Chapter 192: Gu Yue, Lin Yue, and Mentor Wu Shangfeng Watching the Battle, How Can Qin Feng

Chapter 192: Gu Yue, Lin Yue, Wu Shangfeng—The Mentors Watch the Battle. How Did Qin Feng Levitate?! The Mentors Were Stunned!

In the moment just before the battle began, Qin Feng's mind was as calm as a frozen lake, utterly undisturbed.

He did not rush to strike, but used this brief interval to quickly review the astonishing transformation he had undergone over the past month.

First, the hard indicator of vitality.

Thanks to the almost monstrous cultivation efficiency of the "Supreme Yuan Cavity" and his day-and-night arduous training, his vitality index had surged by a full 300 points in just this short month! From 7200 points when he first entered the sixth level, it had soared to 7500 points now!

This number had already firmly surpassed Wan Kun's.

Second, and most crucially, was the progress in his killing techniques.

The fourth-level spear technique, "Heavy Spear," under the relentless drive of his "Heaven Rewards Diligence" system and his near-crazy practical combat tempering, had successfully broken through the threshold of "Initiation" and reached the realm of "Minor Accomplishment"!

[Killing Technique: Heavy Spear (Minor Accomplishment)]

[Proficiency: 112/1000]

This meant that not only had he achieved a seamless fusion of mental power and spiritual energy, but he had also successfully mastered the core killing move of the "Heavy Spear" technique—[Heavy Thrust].

This move had no fancy variations. It was simply the convergence of power, speed, and the "mental-spiritual energy aggregate," focusing penetrating force into a single point, unleashing the most terrifying destructive power in the purest, most direct way—an ultimate thrust.

Unadorned, yet lethally deadly.

...

"Please!"

With Wan Kun's steady, thunderous shout, the aura between the two men instantly peaked.

The next moment, battle erupted!

"Boom!"

A scene identical to that of a month ago played out once more.

Two figures, like cannonballs shot from their barrels, left shallow depressions on the hard alloy arena floor, colliding ferociously at a speed barely perceptible to the naked eye!

Spear and staff met again at the center of the arena!

"Clang—!"

A clang louder and more piercing than their last encounter echoed throughout the entire combat zone.

The violent shockwave, like a Category 12 hurricane, swept wildly in all directions.

The energy barrier used for protection around the arena rippled in waves.

Even the first collision unleashed power far greater than before!

"What immense force!"

Wan Kun's pupils contracted sharply, and his previously solemn expression instantly turned to shock.

From the staff shaft came a terrifying, overwhelming force like a mountain toppling and a sea overturning—almost impossible for him to resist!

This power was not only pure and vast but also carried an unbreakable, sharp penetrating quality, numbing his arms and churning his blood and energy.

He was actually forced back half a step by this single blow!

But Qin Feng opposite him stood like a mountain rooted deep in the earth, utterly unmoving!

The difference was clear!

Wan Kun had no time to think; his combat instincts drove his reaction.

With a roar, he pushed his spiritual energy to its limit, and the black staff in his hand once again transformed into that familiar, impenetrable shadow of black, sweeping toward Qin Feng like a frenzy.

This time, he held nothing back. From the very start, he unleashed his strongest killing technique combo!

Clang! Bang! Clang! Clang!

The even denser, more violent sounds of striking iron rang out continuously on the arena, merging into one.

Golden spear shadows and black staff shadows intertwined and collided madly in midair, each impact sparking blinding flashes.

Yet, unlike the one-sided situation a month ago,

this time, it was Wan Kun who was forced into passivity, retreating step by step!

The spear in Qin Feng's hand seemed to come alive.

Every move, every stance, was unhurried, smooth, and effortless.

The fusion of mental power and spiritual energy, under his control, was as natural as breathing, without any stagnation.

His spear sometimes darted like a serpent out of its hole, cunning and vicious, aiming at Wan Kun's weaknesses;

sometimes it descended like a tiger from the mountain, grand and sweeping, crushing head-on with absolute force.

