C28 Too Arrogant!

"Kid, don't accuse me of taking advantage of you. It was your choice not to take those three free shots, so go ahead and make the first move. Otherwise, you might not get the chance later."

Ning Qing's grin was wide; he was certain of winning the ten thousand Grade One Elemental Crystal Stones. He hadn't expected to come across such an easy mark this time around.

"There's no need. I won't even have to lift a finger to handle you."

Du Shaomu shook his head, his gaze cool as he regarded Ning Qing. A mere third-level Martial Master—despite being only a first-level Martial Master himself, he wasn't concerned.

"You're too cocky, boy!"

Ning Qing's expression soured. This was the Martial Divine Domain, not the real world—no need to worry about saving face. Winning those ten thousand Elemental Crystal Stones was all that mattered.

"Just remember, you asked for this!"

As Ning Qing spoke, her palm glowed with a swirling red fire vitality light. With a tap of her foot on the Battlestage, she lunged directly at Du Shaomu.

His rank as a third-level Martial Master didn't offer much in terms of speed or attack to dazzle onlookers. Yet, as Ning Qing launched her palm strike, the Essence in her palm caused the air to hiss with friction.

"Crimson Flame Palm!"

By the time Ning Qing's palm reached Du Shaomu, it was enveloped in searing flames, the Essence forming a fiery cocoon aimed at Du Shaomu's chest.

Du Shaomu's eyes narrowed slightly as the palm came within two feet of his chest. He executed a complex step, shifting his body just enough to let the palm skim past his chest. Simultaneously, his own palm surged with Yuan Power, striking squarely onto Ning Qing's shoulder.

This technique was the "Earth Splitting Palm," an earth attribute martial skill Du Shaomu had mastered in his past life when his cultivation was modest. As his cultivation had advanced, he seldom used it.

But now, with Du Shaomu's novice cultivation level, those high-rank Martial Skills from his past life were beyond his reach.

"Boom!"

A muffled sound erupted from Ning Qing's shoulder as her body, like a kite with its string cut, was sent flying forward, crashing down several yards from the Battlestage.

"Ugh..."

Ning Qing hit the ground hard, coughing up blood. Her face was ashen, her shoulder and arm hanging limp, seemingly with shattered bones.

She tried to rise, but barely getting up, she collapsed back to the ground.

"How can this be..."

Disbelief filled her eyes, mingled with shock and the sting of loss. She was stunned by her opponent's formidable strength and grieved over the ten thousand Grade One Elemental Crystal Stones she'd lost—her entire savings of several years. She had thought she'd make a fortune, never expecting such a devastating defeat.

Silence fell around them, with onlookers staring, speechless.

Everyone had assumed Ning Qing would easily win. How could a newcomer to the Martial Divine Domain stand a chance? Yet, it was Ning Qing who had been defeated with a single move.

Du Shaomu, having defeated his opponent in one stroke, wasn't surprised. He was more amazed that within the Infinite Divine Domain, everything felt so real—his Ethereal Splitting Palm and the Wind and Cloud Stunning Steps he had mastered in his past life were executed as if they were tangible, not just part of some phantasmal world.

"This kid actually won. His technique is impressive..."

The world's number one handsome man watched Du Shaomu, stunned, as he whispered in disbelief.

"You little cheat, there's no way you could've won fair and square!"

Once the shock subsided, Ning Qing's companions erupted in anger, their glares fixed on Du Shaomu.

"What, can't accept defeat? If you're not convinced, feel free to challenge me. But I'll only take on challengers with up to a sixth-level Martial Master cultivation—and be ready with ten thousand Grade One Elemental Crystal Stones."

Du Shaomu gave them a brief glance.

"Kid, are you serious?"

Among them, someone's gaze flickered with interest. He was a fifth-level Martial Master.

"Absolutely. As long as you have the Elemental Crystal Stones to back it up," Du Shaomu confirmed confidently.

"Alright, let's have a battle for ten thousand Grade One Elemental Crystal Stones!"

Yu Qing stepped onto the Battlestage, confident that his fifth-level Martial Master cultivation would easily triumph over the youngster.

The wager of ten thousand Grade One Elemental Crystal Stones once again piqued the interest of the crowd. A first-level Martial Master facing off against a fifth-level Martial Master was a spectacle that drew an ever-growing audience, all eyes fixated on the impending clash.

