214: Chapter 214 Spring Festival, Chinese New Year!

"Once my strength reaches the Third-Rank Peak, I should be able to barely activate the true power of this blood rune..."

She casually spun the Evil Whip in her hand, as if it weren't some taboo Demonic Weapon, but an interesting toy.

After playing with it for a moment, she seemed to remember something, and her movements paused slightly.

"However... I didn't expect that in this remote little city, I would actually encounter a fellow who has broken through his limits twice..."

"A solid foundation, vigorous blood qi, fierce Spear Technique, and a sufficiently firm will..."

She murmured to herself, her tone carrying a hint of playfulness and inquiry, "The human race... truly has crouching tigers and hidden dragons. How interesting."

Just then, a faint, warm night breeze blew into the room from nowhere.

It blew a corner of her oversized hood slightly back.

Strands of hair floated up, revealing a small portion of the left side of her face.

The moonlight happened to outline that breathtaking silhouette—skin as white as snow, a straight bridge of the nose, and beautifully shaped lips.

However, what was most unforgettable was her left eye, which was completely exposed to the moonlight.

That was no human pupil!

The white of the eye carried a faint hint of dark red, while the pupil... was a pure, translucent blood-color, like the finest ruby!

At this moment, this blood pupil was turning slightly.

It seemed to contain endless depth, mystery, and a faint, non-human sense of demonic charm and danger.

She tilted her head slightly, her blood pupil looking out at the endless night sky, the corners of her mouth curling into an inscrutable arc.

Under the moonlight, that half-face—exquisite yet eerie—and that cold, blood-colored pupil formed a heart-palpitating image.

The warm wind soon subsided, and the hood fell back into place.

The glimpse of the blood pupil and the exquisite face were once again concealed within the deep darkness.

Inside the room, only the faint flow of the Evil Spirit whip's blood-light remained.

And that faint whisper, carrying a strange rhythm, gradually dissipated into the air.

...

In the following days, the rhythm of Qin Yan's life became simple and regular.

It could be summarized as a simple commute between two points—home and the Linhai City Martial Arts Association.

However, within this simple routine, the atmosphere was quietly changing.

Whenever Qin Yan stepped into the association hall, the other martial artists of the Martial Arts Association looked at him differently than before.

In those gazes, there was less of the initial curiosity and scrutiny, replaced by heartfelt respect, and even... a hint of awe.

"I heard that Zhang Bei, that devil, fell at his hands? Is it true? Zhang Bei was at the third grade late stage."

"It's absolutely true! Vice President Wang said it himself; how could it be false?"

"Incredible! As expected of a genius from Modu University of Martial Arts! This time, he's truly rid our Linhai City of a great evil!"

The whispered conversations and admiring glances were all captured by Qin Yan.

But he merely treated it with indifference, responding with a slight nod.

In his heart, defeating Zhang Bei was just a chance encounter; ridding the people of an evil was his duty, and it really wasn't worth too much concern.

On the contrary, Qin Xiaoxi, who followed by his side, saw all these changes clearly and felt them in her heart.

She saw those martial artists, who usually seemed dignified or cold, showing respect when facing her brother;

She felt the exceptionally thoughtful service the association staff provided to the two siblings.

This gave her a deeper understanding of the identity of a "martial artist."

A few days later, Qin Yan's personal terminal received a bank transfer notification for the staggering amount of 150,000 huaxia coins!

The attached note read: Linhai City Martial Arts Association Special Contribution Bonus (Zhang Bei Case).

This sum was undoubtedly a huge amount for an ordinary family, enough to purchase a decent property in Linhai City or allow a family to live without worry for several years.

But for Qin Yan, whose daily cultivation consumption often cost hundreds of academic credits, the actual purchasing power of 150,000 huaxia coins seemed limited.

He didn't hesitate and directly transferred 130,000 of it into his parents' account via bank transfer.

He only kept 20,000 for himself for daily incidental needs.

For his parents, this money meant an improvement in life and security for the future; its significance was far greater than if it remained in his hands.

His parents, having received the transfer notification, called him. Their voices were both happy and worried, repeatedly urging him not to mistreat himself and to spend whatever money was necessary at the Martial Arts University.

Qin Yan just smiled and comforted them, saying he was doing well, the rewards were generous, and he didn't lack this little bit.

Time slipped quietly by in plain yet fulfilling cultivation and companionship, and the footsteps of the New Year drew closer and closer.

February 16th, New Year's Eve.

As night fell, the streets and alleys of Linhai City were already decorated with lanterns and streamers, and warm light from family reunions shone through every window.

The residential area where Qin Yan's family lived was no exception; the air was filled with the aroma of New Year's Eve dinner and the sounds of children laughing and playing.

After finishing a sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner, the family sat together, enjoying a rare moment of leisure.

Outside the window, scattered fireworks had already begun to bloom, crackling and popping, announcing the excitement of the New Year.

"Brother, let's go set off firecrackers too!"

Qin Xiaoxi's eyes were sparkling as she looked out the window, eager to try.

"Okay," Qin Yan agreed with a smile.

The family of four went downstairs to the designated firecracker-setting area of the residential complex.

Many neighbors and children had already gathered here, and laughter, exclamations, and the sound of firecrackers merged into one.

Qin Shouzheng carefully unwrapped a long string of red firecrackers, Qin Yan lit the fuse with a lighter, and then quickly stepped back.

"Crack-crack-boom—!"

Deafening explosions went off, and red paper scraps flew with the gunpowder smoke, symbolizing bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, and driving away evil spirits.

Qin Xiaoxi covered her ears and hid behind Qin Yan, yet couldn't help but poke her head out to watch. Her small face was flushed red by the firelight, and her eyes were full of excitement.

Chen Juan stood to the side, watching her husband and son light the firecrackers while her daughter frolicked nearby.

A smile she couldn't suppress was on her face, and tears of happiness faintly shimmered in her eyes.

After finishing the firecrackers, they set off several beautiful fireworks.

Brilliant colors bloomed in the night sky like flowers in full bloom, illuminating everyone's faces, which were overflowing with joy.

Qin Yan looked up at the starry sky and the fireworks, his heart filled with peace and warmth.

This was home, the harbor he would always care about and be willing to strive for, no matter how far he traveled.

The wind and rain of the outside world and the hardships of the martial path were all smoothed away at this moment by this warm reunion.

February 17th, Spring Festival.

On this day, Qin Yan made an exception and did not go to the Martial Arts Association to train.

He left all his time for his family.

Over the next few days, the atmosphere of the Spring Festival gradually faded, and life returned to its normal track.

Qin Yan once again resumed his habit of going to the Martial Arts Association to train every day.

He would only appropriately shorten his training time on days spent visiting relatives and friends.

Qin Xiaoxi also gradually calmed down from the fright of New Year's Eve and the bustle of the Spring Festival.

When following her brother to the association, there was a bit more serenity and reflection in her eyes.

Time passed in this relaxed yet disciplined rhythm, reaching February 21st.