C14 Hundred People Battle

"You dare to attack?" Elder Qin Shan bellowed, ready to intervene. The marble floor beneath his feet cracked instantaneously.

"Elder Qin Shan, why are you so angry? We can talk this through," Qin De said with a cruel smirk, speaking in a measured tone.

"He blatantly used weapons during the selection. Isn't that unfair? I expect the Chief to provide me with a fair response," Qin Shan said, his hands shaking with rage.

Qin Zhenhsing, seated at the head of the room with his eyes slightly narrowed, remained silent. It appeared that Qin Hu's death had led him to completely write off Qin Ming.

As if he had received the Chief's silent consent, Qin De argued, "There was never a rule against it. Moreover, Qin Ming had the option to forfeit and leave the arena, but he chose not to. If one is willing to fight and the other is willing to endure, where's the unfairness?"

Fuming, Qin Shan bit down on his lip and turned to shout, "Qin Ming, just give up already. You only live once; don't be foolish."

Qin Hao and several alchemy disciples also urged Qin Ming to concede, some even resenting his obstinacy. What was the value of his resolve if it led to his death? All his dreams would amount to nothing but illusions.

This time, Qin Ming broke his silence, his face set with determination. "If I have to cower in Qin Xianer's shadow for the rest of my life, I'd rather gamble on a future."

To give up now would be akin to abandoning his quest for vengeance for Little White. If he did that, he would no longer be himself.

In other words, he would always be overshadowed by others, never able to face Little White.

Sometimes, you have to be stubborn; in fact, stubbornness can be necessary. If he didn't take this step, he would only live up to the label of 'obedient' as others saw him, and that wouldn't be his true self.

At that moment, all the advice and concerns of those around him seemed to vanish. His gaze held only one conviction.

"Prepare to die."

Qin Feng brandished his spear, its tip gleaming coldly as it aimed straight for Qin Ming's heart. If the strike landed, Qin Ming would surely perish.

The spear thrust through Qin Ming's body, leaving only the shaft's end protruding. In a crucial moment, Qin Ming sidestepped, the spearhead piercing his abdomen as his blood trickled down the shaft. The chilling wind whistling around the spear parted the blood-soaked strands of Qin Ming's hair, revealing his lifeless, blood-red eyes. His stare, reminiscent of the grim reaper's, rooted Qin Feng to the spot.

Suddenly, Qin Ming unleashed an aura of terror like never before. Qin Feng struggled in vain to withdraw the spear, but Qin Ming held it fast. The Flat Heaven Seal burst forth with power.

Qin Feng, blood streaming from his mouth and nose, was sent hurtling backward like a paper kite. He lost consciousness midair and eventually crashed down into the arena.

Unable to sustain himself any longer, Qin Ming collapsed, facing the heavens. Yet, the spear that had impaled his abdomen now skewered a disciple's thigh in the crowd, preventing Qin Ming from falling completely.

With his own strength, Qin Ming had vanquished over three hundred disciples, who now lay in nine tiers, forming a human hell pagoda. Their cries and wails echoed like tormented spirits, with the spear at the pagoda's apex.

The silhouette atop the pagoda stood unyielding like an indomitable boulder, leaving everyone in awe.

All the deacons, two Elders, and the disciples below inhaled sharply, overwhelmed by the scene.

Deacon Qin Hua and Qin Darui arrived just then, witnessing the spectacle. Darui's mouth hung open in disbelief. "Did he really do this all by himself?"

Qin Hao, spotting the pair, quickly joined them.

"Our grievances are settled; the arena battle is over. Qin Ming is victorious!" Elder Qin Shan declared without delay.

"Hold on."

A disciple stepped forward from the crowd. He was in the Fourth Phase of the Spirit Founding Stage, ranked among the top ten disciples.

Gentleman Qin, in the early stages of the Fourth Phase of the Spirit Founding Stage, certainly had the prowess to be in the Qin Family's top ten.

"Brother Qin Wu, do your words still hold weight?" Gentleman Qin inquired.

Qin Wu's heart leapt with joy. He hastened to say, "Rest assured, if you capture Qin Ming and execute him, I will surely reward you with a Body Tempering Pill."

The Body Tempering Pill was a reward reserved for the top three competitors in the selection contest. Gentleman Qin's abilities might allow him to reach the top ten, but he had no chance of breaking into the top three.

Yet, the allure of the Body Tempering Pill was irresistible, and he cast aside his gentlemanly facade.

"Gentileman Qin, have you no shame? I see now that I've misread you," Elder Qin Shan bellowed with indignation.

