! Since when could stray dogs and cats call themselves ‘Sword Deities’?”】
【Sacred Maiden of the Sun-Moon Sect, Ren Yingying: Palace Master Lianxing has already become a Martial King? Truly enviable.】
【Leader of the World Society, Xiongba: Just an entry-level Martial King—old man like me could kill her with a flick of my hand.】
【Heaven’s Gate, Emperor Shitian: Heh, you look down on others like ants, yet do you not realize you are seen the same way by others?】
【Leader of the World Society, Xiongba: Who are you? Dare to spout such nonsense? What ‘Heaven’s Gate’? Hiding in the shadows like a rat!】
【…】
The martial world figures watching the livestream were all burning with envy at Ye Luochuan and Lianxing’s rewards. Initially, the punishments of Long Xiaoyun and Tian Boguang had frightened many.
But now, seeing such valuable rewards, many were eager to seize a chance to answer a question. Although the risks were high, the rewards were undeniably tempting!
…
Inside the livestream room, Long Xiaoyun and Tian Boguang both felt bitter. They silently resolved to do better next time and vowed to choose correctly. Just then, the system’s voice rang out again.
【First question concluded. The livestream continues.】
【All lucky participants, please watch carefully and prepare to answer.】
As the voice faded, the five participants were pulled back to their original positions, each isolated in an individual space. Then, the paused video resumed.
A deep voice narrated the scene.
【After Lin Yuantu’s passing, his son Lin Zhongxiong took over the Fu Wei Escort Agency, and later passed it down to Lin Zhennan.】
【Through three generations of management, the Fu Wei Escort Agency flourished, but its chief escorts’ martial prowess dwindled, failing to match their ancestor’s grandeur.】
【Over time, Lin Yuantu’s legacy faded, and people in the martial world began coveting the Bixie Sword Manual.】
【Among them was Yu Canghai, head of the Qingcheng Sect, whose ancestor, Chang Qingzi, had once been defeated by Lin Yuantu and died in disgrace. Yu Canghai thus harbored an intense desire for the Bixie Sword Manual.】
【After several probing attempts, Qingcheng Sect finally made its move, sending its elite forces to annihilate the Fu Wei Escort Agency.】
【Lin Zhennan’s son, Lin Pingzhi, had a chivalrous heart.】
【At a tavern, he intervened on behalf of a ‘homely girl who couldn’t fight’—in reality, a disguised Yue Lingshan of the Huashan Sect—killing Yu Canghai’s son, Yu Renyan, who was harassing a young woman.】
【Using revenge as an excuse, Yu Canghai led Qingcheng Sect’s disciples to slaughter the Fu Wei Escort Agency, capturing Lin Zhennan and his wife.】
【They were brutally tortured, forced to reveal the whereabouts of the Bixie Sword Manual.】
【When they refused, Yu Canghai took them to Hengyang to attend Liu Zhengfeng’s Golden Basin Hand-Washing Ceremony.】
【Meanwhile, the fugitive Lin Pingzhi also arrived in Hengyang.】
The video played on. Qingcheng Sect’s ruthless slaughter of the Fu Wei Escort Agency was horrifying. Yu Canghai’s cruel torture of Lin Zhennan and his wife was gruesome. And Lin Pingzhi’s desperate escape while being relentlessly pursued was pitiful.
Two particular scenes received special focus.
First—When Lin Pingzhi, penniless and starving, spotted several longan trees along the roadside, their branches heavy with ripe fruit. He approached the trees, reaching out to pick a fruit, but then hesitated.
“These longans belong to someone. Taking them without permission would make me a thief.”
“The Lin family has upheld justice for three generations, standing against bandits and thieves. How could I stop the theft?”
“If someone saw me steal fruit and called me a thief in front of my father, how could he hold his head high? The Fu Wei Escort Agency’s honor would be tarnished forever.”
From his childhood upbringing, Lin Pingzhi knew that great thieves often started as small-time thieves, and that the road to ruin often began with the theft of a single fruit.
Once one took that first step, it was difficult to turn back. The realization sent a cold sweat down his back.
“I will restore the Fu Wei Escort Agency’s reputation one day. A true man must stand firm and act with integrity. I’d rather be a beggar than a thief.”
With that declaration, he strode forward without a second glance at the longan trees.