C40 Combination Stage!

Qin Buyi withdrew his Divine Consciousness and gazed toward the headquarters of the Cultivator Association, musing to himself, "Has the Martial Marquis not returned?"

Despite the absence of the Martial Marquis, Qin Buyi had detected the presence of someone in the early period of Void Refining within the Association—specifically, the individual Lan Wenhao had stopped from attacking him earlier.

"No matter. With the Martial Marquis away, you'll serve as my practice target."

As Qin Buyi was about to set off for the Cultivator Association's headquarters, a streak of light approached rapidly from a distance. The light faded to reveal an old man in a Taoist robe standing before Qin Buyi.

With a serious look, the old man addressed Qin Buyi in a tone that was gentle yet tinged with severity, "Which sect do you belong to? At your level of cultivation, are you not aware that it's forbidden for any cultivator to release their Divine Consciousness within the capital?"

Caught off guard, Qin Buyi realized he was unaware of such a regulation. He scrutinized the old man with his Probing Eye, but the man's cultivation level remained a mystery.

A thought struck Qin Buyi, "Could he be at the Combination Stage?" This was the realm just beyond Void Refining.

He remembered Lan Tianhe mentioning that the controllers of the three major cultivation sanctuaries on Blue Star were all at the peak of Void Refining, with no mention of anyone reaching the Combination Stage.

As Qin Buyi grappled with his confusion, the old man, as if reading his thoughts, stroked his beard and explained, "I am from the Huaxia Dragon Guards. We are distinct from the Kunlun Secret Realm, Fire Cloud Secret Realm, and Water Moon Secret Realm."

"Were it not for the Huaxia Dragon Guards' firm control over these three realms, they would hardly be so docile."

With these words, Qin Buyi's puzzle pieces fell into place. He had been curious as to why the three secret realms seemed content in their seclusion, not leveraging their advanced cultivation to dominate the capital. The presence of Combination Stage practitioners in the capital was the answer. Only a fool would challenge the vast power disparity that comes with advancing to the higher echelons of cultivation.

Consider the Kunlun Secret Realm, for instance. Even if you combined the strength of the three cultivators who have achieved Void Refining Perfection there, they likely wouldn't stand a chance against this elder.

"Sir, I truly wasn't aware of such a regulation in the capital. My apologies," Qin Buyi offered with genuine remorse.

The elder's demeanor softened considerably upon witnessing Qin Buyi's earnestness. He regarded Qin Buyi with a mix of curiosity and surprise, remarking, "You seem quite sincere. Yet, in all my years, I can't recall a young man who has attained your level of cultivation. Where do you hail from?"

"Sir, I—"

Qin Buyi's attempt to respond was cut short by the elder, who interjected, "Please, there's no need for formalities. My name is Qi Yun, but you can simply call me Elder Qi."

"Elder Qi, I've recently returned from a period of secluded cultivation abroad. It's understandable that you don't recognize me," Qin Buyi clarified.

As he spoke, Qin Buyi remained inwardly poised to make a swift exit if necessary.

Qin Buyi never relied on the benevolence of strangers. Should the elder before him display any hint of menace, Qin Buyi was ready to respond at a moment's notice.

Elder Qi scrutinized Qin Buyi, then spoke with a depth of meaning, "Young man, you're not being truthful with me."

At those words, Qin Buyi felt a shiver of alarm and eyed Elder Qi with caution.

To his surprise, Elder Qi burst into laughter and gestured dismissively, "Ease your mind. Each person has their own unique destiny. Your remarkable cultivation at such a young age simply speaks to your good fortune."

"Cultivators may strive to surpass the heavens, but should they lose themselves to greed in the process, they'll find no further progress."

"I've shared this advice with many, yet few accept it. A prime example would be the current masters of the three great secret realms, whose hearts have been ensnared by greed, leaving them stagnant in the Void Refining Stage for years."

Qin Buyi countered, "But can we truly blame them? The spiritual energy on Blue Star is depleted, and resources for cultivation are scarce. Faced with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, wouldn't you too be tempted?"

