Junior Brother Pays Respect to You: Chapter 50 - Power of the Mountain God
Chapter 50: Power of the Mountain God
Qin Zheng hadn’t yet recovered from what had just happened. He only snapped out of it when he saw Qin Su walking farther and farther away, and quickly ran to catch up.
Since it was an urgent summons to the Sanqing Hall, it must be something important—he couldn’t afford to be careless.
Qin Zheng jogged and finally caught up to Qin Su. Once he was about a meter behind, he slowed his pace to maintain that distance.
Qin Su didn’t say anything more, as if he considered the person behind him to be thin air.
The two of them walked in a line, one ahead and one behind, toward Sanqing Hall.
Still bothered by what happened earlier, Qin Zheng frowned. He just couldn’t understand—why had the original Qin Zheng become so... desperate?
He remembered only doing something like that once before—and not in this way.
Could it be that traveling through time too many times had made the original him interact with Qin Su too much, eventually becoming attracted to his beauty?
Qin Zheng secretly glanced at Qin Su walking leisurely ahead and felt a bit troubled.
He had disliked Qin Su as a child, but that was just because he didn’t like kids.
Now, though, the sect leader’s junior brother was becoming increasingly pleasing to the eye.
With looks like that, it was no surprise someone like Qin Zheng—who couldn’t become an immortal—was vulnerable to temptation. Unfortunately, Qin Su didn’t seem the least bit aware of his own charm.
As he stared at Qin Su’s back, Qin Zheng quietly made a decision.
Since this time travel had nothing to do with Qin Su, he’d better be careful not to get too close. Otherwise, if he raised Qin Su’s affection level too much and then left, it might give the original Qin Zheng a chance to take advantage.
If their master found out he was interfering with someone else’s cultivation, that would be a big problem.
Qin Zheng’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of increasing chatter ahead.
Looking up, he realized he’d unknowingly followed Qin Su to the front of Sanqing Hall.
Inside, the hall was already filled with noise—clearly, he’d arrived late again.
The simultaneous arrival of Qin Zheng and Qin Su still managed to attract curious looks from quite a few disciples.
Both of them kept their eyes straight ahead as they walked to their respective places.
Qin Zheng drew attention because people hated him.
Qin Su drew attention because people admired him.
The moment they entered the hall, Qin Zheng immediately spotted Qin Shuang amidst the crowd.
Walking over to Qin Shuang, he casually leaned in and whispered, “What’s this assembly about?”
Qin Shuang gave him a puzzled look, then turned to glance at their junior brother.
“Didn’t Junior Brother tell you?”
The moment Qin Su was mentioned, the image of himself trying to tease him flashed in Qin Zheng’s mind. He coughed awkwardly and said, “You know Qin Su—he doesn’t talk much. Besides, I was thinking about something else and forgot to ask.”
Qin Shuang looked even more confused. “But he said himself he was going to call you.”
Qin Zheng froze at that and elbowed Qin Shuang hard in the chest, growling, “What is it? Are you going to tell me or not?”
Clutching his sore stomach, Qin Shuang replied, “I heard the seal on the Demon Realm has loosened for some unknown reason. They need to pick capable disciples to go reinforce it.”
“But I think it’s probably going to be either Qin Su or Qin Ke—those two are the best in the sect.”
Qin Zheng rolled his eyes at him.
It’s fine if you praise Qin Su, but why bring up Qin Ke?
Speaking of the Demon Realm’s seal reminded Qin Zheng of the demons he had encountered during one of his time travels.
It made sense—if the seal was loosening, that would explain why high-level demons had been able to escape.
“Didn’t think you were the type to enjoy watching the commotion, Senior Brother.”
Just then, an annoying voice spoke beside him.
Qin Zheng shot a glare at Qin Shuang—who had just mentioned that name—and didn’t even look at Qin Ke. He simply stepped back to his spot.
He didn’t feel like talking to him. There was no challenge in it.
“Looks like all disciples have arrived. Now, follow me to the testing grounds.”
Hearing this, Qin Zheng turned his head. The junior disciples behind him also turned around.
Standing at the entrance of Sanqing Hall was their martial uncle, who had just spoken.
Since their martial uncle had spoken, everyone followed him out of Sanqing Hall.
He led them through the corridors and straight toward the forest, going deeper and deeper.
The disciples rarely went deep into the forest, so murmurs of curiosity began to rise among the group.
Everyone was wondering how much farther they had to walk.
But Qin Zheng realized this path was becoming more and more familiar. He tapped Qin Shuang on the shoulder and whispered, “Isn’t this the way to the Forbidden Ground?”
Qin Shuang nodded. “Seems like it.”
Sure enough, a while later, their martial uncle stopped with the group.
In front of them stood the large stone with the words “Forbidden Ground” carved into it.
Not far away, hidden in the overgrown weeds, was a faintly visible lake.
