Chapter 397: Altar
This time, Ma Youcai was completely dumbfounded!
He just couldn’t understand. He had already used his Inner Strength, so why couldn’t he move Qin Tuo in the slightest?
Unconvinced, Ma Youcai gritted his teeth and used his full power, the muscles all over his body bulging slightly.
Xue Qingqing was watching from the side, and he really didn’t want to lose face in front of her!
However, no matter how hard he pushed, Qin Tuo remained completely unmoved. Instead, he shot Ma Youcai a strange look.
Ma Youcai’s face instantly flushed red with shame and anger, but there was nothing he could do.
Xue Qingqing, standing nearby, took in his awkward predicament.
Xue Qingqing found Ma Youcai’s appearance rather comical and couldn’t help but laugh out loud!
At her laugh, Ma Youcai wished the ground would swallow him whole.
Just as he was about to speak, Qin Tuo snorted coldly and suddenly unleashed a massive surge of Qi Force.
The wave of qi slammed viciously into Ma Youcai, sending him flying back a great distance!
Ma Youcai stumbled backward several steps before finally steadying himself.
At that moment, his eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Qin Tuo, unable to believe what had just happened.
"Damn you, kid! You were hiding your strength?"
Ma Youcai said, gritting his teeth unwilling to accept it.
But Qin Tuo just gave him a casual glance, paid him no further mind, and stood up to leave.
For someone like Ma Youcai, Qin Tuo couldn’t even be bothered to make a move.
In Qin Tuo’s eyes, Ma Youcai was as weak as a tiny insect.
Seeing Qin Tuo about to leave, Xue Qingqing quickly called out:
"Qin Tuo, don’t go yet! Can I have a word with you?"
When Ma Youcai heard Xue Qingqing say this, the anger in his heart flared up uncontrollably.
However, Qin Tuo completely ignored Xue Qingqing and simply turned to return to the room the Xue Family had arranged for him.
Xue Qingqing could only watch Qin Tuo’s departing back, shaking her head with a wry smile.
’I really don’t get it,’ she thought. ’So many men fall all over themselves for me. Why is it that only this Qin Tuo seems to have no interest in me at all?’
Ma Youcai’s expression was grim, but needing to save face, he still offered an explanation:
"Miss Xue, I just ate too much, so I couldn’t use my strength properly. Otherwise, that kid would be no match for me!"
However, Xue Qingqing paid Ma Youcai no mind and went straight back to her room.
Without a doubt, Xue Qingqing’s actions made it clear to Ma Youcai that she had no interest in him whatsoever.
Ma Youcai stood there, feeling like a clown, his embarrassment turning into rage!
"You little bastard, I’ll make you pay tomorrow!"
Ma Youcai silently swore to himself.
「Early the next morning」
Xue Chengdong gathered everyone in the villa’s courtyard.
All the disciples of Xingyi Hall were present, and Qin Tuo and Huang Junkai arrived soon after.
Upon seeing Qin Tuo, a thick look of jealousy and hatred filled Ma Youcai’s eyes.
"Everyone, since you are all here, follow me to the altar!"
Xue Chengdong then led the group, taking everyone to a place called the Altar.
"Young Master Huang, what is this Altar?"
Qin Tuo, who had fallen to the back of the group, asked slowly.
Huang Junkai lowered his voice and explained quietly:
"Mr. Qin, the Altar is where the Mountain God resides. Every time a new mine is opened, we have to pay our respects to the Mountain God. It’s a very standard procedure."
Only then did Qin Tuo understand. Soon, the entire group arrived near a massive altar.
Once there, Xue Chengdong told everyone to get ready. They would head up the mountain immediately after paying their respects to the Mountain God.
At this point, Qin Tuo noticed that besides the Xue Family, people from the Wu Family and the Zheng Family had also arrived near the Altar.
Furthermore, Qin Tuo recognized the leader of the Zheng Family at a glance. It was the same President Zheng he had clashed with before, a man named Zheng Guoping.
Huang Junkai also grew tense the moment he saw Zheng Guoping.
Zheng Guoping had left after spitting harsh threats last time. It was unexpected to meet him again so soon.
"Mr. Qin, look, it’s that guy, Zheng..."
Huang Junkai said, his face filled with worry.
But Qin Tuo just shook his head and said casually,
"It’s fine. He can’t do anything to us."
Hearing Qin Tuo’s confident tone, Huang Junkai immediately felt a lot more at ease.
Zheng Guoping stood there with a dark expression, followed by an old man with a goatee wearing a Taoist robe.
Although the old man looked unremarkable, a current of Spiritual Power was slowly surging from his body, which made Qin Tuo give him a second look.
As Qin Tuo observed him, he felt a flicker of surprise.
’Oh? Could this guy be a Cultivator too?’
An outsider might not be able to tell, but Qin Tuo could clearly sense the abundant Spiritual Power within the man’s body. He surmised that this person must be a bona fide Cultivator.
Nearby, the members of the Wu Family were also standing at the ready, fully prepared.
While chatting with someone, Zheng Guoping suddenly noticed Qin Tuo and Huang Junkai.
He immediately headed over with his men, a cold sneer on his face.
"Heh, so you two characters show up here as well. Don’t tell me you’re also planning to go up the mountain?"
Huang Junkai grew nervous and swallowed before speaking:
"President Zheng, we’re just here to watch the excitement. Don’t overthink it!"
But Zheng Guoping shook his head and snorted coldly.
"Since you love to watch the excitement so much, I’m afraid you might have to stay on that mountain forever!"
As he spoke, his eyes held undisguised killing intent, making Huang Junkai shudder involuntarily.
Huang Junkai forced himself to suppress his fear and said,
"President Zheng, I hope you won’t hold a grudge. We might still be able to discuss cooperation in the future!"
However, Zheng Guoping let out a cold laugh, his face full of disdain.
He said in a low voice,
"Kid, once I’ve secured this new mine, why would I ever need to cooperate with you? That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all day!"
Hearing this, Huang Junkai’s face flushed red with shame and anger.
The members of the Xue Family nearby also noticed Zheng Guoping’s arrival, and they all became wary.
However, they stayed where they were, clearly not wanting to start a conflict with the Zheng Family right away.
After all, the Wu Family was also present and hadn’t made a move yet.
If they were the first to fight, it would likely only benefit the third party!
After speaking, Zheng Guoping led his two subordinates and walked straight toward Qin Tuo.
The sight of Qin Tuo instantly brought back the memory of him ruining his plans, and a cruel rage ignited in Zheng Guoping’s heart!