Martial Arrogance Dragon Soul-Chapter 18: 9 Bells

"Dong!"

A bell’s chime burst forth from within the ancient Azure Rainbow Bell.

Qin Qing had struck the first bell chime.

And as this bell chime appeared, everyone realized that Qin Qing’s strike would definitely resound with more than just one chime.

Because his bell chime was different from those of the others before him.

Qin Qing’s bell chime was particularly full-bodied, exceptionally deep, and possessed an unprecedented penetrating power.

Where the bell’s sound reached, the air itself seemed to ripple in layers.

Indeed.

Following that, the second bell chime emerged.

The second bell chime was just as penetrating, just as vast and magnificent.

Then, the second, the third...

Six bell chimes rang out in succession.

"Qin Qing, he’s actually struck six bell chimes!"

"He has actually caught up with Mu Yunlan!"

"This, this is unimaginable..."

However, the bell chimes had not yet ceased!

The seventh!

The eighth!

Two more bell chimes followed one after the other.

Everyone was stunned!

Qin Qing had managed to strike eight chimes!

In these years, the Luochuan Imperial City had almost forgotten how long it had been since a new disciple had emerged who could strike eight chimes during the recruitment assessment...

Sitting above, the elders of the Imperial City Martial Institute were one by one looking at Qin Qing with gleaming eyes.

And just at this moment—

"Dong!"

The ninth bell chime echoed through the heavens.

The entire Tianjue City seemed to fall silent at this moment, leaving only the far-reaching, melodious sound of the bell resonating between heaven and earth!

In the midst of the crowd, there was now a profound silence.

It was as if only the gentle breeze raised by the bell chimes was softly brushing between heaven and earth.

Everyone felt that after the ninth bell chime, their souls had been cleansed.

Their hearts became clear, incredibly serene.

And after a moment, what welled up in these serene hearts was endless shock.

All eyes converged on the green-robed youth standing before the ancient Azure Rainbow Bell...

Qin Qing’s black hair billowed, and his sharp gaze now returned to normal, indifferent and composed.

"Is this... really the good-for-nothing Young Master from the Qin Residence?"

Doubt arose in everyone’s minds.

And those who had previously mocked Qin Qing, at this moment, one by one felt their faces burning.

Mu Yunlan’s beautiful eyes were wide open, similarly in disbelief as she looked at Qin Qing.

There was also Shangguan Xuan on the platform, his gaze flickering, his heart filled with astonishment.

It was one thing for Qin Qing not to die under Mu Yunlan’s sword, but his Soul Palace had been gravely damaged, and his strength should have been greatly reduced, so how could he possibly strike nine bell chimes?

Qin Wujian, Pei Yuye, and others were dumbstruck, falling into a speechless state.

"That’s wonderful! My third brother is so amazing!" Qin Yue leaped up with joy.

Qin Tong’s eyes were red as he murmured softly, "Righteous Brother, if you were also here, seeing Xiao Qing’s performance, you would surely be very happy!"

Bai Qiuhe and Jiang Ruorong were also smiling as they watched the youth at the very center of the Martial Arts Ground.

"This little fellow has been repressed and endured for so many years, is he finally going to burst forth now?" Bai Qiuhe chuckled softly.

Jiang Ruorong smiled as if she was sharing in Qin Qing’s joy, "I think, from today on, he will no longer be the good-for-nothing in everyone’s eyes. Likewise, all the stigma attached to him will be washed away one by one!"

After a long silence, suddenly someone shouted out loud.

"No! It’s impossible!"

Qin Lie suddenly spoke up, calling out to the gray-robed elder, "Elder, this Qin Qing is nothing but trash, how could he possibly strike nine chimes?"

"He must have used prohibited means, very likely he used forbidden medicine!"

Once Qin Lie said this, many showed an expression of sudden realization.

Indeed, hadn’t this Qin Qing always been a good-for-nothing?

Spending three years in the Tempering Soul Palace, never awakening his Martial Soul.

How could he suddenly transform into a genius who could strike nine bell chimes?

"I implore the elder to investigate thoroughly!"

"Please investigate thoroughly, elder!"

"All of us participating in this assessment have acted honorably and cannot allow any filthy cheaters among us!"

Many of the candidates were adamant about having Qin Qing inspected.

"How naive. To resort to forbidden medicine just for the so-called face," Mu Yunlan sneered at Qin Qing, shaking his head, "Do you really think the elders of the Luochuan Imperial City Martial Institute are fools?"

The grey-robed elder also had doubt in his eyes.

