My Martial Arts Level Never Drops

Chapter 422: Chapter 197: Viewing the Collection

”Mm,” Qin Fang said with a smile and a nod.

”Alright, you can go. I’ll take care of it for you.”

Wen Suxin gave a gentle nod and agreed.

Qin Fang thanked her, then walked over to Xile and patted its thigh. Xile immediately lowered its head, letting Qin Fang stroke it.

”I’m going out for a bit. Don’t run off while you’re here. Be good, and no biting anyone. Got it?”

Qin Fang instructed Xile.

Xile panted happily at him, its tongue lolling out, its eyes clear and bright.

Qin Fang knew it understood. Besides, Xile wasn’t the type of dog to bite anyone in the first place.

He patted its enormous head one more time, and with a single movement, soared into the sky and departed.

The recovery rate of the Primordial Stream Realm was indeed a huge leap above that of the True Species Realm.

Flying while carrying Xile had consumed a great deal of his True Essence, but he had already recovered a fair amount in the short time they had been talking.

It was enough for Qin Fang to fly off.

After leaving the Guiyuan Sect, he soon arrived at Baichuan Plaza, which was as bustling as ever.

He flew straight toward the Scripture Pavilion, immediately drawing the attention of the surrounding crowd.

”It’s... Senior Brother Qin.”

”I just heard that Senior Brother Qin was back. I also heard he was riding a massive Exotic Spirit Dog! How come I don’t see it now?”

”I heard that too. They say the Exotic Spirit Dog is terrifyingly large. I heard Elder Hu from the Tempering Martial Hall say that Senior Brother Qin’s Spirit Dog is probably an Extraordinary Realm Exotic Species!”

”Extraordinary Realm?! Our Sect... I don’t think we have any Extraordinary Realm Exotic Species, do we? The Exotic Species Pavilion raises a few, but they’re mostly at the Initial Awakening or Spirit Awakening stages. Where did Senior Brother Qin get one?”

”No idea...”

The Inner Sect Disciples chattered amongst themselves.

As expected, the news had already spread.

Qin Fang was already used to this sort of attention. After he landed, several Inner Sect Disciples near the Scripture Pavilion hastily bowed in respect.

Qin Fang gave a slight nod and was about to enter the Scripture Pavilion.

But at that very moment, a person was walking out of the Scripture Pavilion.

Qin Fang instinctively stopped in his tracks.

He was a young man with a powerfully built, towering frame, also dressed in an Infinite Star Armor.

The Infinite Star Armor, which was meant to have an immortal-like air, on him, seemed to exude the sharp, intimidating presence of battle armor!

His gaze was as sharp as the edge of a blade, and his entire body radiated an indescribable, domineering aura.

A crimson marking between his eyebrows only added to his ferocious air.

The moment their eyes met, the man’s gaze fell upon Qin Fang.

The gaze made Qin Fang’s heart clench. He felt as if the man’s stare was sharp enough to cut his skin.

’This person is...’

A thought suddenly struck Qin Fang. He cupped his fist in his palm and bowed. ”Might you be... Senior Brother Yue Shan?”

The man stopped. His face was stern, his gaze as sharp as a blade.

He sized Qin Fang up and down, his gaze almost appraising, before nodding. ”You’re the Guiyuan Lineage’s new True Inheritance, Qin Fang, courtesy name Linyuan?”

The man’s gaze and tone made Qin Fang frown slightly. Seeing that the other man had no intention of returning the gesture of respect, he lowered his hands, straightened his posture, and gave a small nod. ”I am.”

”Last year’s top initiate, entered the Sect with True Essence. I wasn’t in the Sect for your initiation ceremony, so I didn’t attend, but I’ve heard your Talent is quite good... Seeing you today, it’s clear you’re exceptional. Less than two years, and you’ve already entered the Primordial Stream Realm?”

Yue Shan’s gaze was blunt, and his words were just as direct. But what he said took Qin Fang by surprise...

’It’s not surprising that he can tell I’ve reached the Primordial Stream Realm.’

’But I never expected he would actually...’

’...praise me?’

’It’s just that his tone...’

Qin Fang couldn’t tell if the man was provoking him or genuinely praising him. He frowned, unsure how to respond.

”I come from a military background and have little patience for formalities. Forgive me, Junior Brother, if my words cause offense.”

When Qin Fang remained silent, the man’s brow twitched slightly. He continued in the same stiff tone, ”I’ll be staying in the Sect for some time on this return, at Zhiyuan Peak. I heard about your discourse in the Tempering Martial Hall. Your completion of the cultivation path for the Martial Arts Third Realm is of immense benefit to our Sect’s Huajin disciples attempting to break through the Divine Gate. That is a great merit. If you need anything, you can find me at Zhiyuan Peak.”

After saying his piece in that stiff, cold manner, Yue Shan nodded at Qin Fang and strode away.

Leaving Qin Fang with a peculiar expression...

’This Yue Shan... I’ve heard of him, of course.’

’In fact, his was one of the first names of the Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect’s ’big shots’ that I ever heard.’

’That day in Tingyu Pavilion, Qian Ruhai mentioned him as one of Senior Sister Xueci’s three most powerful suitors.’

’He comes from a military background. An Elder from the Luzhan Lineage sponsored him into the Sect. As it turned out, his Talent was so valued by the Luzhan Hall Master that he was accepted as a True Inheritance disciple.’

’They say he has an overwhelming killing aura and a hardline approach. He spends his years in the Northern Lands, fighting Demons and border bandits. His practical combat skills are said to be unmatched among his peers, and his personality is the most domineering and direct of all.’

’Looking at him now...’

’...it seems that’s all true.’

’Definitely domineering and direct.’

’Yue Shan... Zhiyuan Peak? Does that mean the Sect granted him the courtesy name ’Zhiyuan’? Yue Zhiyuan? His courtesy name is only a single character different from mine...’

He thought to himself.

’Still... his strength is truly unfathomable.’

’Just his gaze sweeping over me made my skin feel like it was being torn...’

’If we were to fight head-on, I doubt I’d last a single exchange, would I?’

Qin Fang’s gaze hardened slightly.

Among the many True Inheritance disciples of the Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect, he was likely the weakest. The others had all been in the Sect for many years, cultivated for many years, and every one of them possessed extraordinary Talent.

This was especially true for the Hall Masters’ True Inheritance disciples from each lineage.

’In name, I may be their equal now, but in reality... I’m probably still leagues behind.’

Even the Inner Sect Disciples probably felt the same way.

’The atmosphere in the Sect really is good.’

’But in the end, status like this still comes down to strength.’