Chapter 187: Nightmare-level S Evaluation! Qin Feng Combined Acupoints in Thirty Years?! Also

Chapter 187: Nightmare-Level S+ Rating! Qin Feng's Thirty-Year Aperture Fusion?! And Invincible Combat Power?! Shocks the Whole School!

The next second, a gentle teleportation light enveloped the four of them simultaneously.

When the radiance faded and they opened their eyes again, they had returned to the familiar, reassuring teleportation platform of Canaan Star Martial University.

Almost at the same moment, a crisp, pleasant chime—the sound of a mission settlement notification—rang from each of their personal terminals.

A pale golden, glory-filled light screen popped up before all four of them.

[Mission Settlement]

[Mission Name: Eradication of the Chaos Cradle]

[Mission Rating: Nightmare Level]

[Mission Completion: 120% (Primary objectives and potential threats have been completely eradicated)]

[Settlement Assessment: Perfect (S+)]

[Final Rewards: War Group Points 300,000, Contribution Points 200,000, War Group Reputation 600,000.]

[Reward distribution plan has been automatically executed according to the team contribution agreement…]

Then came the individual reward details.

When Long Yu, Nissan, and Ning Jing saw the crystal-clear contribution point allocation on the light screen, the confusion on their faces instantly turned into astonishment.

[Team Leader: Long Yu. Contribution Points Earned: 15,000.]

[Team Member: Nissan. Contribution Points Earned: 15,000.]

[Team Member: Ning Jing. Contribution Points Earned: 20,000.]

[Team Member: Qin Feng. Contribution Points Earned: 150,000.]

Out of the total 200,000 contribution points reward, Qin Feng alone had taken 150,000!

The remaining 50,000 were distributed among the three of them based on their respective contributions in the early stages of the battle.

This distribution ratio was staggeringly disproportionate.

"This…"

All three were stunned.

They knew very well that this distribution was automatically calculated by the super AI based on real-time analysis of combat data, and it could never be wrong.

And this precisely illustrated one thing—while the three of them had unknowingly fallen into the illusion, it was Qin Feng who, single-handedly, bore all the pressure and ultimately slew that powerful sixth-level Slaanesh demon, destroying the altar.

He alone had accounted for over seventy-five percent of the total contribution in the final stage of the entire mission!

But… how had he done it?

That Slaanesh demon, with its bizarre illusion-killing technique that could instantly ensnare even the three of them—all "Minor Limit" level experts—how had Qin Feng resisted and counter-killed it?

Countless questions surged like a tide into the hearts of the three.

"Let's go!"

Ning Jing, being impatient, grabbed Qin Feng's arm without a word.

"To the power armor maintenance station! First repair the armor, then watch the recording!"

Long Yu and Nissan immediately snapped to attention and followed.

They were desperate to know what earth-shattering events had occurred on the battlefield during the time they were "absent."

Soon, the four arrived at the power armor maintenance station.

While handing over their battered power armors to the intelligent system for maintenance, Ning Jing directly used his authority to retrieve the full combat recording of this "Nightmare-level" mission from the war group's database.

When that combat footage—recorded from Qin Feng's power armor perspective, filled with furious roars and violent strikes, a veritable "personal show"—clearly unfolded before the three of them,

the entire maintenance station fell into a deathly silence.

Long Yu, Nissan, and Ning Jing—the three top-tier fifth-level experts of the Dread War Group—stood as if petrified, staring blankly at the light screen, mouths slightly agape, unable to close for a long time.

Only when the recording ended and the light screen slowly dimmed did they seem to wake from a dream, slowly turning their heads and fixing their gazes on Qin Feng as if looking at a monster.

"Well… well done, Brother Qin Feng…"

It was the easygoing Nissan who broke the silence first.

He walked up to Qin Feng, heavily patted his shoulder, his eyes filled with complex emotions—shock, admiration, but more than anything, a heartfelt stirring.

"The deepest desire in your heart… was actually to slay a Chaos demon. I, Nissan, haven't admired many people in my life, but today, I admire you."

