Someone Delivers Gold Notes to the Door

After Yun Qianyue left, the purple bamboo forest returned to its usual tranquility.

Although Yun Qianyue's words did not shake his martial heart, they did bring a very real problem to his attention—resources.

"The Hundred Refinements Fifth Layer Bone Penetrating Force requires a large amount of Qi and Blood to scour the bone marrow. Progress is too slow relying solely on arduous training. Fifty-year-old Stone Bell Milk is no longer very effective for the Nine Revolutions Viscera Refining Secret Record; at least eighty-year-old Spiritual Medicine is needed."

Qin Jue frowned slightly, calculating in his mind, "However, Spiritual Medicine of this age costs at least a thousand gold to purchase within the city. With the savings I have now, it's like a drop in the bucket if I want to support myself until I break through to the fifth, or even sixth, layer."

"Poverty breeds scholarship, wealth breeds warriors," the ancients truly did not deceive me.

"It seems I cannot afford to stop for even a moment."

Qin Jue put away his Cold Iron Sword, tidied his clothes, and walked down the mountain.

Qingcang Academy, the training grounds.

Today was a training day, where Outer Court Disciples could ascend the stage to settle grievances or engage in free sparring to hone their Martial Skills and accumulate practical combat experience.

Qin Jue returned from the bamboo forest behind the mountain. As he passed the training grounds, it was already packed shoulder-to-shoulder, a dense mass of people. Qin Jue didn't push forward, merely standing casually on the outer edge of the crowd.

At this moment, on the central bluestone stage, two disciples were engaged in a fierce battle.

The one on the left wielded a long spear, his attacks like a dragon, wide and powerful, carrying a fierce aura of military formation and slaughter. The one on the right, however, used a soft sword as thin as a Cicada Wing. His movements were elusive and unpredictable, his swordsmanship agile and strange, like a slippery venomous snake constantly seeking his opponent's weaknesses.

"It's Wang Meng, ranked 516th in Battle Merit, and Li Yi, ranked 431st!"

"Tsk, tsk, Wang Meng's Overlord Spear has improved quite a bit. I heard that last month, near the Tongtian River, he single-handedly took down a seven-man bandit gang. None of them survived his spear!"

"Li Yi's Willow Branch Sword isn't bad either. Look at his footwork, it's like a ghost. Wang Meng's powerful sweeps have been dodged by him several times."

The surrounding disciples chattered excitedly, their blood boiling as they watched.

Qin Jue's gaze fell upon the disciple named Li Yi. After watching quietly for a moment, he nodded slightly, "This swordsmanship is good. It's a Mortal Tier Upper Grade Martial Skill, the Willow Branch Sword. To reach this level is considered a modest achievement."

A tall disciple standing nearby glanced at Qin Jue dismissively and snorted, "A modest achievement? Easy for you to say! Senior Brother Li Yi is a young genius with considerable talent in swordsmanship. He has practiced the Willow Branch Sword to the 'wind passing through leaves' realm, just one step away from mastery! What do you, an unknown nobody, know about swordsmanship?"

This tall disciple was clearly a supporter of Li Yi, but he obviously hadn't seen Qin Jue before. Hearing Qin Jue's "presumptuous" evaluation, he immediately felt displeased.

Qin Jue merely smiled faintly upon hearing this, not bothering to argue.

One cannot discuss ice with a summer insect. In the eyes of a former Sword Dao Grandmaster like himself, Li Yi's swordsmanship could indeed only be considered "a modest achievement." The transitions between moves were still slightly stiff, and his sword intent had not yet been fully integrated. There were at least seven or eight openings. If he were to spar with him, he would defeat him within three moves.

"Bang!"

Just then, the battle on the stage concluded. The disciple named Wang Meng seized an opening when Li Yi changed his move, sweeping his spear across. The violent force directly sent Li Yi, sword and all, flying off the stage, where he landed heavily below.

A burst of enthusiastic cheers erupted from the crowd.

Qin Jue retracted his gaze, preparing to leave, when a resentful roar exploded in the air above the training grounds!

"Qin--Jue--!"

The man's clothes were somewhat disheveled, his once handsome face now frighteningly pale, his eye sockets sunken, and his eyes filled with bloodshot veins.

It was Ning Zhiyuan.

