288: Chapter 288 Martial Arts Training Hall!

A feline-kin prodigy skilled in tracking crouched down.

After carefully examining several traces of the battle, he raised his head with a solemn expression: "Judging by the energy fluctuations in the footprints, the direction of the blood splatter, and the position of the fallen corpse... this doesn't look like a chaotic brawl, but more like a one-sided slaughter."

"A slaughter?" someone questioned. "Morning Star was at the Third Grade Limit. Who could slaughter him?"

"I'm not sure, but judging from the wounds... the one who struck used a spear."

"A spear?"

Everyone looked at each other in dismay.

They searched their memories for spear experts at the top of the heavenly pride ranking.

But they realized that none of the top experts seemed to use a spear.

"Could it be a descendant of some True King's bloodline who has been keeping a low profile until now?"

"Regardless of who it is, to be able to insta-kill Morning Star, their strength could definitely squeeze into the top ten of the heavenly pride ranking! Maybe even... the top five!"

This conclusion sent a chill through everyone's hearts.

To think such a monster was hidden within the Canglin Ancient Peak?

At this moment, on the edge of the crowd, two Human Prodigies were silently observing everything.

They were Liu Ruyan and Cang Yue.

Liu Ruyan, dressed in white with an ancient longsword on her back, had a solemn expression on her cold face.

Her cold eyes stared intently at the piercing wound in Morning Star's chest and the residual, overbearing, and sharp Spear Aura on the ground, waves of shock surging in her heart.

This aura... was all too familiar to her.

Although it was countless times more powerful than when they had fought, the unique condensed feeling of that long spear and that indomitable, overbearing will were identical.

Cang Yue stood by her side, tall and burly.

He also looked solemn, shock flashing in his large, bell-like eyes.

"It's Qin Yan," Cang Yue spoke in a low voice, his tone certain.

Liu Ruyan nodded slightly without speaking.

Both of them had fought Qin Yan on the arena stage before and had personally experienced the dominance of his long spear.

At that time, although Qin Yan was strong, he was still within an understandable range.

But now...

Insta-killing the eighteenth rank on the heavenly pride ranking?

This speed of improvement was simply inconceivable!

A sense of indescribable frustration welled up in Liu Ruyan's heart.

After arriving at the Canglin Ancient Peak, relying on her extraordinary talent and a bit of luck, she had not only quickly broken through to the Third-Rank Peak.

She had also gained insights at an ancient sword-scar relic, causing her swordsmanship to advance by leaps and bounds.

She thought that the gap between her and Qin Yan should have narrowed, or even closed.

However, the cruel reality before her told her that the gap had not only failed to narrow.

Instead, it had widened to a degree that made her feel suffocated!

To be able to "insta-kill" the eighteenth rank of the heavenly pride ranking meant that Qin Yan's strength had likely touched upon, or even stepped into, another level—the realm of the top-tier Prodigy!

Cang Yue noticed the subtle emotional change in Liu Ruyan and fell silent for a moment.

He looked at her with firm eyes and said, "Ruyan, don't lose heart."

"The exploration of the ruins has only just begun, and there are countless opportunities."

"I will definitely help you obtain the Phoenix Essence Blood."

Hearing this, Liu Ruyan turned her cold eyes toward Cang Yue, her gaze complex.

Her luck was indeed good; shortly after arriving, she had unexpectedly met this man, recognized as the number one prodigy of Kunlun Martial Arts University.

Cang Yue was powerful and had a steady personality; traveling together, he had helped her resolve several crises.

However, what she never expected was...

That this normally taciturn man of few words would straightforwardly express his feelings for her after helping each other out of a dangerous situation a few days ago.

At the time, after being slightly stunned, she had rejected him without hesitation.

Her heart was set on the Dao, aiming for the pinnacle of the Way of the Sword; romantic entanglements were not what she desired.

At least, it was definitely not something she would consider at this stage.

But Cang Yue's reaction was beyond her expectations.

He didn't pester her or lose heart; he just nodded silently.

Then... as if some strange "the more setbacks, the more courageous" mechanism had been triggered, instead of distancing himself, he took even better care of her.

He gave most of the decent opportunities they discovered together afterward to her, calling it "more suitable for a sword cultivator."

"That place is very dangerous, a near-certain death. If you come with me, you'll likely die."

Liu Ruyan's voice remained cold.

Cang Yue's expression didn't change: "The path of martial arts is inherently against the heavens, filled with thorns at every step."

"If one avoids danger for fear of death, how can one climb the peak? My mind is made up."

Liu Ruyan: "..."

"Let's go. Judging by the chatter, the holy grail of life here has already been taken. It's time for us to leave."

Liu Ruyan was the first to break the brief silence.

She stopped looking at the bloody battlefield and turned toward the rolling palace complex deeper within the ruins, shrouded in mist and ancient halos.

"Alright." Cang Yue followed closely by Liu Ruyan's side, his eyes scanning the surroundings alertly, guarding her against any potential hidden dangers.

...

May 2nd.

Two days had passed since the conflict and turmoil outside Qinglin Mansion.

Over these two days, rumors of a "mysterious spearman" slaying the elven prodigy Morning Star had circulated within small circles of the prodigies who had entered the Northern World, causing quite a stir and much speculation.

Of course, more prodigies were busy searching for their own opportunities, having no time for anything else.

At this moment, Qin Yan was in a massive square with a style completely different from Qinglin Mansion.

The floor of this square was paved with a certain dark-gold metal, incredibly hard.

It was covered with the marks of various weapons hacking and slashing.

Some were even several feet deep, still clearly visible after countless years, silently recounting the intense tempering this place once underwent.

Surrounding the square were several strange pavilions floating in the air.

These pavilions were not shaped like ordinary buildings but were modeled after various weapons.

Of varying sizes, they floated quietly about thirty meters above the ground, with a faint light flowing around them.

There was a long, sharp "Sword Pavilion" with an inner cold glint; a heavy, overbearing "Saber Pavilion" with lightning seemingly flickering on its edge;

A "Hammer Pavilion" with a hideous head that seemed capable of shaking mountains;

And a "Whip Pavilion" that was nimble and treacherous, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue...

Sabers, spears, swords, halberds, axes, battle-axes, hooks, and forks—the Eighteen types of weapons, and even some exotic ones, could almost all find corresponding pavilions here.

This place was the exclusive training ground once used by the Jade Court to hone the Martial Arts Skills of its disciples—the "Hall of a Hundred Weapons"!

Each weapon pavilion contained its own space within, holding hidden mysteries.

Only those with a certain level of attainment in the corresponding way of the weapon and who received the pavilion's recognition could enter to undergo trials and receive rewards.

Su Liuli had entered the "Whip Pavilion" a day ago and had not yet emerged; clearly, the trials inside were not simple.

As for Qin Yan, over these two days, besides necessary rest and exploring the surroundings, he spent most of his time in this square.

He chose a relatively secluded corner and practiced his Spear Technique over and over again.

Four hours later, Qin Yan withdrew his spear and stood still.