C102 Another Increase in the Price a Skyhigh Bet!

The reason Qin Buyi wasn't solely focused on his own protection was straightforward. They were in the Royal Capital of the Ming Dynasty, where the College of Ming Dynasty stood as the empire's linchpin. If danger could befall him here, it would signify one dire possibility: the imminent collapse of the Ming Dynasty itself.

Qin Buyi closed his eyes; the recent skirmish had barely taxed his strength. His current task was to convert the forty million Low-Grade Spirit Stones he'd acquired into System Mall points. Depositing all the Spirit Stones into the System Mall's recycling feature, he waited.

Ding! Valuation in progress...

Ding! Valuation complete: 4,000 System Mall points.

Without a moment's hesitation, Qin Buyi exchanged all 4,000 points for attribute points. At the Combination Stage, forty points equated to a single attribute point, meaning he had gained a full hundred points. He allocated all one hundred attribute points to himself and reviewed his personal information panel:

Name: Qin Buyi

Desolate Body: Intermediate

Attribute Increase: 10%

Cultivation: Rank Six, Combination Middle Period (792/1,000)

Divine Consciousness: Combination Late Period

Strength: 792

Speed: 792

Physical Strength: 792

Attack Power: 792

Defense: 792

Fortune: 792

...

Killing Saber: Rank Six (792/1,000)

Broken Blade (2/9)

Attack Amplification: 20%

Attack Power: 792

Killing Saber Technique: Rank Six (792/1,000)

Attack: 792

Azure Dragon: Rank Six (792/1,000)

"Just shy of reaching the Late Period of Combination," Qin Buyi mused internally, noting his enhanced combat prowess. He then slowly opened his eyes.

Ying Zhi observed Qin Buyi and inquired, "Mr. Qin, did you achieve another breakthrough just now?"

Qin Buyi offered a modest excuse, "I had a stroke of insight just now, which furthered my cultivation."

Ying Zhi expressed his admiration, "Mr. Qin, your talent is truly exceptional. For most, advancing in cultivation requires extensive time and opportunity."

"To Mr. Qin, however, breaking through seems as effortless as eating and drinking."

Qin Buyi modestly replied, "Mr. Zhi, you flatter me."

Ying Zhi chuckled, "Haha, anyone else with Mr. Qin's gifts would have turned insufferably arrogant by now. Yet here you are, remaining so humble."

As they engaged in light conversation, time swiftly advanced to the second round of the contest.

Wang Chengfeng soared onto the platform, pressing his hands downward to quiet the crowd.

Within moments, the clamor of the arena hushed, and Wang Chengfeng announced, "Let the second round commence."

"First to the stage, once again, is our challenger, Qin Buyi."

Qin Buyi leapt onto the platform, and Wang Chengfeng went on,

"Now, please welcome the second high-ranking instructor from the College of Ming Dynasty, the late-stage Tribulation Crossing Sha Jian."

A rugged man in an earthy yellow robe ascended to the platform.

As Sha Jian took his place, the crowd of students and teachers below gasped in astonishment, their eyes wide as brass bells.

"Among the academy's eight elite mentors, Instructor Sha Jian's prowess is easily top three."

"Middle Period Combination Stage versus Late Period Tribulation Crossing? There's not a sliver of hope for victory."

"It's over. That kid Qin Buyi up there is as good as gone."

"No point in hoping; this fight is devoid of any suspense."

"Such a shame. We're about to witness the downfall of a prodigy capable of transcending his level."

Following Sha Jian's ascent, Ying Zhi, from below the stage, furrowed his brow and glanced towards Ying Ye.

Ying Ye, catching his gaze, transmitted his voice to Ying Zhi,

"Little brother, the young man you've so wholeheartedly backed is about to meet his end. It's truly a sorrowful sight."

Ying Ye's words, though seemingly sympathetic, were laced with a tone of malicious glee.

Ying Zhi, not to be outdone, retorted, "Elder brother, it's too early to tell who the prey will be. Don't celebrate just yet."

"Seeing as you're so wealthy, elder brother, and have staked 40 million Low Grade Spirit Stones on Mr. Qin, why don't we, as brothers, also place a wager?"

Ying Ye quirked an eyebrow and asked, "What kind of bet do you have in mind, little brother?"

Ying Zhi, seething inwardly, responded, "For the next two battles, I'll raise the stakes by an additional 40 million Low Grade Spirit Stones each. If Brother Qin triumphs, you owe both him and me 40 million Low Grade Spirit Stones apiece."

"Should Mr. Qin be defeated, I alone will fork over 80 million Low Grade Spirit Stones to you."

Ying Ye found himself genuinely wavering this time. The prospect of wagering 80 million Low Grade Spirit Stones demanded a moment of careful consideration, even for him.

"Is big brother getting cold feet? Too scared to take the bet?" Ying Zhi taunted.

Memories of Wang Chengfeng's promise flashed through Ying Ye's mind as he observed Sha Jian, nearing the end of the Tribulation Crossing Stage, and Qin Buyi, in the Combination Middle Period. Given the vast gap between their levels, it seemed impossible for even someone with Qin Buyi's formidable prowess to best Sha Jian. The odds of Ying Ye losing were next to none.

With this realization, Ying Ye's hesitation vanished. "Eighty million Spirit Stones isn't quite compelling. How about we round it up, brother? One hundred million Low Grade Spirit Stones per battle—what do you say?"

Ying Zhi, witnessing Ying Ye's brimming confidence, silently clenched his jaw and declared, "Fine, we'll bet one hundred million Low Grade Spirit Stones per battle."

As Wang Chengfeng was about to declare the commencement of the fight, Ying Zhi rose from his seat and interjected, "Hold on a moment."

Dean Wang looked at him, puzzled, and inquired, "Third Prince, is there an issue?"

Ying Zhi's voice echoed across the venue, "I ask Dean Wang and all those gathered here to witness this: atop the wager between Brother Qin and Big Brother, let's add another sixty million Low Grade Spirit Stones."

"For the remaining two battles, should Brother Qin emerge victorious, Big Brother will owe me an additional sixty million Low Grade Spirit Stones each time."

"And if Mr. Qin falls, I will personally pay Big Brother one hundred million Low Grade Spirit Stones for each contest."

Dean Wang was genuinely shocked. He hadn't anticipated that Ying Ye and Ying Zhi would gamble on such a grand scale, with the stakes soaring by another sixty million.

Wang Chengfeng took stock of his family's fortune and realized that if he were as reckless with money as Ying Ye and Ying Zhi, his wealth would be gone after just a few battles.

His gaze shifted to Ying Ye, who nodded back at him in affirmation.

"Very well," Wang Chengfeng declared, "I shall join everyone present in witnessing this wager."

The audience below was once again thrown into a state of shock.

"A hundred million Low Grade Spirit Stones—can you even fathom that?"

"I'd need tens of thousands of years to save up that many Spirit Stones with my current income—and that's if I didn't spend a dime on food or drink."

"This is what you call a truly grand gesture. It was well worth it to come and watch this battle."

"The longstanding discord between the First Prince and the Third Prince is no secret, and today's events only confirm the rumors."

"Exactly. There's an old saying: 'Enemies' eyes blaze with hatred upon meeting.' This sky-high bet and their deep-rooted grudge are undoubtedly intertwined."

On the stage, Qin Buyi was momentarily dumbfounded. He hadn't expected Ying Zhi to place such a massive bet against Ying Ye.

He glanced down at Ying Zhi, who was feigning serenity, as if the unfolding drama was of no consequence to him, his lips twitching slightly.