However, at this moment, Ning Zhiyuan bore no resemblance to the aristocratic young master he once was. He exuded a violent and unstable aura, like a cornered mad dog.

"Hundred Refinements Fifth Layer?"

Qin Jue's eyes narrowed slightly, his senses keenly catching the superficial yet frenzied fluctuation of power within the opponent.

"No, this aura... although the Qi and Blood are vast, it's like a fire without roots, burning through his life potential. This is the result of consuming some potent medicine that overdraws his potential."

Qin Jue sneered inwardly, seeing through Ning Zhiyuan's true state at a glance.

"Qin Jue! You coward, you finally dare to show yourself!"

Ning Zhiyuan stared fixedly at Qin Jue, his chest heaving violently. With every breath, two streams of white mist puffed from his nostrils.

"I knew you would come... I've been waiting for you... waiting for you!"

Ning Zhiyuan muttered obsessively, his mouth twisted into a cruel smile, "These past few days, I've dreamed every night of stepping on you on the training stage, hearing you wail, seeing you beg for mercy! That feeling... it was truly wonderful..."

Hearing these words, the surrounding disciples felt a chill and instinctively took a few steps back.

"Has this Ning Zhiyuan gone mad? He seems like a completely different person."

"Shh, keep your voice down! Haven't you seen the saber in his hand? That's a Mortal Tier Upper Grade Frost Blade! Coupled with the aura he's emitting now... Oh my god, Hundred Refinements Fifth Layer! He actually broke through!"

"So what if he's at the Hundred Refinements Fifth Layer? Judging by his appearance, he's clearly gone berserk. But Qin Jue is in trouble now. Being targeted by such a madman, he'll be lucky to escape without losing a layer of skin."

Listening to the surrounding discussions, Qin Jue's expression remained calm. He looked at the other party as if watching a clown perform, not even having the desire to draw his sword.

"Ning Zhiyuan, are you blocking my path just to spout this nonsense?" Qin Jue asked calmly, his tone indifferent.

This dismissive attitude infuriated Ning Zhiyuan, making him tremble. His eyes turned blood-red from congestion.

Back then, on the training stage, Qin Jue had looked at him with the same gaze before shattering his pride with a single sword strike. Now that he had broken through to the Hundred Refinements Fifth Layer and held a divine weapon, why did this damned collateral descendant still dare to look at him like that?!

"Nonsense? Hahahaha! Good! Very good!"

Ning Zhiyuan laughed in extreme anger, his laughter sharp and piercing. He took a sudden step forward, pointing his Frost Blade directly at Qin Jue's forehead. Cold light glinted at the tip of the blade.

"Qin Jue! I challenge you to a death match!"

"Right here! Tomorrow!"

"We'll wager all the Battle Merit we possess! We'll decide the victor and settle the score with our lives! If you lose, I want you to kneel before Su Jin, kowtow three times, then cripple your own cultivation and get out of Qingcang Academy!"

The moment these words were spoken, the entire place erupted in an uproar.

A life-or-death duel! This was the most intense way to settle grievances at Qingcang Academy. Once a life-or-death contract was signed, the martial arts stage would become a place where no one could intervene, not even the academy elders, regardless of who lived or died.

All eyes turned to Qin Jue, awaiting his response.

"All my Battle Merit?"

Qin Jue shook his head, a smirk playing on his lips, laced with mockery. "Ning Zhiyuan, you've probably forgotten that before the last grand competition, you'd already lost half your Battle Merit. As for the pathetic amount you have now..."

He paused here. "It doesn't even pique my interest in the slightest."

"So, I refuse. Your stakes are too low."

Silence fell over the crowd.

Everyone stood frozen, staring blankly at Qin Jue, convinced their ears were playing tricks on them.

What did he just say?

Not interested? Stakes too low?

This... this was sheer arrogance! Utter contempt!

This wasn't just a refusal; it was a brutal trampling of Ning Zhiyuan's pathetic dignity!

"You... what did you say?" Ning Zhiyuan's facial muscles twitched violently. He could hardly believe his ears. He had sacrificed his future prospects for this newfound strength, all to crush Qin Jue in front of everyone and reclaim his honor!

Yet, the other party wasn't even interested in fighting him!

"I said..." Qin Jue's eyes finally flickered, revealing a hint of pity. "You're too weak. Killing you would dirty my sword."

