Chapter 308: The Fortune Teller
Chapter 308: The Fortune Teller
"Don't underestimate the Martial Arts Tournament.
Although the value of the championship title has been declining in recent years, there are still around thirty Martial Limit Warriors among the top hundred."
Upon hearing Qi Yuan's words, Yang Shan couldn't help but argue.
"Thirty of them... Are they stronger than you?" Qi Yuan seemed to ponder, "Were you a match for the previous champion?"
Qi Yuan was in a dilemma.
What if the opponents in this tournament are too strong? What if he can't win solely with his martial arts skills? What then? Should he... resort to cheating?
After all, this is just a game, and a minor cheat wouldn't be considered a big deal.
Besides, no one would be able to tell if he was cheating.
So, Qi Yuan didn't need to worry about being exposed.
He could be open and aboveboard, with an air of righteousness.
"The previous champion..." Yang Shan's eyes shone with pride, "...was evenly matched with me."
Hearing this, Qi Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.
He hadn't cheated, and there was no need for it.
"If this tournament is as easy as the last one, winning the championship will be a piece of cake for me.
It seems there's no need to cheat!"
"You're underestimating me, kid.
What do you mean by saying my level is mediocre?" Yang Shan couldn't help but speak up, feeling like Qi Yuan deserved a slap for his words.
What was he even saying? Even if he was arrogant, he shouldn't be so low in emotional intelligence.
"Sigh, I finally understand why Lone Seeker of Defeat is also known as Lone Undefeated.
Being invincible in the world is such a lonely existence."
Qi Yuan's words were moving, and he exuded the aura of a noble young master in a corrupt world, a proud swordsman.
This unintentional aura also made Yang Shan pause for a moment, feeling an inexplicable trust in Qi Yuan's words.
But he still stubbornly said, "Lonely brother, let's see if you'll feel lonely after this tournament!"
...
Above, the starry sky; below, the Lantai City.
Longtai City is a newly developed first-tier city in Qin Yuan Country.
This city is renowned as a tourist hotspot, attracting countless visitors each year.
In reality, it is also an industrial powerhouse.
This year's Martial Arts Tournament is being held in Lantai City.
Lantai City is located in the northern part of Qin Yuan Country, and during a previous dynasty, it was one of the two capitals.
This capital was known as the Martial Capital, or the Martial City.
It is said that during the Tianqiao Dynasty, there was a gathering of three thousand warriors in Lantai City, where they held a Martial Summit to seek ways to surpass the Martial Limit.
Three thousand warriors sat and discussed the essence of martial arts, jointly researching the core of martial arts.
According to rumors, the top martial artist, Luo Bufan, gained enlightenment at the summit and broke through the Martial Limit.
Suddenly, a lotus flower appeared on his head, and he rose into the sky.
This is the most recent recorded instance of breaking through the Martial Limit.
In Qin Yuan Country, surpassing the Martial Limit has become a millennium-long challenge.
As Yang Shan walked on the streets of Lantai City, he revealed a longing expression, "For a warrior, the most famous place is the Martial Cloud Pavilion.
On the pavilion, there are traces left by thousands of ancient and modern warriors using their own strength.
If one has exceptional talent, observing these traces might allow them to glimpse into the true meaning of their martial arts.
Our last Qin warrior who ascended, Luo Bufan, also left his mark on the Martial Cloud Pavilion.
After our test, do you want to go and take a look?"
This time, their destination was the Martial Alliance branch in Longtai City.
Longtai City is also the venue for the Martial Arts Tournament.
Therefore, Qi Yuan needed to take a special route to participate in the national tournament.
"Hmm... No problem, I also want to see the traces left by those ancient warriors.
And that Luo Bufan, he's quite an interesting guy." Qi Yuan replied.
"Yeah, let's go. The building ahead is the Martial Alliance branch.
However, we'll have to wait in line for a while, as there are quite a few people here today.
These people will all become the cream of the crop in the martial arts world. If you want to make a name for yourself in this world, you can get to know them."
"Looks like they'll all be old rivals. I, Qi the Undefeated, am not interested in making acquaintances." Qi Yuan said, having proclaimed himself as undefeated.
He needed to participate in more than one Martial Arts Tournament.
So, with continuous tournaments, those who didn't win the championship would always be his opponents.
"This young man is interesting. At such a young age, he's here, just like me, one of the few unique individuals in this world!"
Following the voice, a young man with an extravagant outfit and a rooster-like hairstyle approached.
He looked to be only twenty-five or twenty-six years old, and his strength was evidently at the Martial Limit.
When Yang Shan saw the newcomer, a trace of wariness flashed in his eyes, "Bei He Han Xianyun!"
"I didn't expect my reputation to be this big." The rooster-haired man smiled.
