Chapter 585: Healing Wounds Empty-Handed, Divine Methods!
"Lin Mu?"
Upon hearing this name, Huang Ning’s expression turned somber. It brought back some unpleasant memories.
"Let’s cross that bridge when we come to it." Completely unwilling to discuss him, Huang Ning changed the subject. "Master Feng, do you think we can really get him to come this time?"
Master Feng’s gaze sharpened slightly as he shook his head. "I don’t know. We’ve been running around for so long, only to learn that he’s come to the Southeast Five Provinces. We still have no idea of his exact whereabouts."
Huang Ning sighed, feeling a sense of powerlessness. Master Lin, where on earth are you?
"Huh, isn’t that Kong Ying? What’s she doing here?" Huang Ning suddenly looked up and saw a spirited woman entering the Duel Field. A trace of joy appeared on her face as she hurried over to greet her.
"Kong Ying, it really is you! I thought I was seeing things." Seeing Kong Ying, Huang Ning immediately smiled. "What brings you here? I heard you’ve been very busy lately."
"Huang Ning?" Kong Ying recognized her as well and immediately took her hand. "What are you doing in Suzhou?"
Huang Ning rolled her eyes. "Didn’t I call you? But you’re so important and busy, you’ve almost forgotten about your dear friend here."
"I’m sorry, I’ve just been swamped lately."
Kong Ying had indeed been very busy. After half a month of relentless training, she thought she could prove herself, but to her surprise, she had been the one who was most mistaken. Not only that, but Lin Mu had also offended people from the Bagua Sect and was scheduled to duel their leader, Qiu Yi, today. This filled her with worry. She had sneaked out of the Divine Machine Camp today specifically to see Lin Mu, yet after searching the entire area, she still hadn’t found any sign of him.
Seeing Kong Ying glancing all around, Huang Ning asked, "Kong Ying, what are you looking for?"
"I’m looking for a friend."
Kong Ying was searching for Lin Mu. Today was the day of the duel, and she still hadn’t seen the guy. He couldn’t have secretly hidden somewhere, could he? But based on his personality, he would never do something like that... Then again, you never know. After all, he’s about to duel a Grandmaster.
"Looking for a friend? A guy or a girl?" Huang Ning’s curiosity was instantly piqued. "It’s not a boyfriend, is it?" she teased.
"It’s not a boyfriend." Kong Ying was preoccupied and couldn’t be bothered to explain.
Huang Ning knew Kong Ying well. Her looks, abilities, and even her family background were all top-notch. Even the Huang Family was a step below the Kong Family. It couldn’t be helped, not when Kong Ying’s grandfather was the renowned Kong Lin.
"By the way, I heard you’ve been getting close to a guy recently. Is he the one you’re looking for?" Huang Ning asked, a gossipy look on her face.
"Ugh, I’m really worried right now. Can you please stop gossiping?" At the mention of gossip, Kong Ying grew even more troubled. Lin Mu, where on earth are you?
...
On the public road outside the Duel Field, luxury cars were gathered, and the road was even covered with a red carpet. Apart from the Zhao Family, practically all the other elite families had arrived. Everyone was waiting under the scorching sun, sweating profusely, their mouths parched.
Any one of these individuals was a heavyweight in the Southeast Five Provinces. Which of them wasn’t a young master or lady from a wealthy family? This kind of waiting was utter torture, but no one dared to speak a word of complaint. They all stood there quietly, not a single person revealing a hint of dissatisfaction.
After more than two hours of waiting, a huge, striped tiger slowly appeared at the end of the road, its paws stepping onto the carpet.
"ROAR!"
The tiger’s aura was ferocious and overwhelming, its presence imposing and extraordinary.
Qiu Yi had arrived.
Many of the Family Heads, including Huang Ning, personally went up to greet him.
"Kong Ying, aren’t you coming?" Huang Ning asked, puzzled when she saw Kong Ying remain motionless. This is a great opportunity to speak with Grandmaster Qiu Yi; even just getting him to recognize your face would be worthwhile.
