"Hmm?"
Qin Hu's gaze chilled, not expecting anyone else to dare speak so recklessly.
Then he saw the speaker—it was a boy who didn't even have facial hair yet.
Bai Lifuo froze, then quickly said, "Young Master, this matter has nothing to do with you. Qin Hu is a Martial Saint, not someone to provoke lightly."
Though he believed "Chen Cheng" surely had an extraordinary background, that was distant help, not immediate aid.
Qin Hu stood right before him. No master from "Chen Cheng's" background could arrive in time.
As for "Chen Cheng" himself, Bai Lifuo didn't believe someone that young could have much strength.
"Whether you meant it sincerely or not, I'm very pleased with what you said."
Yang Cheng spoke calmly.
Qin Hu burst out laughing in rage. "Where did this little brat come from? Hair not even grown, yet you dare act like some big wolf in here?"
Yang Cheng's eyes were indifferent. "One thing you said earlier was true. With your strength, you really are nothing. If you leave now, I'll spare your life."
"Courting death!"
Cold light shot from Qin Hu's eyes. "Maybe you have some background, but if I kill you and flee to the Azure Jade Realm, what can your backers do to me?"
A terrifying killing intent spread instantly, making everyone in the manor feel their hair stand on end.
The old man shook his head.
This matter had nothing to do with the boy, yet the boy insisted on stepping forward to seek death.
"Come."
Yang Cheng reached into the air.
In an instant, torrents of heaven and earth spiritual qi surged madly into his palm.
In the blink of an eye, a sword of condensed qi appeared in his hand.
A wave of terrifying sword intent burst forth like mountains and seas crashing down, spreading in all directions.
Before today, Yang Cheng had to conceal his sword Dao attainment. But now there was no need.
After all, he already possessed the Sword Domain.
Everyone who felt that sword intent looked utterly horrified.
The stronger their cultivation, the clearer their terror.
A moment earlier Qin Hu still wore disdain. But the next instant, his pupils shrank, face twisting with shock.
"This aura—Martial Emperor?"
"A… a ten-year-old Martial Emperor? Impossible!"
"No, scarier than his cultivation is the pressure of his sword intent."
The crowd erupted.
"Is he even human?"
Many mouths hung open.
"A monster."
Even the old man couldn't help swallowing hard.
Remembering how he'd mocked Yang Cheng earlier, his whole body trembled.
A ten-year-old Sword Emperor with such crushing sword might—where had this monster come from?
Whoosh!
Just then, a figure bolted outside.
It was Qin Hu.
The Martial Saint was extremely decisive—without hesitation, he chose to flee.
The scene stunned everyone.
It wasn't their illusion, nor their weakness. "Chen Cheng's" sword intent really was terrifying.
Even Martial Saint Qin Hu fled at first sight—so of course they were terrified.
"This sword intent pressure… it's absolutely Sword Dao Perfection."
Qin Hu was cursing furiously inside.
He thought himself terribly unlucky.
Such monsters were rare even in the Azure Jade Realm. In the Wasteland Realm, they shouldn't exist at all.
Yet here he was—running into one.
He'd met such monsters in the Azure Jade Realm.
He knew clearly how terrifying they were.
Never mind that this boy was only a Martial Emperor. To deal with him, that was more than enough.
Behind him.
Yang Cheng's eyes stayed calm. "Running? I already gave you the chance to leave, but you refused. Now you still want to flee?"
He thrust his sword forward from afar.
A plain-looking strand of sword qi shot forth.
In an instant, it streaked across a hundred zhang and reached Qin Hu's back.
This strike—
Was the sword of Sword Dao Perfection.
Was the sword of Innate Sword Intent.
Though Qin Hu had prepared himself, the moment his true qi clashed with that sword qi, he realized he had gravely underestimated it.
Puchi!
In a heartbeat, his true qi and his body were pierced through.
Boom!
Qin Hu crashed to the ground.
"One sword… seriously injures a Martial Saint… this… this…"
The old man's voice trembled, at a loss for words.
Everyone else was stunned speechless.
Bai Lifuo reacted fastest.
He rushed to Qin Hu's side and, without hesitation, stomped down and shattered both his leg bones.
Only then did he turn and bow to Yang Cheng.
Bang!
Bai Lifuo knelt heavily. "Bai Lifuo thanks Young Master for saving my life."
"For your great kindness, Bai Lifuo has no way to repay. I am willing to dedicate all my industries to you."
Earlier, kneeling to Qin Hu would have been forced humiliation.
Now, it was different.
This kneeling was voluntary—an act of gratitude.
"No need. I've already taken your reward. Saving you was only natural."
Yang Cheng waved the blood jade idol in his hand.
Hearing that, Bai Lifuo felt a pang of disappointment.
