A Useless Person's Rise to Power

Chapter 4 A fleeting glimpse, and the saintess falls in love.

Inside the Resource Hall, the outer disciples were silent as cicadas in winter, and no one dared to look directly at Qin Zhan's tall and imposing figure.

Zhao Hu and his two companions lay crippled on the ground, Zhou Kun's dantian shattered and his martial arts completely destroyed. These four wretched bodies were the best testament to Qin Zhan's assertion of power today.

Qin Zhan withdrew his foot from Zhou Kun's chest, his eyes still cold, but he was too lazy to waste any more energy on these ants.

The "Burning Heaven Battle Emperor Technique" was still slowly circulating within his body. The spirit stones and pills he had just devoured transformed into pure energy, constantly cleansing his meridians. His cultivation at the eighth level of Body Tempering was becoming increasingly stable, and there were faint signs that he was about to touch the threshold of the ninth level of Body Tempering.

He knew in his heart that these resources were far from enough. To quickly establish himself in the Qingyun Sect, and even sweep through the inner and outer sects, he needed to seize more opportunities and more powerful cultivation techniques.

"The outer sect secret realm...it seems it will open in three days." Qin Zhan pondered to himself, then took a step and turned to leave the resource hall.

The surrounding disciples instinctively made way for him, and their eyes were filled with awe rather than shock as they looked at him.

The once useless person who could be beaten and scolded by everyone and couldn't even keep his spirit stones has turned the tables overnight, sweeping away powerful enemies and reclaiming the resources he deserves. This ruthlessness and strength has allowed him to gain a firm foothold in the outer sect.

Qin Zhan ignored this.

In his eyes, the awe these people showed was meaningless; only his own strength was the foundation for standing firm on the Lingxiao Continent. The Chaos Battle Soul trembled slightly within his dantian, conveying a yearning for greater power, as if urging him to embark on a higher path of martial arts as soon as possible.

Just as Qin Zhan was about to step out of the Resource Hall, a clear, refreshing scent, as pure as an ice spring and as delicate as a snow lotus, suddenly drifted into the hall on the wind.

At the same time, a slender yet otherworldly figure slowly appeared at the entrance of the palace.

Qin Zhan subconsciously looked up.

One glance was enough to stir something within him.

The woman wore a simple white dress, her long black hair cascading down her back and tied up with a single jade hairpin. Her skin was as white as snow, her features exquisite, and her beauty unparalleled, her elegance beyond compare. She stood tall and graceful, her steps light, and a faint aura of ethereal light surrounded her, like a celestial being descended to earth, captivating all who beheld her at first glance.

What's even more startling is her aura—a cool and aloof demeanor with a hint of arrogance, a gentle yet sharp presence. Even though she's just standing there quietly, she exudes an aura of authority that commands respect.

"That's... Su Qingyuan!"

"The Inner Sect Saintess! Why is she in the Outer Sect Resource Hall?"

"Rumor has it that the Holy Maiden's talent surpasses all other young members of the Qingyun Sect. At only sixteen, she has already entered the Qi Gathering Realm, and even the sect elders favor her greatly!"

Suppressed gasps filled the hall instantly. All the outer disciples wore expressions of admiration and awe, not daring to even breathe loudly.

Su Qingyuan, the Holy Maiden of the Qingyun Sect.

The most dazzling prodigy of the inner sect, with unparalleled beauty and talent, is a goddess unattainable in the hearts of countless disciples. She rarely sets foot in the outer sect, and her sudden appearance today immediately made the atmosphere in the entire Resource Hall solemn and respectful.

A knowing glint flashed in Qin Zhan's eyes.

He had naturally heard of Su Qingyuan's name, but in the past, he was of lowly status and did not even have the right to take a look at her from afar.

Gazing at her up close at this moment, Qin Zhan felt no disrespect, only a calm scrutiny. He could clearly sense that Su Qingyuan's spiritual energy was condensed and profound, far surpassing that of everyone in the outer sect. Her cultivation at the Qi Gathering Realm was as steady as a mountain, and her eyes were clear and sharp, seemingly able to see through people's hearts. She was definitely not just a pretty face.

At the same time, Su Qingyuan's gaze swept across the hall and finally landed on Qin Zhan.

She had come to the outer sect on the orders of the elders to retrieve a list of those who had opened the secret realm, and had not paid any attention to the trivial matters in the hall. But as soon as she entered, she sensed a completely different aura.

It is not arrogance or cowardice, but a fierce fighting spirit that has been reborn after humiliation, like a battle spirit awakening from its slumber, its sharpness restrained, yet enough to awe all around.

Su Qingyuan's eyebrows furrowed almost imperceptibly as her gaze fell on Qin Zhan.

