C11 Golden Core Killing Nascent Infant

Qin Buyi settled into a tavern in Azure Sun City without much fuss.

The past couple of days had taken their toll on him. After freshening up and grabbing a bite to eat, he collapsed into bed and fell into a deep sleep.

When he awoke, dusk had already enveloped the city.

Sitting up in bed, Qin pondered his war mission and the main quest.

"The Tang family is down to just Tang Zhentian and the Second Brother. Eliminate them, and the family's backbone is broken, leaving them vulnerable to being picked apart by rival forces."

"The Star Compass is likely in Tang Zhentian's possession. At my current level of cultivation, I'm unmatched in the Golden Core Stage, but the Nascent Infant Stage is an unknown."

"How do I draw out the Second Elder from the Tang family to kill him?"

While Qin Buyi was mulling over his strategy, a knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

He opened it to find a server from the tavern.

"Someone sent you this letter," the server said, handing him an envelope.

"Who would be sending me a letter?" Qin Buyi wondered, intrigued.

After shutting the door and returning to his room, he opened the letter and his eyes brightened at its contents.

The letter revealed that the Second Elder was to be a guest at the City Lord's Mansion tonight, courtesy of Huang San.

Qin had long speculated about Huang San's identity, and if his hunch was right, this was a message from someone incredibly influential.

At the City Lord's Mansion, Nan Tianlong wore a wry smile as he spoke to Huang San, "Young Master, why bother? If the Tang family's Second Elder dies, that old coot Tang Zhentian will lose his mind."

Huang San's lips curled into a smile. "The Tang family is but a mere branch. Should any real trouble arise, I'll take care of it. The Imperial Capital's Tang family's allegiance is already tilting towards my elder brother, so this also serves to indirectly weaken his power."

After a brief pause, Huang San's tone turned solemn. "Whether one is a dragon or a snake, only those who survive the ordeal prove their worth. The dead are of no use to me; I need living talents that can serve my purposes."

By midnight, Qin Buyi was stealthily positioned on the route the Tang family's Second Elder would have to take to return home.

"Hic! You know, not even the Patriarch was invited to the banquet, but guess what? I got an invite."

"Do you realize what that signifies? It means the City Lord's Mansion is backing me. With the City Lord's support, it's only a matter of time before I take over as the Patriarch of the Tang family."

The Second Elder, slightly tipsy, reveled in his future prospects, sharing his dreams with his close confidants.

Qin Buyi emerged from the darkness, his Killing Saber glinting ominously in the moonlight, radiating a deadly aura.

"Who's there? Who dares to stand in my way?"

The Second Elder squinted into the darkness. As Qin Buyi's silhouette became clear, the fog of alcohol lifted, and he snapped to full alertness.

"You!" exclaimed the Second Elder, taken aback.

Qin Buyi responded coolly, "Yes, it's me. Are you prepared to meet your end?"

"Ah!"

With a shriek, the Second Elder spun on his heel and fled.

"Killing Saber Technique: Extermination!"

The Killing Saber swept through the air, casting a crescent shadow that ensnared the Second Elder and his entourage.

"Chi!" "Chi!"

"Chi!"...

In the aftermath of the assault, the Second Elder and all his companions lay dead.

Ding! For slaying Second Master Tang, a key figure in the Tang family, a reward of five attribute points has been granted!

Qin Buyi added the attribute points and reviewed his status on the information panel:

Name: Qin Buyi

Cultivation: Second Rank, Golden Core Late Period (49/50)

Strength: 49

Speed: 49

Physical Strength: 49

Attack: 49

Defense: 49

Fortune: 49

...

Killing Saber, Second Rank (49/50)

Attack: 49

Killing Saber Technique, Second Rank (49/50)

Attack: 49

"Just a bit more and I'll reach the pinnacle of the Golden Core Stage."

All the missions offering attribute points now seemed to inevitably involve Tang Zhentian.

Qin Buyi had thought the war mission, despite its complications, wouldn't pose extreme danger. But now, it appeared he was destined to face a Nascent Infant Stage cultivator as a Golden Core Stage practitioner.

