C16 Gentleman Qin Who Was in Despair

"Then I must thank you." With those words, Qin Yong unleashed the energy of his bloodline.

"Fifth Phase of Spirit Founding Stage?" A glint appeared in Qin Shan's eyes as he braced himself to rescue Qin Ming.

The crowd beneath the stage gasped in surprise. Qin Yong had kept his true power well concealed; no rumors had circulated about his breakthrough to the Fifth Phase of Spirit Founding Stage. It appeared he was determined to challenge Qin Wu for the top spot in this selection competition.

Qin Ming remained unfazed, his robust constitution leaving him undaunted.

His right arm hung limply as he backed up to the edge of the arena, yet he did not fall.

"Qin Yong actually lost," the audience gasped in disbelief.

Qin Hao chuckled and shook his head, clearly amused by Qin Ming's predicament.

With a cold huff, Qin Yong strode off the stage, feigning indifference, though inwardly he was reeling from the loss of three whole bottles of Beast Blood Pill.

Silently, Qin Ming approached the edge of the stage and gathered the six bottles of Beast Blood Pill, knowing well that three were empty.

"If you can withstand one of my moves, I'll concede defeat! The wager is the same: three bottles of Beast Blood Pill," Gentleman Qin declared, stepping forward.

The crowd jeered. Having withstood an attack from Qin Yong was already pushing Qin Ming's limits, especially since he could barely lift his right arm.

"You don't deserve the title of 'gentleman,'" a disciple sneered from below.

"To commit such an act, you're a disgrace to the Qin Family."

Qin Ming chimed in at just the right moment, "I've reached my limit. Moreover, I now possess six bottles of Beast Blood Pill."

Unfazed by the scorn of his peers, Gentleman Qin eagerly countered, "I'm willing to stake six bottles of Beast Blood Pill as well."

He then managed to borrow three bottles of Beast Blood Pill from his allies.

Qin Ming feigned hesitation, "Let's not. In my current state, I could lose all six bottles of Beast Blood Pill. It's too risky."

His implication was clear: he was coaxing Gentleman Qin to up the ante.

Indeed.

Gentleman Qin scoured the area to borrow Beast Blood Pills.

"I'm willing to wager nine bottles of Beast Blood Pills, and if you can withstand just one of my moves, I'll voluntarily withdraw from the selection competition."

Before Qin Ming could respond, an alchemy disciple interjected, "Despicable."

A chorus of boos echoed from the crowd.

To onlookers, Gentleman Qin's offer seemed quite enticing. If Qin Ming could endure a single attack, he would not only gain nine bottles of Beast Blood Pills but also avoid finishing last in the imminent selection competition. At the very least, he would rank above Gentleman Qin, in ninth place.

Qin Ming found the situation amusing, yet he feigned interest and delayed his response.

"Twelve bottles."

The crowd gasped in surprise.

But then it dawned on them that Gentleman Qin was certain to win. No matter the size of the wager, Gentleman Qin was bound to come out on top in the end.

"As a martial artist, your reluctance to take a risk is contemptible," Gentleman Qin declared.

He had borrowed the last three bottles of Beast Blood Pills from one of the top ten disciples, promising to return six bottles afterward. Effectively, he had taken out a loan of twelve bottles of Beast Blood Pills.

Gentleman Qin aimed to win more than just the Beast Blood Pills; he yearned to crush Qin Ming beneath his heel, to alleviate the shame he had endured recently.

"Fine, I accept your challenge," Qin Ming said with feigned reluctance.

Gentleman Qin's fists tightened as he smirked darkly, "That's more like it."

Qin Ming, sporting a mischievous grin, asked, "Just one move, then?"

"Yes, just withstand one move from me."

"I think you've got it wrong. If you can handle one move from me, then I'll concede defeat," Qin Ming countered assertively.

The audience was visibly shocked.

"Qin Ming might not even withstand a single blow from Gentleman Qin, yet he dares to talk of defeating him with one move," chuckled a disciple standing next to Qin Wu.

"Has he lost his mind?" another disciple wondered aloud.

"Today, I'll be eager to see how you plan to beat me with just one move," Gentleman Qin said, laughing bitterly in his rage.

"Then you better watch closely."

Qin Ming unleashed his full strength, as the Azure Dragon Bloodline surged forth, the intense and dazzling image of the Azure Dragon roaring skyward.

Gentleman Qin saw the ever-enlarging fists hurtling towards him and had no choice but to counter with the Tiger Subduing Fist.

The force shattered his adversary's eight ribs and hurled him straight out of the ring.

The Flat Heaven Seal, nearing Great Completion, was an attack that Gentleman Qin, at the early Fourth Phase of the Spirit Founding Stage, could not withstand.

Beneath the stage, Gentleman Qin coughed up blood, clearly out of the fight. He watched as Qin Ming picked up 18 bottles of Beast Blood Pill with a wicked grin.

Twelve Beast Blood Pills amounted to a year's worth of the Qin Family's cultivation resources. Just repaying for these pills would take him a year, and overwhelmed, Gentleman Qin passed out.

The crowd around the arena remained in shock for quite some time, replaying Qin Ming's formidable attack in their minds.

Qin Yong had initially planned to confront Qin Ming afterwards, but he abandoned the idea. If Qin Ming could defeat Gentleman Qin in one move, he knew he would fare no better.

A quarter of an hour later, Qin Shan spoke up, signaling the start of the battle for the final rankings.

Qin Ming stepped onto the stage first, eyeing Qin Wu with a challenging look. "We both aspire to be number one. This clash was inevitable, so let's not wait any longer. Let's fight now."

Qin Wu had repeatedly caused him trouble, even instigating the hundred-man battle three days prior. Their confrontation was inevitable.

"You truly don't know your own limits," Qin Wu retorted as he took his place on the stage.

Terrifying Blood Qi enveloped the arena, and above Qin Wu's head, the spectral form of an Archean Barbarian Bear roared, its Bloodline Power unmatched.

"Spirit Founding Stage Sixth Phase? Half a month ago, Qin Xianer was at this level. Qin Wu truly is a prodigy of our family," Qin De remarked with a smile.

"Judging by the concentration of the Blood Qi, his strength must rival that of six thousand Jin," Qin Shan observed, concern evident in his gaze.

All disciples held their breath and concentrated intently on the clash of titans before them. The remaining seven of the top ten disciples cast aside their casual demeanor, their faces etched with solemnity.

Qin Ming had not anticipated that Qin Wu would achieve a breakthrough in a mere half a month.

"So what if you've reached the Sixth Phase of the Spirit Founding Stage?"

With a sneer, Qin Ming's body quivered, emitting a roar reminiscent of a dragon's cry. The Azure Dragon Bloodline manifested instantly, its appearance striking fear into the hearts of those who witnessed it.

His Blood Qi was on par with Qin Wu's, if not surpassing it.

"Tiger Subduing Fist!"

As the Qin Family's sole Yellow Rank martial skill, its might was greatly enhanced in the hands of Qin Wu. The Tiger Subduing Fist, inherently fierce, paired with the Archean Barbarian Bear Bloodline, proved to be a formidable combination.