Parting

In a cave dozens of miles away from Silver Moon Bay.

Qin Jue leaned against the cave wall, eyes closed, regulating his breathing and sensing the flow of qi and blood within his body. Although they had escaped with their lives, the aftermath of the battle between those two Nascent Core realm experts still left him with lingering fear.

"Damn it, we actually survived."

Tang Xiaoman plopped onto the ground, completely drained, his face ashen and terrifying.

"When those two old monsters started fighting, their qi surged like crazy. To them, us Hundred Refinements realm martial artists probably aren't even as significant as ants," Tang Xiaoman wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said with lingering fear, "If it weren't for Brother Qin's quick reaction, the three of us would probably have been crushed into meat paste by now."

Pei Qingyan leaned against the cave wall, his face pale, but his eyes were exceptionally bright.

"Blade Qi... that's the true path of the blade! My blade is still far from it." His voice was hoarse, yet it couldn't hide a trace of excitement.

"If I could withstand a single blade head-on..."

"Bah! You lunatic, are you really tired of living!" Tang Xiaoman glared at him. "This young master hasn't lived enough yet; the vibrant world still awaits my carefree enjoyment."

"Nascent Core realm..." Qin Jue murmured, his expression extremely solemn. "Dantian transforms into a sea, qi is released externally, and qi condenses into qi-qi... this is the true martial arts expert. Our cultivation, in their eyes, is indeed like ants."

The earth-shattering sword strike of Deacon Lin Xiuyuan flashed through his mind. The azure sword qi tore through the sky. That kind of power, in addition to shocking him, made his heart's desire for martial arts even more resolute.

"But this realm is not unattainable!"

Qin Jue calculated silently in his heart. He possessed the experience of a Sword Dao Grandmaster from his previous life, and with the [Empty Mind Sword Heart] enhancing his comprehension, as long as the resources were sufficient, reaching the Nascent Core realm was only a matter of time.

After a moment of thought, he looked at the two and asked, "What are your plans now?"

Tang Xiaoman chuckled, "This young master is injured like this, so naturally, I'll go back to recuperate and rest."

Pei Qingyan stroked the Frost Scar in his hand and said hoarsely, "Find a place to go into seclusion. My blade technique has made a breakthrough and needs consolidation."

Qin Jue nodded, "I need to return to the academy. There's the Outer Court Grand Competition in eight months, and I must seize this time to improve my cultivation."

"Outer Court Grand Competition?" Tang Xiaoman's eyes darted around. "I've heard of it! It's a grand event of the Azure Firmament Academy. The rewards for the top ten are extremely generous, not only high-level cultivation techniques and spiritual medicines, but also the qualification to enter the Inner Court! Brother Qin, you're aiming to soar to the heavens!"

Qin Jue shook his head, "With my current cultivation, I can only be considered mid-tier in the Outer Court. To stand out in the competition, I'm still far from it."

He knew very well that regarding Ning Zhiyuan's matter, the Ning family would not let it go. Moreover, in the battle at Silver Moon Bay, the three of them had jointly injured Meng Kuang. The Ning family would never let this grudge go easily.

To survive under the Ning family's pressure, and even counterattack, he had to become stronger!

The next morning, as the sun began to rise.

At a fork in the mountain path.

"Brother Qin, I'll take my leave first."

Tang Xiaoman put away his usual playful demeanor, tidied his clothes with rare seriousness, and cupped his fists towards Qin Jue. "If it weren't for you this time, Old Pei and I would have long become nourishment in Silver Moon Bay. I'll remember this favor, brother."

He patted his chest and said solemnly, "If you ever need me in the future, just send a message to the Hunter King Hall. I, Tang Xiaoman, will never flinch, no matter how dangerous it is."

Pei Qingyan looked at Qin Jue, his gaze sharp. "Next time we meet, we'll compare blades again."

Qin Jue looked at Pei Qingyan and said earnestly, "Alright, I look forward to seeing your even more astonishing blade strike next time we meet."

"There will be a chance."

With that, he didn't linger. He turned and strode towards the small path on the left.

"Hey, this Old Pei, he didn't even say goodbye," Tang Xiaoman cursed with a laugh, then waved to Qin Jue. "Brother Qin, may the mountains never change and the rivers flow. We'll meet again! You should also return to the academy soon. Those bastards from the Ning family are probably looking for us everywhere! Brother Qin, you're a clear target at the academy, so be extra careful!"