The outer disciple's robes were faded from washing. He wasn't particularly burly, but his eyes were as deep as a cold pool and as fiery as a raging flame. Despite only being at the Body Tempering Realm, he exuded an aura that surpassed everyone else.

What bothered her even more were the people lying on the ground.

Zhao Hu, Zhou Kun... these are all disciples from the outer sect who are known for causing trouble. Their cultivation levels are all above the fifth level of Body Tempering. However, at this moment, they are either dead or crippled, with their dantian completely destroyed. They have obviously been severely injured by someone using thunderous methods.

Judging from the fearful gazes of the surrounding disciples, and the still unabated killing intent and blood energy fluctuations emanating from Qin Zhan, the answer was obvious.

"How could an outer disciple single-handedly kill several powerful enemies of the same realm in an instant?" Su Qingyuan was secretly astonished.

With her sharp eyes, she could tell at a glance that Qin Zhan's cultivation was only at the eighth level of Body Tempering, but his physical strength and the degree of his battle intent were far superior to ordinary Body Tempering disciples, and even stronger than some inner disciples.

In particular, the domineering spirit deep in his eyes, his unwillingness to be subordinate to others, and his ruthless and decisive style of doing things are things that ordinary outer sect losers could not possess.

"The world has changed so drastically overnight; this person must possess some extraordinary opportunity." Su Qingyuan made this judgment instantly.

It is absolutely impossible for an ordinary cultivator to transform from a useless person who can be bullied by everyone into a powerful figure who can sweep through the outer sect.

What surprised her even more was that, faced with her identity as a saintess, all the disciples around her bowed their heads in fear, but Qin Zhan stood straight and met her gaze calmly. He was neither obsequious nor fearful, but open and natural, with a demeanor far beyond that of ordinary people.

This temperament far surpasses that of many core inner disciples.

A rare, unusual glint flashed in Su Qingyuan's usually cold eyes.

She had seen too many talented people and too many arrogant individuals, but she had never seen a young man like Qin Zhan, who rose from humble beginnings, possessed an indomitable spirit, and had an awe-inspiring fighting will.

For a moment, Su Qingyuan stared at Qin Zhan, momentarily lost in thought.

Qin Zhan was also sizing up Su Qingyuan.

He could clearly sense that the saintess's gaze towards him contained no disdain, no contempt, only surprise and scrutiny, and even a hint of barely perceptible appreciation.

This is completely different from those disciples who are opportunistic and judge people based on their cultivation level.

"Interesting," Qin Zhan thought to himself.

He had no intention of getting involved with the sect's prodigies; he only wanted to reach the pinnacle of martial arts and seek revenge. However, Su Qingyuan's unique vision and temperament still left a deep impression on him.

Their eyes met, and though only a few breaths had passed, it felt as if an eternity had been traversed.

The surrounding outer disciples were already stunned.

No one expected that the Holy Maiden Su Qingyuan would stare at Qin Zhan, this "newly emerging ruthless person," for so long.

You should know that even for core inner disciples, getting the Holy Maiden's attention is incredibly difficult. What merit does Qin Zhan, a newly promoted outer disciple, have?

Just then, Su Qingyuan withdrew her gaze first, her cold face still expressionless. She simply spoke to the inner sect steward beside her, "Retrieve the register of secret realms."

The sound was crisp and melodious, like jade striking each other, extremely pleasing to the ear.

The steward immediately bowed and agreed, not daring to delay in the slightest.

Su Qingyuan said no more, and glanced at Qin Zhan one last time. Her eyes seemed to hold encouragement and expectation. Then she turned around, her white robes fluttering, and slowly walked away.

That peerless figure left only a fleeting glimpse before disappearing at the end of the road outside the palace.

Inside the Resource Hall, however, everyone remained in a daze for a long time.

Qin Zhan stood still, his fingertips gently rubbing together.

He remembered Su Qingyuan's last look.

"Su Qingyuan..." Qin Zhan murmured the name, a strange light flashing in his eyes, "She has good taste."

He could sense that this saintess was no ordinary, superficial person, and perhaps in the future, she would become an unexpected variable on his path to the top.

At this moment, Qin Zhan was unaware that this fleeting glance and brief eye contact had already etched his image into Su Qingyuan's heart.

A young man rising from the dust, burning with fighting spirit, and a saintess, peerless in her sect, their destinies intertwined at this moment.

Qin Zhan took a deep breath, suppressed his distracting thoughts, turned around and walked out of the Resource Hall.

His path to dominating the outer sect has only just begun. The outer sect secret realm in three days will be the perfect stage for him to take another step forward.

His interactions with Su Qingyuan will certainly not end there.