With that, he let out a long sigh, a relieved, slightly bitter smile on his face, and said with emotion, "To be honest, in that illusion, what I saw was myself. A version of me that was crying, always shedding tears. I… I've been holding it in for centuries. Ever since I set foot on the martial path, all the pressure, all the pain, all the loneliness—I've had to bear it alone. Sometimes, I really want to find a place, forget everything, and just cry my heart out, vent it all… But I've always held back. I told myself that the strong don't cry."

"Yeah, for me, it was sleeping."

Long Yu said softly, a tired yet immensely relaxed smile on his face. "A bed, a very soft bed. I lay on it, didn't have to think about anything, didn't have to worry about anything, just slept peacefully and quietly. You might not believe it, but I… haven't had a good rest in many, many years."

"I also had a beast I wanted to kill."

Ning Jing's voice rang out. He grinned, showing a row of white teeth, but his smile carried a hint of icy killing intent. "Too bad it wasn't a Chaos demon. Still, even if my desire was also to kill a Chaos demon, I doubt I could have beaten it to death like Brother Qin Feng did. More likely, I'd have been killed instead. Brother Qin's combat power is terrifying."

"Haha… hahahaha—"

When all their secrets were candidly shared at this moment, the four looked at each other and suddenly burst into heartfelt, unrestrained laughter.

The vulnerabilities, exhaustion, and obsessions hidden deep in their hearts, never spoken to others, seemed to dissipate with that laughter.

"The war group competition is almost over!"

Long Yu reached out and patted each of his three brothers on the shoulder, his eyes rekindling with confidence.

"Once this points competition is settled, we'll break through together, step into the sixth level—Soaring! From then on, the path will be smooth!"

"We've cried, we've slept, and the obsessions in our hearts have found an outlet!"

His voice became resolute. "After this, it's nothing but triumph!"

"Haha, well said!"

Nissan responded with a laugh.

Ning Jing, however, looked at Qin Feng with keen interest, his eyes shining with the unique light of a battle maniac. He smiled and said, "No rush. Before we break through, if there's a chance, you've got to let me personally experience the power of your [Qian Yuan] technique. I'm suddenly in the mood to get hit!"

"Hahaha—"

The four laughed together once more.

—

Soon, Qin Feng returned alone to that familiar, quiet dormitory.

The greatest gain from that earth-shattering "Nightmare-level" mission was not the 150,000 contribution points, nor the 30,000 war group points that had all but secured victory for the Dread War Group.

It was that one punch.

That move—[Qian Yuan]—his own, strongest killing technique, which had been born naturally in the illusion, driven by his obsession with revenge, like water finding its course.

What he needed to do now was not celebrate or relax, but to settle.

He needed to etch that instant of insight, the will behind that punch, deeply and firmly into his very marrow and soul, transforming it from a "flash of inspiration" into a true, reliable weapon he could wield at will at any moment.

Qin Feng sat cross-legged, his mind as calm as a still lake.

His consciousness plunged directly into the Imperial Arena.

【Welcome back, esteemed user ‘Qin’.】

“Yes.”

Qin Feng’s thoughts were cold and curt: “Begin the ranked match.”

【Matchmaking initiated… A suitable opponent has been found for you…】

…

While Qin Feng immersed himself in the Imperial Arena, engaging in another round of frenzied, relentless cultivation, he remained unaware that the outside world had been thrown into a massive uproar because of his earth-shattering “Nightmare-level” mission.

Canaan Starry Sky Martial University, private forum.

The discussion, which had already reached a boiling point due to two top-tier war groups simultaneously taking on a “Nightmare-level” mission, had not subsided after several days of fermentation. Instead, it was pushed to an unprecedented, almost insane climax by a newly pinned, explosively titled thread.

【Official Certification! Time Not Yet Up, ‘Iron Blood War Group’ Voluntarily Admits Defeat! What Happened?! This Year’s War Group Championship Has Been Locked in Early!】

This post, released by the Canaan official operations account, struck like a nuclear bomb detonating the sun, instantly plunging all forum users into collective speechlessness and shock.