"Golden Core taking on a Nascent Infant?" Qin Buyi murmured to himself.

Within the Tang family compound.

Tang Zhentian arrived at the Second Elder's quarters and, finding him absent, inquired of a subordinate, "Where is the Second Elder?"

"He's attending a banquet at the Patriarch's residence tonight, hosted by the City Lord for the Second Elder," the subordinate reported.

"This is bad, what a fool!" Tang Zhentian cursed.

Meanwhile, outside the Tang family estate.

"Crash!"

Qin Buyi shattered the Tang family's front gate with a kick and strode in, the Killing Saber slung over his shoulder.

"Who dares to trespass into the Tang family? Seize him!"

The Tang family guards quickly encircled Qin Buyi.

"Killing Saber Technique: Extermination!"

In the wake of a crescent moon's passage, the guards lay dead, their blood seeping from their bodies.

Within the City Lord's Mansion.

"My Lord, Qin Buyi has launched a solo assault on the Tang family," a scout from the City Lord's Mansion urgently reported.

"What?" Nan Tianlong questioned his own hearing.

"Qin Buyi has broken down the main gate of the Tang family and is on a killing spree inside," the scout clarified.

"Is he out of his mind? Tang Zhentian is at the Nascent Infant Stage, and here's a mere Golden Core Stage cultivator picking a fight with a Nascent Infant. He's gone mad."

Nan Tianlong was dumbfounded for a good while before he managed to express his disbelief.

Huang San, standing nearby, heard the news and a mischievous grin spread across his face, "Let's go see for ourselves. From what I know of him, he's not one to act without thinking."

With that, Huang San and Nan Tianlong leapt out the window and made their way to the Tang family's compound.

At the Wang family residence.

Wang Zong was equally dumbstruck by his subordinate's report.

After a long pause, still struggling to accept the news, he said, "Has he been so blinded by victory that he thinks he's unbeatable after defeating a few Golden Core Stage cultivators? To challenge a Nascent Infant Stage as a Golden Core Stage is sheer folly."

Wang Zhirou chimed in, "Father, shall we go have a look?"

Wang Zong gazed at Wang Zhirou with fondness and agreed, "Of course, my dear. If you wish to see, then we shall go."

Word had somehow gotten out in Azure Sun City that the Tang family had been violently intruded upon.

Azure Sun City was abuzz with excitement!

"What a badass, taking on the Tang Family all by himself."

"Foolish, completely brainless. Rumor has it the Tang Family Patriarch has already advanced to the Nascent Infant Stage."

"Bets are open, folks! How long do you think he'll last in the Tang Family's clutches?"

"I'll put down 1,000 Low Grade Spirit Stones on him lasting two hours."

"I'm betting 500 Spirit Stones on thirty minutes."

"Pfft, you're all overestimating him. My bet of 2,000 Spirit Stones says he won't last more than fifteen minutes."

Such chatter filled the streets of Azure Sun City as crowds converged on the Tang Family estate.

They were eager to catch a glimpse of the man who had thrown the Tang Family into turmoil and to see what he looked like.

Within the Tang Family compound:

"Killing Saber Technique - Extermination!"

As Qin Buyi dispatched the second wave of guards, Tang Zhentian made his entrance.

There's a special kind of fury when enemies face off. Tang Zhentian's eyes blazed with the desire to tear Qin Buyi apart for slaying his son and the family's high-ranking members.

"You little worm, I'll flay you and dangle your head from the gates of my Tang Family estate. Let it be a lesson to anyone who dares cross us," Tang Zhentian spat out through clenched teeth.

Qin Buyi's decision to strike at the Tang Family tonight was born of desperation; his war mission deadline was a mere three months away.

Better to face them head-on than spend three months in hiding, letting fear chip away at his resolve.

"Someone from your Tang Family said something similar once. It was one of your esteemed masters, if I recall correctly," Qin Buyi retorted, his voice icy.

"You're going to pay!" Tang Zhentian bellowed, launching an attack with lightning speed.

"Tang Fist: Tiger Descends the Mountain!"

A spectral tiger emerged from Tang Zhentian's fist, lunging ferociously at Qin Buyi.

