"Very well, I'll tell you then!"
The Black-faced Manager abruptly stood up. In an instant, everyone's vision blurred as they found themselves suddenly standing before Qin Yang!
Qin Yang's heart skipped a beat. This level of power... was terrifying! Even Elder Zhou couldn't achieve such instantaneous teleportation.
"Sixteen years of bone age, strength at the peak of the Qi Refining Realm, martial arts cultivation reaching the pinnacle. And he's mastered more than one martial art."
Everyone gasped, looking at the Black-faced Manager as if he were a monster, and at Qin Yang as if he were some kind of prodigy.
"How did he see through us just by looking? Who exactly is this Black-faced Manager?"
"And that Qin Yang? He's mastered more than one martial art? And reached the pinnacle?"
"This can't be! Isn't reaching mastery enough to make someone a genius? How could anyone possibly refine martial arts to such perfection?"
Hearing this, Qin Yang's eyelid twitched. He immediately denied it, "I don't understand what you're talking about."
The Black-faced Manager grinned, his stark white teeth creating a stark contrast with his dark complexion. "When martial arts cultivation reaches a certain level, it leaves an aura that permeates one's movements. Before reaching the Grandmaster realm, this aura cannot be concealed."
Qin Yang wrinkled his nose and sniffed under both arms. "A scent?"
The Black-faced Manager continued, "Don't worry. This kind of aura can only be detected by those at the Grandmaster realm or higher, and besides..." He furrowed his brow. "Stop sniffing! This isn't a scent!"
"Oh? Then what is it?" Qin Yang asked.
"Do you know what this means?"
Qin Yang shook his head.
"It means you're a genius," the Black-faced Manager said earnestly.
Qin Yang smiled. "That much is obvious."
"Young arrogance is a common flaw among prodigies. Without a family, you're completely unrestrained. Being in the outer sect of a minor sect means you'll never feel a sense of belonging, and you lack proper guidance."
The smile faded from Qin Yang's face. "Are you saying I need discipline?" he asked stiffly.
"Perhaps not now, but it might be necessary in the future." The Black-faced Manager's eyes took on a reflective look. "I've seen too many talents go astray, developing stubborn personalities early on... This will inevitably lead to major setbacks later!"
"So the Black-faced Manager was so meticulous in his efforts! He's been nurturing Qin Yang all along!"
"Being favored by the Black-faced Manager is truly an opportunity! Though... I still don't know his exact origins."
Qin Yang's expression relaxed slightly. So the Black-faced Manager had been worried about him? But did he really need to worry?
"With your aptitude, no one in this insignificant Thousand Hidden Sect could ever suppress you. The Qi Refining Realm is merely the foundation of cultivation - the true path lies ahead."
"Though you have a life-or-death duel with Zhou Shi, breaking through to the Qi Gathering Realm isn't about mere diligence. Spiritual awakening depends on both fortune and innate talent."
"Though I appear to punish you with sweeping duties, this is actually to temper your character. Each step you take will refine your mind. Who knows? You might even achieve breakthrough while sweeping."
"Remember, impatience is the enemy of cultivation. Without proper refinement, even the finest jade remains mere stone."
The Black-faced Manager's words flowed like a monk chanting scriptures, leaving Qin Yang's mind on the verge of exploding.
The outer disciples gazed at the Black-faced Manager with reverence. Some even moved to prostrate themselves, seeking immediate apprenticeship.
The Black-faced Manager spoke with an air of routine, "I never take disciples, or perhaps I should say... I have many disciples..."
His contradictory words left everyone bewildered.
The Black-faced Manager offered no explanation, instead chuckling heartily, "If you possess the ability, we may meet again elsewhere."
"Elsewhere? The Inner Sect? But that can't be right, can it?"
"Could the Black-faced Manager actually be from another sect?"
"If so, he must be a formidable master. But why would he be here at our Thousand Hidden Sect?"
Qin Yang's face twisted with frustration. While everyone else seemed thoroughly convinced, he remained unconvinced! Yet this dissatisfaction couldn't be voiced - he couldn't exactly declare himself a transmigrator with a mature mindset, could he?