Wan Kun felt as if he were fighting an enraged primordial beast.

Every thrust of Qin Feng's spear carried a terrifying force that he could hardly withstand.

Each collision of weapons made him feel as if his tiger's mouth might split open, and the blood and energy within him churned endlessly.

He was already barely holding on!

What chilled him even more was that the fusion and flow of "mental-spiritual energy" in Qin Feng's moves had become incredibly subtle and seamless.

He could find no nodes or weaknesses to exploit. Trying to win through technique, as he had last time, had become an impossible task!

"Damn it!"

Under continuous suppression, a look of determination flashed in Wan Kun's eyes.

If this continued, he would surely lose!

"Overturn the Sea!"

With a deafening roar, Wan Kun poured all his strength into the staff in his hands.

The black staff seemed to be infused with a soul at that moment. Blue energy light blazed on its shaft, condensing into waves that seemed to devour everything!

This was his trump card killing move!

Fourth-level staff technique—[Overturn the Sea]!

Qin Feng's eyes remained calm as still water.

He chose neither to dodge nor to block.

He unleashed terrifying power and thrust his spear forward with all his might.

At this moment, all his hard work over the past month, all his battles, all his insights, converged into this single thrust.

Fourth-level spear technique killing move—[Heavy Thrust]!

There were no earth-shattering sound or light effects, no flashy energy displays.

On the tip of Qin Feng's spear, only a single point of extreme, light-devouring darkness condensed.

The next second.

The spear tip collided with the blue, raging waves.

There was no expected cataclysmic explosion, no sustained energy stalemate.

On the arena, a bizarre, absolute silence descended, lasting a full second.

Then—

Boom—!

A devastating shockwave erupted from the point where the spear tip met the shadow of the staff!

The entire alloy arena trembled and groaned violently under that force!

Wind howled, and waves of air surged skyward!

The spectators below felt a fierce blast of wind pressure slam into them, nearly forcing their eyes shut.

And at the storm’s center, the pitch-black long staff in Wan Kun’s hands—that indestructible weapon forged from high-strength alloy—shattered inch by inch from the tip, like fragile glass, the instant it touched the faint, dark gleam on Qin Feng’s spear point!

Crack!

Crack!

Boom!

Countless black alloy fragments shot out in all directions.

Qin Feng’s spear, unstoppable, drove straight through, finally resting lightly against the breastplate of Wan Kun’s armor.

The outcome was decided.

Wan Kun stared blankly at the half-length staff remaining in his hand, then at the spear pressed against his chest, its tip shimmering with cold light. The shock and disbelief on his face slowly melted into a deep, bitter smile.

He had lost.

Lost, and accepted it wholeheartedly.

“Brother Qin Feng…”

Wan Kun sheathed his broken staff and let out a long sigh toward Qin Feng, his voice thick with complex, unspoken emotion.

“Your speed of progress… it’s simply too fast.”

He shook his head, as if reliving that earth-shattering thrust.

“In just one month, a brand-new fourth-level killing technique, starting from scratch, you’ve cultivated it to the ‘Minor Accomplishment’ realm… That’s terrifying.”

“I lost, and I accept it fully.”

Wan Kun clasped his fists solemnly to Qin Feng. “You truly are the monster who broke through dozens of killing techniques below the fourth level into the Mastery realm. Now that you’ve stepped into the new domain of a sixth-level martial artist, learning this higher-tier fourth-level technique—still so fast!”

When Wan Kun’s broken staff, now only half its length, drooped helplessly, the entire combat zone fell into a near-frozen silence.

All eyes fixed on the figure standing in the center of the arena, spear in hand, poised like a mountain.

After a brief stillness, an even louder, thunderous wave of discussion exploded!

“Qin Feng is still this terrifying! Just one month, and he’s already beaten Senior Wan Kun!”