"Killing Saber Technique: Slaughter!"

The Killing Saber hummed violently as it sliced through the air toward Tang Zhentian.

A tiger's roar and the clang of steel erupted simultaneously.

"Clang!"

The Killing Saber and the phantom tiger clashed with a resounding metallic symphony.

After the offensive had faded, Qin Buyi retreated three steps from their initial clash, while Tang Zhentian remained unmoved.

"Huh? To withstand a hit from a Nascent Infant and still stand, it's no wonder you managed to kill Old Third and his crew."

"But you've made a grave mistake by crossing the Tang family!" Tang Zhentian bellowed with fury.

Above the Tang family estate, City Lord Nan Tianlong, Huang San, Wang Zong, and Wang Zhirou looked on as the battle unfolded below them.

Wang Zong lamented, "Such a shame, a prodigy is about to fall today."

The other three remained silent, their focus entirely on the combat below.

"Tang Fist: Hungry Tiger Pounces!"

"Killing Saber Technique: Slaughter!"

"Clang!" "Clang!"

"Tang Fist: Black Tiger Heart Extraction!"

"Killing Saber Technique: Extermination!"

"Roar!" "Clang!"

...

The fight was a draw, with each side giving as good as they got.

"Old timer, is that the best you can do?" taunted Qin Buyi.

"Kid, I'm offering you a chance to live. Interested?" Tang Zhentian proposed.

"What's the offer? Let's hear it."

"Join the Tang family, serve us for life, and I'll let you live."

As Patriarch, Tang Zhentian was duty-bound to put his family's interests first.

If he could get Qin Buyi to join, given his talent, there was a high chance he'd advance to the Nascent Infant Stage. Then, with two Nascent Infant practitioners, the Tang family could easily dominate Azure Sun City.

"Despicable, utterly disgraceful!" Wang Zong internally seethed upon hearing the offer.

A sneer of derision spread across Qin Buyi's face as he retorted, "You dreaming? Today marks your end."

"Clang!" "Clang!" "Clang!"

Qin Buyi unleashed his Killing Saber with full force for the first time since arriving at the Falling Star Mountain Range, sending a flurry of blade shadows encircling Tang Zhentian.

Boosted by the system, all his attributes had peaked within his realm, making his all-out assault a fearsome spectacle.

In the heat of battle, Tang Zhentian found himself relegated to a defensive stance, with Qin Buyi steadily gaining the upper hand. "Dad, look! Qin Buyi is taking the lead. At this rate, he might just defeat the Tang family Patriarch!" Wang Zhirou exclaimed in shock.

"Ah, but it's merely a facade. Without breaking through to the Nascent Infant Stage, one can't comprehend the vast chasm that lies between it and the Golden Core Stage," Wang Zong lamented with a sigh.

Wang Zhirou pursed her lips, turning to Huang San with a question, "Third Brother, do you think there's someone in the Imperial Capital capable of taking down a Nascent Infant Stage cultivator while only at the Golden Core Stage?"

"Such individuals exist, but they are the geniuses among geniuses."

"Could there be such a prodigy in Azure Sun City?" Huang San wondered aloud.

Assailed by Qin Buyi's relentless onslaught, Tang Zhentian's defense was beginning to crumble. "Strike!" Qin Buyi bellowed.

"Swish!"

For the first time in their lengthy duel, Qin Buyi penetrated Tang Zhentian's guard. The Killing Saber carved a three-inch-long, finger-deep gash across Tang Zhentian's chest.

Staring down at his own wound, Tang Zhentian's eyes widened in disbelief. He couldn't fathom being wounded by someone at the Golden Core Stage, yet the persistent flow of blood from the injury served as a stark reminder of the harsh reality.

With a thunderous roar, Tang Zhentian's eyes blazed with the ferocity of a wild beast ready to tear into its quarry. "You insolent whelp, your insolence has sealed your fate! Prepare to meet your end!"

"Tang Fist: White Tiger Descending the Mountain."

Suddenly, a spectral white tiger materialized, its eyes ablaze with a fierce glow. With its jaws agape, it lunged for Qin Buyi, intent on delivering a devastating blow.