“No… am I seeing things? Someone hit me! The Iron Blood War Group… admitted defeat?!”

“What’s going on?! What the hell is going on?! There are still four months until the official end of the competition! Weren’t they fighting tooth and nail before, even taking on the ‘Nightmare-level’ mission without hesitation, acting like they wouldn’t stop until they toppled the Fearless War Group? And now… they just give up?!”

“Exactly! Why?! Even if their Nightmare-level mission failed, the Fearless War Group’s might not succeed either! They still have a 210,000-point lead! They could have played it safe and held onto first place! This makes no sense!”

“Is there any insider with inside info to explain? This plot twist is too fast!”

For a moment, the entire forum was filled with all kinds of questions, guesses, and confusion.

No one could understand why the Iron Blood War Group, known for their battle-crazed, never-surrender attitude, would make such a decisive, even “humiliating” decision.

Just as the wave of discussion was about to peak, a real-name reply from the Iron Blood War Group’s deputy commander, “Iron Madman” himself, appeared below the thread.

This reply was only a short sentence, but it carried a straightforward, almost laughable nonchalance.

“Stop guessing. Those brothers from the Fearless War Group, their ‘Nightmare-level’ mission was completed with an S+ rating. What else can I say? First place is yours; I won’t fight for it.”

After a brief silence, an even more thunderous wave of shock and disbelief erupted.

“What… what the hell?! Nightmare-level mission… S… S+ rating completed?!”

“Damn! What did I just see?! S+ rating?! Isn’t that the highest theoretical rating? It means mission completion over 100%, solving everything in a perfect way… No casualties… How is that possible?!”

“Oh my god! Long Yu, Nissan, Ning Jing, Qin Feng… this four-person team is too amazing?! Is this even humanly possible?”

“Ridiculous! Completely ridiculous! I was thinking earlier that if they just came back alive, even if they failed, their courage would earn everyone’s respect. But they not only completed it, they got an S+ rating!”

“No wonder the Iron Blood War Group directly admitted defeat! What’s the point of competing anymore? They’ve already punched through the ceiling, and you’re still comparing who jumps higher? This is no longer a contest on the same level! Iron Madman’s admission, though straightforward… I respect it!”

However, this was only the beginning.

Just as everyone was still reeling from the miracle of the “Nightmare-level mission S+ rating,” another insider, claiming to be a “temporary worker in the Fearless War Group’s logistics department,” posted an even more earth-shattering, mind-blowing revelation.

【Shocking Leak! The Inside Story of This Nightmare-Level Mission! You Think the Four-Person Team Was Awesome? No! The Truth Is…】

“I know you’re all praising how awesome Long Yu’s four-person team is, but let me tell you a harsher truth.”

“First, why did the Iron Blood War Group admit defeat? Because their Nightmare-level mission failed. No casualties, but the mission objectives weren’t completed, so they simply couldn’t outdo the Fearless War Group. Continuing the fight was pointless.”

“Second, and most importantly! The truth about the Fearless War Group’s mission! You think Long Yu, Nissan, and Ning Jing carried the team? Wrong! Completely wrong!”

“According to the core contribution distribution data I risked my life to copy from the mission settlement center, in the entire ‘Nightmare-level’ mission, Qin Feng alone, single-handedly, slaughtered the final boss—a sixth-level Slaanesh demon! And as a result, he took 150,000 of the total 200,000 contribution points for this mission!”

“Three-quarters of the contribution points! You veterans who often team up for missions should know better than me what this DPS ratio means!”

This message detonated in the center of the forum!

Instantly shattering all previous shock and discussion!

“Holy crap… is this real?!”

“Fake! This has to be fake! Qin Feng alone slaughtered a sixth-level Slaanesh demon?! That’s ten thousand times more ridiculous than the Nightmare-level mission S+ rating!”

“Qin Beast… he… is he that strong?!”