“The key isn’t just beating him—it’s crushing him! Did you see that? That last thrust directly shattered Senior Wan Kun’s alloy staff! That’s special alloy used by sixth-level martial artists!”

“A fourth-level technique from Minor Accomplishment to mastering the killing move in a month? Are you kidding me?! My ‘Thunderclap Sword’ is still stuck at the beginner stage, and I’ve been training it for over a year!”

“What’s so strange about that?”

A well-informed “insider” put on a knowing air. “I heard that when Qin Feng first advanced to the sixth level, he learned the most boring and hardest-to-enter ‘Imperial Mental Energy Control Basics’ in just one month! That shows his mental energy talent is just as monstrous as his physical talent.”

“Hiss—physical talent that bursts the testing pod, mental energy talent at the peak… How is anyone else supposed to live?”

“Truly too terrifying. Talent off the charts!”

The audience’s chatter surged like a tide.

Below the arena, Long Yu, Ni Sang, and Ning Jing watched the figure slowly descending from the stage, their expressions equally vivid.

“You bastard…”

Ni Sang scratched his golden short hair, looking utterly frustrated. “The three of us, busting our asses for a month, only just got our respective fourth-level techniques to ‘Beginner,’ far from Minor Accomplishment. And you—not only are you proficient, you’ve even mastered the core killing move!”

“Monster.”

Ning Jing’s evaluation, as always, was concise and to the point—and hit the mark.

Long Yu shook his head helplessly. “I’ve figured it out. We can’t measure him by our standards. Otherwise, we’ll end up doubting our own existence.”

Hearing his friends’ “complaints,” Qin Feng just smiled faintly, offering no further explanation.

This resounding victory stirred little turmoil within him.

For him, it was merely a routine test of a month’s hard training.

Soon, the recording of this battle was uploaded to the private forum of Canaan Starry Sky Martial Arts University.

[Shocking! ‘Qin Beast’ Works Miracle Again: One Month of Training Defeats Sixth-Year Senior Wan Kun!]

This sensational headline instantly ignited the entire forum.

Clicks and replies multiplied geometrically within minutes.

Beneath the post, another wave of heated discussion and amazement over Qin Feng’s inhuman progress erupted.

…

Scene shift. Night fell.

The four of them—Qin Feng, Long Yu, Ni Sang, and Ning Jing—gathered once more in the familiar training room, number A-73.

The day’s clamor and glory were left outside the door.

Here, they shed the halo of “geniuses” and returned to their purest identities as martial artists, holding their daily practice exchange.

This was a new habit they had formed over the past month.

“Let’s start with the vitality index.”

Long Yu spoke first. “I’ve improved about 150 points this month. Training every morning, roughly 5 points a day.”

“Same here.”

Ni Sang said, “5 points, occasionally 6 if I’m in good form—can’t go higher.”

Ning Jing nodded, indicating his progress was similar.

Then, as if by unspoken agreement, the three of them turned their gazes to Qin Feng.

Qin Feng paused for a moment, then said, “For me, about 10 points per morning.”

A brief silence fell over the room.

“No wonder the system judged you as having ‘Star Beast’ potential.”

After a long while, Long Yu let out a deep sigh, his tone full of emotion. “We all have ‘Ultimate Acupoints,’ yet your improvement speed is exactly twice ours. I suspect that when we face the ‘Three Great Limits’ inevitable for sixth-level martial artists, you’ll break through bottlenecks much faster than we will.”

“Yeah.”

Ni Sang nodded emphatically, looking at Qin Feng. “Fast vitality growth can be attributed to a monstrous physical foundation. But advancing so quickly in killing techniques only means your mental energy talent is equally terrifying. And mental energy—that’s the core of cultivation after the Planetary stage.”

"It was all just luck."

Faced with the exclamations of his three close friends, Qin Feng still offered the same modest reply.

He knew that while talent played a part, it was far more the result of his extraordinary, almost self-tormenting bitter training.