Moreover, the Black-faced Manager's image in everyone's minds had grown even more imposing, now radiating an aura of mysterious grandeur.
Qin Yang felt like a mute swallowing bitter herbs - the bitterness was real, but he couldn't articulate it.
"Well then? Are you satisfied?" the Black-faced Manager inquired.
Qin Yang rolled his eyes, but his hands could only perform the respectful salute. Reluctantly, he muttered, "I suppose I am."
"Admit defeat or don't - what's with this half-hearted 'I surrender'?" The Black-faced Manager frowned.
Qin Yang pursed his lips, then spat out the word with emphasis: "Defeated!"
The Black-faced Manager persisted, his tone fatherly yet firm: "Don't think your mediocre talent makes you special. You still have a long way to go."
"Yes, yes! I'll train harder in the future," Qin Yang hastily agreed. "Um... since that's settled, I'll take another mission today. I'll start right after cleaning the mountain gates."
Qin Yang couldn't wait to leave this Mission Hall - he never wanted to see the Black-faced Manager again!
He randomly selected a herb-gathering mission and departed immediately.
The Black-faced Manager hesitated, wanting to say more... but seeing Qin Yang hadn't taken his words seriously, he decided further observation was necessary.
He produced an exquisite jade token, then frowned and put it away.
A sharp-eyed Outer Sect disciple noticed and quickly pressed, "Manager, what's that jade token? What does it do?"
The Black-faced Manager waved dismissively. "When you reach Qin Yang's level, then you can ask me."
"It's just the peak of the Qi Refining Realm! We can achieve that too!"
"Exactly! I bet some of us are already at that stage!"
The Black-faced Manager chuckled. "I mean when your martial arts reach absolute mastery!"
Instantly, everyone fell silent.
At the foot of Thousand Bamboo Peak, Qin Yang stood with a broom, staring up the mountain path, his expression growing darker by the minute.
"What's the point of all that blather? They're just finding new ways to make me work," Qin Yang muttered under his breath as he began sweeping step by step.
"Hey, isn't that Outer Sect prodigy Qin Yang? Still sweeping stairways?"
A sly voice cut through the air - it was Zhang Hu, one of Zhou Shi's lackeys.
Qin Yang's hands never paused. "Looking for a fight?"
Zhang Hu's face stiffened, and he unconsciously took half a step back. "Not with you. I'm just here with a message."
"Then spit it out. Don't waste my time," Qin Yang said.
Zhang Hu's expression hardened momentarily before smoothing out. "Meet at the rear mountain at midnight."
Qin Yang froze, then couldn't help but chuckle.
"What? You're scared?" Zhang Hu recalled the carefully prepared speech he'd rehearsed during their journey, determined to provoke Qin Yang into action. Yet now, having uttered only the opening line, he found the rest of his strategy rendered useless.
"Relax, I'll definitely go. But your message leaves much to be desired."
"What's wrong with it?"
"You've given me time and place, but who else will be there? What's the purpose? Even if it's a trap, you should at least spread a convincing lie. Who'd take eight random words seriously?"
Zhang Hu's face flushed crimson. "If you dare show up..."
"And then what?" Qin Yang countered, unflinching. He secretly welcomed the prospect of Zhou Shi setting a trap with his lackeys. With sufficient numbers involved, he might even achieve a breakthrough to the Qi Gathering Realm on the spot.
Zhang Hu's expression twisted into a sinister grin. "No need for that. This might actually benefit you."
With that, he turned and departed.
"Hmm? Peculiar." Qin Yang stood bewildered, then shook himself out of his daze. Gazing at the distant mountain gate, he sighed deeply and resumed sweeping.
The day's events had unfolded in rapid succession. By the time Qin Yang finished his task, night had fully descended.
"Damn. Still one more chore - I need to go to the rear mountains... Wait! Perfect timing!"
After tidying up, Qin Yang headed toward the rear mountains.