“Wait, hold on, let me sort this out… This logic doesn’t hold at all! How long has it been since Qin Feng advanced to level five? At most thirty years, right? In thirty years, how could he become this strong? Slaughtering a sixth-level Slaanesh demon?! Forget him, even Long Yu, Ning Jing, and the others—those top-tier experts with 7200 life force points at the ‘minor limit’—absolutely couldn’t do it!”

“So… what the OP means is… Qin Beast not only took thirty years to raise his life force index from 3600 to 7200 at the ‘minor limit,’ but he’s also nearly invincible within that 7200-point ‘minor limit’ tier? Strong enough to withstand a sixth-level Slaanesh demon’s eerie psychic attacks and beat it to death? And then, the three famous pillars of our Fearless War Group’s level-five division—Long Yu, Nissan, Ning Jing—were just… coasting the whole time?”

“Damn! When you put it that way, I find it even harder to believe! This… even the most clichéd, brainless power fantasy novels set in the hive cities wouldn’t dare write such an outrageous protagonist! The author would get flamed into oblivion!”

Amid the wave of doubt and disbelief, a veteran fact-checker with the ID “Empire Data Emperor” posted a meticulously detailed data comparison chart.

“Everyone, don’t rush to criticize. I just looked up all the public data reports released by the Imperial Academy on the ‘Ultimate Acupoint Opening Method’ and the ‘Ultimate Acupoint Fusion Method,’ combined with all public records of classmate Qin Feng since enrollment, and I’ve reached a conclusion… I can hardly believe myself.”

“According to Imperial statistics, the average time for geniuses practicing the ‘Ultimate Acupoint Opening Method’ to open their acupoints is 100 years. Qin Feng took only 40 years.”

“According to Imperial statistics, the average time for geniuses practicing the ‘Ultimate Acupoint Fusion Method’ to fuse their acupoints is 200 years. Qin Feng took only 30 years.”

“For comparison, geniuses practicing the inferior ‘Superior Acupoint Opening Method’ and ‘Superior Acupoint Fusion Method’ take an average of 30 years to open acupoints and 30 years to fuse acupoints.”

“In other words… Qin Feng, using the most top-tier, most difficult, and most time-consuming techniques in the entire universe, achieved almost the same cultivation speed as those geniuses practicing inferior techniques!”

As soon as this data chart was posted, the entire forum fell silent.

Everyone was stunned into speechlessness by this cold, objective, yet absurdly extreme set of data.

“I… I don’t quite understand… So, senior Qin Feng is about to graduate? In another hundred years or so, we’ll see someone who cultivated a top-tier technique walk out of Canaan? Is this… a joke?”

“66666… What else can I say? I’m already kneeling while reading the forum.”

“Enough said! I’ve already sent a friend request to senior Qin Feng! When I graduate, this will be my biggest bragging right! Please, senior, take me flying! Please, senior, hit me! Everyone, wait for my good news!”

“Damn! I added him too! Same request! Senior, look at me!”

“Please hit me +1!”

“Please hit me +10086! I’ve already thought of my epitaph: ‘Once defeated by Qin Beast’s punch, no regrets in defeat’!”

In an instant, the forum’s direction made a 360-degree, earth-shattering reversal.

Doubt, confusion, shock… all emotions eventually converged into a fervent worship and following of absolute strength.

And at the center of this storm, the name discussed, worshipped, and even deified by countless people—Qin Feng—was still standing in the virtual space of the Imperial Arena, utterly focused.

The noise of the outside world had nothing to do with him.

His eyes were fixed only on becoming stronger.

—

Time slipped away quietly in the eternal, smoke-and-data-flow-filled virtual space of the Imperial Arena.

As the outside world’s clamor and frenzy gradually settled due to the protagonist’s “disappearance,” Qin Feng remained single-mindedly immersed in his own monotonous yet insane cultivation.

Three months passed in the blink of an eye.

In those ninety-plus days, he had practically welded himself into the battle space of the Imperial Arena.

