The icy voice swept across the courtyard, like a cold autumn breeze sweeping over the land, sending chills down the spine.

Li Changlin tightened his grip slightly on the long staff, sweat beading on his forehead, and his shoulders couldn’t help but tremble.

He wanted to move because even if Qin An’s long saber was at his neck, he felt he could still fight back.

However, Qin An’s words echoed in his mind like a curse.

This voice, like a curse, made his heart feel as if it had been doused with cold water.

He knew that if he really moved, Qin An might just draw his saber and chop off his head.

The onlookers around also heard Qin An’s voice and were all surprised.

Some gripped their weapons and said nothing, while others silently took a step back, pondering the gap between themselves and Li Changlin.

Some shook their heads and turned to leave the courtyard.

They knew their own strength and understood that Qin An could so easily place a saber at Li Changlin’s neck, which was not something they could handle.

So they dismissed the idea of challenging Qin An here altogether.

After a long silence, Li Changlin finally released his hold on the long staff.

The long staff fell to the ground with a crisp sound.

This sound echoed in the courtyard, but it was like a sharp blade piercing everyone’s chest, making their breathing become rapid.

Li Changlin seemed like a deflated balloon, his hands hanging naturally, but the paleness of his fingertips betrayed his unrest inside.

Qin An sheathed his saber and kicked the long staff.

The long staff rolled like an insignificant piece of garbage, tumbling into the corner.

Even though it was unnoticed in the corner, the long staff was like an eye-catching sun, drawing everyone’s gaze.

"Leave."

Qin An said plainly, without adding a single word.

Li Changlin gritted his teeth, clenched his fists tightly, his palms pale as paper.

He took a deep breath, turned around, and walked out of the courtyard.

Today, he had been defeated.

Defeated completely.

Yet he knew clearly that this was the price of challenging Qin An.

He did not regret it; the only thing he somewhat regretted was that he should have been more cautious initially.

But there’s no such thing as a do-over in this world; he lost and thus had no chance again.

Soon, Li Changlin’s figure disappeared in the courtyard.

The spectators exchanged glances, but no one stepped forward.

They were all wondering whether to continue challenging Qin An at this moment.

Qin An reversed his grip on the saber and thrust it into the ground, creating a deep crack.

He surveyed the people present, his voice icy cold: "If you still want to challenge, then bring your weapons up; if you don’t want to challenge, then you can leave now."

"I have things to do and cannot waste time here with you."

Everyone fell silent.

In fact, if the challenge were without cost, even if Li Changlin had lost at this moment, a few of them might have stepped forward to challenge Qin An.

But a challenge with a cost was different.

The loser would leave their weapon in the corner of this courtyard, equivalent to a pillar of shame, pinning themselves down for mocking by others.

Those who had made it to this level actually cared a bit about face; no one wanted to lose face in front of so many people.

If they were to return to their cities one day, full of glory, and suddenly someone made a disheartening comment.

Or if they remembered leaving their weapon in the courtyard, that feeling was something no one wanted to experience.

Qin An shook his head slightly, then turned to leave the courtyard.

His plan had worked.

Using the reason of leaving behind a weapon was enough to deter a group of people.

However, he did not have time to waste with these people now.

He still needed to go practice the blacksmith and butcher skills, striving to improve within these two weeks.

Even if the improvement was not significant, it didn’t matter, as long as there was improvement.

Just as Qin An took a step out, a burly man slowly walked out from the crowd.

Everyone’s eyes swept toward this man, revealing a look of understanding.

"It’s Gao Yuntian! This guy finally decided to step forward."

"It’s said that this guy is a ruthless killer in his Tao-level City, leaving no survivors when carrying out missions."

"This guy seems to practice an unarmed martial art; interesting, truly interesting."

"Oh, what’s so interesting about that?"

"Think about it, he practices unarmed; how could he leave anything behind in the courtyard? He’s not afraid, so practicing unarmed martial arts seems to have some benefit now."

As they conversed, Gao Yuntian had already approached Qin An and cupped his fists.

"Greetings, Mr. Qin. I know Mr. Qin is immensely powerful, but I have come all the way from the bottom by continuously challenging formidable opponents."

"Therefore, I wish to have a duel with Mr. Qin to improve my own strength."

Though his words were polite, everyone knew that he was actually trying to make a name for himself through Qin An.

Qin An eyed Gao Yuntian up and down, rhythmically tapping the handle of his Cold Star Saber, and suddenly laughed: "Interesting, truly interesting. You have nothing, no weapons. Do you think you can challenge me without reward, without losing anything?"