"Kid, you've asked for it!"

Without hesitation, Yu Qing made his move, aware that his opponent was no mere novice. With a sudden stomp, vitality surged from his feet, propelling him forward. His palms curled, fingernails gleaming with energy, becoming dangerously sharp.

Closing in on Du Shaomu, Yu Qing's right hand clawed through the air, tracing a sinister arc aimed straight for Du Shaomu's throat.

"That's the Vajra Claw, a mid-tier Yellow Grade martial skill!"

Whispers of awe rippled through the onlookers. Yu Qing, a mere fifth-level Martial Master, had mastered the Vajra Claw, a skill of early Yellow Grade distinction.

Martial skills were categorized into four ranks: Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, and Yellow, each with three sub-ranks: initial, middle, and high.

The higher the rank, the more challenging the cultivation, but the mightier the power.

Witnessing Yu Qing unleash the early-stage Yellow Grade Vajra Claw, many spectators gasped, fearing for Du Shaomu's safety.

...

The sky was clear, the moon hung solitary and bright above Dreamy Cloud City, which buzzed with life even under the cloak of night.

Inside the Heavenly Pavilion, Nangoong Xuewei was still buzzing with excitement. The four acupoints on the Lesser Yin Heart Meridian of her hand were unblocked. The prospect of opening the entire meridian promised extraordinary benefits.

"Spread the word, in five days, a medical expert will hold consultations at the Heavenly Pavilion of Dreamy Cloud City for three days, attending to only three clients daily," Nangoong Xuewei announced.

"Protector, is Mr. Mo truly a Pill Master with a deep understanding of the medical arts?"

Steward Chu harbored some skepticism as he eyed Mr. Mo's youthful appearance, finding it hard to reconcile with that of a powerful Pill Master well-versed in the medical arts.

"Mr. Mo is far more formidable than you can imagine. Take note, from now on, Mr. Mo will be a distinguished guest of our Heavenly Pavilion," Nangoong Xuewei firmly instructed Steward Chu. "Additionally, I want a thorough investigation into who the Castellan of Fengling City and Marquis Fengling's cherished daughter is set to marry. I expect a detailed report—the clearer, the better."

"Yes," Steward Chu acknowledged, his doubts lingering. Yet, he recognized that the young protector before him was no ordinary individual; after all, one doesn't attain such a position at a tender age without merit.

...

Time marched on, and North Cloud City remained in a state of utter astonishment.

The sense that a seismic shift was imminent hung palpably in the air. Su Tianci's demise at the hands of the so-called good-for-nothing, with a single strike no less, definitively answered who the true good-for-nothing was.

All eyes in North Cloud City were now trained on the Su Family, anticipating their next move. With a talent like Su Tianci slain, the Su Family's consecutive setbacks painted a clear picture: they would not let this lie.

"Du Shaomu is certainly no waste; he must have been concealing his true strength all along!"

"It seems the rumors of Du Shaomu marrying the Castellan of Fengling City's daughter are indeed true!"

The streets and alleys of North Cloud City buzzed with speculation, the names Su Family and Du Shaomu on everyone's lips.

The belief that Du Shaomu's betrothal to the Castellan of Fengling City's daughter was a reality gained traction among the populace.

"Handle that with care, it's very expensive—don't damage it!"

Du Xiaohou was swamped with activity. The Du Family had relocated to a new residence, and despite its opulent and grand design, there were still numerous necessities missing.

The responsibility of procurement fell on Du Xiaohou's shoulders. He was tasked with hiring guards, engaging servants, tidying the house, and preparing for the young master's grand wedding, not to mention the festive decorations. His to-do list was extensive.

Yet, Du Xiaohou couldn't contain his excitement. Were it not for the ten-million Yuan Crystal Card in his possession, he might have thought it all a dream.

Du Xiaohou also sensed that his own fortunes were on the rise. Following the young master, he looked forward to a life of luxury and abundance. Perhaps, he mused, he might even find himself a beautiful bride—something he'd never dared to dream of before.

Jiang Rou had moved into her new home, yet she found it hard to believe that this was indeed reality. Her first act was to light incense and offer prayers to Buddha, giving thanks for the divine protection that seemed to have awakened her son to his potential.