Top Soldier Pursued by a Beauty

"Master, rest assured. Once a teacher, always a father. Since I have accepted you as my master, I will naturally seek justice for you!" Zhao Dong's eyes were resolute, his gaze as steady as iron.

Duan Qiong was silent, but his eyes filled with gratification. With talent, strength, and a grateful heart, how could such a disciple not satisfy his master?

Duan Qiong waved his hand. "Let's put that aside for now. Let's talk about you. As my disciple, I can't remain ignorant of your origins, can I?"

Zhao Dong replied respectfully, "This disciple is from East Sea. I came to Provincial City with two objectives."

"First, to find my mother, who has been missing for many years. Second, for the woman I love, Lin Qingyun!"

"Lin Qingyun?" Duan Qiong's old eyes narrowed. "No wonder the Xiao Family has been giving you trouble. It turns out you're competing with Xiao Hongtian for a woman."

"Master, if you have any reservations..."

"Reservations? I am all alone in this world. What is there to have reservations about?" Duan Qiong laughed heartily. "A man must dare to love and dare to be fierce! You certainly have a bit of my style from when I was young, HAHAHAHA..."

"I remember back when I secretly watched your martial aunt bathing..."

"Hmm?" Zhao Dong's eyes widened. Is this something I can listen to for free?

"Ahem..." Realizing he had said too much, Duan Qiong coughed a few times and adopted a serious tone. "A young man shouldn't inquire about things he's not supposed to."

"That said, while I admire your courage, the Xiao Family is not to be trifled with. You must be extremely careful!"

"This disciple understands the risks. Please don't worry, Master!"

"Good." Duan Qiong nodded slightly. "Wait a moment." He went into the inner room and returned with several bottles of medicinal pills, which he handed to Zhao Dong.

"These aren't particularly valuable, but they are lifesaving pills for when you are severely injured. Take them."

Overjoyed, Zhao Dong quickly kowtowed. "This disciple thanks Master for bestowing these pills!"

"Alright, alright, enough with the formalities. Sit down and chat with me. It's been so many years since I had someone to talk to, I was about to go mad from the loneliness." Duan Qiong pulled Zhao Dong over, and they began to chat idly.

During their conversation, Duan Qiong got carried away several times, saying things that nearly shattered Zhao Dong's worldview.

Hmm! This new master of mine was quite the flirtatious rogue back in his day! A lot like me... wait, no! I'm a proper gentleman, thank you very much.

Seeing it was getting late, Zhao Dong said awkwardly, "Master, I have to attend the Qingyun Sect's Teaching Assembly this afternoon. How about I return another day to keep you company?"

"Oh?" Duan Qiong's eyes lit up. "That's an excellent idea!"

"You possess extraordinary strength. You must do everything in your power to take first place at the Qingyun Sect's Teaching Assembly."

"As long as you win, you'll be allowed to enter the Qingyun Sect to wash the essence and marrow. This will be tremendously beneficial for your future cultivation!"

"Wash the essence and marrow? What does that mean, exactly?" Zhao Dong asked, puzzled.

Duan Qiong explained, "There's a Spirit Medicine Pool within the Qingyun Sect. It was naturally formed by absorbing the essence of heaven and earth, and the sect has since infused it with all kinds of precious spiritual medicines, making it incredibly potent. It is reserved for the sect's most powerful disciples. Soaking in the Spirit Medicine Pool can cleanse your body down to its very core. It not only enhances your physical strength but also elevates your Cultivation Realm and even your Divine Power. Normally, it is absolutely forbidden for outsiders to use it. However, the person who comes out on top at the annual Teaching Assembly is granted permission to soak in this Spirit Medicine Pool for one day. This is a rare opportunity. Since you're going, you must seize it!"

"I see!" Zhao Dong was thrilled.

"Rest assured, Master! I will do my utmost to win first place!"

"Good! I believe in you. Now, hurry along so you're not late." Duan Qiong patted Zhao Dong's shoulder, his eyes full of expectation.

After bidding farewell to Duan Qiong, Zhao Dong arrived at the entrance of the medicinal pill market. Qin Long and his family were already waiting for him.

Zhao Dong smiled awkwardly. "Have you all been waiting long?"

"Not at all, we just got out ourselves. We bought quite a few good medicinal pills this time. How about you, young friend?" Qin Long held up the pill bottles in his hand, his face beaming with excitement.

"I also reaped a great harvest. This trip was well worth it," Zhao Dong said with a smile.

"That's wonderful," Qin Long replied. "I have some family matters to attend to at home. Where are you headed, young friend? I can give you a ride."

"There's no need. The place I'm going is not far from here. Please, Mr. Qin, go on ahead." Zhao Dong smiled and waved goodbye to them.

Just as they were about to leave, Qin Yuyan's face flushed red as she suddenly ran up to Zhao Dong and asked timidly, "Mr. Zhao, may I... have your phone number?"

"Of course," Zhao Dong smiled, giving her his number.

After getting his number, Qin Yuyan clutched her phone to her chest as if it were a priceless treasure. She said shyly, "Mr. Zhao, you have to answer when I call, okay? When you have time, let's... let's go on a date..."

With that, she scurried back to the car.

Zhao Dong's face instantly turned red. What the hell? How did we get to dating already?

Inside the car, Qin Long and his wife watched their daughter still gazing longingly out the window at Zhao Dong. They exchanged a look, a knowing smile in their eyes.

Qin Long cleared his throat. "Yuyan, that young Zhao is no ordinary person. If you're interested in him, you should get to know him better. Your father supports you."

"Ah? Dad, what are you talking about! You're so annoying!" Qin Yuyan quickly lowered her blushing face.

Qin Long laughed heartily, started the car, and drove away.

「The Xiao Family.」

Xiao Hongtian's father sat in the main hall, his expression dark and gloomy. At that moment, a subordinate rushed in, stammering, "Reporting to the Family Head, the experts we sent out... they've all... all gone missing!"

"What?" Xiao's father asked, bewildered. "Those five experts are more than enough to steamroll a first-rate family. How could they have simply gone missing?"

"Find them at once!"

"Yes!" The subordinate scurried away, trembling.

Beside him, the lavishly dressed Mrs. Xiao spoke. "Dear, my right eyelid has been twitching all day. Do you think... that boy Zhao Dong could have killed the experts we sent?"

"Impossible!" Xiao's father shook his head decisively. "Zhao Dong is at the seventh layer of the Great Grandmaster realm at most. Among the experts we sent, three were at the seventh layer, but there were also two at the ninth layer of the Great Grandmaster realm! How could he possibly have killed them? That piece of trash doesn't have what it takes!"

With that, Xiao's father picked up his phone and called Xiao Hongtian.

"Hongtian, when are you coming back? It's time to put your wedding to Lin Qingyun on the schedule!" he asked directly.

Xiao Hongtian had returned briefly some time ago before leaving again on business, which had delayed his wedding to Lin Qingyun.

Xiao Hongtian replied, "Father, don't worry. I'll be back tomorrow night."

"My master summoned me and bestowed another fortuitous opportunity upon me. When I return, no one in Provincial City will be my match!"

"Oh?" Xiao's father was ecstatic. "The venerable Xiang Dingtian helped you achieve another breakthrough?"

"Indeed!" Xiao Hongtian declared with cold arrogance. "Your son has already broken through to the legendary Martial Saint realm. A trivial pest like Zhao Dong? I can kill him with a flick of my hand!"