A Chaotic World

Chapter 173: Substitution

"Wait a minute, please!" Nanqing Haowen hurriedly rushed up to them, causing both the scholarly young man and the Wild Melody Circus member to look at him in puzzlement.

Nanqing Haowen clasped his fist towards the scholarly young man and continued. "My apologies for saying this, but is it possible for this brother to do me a little favour, leaving the young Black Maned Shadow Lion in the cage to me, getting another Black Maned Shadow Lion instead?"

Hearing Nanqing Haowen's sudden request, the scholarly young man immediately frowned and gave Nanqing Haowen a good lookover.

As an Intermediate Essence Condensation realm martial artist, he was a small boundary above Nanqing Haowen. Upon realising that, he immediately felt a faint sense of superiority.

"And why should I do that?" the scholarly young man questioned impatiently.

"It is embarrassing to say this, but I have had my eye on it since a while ago. The only reason I have yet to get it is because I have been trying to establish a mental connection with it before doing so," Nanqing Haowen explained earnestly. "I would really appreciate it if this brother here can do me this favour."

However, his explanation did little to convince the other party.

"So just because you like it, I have to give it up to you?" the scholarly young man shook his head in disapproval. "Aren't you being a little too self-entitled?"

"By the way," the Wild Melody Circus member interjected. "This is the only Black Maned Shadow Lion we have at the moment. Of course, if you are willing to pay for it, our Wild Melody Circus is more than willing to capture another Black Maned Shadow Lion for you!"

"This" Nanqing Haowen was immediately put on a spot.

If this was the last Black Maned Shadow Lion, then it would really be quite unreasonable of him to expect the other party to give it up to him.

Even though the Wild Melody Circus could capture another one, who knew exactly how long it would take and what the state of the newly captured beast would be like?

But even so, he was unwilling to give up on this young Black Maned Shadow Lion!

"I know that you have no reason to do so, but if you are willing to do me this favour, I will surely do my best to help you out if there is anything you need in the future!" Nanqing Haowen promised.

The scholarly young man let out a long sigh, as though he was already sick of this conversation. "I don't blame you for not knowing who I am since I am not from here. However, I, Yanming of the Quake Scroll Sect, have nothing I need that you will ever be able to help with!"

Nanqing Haowen was taken aback by the strong reaction and quickly apologised. "My apologies if I came across that way, but I really hope to be able to acquire this young Black Maned Shadow Lion! May I know if there is anything I can do in exchange?"

"Hah!" this Yanming of the Quake Scroll Sect scoffed. "I am not a completely unreasonable person either. Since you are really this desperate, then how about I give you a chance?"

"A chance?" Nanqing Haowen lit up immediately upon hearing those words. "Does that mean?"

"That's right! A chance!" Yanming nodded. "As long as you or your two companions are able to match three moves of my Quake Scroll Sect's Quake Palm Art, I will let you have the Black Maned Shadow Lion!"

Yanming was unable to see through Lu Tianzi's cultivation level, but he could tell that Lu Tianzi was around the same age as Nanqing Haowen and Nanlan Qianxue, both of whom were only at the Primary Essence Condensation realm. Considering that, it was unlikely that Lu Tianzi would be any stronger.

Thus, Yanming was intending to show off a little of his capabilities by suppressing the local youngsters, at the same time spreading the name of his Quake Scroll Sect in this corner of the kingdom.

Who knows?

With so many powerful influences gathered here today, he might even catch the eye of some legendary character, paving the way to his future success!

"Deal!" Nanqing Haowen agreed without the slightest hesitation.

He could tell that this person was clearly a small boundary higher than him in terms of cultivation level, but he was quite confident in his foundations as well. Since it was only three moves, it was not impossible for him to handle it.

In any case, as long as he managed to endure through this, the Black Maned Shadow Lion would belong to him, so how would he ever decline?

"Wait, Brother Nanqing," Lu Tianzi tapped him gently by the shoulder. "He mentioned either you or your companions. Do you want me to do it instead?"

Nanqing Haowen shook his head in response. "This is for my beast, so it is only right for me to be the one to do it."

"All right," Lu Tianzi nodded before taking a step back. "If it becomes too much to handle, you can leave it to me anytime."

"Got it," Nanqing Haowen was not too stubborn about it either.

"Well then, let's not waste anymore time, shall we?" Yanming smiled in satisfaction before entering a battle stance with his palms raised in front of him.

Seeing that a fight was about to break out, the surrounding crowd quickly cleared up a small area for the duo. To the people who were uninvolved, this was similar to watching a show, adding to the already lively atmosphere of the Wild Melody Circus.

"Sure!" Nanqing Haowen got into his battle stance as well, his eyes fixed intently on Yanming's hands.

Seeing that Nanqing Haowen was ready, Yanming made his move.

"Here I come!"

Yanming did not make any other unnecessary movements, directly smashing forward with his right palm.

Quake Palm Art!

A grey aura spread out from his inner word, shrouding over his two hands. This was the signature combat technique of their Quake Scroll Sect.

In response, a thin dark film enveloped Nanqing Haowen's right hand as well. Balling his hand into a tight fist, Nanqing Haowen decisively punched out to match Yanming's palm.

Bang-!

The loud collision sent Nanqing Haowen taking two steps back, an intense pain surging through his entire arm.

However, Yanming was not completely unaffected either.