After speaking, Tang Xiaoman's figure flickered. Like a nimble ape, he darted into the dense forest on the right and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Watching the backs of the two as they departed, Qin Jue took the reins of the Black Scale Horse and mounted it.

"It's time to go back to the academy," he whispered. He spurred the horse's belly with his legs. The Black Scale Horse let out a high-pitched neigh, its four hooves flying, kicking up dust as it galloped towards the Azure Firmament Academy.

On the journey back to the academy, Qin Jue didn't rush.

The battle at Silver Moon Bay had also yielded him substantial gains. Not only had his cultivation broken through to the fourth level of Hundred Refinements, the Jade Bone Realm, but his understanding of the Cicada Wing sword technique had also deepened.

More importantly, the gold notes he had plundered from Meng Kuang, Shen Yutang, and others amounted to at least over fifteen hundred gold coins. This was enough to cultivate to the fifth level of Hundred Refinements, and he wouldn't have to worry about resources for the time being.

One afternoon, at an inn by the roadside, Qin Jue led his Black Scale Horse, preparing to rest for a while.

He had just found a corner to sit down and casually ordered some food when he heard the discussions of the surrounding martial artists.

"Did you hear? Something big happened at Silver Moon Bay!"

"Nonsense, who doesn't know! They say two Nascent Core realm deacons from the Blade Severing Academy and the Azure Firmament Academy actually fought, all for that Moon Marrow Vermilion Fruit, and flattened a whole mountain!"

"Tsk, tsk, when gods fight, mortals suffer. I heard quite a few people died?"

"Isn't that right! The scene was a battlefield littered with corpses! Many martial artists who went to snatch the treasure didn't even leave a complete body; they were instantly turned into bloody mist by the shockwaves!"

If you find this book good, remember to add it to your bookshelf to avoid losing it next time.

Hearing this, Qin Jue's eyes narrowed slightly. He recalled the tragic scene at Silver Moon Bay that day. If the three of them hadn't withdrawn decisively, they would likely have perished there.

"Oh, who do I see? Isn't this Brother Qin! It's only been a few days, but why do you feel like you've been replaced by someone else?"

Qin Jue looked up and saw a thin young man grinning as he approached. It was Mo Xingkong.

Qin Jue glanced at him and said faintly, "Just passing through to rest."

"What a coincidence, me too."

"Tsk, this time was really spectacular," Mo Xingkong rubbed his hands and lowered his voice. "I heard that in the end, our Azure Firmament Academy's Deacon Lin won and obtained the Moon Marrow Vermilion Fruit. Heh heh, I wonder who it will be used for."

Qin Jue's eyes flickered, "Treasures like Moon Marrow Vermilion Fruit are mostly reserved for the inner sect's genius disciples, but it's hard to say." He paused, "Perhaps they'll use it as a reward for the outer sect's grand competition to motivate the outer disciples."

Mo Xingkong's eyes lit up, "Heh, Brother Qin speaks wisely! If Deacon Lin risked his life to obtain it, it would be quite exciting if it were used as the grand prize for the outer sect's competition."

He then sighed and shook his head, "But even if they do bring it out, only the top three will be eligible to contend for it. We ordinary disciples should just think about it and forget it."

Mo Xingkong shook his head and was about to say something more when his gaze fell on Qin Jue and suddenly paused.

"Huh? Brother Qin, your aura..."

Mo Xingkong's eyes widened, "Brother Qin, you haven't... broken through, have you?"

Qin Jue didn't deny it, merely nodding indifferently.

"Hiss—"

Mo Xingkong gasped, his eyes filled with shock.

"Fourth level of Hundred Refinements! Jade Bone Realm! My goodness, Brother Qin, your cultivation speed is too fast!" He clicked his tongue, "I saw you at Silver Moon Bay just a few days ago, and you were only at the third level of Hundred Refinements. How long has it been, and you've already broken through to the fourth level? This talent... tsk tsk tsk, no wonder you could heavily injure Ning Zhiyuan. You really have some skills!"

As an information broker, his greatest strength was evaluating a person's worth. Although he had thought highly of Qin Jue before, believing him to have some courage and methods, it was only to that extent. But now, Qin Jue's growth speed had exceeded his expectations.

