Chapter 151: No Way, Right?

Chapter 151: Must Be Fake?

"As far as I know, reaching a talent value of three thousand already makes someone an extremely powerful existence among awakened ones. Exactly what kind of person is this count?"

"I heard all of this from a friend of mine who is a member of the Grandmaster Council. He witnessed the count taking the talent test with his own eyes. I found it hard to believe when my friend first told me about it."

"Impossible... It is impossible to have such a terrifying talent value. A talent value of one hundred thousand already transcends human concepts."

At this moment, a young man held up his phone, which was playing a video clip of Shen An's talent test. Shen An was standing next to the testing device, and the numbers on the meter had stopped precisely at one hundred thousand.

"Let me see... Let me see! It really is a talent value of one hundred thousand. Is this count some kind of monstrous anomaly?"

"I have never witnessed such a terrifying monster. He... can only be described as a horrific freak of nature. Too terrifying, simply too terrifying."

"A talent value of one hundred thousand? Is this video confirmed to be real? Without seeing it with one's own eyes, it is truly hard to believe the reality of it all."

"This is terrifying. If something like this were posted online, it would definitely spark a massive wave of discussion, right?"

Hearing the surrounding murmurs, Zhao Kuangzhan broke out in a cold sweat of absolute terror. How could he have possibly known that the count standing right before him possessed a monstrous talent value of one hundred thousand?

To pick a fight with a count who had a talent value of one hundred thousand was no different from seeking death!

Zhao Kuangzhan made up his mind on the spot: no matter what it took, he had to make the Lord Count stop. He absolutely could not let the Lord Count make a move against him.

Kneeling on the ground and completely abandoning all pride and dignity, Zhao Kuangzhan knew that the most important thing right now was not to offend the Lord Count.

"Lord Count... I—I know I was wrong. I am kneeling before you, so I beg you to spare my life." Zhao Kuangzhan trembled all over; he certainly did not want the entire Fierce Battle Martial Arts Hall to be implicated because of him.

One had to bear in mind that even the master of the Fierce Battle Martial Arts Hall would not dare to easily cross paths with a count of the Grandmaster Council. It wasn't a matter of whether he could win in a fight, but rather that the status of a Grandmaster Council count was far too noble.

Once the Grandmaster Council learned that someone had harmed their count, even the slightest pressure from them would be enough to suffocate the Fierce Battle Martial Arts Hall and leave them unable to breathe.

These facts were beyond any doubt.

It was precisely because he understood the severity of the consequences that Zhao Kuangzhan finally realized what he had been doing. If anything, his mind was clearer now than ever before.

Shen An glanced down at Zhao Kuangzhan. Since Zhao Kuangzhan had already knelt, he had no intention of striking him down.

"If there is a next time, even if the top masters of your entire martial arts hall come out, I will cripple you!" Shen An's face was laced with anger.

"Yes, yes, yes, Lord Count! There will definitely not be a next time. I will strictly obey your teachings." At this moment, the heavy boulder weighing on Zhao Kuangzhan's heart finally lifted.

He knew that Shen An intended to let him off.

Watching this scene unfold, the crowd had initially been eagerly anticipating a spectacular battle, but now it had all ended in a fizzle. They blamed Zhao Kuangzhan for not daring to easily fight Shen An or challenge the dignity of the Lord Count.

"Not daring to challenge the dignity of the Lord Count—this Zhao Kuangzhan is truly good for nothing."

"The other party is a high and mighty count. Even the master of the Fierce Battle Martial Arts Hall has to show him a few points of respect when they meet. Did you really think it was something Zhao Kuangzhan could just challenge whenever he pleased? Zhao Kuangzhan still has some sense left in his head. If he had actually challenged the count, I'm afraid the entire Fierce Battle Martial Arts Hall would have been ruined because of him today."

"A count is not just simply a count; the truly terrifying part is the Grandmaster Council standing behind him. Once that powerful Grandmaster Council takes action, the so-called Fierce Battle Martial Arts Hall would be wiped clean in a matter of minutes."

"As expected of a count from the Grandmaster Council. Without even lifting a finger, just standing there creates a massive sense of deterrence."

Zhao Kuangzhan did not feel that kneeling to a count of the Grandmaster Council was humiliating in the least. After all, the other party was a count, and even people within the Grandmaster Council who were stronger than him had to show respect to this count, let alone someone like him.

At that moment, a figure clad in cyan martial arts robes arrived. He was a pillar of the martial arts hall, the master of the Fierce Battle Martial Arts Hall himself, Huang Changqing.

Huang Changqing's gaze exuded a faint majesty as he sized up Shen An and walked over step by step. "I never imagined that my humble Fierce Battle Martial Arts Hall would produce such a great master. This is truly quite a surprise."

There was not much friendliness in Huang Changqing's eyes. Clearly, seeing his own martial arts hall disciple being bullied left Huang Changqing feeling somewhat displeased.

However, since the other party was a count, he did not dare to act rashly either. Had it been anyone else, Huang Changqing would likely have crippled them the very instant he laid eyes on them just now.

Shen An said, "Could you be the master of the Fierce Battle Martial Arts Hall?"

"Indeed, I am Huang Changqing, master of the Fierce Battle Martial Arts Hall. May I ask for the Lord Count's esteemed name?"

Shen An replied, "Lord Count is too much praise. I merely came to the Fierce Battle Martial Arts Hall to look around."

"Oh? Since that is the case, would you care to step onto the arena stage with me to determine the victor? Coincidentally, I have recently gained some insights into my cultivation and would like to ask for your guidance," Huang Changqing said.

Shen An smiled faintly, his expression entirely calm. He could tell that this Huang Changqing was not weak.

"Of course, no problem," Shen An said indifferently.

A bout between Huang Changqing and Shen An? This stirred up a massive uproar in the hearts of everyone present. They never expected that Shen An would actually agree.

"Master Huang Changqing's strength cannot be underestimated. It is rumored that he has already reached the mid-stage of Tier 3. Although that count possesses extraordinary talent, is it really possible for him to defeat Master Huang Changqing?"

"If a count of the Grandmaster Council loses face at the Fierce Battle Martial Arts Hall, will the Grandmaster Council apply pressure?"

"This matter was agreed to by the count himself. If any injuries occur during the fight, one must bear them oneself. Everyone here is an awakened one, and generally speaking, personal matters do not involve the factions standing behind them."

"If our backers aren't involved, I feel that Master Huang Changqing has a higher chance of winning."

Soon, Shen An and Huang Changqing arrived at the arena stage. The corners of Huang Changqing's mouth curled into a smile; his gaze was slightly clouded with age, yet it gave off an aura of extreme vigor and alertness.

Clearly, this Huang Changqing was an expert.

Huang Changqing made a polite gesture and said, "Lord Count, please make the first move."

"In that case, I won't stand on ceremony." Shen An drew his black iron sword and thrust it toward Huang Changqing. The offensive was fiercely aggressive, resembling a bolt of lightning cleaving across the vast sky, making it exceptionally difficult to defend against.

Huang Changqing moved with the agility of a spirit snake, easily dodging Shen An's strike as if Shen An's attack had little to no effect on him at all.

"Such an attack might work against ordinary awakened ones, but if you use it against me, you are severely underestimating my strength. My capabilities go far beyond this," Huang Changqing said.