Wait a Little Longer!

Cui Residence.

"You said Qin Yu, with only Martial Realm Sixth Level cultivation, could match you blow for blow? And he even grew braver the longer he fought?" Wang Ping sat in the Cui Residence's reception hall, asking in astonishment.

"Yes. You don't know it, but back then he was covered in blood and mangled flesh. Yet I discovered that the more severely he was injured, the more his strength multiplied." Cui Shuo's heart still trembled with lingering fear as he recalled that scene. It was precisely that battle that had made him thoroughly fear Qin Yu, leaving him even more worried about the life-and-death battle several days from now.

Wang Ping's thick brows furrowed slightly as he sank into thought. The more severe the injuries, the more one's strength multiplied—something even he had never heard of.

"Could it be that he possesses some powerful battle skill? The worse his injuries, the stronger he becomes. If I obtained it... my strength would surely soar severalfold." Wang Ping narrowed his eyes, a flicker of scorching desire passing through them.

Though Wang Ping was the grandson of the Heavenly Fire Sect's Third Elder, he was not some arrogant fool who looked down on everyone. The higher one's status, the more one understood how vast heaven and earth truly were. Even within the Azure Lotus Heavenly Domain, the Heavenly Fire Sect likely could not even be counted among the first-rate sects. Because he recognized this, Wang Ping's ambitions ran even deeper. His goal had never been merely the eastern region of the Azure Lotus Heavenly Domain, but the entire Azure Lotus Heavenly Domain—and even the Trapped Dragon Star!

"Tell me in detail what happened when you fought him back then," Wang Ping said in a low voice.

Cui Shuo nodded and carefully recounted the events of his battle with Qin Yu.

After he finished, Wang Ping remained silent for a long while. His gaze flickered as though he were pondering something. After quite some time, Wang Ping lifted his teacup, took a light sip, and said, "Do you know where he is now?"

"My grandfather has been searching for him these past few months, but found nothing. He should have gone into secluded cultivation. So... I'm worried about the battle in a few days." Cui Shuo glanced at Wang Ping and spoke softly, secretly delighted within. From Wang Ping's expression, Cui Shuo could tell that Wang Ping had become interested in Qin Yu.

"How certain are you?" Wang Ping glanced at Cui Shuo and asked slowly.

"I'm worried that his strength has transformed during these five months. Back then, he used less than a month to go from an ordinary person to Martial Realm Sixth Level. And during these five months... I suspect he may very well have reached the Early Astral Qi Stage. Even if he hasn't, he should at least be at the Ninth Level of the Martial Realm..." Before Cui Shuo could finish, Wang Ping interrupted him.

"Wait. You said that in less than a month, he went from an ordinary person to Martial Realm Sixth Level?" Wang Ping's eyes widened as he spoke in shock.

In less than a month, going from an ordinary person to Martial Realm Sixth Level was practically impossible. Back then, even he had needed a full year to advance from an ordinary person to Martial Realm Sixth Level.

"Absolutely true! My two cousins can testify to it, and my grandfather examined him as well." Cui Shuo said heavily, the worry between his brows growing deeper.

Wang Ping played with the teacup in his hand as his mind raced. In the end, he concluded that Qin Yu had encountered no small fortune, and that growing braver with every battle was surely one of the benefits of that fortune—most likely some powerful battle skill.

Seeing Wang Ping lost in thought, Cui Shuo inwardly let out a breath of relief and did not disturb him. The reason he had summoned Wang Ping to Tianwu Main City was mainly to borrow his Earth Fire. To make Wang Ping agree, he had steered the matter toward Qin Yu. As long as Wang Ping's interest was stirred, Cui Shuo need not fear being unable to borrow the Earth Fire.

"Didn't you obtain a rather good spirit artifact? With that and the Burst Body Pill, you should be confident of defeating Qin Yu, shouldn't you?" After pondering for a long time, Wang Ping spoke indifferently.

"If I cannot kill him in a single strike, I have less than a fifty-percent chance. His battle skill is simply too terrifying. But... if I had a flame of Earth Fire, perhaps my chances of defeating him would be greater." Cui Shuo shook his head, glanced at Wang Ping, then hurriedly shifted his gaze away.

Wang Ping raised a brow and stared coldly at Cui Shuo. "You mean for me to lend you the Swamp Fire?" The Swamp Fire was something Wang Ping had obtained only with great difficulty; it was the apple of his eye. How could he be willing to lend it out? Besides... if Qin Yu died, where would he obtain that battle skill?

"Senior Brother's Swamp Fire contains poison, does it not?" Cui Shuo suppressed the panic in his heart and asked.

Wang Ping narrowed his eyes. After circling around for so long, Cui Shuo actually dared to set his sights on his Swamp Fire. Yet Cui Shuo's question stirred something in Wang Ping's heart. He said calmly, "Continue."

"If Senior Brother lends me the Swamp Fire, I can use it to defeat Qin Yu. But I will not kill him... And the Swamp Fire is highly poisonous. Once he comes into contact with it... he will surely be poisoned..." Cui Shuo did not finish his words, instead stopping abruptly to give Wang Ping time to consider.

Wang Ping's heart stirred. If Qin Yu touched the Swamp Fire, then his life and death would be in Wang Ping's hands. At that time... there would be no fear that Qin Yu would refuse to reveal his battle skill. Thinking this, Wang Ping stared coldly at Cui Shuo and was about to speak when Cui Shuo said, "Senior Brother, this is not Cui Shuo plotting against you. Only your Swamp Fire can save me. If Senior Brother agrees, this is Cui Shuo's small token of respect." As he spoke, Cui Shuo took out a Void Storage Ring and handed it to Wang Ping.