The disdain was evident on the faces of the disciples ranked in the top ten. They scorned Gentleman Qin's vile actions, though none of them spoke up to intervene.

Frankly, Qin Ming was like a sitting duck in the arena, an easy target for any disciple.

Unconcerned with the opinions of onlookers, Gentleman Qin had made his choice and was ready to face the consequences. He ascended to the ninth level of the arena, his face alight with pleasure.

Zhou Wen, observing from the sidelines, allowed a smile to crease his weathered face.

"Chief, I must report an urgent matter to you," Qin Hao announced, stepping forward.

As the Qin Family's sole genius alchemist capable of producing Beast Blood Pills, Qin Hao's words held nearly as much influence as those of Qin Wu.

Qin Zhenhsing finally opened his eyes and asked indifferently, "What is it?"

"Manager Zhou has lied. Qin Ming acted in self-defense when he killed Qin Hu."

This revelation sparked a fierce debate among the crowd, with faces showing extraordinary outrage, particularly among the group of burly men encircling Zhou Wen.

"This is the absolute truth. Should I be lying, I am prepared to take my own life before the Qin Family Chief," Qin Hao declared.

A chill of cold sweat ran down Zhou Wen's back.

"Then I shall await your suicide," Qin Hao retorted icily.

"What evidence do you have?" inquired Qin Zhenhsing.

"Qin Hu and Qin Hai did not visit Fengwu House that day, and Qin Ming had no opportunity to poison them. Deacon Qing Hua can corroborate this," Qin Hao explained.

"I can vouch for it. I was at Fengwu House all day, and neither Qin Hu nor Qin Hai showed up. Manager Zhou, when did you claim to have seen them?" Deacon Qin Hua stated emphatically.

For years, Qin Hua had been stuck at the Seventh Phase of the Spirit Founding Stage. In his spare time, he pursued his interest in alchemy and indulged in his fondness for drinking.

Fengwu House was a frequent haunt for Qin Hua, and he was certain that Qin Hu and Qin Hai had not been there that day.

It suddenly dawned on everyone that with the family selection competition imminent, it made no sense for Qin Hu to be out drinking instead of striving to enhance his abilities. With Deacon Qin Hua's testimony, the truth of the matter became crystal clear.

"Patriarch Qin, I beg for mercy. I was misled by Qin Feng and fabricated that lie. But the truth about Qin Ming killing Qin Hu is undeniable," Zhou Wen pleaded desperately.

"Kill him," commanded Qin Zhenhsing, seething with fury.

Hearing this, Zhou Wen's heart sank.

A group of brawny men swarmed him, delivering a brutal beating. Zhou Wen's cries grew fainter until he was silenced forever.

The thought of the prestigious eight big families of Mobei City being fooled by an outsider was unbearable. If word got out, they would be the subject of ridicule. Thus, Zhou Wen's fate was sealed.

"Escort Qin Feng to Black Wind Cliff. Let fate decide his outcome," Qin Zhenhsing ordered with swift resolve, eager to put an end to the debacle.

His declaration struck fear into everyone present.

Black Wind Cliff was the Qin Family's most severe place of confinement; none who entered had ever been fortunate enough to emerge alive.

Qin Zhenhsing looked up at Qin Ming on the platform, impaled by a spear, and after a brief pause, instructed, "Qin Ming has triumphed in the selection. See to it that he receives medical attention immediately."

As night descended, the Qin Family estate remained a beacon of light.

With the assistance of fellow alchemy disciples, Qin Ming had departed early. His steadfast dedication had been rewarded with a top ten ranking and its accompanying prizes.

The remaining disciples were few, and the announcement of the top ten from this selection would soon be made by Elder Qin Shan.

Gentleman Qin was filled with the deepest regret. In his greed for the Body Tempering Pill, he had shown his true nature, only to walk away empty-handed. Worse still, he had to endure the scornful stares of countless onlookers.

He had hoped to swiftly conclude the award ceremony and escape the humiliation of the moment.

Yet, Elder Qin Shan seemed to have other plans. With each announcement of a top ten disciple, he lavished them with extensive praise, prolonging Gentleman Qin's agony.

In conclusion, Elder Qin Shan announced, "The selection competition is now at its midpoint. In three days, we will hold the final contest to decide the top three and determine who will represent us at the Newcomer Large Competition in Mobei."

Just as Gentleman Qin was about to breathe a sigh of relief, Elder Qin Shan continued speaking for an excruciating two more hours. The ordeal was so unbearable that even Elder Qin De was on the verge of unleashing a tirade.