Qi Yuan had also heard of Bei He Han Xianyun's name.
In the martial arts world, there were two unrivaled geniuses known as the most promising warriors to break the Martial Limit.
These two individuals, known as the Southern Lion and the Northern Crane, were both in their twenties and had reached the pinnacle of the Martial Way.
Not only was the Southern Lion highly skilled, but his combat prowess was also exceptional.
Last year, he challenged the champion of the previous Martial Arts Tournament, only losing by a single move.
This time, the Southern Lion was the top favorite to win the Martial Arts Tournament.
As for the Northern Crane... she was the second most likely candidate.
Qi Yuan observed the Northern Crane, Han Xianyun, with a peculiar expression in his eyes. "You should change your hairstyle."
Han Xianyun was taken aback but quickly responded with a meaningful look in her eyes. "Is my hairstyle not good enough?"
"Your hairstyle is indeed good, but it doesn't suit you." Qi Yuan said calmly.
"Oh, so you've studied hairdressing too? Are we fellow practitioners?" Han Xianyun widened her eyes. "I styled my hair myself. How is it? Cool, right? Do you want me to design a hairstyle for you for free?"
"No, thank you." Qi Yuan shook his head. "In your bloodline, there is no rooster or crane, but rather... a rat.
Therefore, neither your title nor your discovery suits you.
You should change your hairstyle."
"Bloodline?" Han Xianyun was stunned.
She had never heard of such a concept.
She turned to Qi Yuan, her expression curious. "Are you serious, or are you just making fun of me?"
"Of course, I'm serious. Making fun of you... is not my style." Qi Yuan smiled. "Shouldn't that fortune-teller in front of the building be more interesting than you?"
Qi Yuan didn't delve further into this topic.
Indeed, Han Xianyun's Martial Bloodline was of the same type as the "rat" Qi Yuan had been researching.
However, the bloodline within his own body was that of a "sea fish."
"You believe in fortune-telling?" Han Xianyun glanced at the fortune-teller's booth.
There, a young man with a pale complexion sat behind a sign that read "Iron-Mouthed Heaven's Forecast."
Beside him were various strange objects, making him appear like a fraud.
"Even if it's an act, it should be more convincing. He's too young to be a divine fortune-teller... I don't believe it." Han Xianyun was the first to express her disbelief.
Qi Yuan smiled. "Why don't we ask him to predict who will win this Martial Arts Tournament?"
Han Xianyun nodded. "Might as well, since we have nothing better to do."
"You're too late. Southern Lion Zhang Yang has already gone!"
Han Xianyun hurriedly looked over, her eyes revealing a hint of surprise and some displeasure.
"Zhang Yang is looking for trouble." Han Xianyun's words hinted at her dissatisfaction with Zhang Yang.
Although Zhang Yang was a Martial Arts genius, he was also extremely arrogant.
His arrogance was not ordinary; it was as if he looked down on everyone.
Arrogance in Martial Artists might be acceptable, but Zhang Yang's arrogance extended to the Martial Arts itself.
He not only looked down on others but also held the Martial Arts circle in disdain.
It was as if he believed that his presence in the Martial Arts circle was a privilege for them.
At that moment, as Zhang Yang approached, many young talents from the Martial Alliance gathered around the fortune-teller.
Qi Yuan and Han Xianyun joined the crowd, and Qi Yuan stroked his chin thoughtfully. "I haven't bought the Three Treasures for Ning Tou yet. Maybe... I should set up a fortune-telling booth to earn some extra money?"
In the crowd, Zhang Yang's expression was filled with disdain. "Those who pretend to divine the future, the matters of destiny are so profound that even the Immortal Path... cannot claim to see through it. With what virtue or ability do you have to make such bold predictions?"
"The inability to see through destiny is merely a result of insufficient strength." The young fortune-teller's expression was weak, but his eyes shone with confidence.
The version of the book is accurate, with no errors!
If Zhang Yang's gaze was haughty and dismissive, then the fortune-teller's gaze was truly... calm and composed.
It was as if he was at odds with the world.
Southern Lion Zhang Yang heard this and felt even more mocking in his heart.
Just a few days ago, he had learned earth-shattering news that left him in a foul mood.
He felt that wasting so many years in the Martial Arts circle was a complete waste.
He had never held the Martial Arts circle in high regard, and now with the revival of spiritual energy and the Immortal Path...
His disdain for the Martial Arts circle intensified.
If not for his desire to fulfill his wish of becoming a champion and putting a perfect end to his past life...
He wouldn't have come here.
In recent days, he had learned about the Immortal Path and yearned for it.
For him, mastering the Martial Arts was just the beginning, and the Immortal Path was the next step.