Taking the Void Storage Ring, Wang Ping swept it with his divine sense. His eyes narrowed slightly as he quietly put it away, then said coldly, "I can lend it to you this time. There will not be a next time. Remember, I want him alive!" With that, Wang Ping rose and left.

Cui Shuo secretly breathed a sigh of relief, delight appearing on his face. With the Swamp Fire, Qin Yu would certainly die.

"Well done! Little Shuo, you must remember this: no matter who it is... no one can escape the word 'profit'! After this, cultivate properly in the Heavenly Fire Sect. Oh, and at the banquet hosted tomorrow by Yi Zhantian of the Tianlong Ancient Sect, bring your cousin Qin Feng along as well. No matter what, he is still your cousin. Let him broaden his horizons; it will benefit his future entry into an Immortal Sect." At that moment, Cui Hong entered from the rear door and spoke approvingly.

"Yes, Grandfather!" Cui Shuo hesitated for a moment. He truly did not think much of Qin Feng, but he could not refuse, so he could only nod.

Watching Cui Shuo leave, Cui Hong sat down and stared at the doorway with narrowed eyes. Suddenly, he called out, "Ah Yong."

At that moment, a burly figure entered the reception hall through the rear door. It was Qin Yong. However, compared to the imposing commander of a thousand men he once was, Qin Yong now wore a gloomy expression, and his right sleeve hung empty. Zi Xun'er's severing of his right arm had drastically changed his temperament.

"I have already arranged Little Feng's affairs. As for the Immortal Sect, I will begin making arrangements as well. You may go there and temper yourself without worry," Cui Hong said slowly as he looked at Qin Yong.

"Many thanks, Great General!" Qin Yong dropped to one knee, his voice low.

The next day.

The avenue leading to the imperial palace was already packed with cultivators and commoners. Everyone watched the young cultivators walking down the avenue with gilded invitations in hand, their faces filled with envy and reverence.

Today, Qin Feng wore an extravagant brocade scholar's robe and strutted along behind Cui Shuo on the avenue. He especially enjoyed the gazes of the cultivators and commoners on both sides of the road, to the point that his steps slowed considerably.

"What are you dawdling for? Hurry up and keep up." Cui Shuo, walking ahead, shot Qin Feng a fierce glare and barked in a low voice.

Qin Feng gave an embarrassed smile, revealing a mouthful of gold teeth, and hurriedly caught up with Cui Shuo.

Cui Shuo was greatly annoyed. He could not understand why his grandfather had insisted on bringing this good-for-nothing Qin Feng. What young disciples could Qin Feng possibly know? He would only make Cui Shuo lose face. But this time, his grandfather had spent a considerable sum over the matter of the Earth Fire, so Cui Shuo could not refuse and could only bring Qin Feng along.

"Remember what I told you before: look less, speak less, eat less. Understand?" Cui Shuo glanced at Wang Ping and the others ahead before speaking quietly to Qin Feng.

Qin Feng nodded repeatedly, but his eyes could not help wandering about. When he spotted a graceful figure ahead, his eyes froze, and he blurted out, "Cousin, look... isn't that girl Qin Xue? She has an invitation too?"

Cui Shuo looked up and saw Qin Xue ahead of their group, standing in line and waiting to enter the imperial palace.

As he looked at Qin Xue, a trace of viciousness flashed through Cui Shuo's eyes. Back then, because of Qin Xue, he had nearly offended Zi Xun'er and spent some time in terrified unease. He had not expected Zi Xun'er to merely pity Qin Xue. While that had relieved Cui Shuo, it had also made him want to vent his resentment. After pondering briefly, he said, "It should be that Thirteenth Princess. Cooperate with me properly later."

Qin Xue clutched her invitation tightly. As she waited, she appeared nervous and ill at ease. She had come because of what Long Yu said yesterday: getting to know more disciples of the Immortal Sects would benefit both herself and her brother. Yet attending a banquet gathering Immortal Sect disciples for the first time made her exceptionally anxious and uneasy.

When it was Qin Xue's turn, she took a deep breath and pulled out her invitation, just about to hand it to the middle-aged man inspecting invitations, when a shrill voice rang out. "How does a merchant's daughter have the qualifications to attend this banquet? That invitation must be fake, right?"

Already nervous, Qin Xue panicked, and the invitation in her hand fell to the ground. The middle-aged man frowned. After examining Qin Xue for a moment, he asked in a deep voice, "Where did you get this invitation?"

Qin Xue hurriedly picked up the invitation. With her head lowered and her pretty face flushed red, she stammered, "Th-this... Princess Long... Long Yu gave it to me."

"Long Yu? Ridiculous! This is a banquet for Immortal Sect disciples. What qualifications does a lowly merchant's daughter have to enter?" Cui Shuo, standing behind her, suddenly spoke up in agreement. After speaking, he glanced toward Wang Ping ahead. Only when he saw Wang Ping studying Qin Xue with a slight frown did he relax and continue, "Why haven't you scrammed yet?"

Among the crowd, Qin Yu's face was frighteningly grim. He stared at Cui Shuo, who was glaring and coldly berating Qin Xue, thick killing intent bursting from his eyes. Xiong Tatian, beside him, said, "Big Brother, why aren't we going in yet? Are we waiting for someone here?"

Qin Yu's gaze fell upon the trembling Qin Xue. His hands involuntarily clenched into fists, his teeth gritting tight as he rasped, "Wait. Wait a little longer!"