Like a tireless, emotionless combat machine, he conducted over five hundred high-intensity battles every single day.

Every battle is a dance on the edge of a blade.

He no longer sought mere victory, but treated each duel as a whetstone to hone [Qian Yuan].

He experimented wildly, unleashing this ultimate killing move at different moments, from different angles, with varying degrees of force.

He greedily absorbed the lessons of every success and failure, gradually, bit by bit, bringing that violent, uncontrollable power born of epiphany under his own command.

Sometimes, he would land a single punch, blasting his opponent into nothingness along with himself.

Other times, a slight hitch in his spiritual energy flow or a misjudgment of timing would let his foe seize an opening, finishing him off with a combo.

Victory and defeat.

Life and death.

Through these tens of thousands of high-intensity cycles, his understanding of [Qian Yuan] had long since transcended what it once was.

Three months later, when he finally withdrew from the virtual world of the Imperial Arena, where he fought against the strong of the endless star sea,

his entire aura underwent a subtle yet earth-shattering transformation.

If, three months ago, he was a newly sharpened divine weapon, radiant with sharpness and brimming with edge,

then now, he was an ancient war blade sheathed in its scabbard.

All the sharpness, all the killing intent, were perfectly concealed and restrained, not a trace leaking out.

Only in those deep, well-like eyes, when they occasionally opened and closed, would a chilling gleam flash—enough to dim the stars and make hearts tremble.

He casually opened his Imperial Arena panel, looked at the somewhat awkward record that had not changed for a long time, and a helpless bitter smile crept onto his face.

[ID: Qin]

[Total Matches: 98,532]

[Wins: 54,192]

[Losses: 44,340] [Overall Win Rate: 55%]

[Rank: 3rd Dan (500/500)]

[Self-Evaluation: Thousand Army Spear Practitioner (Unchanged)]

[Evaluations from Enemies (999+)]: "Respectable opponent" "Where's the Thousand Army Spear you promised?" "Old schemer 666"

"..."

Qin Feng looked at these evaluations full of resentment and amazement, just smiled, and casually closed the panel.

In these three months, although he had fought nearly fifty thousand matches, because he was constantly testing new killing moves, his win rate never stabilized.

Especially in the promotion matches to the 4th Dan, where his opponents all mastered 4th-level killing techniques, he failed over a dozen times in a row and could not advance.

Now he understood the Imperial Arena: the first three Dans covered killing techniques below the 3rd level, while from the 4th Dan onward, it was the realm of 4th-level killing techniques—that is, the domain of mastering spiritual power.

But he did not care about these ranks.

He had achieved his goal.

He could now wield the killing move [Qian Yuan] with complete freedom, releasing and restraining it at will.

Just then, his personal terminal, silent for three months, suddenly erupted with a series of dense, crisp notification sounds.

One after another, system announcements issued by the Canaan authorities, bold and red-colored, flooded his entire vision like a screen of text.

[Announcement: This edition of the 'War Group Ranking Points Tournament' has officially ended at Canaan Standard Time XX/XX/XX, 00:00.]

[Announcement: During the event, special rules such as 'Triple Reputation Reward', 'Mission Failure Not Counted', and 'Emergency Rescue Exemption' have all expired as of now.]

[Announcement: The event-exclusive mission bar has been officially closed.]

[Announcement: The final rankings of this War Group Tournament have been officially released. For details, please log in to the Canaan Private Forum or visit the War Group Hall of Glory.]

"It's over..."

Qin Feng looked at these announcements and understood in his heart.

He casually clicked on the forum link, and sure enough, that enormous final ranking list, symbolizing supreme glory, had been hung in the most prominent spot on the forum.

First Place: [Fearless War Group]

Second Place: [Iron Blood War Group]

...

Seeing this result, a relieved smile appeared on Qin Feng's face.

He had not let down the war group's expectations, nor the trust of Long Yu and the other two.

He closed the noisy forum and turned his attention to his private message list, which was nearly bursting.