Now, seeing a con artist pretending to be a fortune-teller, he couldn't help but step forward.
"Then, let's see if you can predict my future... where will it lead me?" Southern Lion Zhang Yang challenged the fortune-teller.
The young fortune-teller smiled. "Please place your hand in the copper plate, and I shall reveal your destiny."
(End of Chapter)
“The fortuneteller, a young man, sat with a bronze plate adorned with peculiar symbols.
Without hesitation, Zhang Yang placed his hand on it.
After a few moments, the fortuneteller's expression turned regretful, "Your origins are of great nobility, but... your luck has run its course.
This life... you will likely achieve nothing."
The fortuneteller's words stirred up a commotion.
"You're a fraud! This is Zhang Yang of the South Lion, the favorite to win this martial arts tournament!"
"If this is considered achieving nothing, then who can truly achieve something?"
"Is it only by sitting here and telling fortunes that one can achieve something?" The onlookers scoffed.
Qi Yuan observed this scene, secretly dismissing the idea of earning extra money by telling fortunes.
After all, if he heard these taunts, he would undoubtedly argue with these NPCs.
But Qi Yuan wasn't eloquent, and he hadn't learned many insults.
If he got into an argument, he would surely lose.
When words fail, what's left but action?
"This fortuneteller's skills are inadequate; he can't even offer a decent compliment," Bei He Han Xianyun couldn't help but remark.
Qi Yuan looked at the fortuneteller, his eyes filled with curiosity. "Although I'm not well-versed in fate, I feel he's quite accurate.
Why don't you let him predict your bloodline ancestor? See if it's the 'Rat'?"
"Huh?" Han Xianyun was perplexed.
Qi Yuan's words didn't make sense to him.
Everyone had human bloodlines, didn't they?
However, since Qi Yuan said so, Han Xianyun, being easygoing, approached the fortuneteller, "Can you predict my bloodline ancestor?"
Han Xianyun's request puzzled many onlookers.
Only the fortuneteller, with a barely noticeable tremor in his shoulders, seemed to understand.
He looked at Han Xianyun and repeated what he had said to Zhang Yang, "Please place your hand on the bronze plate."
Han Xianyun complied, his eyes filled with anticipation.
After a short while, the fortuneteller spoke, "Your ancestor was once a National Guardian General, and even further back, you are a descendant of the last emperor of the Former Tang Dynasty."
Han Xianyun's eyes widened at these words.
If one were to investigate the Han family, they would indeed find that they had produced a National Guardian General of great prestige.
However, the last emperor of the Former Tang Dynasty was an extremely secretive matter, and even within the Li family, very few knew of this connection.
Han Xianyun himself had only learned of this a few months ago.
How did this man know?
Han Xianyun couldn't shake the feeling that something strange was afoot.
The fortuneteller spoke again, "I have calculated your bloodline ancestor, and it is the Rat from among the Three Hundred and Ninety-Nine Beasts."
This statement left Han Xianyun completely baffled.
Qi Yuan had previously mentioned that his bloodline was related to the Rat.
And now, the fortuneteller said the same thing.
Was this a coincidence or a conspiracy?
"Do you two know each other?" Han Xianyun couldn't help but look at Qi Yuan.
He felt that Qi Yuan and the fortuneteller were in cahoots, targeting him.
Otherwise, how could they know his family's secret?
Qi Yuan shook his head, "I don't know this NPC."
Yang Shan quickly added, "I can vouch for Qi Yuan; he doesn't know this man."
Today's events were all a coincidence.
Han Xianyun's mind was filled with countless questions, sensing something amiss.
The fortuneteller spoke, "I do not know this gentleman... we are meeting for the first time."
As he spoke, he looked at Han Xianyun, "What I say is true.
If you don't believe me, think back to three months ago when you had a dream about a giant rat chasing you."
Han Xianyun's eyes widened at this.
He was truly shocked.
Three months ago, he had indeed dreamed of being chased by a giant rat.
At the time, he hadn't thought much of it and hadn't mentioned the dream to anyone.
How did this fortuneteller know?
"How do you know this?" Han Xianyun's mind was in turmoil.
At that moment, Qi Yuan approached, "I told you he's quite accurate, didn't I? Don't you believe me now?"
Qi Yuan didn't know about Han Xianyun's dream, but he could make an educated guess.
Back when he was a Primordial Seed, Qi Yuan had inadvertently witnessed the dream of the female doctor, which almost cost him his life.
Three months ago, only those with a certain concentration of bloodline could dream.
This was Qi Yuan's deduction.
"Come, why don't you predict my fortune and tell me when I can beat this game?"
Qi Yuan looked at the fortuneteller with curiosity.
(End)
Chapter end
Report
