C114 The First Principal

The Heavenly Saint Pill you're currently exchanging for not only heals physical injuries but also mends wounds within the sea of consciousness. It's well-known that injuries to the sea of consciousness are particularly troublesome for cultivators.

Healing the sea of consciousness is significantly more challenging than treating physical wounds, which is why the price for this pill is entirely reasonable.

If you find it costly, there are cheaper alternatives with longer healing times and slower effects.

Qin Buyi had already reviewed the less expensive pills mentioned by the system.

While more affordable, these pills require months, sometimes up to half a year, to take effect.

Yet, time is not the greatest issue.

What Qin Buyi finds truly unacceptable are the side effects that come with these pills. They either reduce combat strength by half during recovery or render one completely unable to fight.

Any further exertion would not only undo all progress but also exacerbate the injuries.

Qin Buyi found each of these drawbacks intolerable on their own, much less when combined.

Confronted with his fragmented sea of consciousness, Qin Buyi clenched his teeth and exchanged for the Heavenly Saint Pill.

In the recent battle, he had slain three high-ranking mentors from the College of Ming Dynasty.

Moreover, he had reduced the First Prince, Ying Ye, and one of the three great deans, Wang Chengfeng, to a state of imbecility.

Now was the critical time for Qin Buyi to maintain his combat strength to face any potential threats.

The Heavenly Saint Pill, a jade-green orb the size of a thumb, was promptly taken out by Qin Buyi and swallowed.

Dissolving instantly upon contact with his tongue, the pill's power divided in two.

One part dispersed throughout his body, accelerating the healing process to an astonishing rate. A partially lost heart regenerated in moments, and two gaping chest wounds closed after a flash of green light, with all other injuries following suit.

The remaining power rushed towards Qin Buyi's sea of consciousness, where it sparked flashes of green light, swiftly restoring the once shattered realm to pristine condition.

The severe damage to Qin Buyi's sea of consciousness had been inflicted by the Golden Crow, manipulated by a ferocious blaze.

Every attack from the Golden Crow seared Qin Buyi's flesh, sending a scalding breath down his wounds and into his sea of consciousness, setting it ablaze.

The moment he ingested the Heavenly Saint Pill, his injuries mended, restoring his combat prowess to its zenith. Sensing his rejuvenated vigor, Qin Buyi couldn't help but marvel, "You get what you pay for. Those five thousand Merchant Points were well worth it."

With another five thousand Merchant Points at his disposal, Qin Buyi converted them entirely into attribute points, netting one hundred and sixteen, with a balance of forty Merchant Points remaining. At Rank Six, each attribute point cost forty Merchant Points.

Qin Buyi was one hundred and eight points shy of reaching Combination Perfection. To acquire these, he spent four thousand three hundred and twenty Merchant Points. The leftover points had to be exchanged at the Rank Seven rate, as per the system's rules, where each attribute point cost eighty Merchant Points. This left him with six hundred and eighty Merchant Points, enough for only eight more attribute points.

He promptly allocated the one hundred and eight attribute points to himself and opened his personal information panel:

Name: Qin Buyi

Desolate Body: Intermediate

Attribute Increase: 10%

Cultivation: Rank Six, Combination Perfection (1000/1000, ready to break through)

Divine Consciousness: Early Tribulation Crossing Period

Strength: 1000

Speed: 1000

Physical Strength: 1000

Attack Power: 1000

Defense: 1000

Fortune: 1000

...

Killing Saber: Rank Six (1000/1000, ready to break through)

Broken Blade (2/9)

Attack Increase: 20%

Attack Power: 1000

Killing Saber Technique: Rank Six (1000/1000, ready to break through)

Attack Power: 1000

Azure Dragon: Rank Six (1000/1000, ready to break through)

Having ascended to Combination Perfection, Qin Buyi's Divine Consciousness had also advanced to the early stages of Tribulation Crossing, significantly bolstering his fighting capacity. Yet, he chose not to progress to Tribulation Crossing just yet. The current turmoil rendered it an inopportune moment for such a leap. The memory of his last breakthrough to Combination, with its ten harrowing lightning tribulations that left him in a pitiable state, was still fresh in his mind.

He pondered the potential outcomes of breaking through to the Tribulation Crossing Stage this time.

Qin Buyi decided to first navigate the current tribulation, then seek the right moment for his next crossing.

As he slowly opened his eyes, the guards noticed and quickly exclaimed,

"Lord Qin, you've awakened."

Qin Buyi nodded and rose to his feet.

With a wave of his hand, the guards stepped aside, creating a clear path for him to pass.

He approached Ying Zhi, who stood watch with a vigilant expression.

Sensing the stability of Qin Buyi's aura and the apparent advancement in his cultivation, Ying Zhi eagerly inquired, "Are your injuries healed?"

"Thanks to your Spirit Stone, Mr. Zhi, I've completely recovered, and my cultivation has indeed progressed," Qin Buyi responded.

The rapid healing of Qin Buyi's injuries was astonishing to Ying Zhi, yet he found it within the realm of possibility, having learned from Dean Hee Yan about the immortal backing Qin Buyi.

Such a formidable immortal's support made any miraculous improvement less of a wonder.

At that moment, two elders approached Qin Buyi. The leader addressed him, saying,

"I am Hee Yan, the foremost Dean of the College of Ming Dynasty."

He turned to the elder beside him and introduced, "This is Wang Chenghai, the Second Dean of our college."

Qin Buyi's gaze towards Wang Chenghai carried a hint of curiosity.

Noticing Qin's puzzled look, Hee Yan clarified, "Dean Wang Chenghai is the blood brother of Wang Chengfeng."

Upon his introduction by Hee Yan, Wang Chenghai managed to quell his displeasure and offered a strained smile, greeting Qin Buyi, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Qin."

"Likewise, Dean Wang," Qin Buyi courteously replied.

Dean Hee Yan was already briefed on the entire sequence of events.

While he disapproved of Wang Chengfeng's conduct, he chose not to dwell on it since the latter had faced retribution.

What truly concerned him was the predicament of Ying Ye.

Ying Ye's misadventure within the College of Ming Dynasty posed a challenging explanation to his father.

Brushing aside the clutter in his thoughts, Hee Yan scrutinized Qin Buyi with a keen eye.

"So this is the man who summoned the Immortal... truly remarkable," Hee Yan mused silently.

In that moment, Ying Zhi communicated to Qin Buyi through a mental message, "Dean Hee Yan genuinely holds a neutral stance."

"Mr. Qin, there's no need for undue concern about him harboring any ill will towards you."

Hearing Ying Zhi's reassurance, Qin Buyi's guard was slightly lowered, yet he remained vigilant in Hee Yan's presence.

Hee Yan went on to say, "The Third Prince has just briefed me on your purpose here. You've successfully completed the three challenges."

"I now extend a warm invitation for you to join us as a distinguished member of the senior mentors at the College of Ming Dynasty."