He first opened the most familiar group chat, consisting of Shi Potian, Xiong Yanfu, and Tie Mu.

The latest message was sent a week ago.

Shi Potian: "Qin Feng, the war group tournament is over, you should be coming out of seclusion, right? When are you free? Let's get together and celebrate your success!"

Xiong Yanfu: "Yeah, you beast! You're a big name all over Canaan now! I walk down the street and hear schoolgirls talking about you! Come out quick, let us bask in your glory!"

Tie Mu: "Gather."

Looking at his friends' words full of concern and teasing, a warmth flowed through Qin Feng's heart.

He immediately replied: "Okay, I'm free anytime."

The three did not reply for now, probably in the middle of training or on a mission.

He continued scrolling down and soon saw Long Yu's avatar flashing.

Long Yu's message was also from a week ago.

Long Yu: "Qin Feng, give a shout when you're out of seclusion. Check your friend request list—our war group leader, Senior Feng Zhiyu, has sent you a friend request. You've got some serious face, kid; I've been at school for years and never added the leader as a friend. Accept it quickly—the leader says he wants to personally send you a 'custom resource pack' as an extra reward for turning the tide."

"Okay."

Qin Feng replied with one word, then opened his friend request list.

Then he was stunned.

On the red notification badge for friend requests, a shocking number was displayed—[9999+].

Dense avatars and IDs, like a waterfall, stretched from the top of the list to the end of his sight, as if it would never bottom out.

"This..."

The corner of Qin Feng's mouth twitched involuntarily.

He had never imagined that that mission would cause such a huge sensation outside.

He shook his head helplessly and could only call his smart assistant.

"Hammer, filter the friend requests for me. Applicant ID: Feng Zhiyu."

"Okay, master. Filtering for you... Filtering complete. The target request has been pinned to the top."

Qin Feng took a look, and sure enough, at the very top of the list appeared a friend request with the Fearless War Group emblem as the avatar and the ID "Feng Zhiyu."

He immediately chose to accept.

Almost the next second after his application was approved, the other party sent a message, with a tone that was gentle and cordial, without the slightest air of a planetary-level powerhouse.

Feng Zhiyu: "Junior Qin Feng, I am Feng Zhiyu. This time in the fifth-level division, you have rendered outstanding service to the battle group. It can be said that if it weren't for you, the title of 'First Battle Group' for our Fearless Battle Group might have changed hands this time. Therefore, according to the battle group's reward regulations, you still have a resource pack of competition points that has not been redeemed. Now, on behalf of the battle group, I am issuing this resource pack, along with some additional rewards from the battle group to you, please do not refuse."

As soon as the words fell, an encrypted, high-priority transmission request popped up.

"Thank you, senior."

Qin Feng showed no hesitation and decisively chose to accept.

He knew this was what he deserved.

With his agreement, a soft flash of light passed, and within his subspace storage unit, several items radiating powerful energy fluctuations silently appeared.

Qin Feng sank his consciousness into it, examining them one by one.

["Imperial Psychic Control Basics"]

[Fourth-Level Killing Technique: "Heavy Spear"]

["Destroyer I-Type" Sixth-Level Power Armor]

[Sixth-Level Alloy Spear—"Raging Waves"]

[Sixth-Level Alloy Staff—"Demon Subduer"]

Looking at these top-tier resources that would drive any fifth-level martial artist who had just reached the "Minor Limit" to madness, Qin Feng's heart burned with fervor.

He immediately sent a message of thanks to Feng Zhiyu.

"No need to be polite, you earned these with your life; they are what you deserve."

Feng Zhiyu replied quickly, "The resources have been given to you, but the path is yours to walk."

"Now, your physical cultivation has reached the peak of the fifth level. The next most important thing is your psychic power."

"First, study that book, 'Imperial Psychic Control Basics.' This is the most common and essential introductory text of the Empire, specially designed for geniuses like you on the verge of breakthrough. As long as you can successfully guide your psychic power according to the methods within and shake the 'Origin Cavity' within your body, it means you have successfully entered the gate of this technique."