"Aaaahhhhh!"

These soul-piercing words were the final straw that broke the camel's back, sending Ning Zhiyuan into complete despair. He let out a beastly roar to the heavens, his internal energy surging uncontrollably. His Qi and Blood churned wildly, and he was on the verge of attacking recklessly once more.

Just then.

"Heh, since my unworthy cousin is in such a mood, I'll play along and add a little spice to this farce."

A calm voice drifted from the back of the crowd.

The crowd parted to the sides, revealing a handsome young man in white, surrounded by a retinue, walking slowly forward. His expression was stern, his eyes icy, and a faint smile played on his lips—a smile of supreme condescension, looking down on all beings with utter indifference.

It was Ning Wuque, a direct descendant of the Ning Family and ninth on the Outer Prefecture's Battle Ranking!

"It's Senior Brother Ning Wuque!"

"Good heavens, even he's been alerted!"

Ning Wuque's appearance instantly calmed the chaotic scene. Even Ning Zhiyuan, who had been on the verge of losing control, trembled upon seeing his cousin, the madness in his eyes receding significantly, replaced by a deep-seated fear.

"Disgraceful."

Ning Wuque didn't even glance at Ning Zhiyuan, merely uttering the words dismissively. Ning Zhiyuan's face turned pale, and he lowered his head, biting his lip so hard he dared not even breathe.

"You are Qin Jue?"

"Despite your humble origins, your composure is somewhat passable. It's no wonder you could push my unworthy cousin this far."

Qin Jue looked up, meeting Ning Wuque's gaze. Instead of showing any deference, he met it head-on. "Does Senior Brother Ning have any advice?"

"It's hardly advice."

Ning Wuque flicked his finger, and a golden ticket floated gently through the air.

"I just heard you say you were bored because the stakes were too low?"

Ning Wuque said nonchalantly, his tone exuding an air of absolute control. "Here are a thousand Gold Notes. If you win against Ning Zhiyuan, all this money, along with his Battle Merit, will be yours."

"What do you say?"

Ning Wuque looked at Qin Jue as if sizing up a fish about to take the bait. "Are these thousand Gold Notes enough to buy your life... oh no, enough to buy your interest in taking action?"

A thousand Gold Notes!

The crowd instantly buzzed with excitement!

A thousand Gold Notes! Countless eyes turned red, their breathing growing heavy. The wealth of the Ning Family's direct descendants was truly terrifying!

All eyes turned back to Qin Jue.

This time, a flicker of interest finally appeared on Qin Jue's face.

Heh, you should have said so earlier. So someone's eager to throw money at me. he thought with a slight chuckle.

For him, this was a much-needed resource. Cultivating the Nine Revolutions Viscera Refining Secret Record required vast amounts of medicinal ingredients for each revolution. The previous three portions of Stone Bell Milk had been depleted, so this money came at the perfect time.

"Since someone is offering both death and money, there's no reason for me to refuse."

Qin Jue raised his head, his gaze passing over the frenzied Ning Zhiyuan to fix directly on Ning Wuque. He said calmly:

"Deal."

"Tomorrow, at this time, at this place, on the martial arts stage, I accept."

"Very good."

Ning Wuque withdrew his gaze, no longer looking at Qin Jue. In his eyes, Qin Jue was already a dead man.

"Zhiyuan, the martial arts stage tomorrow. Don't disappoint me. If you lose... you know the consequences."

Ning Zhiyuan stared intently at Qin Jue, his eyes filled with a venom that almost spilled out. "Qin Jue, enjoy your last day. Tomorrow, I won't be careless again. I'm going to smash your bones, inch by inch!"

After spitting out this harsh threat, Ning Zhiyuan, carrying his saber and dragging his Sha Qi-filled silhouette, strode away.

Only when the two were long gone did the frozen atmosphere in the training ground explode.

"He accepted! Qin Jue actually accepted!"

"This is going to be good! A fight to the death!"

"Although Qin Jue won before, it was a bit lucky. And Ning Zhiyuan is now at Hundred Refinements Fifth Layer, with a High-grade Mortal Artifact in hand. Qin Jue is likely in grave danger this time."

"Man dies for wealth, birds die for food. That thousand Gold Notes are tempting, but you need to be alive to spend them."