Chapter 40: I, Qin Yang, Never Owe a Favor

A Grandmaster Level Star Force Technique was already extraordinarily powerful.

With a mere wave of the hand, one could draw down the stars from the heavens, fuse them with one’s body, and temper the flesh to an unrivaled state.

And now...

After its fusion, the Star Spell had directly entered the ranks of Grandmaster Level techniques. It was a qualitative leap!

’This is awesome!’

Qin Yang couldn’t wait to circulate the Star Spell and test it out.

He glanced around and walked to a spot near a skylight.

At this moment, the sky outside the window was growing dim. Brilliant stars could be faintly seen hanging high above, appearing and disappearing between the clouds. It was the perfect time to draw upon the Power of Stars.

Qin Yang stood beneath the skylight, closed his eyes to focus his mind, and activated the technique with a thought.

The next moment, the Power of Stars in the night sky answered his call. Countless strands converged, swelling from a stream into a surging ocean. They all poured into his body, devoured with the unchecked force of a deep-sea vortex!

’What incredible speed!’

Qin Yang was overjoyed as he felt the Power of Stars rushing through his body.

This speed was several times faster than ordinary Grandmaster Level Cultivation Techniques!

It was the difference between a standard family car and a top-tier sports car!

’Not bad, not bad at all.’

Qin Yang opened his eyes, satisfied.

Deep within his pupils, it was as if a galaxy of stars was dancing, dazzlingly brilliant and subtly resonating with the Celestial Dao.

This was the terrifying aspect of the Star Spell. Its speed at absorbing the Power of Stars was extremely fast, far surpassing any ordinary Grandmaster Level Star Force Technique.

It was on a whole new level of badass!

"Whoosh..."

After a few more tests, Qin Yang, bathed in starlight, exhaled and stopped circulating the Star Spell.

’Not bad. This was a huge gain, all thanks to the lecture at the Jianghai Martial Arts Academy.’

The Star Spell’s immense improvement was all thanks to Lin Mofeng’s selfless sharing.

This was undoubtedly a favor that had to be repaid.

Otherwise, if he let the debt linger, it would weigh on his conscience.

After all, ’I, Qin Yang, never owe anyone a favor!’

’But the question is, how should I repay it?’

Qin Yang’s brow furrowed. He suddenly remembered the Star Force Technique he had just completed.

’Wait...’

’If I just give this Grandmaster Level Star Force Technique back...’

’Wouldn’t that easily settle this karmic debt!?’

At this thought, Qin Yang glanced at the darkening sky outside.

’No time like the present.’

’Tonight’s the night.’

’I’ll cut to the chase and deliver the complete Star Force Technique to the academy directly!’

...

「Late at night.」

The moon was bright, and the stars were few.

Jianghai Martial Arts Academy, Martial Arts Plaza.

The bright beam of a flashlight swept across the area.

Two patrolling guards passed by the stone stele. They shone their flashlights around, checking the surrounding bushes. After confirming there were no signs of life, they ambled away.

The faint sound of their whispered conversation drifted over.

"Strange, Old Zhang... why do I keep getting the feeling that someone’s watching us? You don’t think someone broke in, do you?"

"What are you rambling on about? It’s just your imagination. The academy has three layers of guards inside and out right now, and we’re in the very center. Who could possibly sneak in this deep?"

"That’s true... I’m probably just tired from the overtime..."

Accompanied by the soft sound of their footsteps, the two of them walked further and further away.

However, just two seconds after they left...

RUSTLE.

The shadows of the trees swayed with the wind, and Qin Yang’s figure slowly appeared beneath one, as silent as a ghost.

’That young guard was pretty alert.’

Qin Yang chuckled and shook his head, glancing in the direction of the stele.

He then took a single step, his figure flickering and vanishing, reappearing directly in front of the stele.

BUZZ! BUZZ!

The moment he neared the stele, Qin Yang immediately sensed the residual Star Force left behind by Lin Mofeng. It buzzed incessantly, filled with a profound aura.

Neat lines of text were engraved on the surface of the dark rock, but thankfully, there was still a large blank space that could be filled.

’This will do. I used your incomplete Cultivation Technique to fuse my Star Spell; I won’t take it for free.’

’One good turn deserves another. Returning a complete version seems like a win-win.’

Qin Yang raised his hand, coating it in Gang Qi.

Circulating his True Essence, he used his finger as a sword to complete the rest of the Star Force Technique on the stele.

SCRAPE! SCRAPE! SCRAPE!

Stone fragments flew as his finger moved like a soaring dragon. The remnant Star Force on the stele met the Sword Intent emanating from Qin Yang’s carving and was instantly crushed and dissipated.

In just a few moments, the carving was finished. The Grandmaster Level Star Force Technique was whole once more, and along with it, every trace of Lin Mofeng’s residual Star Force had vanished.

’Damn, seriously? That kid’s Star Force is too weak. It couldn’t even hold up...’

Qin Yang was speechless, looking at his fingertip with a hint of bewilderment.

’Whatever. The Cultivation Technique is complete anyway. No harm done.’

Qin Yang shook his head, executed the Seven-Star Dragon Roaming Step, and vanished from the spot...

...

...

「The next day, at the break of dawn.」

In the executive reception hall of Jianghai Martial Arts Academy.

The elegant aroma of tea filled the air. On an antique-style rosewood table, a lavish spread of fresh pastries and sweet tea was laid out.

"Junior Sister Li, you’ve already reached the Postnatal Eighth Layer before even coming of age. Your future is truly promising."

On the sofa, Lin Mofeng picked up his teacup, blowing away the steam rising from its surface, and spoke with a smile to Li Zixuan, who sat across the table.

"Not at all, Senior Brother Lin. You flatter me."

Li Zixuan lowered her head and replied politely, then said no more, simply nibbling on an osmanthus cake.

"Junior Sister, I’m not exaggerating."

Lin Mofeng smiled and said softly, "With your current talent, you would be exceedingly rare even in the Imperial Capital."

As he spoke, he turned to Elder Li. "And Junior Sister’s personality isn’t as restless as mine was at her age. Under your tutelage, Teacher, she will definitely be able to step into the Grandmaster Realm in the future."

"That’s what I think as well."

Elder Li stroked his white beard with a smile. He looked at Li Zixuan beside him, then glanced at Lin Mofeng across from him, his face filled with pride.

The former was exceptionally talented; it was only a matter of time before she entered the Grandmaster Realm.

The latter had already been in the Grandmaster Realm for many years, had gone to the Imperial Capital, and was thriving there.

To have these two disciples was truly one of the great fortunes of his life!

"If Junior Sister needs any information about the Grandmaster Realm, just come and find me."

Lin Mofeng looked at Li Zixuan before him and chuckled. "I’ll do everything in my power to help you enter the Grandmaster Realm as soon as possible!"

"Mm, thank you for your kind offer, Senior Brother."

Li Zixuan nodded lightly, her voice calm.

’If this were before, I would have been overjoyed.’

’But now, after meeting Master, I’ve realized that the Grandmaster Realm is just the beginning.’

’In this vast world, someone like Master is the goal I should be pursuing!’

Just then.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

A series of urgent knocks suddenly rang out!

Hearing this, Elder Li frowned slightly. Normally, no one should be interrupting their master-disciple reunion.

He called out in a low voice, "Who is it?"

"Elder Li, it’s me! The head of security!"

The voice from outside came through, hurried and panicked.

"We have a huge problem! The guards this morning just discovered... the stele has been maliciously vandalized!"