For instance, this entire month, Qin Feng had not slept.

The great leap in his killing techniques was built from three to five hundred battles each day.

The four continued their conversation, sharing insights on cultivating killing arts and the various interesting opponents they had encountered in the Imperial Arena.

Just then, a clear, slightly noisy clamor faintly filtered in from outside the heavy door of the cultivation chamber, which was made of "Void Stone."

"Hmm? What's going on outside?"

Nissan frowned.

Long Yu listened intently for a moment, catching some key words.

A playful smile appeared on his face as he said, "It seems like Wan Kun's direct senior, the one nicknamed 'Staff Fanatic' Qin Yonglin, has arrived."

"Qin Yonglin?"

Ning Jing's eyes showed a hint of surprise. "That ruthless guy who ended up in the top ten thousand in the sixth-level martial artist division of last year's 'Star Cup'?"

"Yes, that's him."

Long Yu nodded. "I heard he saw the video of your fight with Wan Kun this afternoon. Now, he's probably heard that Wan Kun lost to you and has come specifically to find you."

Upon hearing this, Nissan immediately said boisterously, "Hey! Isn't this just like in those novels—beat the junior, and the senior shows up?"

"Hahaha—"

His quip even made Ning Jing laugh.

Ning Jing waved his hand and said, "Don't talk nonsense.

Senior Qin Yonglin, though I've never dealt with him, I've heard of his reputation.

He's a pure martial fanatic to the extreme; besides cultivation and combat, there's nothing else in his mind.

These martial artists who have truly crawled out of blood and fire don't have the 'leisure' to settle scores."

"I bet he's a hundred percent heard of Wan Kun's defeat and also heard about your previous deeds. His hands are itching, so he's come specifically to spar with you. After all, spear and staff share the same origin."

Ning Jing's guess was soon confirmed.

A polite knock sounded from outside the door.

When Qin Feng opened it, he saw Wan Kun standing at the entrance with an awkward expression.

Beside him stood a young man with an even more upright posture, his aura deep as the ocean.

The young man also held a long staff, but his staff was an ancient bronze color, inscribed with mysterious patterns.

He stood there, his edge fully exposed.

"Junior Qin, I am Qin Yonglin."

Before Qin Feng could speak, the young man stepped forward, gave a hearty smile, and revealed a set of white teeth.

"What a coincidence, we both share the surname Qin. You practice spear techniques, I practice staff techniques. In fact, spear and staff share the same origin."

His gaze, sharp as the keenest eagle, looked Qin Feng up and down, filled with undisguised admiration and intense battle intent.

"I heard from Wan Kun and saw the video of your fight this afternoon, as well as your previous battles.

To cultivate dozens of lower-third-grade killing arts to the mastery level;

To create a supreme killing move like [Qianyuan], which can spontaneously trigger mental power;

And now, to learn this new fourth-grade killing art and reach minor success within a month... Junior Qin, to be honest, when I heard all this, my hands started itching unbearably. I'm truly parched with desire!"

His words were direct and frank, filled with the purest longing of a martial artist.

"So, I've come today specifically to ask Junior Qin to kindly impart your wisdom!"

He clasped his fists solemnly at Qin Feng, his voice resounding.

"My current vitality index is 18,000 points, already reaching the first major limit. My main fourth-grade killing art, 'Nine Yuan Staff,' has also reached the 'perfection' level."

"I know my vitality index is far higher than yours. If we engage in actual combat or enter a private domain duel, it would be very unfair to you."

He paused and made a suggestion that even surprised Qin Feng.

"So, let's not do actual combat or enter a private domain. Let's go to the Imperial Arena's friend room, lock the vitality index at 7,200 points! Only compete in killing arts and combat techniques! How about that?" Qin Yonglin looked at Qin Feng, the desire for battle in his eyes almost burning.

"I really, really want to see your spear."

He was a true martial fanatic.