"It’s fine, you go ahead." Kong Ying gave a small, bitter smile. Qiu Yi is here. Lin Mu, if you really don’t show up, you won’t be the only one to lose face. Even Kong Lin will be implicated.
"Alright, then." Seeing Kong Ying’s reluctance, Huang Ning inwardly shook her head. As a merchant’s daughter, I naturally understand the importance of seizing such opportunities. First, I’ll make myself a familiar face. It’ll be easier to deal with Grandmaster Qiu Yi in the future. After all, the Bagua Sect also has branches on Harbor Island.
"We humbly welcome Master Qiu!" The crowd of tycoons all bowed low in salute, their reverence palpable.
The scene was simply staggering, especially the manner of Qiu Yi’s arrival. Previously, many people didn’t believe anyone could actually tame a fierce tiger. It was the king of beasts, after all; an ordinary person would tremble with fear at the mere sight of one. But now, seeing it with their own eyes, they were utterly astounded. A new fear took root in many hearts, mingling with a profound reverence for Qiu Yi.
Shen Lian sat in a wheelchair, his body wrapped in bandages, but he couldn’t conceal the elation in his heart. Chief Instructor of Shenji Camp? In front of my master, you’re nothing!
The smile on Patriarch Shen’s face was also impossible to hide, as he felt his family had gained immense prestige. His youngest son, Shen Lian, was a Disciple of Grandmaster Qiu Yi. As for his eldest son, Shen Cheng, his current status was also extraordinary. With the Shen Family having produced two such remarkable figures, perhaps the rankings of the great families and clans in the Southeast Five Provinces will have to be reshuffled.
"Master, Eldest Brother... he..." As Shen Lian spoke, he began to cry, his tears a mix of performance and genuine grievance. Being thrown into the sea twice in a row had left him with a phobia of water.
"I know." Qiu Yi glanced indifferently at Shen Lian, then suddenly slapped a palm onto his shoulder.
The onlookers gasped. The next moment, their mouths fell open in terror. A large amount of white mist emerged from Qiu Yi’s hand and poured into Shen Lian’s body.
In the next instant, something unbelievable occurred. The bandages on Shen Lian’s body gradually split apart, revealing smooth, unblemished skin. All of his injuries had vanished without a trace.
Shen Lian tentatively stood up and took a few steps. "I... I’m healed?"
Qiu Yi nodded lightly. "When your master takes action, there is no injury that cannot be healed."
"Thank you, Master!" Shen Lian immediately dropped to the ground and kowtowed repeatedly to Qiu Yi.
"Thank you, Master Qiu, for healing my son." Patriarch Shen also bowed a full ninety degrees, his face beaming with joy.
The others were already completely shocked by Qiu Yi’s methods. To heal such injuries with his bare hands... such a feat was no different from a miracle performed by a descended immortal.
Qiu Yi asked, "Has that person not arrived yet?"
Patriarch Shen said with a smile, "No. He’s probably intimidated by Master Qiu’s reputation and doesn’t dare to come."
"He wouldn’t dare!" Qiu Yi snorted coldly. "Since he has accepted the challenge, he must come. Otherwise, the Martial Alliance won’t let him off the hook!"
Qiu Yi had made such grand arrangements; if he wasn’t completely confident, would he have wasted his time like this?
"You’re right, Master Qiu. Please, come inside!" Patriarch Shen gestured with an open hand. "We have prepared some food and drinks for you, Master Qiu. We hope they are to your liking."
"Very well," Qiu Yi nodded. "We can consider it his last meal."
And so, inside the Duel Field, a table stretching over ten meters long was set, laden with all sorts of delicacies from the mountains and seas, including abalone and lobster. Qiu Yi sat at the seat of honor while all the bigwigs stood on either side. Numerous young women in qipao served him wine and food in a display of sheer indulgence. Even Qiu Yi’s tiger mount was being massaged and relaxed by four qipao-clad beauties.