C132 (last part)

The Annihilation Light burst forth at the heart of Bao Shui's turmoil, radiating outward in every direction. Within mere moments, under the simultaneous illumination of two beams of Annihilation Light, the sea within the arena vanished without a trace. And with it, Bao Shui himself was nowhere to be seen.

Qin Buyi's Divine Consciousness enveloped the battlefield, yet even with his profound abilities, he found nothing. It was as though Bao Shui had been erased from existence along with the waters.

"Dead?" Qin Buyi was skeptical of such an outcome. He couldn't fathom that someone carrying the legacy of the Water God could be so easily defeated.

The virtual reality helmet's live comments echoed his disbelief. "Did Instructor Bao Shui really just die like that?" "Wow, Instructor Qin Buyi is incredibly strong." "I refuse to believe Instructor Bao Shui is gone just like that. He's bound to have a backup plan..."

In a private room, Ying Zhi voiced his uncertainty, "Has Bao Shui perished?" Ying Qian, with a slight squint, reassured him, "He's not dead. Just watch patiently, Zhi, and you'll see."

Ying Zhi, now fully engrossed, watched the battlefield intently. Seconds ticked by... one breath, five breaths, ten breaths...

Qin Buyi, gripping his Killing Saber, remained vigilant, his Divine Consciousness at the ready for any surprise attack from Bao Shui.

Twenty breaths passed, and as the audience grew restless, a defiant cry echoed through the arena, "God of Water!"

Space warped behind Qin Buyi, and from it emerged the figure of Bao Shui, looking worse for wear. His sky-blue garments were tattered beyond recognition. With a swift motion, Bao Shui ripped away the remnants of his shirt, revealing a torso rippling with muscles.

Behind him, the towering form of the Water God, Gong Gong, materialized, standing two hundred meters tall, mirroring Qin Buyi's own stature.

Bao Shui declared, "Qin Buyi, well played. Now, let's settle this with the next move."

Qin Buyi braced himself, eyeing Bao Shui with caution, ready for whatever came next.

"Gong Gong Remnant Technique, Kill!"

The afterimage of Gong Gong loomed behind Bao Shui as he clenched his right fist and launched an attack at Qin Buyi.

Qin Buyi's complexion grew pale; the repeated use of the Annihilation and Immortal Slashing combo had taken a significant toll on him.

Under normal circumstances, Qin Buyi could muster a maximum of twelve such combination attacks.

But with the boost from Heavenly Transformation, he could reach twenty-five.

Gritting his teeth, Qin Buyi brandished the Killing Saber, striking at Gong Gong's afterimage.

"Killing Swordsmanship: Annihilation, Immortal Slashing!"

"Killing Swordsmanship: Annihilation, Immortal Slashing!"

"Killing Swordsmanship: Annihilation, Immortal Slashing!"...

Qin Buyi unleashed twenty-five consecutive Immortal Slashing attacks in rapid succession.

"Crack!"

"Crack!"

Following these twenty-five fierce strikes, the Umbral Realm could no longer withstand the onslaught and shattered instantly.

Clutching the Killing Saber, Qin Buyi stood gasping for breath, his internal energy in disarray, his face flushing and then turning deathly pale in turns.

"Boom!"

The twenty-five dark blade beams smashed into Gong Gong's afterimage.

"Boom!" "Boom!"

"Boom!"...

Thunderous roars echoed throughout the arena, accompanied by a blinding light that forced spectators to shield their eyes.

Qin Buyi had perfectly embodied the strategy: 'Strike with precision when resources are scarce, unleash a barrage when abundant.'

Those in the audience wearing virtual helmets, especially the ones with lower cultivation levels, were brought to tears by the intense glare.

Even those with higher cultivation levels had red, slightly swollen eyes, as if they had just wept.

As the tumult and the Annihilation Light faded, the figure of the Water God Gong Gong had become so faint it seemed on the verge of vanishing.

"Pfft!"

A sweet taste filled Bao Shui's throat as he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.

His once-steady aura plummeted, and Bao Shui's form wavered, on the brink of collapse. He faced Qin Buyi with a ghastly pallor and challenged, "Again!"

"Gong Gong's Remnant Technique..."

"Bang!"

Bao Shui's form staggered, and he collapsed unconscious in the arena.

Hee Yan materialized beside Bao Shui just in time, pulling a pill from his storage ring and quickly administering it to him.

The pill dissolved instantly upon touching Bao Shui's tongue, his aura steadying as he gradually opened his eyes to see Dean Hee Yan close by.

With a hint of bitterness, he admitted, "Dean Hee Yan... I... have been defeated."

Hee Yan acknowledged, "I understand."

Rising to his feet, Bao Shui addressed Qin Buyi, "Qin Buyi, you've won this battle."

"However, I won't concede defeat so easily. Once you've reached the Tribulation Crossing, I'll challenge you to a rematch."

Qin Buyi responded confidently, "Very well, after I break through the Tribulation Crossing, we shall have our rematch."

Dean Hee Yan stepped between them, declaring, "The victor of the fifth battle is Qin Buyi!"

"He has taken on five senior instructors from the academy in a single day and emerged victorious in each contest."

"Instructor Qin Buyi's prowess in battle is truly immeasurable. Are you all excited to see his strength after he completes the Tribulation Crossing?"

The virtual reality helmet's screen lit up with comments: "Absolutely, we're all eager to see Instructor Qin Buyi after his breakthrough to the Tribulation Crossing Stage, where he'll be unmatched within that realm."

"He's already bested Instructor Bao Shui, who had perfected the Tribulation Crossing Stage, proving himself as the unparalleled force within that tier."

"The battles concluded too swiftly for my liking; I wish there were more."

"How swiftly time passes; it seems it's time to disperse."

As the crowd prepared to depart, Lan Linglong emerged on the screen.

Her melodious voice resonated with the audience, "Ladies and gentlemen, please hold on a moment."

Curiosity sparked across the virtual reality helmet's screen, "Is there another act to come?"

"Is the beautiful miss about to grace us with a song and dance?"

"Someone's craving peaches up there. Do you think such a treat comes without a price? I'd gladly pay to witness the lovely lady's performance!"

"A bunch of lechers. As a woman, I'm appalled by you!"

Lan Linglong then announced, "The five battles have concluded, but now we come to the main event of the evening."

"Instructor Qin is poised to advance to the Tribulation Crossing Stage after triumphing over five fellow mentors."

"Those of you who wish to witness Instructor Qin's ascension to the Tribulation Crossing Stage are welcome to stay. If you'd prefer not to watch, feel free to exit now."

The moment Lan Linglong's words fell, the chat erupted: "What? Instructor Qin is breaking through to the Tribulation Crossing Stage today?"

"Holy smokes! This is so unexpected! What a bombshell announcement!"

"In light of this revelation, the previous five battles are mere appetizers; this is the main course!"

"Leave? Impossible! Only a fool would pass up the chance to see a breakthrough to the Tribulation Crossing Stage during a Combination. It's a once-in-a-lifetime event."

"Exactly. Typically, cultivators seek out a secluded spot for their tribulation when advancing to the Tribulation Crossing Stage, not in the full view of an audience like Instructor Qin."

"We're grateful for this rare opportunity provided by Instructor Qin. Such magnanimity from our mentor!"

The Tribulation Crossing Stage is indeed the cultivator's foremost trial.

Crossing this threshold can lead to a surge in one's cultivation and a rise in stature.

But failing to cross means obliteration, erasing one's existence from the world.