Su Ming gazed impassively at Chen Buwei. With his sharp eye, he could instantly tell that all the tendons in Chen Buwei's limbs had been severed.
"Ding! Congratulations, Host. Task completed. You've obtained the grandmaster-level skill: Condensing Qi into Threads. Would you like to extract it now?"
"Extract!"
As soon as Su Ming spoke, streams of intricate knowledge flooded his mind, much like when he had acquired the Eight Extremes Fist technique. The memories flashed by rapidly, and almost immediately, Su Ming felt a profound enhancement in his control over internal energy.
Satisfied, he nodded. With a light leap, a surge of mystical energy erupted from within him. In the next moment, his figure soared through the air, landing effortlessly at the entrance of the martial arena compound. His parting words lingered in the air:
"Today's matter ends here."
With that, Su Ming left, leaving the representatives of the three great families rooted to the spot.
"Su Ming, wait for me!"
Suddenly, Ning Fengqing burst out of the compound, chasing after Su Ming.
"Wow!"
The crowd finally came to their senses, gasps of awe echoing throughout the compound, lingering for a long time. Everyone except the Chen family members was unable to contain their excitement. A grandmaster—alive and in front of them! How could they not be thrilled?
In contrast, the Chen family quietly carried Chen Buwei and Chen Moran off the stage, slipping away unnoticed.
"Ning, how did your family...?" Wang Daoqian turned to Ning Cangyun.
Ning Cangyun snapped out of his daze and shook his head lightly. "I didn't know… Grandmaster Su possessed such abilities!" He caught himself just before calling Su Ming "young friend," changing his address quickly.
Wang Daoqian nodded knowingly. "A grandmaster's power is unmatched. At his age... He will dominate the martial world. Seize this opportunity, Ning. I must prepare gifts immediately!"
Without waiting for Ning Cangyun's response, Wang Daoqian hurried off.
"What the hell?!" Ning Fengchi slumped against the stairs, questioning life itself. "I've worked hard for decades to reach peak Mingjin, and he's already a grandmaster? With racing skills too? What the hell is going on?"
Nearby, Ning Fengzhao trembled uncontrollably, his eyes vacant. He had mocked a grandmaster. He had taunted him.
Compared to him, Ning Canghai wasn't faring much better. Trembling slightly, the fear in his heart slowly grew, threatening to overwhelm him.
"Su... uh..."
At the same time, Ning Fengqing, who had chased after Su Ming, finally caught up. But now, she hesitated, unsure how to address Su Ming. This usually fearless captain now displayed an uncharacteristic shyness.
"Just call me Su Ming. Don't think of me as a grandmaster."
Su Ming saw Ning Fengqing's awkwardness and addressed it directly.
"Alright!"
Ning Fengqing smiled brightly, her face blooming like flowers in spring.
"Su Ming, you've hidden your strength well. No wonder you dared to choose the challenge match."
"I simply wanted to avoid trouble," Su Ming replied with a shake of his head.
"Would you have continued hiding if Chen Buwei hadn't attacked today?" Ning Fengqing asked.
Su Ming gave a noncommittal nod.
Then, remembering something, Su Ming couldn't help but ask, "By the way, about what happened with Chen Moran today, there won't be any issues, right?"
To be honest, Su Ming hadn't known how terrifying the Soul-Piercing Needle was—he thought it was just an ordinary needle. Otherwise, he wouldn't have returned it; at most, he would have given some punishment, perhaps crippling Chen Moran.
"Don't worry! You're a grandmaster now. Matters of the martial world are resolved within the martial world. Even the state takes this stance. Chen Moran brought this upon himself; you bear no blame."
"Not to mention, you're a grandmaster. The Chen family may have had a grandmaster ancestor, but he's long gone, probably reduced to dust by now. You don't need to worry!"
"I estimate that the Chen family is currently preoccupied. They might even come to beg for your forgiveness!"
Listening to Ning Fengqing's words, Su Ming was secretly surprised. Being a grandmaster truly carried immense privilege.
"There's no need for forgiveness. They've already received their punishment."
Ning Fengqing nodded slightly.
The two walked to the main hall, where, at Ning Fengqing's invitation, they sat down to drink tea.
About an hour later, Ning Cangyun and others arrived in a hurry.
The moment Ning Cangyun entered, he saw Ning Fengqing drinking tea with Su Ming and exclaimed, "Fengqing, what are you doing? Grandmaster Su is of such high standing, and you show no respect for rank!"
Ning Fengqing rolled her eyes and reluctantly stood up.
"Master Ning, there's no need for formalities. Just treat me as a guest," Su Ming said, feeling somewhat helpless. It seemed he couldn't stay at the Ning residence any longer. This kind of treatment wasn't something he was accustomed to.
Just then, Ning Canghai and Ning Fengzhao suddenly stepped forward, kneeling before Su Ming.
"Grandmaster Su, we were blind. Please forgive our ignorance and don't hold it against us!"
Father and son were about to kowtow.
"Enough!"
Su Ming raised his hand to stop them, and they froze instantly.
"I haven't held it against you."
"Thank you, Grandmaster Su, thank you!"
The father and son felt as if a great weight had been lifted, repeatedly expressing their gratitude.
"Well, the matter is settled. I'll take my leave now, Fengqing. Could you see me out?"
Su Ming couldn't stand this kind of scene any longer and quickly signaled Ning Fengqing with a glance.
"Alright!"
Ning Fengqing stood up.
"Su..."
Ning Cangyun wanted to persuade Su Ming to stay, but seeing Su Ming's gaze, he swallowed his words.
Helplessly, the Ning family could only watch as Su Ming and Ning Fengqing departed.
"Brother! Fengqing seems to have a good relationship with Grandmaster Su. Maybe we should encourage her to get closer to him. If..."
At this moment, Ning Canghai suddenly spoke, but Ning Cangyun quickly waved his hand to interrupt him.
"This depends on Fengqing herself and Grandmaster Su's wishes. We shouldn't interfere. Do you understand?"
Ning Canghai quickly nodded.
Then, Ning Cangyun added, "However, when Fengqing returns, we can ask for her opinion. If she's interested, we can offer some advice!"
"Very good, very good!"
Ning Canghai laughed, his eyes narrowing into slits.
The two brothers, who had been at odds, now seemed to have resolved their long-standing grudges.
Meanwhile, Ning Fengchi, standing nearby, had black lines all over his head, his heart pounding involuntarily.
"Sister! Are you going to leave your brother?"
The self-proclaimed sister-guardian felt a wave of sorrow wash over him. The most cherished thing in his life seemed to be slipping away from his fingertips.