Free Web NovelChapter 43: Chapter 43: The Zhao Family Moves
The Qin younger generation’s equipment upgrades did not appear publicly all at once.
That was Qin Wanshan’s decision.
Qin Yuchen continued using his old academy sword in public for several days before switching to the Iron Blood Thread Sword during a private training session. Qin Lian kept her new daggers hidden under ordinary sheaths. Qin Mo’s formation belt looked like a plain tool belt. Qin Feng was the hardest to control because he wanted to punch everything with his new gauntlets, but Qin Ruyan watched him closely enough that he behaved.
Mostly.
Qin Yuheng returned to academy life as if nothing had changed.
But Heavenly Gate Academy was not blind.
Han Shuren noticed Qin Yuchen’s improved sword stability.
Mei Lian noticed Qin Mo’s formation setup speed increase.
Several Core Class students noticed that Qin Lian’s movements had become quieter.
Zhao Tianyu noticed all of it.
His face grew darker with each passing day.
The Zhao family had expected Qin Yuheng’s rise to slow after the first floor. Instead, the Qin team continued producing high evaluations, academy merit, and visible improvements. Worse, Qin Yuheng had defeated Zhao Tianyu publicly in the Combat Arena, and Zhao Tianyu had not yet reclaimed his position.
For a prideful young heir, this was unbearable.
But Zhao Tianyu no longer acted rashly.
Someone had clearly restrained him.
That someone appeared three days after Qin Yuheng’s Floor 3 return.
Zhao Lan.
She was twenty-two, an older academy student and a direct member of the Zhao family’s main line. Unlike Zhao Tianyu’s fiery arrogance, Zhao Lan was calm and sharp. She wore crimson-black light armor and carried a thin saber at her waist. Her public record placed her around Floor 12, far above the new students.
She approached Qin Yuheng after a Tower Theory lecture.
"Qin Yuheng."
The hallway quieted.
Qin Yuheng turned.
"Senior Zhao Lan."
Her eyes studied him briefly.
"You know me."
"Zhao family senior student. Core combat division. Floor 12 record."
Zhao Lan smiled faintly.
"You prepare well."
"I prefer knowing who speaks to me."
Several students nearby exchanged glances.
Zhao Lan did not seem offended.
"My younger cousin has been impatient."
Qin Yuheng did not answer.
She continued, "Tianyu’s loss to you was his own failure. The Zhao family does not deny public results."
That sounded generous.
Too generous.
Qin Yuheng waited.
"But," Zhao Lan said, "competition between families should not be decided by one match between new students. The academy will soon hold a resource contest for early-floor teams. I hope the Qin family participates."
Qin Yuheng looked at her.
"Is that an invitation or a warning?"
"A courtesy."
"Then thank you for the courtesy."
Zhao Lan’s smile thinned.
"You are calmer than expected."
"You are more polite than expected."
The hallway became even quieter.
Zhao Lan looked at him for a long moment.
Then she said, "Politeness lasts as long as boundaries are respected."
Qin Yuheng’s voice remained calm.
"Then I hope the Zhao family remembers where the boundary is."
A faint pressure spread from Zhao Lan.
She was stronger than Zhao Tianyu by far.
Qin Yuheng felt it immediately. His Primordial Thunder Emperor Body reacted quietly, but he suppressed it.
This was not a fight he needed.
Not now.
Before the tension could deepen, Han Shuren’s voice sounded from behind.
"Zhao Lan."
She turned slightly.
"Instructor Han."
"This is the new student hallway. If you want to train, go to the arena."
Zhao Lan withdrew her pressure.
"Of course." freewёbnoνel.com
She looked back at Qin Yuheng.
"Resource contest. We will meet again."
Then she left.
Qin Mo emerged from behind a pillar after she disappeared.
"I dislike older students."
Qin Yuheng glanced at him.
"You were hiding?"
"Strategic observation."
Qin Yuchen, who had been present the whole time, said, "The Zhao family wants to shift the battlefield."
Qin Lian nodded. "They cannot suppress us through Zhao Tianyu alone, so they use a broader contest."
Qin Mo sighed. "Why can enemies not accept defeat quietly?"
