"We're here!" Qin Lie announced.
The surrounding mist had thinned, revealing buildings before them like a scene from a celestial realm.
"This is the Qin Family's old residence?" Jin Wanshan asked, disappointment coloring his voice.
The palatial structures he'd glimpsed earlier had been so awe-inspiring, but these... seemed more fitting for servants' quarters.
Qin Lie, whether intentionally or not, positioned himself closer to Lou Mengyu as he explained, "What you see now is merely the outskirts. The Qin Family's ruins have been thoroughly explored over the years. To prove my identity, I must show you somewhere untouched by others."
Lou Mengyu nodded slightly, her gaze shifting to Qin Yang.
Qin Yang wore an amused smile, gesturing for Qin Lie to continue his performance.
The trio watched with detached amusement, while Qin Lie remained oblivious to their scrutiny.
Leading the way, Qin Lie entered an ordinary-looking residence. He moved with practiced ease through a series of doors, arriving at a hidden chamber's entrance.
"A treasure chamber?" Jin Wanshan's eyes lit up.
Qin Lie replied awkwardly, "Not a treasure chamber. This is the secret passage to the Qin Family's forbidden area."
"A secret passage?"
The three men exchanged glances, with Lou Mengyu looking at Qin Lie with particular astonishment.
If not for Qin Yang having previously led them through the fake secret realm, no one would have suspected Qin Lie's actions.
As they entered the secret passage, they indeed found a strange underground space. However, it was completely empty, lacking any semblance of a forbidden area.
Qin Lie continued to provide explanations, demonstrating his extensive knowledge of the "Qin Family Ruins."
Moreover, Qin Lie possessed numerous ancient keys that could unlock hidden locks within the ruins. One after another, sealed spaces were revealed to the light of day.
Some contained cultivation manuals, others stored pills, and there was even a small training ground dedicated to practicing the Qin Family's martial arts.
"What are these wooden stakes for?" Jin Wanshan asked, pointing to a corner of the training ground.
Qin Lie replied, "They're used for honing one's movement techniques."
Jin Wanshan's curiosity was immediately piqued.
The stakes stood densely packed in disarray, making it indeed quite challenging to navigate through them.
Qin Lie walked straight over and said, "Although I've introduced all the facilities of this Qin Family site and possess all its keys, this still isn't enough to prove I'm a descendant of the Qin Family."
"Oh? And how do you plan to prove it?" Qin Yang asked with a smile.
Qin Lie walked to the edge of the training field, pulled out a spirit stone from his pocket, and placed it on the mechanism.
Instantly, all the wooden stakes sprang to life!
"The Qin Family Martial Arts I've cultivated will serve as the most compelling proof!" Qin Lie shouted. "Qin Family Dragon Flow Step!"
His figure moved like a dragon, weaving through the array of wooden stakes with fluid grace.
The stakes had already been challenging when stationary, but now they swayed unpredictably. Yet Qin Lie navigated them with effortless ease!
This was merely a demonstration, not a competition, so the Replication System failed to activate.
Qin Yang inwardly lamented the missed opportunity. Those steps clearly demonstrated superior martial arts technique.
"Phew! Convinced now?" Qin Lie asked smugly.
"You claim it's Qin Family Martial Arts? How come it looks so ordinary to me?" Qin Yang retorted, his eyes glinting with mischief.
Qin Lie snorted coldly. "That can only mean your eyes fail to perceive the profound subtleties within these movements!"
Qin Yang shook his head. "Just some wooden stakes. What's so profound about circling around them twice?"
Qin Lie couldn't suppress a laugh. "Such ignorance! Why don't you try it yourself?"
Jin Wanshan had been itching to try it out, but he couldn't find the pattern. He'd barely taken two steps when the wooden stakes' rods sent him flying back.
"Practicing alone is boring," Qin Yang said with a pointed tone. "Besides, how can we tell who's better this way?"
Qin Lie cut straight to the chase. "Why don't we race? From one end of the field to the other. Whoever gets there first wins."
He snorted derisively. "Just don't get half-way through and get pummeled by the stakes. That'd be embarrassing."
Jin Wanshan nearby pursed his lips. He'd only made it two steps himself...
Qin Yang laughed. "Don't underestimate me. I'm stronger than you think."
Qin Lie shot him a glance and snorted in disdain.
Only those skilled in movement techniques could safely navigate this wooden stake array. Without proper familiarity, all you'd get was humiliation.
"Ready! Go!" Jin Wanshan, acting as referee, gave Qin Yang a conspiratorial wink.
Before the words fully settled, Qin Lie had already charged into the array like a swift, agile serpent.
Copy: Bloodburning Art
Techniques: 4/10
Ding!
Combat Technique "Dragon Soaring Step" copied. Proficiency automatically set to "Peak Mastery". Combat Techniques: 4/10.
Qin Yang's figure sprang into motion. In an instant, his aura had completely transformed from Qin Lie's.
Each of Qin Yang's steps carried effortless grace, his movements fluid yet exuding a composed elegance.
If Qin Lie was akin to a spiritual serpent, then Qin Yang was like a true dragon.
The wooden stake array's endless variations couldn't hinder Qin Yang in the slightest, failing to even slow his pace.
In contrast, Qin Lie could barely manage to pass through without embarrassment, barely maintaining his composure.
Sweating profusely, Qin Lie emerged from the wooden stake array and turned back with a triumphant glance. He saw only Jin Wanshan and Lou Mengyu across the way - Qin Yang was nowhere to be found within the array.
"What? Did he flee knowing he couldn't match up?" Qin Lie shouted.
"Why are you shouting so loud? You're deafening!" Qin Yang said, digging his fingers in his ears and frowning. "I've been standing here all along. Are you blind?"
Qin Lie's eyes widened. "Impossible! Among peers, no one can match my speed! The Qin Family's Dragon Soaring Step is the supreme technique!"
"Hmm, you're right," Qin Yang nodded. "The Qin Family's Dragon Soaring Step is indeed supreme, but you... well, you're not exactly supreme."
Qin Lie snorted coldly, his eyes flashing with ferocity. "Since we've settled the footwork, shall we compare martial arts? Let me show you the Qin Family's legendary Shocking Sword Finger!"
He thrust his fingers together like a blade and struck forward.
The gesture moved with lethal precision, though it was merely a finger - yet it carried the aura of a sword capable of piercing through anything.
Copy: Shocking Sword Finger
Martial Technique Proficiency: Peak Mastery
Martial Techniques: 5/10
Qin Yang's heart swelled with delight. Where had Qin Lie learned this Qin Family martial art? It was as if the man had studied specifically for his benefit.
Mimicking the gesture, Qin Yang raised his fingers in a sword-like stance, his brow furrowing.
This Shocking Sword Finger... wasn't as simple as it appeared! It felt as if he were holding a true blade in his hand.
Qi Sea Realm cultivators cannot project true qi externally. But once I reach the Zongshi Realm, this Shocking Sword Finger could condense true qi into a sword!
The technique was already deeply ingrained in his understanding. Qin Yang knew that with higher cultivation, this Shocking Sword Finger could summon hundreds of true qi swords with a single motion...
Is this a Profound Rank martial art? Impossible!
Before he could ponder further, Qin Lie's attack came crashing down.
Qin Yang flicked his finger casually, the tip brushing against his opponent's wrist. The gesture left a terrifying gash that poured blood like a spring.
"Such sharpness?" Qin Yang stared in disbelief at his own finger.
"You dare use hidden weapons?" Qin Lie roared, a strange light flashing in his eyes.