Moreover, he could fight beyond his level at the third level of Hundred Refinements, defeating Ning Zhiyuan. Now that he had advanced to the fourth level...

Mo Xingkong's eyeballs rolled, and the smile on his face instantly became even more enthusiastic.

"Brother Qin, since you've already broken through to the Jade Bone Realm, I happen to have a lucrative opportunity here. I wonder if you're interested?"

Qin Jue's brow twitched slightly as he asked calmly, "Oh? The 'lucrative opportunity' Brother Mo speaks of is probably not easy to obtain, is it?"

"Heh heh, fortune favors the bold!" Mo Xingkong glanced around, confirming no one was paying attention, then whispered in a voice only they could hear, "Brother Qin, if you want to make a name for yourself in the outer sect competition and break into the top ranks, hard training alone won't suffice. What do you lack the most? Resources! Vast amounts of resources!"

Qin Jue's gaze flickered. He remained silent, but his thoughts were clearly hit upon.

Seeing this, Mo Xingkong felt more confident and continued, "Qingqiu, have you heard of it, Brother Qin?"

"Qingqiu?" Qin Jue frowned slightly, "That geothermal valley on the outskirts of Black Wind Marsh?"

"Precisely!" Mo Xingkong nodded, "Qingqiu is a mixed bag. It's inhabited by ruthless individuals who dabble in poisons and curses, as well as peculiar alchemists. Half of the rare elixirs in Tianfeng Martial City come from those freaks."

He paused and continued, "A family in Qingqiu is having an internal conflict and needs to hire some external help to support them. However, Brother Qin, I must be upfront with you, this is no ordinary sparring match. The rules set by that family are that life and death are irrelevant!"

Qin Jue's eyes sharpened, "Life and death are irrelevant?"

"That's right." Mo Xingkong's expression turned serious, "Once you step onto the stage, your fate is in your own hands. The family members said that since they want to resolve the dispute, they need to see a real fight. So, although the reward for this job is generous, it is indeed dangerous."

He sized Qin Jue up, a glint flashing in his eyes, "Therefore, the requirements there are extremely high. Your cultivation must be at least in the Jade Bone Realm, and you must be a top expert among those of the same realm. After all, it's a fight to the death. If your strength is even slightly lacking, you'll be walking to your doom. Brother Qin, you've just entered the Jade Bone Realm, and you were able to retreat safely from a dragon's den like Silver Moon Bay. This strength makes you an absolute standout among those in the Jade Bone Realm. I believe this job is perfect for you!"

Qin Jue didn't immediately agree, merely asking calmly, "The reward?"

"The reward is not low!" Mo Xingkong lowered his voice, speaking mysteriously, "A spiritual herb that is eighty years old! Moreover, that family specifically mentioned that this spiritual herb is particularly effective for cultivators in the Jade Bone Realm, greatly enhancing blood and qi, and even aiding in breaking through to higher realms!"

Qin Jue's eyes moved.

An eighty-year-old spiritual herb was no ordinary resource. Spiritual herbs of this caliber were priceless on the market; even with money, one might not be able to acquire them.

Furthermore, a fight to the death... he couldn't ask for anything more. The path of martial arts was like sailing against the current; fall behind and you regress. To reach the pinnacle, one must press forward relentlessly, even if it means facing mountains of blades and seas of fire.

"When?"

"About three months from now." Mo Xingkong quickly replied, "The exact date hasn't been set yet. If Brother Qin agrees, I'll reply immediately and notify you three days in advance."

Qin Jue pondered for a moment. Three months was still some time before the outer sect competition. If he could obtain that eighty-year-old spiritual herb, his cultivation would undoubtedly advance further.

"I'll take this job."

Upon hearing this, Mo Xingkong slapped his thigh, his face beaming, "Good! Decisive! I knew Brother Qin was someone who could accomplish great things!"

"Notify me in advance then."

"You got it!"

"I'm leaving."

Qin Jue stood up and left. A moment later, the sound of horse hooves could be heard outside the inn, gradually fading into the distance.

Mo Xingkong watched Qin Jue's retreating figure, a satisfied smile on his face.

"Miss Qingqiu, I've found you a capable person. I hope you can win this competition."