A pure martial artist who, to have a fair duel with an opponent he acknowledged, was even willing to voluntarily give up his greatest advantage.

---

Faced with Qin Yonglin's blazing, pure, and unadulterated battle intent, Qin Feng simply couldn't refuse, nor did he want to.

Fighting against the strong was exactly what he desired most.

Moreover, the other party, to ensure fairness, was even willing to voluntarily give up his greatest vitality advantage, pulling both sides to the same starting line for the purest competition of killing arts and techniques.

This demeanor and openness, befitting a true martial artist, earned Qin Feng's heartfelt respect.

"Alright!"

Qin Feng's reply was equally crisp and decisive.

He nodded solemnly at Qin Yonglin. "I'll follow the senior's suggestion!"

Thus, a pinnacle duel was agreed upon.

Without any delay, the two added each other as friends in the subspace network through their personal terminals.

Immediately after, a friend room in the Imperial Arena, created by Qin Yonglin, appeared in Qin Feng's invitation list.

Unlike public ranked matches, the friend room was private; only those invited by the room owner or the owner's friends could enter to watch.

When Qin Feng confirmed entry, the few spectators already in the room immediately noticed his arrival.

Most of these people were Qin Yonglin's friends from his battle group, also a group of martial arts maniacs with formidable auras.

Upon seeing Qin Feng's ID, they cast curious and scrutinizing glances.

As Qin Feng entered, his friend list also simultaneously displayed viewing prompts.

Long Yu, Nissan, and Ning Jing naturally clicked in immediately.

However, the next moment, when Qin Feng saw several familiar names light up in succession on the spectator list, he was momentarily stunned.

[Lin Yue has entered the viewing channel]

[Gu Yue has entered the viewing channel]

[Wu Shangfeng has entered the viewing channel]

"Eh?"

"Instructor Lin Yue? Instructor Gu Yue? Instructor Wu Shangfeng?"

A flicker of surprise and bewilderment spread across Qin Feng's face.

These three were precisely the mentors who had once offered him meticulous guidance and immense help back at Qiming First Martial Arts Senior High School!

He never imagined that a casual sparring session would actually draw the attention of these three mentors, who had long since become planetary-level experts.

Almost at the same instant he saw the notification, an encrypted private message was sent directly to his mailbox.

The sender was none other than his beautiful yet spirited homeroom teacher, Mentor Lin Yue.

[Lin Yue]: Oh, if it isn't our great genius, classmate Qin Feng!

Just finished a mind-numbingly boring meeting, had nothing to do, and saw your room notification pop up, so I dropped in to watch the fun.

[Lin Yue]: Speaking of which, you heartless kid, it's been nearly thirty or forty years since you last sent me a message on your own, hasn't it?

[Lin Yue]: Let me guess your progress… locked vitality index at 7200, I'd say… you've at least completed half of your acupoint merges, right? That's insane, this speed.

[Lin Yue]: No, knowing you as I do, I must have guessed too low again, haven't I?

Watching that string of messages filled with a familiar tone, an involuntary warm smile curled at the corner of Qin Feng's lips.

He felt as if he had returned to that era of youth and passion in martial arts high school.

After a moment's thought, he simply replied with a smiley face and a single sentence.

[Qin Feng]: Teacher, a month ago, I barely managed to ascend to the Soaring Sky.

After the message was sent, the other side fell silent for a good ten-plus seconds.

Then, a message filled with shock and speechlessness popped up again.

[Lin Yue]: Damn! You call that 'barely'?! You monster! So you've already merged all your origin acupoints?! Give you a few more years, and you'll surpass me, won't you?

Besides the three mentors, there were also some other friends of Qin Feng in the spectator channel, such as Zheng Dong, Wan Shuang, Zou Yun, and Qin Lan, whom he had known before.

But the entire room added up to only a dozen or so spectators.

