Starting With The Martial Arts Holy Fire Order

The north wind howled fiercely, and just standing by the edge, they felt the chilling cold sink into their bones.

Those with less internal strength could barely stand the cold.

The pool’s surface had frozen over with a thick layer of ice, its depths invisible beneath the layer.

Han Qianye looked at Ling Yihan and said coldly,

“Young Master Ling, make your move!”

With that, he prepared to break through the ice and leap into the pool.

Ling Yihan lazily grinned.

“Hold on!”

“What’s the matter?

Afraid, Young Master Ling?” Han Qianye sneered.

Ling Yihan smirked with a mischievous glint.

“Fear isn’t part of my vocabulary.

I just think this duel is too easy.

How about we add a little challenge?

You wouldn’t object, would you, Young Hero Han?”

Han Qianye frowned.

“What kind of challenge?”

Ling Yihan pulled two iron chains from his sleeve and spoke slowly,

“Simple.

We’ll both chain our feet together, then jump into the pool.

Think you’ve got the guts, Young Hero Han?”

The others gasped in shock.

No matter how good a swimmer someone was, once their feet were chained, they’d be as helpless as a fish on dry land, unable to move freely in the water.

This challenge was far harder than what Han Qianye had initially proposed.

Han Qianye, proud and unwilling to back down, nodded.

“Fine. We’ll do it your way.”

They both chained their feet, and then Ling Yihan shattered a section of the ice with a single palm strike and leaped into the pool, with Han Qianye following closely behind.

The moment he entered the water, Ling Yihan felt an icy chill stab through him.

Quickly, he circulated his internal energy, using the fiery power of the Nine Yang Divine Skill and the Marriage Robe Skill to shield himself.

With this protection, he was able to resist the cold’s invasion.

But Han Qianye wasn’t as fortunate.

His feet chained, unable to swim, and his internal strength inferior to Ling Yihan’s, he soon felt his limbs grow numb, far too frozen to even strike back.

Ling Yihan had planned this all along, knowing his swimming ability wasn’t as strong as Han Qianye’s.

By chaining their feet, he turned Han into a sitting duck, forcing him into a contest of internal strength to see who could endure the cold longest.

Growing weaker by the second, Han Qianye gathered his remaining strength, trying one last desperate move.

He lunged at Ling Yihan with his dagger.

This guy is freezing to death and still won’t give up? He’s begging to die! Ling Yihan thought, amused.

He dodged the thrust easily, then gathered his strength and struck Han Qianye’s crown with his palm.

Although much of the force was absorbed by the water, the combined power of the Nine Yang Divine Skill and the Marriage Robe Skill was unstoppable.

Ling Yihan’s palm shattered Han Qianye’s skull, killing him instantly.

Above the ice, the Ming Cult followers couldn’t see into the depths, only watching the water tremble.

Their anxiety grew by the second.

Soon after, Ling Yihan emerged from the pool, dragging Han Qianye and tossing his body onto the ice.

Ling Yihan’s foot chains had snapped completely.

Seeing Han Qianye dead and Ling Yihan unharmed, the Ming Cult members cheered in celebration.

Yang Dingtian, too emotional to speak, patted Ling Yihan’s shoulder.

The other followers crowded around with praise and congratulations.

Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the side quest: Defeat Han Qianye. Reward: ‘Flower Shifting and Jade Transference’ manual.

The system’s voice confirmed the task completion.

Ling Yihan decided to claim the reward later, with so many people around.

Unable to hold back her emotions, Hu Qingyang rushed forward and threw herself into Ling Yihan’s arms, sobbing.

“Yihan, you were under the water for so long… I thought you were… gone… You nearly scared me to death!”

Ling Yihan patted her gently, smiling.

“Silly girl. I, Ling Yihan, have a destiny far too great to die so easily.”

The other disciples grinned and chuckled at the sight, while Dai Qisi, watching from the side, felt a faint pang of disappointment seeing Ling Yihan and Hu Qingyang so close.

Ling Yihan turned to Yang Dingtian and said,

“Master, Han Qianye died as an act of filial piety, avenging his father.

Since he’s perished at my hand, please allow his body to be buried respectfully.”

Yang Dingtian nodded.

“How rare to find such kindness.

As you wish, we’ll lay him to rest properly.

Tonight, the Ming Cult shall celebrate with a grand banquet.”

The others cheered at the announcement.

That night, the Hall of Holy Fire was filled with feasting and celebration.

Yang Dingtian seated Ling Yihan beside him, along with Madam Yang and the Light Messengers.

“Yihan, today you fought for me and defeated Han Qianye, preserving the Ming Cult’s honor.

Your contributions are immeasurable,” Yang Dingtian said gratefully.

At the nearby table, Green-Winged Bat King Wei Yixiao raised his cup.

“Indeed, a toast to Young Master Ling!”

“Cheers!” The cult members all raised their cups to Ling Yihan.

“No need for such formality.”

Ling Yihan returned the toast, downing his drink in one go.

Yang Xiao, seated next to him, added,

“Who would’ve thought? Young Master Ling not only possesses great martial skill but also formidable internal strength.”

Madam Yang smiled.

“Cult Master, one student like this is worth ten others.”

Ling Yihan quickly responded humbly,

“Madam, you flatter me…”

Madam Yang interrupted him,

“Still calling me ‘Madam’?

The Cult Master and I have always wanted a student like you.

Right, Cult Master?”

She gave Yang Dingtian a meaningful glance.

Yang Dingtian caught on, laughing heartily.

“Indeed, Yihan, once you called me ‘Master’—there’s no taking it back now.”

Madam Yang continued,

“The Cult Master wants to make it official.

You don’t mind, do you?”

At that moment, White-Browed Eagle King Yin Tianzheng, Golden Lion King Xie Xun, and Green-Winged Bat King Wei Yixiao stepped forward to congratulate them with a toast.

“How wonderful it is that the Cult Master has taken such a talented disciple!”

Ling Yihan had been hoping to complete his mission and had no objections.

He stood up, raised his cup, and respectfully saluted them.

“Disciple greets Master and Madam!”

“Good, good…” Yang Dingtian and Madam Yang were overjoyed.

Then, Xie Xun suggested,

“Cult Master, Young Master Ling’s achievements are outstanding.

He deserves a title.”

Yang Dingtian nodded with a smile.

“You’re right.

Yihan, for your services to the cult, I hereby grant you the title of Holy Son of the Ming Cult, second in rank only to me.”