C106 Breakthrough to the Late Period of the Combination!!

Ying Ye's gaze darkened as he observed Ying Zhi's smug demeanor. He turned to Wang Chengfeng and said, "Is this the certainty you promised me? That you would kill Qin Buyi and put my mind at ease?"

Wang Chengfeng felt a twinge of bitterness as the First Prince's accusation landed squarely on him, having indeed made that very assurance. With an embarrassed look, he replied, "First Prince, no one could have predicted the boy's strength. He's even managed to overcome a Great Stage and wield Sha Jian."

"Rest assured, Your Highness. I've just verified with Lie Huo that his cultivation has now attained the Half Step Mahayana Stage. The third round of the contest is almost a guaranteed win."

Ying Ye responded firmly, "We cannot afford any slip-ups this time. Should Qin Buyi gain entry to the College of Ming Dynasty, it would spell trouble. With his caliber, it won't be long before he's in, and Third Brother will surely leverage his influence to rally supporters."

Wang Chengfeng understood the gravity of the situation and assured him, "Please have peace of mind, First Prince. There will be no mishaps this time, come what may."

"Hmph, if a Half Step Mahayana cultivator can't defeat someone in the Combination Middle Period, then that person is far too extraordinary," Ying Ye remarked, shifting the conversation. "And what about the arena's defenses? You claimed they wouldn't break unless the attack reached the Mahayana Stage. How do you explain what just happened?"

Wang Chengfeng explained patiently, "As you witnessed, Your Highness, the opponent's saber technique was imbued with a potent annihilation aura. Whoever crafted that blade must possess an immeasurably deep realm. True, the arena is designed to withstand Mahayana Stage attacks, but that's in theory. In practice, there are still ways to breach its defenses without matching the Mahayana Stage's power."

Seeing Wang Chengfeng's demeanor, Ying Ye refrained from further criticism. After all, the man was a Middle Period Mahayana Stage cultivator, someone even his imperial father would treat with a degree of deference.

After Ying Zhi received the one million Spirit Stones, he separated out the four hundred thousand Top Grade Spirit Stones owed to Qin Buyi and handed them over in a storage ring.

Ying Zhi exclaimed, "Mr. Qin, you've truly given me a reason to hold my head high this time. Haha."

In the process, he had also gained an additional six hundred thousand High Grade Spirit Stones, equivalent to sixty million Low Grade Spirit Stones.

Ying Zhi was feeling one thing: elated.

Qin Buyi accepted the storage ring from Ying Zhi and said, "I need to take a break. Please stand guard for me, Mr. Zhi."

"Of course, Mr. Qin, you can rest easy with me here," Ying Zhi replied.

Qin Buyi slowly closed his eyes and sent the four hundred thousand Top Grade Spirit Stones into the System Mall for recycling.

Ding! Valuation in progress...

Ding! Valuation complete. Total value: Four thousand System Mall points.

Without a moment's hesitation, Qin Buyi converted all four thousand System Mall points into attribute points, totaling one hundred points.

He chose not to exchange for other items in the System Mall because, aside from healing pills, the other items—though highly coveted treasures outside—paled in comparison to his Killing Saber Technique.

Other cultivation techniques were no different; their potential benefits to Qin Buyi were minimal. It wasn't worth spending a significant amount of System Mall Points on something that would not substantially enhance his combat abilities.

He allocated all one hundred attribute points to himself and opened his personal information panel:

Name: Qin Buyi

Desolate Body: Intermediate

All Attributes Increase: 10%

Cultivation: Rank Six, Combination Late Period (892/1000)

Divine Consciousness: Combination Perfection

Strength: 892

Speed: 892

Physical Strength: 892

Attack Power: 892

Defense: 892

Fortune: 892

...

Killing Saber: Rank Six (892/1000)

Broken Blade (2/9)

Attack Increase: 20%

Attack Power: 892

Killing Saber Technique: Rank Six (892/1000)

Attack Power: 892

Azure Dragon: Rank Six (892/1000)

Cultivation has advanced from the Combination Middle Stage to the Late Stage.

Divine Consciousness has ascended from the Combination Late Stage to Completion.

Qin Buyi's combat prowess has increased once more as he slowly opened his eyes.

Ying Zhi, being the closest to Qin Buyi, naturally sensed the surge in Qin Buyi's power.

He promptly offered his congratulations: "Congratulations, Mr. Qin, on your breakthrough. Your cultivation has ascended from the Combination Middle Stage to the Late Stage."

Ying Zhi refrained from inquiring about the rapid progression in Qin Buyi's cultivation after a single battle.

Everyone harbors secrets, and when someone is ready to share, they will. Probing into secrets one wishes to keep only invites the other's displeasure.

In that moment, Nan Tianlong approached from behind and murmured something into Ying Zhi's ear.

Ying Zhi's joyful demeanor vanished instantly, replaced by a somber gravity.

Noticing the change, Qin Buyi inquired, "Mr. Zhi, what's happened?"

Ying Zhi responded, "Mr. Qin, we've just received some troubling news."

With a glance towards Wang Chengfeng, standing next to Ying Ye, he continued,

"Your third opponent, the old-timer Wang Chengfeng, has managed to secure Lie Huo, the top-ranking senior instructor from the College of Ming Dynasty."

Qin Buyi, puzzled, asked, "Is there an issue?"

Ying Zhi explained, "It's a significant problem. Lie Huo achieved the Tribulation Crossing's Completion years ago."

"And if my suspicions are correct, he's likely reached the Half Step Mahayana Stage by now."

"With such a vast disparity in cultivation, this third battle..."

Ying Zhi trailed off, leaving the sentence hanging.

But Qin Buyi had already grasped Ying Zhi's implication.

He understood that Ying Zhi was not optimistic about a battle with such a stark contrast in capabilities.

Upon hearing Ying Zhi's words, Qin Buyi's brow furrowed slightly as he remarked, "Half Step Mahayana is indeed somewhat unexpected."

Qin Buyi gauged his own combat strength, considering that with the right strategy, even facing a foe at the Tribulation Crossing's Completion, he wouldn't necessarily lose.

Facing a Half Step Mahayana opponent who had already conquered the most challenging part of the Mahayana Stage, the future seemed inevitable—he would break through to the full Mahayana Stage. This posed a real danger, and Qin Buyi couldn't help but feel uncertain.

Yet, there wasn't a trace of retreat in Qin Buyi's heart. To shy away from battle due to being outmatched, or worse, to flee without even trying, was utterly unthinkable for him. He would rather fall in combat than take a single step back.

At that moment, Ying Zhi's brow furrowed with concern. "Mr. Qin, we've hit a snag. Under normal circumstances, I could have helped you escape from here."

"Now, with the First Prince and Wang Chengfeng watching our every move, what are we to do?"

Qin Buyi's voice was resolute. "Mr. Zhi, I have no intention of leaving. I am prepared to face death in battle rather than retreat."

Ying Zhi's expression grew tense with urgency. "Mr. Qin, please, don't act rashly. Where there's life, there's hope."

"Let me figure out a way to get you out of here."