Not far away, Qin Tianlong, having suffered one blow after another, watched as Qin Yao took the initiative to walk toward Qin Wudao. The jealousy and rage in his eyes nearly took physical form.
Qin Yao!
She was the woman he had pursued for years, a woman he had even debased himself to invite into collaboration, only to never receive a single pleasant look in return. She was the woman who had regarded him with disdain even back when he was the Qin Family’s greatest prodigy.
And now, she was actually taking the initiative to seek out that piece of trash, Qin Wudao?
How dare she? What right did she have?
"Qin Yao! What is the meaning of this? Why would you refuse to cooperate with me, only to approach that piece of trash instead?!"
His voice, thick with resentment and accusation, instantly drew the attention of everyone present. The crowd froze, their expressions shifting to one of intrigue.
A show was about to start!
Was Qin Tianlong actually going to pick a public fight with Qin Yao and Qin Wudao?
Hearing Qin Tianlong’s words, Qin Yao spun around sharply. "Qin Tianlong, stop making a fool of yourself here!"
"In terms of talent and physique, the Primordial True Dragon Bone you stole is already riddled with cracks, while the Young Lord possesses the unprecedented Hongmeng Emperor Bone, which even caused the Progenitor to manifest!"
"In terms of cultivation techniques, what you practice are mere fragments of family lore, while the Young Lord has received the complete inheritance of the Primal Dragon Emperor Scripture and the forbidden Great Annihilation Art!"
"In terms of favor from the family, the Mystic Ancestor and Elder Shu personally bestowed treasures and guidance upon the Young Lord, drawing all phenomena to worship him! And you? You are nothing more than a thief who was nearly exposed!"
"In terms of cultivation speed, the Young Lord has broken through two minor realms in seven days! And you? Even before you were injured, your speed didn't amount to one-tenth of his!"
"You call the Young Lord trash? Then what does that make you, a man who falls short of him in every single way?!"
Qin Yao spoke with blistering speed, belittling him until he had no dignity left.
Once these words left her lips, the entire Armory plaza fell into a deathly silence, followed by an eruption of incredulous whispers:
"My god! She... how could she say that?! That is Senior Brother Qin Tianlong!"
"She's lost her mind! She’s tearing the mask off right in public, without leaving a shred of dignity!"
"Even if she thinks that way... isn't it too direct? Can you really say things like that?"
"It's over, it's over. Look at Senior Brother Qin Tianlong—he’s so angry his face is turning blue! He has the First Elder's Faction backing him, holding absolute control over the family's resources. Senior Sister Qin Yao has completely offended him now!"
"Her branch is already weak, and she still dares to act like this... sigh!"
Though the crowd’s murmurs were low, they were clear enough to be heard. Qin Tianlong’s face cycled between shades of blue and white. He trembled violently with rage; already nursing injuries, the surge of fury caused him to vomit a large mouthful of blood.
"You... you..."
He pointed at Qin Yao for a long time, unable to utter a single word of rebuttal.
There was no reason to. Everything Qin Yao had said was the absolute truth!
The scene left Qin Meier, watching from nearby, gulping in disbelief. It was simply unthinkable! Qin Tianlong was supposed to be the undisputed leader of the younger generation. Yet, here he was, being berated by Qin Yao like this!
Was this truly happening? Qin Yao had a fiery temper, but never before had she publicly humiliated Qin Tianlong like this. What was the reason? Was it because of Qin Wudao?
But no matter how high Qin Wudao’s talent was, his strength was still weak, wasn't it? If he failed to grow, what was the point? How could she dare to gamble everything on him? Was she truly not afraid of retaliation?
While the crowd remained lost in their own thoughts, Qin Yao spoke again. "And another thing, Qin Tianlong! Don't forget your place!"
"You are nothing more than a branch disciple. What right do you have to point fingers at the Young Lord here?!"
"Put away your pathetic jealousy and stop barking like a rabid dog!"
*Barking?* Was she calling Qin Tianlong a dog?
The crowd was completely stunned. They didn't even dare to breathe, fearing that Qin Tianlong might vent his fury upon them.
Off to the side, Qin Wudao listened to Qin Yao’s explosive combat prowess and watched Qin Tianlong’s expression—which looked as if he had swallowed filth—and felt an immense sense of satisfaction. This Qin Yao was a good person! Someone you could rely on! When there was trouble, she really stepped up! That fiery temper of hers was perfectly suited for dealing with scum like Qin Tianlong!
Qin Wudao took a step forward, stood beside Qin Yao, and looked down at the nearly hysterical Qin Tianlong. "Did you hear her?"
"What right do you have... to say those things to me?"
"A piece of trash who had to steal his own foundation—what makes you think you can even speak to me?"
Strike while the iron is hot! He didn't mind trampling Qin Tianlong’s pride into the dirt, making him look even more pathetic and humiliated.
Hearing these words, Qin Tianlong completely lost his sanity. He lunged to his feet. "I'll kill you!"
An unnatural, blood-colored light erupted from his body; he was prepared to burn his own essence blood, regardless of the cost, to kill Qin Wudao.
Qin Wudao felt not a shred of fear. He stood his ground, motionless. In that moment, his calm stood in sharp contrast to Qin Tianlong’s madness.
Seeing that Qin Tianlong had lost his mind and was about to attack, Qin Zhan, who was secretly protecting Qin Wudao, shifted his aura, preparing to intervene.
But at that moment, an unexpected turn of events occurred!
An indescribable, vast power descended out of thin air. It instantly shattered the blood-colored light Qin Tianlong had gathered and slammed him away with such force that he crashed heavily against a stone pillar at the edge of the plaza.
The sound of bones fracturing was clearly audible as he slumped at the base of the pillar like a dead dog, momentarily losing all ability to move.
The person who had struck was the one who had returned: Elder Shu, the guardian of the Armory.
Elder Shu looked displeased. "You steal the foundation of others, feel no gratitude, and instead harbor resentment. Now, you dare to strike in my presence? It seems you are truly courting death."
Elder Shu’s voice was not loud, but it reached the ears of everyone present with perfect clarity. Qin Yuan was about to say something, but was instantly pinned down by a sharp, murderous intent.
Elder Shu cast a casual glance his way. "What? Do you have an opinion on what I just said?"
The scene fell into a deathly silence. Qin Yuan stiffened, lowered his head, and remained silent, his fists clenched tight in the shadows. The surrounding crowd was as quiet as cicadas in winter; no one dared to even draw a full breath.
Qin Tianlong, slumped on the ground, shook uncontrollably. A whimper escaped his throat—an unconscious release of extreme humiliation and rage.
Looking at Qin Tianlong, who lay there like a dying cur, Qin Wudao felt a strange sense of familiarity. After a moment of thought, he began to walk toward him.
Watching Qin Wudao approach step by step, Qin Tianlong’s eyes widened as he scrambled backward in a desperate struggle. He was terrified! He feared that Qin Wudao would pin him beneath his foot in front of everyone again.
He wanted to beg for mercy, but he couldn't get a single word out. His eyes were filled with a horror and panic that seemed to emanate from the depths of his soul!
Seeing Qin Tianlong in such a pathetic, dog-like state, Qin Wudao felt a sense of relief. He raised his foot and stepped onto Qin Tianlong’s face once more.
"Trash, what right do you have to compare yourself to me?"
"What are you even supposed to be?"
"You're just a bit older than me. In three months' time, I will certainly slaughter you!"