Qin Yuheng looked toward the direction Zhao Lan had left.
"Because defeat affects interests."
Later that day, Lin Xian’er confirmed the details.
"The resource contest is real," she said. "It is held once every few months for academy teams within Floors 1 to 10. Teams enter controlled floor zones or academy resource fields and compete for collection, defense, and combat merit."
Qin Yuheng asked, "Why is Zhao Lan pushing it now?"
"Because older students can sponsor or guide younger family teams in some contest formats. Zhao Tianyu alone cannot beat your team, but with Zhao Lan arranging strategy and resources, the Zhao family can regain face."
"Can they target us directly?"
"Within rules, yes. Blocking resource points, forcing trade, challenging claims, creating pressure. Killing is forbidden, but humiliation is not."
Qin Mo looked pained.
"So a larger Newcomer Trial."
Lin Xian’er smiled. "With more politics."
"Worse."
Qin Yuheng looked at the contest notice.
[Heavenly Gate Academy Early-Floor Resource Contest]
Eligible Teams:
Students currently active between Floors 1–10.
Format:
Team-based resource competition.
Main scoring:
Resource gathering, monster clearing, zone control, mission completion.
Special rule:
Senior students may provide preparation guidance but may not enter the contest zone unless assigned as official observers.
Reward:
Academy merit, resource priority, special exchange rights.
Senior students could guide but not enter.
That limited Zhao Lan.
But preparation guidance could still matter.
Qin Yuheng asked Lin Xian’er, "Will the Lin family participate?"
"Of course."
"Against us?"
"In business, against and with are flexible words."
Qin Mo muttered, "That means yes."
Lin Xian’er smiled. "It means maybe."
Qin Yuheng considered the contest.
They had just completed three floors quickly. Yu Qingmei had advised rest. But the contest might provide resources and reveal Zhao family movements. If they avoided it, Zhao could claim Qin Yuheng was afraid. If they participated recklessly, they might walk into a prepared trap.
He needed more information.
"What contest zone?" he asked.
Lin Xian’er answered, "Not announced yet. But rumor says it may involve a mixed environment based on Floor 4 conditions."
Qin Yuheng’s eyes moved.
Floor 4.
Silent Lake Camp.
Defense until dawn.
Water monsters.
Serpent boss.
If the contest zone resembled Floor 4, preparation would require water resistance, defense tools, and camp control.
That night, Qin Yuheng reported the matter to Qin Wanshan.
The old man listened quietly.
"The Zhao family wants to test how much of your rise comes from personal strength and how much from resources."
Qin Yuheng nodded. "They may also be connected to Blood Sun Hall."
Qin Wanshan’s eyes darkened.
"Do not chase that connection during the contest. Observe only."
"I understand."
Qin Zhengyuan, whose condition had slightly improved after the Soul Lantern Heart stabilization, spoke from the side.
"Zhao Lan is more dangerous than Zhao Tianyu. She is patient."
Mu Qinglan added softly, "Patient enemies are worth more attention."
Qin Yuheng asked, "Should we participate?"
Qin Wanshan looked at him.
"What do you think?"
"We participate. But not to fight Zhao directly. We gather resources, observe their methods, and let them reveal how far they are willing to go."
Qin Wanshan nodded.
"Good. Then prepare for water, defense, and resource conflict."
Qin Yuheng already had ideas.
Silent Lake-type environments meant possible water breathing, poison, cold, serpent scales, camp defense, and aquatic ambushes.
He would need different items.
And perhaps it was time to use some of the Tower Coins.
After the meeting, Qin Yuheng returned to his room and took out the Ancient Origin Tower Coin Bundle.
One hundred Gold Tower Coins.
He stared at it for a moment.
Then selected Quantity Multiplication.
[Quantity Multiplication selected.]
[Gold Tower Coins x100]
↓
[Gold Tower Coins x80,000]
Qin Yuheng immediately placed almost all of them into hidden storage.
He kept only a modest amount accessible.
Money was power.
But exposed money was bait.
The Zhao family was moving.
Blood Sun Hall was watching.
The academy was testing.
And Qin Yuheng was beginning to understand that climbing the Tower was only half the battle.
The other half was surviving the world built around it.