He looked toward Qin Qing and then called out, "I need to check your physical condition to see if you have used any illicit external aids!"

"No problem!"

Qin Qing walked over to the grey-robed elder with a composed gaze.

The grey-robed elder quickly began examining Qin Qing’s internal condition.

Forbidden substances would leave behind residual effects and cause subsequent disorders, which weren’t hard to detect.

But soon, the grey-robed elder declared, "There’s no issue. Qin Qing has not taken any forbidden medicine, nor has he used other external aids!"

"Mu Yunlan, what do you have to say now?" Qin Qing looked at Mu Yunlan.

Mu Yunlan snorted, "Qin Qing, I don’t know what means you’ve used. Am I not aware of your strength? Besides, even if you didn’t use external aids, Martial Dao cultivation isn’t about brute force. You can’t awaken your Martial Soul; you are doomed to be worthless forever!"

"Hehe..." Qin Qing laughed and shook his head, "Mu Yunlan, you call me naive and foolish. I think you should be talking about yourself!"

Having said this, Qin Qing no longer paid attention to Mu Yunlan and turned around to look at Bai Qiuhe and Jiang Ruorong on the stage.

From a distance, Bai Qiuhe fist-bumped toward Qin Qing, unabashedly admiring his performance.

Then, the grey-robed elder announced:

"Now, let’s start the second round, testing Spiritual Energy Affinity, as well as the intuition and talent for cultivation!"

Mu Yunlan felt bitter inside, having been completely overshadowed by Qin Qing in the first round, she was holding a grudge.

"Qin Qing, compared to the first round, this round is what truly matters. With just your brute strength, and your Martial Soul unable to awaken due to your ruined Soul Palace, your Spiritual Energy Affinity must be extremely low. How can you compare with me?" Mu Yunlan murmured to herself.

This time, Qin Qing merely gave her a cold look and had no more to say.

But in Qin Qing’s gaze, Mu Yunlan saw unmistakable disdain and disregard.

Yes, it was complete disregard!

This made Mu Yunlan’s heart shudder inexplicably, as if she had a bad premonition.

But she quickly gave a self-deprecating laugh.

Was she truly frightened by Qin Qing?

What right did a waste, whose Soul Palace was destroyed and Martial Soul taken away, have to look at her in such a way?

"Ouyang Rou, Spiritual Energy Affinity Six Stars. Cultivation talent, Five Stars! Next up, Mu Yunlan!"

At that moment, the voice of the grey-robed elder was heard.

Mu Yunlan’s gaze sharpened, and she walked toward the testing device.

It was a round archway-like device with two levels.

Above the two levels of the archway, there were nine orbs each, made from the inner cores of magical beasts and other materials with affinity to the natural spiritual energies.

Usually, in Martial Dao Cultivation, Spiritual Energy Affinity and cultivation talent are both categorized into Nine Stars.

The highest possible was Double Ninth Stars talent.

Of course, this was just the norm.

In reality, some peerless geniuses throughout the ages possessed talents that overflowed, surpassing the Nine Stars limit.

As for the detecting device, it is commonly known as the Star Gate.

Mu Yunlan walked into the Star Gate.

The next moment, she closed her eyes, concentrated her mind, began to sense the spiritual energy around her, and meanwhile circulated her Secret Technique to start absorbing spiritual energy for cultivation...

"Humming..."

The Star Gate vibrated.

Suddenly, the orbs on both rings of the Star Gate began to light up...

Eventually, on the inner ring, seven orbs lit up.

On the outer ring, eight orbs lit up.

"Mu Yunlan, Spiritual Energy Perception Ability, Eight Stars, Cultivation talent, Seven Stars!" the grey-robed elder announced.

"Wow!"

The crowd exclaimed.

The other candidates also looked at Mu Yunlan with great envy.

"Qin Qing, do you really think you’re qualified to have me as your servant?"

Mu Yunlan walked out of the Star Gate, looking coldly at Qin Qing.

"Hehe." Qin Qing smiled indifferently, "Mu Yunlan, actually—I never really wanted you to be my servant."

"Oh? What do you mean?" Mu Yunlan paused, then with a sneering laugh, said, "At least you have some self-awareness. Actually, if you kneel down and beg me now, I might consider sparing your life so that you can live out the rest of your days peacefully in Tianjue City."

"Is that so?" Qin Qing’s lips curved slightly, "Too bad, I intend to take control of my own destiny. As for why I don’t want you as my servant, I’ll tell you later!"

After that, Qin Qing, hearing the grey-robed elder call out his name, entered the Star Gate...