"What? Qin Zi? The number one in the Divine Bridge Realm?"
"A mere child who doesn't know the height of the heavens or the depths of the earth!"
"When did Qin Zi become the top in the Nine Heavens?"
"Who dares claim invincibility? Who dares say they are undefeated? Not even during the era of the fallen emperors! Wait, what is the Era of Fallen Emperors?"
Across the Nine Heavens Realm, people were in an uproar.
The Nine Heavens Realm was now filled with countless geniuses, rising stars, and ancient monsters from the Xuanhuang Era that were gradually unsealing.
It was truly a time where heroes contended for supremacy!
And yet, Qin Zi dared to claim he was the number one in the Divine Bridge Realm? It was practically a slap to the face of everyone else. How could they not be enraged?
"Hmph, the higher you stand, the harder you fall."
"When you're standing in the eye of the storm, even someone boasting nonsense can get a momentary lift, but when the storm passes, they'll crash harder than anyone."
"Qin Zi? If you had spouted this nonsense and then hid behind your father, perhaps no one would bother with you. But you had the audacity to set up a platform to challenge the world's geniuses? You're courting death!"
"Those who bring trouble upon themselves can't escape the consequences."
So, all these genius figures, armed with the coordinates that the Human Sacred Hall had scattered from the skies, headed towards the platform's location.
Meanwhile.
At their secluded home, Qin Zi looked up at the floating battle platform that his father had constructed in the sky, feeling a bit anxious.
"Father, isn't this too reckless? I don't think I'm capable of being invincible in the Divine Bridge Realm just yet. After all, the Nine Heavens Realm is different now. There are too many monstrous geniuses and ancient beings. I'm worried that..."
Before he could finish speaking, the stern look in his father's eyes startled him into silence. His voice trailed off, and eventually, he lowered his head, not daring to meet his father's gaze.
Because what he saw in his father's eyes was disappointment.
Qin Chuan sighed, then patted his son's shoulder with a bitter smile, saying, "I'm sorry. I've been too impatient and too harsh on you... In reality, you've already done very well."
After saying this, he walked past Qin Zi and slowly headed toward the edge of the cliff. His back seemed lonely.
Qin Zi looked at his father's retreating figure, feeling a pang of sadness in his heart. He hurriedly chased after him, wanting to tell his father that he could do it!
"Father, I..."
But before he could finish, his father's slightly hoarse voice interrupted him.
"Xiao Zi, your father's mind is a mess right now."
Qin Zi's body trembled.
He could feel the melancholy and confusion in his father's voice, and even a hint of vulnerability.
This was a side of his father he had never seen before!
Qin Chuan, still facing away from him, raised his head at a forty-five-degree angle to the sky and murmured softly, almost as if talking in his sleep:
"I've always wondered whether I should be strict with you or more lenient."
"On the one hand, I want you to grow stronger, stronger, and even the strongest! Because only the strong can have everything in this world, control their own fate, and never need to bow their heads to anyone."
"That's my ambition, and I believe it's the best way to live, so I want you to become like that too."
"But sometimes, I wonder, is this really the life you want? Maybe you're content with being ordinary? Maybe being an ordinary person would make you happier?"
"I don't know what you truly want. I've never asked. I've just been imposing my will on you, driving you forward, making you sweat and bleed."
Qin Chuan slowly turned around, guilt evident in his eyes as he looked at Qin Zi. His voice was low and hoarse as he said:
"I am an unqualified father. If being my son has made your life miserable... I'm sorry."
Qin Zi's eyes slowly welled up with tears for reasons he couldn't fully understand. He rushed forward and hugged his father.
"Father, you don't need to apologize. Being your son has made me very happy. It's my own incompetence that has disappointed you..." His voice choked with emotion.
Then, he wiped his tears and snot on Qin Chuan's robe, raised his head, and declared, "Father, I won't disappoint you anymore!"
"Becoming the number one in the Divine Bridge Realm? What's there to be afraid of? Not just the Divine Bridge Realm—I'll become number one in the Heaven Gate Realm, the Heavenly Palace Realm, the Lingxiao Realm, and even the Jade Pool Realm!"
"I'll sweep through all my peers. That's who I'm meant to be. Only then will I be worthy of being your son!"
Qin Chuan silently looked at Qin Zi, saying nothing. After a long moment, he suddenly leaned forward and hugged his son.
It was a deeply moving scene.
At this moment, silence spoke louder than words!
This was the heartfelt exchange between a father and son. It was part of Qin Chuan's strategy and also the longest emotional journey Qin Xiaozhu had ever experienced in his life...
After some time.
Finally, some of the genius figures, following the map, arrived at the shining golden floating platform.
"Halt!"
A group of weaker human cultivators from the Human Sacred Hall guarded the platform's entrance, standing solemnly like soldiers.
"Hmm?!"
The genius in the Divine Bridge Realm frowned, saying coldly, "A group of ants dares to block my path? Do you want to die?"
"This is Lord Qin Chuan's domain. Try to make a move, and see who dies first."
One of the half-god realm human guards spoke fearlessly, clearly emboldened by the power he stood behind.
The genius's face darkened.
According to the rumors, Qin Chuan had suppressed the Jade Pool Realm Dragon Emperor, meaning that Qin Chuan was at least in the Jade Pool Realm, and possibly even in the Heavenly God Realm. Such a person was not someone he could currently contend with.
"Hmph!"
In the end, he let out a cold snort and stood outside the floating platform, waiting.
In truth, he had never intended to challenge Qin Zi immediately. He was here to step on Qin Zi to elevate his own status. Without witnesses, it would be meaningless.
Moreover, this was Qin Chuan's territory. If no one was watching, even if he defeated Qin Zi, he might be silenced afterward...
So, it was better to wait for more people to arrive before making his move!
Time passed.
Gradually, more and more people arrived.
Not only were there geniuses from the Divine Bridge Realm sharpening their blades for Qin Xiaozhu, but even Heaven Gate and Heavenly Palace realm experts came to watch the spectacle.
Of course, they might not just be here to watch.
The Nine Heavens Realm was now filled with various revived ancient forces, a chaotic mix of powers and undercurrents.
The forces reviving now were not well-known, so they knew little about each other. Many strong individuals wanted to use this opportunity to gauge the strength of other forces.
"He's coming out!"
"That's Qin Zi!"
Suddenly, someone cried out in surprise.
The crowd focused their attention and saw a black vortex appear in the center of the battle platform. From within, a tall figure in black robes stepped out, a long spear in his hand, his black cloak billowing in the wind as he looked out arrogantly at the world!
It was Qin Zi.
His gaze swept over the crowd, and a mocking smile appeared on his face. "Heh, so many of you came. Don't tell me you think every stray cat and dog here is worthy of challenging me?"
His expression was casual, but with just a single glance, he had managed to provoke everyone to the extreme!
And so, the geniuses below the platform erupted!
"Outrageous!"
"Arrogant!"
"Who will fight him?"
"Let me go. I'll defeat him in three moves!"
After a brief discussion, the first Divine Bridge Realm genius stepped forward.
He was a young swordsman, dressed in red, with a sharp, feminine air about him, exuding an intense aura.
In a flash, he appeared on the platform, drawing his longsword and pointing it at Qin Zi, saying coldly:
"Remember this—your defeat will come at the hands of Qing Ping Zhi!"