Human nature is bizarre and varied.

Greed is without limits.

Envy drives people to madness.

When Lord Yang bestowed a level of cultivation, it naturally made others green with envy. However, the reason Qin Hao earned Lord Yang's admiration was simple. For over twenty years, he had dedicated himself to cultivation at the Lingxiao Observatory, maintaining the pure heart of a child, and his exceptional talent overshadowed all his peers.

Even Lord Yang had never encountered a youth with such extraordinary natural aptitude. Given time, once he fully matured, it was entirely possible that Lord Yang himself would benefit from his glory.

And then there was Fan Zhenkun.

Arrogant and egotistical, he was disrespectful and oblivious to the ways of the world. Moreover, his actions indicated a significant flaw in his character; he was impetuous and blindly confident. Just as Yang Hu had previously said, a person like this could only achieve so much.

How could such an individual ever catch Lord Yang's eye?

「Lingxiao Observatory」

The young Taoist gazed down from the mountain, his jet-black eyes flickering with anticipation and apprehension. He had come to the mountain at the age of three and had now been here for twenty years. During that time, he had devoted himself to pursuing the Tao, remaining detached from worldly affairs and never once stepping outside the observatory's gates.

The old Taoist patted his shoulder. "The outside world is beautiful, but it is also very dangerous. Be especially wary of beautiful women—they are like fierce tigers that devour men, bones and all."

Qin Hao was taken aback and looked at the old Taoist in confusion.

The old Taoist seemed to have suffered greatly at the hands of a woman. He stated with conviction, "In any case, just keep your distance from beautiful women."

Qin Hao didn't understand, but he nodded anyway.

"Go on, then," the old Taoist said, waving his hand.

"Yes, Master!" Qin Hao bowed respectfully before descending the steps.

His first destination was the Qin Clan's Royal Family, where he was to pay a visit to the Prince.

Meanwhile, Qin Lie had come to the Lingxiao Observatory precisely because of the impending battle between Qin Hao and Fan Zhenkun. The two parties met at the foot of the mountain.

"Young Taoist, are you confident?" Qin Yan asked with a hearty laugh.

Qin Hao scratched his head and smiled. "We'll only know after we fight."

"HAHA!!"

His innocent demeanor elicited a wave of laughter from the crowd.

"HMPH!!"

The spirited Fan Zhenkun strode over. Upon seeing the young Taoist in the Hundred-Family Garb, he knew who he was and met him with a disdainful snort.

Qin Hao responded with a smile.

"You're the young Taoist Qin Hao? They say you're the number one expert under twenty-five?" Fan Zhenkun's mother inquired sarcastically, her eyes sweeping over Qin Hao twice before she pursed her lips. "You don't seem to have three heads and six arms. You're just an ordinary man who got lucky."

The implication was that, aside from his good fortune, he was worthless.

Then, she added, "Compared to my Zhenkun, you fall far short."

"Mother!!" Fan Zhenkun appeared slightly displeased. He clasped his hands behind his back and tilted his head up slightly. "Please do not casually compare just anyone to me. Among my peers, I disdain to be mentioned in the same breath as any of them."

"Especially trash like this, who gets an opportunity through sheer dumb luck!"

He was very confident, but excessive confidence is nothing more than ignorance and arrogance.

Qin Lie, who had initially held a favorable impression of Fan Zhenkun, immediately furrowed his brow. His displeasure was clear, though he said nothing.

The shrewd Fan Haijun quickly feigned a stern expression and chided, "Zhenkun, confidence is a good thing, but you mustn't so brazenly belittle others. Just defeat him fair and square."

Qin Hao's smile vanished, though he chose not to argue. But Qin Yan, who stood beside him, could not stay silent. He scoffed, "Opportunities like this aren't something just anyone can get."