After a moment of contemplation, Elder Qi met Qin Buyi's gaze with clear eyes and said, "As cultivators, we must advance steadily, step by step. Should an opportunity be destined for me, I shall embrace it. If not, it will have no bearing on me. Young friend, may I inquire your name?"

Elder Qi's demeanor left no doubt in Qin Buyi's mind about his sincerity. There was an air of ease about him as he responded, "Qin Buyi."

"Haha, Qin, if destiny wills it, we shall meet again. Remember, keep your Divine Consciousness in check."

With those parting words, Elder Qi turned and vanished from Qin Buyi's view.

Qin Buyi remained still, mulling over Elder Qi's advice. After some time, he set off for the headquarters of the Cultivator Association.

He mulled over Elder Qi's words because they echoed a question that had been weighing on his own heart.

The System had descended from the heavens, transforming his life in under a year.

At times, Qin Buyi found this extraordinary twist of fate surreal, as though he were living in a dream.

Deep down, he harbored the fear that one day he might awaken from this dream, the System would depart, and he would revert to his former self—a common man devoid of any cultivation.

Yet, Elder Qi's words today had brightened Qin Buyi's spirits.

"Even if the System were to leave me one day, even if I reverted to being an ordinary person, I would tread the path firmly, step by step, and restore my cultivation."

Ding! Host's mental state improved. Reward: one-time limited purchase of the Awakening Secret Realm.

Ding! The Awakening Secret Realm is available for a limited three-day purchase. The countdown starts now. Please visit the System Mall for details.

With his inner turmoil resolved, Qin Buyi breathed a sigh of relief and opened the System Mall. There, the Awakening Secret Realm was ticking down, its price displayed.

The Awakening Secret Realm was listed at one thousand System Mall points.

Seeing the price, Qin Buyi blinked in disbelief and looked again.

"A thousand points, that's ten million Low Grade Spirit Stones. How can I gather so many in just three days?"

Qin Buyi faced a conundrum. The last visit to the Awakening Secret Realm, though fraught with danger, had brought substantial benefits and significantly boosted his combat abilities.

This time, there was no question—he wouldn't pass up the opportunity to enter the Awakening Secret Realm.

With this resolve, he hastened his flight to the Cultivator Association headquarters.

Upon reaching the headquarters, Qin Buyi burst through the doors and strode in.

"Who's there?"

"Halt!"

A cadre of imposing figures clad in black emerged before Qin Buyi, barking orders at him.

"Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!"...

Qin Buyi refrained from taking the lives of these ordinary men devoid of any cultivation skills.

With a minor adjustment of his potent Divine Consciousness, characteristic of someone in the Void Refining Middle Period, the men collapsed into unconscious heaps on the ground.

Ascending from the ground floor to the rooftop, Qin Buyi encountered the Woo family's direct lineage and the assailant who had targeted him.

Without uttering another word, Qin Buyi drew the Killing Saber and declared:

"Killing Swordsmanship: Extermination!"

A full moon materialized overhead, casting its glow over everyone present.

Within its luminescence, myriad phantoms of the Killing Saber emerged, their tips ominously pointing downward.

"Slash!" Qin Buyi commanded, bringing his blade down with force.

In an instant, the spectral blades plunged towards the people below.

"Chi!" "Chi!" "Chi!"...

With the moon's light fading, the Woo family's heirs lay lifeless, leaving Zhang Yuan as the sole survivor on his feet.

Zhang Yuan, wounded by the phantom blades while fending off the Extermination technique, was now drenched in blood, his face etched with incredulity:

"How have you healed so swiftly? How could your cultivation leap so dramatically? The strength of this attack... it's as if it's from the Void Refining Early Period. It can't be real, it just can't be."

Qin Buyi's gaze was icy as he addressed Zhang Yuan with a chilling voice, "Any lingering questions you have can be taken up with the King of Hell. He'll have your answers."

"Killing Swordsmanship: Soul Dispersing!"