"Being able to shake the Origin Cavity allows you to leverage your psychic power to move yourself, and rising into the air will no longer be difficult. At that point, you will be a true sixth-level Soaring Martial Artist."

"As for that fourth-level killing technique, 'Heavy Spear,' you must take it seriously. A fourth-level killing technique is no longer a simple combination of technique and spiritual energy; it requires you to integrate your psychic power, spiritual energy circulation, and weapon technique into one. Its difficulty is several times greater than all previous killing techniques, so do not take it lightly."

Feng Zhiyu's guidance was meticulous, filled with the care and expectations of an elder for a junior.

"Finally,"

His tone grew more solemn, "You already have the qualifications to charge onto a higher stage. Next, strive toward the 'Starry Cup,' the highest honor representing the younger generation! I, and the entire Fearless Battle Group, hope to see you bravely win the championship of the Starry Cup one day!"

——

Qin Feng looked at the message full of expectations and encouragement sent by Senior Feng Zhiyu, and a warmth surged in his heart.

He could feel the profound hopes that this battle group leader, whom he had never met, placed in him.

He replied solemnly, "Thank you for the guidance, leader. Qin Feng will not disappoint your expectations!"

But this kindness of recognition, this acknowledgment and investment from the highest level of the battle group, Qin Feng had firmly etched into his heart.

Not to mention anything else, just the sixth-level power armor and two sixth-level alloy weapons were already priceless, because sixth-level weapons and power armor required the infusion of psychic power, making their cost even higher.

Just then, the long-silent chat group composed of him and his three close friends lit up again.

It was a reply from Tiemu.

Still the same concise, familiar style.

Tiemu: "Gluttony Residence."

Seeing these two words, Qin Feng's face involuntarily broke into a knowing smile.

Without any delay, he immediately got up and left the dormitory.

……

On the third floor of "Gluttony Residence," in a private room by the window.

When Qin Feng pushed the door open, three familiar figures had already been waiting for some time.

Shi Potian still had that calm and composed demeanor, but there was an added resilience weathered by trials between his brows.

He sat there, brewing tea unhurriedly, his movements fluid and natural, exuding an aura of unshakable steadiness.

Xiong Yanfu had changed the most; his originally somewhat burly physique had become more lean and explosive, and his face had shed some of its youthful naivety and impulsiveness, becoming more mature and steady. Yet those eyes, always tinged with a smile, remained as bright and passionate as ever.

And Tiemu was still the taciturn Tiemu.

After so long apart, everyone had changed, yet it seemed nothing had changed.

They were no longer the youths who did daily tasks; they were now battle-hardened, true mature warriors who could stand on their own in the universe.

"Old Qin! You're finally here! Sit, sit!"

Xiong Yanfu was the first to stand up, laughing heartily as he warmly pulled Qin Feng to sit down and gave him a fierce bear hug.

"You, kid, are now a big name in Canaan! When I team up with people for missions lately, as soon as I mention that I know 'Qin Beast,' their attitudes change immediately! You have no idea how useful it is!"

"Enough of you, stop using Old Qin's name to swagger around."

Shi Potian put down the teapot and said warmly, "How was it? This seclusion, did you gain a lot?"

Qin Feng nodded, took the teacup, and downed it in one gulp.

A warm current flowed from his throat all the way to his heart.

"Not bad, I've finally finished walking the path I needed to."

Hearing this, a glimmer of understanding flashed in the eyes of the three.

Though they didn't know the specifics of Qin Feng's cultivation, from the almost legendary battle records circulating outside, they could roughly guess that Qin Feng's current strength had reached a height they could not yet attain.

"Old Qin, to be honest, after this gathering, it might be decades or even longer before we see each other again."

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Xiong Yanfu suddenly put down his wine glass, a hint of emotion on his face, and spoke seriously.

Qin Feng's heart stirred at this, and he asked, "What do you mean?"

