270: News of the Heavenly Sword Technique

When Qin Feng announced his decision to participate in the martial arts competition to win the bride, with the sun crystal stone as his target, the atmosphere in the room instantly froze.

"No! Absolutely not!" Xiao Chun was the first to jump up in protest, her little face flushed with anxiety. "Brother Feng, how could you participate in a competition to marry someone?! Th-then, if you win, do you really have to marry that Third Miss Yan?!" The scene of Qin Feng being forced to marry a strange, fiery woman instantly flashed through her mind. She felt sour and anxious, and her eyes began to redden.

Xia Ya slammed her greatshield onto the ground with a dull thud. "Qin Feng, did you hit your head too hard in a fight? You want to marry someone for a rock? Haven't you heard how vicious that Tigress fights? What if you can't win and end up like those seventeen unlucky fellows? No way! I don't agree!"

Even the usually reserved and quiet Ji Ruxue frowned, clearly expressing her opposition for once: "This course of action is improper. On the stage, under everyone's gaze, if you defeat her, according to the rules, you are the victor. The City Lord's Mansion and all the city's residents will believe you have accepted the marriage proposal. At that point, public opinion is hard to counter; how can it be easily dismissed with just a word about an 'engagement' or 'other methods'? What happens to the City Lord's Mansion's reputation? How would City Lord Yan Di let this go?" She analyzed the situation more calmly and rationally, pointing directly to the crux of the issue—winning might force him into responsibility.

Qin Feng tried to explain: "I can declare it beforehand, or find an Opportunity to explain afterward. I only want the Crystal Stone, not the marriage... I could even say I have a Hidden Ailment."

"No!" The three spoke in unison, their stance resolute.

Xiao Chun even sounded tearful: "Brother Feng, Little Fire is very important, we all know that! But... but we can't use this method! Can we think of another way?"

Xia Ya nodded vigorously: "Exactly! At worst, we save up more money to buy another fire-attribute treasure! Or we go rob... uh, go 'find' another Opportunity!"

Ji Ruxue also nodded slightly in agreement.

Looking at the concerned and resolute expressions of his three companions, Qin Feng felt a surge of warmth, but also felt a bit helpless. He subconsciously pulled up the hidden information regarding favorability from the System Panel:

[Su Yuchun (Xiao Chun) favorability: 150]

[Ji Ruxue (Qing Xue) favorability: 95]

[Xia Ya favorability: 90]

As expected, after spending days together in Medicine King Valley, fighting side-by-side in Ancient Wood Deep Forest, and his decision in the previous desperate situation to never abandon Ji Ruxue, the bonds between them had become incredibly deep. Especially Xiao Chun's favorability, which had long surpassed that of ordinary companionship. It was no wonder their reaction was so intense.

The last time he risked his life to protect Ji Ruxue, even resolving her crisis of defection, it seemed that this sense of responsibility was deeply etched into Ji Ruxue's heart as well. Qin Feng smiled bitterly. High favorability was a good thing, but sometimes it also meant more 'restraint'.

"Wuu?" Little Fire, on the side, seemed to sense the tension. It lifted its head from a pile of Spirit Stones, looking around blankly, letting out a confused whimper. It only knew that its Master and the Sisters were arguing, and it seemed related, but its little head couldn't figure out the specifics.

Looking at Little Fire's innocent and dependent gaze, Qin Feng's resolve to obtain the sun crystal stone only strengthened.

On the other side, Tao Yuanyi and Ye Wuyou watched the scene of the 'three interrogators' and couldn't help but curve their lips, secretly exchanging a look of anticipation. Tao Yuanyi almost burst out laughing.

"Hm?" Cold Peach Blossom glanced coldly at Tao Yuanyi. Tao Yuanyi immediately sat up straight, looking solemn, as if he hadn't been the one secretly smirking just moments ago.

Seeing this, Ye Wuyou coughed dryly, suppressed her smile, and spoke up, "Young Master Qin, what the younger sisters said makes sense. A marriage contest on a martial stage has too many variables; once entangled, it's hard to shake off. How about... we think of another route? For example..." A trace of killer instinct flashed in her eyes, "... 'taking' it?"

Qin Feng decisively shook his head: "Unacceptable. The City Lord's Mansion guards must be heavily fortified. Yan Di himself is a Late Stage Martial Emperor, and there must be other experts and Formations within the mansion. Forcibly breaking in or sneaking in carries too high a risk; if we fail, the consequences will be disastrous."

He pondered for a moment, "Let me think about this further. Perhaps... we don't necessarily have to go through the marriage contest. Juyan City is so large; maybe there are other channels to get news about the sun crystal stone, or to find a substitute treasure."

Although he said that, Qin Feng knew that a supreme treasure like the sun crystal stone was almost impossible to obtain through ordinary channels. The marriage contest seemed the most direct, yet it was also the most troublesome.

Nighttime zi hour Intelligence Refresh:

[Yellow Intelligence]: Early in his years, City Lord Yan Di had a fleeting romance with a female Elder of the Heavenly Demon Sect during a Secret Realm exploration, resulting in an unexpected daughter. This daughter possesses a special 'Flame Demon Body' and was secretly sent to the Heavenly Demon Sect for training from a young age. She is now one of the strong contenders for the position of the current Saintess.

Good heavens, I didn't expect City Lord Yan Di to have such romantic history.

[Green Intelligence]: In the 'Hundred Refinements Workshop' west of the city, a perfectly preserved 'Giant Flame Cauldron' (Earth Rank Medium Grade Pill Furnace/Artifact Furnace) is circulating internally. Due to questionable origins (suspected stolen goods), it is being secretly sold at half its market price. This Cauldron provides a significant success rate bonus (about thirty percent) for refining fire-attribute Medicinal Pills or forging fire-attribute artifacts, and it can better purify fire-attribute Qi.

A good item! An Earth Rank Medium Grade specialized furnace, one that boosts fire attributes, beneficial for both Alchemy and Artifact Refining. The price is half off, too. Although its source might be shady, for them who urgently need to improve their equipment and pill standards, it is extremely tempting. Xiao Chun's Alchemy skills, or even Qin Feng's own start in Artifact Refining, could benefit greatly from this furnace.

[Blue Intelligence]: In half a month, Juyan City's largest 'Ten Thousand Treasures Auction House' will hold its quarterly auction. According to reliable sources, one of the grand finale treasures will be an Incomplete Heaven Rank Sword Technique Secret Manual (only the first three forms remain). Although Incomplete, the value of a Heaven Rank Sword Technique is immeasurable, and it will certainly trigger competition among various parties, with the expected transaction price being astronomical.

Heaven Rank Sword Technique! Even an Incomplete fragment is enough to drive countless Sword Cultivators wild! Qin Feng's main cultivation path is the Dao of the Sword. Although the ink plum sword is destroyed, his Sword Heart and Sword Bone remain, and the desire for profound Sword Techniques is instinctive. This piece of intelligence is extremely valuable, pointing toward a possible path to obtain a powerful Legacy, but it is only 'news,' not a direct Opportunity. Hence, it is blue. This means they have a chance to participate in the competition, but the prerequisite is—they must have sufficient wealth! The term 'astronomical price' explains everything.

One Green Opportunity (Giant Flame Cauldron), one Blue Opportunity (Heaven Rank Sword Technique news). Coupled with the sun crystal stone that must be procured for Little Fire... Qin Feng felt that the things they needed to do in Juyan City had suddenly increased. And the most troublesome issue, the sun crystal stone, remained unresolved.