The Princess Cannot Escape: The Cunning Prince Is Not to Be Messed With

Chapter 257 Martial Debate

After resting for a while, Yin Quan noticed that Qin Nian seemed a little dazed. She forced a smile and leaned closer, "What are you thinking about? The martial arts test is about to begin. You should think about how to deal with it. Grandmaster Kuang Zhi's idea is for us to play to our strengths and avoid our weaknesses."

Qin Nian's expression was complicated. "I... whatever you say, that's fine. What did Grandmaster say to you?" Yin Quan turned her head away. "Nothing much. What good things could he have said? I've decided that I absolutely cannot pass the martial arts test, so I will suggest changing to a written test."

"The martial arts test is a long-established rule, and under normal circumstances, there is absolutely no possibility of changing it." Yin Quan's bright eyes were like stars in the dark night, exuding mystery. Qin Nian was unconsciously stunned by her gaze, and suddenly her face turned pale.

The sharp pain in his chest made him involuntarily hunch over. "What's wrong with you?" Yin Quan's concern only intensified Qin Nian's pain. Kuang Zhi's voice came from inside the door, "Yin Quan, you go out first and discuss the next martial arts test with them. I'll take care of Qin Nian."

After Yin Quan left, a burst of bright light shot out from the cave, directly hitting Qin Nian's chest acupoint. He gritted his teeth, cold sweat pouring down his forehead. "Grandmaster... I..."

"Don't speak, guide your true energy into your dantian, and open your mouth!" A silver-white pill flew into Qin Nian's mouth. A warm sensation spread through his body, and the pain instantly subsided by half. After resting for a moment, Qin Nian opened his eyes, "Grandmaster,... is there any hope for me?"

"Love is a major taboo in our sect. How could you fall in love so easily? Just now you were unwilling to say who you were in love with, but now it seems to be her?" Knowing that she couldn't hide it, Qin Nian boldly said, "Grandmaster, I know that there is no future for the two of us. I have never hoped to be entangled in worldly affairs. As long as I put her in a position where no one can hurt her, I will return to Tianji Mountain."

Kuang Zhi shook his head. He had been guarding this place for thousands of years and had seen many such things. But Qin Nian was different to him. She was the only disciple he had recognized in the past hundred years. Could it be that even he could not escape the word "love"?

"Enough, enough. All things cycle, and the universe follows its own course. This is destiny, so don't force it. Since you've fallen in love, you're naturally prepared to turn into nothingness. At that time, have your master use the Mysterious Cauldron to preserve your soul, and perhaps there will still be a glimmer of hope."

Qin Nian bowed respectfully, "Thank you, Grandmaster."

Yin Quan listened absentmindedly to the heated conversation among Zhiyun and the others; the four seemed quite accomplished in their discussion of martial arts. "Senior Brother Guofeng, your Qingliao Xuanji obtained a new martial arts manual ten years ago, and has treasured it greatly for over a decade. Are you planning to make a grand appearance today?"

Guofeng spoke of this with some pride, "That's natural, but the manual doesn't contain additional cultivation techniques, but rather a wondrous sword formation. It's just that my two junior brothers are a bit weak; if there were five of us, we could naturally unleash its full potential."

Zhiyun was quite curious. "Senior brother, why don't you tell me first? Our Jade Qiong Valley hasn't received any guidance from our Grandmaster for a long time. Senior brother, are you so generous as to share this with your junior sister?"

Liao Ran blocked Zhiyun's path, "Hey junior sister, you're getting all worked up now. You were pretty close to Tianji Mountain during that round, weren't you?" Guofeng instantly became wary, "You just said I wasn't manly enough! I remember that!"

Zhiyun pouted and said to Qiuran, "See? I told you he was petty." Guofeng blushed with anger, "You..."

Yin Quan looked at the four people. Although they were all top masters in the world, their hearts were still so pure. It seemed that these three sects only focused on martial arts research and did not get involved in the mortal world.

After Qin Nian came out, Kuang Zhi's voice slowly came over, "Now I announce the start of the martial arts test. Disciples of all sects, please prepare." Yin Quan saw that Qin Nian's face was pale and her jaw was clenched as if she was trying her best to endure something.

"Senior Brother Qin, what's wrong? Why are you so pale? Are you sick?" Zhiyun asked with concern, but Qin Nian didn't even glance at Zhiyun and went straight to Yin Quan.

"Don't get involved in the martial arts test, I'll handle it." Yin Quan looked at him with concern. How could she not notice that Qin Nian's complexion was extremely bad at the moment? Since returning to Tianji Mountain, Qin Nian seemed to have suffered a great internal injury, and he was always in so much pain that he couldn't bear it.

“Senior Brother Qin, we can’t fight head-on in this battle. We need to outsmart him. Watch me.” Yin Quan walked to the middle and said to Kuang Zhi and the other grandmasters.

"Disciples and grandmasters, may I ask what the significance of holding the martial arts test every year is?" Piaomiao said, "Of course, it is to check whether the disciples of each sect are slacking off, and the three major sects can learn from each other to achieve common progress."

Yin Quan smiled and said, “But our masters seem to have overlooked something. Among the three sects, Yuqiong Mountain mainly studies pharmacology, while Qingliao Xuanji mainly studies mechanisms and formations. Only Tianji Sect cultivates the art of immortality, and only Tianji Sect’s martial arts are the most powerful among the three sects. They are the undisputed champions every year. May I ask why our masters did not achieve the goal of mutual progress?”

