The Imperial Martial Pill Venerable

All eyes were drawn to the dense fog, everyone craning their necks to see. Obvious worry was written on the faces of Leng Ningshuang and Qin Yuxiang. Qin Yuxiang, in particular, could barely contain herself and was just about to rush forward to help when—

BOOM...

Two figures burst out from the dense fog.

"To think you could actually injure me... You truly are something else," Wang Yan said, touching a bleeding wound on his right chest, his expression frigid.

Across from him, Qin Ya’s face was pale, his clothes scorched. "So that’s all there is to your Blazing Flame Saber."

Wang Yan’s expression grew even colder. "How arrogant!" he growled.

Just as Wang Yan was about to strike again, Xiao Yi’s voice carried from afar, "Brother Wang, stop at once!"

Staring at the approaching Xiao Yi, Wang Yan looked perplexed. "Brother Xiao, what is the meaning of this? Surely you don’t know this person?"

"You’re... Xiao Yi." Qin Ya vaguely remembered the student who had tried to pick a fight during his very first class.

"Teacher Qin, I didn’t expect to see you here," Xiao Yi said with a smile, clasping his hands in respect. "After hearing your advice last time, I went back to try refining the Nine-Flower Jade Dew again, and I actually succeeded! Thank you so, so much."

"It’s my duty as a teacher. Think nothing of it."

Xiao Yi smiled faintly, then turned to Wang Yan, his gaze darkening as he spoke. "Brother Wang, do you have any idea who you’re facing?"

Wang Yan’s face went pale. ’Teacher Qin?!’

The youngest High-Level Teacher in the history of Mingxin Academy. Wang Yan had, of course, heard of him, but he never imagined they would meet under these circumstances. Only now did he realize what kind of power he had provoked.

There was a saying in the Imperial Capital: Academy teachers were a group you could not afford to provoke. Because behind them stood not only Mingxin Academy, one of the Empire’s most formidable powers...

More importantly, they were responsible for teaching and nurturing the next generation for the Empire. That role alone was enough to make most people wary of them. This was the Great Trend; it was a matter of principle.

"So, you must be the youngest teacher in Mingxin Academy’s history. I’ve long admired your name." Discovering Qin Ya’s identity, even someone as arrogant as Wang Yan had to soften his tone.

If even Wang Yan reacted this way, the others were so shocked their jaws practically hit the floor. Most of them had never heard of a person named Qin Ya. Yet, the testimony of Xiao Yi, a scion of the Four Great Noble Families, combined with Wang Yan’s own attitude, lent credence to the claim, forcing them to believe it.

’He’s a teacher at Mingxin Academy?!’ Wang Zilu’s face was a mask of disbelief. The news was too stunning; he couldn’t believe a young man even younger than him could reach such heights.

The thought that he had provoked someone of that caliber made his heart hammer in his chest, despite his own status as a member of the Wang Family.

"It seems there’s nothing for us to do after all." Just then, two figures emerged from the thin mist, treading upon the lake’s surface as they slowly approached.

Yes, walking.

The two men were as light as feathers, floating on the water as they walked step-by-step toward Qin Ya’s group. The onlookers couldn’t help but suck in a sharp breath.

They themselves could use Body Techniques to cross a wide river, but walking on water as if it were solid ground was something else entirely. There was a fundamental difference in the level of skill required.

’Walking on water... Their True Essence is consolidated to the point of Perfection. They have to be Celestial Essence Realm experts, at the very least!’ Qin Ya’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of surprise in their depths.

Of the two figures, one wore a conical hat and was dressed in coarse linen. The other, tall and slender, wore a white fox mask and a white brocade robe.

"It’s Mr. Li and Mr. Bai Hu!"

Someone exclaimed. Anyone from the Imperial Capital knew that the master of the Lake Tower—one of the four most famous establishments in the city—had two great guardians: Mr. Li and Mr. Bai Hu. Rumor had it that the cultivation of these two had reached the Celestial Essence Realm.

Even in the Imperial Capital, a city teeming with masters, they had carved out a place for themselves.

"Young Master Wang, Teacher Qin, this is the Lake Tower. If there is some misunderstanding between the two of you, we are willing to mediate," the conical-hatted Mr. Li said placidly.

"It is a misunderstanding. I hope Teacher Qin can find it in his heart to forgive me." Now that the two great masters from the Lake Tower had appeared, Wang Yan had no intention of tangling with Qin Ya any further. Under the circumstances, yielding was his only option.

Qin Ya’s expression remained impassive. "A misunderstanding? Heh. A fine misunderstanding indeed. If I were to run you through with a spear right now, could we also call that a misunderstanding, Eldest Young Master of the Wang Family?"

"Oh?" Mr. Li shot Qin Ya a surprised glance. He hadn’t expected this High-Level Academy Teacher to be so aggressive when Wang Yan had already conceded. "Teacher Qin, this is the territory of the Lake Tower. Could you give us some face and let this matter drop? How about we all just get along?"

"The Lake Tower’s territory? Are you threatening me?" Qin Ya’s eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint flashing within them. His mood was nowhere near as calm as he appeared on the surface.

’I just came out for a meal and ended up being targeted by two young masters from the Wang Family for no reason. If I weren’t at least somewhat capable, they would have already killed me. How could I not be furious at such behavior?’

"The Lake Tower is merely mediating. We will not interfere in your personal grievances. I hope Teacher Qin does not misunderstand," Mr. Bai Hu said, his eyes peering at Qin Ya from behind the mask, his tone laced with indifference.

"That would be best."

Wang Yan’s expression was unsightly. As arrogant as he was, he had already made his intention to yield clear, yet this so-called boy teacher refused to drop the matter.

He felt incredibly stifled. ’Does he really think my status as the Eldest Young Master of the Wang Family makes me such an easy target?’

With this thought, Wang Yan said coldly, "Since Teacher Qin insists on pressing the issue, let’s speak plainly. How exactly do you want to settle this?"

Qin Ya gave a cold smile. "Simple. I hear there’s a place in the Imperial Capital called the Warrior Arena, is there not?"

At his words, everyone’s expression changed dramatically. Wang Yan’s heart sank. In a low voice, he said, "Are you proposing we take this to the Warrior Arena?"

"I am."

The confirmation sent the crowd into an uproar.

"These Academy teachers are a feisty bunch, aren’t they? To actually suggest the Warrior Arena... No one who goes there comes out unscathed, regardless of the outcome. Tsk, tsk. Now this is going to be a good show."

"Heh, this teacher certainly has an unusual style."

"Now this makes things interesting! The Wang Family’s prodigy against the youngest teacher in the Academy’s history. The thought alone is enough—this will be a sensation in the Imperial Capital!" 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

The Warrior Arena. It was a unique place in the Imperial Capital, created for Martial Artists to settle private grudges. It had existed for several hundred years.

"Teacher Qin, you’re a High-Level Teacher at the Academy with boundless prospects. Are you sure you want to ruin your own future like this?" Wang Yan said coldly.

"Do you think I’ll lose? Or are you just scared? You’re a young prodigy at Spiritual Element Ninth Grade, while I’m just a Martial Artist who hasn’t even reached the Spiritual Element Realm. Are you sure you want to refuse me?"

Qin Ya said with a provocative smile.

Wang Yan mulled it over for a moment before finally saying in a deep voice, "Fine!"

Qin Ya was right. The difference between their Realms was vast; if he refused now, he would become a laughingstock.

"So, will it be a duel of stakes, or a duel to the death!"