Chapter 51: Forming a Team

Arriving at the martial arts arena, he found many disciples sparring with each other, while others were competing on the raised platforms.

Qin Changsheng found an empty platform and leaped up onto it.

"The Bookworm has taken the stage! Who is he planning to challenge?"

"Who knows? But judging by his demeanor, he must be aiming for some of the stronger disciples, right?"

"Quite possible. After all, he has spent a whole year simply reading books; perhaps he has gained some insights."

The crowd buzzed with discussion, eagerly trying to guess who Qin Changsheng's opponent would be.

However, many shook their heads. Although they were eager to watch a good show, none of them wanted to step up only to be humiliated.

After all, even though Qin Changsheng had done nothing but read, no one truly knew the extent of his actual strength.

What if he turned out to be a hidden expert?

Getting onto the stage only to be beaten to a pulp would hardly be an enjoyable experience.

Qin Changsheng stood upon the platform, scanning the crowd below.

"Who dares to step up and fight me?" he asked in a clear, ringing voice.

Yet, no one made a move to ascend the stage.

"I shall come and test your skills!"

At that very moment, a figure leaped gracefully onto the platform.

"It's Young Master Guo!"

"Young Master Guo is going to challenge the Bookworm!"

"Now things are getting interesting."

Seeing that the challenger was Guo Tao, the crowd erupted into cheers and jeers.

Guo Tao had made quite a tidy profit running a gambling pool the day before, and upon seeing Qin Changsheng step onto the stage today, he had immediately seized the opportunity to jump up.

He was eager to test the true caliber of Qin Changsheng's strength.

"Bookworm, I have come to cross swords with you. Please!" Guo Tao said, cupping his fists in a formal salute.

Qin Changsheng returned the gesture in kind.

"Please!"

He cared little for the moniker bestowed upon him by the crowd; after all, such a reputation served as a convenient disguise, perfectly aligning with the outcome he desired.

With formal pleasantries exchanged, the two instantly sprang into action.

Guo Tao drew a long sword from his scabbard and charged directly toward Qin Changsheng.

Not wishing to be outdone, Qin Changsheng likewise drew his own long sword and met the charge head-on. Pitting sword art against sword art was the ideal way to hone his own swordsmanship. To achieve the best training effect, he even deactivated his celestial pupil and refrained from channeling the slightest trace of celestial energy, relying purely on his physical strength and sword techniques.

Clang!

The two blades collided, producing a sharp ring of clashing metal.

Guo Tao possessed immense strength, yet Qin Changsheng was by no means lacking in that department either. The pair clashed and separated instantly, only to collide once more in a flurry of motion.

Clang!

Clang!

The two traded blows continuously, their long swords crashing together to emit a piercing, rhythmic din.

Down below, the spectators watched the unfolding spectacle, erupting into enthusiastic cheers and applause.

"Well fought!"

"Keep it up, Young Master Guo!"

"You can do it, Bookworm!"

Shouts of encouragement filled the air, creating a lively and boisterous atmosphere.

By this time, the combatants on the stage had exchanged dozens of blows, yet the match remained deadlocked with neither side gaining the upper hand.

The longer they fought, the more astonished Guo Tao became. He discovered that Qin Changsheng's swordsmanship was profoundly mysterious and versatile, as if it encompassed all things and contained countless different sword styles within it.

Every single one of his offensive thrusts was skillfully neutralized and countered by Qin Changsheng.

This realization left him feeling deeply frustrated.

He had fancied his own swordsmanship to be exceptionally refined, but he never imagined that Qin Changsheng's mastery of the blade would surpass his own by such a wide margin.

*It seems I have underestimated the heroes of this world,* Guo Tao lamented inwardly.

Meanwhile, Qin Changsheng remained entirely calm and unhurried. The power he displayed was deliberately capped at the peak of the Golden Core realm, making him appear somewhat strained to the casual observer—yet this was entirely a calculated facade of his own making. If he were to unleash his true might, even freaks like the Dao-robed youth at the peak of the Soul Formation realm could be easily crushed by his hand, let alone someone at the Nascent Soul realm like Guo Tao.

Ultimately, Qin Changsheng was merely using this spar to verify and test various cultivation arts so that he could seamlessly integrate them when fleeing or fighting in the future.

And since there were so many willing sparring partners right here, it would be foolish not to make use of them.

*Clang!*

Parrying yet another fierce slash from Guo Tao, Qin Changsheng used the momentum to glide backward a few paces. He cupped his fists and said, "Brother Guo's swordsmanship is truly exquisite; I am deeply impressed!"

Guo Tao sheathed his sword, shook his head with a wry smile, and said, "Brother Qin flatters me. If anything, I should be the one expressing my admiration. To spend an entire year buried in books within the Scripture Pavilion and yet possess such supreme swordsmanship—I am simply no match for you."