An opportunity is an opportunity not just because it's scarce, but because of fate. Without that karmic connection, you could beat your head against a wall and still get nothing. And now this one was harboring resentment, accusing Lord Yang of being careless and bestowing the opportunity on a nobody, thereby overlooking a dragon among men like Fan Zhenkun?

Lord Yang single-handedly conquered the entire Heavenly God List. Is it possible he lacks even the slightest bit of discernment? What a joke! Utterly ridiculous!

"That's because Lord Yang hasn't met me. Otherwise, would that punk Taoist have even had a chance?" Fan Zhenkun said, his stance and tone insufferably arrogant. Despite that, one could clearly sense how desperately he coveted this opportunity.

"So, by your logic, Qin Hao is completely unqualified for Lord Yang's special attention?" Qin Yan asked, thoroughly amused.

"Of course!!" Fan Zhenkun replied with a haughty expression, glancing at Qin Hao with contempt. "A fine saddle deserves a fine horse. No matter how good a saddle you put on a stinking donkey, it's still just a donkey. It can never become a steed that travels a thousand li!"

"Such a great opportunity, utterly wasted!" Fan Zhenkun shook his head and sighed.

"Hehe."

Qin Yan laughed out loud. The Fan Family had become one of the five great houses for a reason; they had their remarkable qualities, especially the old master, whose conduct was always meticulous. But how had the third generation degenerated to this state, not even understanding the basics of how to treat others? It seems the saying 'wealth rarely lasts three generations' might be proven true by the Fan Family.

"If you ask me," Qin Yan retorted, pulling no punches, "since you're so confident, you should go find Lord Yang and see if he'll bestow a level of cultivation on you."

"He'll grant me an opportunity soon enough. He might even take me as his disciple," Fan Zhenkun said with a nonchalant shrug, as if it were a foregone conclusion.

"That's hilarious!" Qin Yan mocked. "Just moments ago, you were scorning Qin Hao, acting as if he was beneath comparison. Your words dripped with disdain for the cultivation Lord Yang bestowed. Now, you're suddenly full of hope for the same thing? You're quite the hypocrite for someone so young."

Fan Zhenkun: "..."

Fan Haijun: "..."

"Opportunities naturally go to the deserving. This little Taoist... he is not worthy!" Fan Zhenkun said, staring at Qin Hao with intense displeasure.

"My Kun's talent and strength are obvious to all, so a little envy is to be expected," Fan Haijun chuckled, staunchly supporting his son. "Besides, we'll know if he's a dragon or a dud after they fight."

The verbal sparring finally brought them to the main event.

Qin Lie, who had been silent the entire time, turned to Qin Hao. "Qin Hao, how about you suppress your ninth-rank peak cultivation to eighth-rank and fight him on fair terms?"

"I can do that!" Qin Hao nodded.

Qin Yan interjected sarcastically, "The great Fan Zhenkun, who surpasses all rivals with his exceptional bearing, surely he has the strength to defeat Qin Hao despite the difference in rank?"

Fan Zhenkun: "..."

"Hehe!" Qin Yan snickered. "Knew you wouldn't dare!"

Then, he pulled Qin Hao aside and whispered, "Kid, I can't stand that guy. You have to give him a brutal beating for me!"

"It wouldn't be good if I broke him," Qin Hao said with a small smile.

"Uh..." Qin Yan stroked his chin. "Just as long as you don't kill him!"

"Show everyone that Lord Yang didn't misjudge you!"

Fan Zhenkun's lips curled into a smirk. This was a perfect opportunity for him. As long as he defeated this little Taoist, he would cement his title as the foremost young talent under twenty-five. When that happened, how could Lord Yang not look upon him with high regard?

Qin Lie made the final decision. "We'll go to the Lingjin River. My Qin Family owns Xuanling Island there. The place is spacious, and the scenery is nice."

"Good!"

"Alright!"

As Fan Haijun nodded in agreement, he immediately sent the news to the media. How could there be no audience when his son was about to make a name for himself?

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