From today's events, he was even more certain the boy was extraordinary.
If he could hand over his industries, a figure of this level would surely have no time to manage them.
He'd likely still be left in charge, giving him the chance to join the boy's camp.
But clearly, the boy had given him no such opportunity.
And after seeing him cripple Qin Hu with one sword, he didn't dare press further.
"Young Master, two days from now, Divine Medicine Valley will host a pill auction in Spring City. I wonder if you're interested?"
Bai Lifuo quickly shifted the topic.
Spring City was Chanzhou's capital, where Spring Lake was located.
Yang Cheng's expression flickered slightly before he said, "I'll handle that myself. That's enough for today."
With that, he walked out.
Bai Lifuo hurried after him, inwardly disappointed.
He had tried everything, yet still failed to truly build ties with this noble young master.
He could only blame Qin Hu.
The blood jade idol he had offered was meant to win over this youth. But because of Qin Hu, that favor had been wasted.
At the manor gate, Yang Cheng suddenly stopped. "If you wish to contact me in the future, go through the Blood Shadow Tower."
Hearing this, Bai Lifuo was overjoyed.
The Blood Shadow Tower also had a stronghold in He City.
Yang Cheng returned to the courtyard Lin Shu had arranged for him.
"Shura Sword Domain, claim."
Immediately, he felt a profound stream of information surge into his sea of consciousness.
From Sword Dao Initiation to Perfection, what he had gained was knowledge.
But this stream surpassed knowledge. It couldn't be put into words—it was something that could only be felt.
In this flood of insight, it was as if he held a sword and killed endlessly for countless years.
Then countless killing intents settled deep within him, finally forming a world of killing will.
Yang Cheng stirred slightly and realized it wasn't an illusion.
An invisible domain had truly appeared around him.
The domain wasn't large—just over ten feet in diameter.
But within it, he felt as though he could control everything.
"So this is the one-star Shura Sword Domain?"
Yang Cheng was amazed.
But he also found the domain devoured qi and mental power at a terrifying rate.
He roughly judged he could sustain it for only fifteen breaths.
"From the test with Qin Hu, I can be sure my peak combat power is enough to kill low-tier Martial Saints."
"With this Shura Sword Domain, I should be able to slaughter mid-tier Martial Saints too."
In a blink, two days passed.
Yang Cheng quietly arrived in Spring City.
Lin Shu had already gathered news: Divine Medicine Valley's auction would be held at the largest inn in the city.
Outside, the streets were already packed.
To enter, one needed an invitation.
With the Blood Shadow Tower's reach, getting one was no problem.
Yang Cheng easily stepped inside.
"Chen Cheng?"
A sweet voice sounded behind him.
Yang Cheng paused, turning to see Jiang Hengwu walking over.
"It really is you."
She smiled beautifully. "Ouyang Xue brought me here. Divine Medicine Valley really is impressive, with many rare pills on display."
"But the prices are far too steep. I think I'll just watch the excitement."
"By the way, Chen Cheng, did you come alone?"
"Mm."
Yang Cheng nodded, giving her a look that lingered strangely.
Who would think this girl, who looked pure and untouched, actually hid such a calculating mind. The contrast was sharp.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Do I have something on my face?"
Jiang Hengwu touched her cheek.
"No."
Yang Cheng walked ahead.
Noticing his coldness, Jiang Hengwu looked aggrieved. "Chen Cheng, do you have some problem with me?"
"You're overthinking."
Yang Cheng replied.
"But I always feel… you're rejecting me somehow."
Her eyes held confusion.
Yang Cheng didn't answer.
Not far away, many people noticed him.
Not because Yang Cheng stood out, but because Jiang Hengwu was dazzling. Naturally, the boy beside her drew attention too.
"Anyone know that brat?"
"Never seen him. He's not from our capital's noble circles."
"Heh, then he's just some outsider bumpkin."
Seeing Jiang Hengwu act warmly toward Yang Cheng, many were displeased.
"I know who he is."
Someone spoke. "He's from He City. Name's Chen Cheng. They say he's on good terms with the so-called 'Fo Ye.'"
"Fo Ye?"
"Hmph, what's that worth. Elsewhere, they call him 'underground emperor.' But here in our capital, he still has to crawl."
The noble youths sneered.
A top-tier beauty like Jiang Hengwu—who didn't covet her?
If "Chen Cheng" had some grand backer, they might tolerate it. But if his only support was that Fo Ye, the capital's nobles wouldn't take him seriously at all.
"Just wait, this kid's about to be unlucky."
Someone suddenly said, "Last month, Fang Wunian went to He City. Ever since then, he's been set on Jiang Hengwu."
"If Fang Wunian sees this scene, that Chen Cheng is done for."