The martial uncle didn’t explain anything at first. He simply raised his hand and performed a summoning technique aimed at the Forbidden Ground.
Soon, a glowing golden orb of light flew out from the lake within the forbidden area, heading toward him.
However, the orb didn’t leave the boundary of the forbidden zone.
Only then did their martial uncle turn around and explain: “This mission isn’t something just anyone can complete.”
“Only those recognized by the Power of the Mountain God will be allowed to go down the mountain and carry it out.”
As soon as the Martial Uncle finished speaking, people around began whispering: “Then it must be Senior Brother Qin Su and Senior Brother Qin Ke!”
Qin Zheng let out a disdainful snort.
At that moment, the Martial Uncle pointed to the golden orb behind him and said, “This object behind me is the Power of the Mountain God.”
“All you need to do is gather your spiritual energy into your right palm and use that hand to touch the Power of the Mountain God. Whoever can make contact with it is someone recognized by the Mountain God.”
“Alright, now each of you may step forward to test yourselves.”
“There’s no need to line up—go forward at will.”
After speaking, the Martial Uncle stepped aside and looked at the gathered disciples.
This test was far less stressful than the spiritual root test. Most of those present had a clear understanding of their own abilities, so once permission was given, several curious junior disciples cheerfully stepped up.
Qin Zheng quietly retreated to the back.
In truth, Qin Ke wasn't wrong—he really had come just to watch the show.
As always, the first steps are the hardest. Once someone stepped forward and failed, more and more people followed suit.
When it was Qin Ke’s turn, the surrounding atmosphere noticeably quieted.
Even Qin Zheng couldn’t help but look up.
As Qin Ke’s right hand approached the Power of the Mountain God, it clearly paused—he was being rejected.
Still unwilling to accept it, Qin Ke forcefully pushed forward.
The Martial Uncle, unable to watch any longer, advised, “This isn’t something that can be forced. Don’t waste your efforts.”
Qin Ke had no choice but to withdraw his hand and return to the crowd, looking displeased.
Qin Zheng secretly rejoiced.
Soon, most had tried, yet no one managed to touch the orb.
Everyone’s hopes now rested on Qin Su, whose cultivation was higher than Qin Ke’s.
Qin Zheng instinctively looked at Qin Su, who was standing quietly in the crowd.
He seemed completely uninterested in the test.
Perhaps sensing the gaze, Qin Su suddenly turned and looked directly toward the source of the stare.
Qin Zheng hadn’t expected to make eye contact with him and immediately looked away in guilt.
The number of people left untested dwindled, until finally, no one else stepped forward.
The Martial Uncle looked down and said, “If you haven’t gone yet, step forward now.”
“There are still two of you.”
Qin Zheng sniffed slightly. He hadn’t expected the Martial Uncle to secretly count the number of people.
He had no interest in a meaningless test and only wanted to ask his master a few things quietly.
As soon as the Martial Uncle spoke, the still-standing Qin Su finally stepped forward under the hopeful gazes of the crowd. He raised his hand elegantly and gently touched the golden orb.
There was no resistance.
The crowd erupted in excitement.
“As expected of Junior Brother Qin Su.”
“No wonder he’s the most powerful disciple in Tianque Sect!”
……
Everyone began to praise Qin Su.
However, even though someone had been found who could resonate with the Power of the Mountain God, the Martial Uncle showed no surprise. Instead, he calmly declared, “There’s still one more!”
Qin Zheng didn’t hurry, but Qin Shuang did—he poked Qin Zheng and said, “It’s you, right?”
Qin Zheng sighed quietly and made his way through the crowd.
The disciples around turned their heads, murmuring, “Qin Zheng really doesn’t need to bother testing, does he?”
“Seems like he knows himself well.”
……
A wave of “whispers” accompanied Qin Zheng as he walked up to the golden orb.
He stopped right at the boundary of the restricted area, slowly gathered the little spiritual energy he had into his palm, and then casually extended his hand.
At that moment, a strange thought surfaced in his mind: Let me touch it too, please!
Qin Zheng didn’t look up.
But he quickly realized that, despite fully extending his arm, he felt no resistance.
Startled, he looked up—his entire hand had penetrated the golden orb. Alarmed, he quickly pulled it back.
This time, it seemed the heavens had heard his plea.
Qin Zheng gave the Martial Uncle a helpless glance.
Behind him, the crowd of disciples who had been whispering suddenly fell silent.
“Very good,” the Martial Uncle said with an unwavering voice, “Qin Zheng and Qin Su, stay behind. The rest of you may return.”
Some in the crowd looked at Qin Zheng with dissatisfaction.
“Martial Uncle, this can’t be right—Qin Zheng doesn’t even have a spiritual root!”
“I heard his cultivation is only at the second tier. How could he possibly handle such a dangerous mission!”
The Martial Uncle remained unmoved and sternly replied, “The sect leader will decide the matter. It’s not for you to worry about.”
“Everyone else, return!”
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