Despite possessing a higher cultivation level, Yanming was actually forced to take one step back in order to stabilise himself. At the same time, he felt a numb feeling in his hand, testament to the other party's strength.

Even though there was no doubt that he was on the winning end of the exchange, such a result was something completely out of his expectations!

He was the rising young star of the Quake Scroll Sect, and even possessed a higher cultivation level. Yet his opponent remained standing after receiving his palmstrike?

This was completely unacceptable!

And at this moment, a solemn and familiar voice suddenly came from the crowd, causing him to jump in surprise. "What are you doing, Yanming?"

"Elder Wenshen" Yanming greeted nervously after seeing the middle aged man who was slowly approaching.

From the side, both Lu Tianzi and Nanlan Qianxue were surprised by the sudden entry of the middle aged man.

He was none other than the scholarly man who had advised them against getting the Primal Bloodline Absorption Technique just a while ago!

"What are you doing?" Elder Wenshen repeated his question with a frown.

"Reporting to Elder Wenshen, things are like this. They are trying to get me to give up the Black Maned Shadow Lion to them, and I agreed to do so if they are able to match three moves of our Quake Scroll Sect's Quake Palm Art," Yanming honestly recounted what happened to Elder Wenshen.

"Oh?" Elder Wenshen swept his gaze over Nanqing Haowen, and then moved on to see Lu Tianzi and Nanlan Qianxue. "It's the two of you again?"

"Greetings to senior," the two of them awkwardly clasped his fist towards him.

"Mm," Elder Wenshen nodded, acknowledging their greeting.

"My apologies, senior. But is it all right if Yanming and I continue? There are only two moves left after all," Nanqing Haowen interrupted.

"Two moves left?" Elder Wenshen turned towards Yanming in surprise. "You actually failed to gain the upper hand in the first exchange?"

"I did not!" Yanming retorted. "It's just that he is more stubborn than I thought. This time, I will certainly crush him in the name of our Quake Scroll Sect!"

Hearing that, Elder Wenshen crossed his arms and took a step back, no longer saying a word. Even so, the meaningful gaze in his eyes was more than enough for Yanming to understand his thoughts.

Do not disgrace the sect!

Yanming nodded in understanding before turning back to face Nanqing Haowen.

"Here is the second move!"

This time, he held nothing back. Driving his Slaughter Essence to the very limit, Yanming put his all behind this one strike as though his life depended on it!

As his right palm smashed towards Nanqing Haowen, it was as though the air itself was trembling from the sheer pressure of the palmstrike. It created countless tiny vibrations in the air that reverberated out, shaking everything in the vicinity.

Nanqing Haowen frowned.

It was obvious for all to see that this strike was at a completely different level from the one before.

He gritted his teeth and summoned all the strength within him as well, his fist punching out in the exact same straightforward manner, only faster and stronger.

Bang-!

This time, the sound of the collision was far louder than before.

The resulting shockwave was swept through the surroundings, rattling the nearby cages and alerting the beasts within.

Thankfully, there were only martial artists among the crowd, or they might even suffer some internal injuries!

But the magnitude shockwave was not the only thing that changed this time.

More importantly, the result of the exchange had now differed from the first exchange.

This time, both Nanqing Haowen and Yanming stood in place, neither one of them taking a step back!

"What?!" Yanming could not help but widen his eyes in disbelief.

However, when he looked at his outstretched palm that was still in contact with the other party's fist, he had no choice but to accept the result.

He had actually broken even with his opponent.

On the other hand, Nanqing Haowen was overwhelmed with relief!

He had truly put his all behind his punch, and it certainly paid off this time!

Retracting his arm, Nanqing Haowen took a few steps back and let out a deep breath. "One last move!"

Yanming felt his throat going dry. He knew better than anyone that the previous strike was already all that he was capable of.

Since the other party was able to match it evenly, there was no chance for him to win even if he was given one last move!

Damn it!

What was he thinking to have suggested such a thing?

Did he really have to give up on the Black Maned Shadow Lion?

No, more importantly, he had essentially disgraced the Quake Scroll Sect in front of Elder Wenshen and the many people in the crowd!

At this rate, he would definitely be in for it when they returned!

"Looks like you are still tired from your intense training, Yanming," Elder Wenshen's voice sounded out at this moment, carrying an obvious tone of unhappiness.

"Eh?" Yanming turned to look at Elder Wenshen who had stepped in front of him. "Y-Yes, that's right, Elder Wenshen. I thought I have hidden it well, but I guess you noticed after all?"

At this point, he would have to be an idiot to not realise that Elder Wenshen was trying to bail him out.

"I knew it. Well, there's no helping it then. Take a rest in case it hurts your foundation." Elder Wenshen turned to face Nanqing Haowen. "As for this last move, let me help you out instead!"

"What?!" Nanqing Haowen exclaimed in shock. "Wait, senior, the deal is between him and I. How can senior take his place?"

"Yanming, remind me what the deal is about?" Elder Wenshen asked without turning his gaze away from Nanqing Haowen.

"If he or his two companions are capable of matching three moves of our Quake Scroll Sect's Quake Palm Art, I will let him have the Black Maned Shadow Lion" Yanming answered as he was told, a grin growing across his face as he slowly understood what was going on.

"That's right!" Elder Wenshen flashed a meaningful smile. "The deal is about the Quake Palm Art of our Quake Scroll Sect, not about Yanming! In other words, as long as I use the technique stated, I am not going against the deal in any way!"