This question startled all three grandmasters. Kong Qi glared at Yin Quan and asked, "What do you mean by that? Do you intend to break the rules of previous years?"

Yin Quan hurriedly and respectfully said, "This disciple did not mean that. I just think that changing the rules this year might make both factions progress better." Piao Miao's eyes lit up, seemingly very interested in the suggestion. "Having watched the martial arts competition for over a hundred years, Qin Nian has won every year. It is indeed quite boring. Do you have any good suggestions?"

"Actually, Grandmaster is unaware that if we want all three sects to grow, each sect must unreservedly offer its best skills, learn from each other, and offer suggestions. Only in this way can we truly make remarkable progress."

Kong Qi was the first to jump out, pointing a trembling finger at Yin Quan's nose and saying, "This woman is talking nonsense. We must not listen to her. For thousands of years, the historical records left by the wandering immortals have forbidden that the secret techniques of each sect must not be revealed to outsiders. Otherwise, those who violate the ancestral teachings will be punished by having their cultivation destroyed."

"Master Kong, I didn't tell them to bring out the martial arts manuals they've learned. What I meant was that every school of martial arts has its advantages and disadvantages, and the purpose of our exchange is to learn how to correct those disadvantages."

Guofeng agreed, saying, "Indeed, among the three sects, only the disciples of Tianji Sect can go down the mountain to travel. We can only cultivate on our own in the mountains. What we learn and practice can only be understood through comprehension. However, there are still many things that we cannot understand. We need to wait until the ten-year period before we can ask our grandmasters."

Zhiyun chimed in, "Moreover, the principle of our Jade Qiong Mountain is to help the world and save people, but we are confined to the mountain all year round and have no opportunity to test medicines or help the world and save people." People from both sects looked at Kuang Zhi with anticipation, which showed that among the three, he was the most authoritative.

"The ancestral precepts have been passed down for thousands of years. The meaning of the precepts is that your existence must not be known to the world. Otherwise, people in the world will cause unrest among the three major sects in order to obtain the so-called secret manuals. However, you need to know your responsibilities, because the time for you to show your responsibilities will come soon. Recent divination indicates that the world is in decline and the imperial court will soon face a calamity. When that happens, it will be time for you to come down the mountain."

Zhiyun glanced expectantly at Qin Nian, while Guofeng and Liao Ran both looked eager to try. Yin Quan felt even more confident at this moment.

“Since our grandmaster has such an important task waiting for them, this martial arts test should not be taken so hastily. I have a better suggestion that can allow the three sects to better integrate their knowledge and combine their strengths.”

Kuang Zhi raised an eyebrow and looked at Yin Quan with a complicated expression. Piao Miao asked impatiently.

"Stop keeping us in suspense and tell us your suggestions." Yin Quan glanced at everyone before slowly saying, "It's simple. I suggest changing the martial arts test to a martial arts debate."

"Martial arts debate?" Everyone repeated in unison, even Kuang Zhi frowned and ground the words between his lips again. Yin Quan continued.

"Martial debate is a competition where each school doesn't actually fight. Each school sends one person to fight, and the other person is responsible for pointing out the flaws of the other school's moves until the opponent admits defeat. The final winner is the victor." Everyone was pondering the meaning behind the words.

Guo Feng and Liao Ran even practiced it out, and both found it quite interesting afterward. Piao Miao looked at Kuang Zhi and said, "This isn't a good method. It's been so many years since Tianji Sect has won, it's not very interesting, don't you think, Senior Brother Kong Qi?"

Kong Qi remained silent, but glanced at Guo Feng and then at Qin Nian, weighing the options in his mind. From the previous round, he could tell that neither Guo Feng nor Liao Ran were a match for Qin Nian, and they would definitely lose in a direct fight. In that case, Qing Liao Xuanji would have no chance of obtaining the secret technique this year.

“Since no one objects, I’ll listen to Senior Brother Kuang Zhi’s opinion.” Kuang Zhi looked at Yin Quan with a gaze that seemed to see right through her, but thankfully he didn’t refuse in public.

"Let's begin then." Yin Quan pulled Qin Nian to stand in front. "Since it was my suggestion, we'll go first. Who wants to spar with us?" Qiu Ran, that little girl, was always very composed. She would never rush forward before understanding Yin Quan's intentions. However, Zhi Yun really wanted a chance to spar with Qin Nian.

She hurriedly tugged at Qiu Ran's sleeve, "Qiu Ran, shall we go first?" Qiu Ran said hesitantly, "No... we're not confident we can win right now..."

Liao Ran's eyes darted around, and she hurriedly said, "Zhiyun, I think you want to fight Senior Brother Qin, right? We won't let you have that chance. Guofeng, we'll go first." Yin Quan was waiting to see a good show. Of course, it would be better if Zhiyun went first. After all, after watching one round, with Qiu Ran's intelligence, she really didn't have the confidence to completely defeat her.

Fortunately, Liao Ran saw through Zhiyun's feelings for Qin Nian. When Zhiyun saw that they were going to interfere, she naturally refused to give way. Before Qiu Ran could even make up her mind, she had already stepped forward.

"Let the disciples of Jade Mountain experience the martial arts of you Tianji people in the first round." Qiu Ran looked at Zhi Yun with a disappointed expression. "You... I said, why are you so impatient!"