Xiong Yanfu laughed, "The three of us, in this battle group ranking competition, fought tooth and nail, earning enough prestige and contribution points. The resources in our hands are now abundant!"

He raised three fingers and gestured, "We've decided that after this gathering, the three of us will undergo the deepest, most time-intensive long-term seclusion. We'll consume all the resources we have, thoroughly polishing our strength! We won't come out until we've burned through everything! By that calculation, it'll take at least decades."

"Understood."

Qin Feng nodded, indicating his comprehension.

For martial artists, such long-term seclusion is a necessary path for the accumulation and leap in strength.

Especially for warriors like Shi Potian and the others, whose talents aren't the most exceptional but whose wills are firm, grinding with time and piling up resources is the safest and most effective way to grow stronger.

"The three of us are now all sixth-level Soaring Martial Artists."

Shi Potian said with a candid smile from the side, "But we've only just broken through; our life force indices are still hovering around 2000 points. Compared to true geniuses, the gap is still huge."

He glanced at Qin Feng and continued, "Not to mention compared to a monster like you, Old Qin, who cultivates an 'Ultimate Origin Cavity.' Our pace of progress is far behind yours. So we have no shortcuts; we can only honestly use the most foolish method, taking time to grind away bit by bit."

Qin Feng could feel their determination not to fall behind and to catch up, and he was happy for them.

With such a resolve, they wouldn't be seduced by evil gods.

Like Shi Dang, who probably also had the intention to catch up but lacked a firm will and was easily seduced.

“I’m going to take some time to settle down as well,”

Qin Feng said. “I just received the battle group’s reward, ‘Basics of Imperial Mental Control,’ and I plan to spend some time formally breaking through to the sixth-level Soaring Warrior. Then, I’ll thoroughly study the fourth-level killing technique I just obtained, to fully stabilize my own strength.”

“Good!”

Shi Potian nodded heavily. “Then it’s settled! The next time we gather, we’ll all be stronger!”

“Absolutely!”

Xiong Yanfu raised his wine glass.

“Mm.”

Tiemu also raised his glass, a rare gesture.

Qin Feng raised his glass as well.

Four glasses gently clinked together in the air.

“Let each of us strive!”

…

After leaving the “Glutton’s Den,” the melancholy of parting in Qin Feng’s heart was soon replaced by a surging fighting spirit.

The moment he returned to his dorm, the sub-space friend list began flashing wildly again.

It was messages from Ning Jing, Nissan, and Long Yu, arriving almost simultaneously.

Ning Jing: “Qin Feng, have you come out of seclusion? It’s been three months since we last parted, and my hands are itching! When do you have time for a fight? I want to experience firsthand just how terrifying your [Qian Yuan] move really is!”

Nissan: “You beast, Qin Feng! Come out! I heard you’re out of seclusion! Don’t hide! I can’t stand the itch! Hurry up, come to the battle hall in the Fearless Zone, let me see the power of your fists!”

Long Yu: “Qin Feng, congratulations on coming out of seclusion. I have a few sixth-level seniors here who, after hearing about your deeds, have developed a strong interest in your strength. They mean no harm—just pure martial artist curiosity and a desire to spar. They want to try a match with you. Interested?”

“By the way, all three of us are now sixth-level martial artists and have started learning fourth-level killing techniques. You might not be able to beat us anymore.”

Looking at these three messages, each with a different style but strikingly similar core content, a helplessly amused expression appeared on Qin Feng’s face.

He could imagine these three battle maniacs, upon learning of his emergence from seclusion, rubbing their hands together, eager and ready.

His own fighting spirit began to simmer slightly.

Three sixth-level martial artists!

Qin Feng also wanted to know how his current strength compared to those true sixth-level seniors who had long immersed themselves in the Soaring Realm.

Without any hesitation, he replied directly in their group chat.

“On my way. Fearless Zone battle hall?”

The moment the message was sent, it received an instant reply.

“No problem! We’ve been waiting for you!”

“Come quick, come quick!”

“Waiting for you.”

(End of chapter)