He knew very well that he had not won. Qin Changsheng had appeared entirely relaxed throughout the exchange, and if the fight were to continue, the one to suffer defeat would most certainly be him.

"You flatter me too much," Qin Changsheng replied with a faint smile, then turned and leaped off the platform.

"Wait a moment, Brother Qin!"

Guo Tao suddenly called out to him, reaching into his robe to fish out a Cosmos Sack. With a grin, he said, "This is your share of the earnings from yesterday's gambling pool. Since you were the principal participant, it is only right that you receive your cut."

Qin Changsheng did not hesitate or act overly modest. He accepted the Cosmos Sack, swept his divine sense briefly inside to inspect its contents, and couldn't help a look of genuine surprise crossing his features.

There were actually five thousand spirit stones inside!

While not an exorbitant fortune, it was certainly a respectable sum.

This Guo Tao certainly knew how to conduct himself socially and win people over.

"Many thanks, Brother Guo!" Qin Changsheng cupped his fists in gratitude, his mood considerably lifted.

"Haha, it is only what you deserve! Speaking of which, I should be thanking you instead."

Guo Tao was likewise in high spirits. Although his innate talent was not top-tier, his judgment of character was sharp. He recognized that Qin Changsheng was a figure worth investing in, so he had proactively sought to build a rapport, figuring it might prove useful in the future.

After exchanging a few more polite pleasantries, the two parted ways.

Qin Changsheng first went to complete a few tasks to refresh his reward points. Having accumulated just enough points to gain access to the second floor, he returned directly to the Scripture Pavilion and resumed his quiet, diligent reading.

...

Time flew by, and a month slipped away in the blink of an eye.

Early one morning, Qin Changsheng stepped out from the doors of the Scripture Pavilion and stretched lazily.

He decided it was time to take on some higher-paying tasks; after all, reading endlessly could become rather monotonous, and he genuinely wished to familiarize himself with various spells through practical combat.

"Brother Qin!"

Just then, a voice called out from the distance.

Qin Changsheng turned his head to see Guo Tao striding toward him, a broad smile plastered across his face.

"Brother Guo, what has you in such high spirits?" Qin Changsheng asked with a curious expression.

"Haha, wonderful news! Truly wonderful news!"

Guo Tao laughed heartily. "The Eastern Wilderness Secret Realm is about to open, and all sects and factions will be sending people inside to seek out fortuitous encounters. Our academy has been allocated a quota as well. What do you say, interested in teaming up?"

"The Eastern Wilderness Secret Realm?"

Qin Changsheng raised an eyebrow, a flicker of confusion crossing his features.

"Indeed! This Eastern Wilderness Secret Realm is an ancient ruin filled not only with countless rare treasures and natural resources, but also ancient inheritances. It opens only once every decade and is counted as one of the grand events of the Eastern Lands."

"By then, many academy disciples will form their own teams to explore it," Guo Tao explained.

Hearing this, Qin Changsheng felt a stirring of interest. What he lacked most right now were opportunities for genuine combat, and the Eastern Wilderness Secret Realm promised to be an ideal destination.

"When do we depart?"

"In a month. Well, what do you say? Care to join forces?" Guo Tao asked.

Qin Changsheng pondered for a brief moment before nodding with a smile, "Very well!"

...

One month later, at the academy gates.

"Brother Qin, over here!"

Just as Qin Changsheng emerged from his dwelling, he heard Guo Tao calling out to him. Following the sound, he spotted three figures standing nearby.

Aside from Guo Tao, there was another young man and a young woman, both of whom were elite disciples of the academy.

"Brother Qin, come, let me introduce you."

Guo Tao pulled Qin Changsheng forward and introduced them one by one. "This is Senior Brother Zhao Tiezhuli, a mid-stage Nascent Soul practitioner and a body cultivator."

Standing two meters tall with bulging, rock-solid muscles, a burly man rumbled in a deep voice, "Junior Brother Qin!"

"Greetings, Senior Brother Zhao!" Qin Changsheng cupped his fists and smiled.

"And this is Junior Sister Sun Xiaoya, an early-stage Nascent Soul practitioner who specializes in the Dao of beast-taming," Guo Tao said, gesturing toward a young woman in green robes.

The girl appeared to be around seventeen or eighteen years of age, possessed of sweet features. Upon hearing the introduction, she beamed brightly and said, "Greetings, Senior Brother Qin!"

"Greetings, Junior Sister Sun!"

Qin Changsheng nodded politely, inwardly praising the pleasantness of her smile.

Aside from their small squad, several other teams from the academy were also heading out on the expedition.

An academy elder was already stationed at the Eastern Wilderness Secret Realm itself, eliminating the need for an escorting elder during the journey.

For now, the various teams were traveling by boarding a massive flying vessel.

Leading the delegation was a tall, cold-looking female disciple named Lin Yueru, who was one of the academy's true successor disciples and boasted a cultivation base at the peak of the Soul Formation realm.

"Alright, the time has come. Let us set off!"