After all, it was just a friendly spar; neither had intended to make a big show of it, and those allowed to watch were all close friends who knew each other well, not the kind of big mouths who loved to gossip.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Qin Feng gathered his focus and concentrated all his attention on the opponent before him.

Under everyone's gaze, the battle countdown reached zero.

[Battle Begin!]

On the virtual arena stage, their figures were instantly constructed by streams of data.

Qin Feng was still clad in light armor, holding an alloy long spear.

Across from him, Qin Yonglin was also in light armor, wielding a bronze long staff.

Both of their vitality indices were forcibly locked by the system at 7200.0 points.

At this moment, they stood on a foundation of absolute fairness.

What was being tested was only the purest killing techniques, skills, and will to fight!

The battle erupted the instant it began!

No probing, no circling!

Two figures transformed into two streaks of ultimate light, crashing together on the stage with a thunderous impact!

The bronze long staff in Qin Yonglin's hand, under his urging, seemed to come alive.

His "spiritual energy-psychic power convergence" was faster, more precise, and far more subtle than Wan Kun's.

The converged energy merged perfectly with the staff techniques in his hands, leaving no trace of artifice.

Even more terrifying was his footwork!

His steps moved in perfect harmony with his staff techniques, sometimes drifting like a phantom, elusive and unpredictable, and other times as steady and heavy as a landslide.

It was a state of complete mastery, achieved only when footwork, body movement, and staff techniques were fully integrated!

From the very start of the battle, Qin Yonglin, relying on his perfected "Nine Origin Staff," exerted an unprecedented pressure on Qin Feng!

Yet Qin Feng's counterattack was equally swift and unmatched!

Facing Qin Yonglin's assault, which was like a raging storm, Qin Feng's long spear transformed into an unbreakable reef.

He pushed his "Heavy Spear" minor mastery to its limits—each thrust like a mountain, each strike like a peak.

Every spear precisely blocked and intercepted Qin Yonglin's most ferocious attacks.

Their figures moved and clashed at high speed across the stage.

For a time, spear shadows and staff shadows intertwined, and the clang of metal rang out like the densest drumbeat, echoing throughout the arena.

Thus they stalemated, exchanging no fewer than a hundred blows in just over ten seconds.

Under such high-intensity exchanges, the battle intent within both of them burned like dry kindling, growing fiercer.

Gradually, they both began to fight with true fire!

What had been a pure collision of fundamentals evolved into a head-on clash of core killing moves!

"Take this!"

Qin Yonglin let out a long cry, and from his staff erupted a heavy, condensed aura that seemed capable of suppressing the very earth!

"Earth Origin Staff!"

This was a killing move from the "Nine Origin Staff," specializing in defense and counter-shock!

Facing this staff strike as heavy as the earth, Qin Feng's eyes narrowed. He did not dodge or evade; his long spear also erupted with terrifying power!

"Heavy Thrust!"

A point of ultimate darkness condensed once more at the spear tip!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The collision of killing moves instantly detonated across the entire stage.

Terrible shockwaves spread outward in rings, cracking the hard alloy floor into a web of fine fissures.

After the collision, Qin Feng's figure, as if struck by a giant hammer, retreated hundreds of steps before barely stabilizing himself.

But Qin Yonglin stood firm on the spot, unmoving as a mountain!

The difference was clear!

In the clash of killing moves, the merely "minor mastery" level [Heavy Thrust] was ultimately no match for the "perfected" level [Earth Origin Staff]!

"Not over yet!"

Seizing the gap as Qin Feng retreated, Qin Yonglin pressed his advantage without mercy and launched another fierce assault.

His staff technique suddenly shifted, no longer confined to the fourth-grade killing technique "Nine Origin Staff." Instead, he effortlessly incorporated countless basic moves from third-grade, second-grade, and even first-grade killing techniques, blending them freely into his attacks.

And the most terrifying part was that these seemingly basic moves, in his hands, were also coated with that powerful energy formed by "spiritual energy-psychic power convergence"!

"Watch closely, Junior Qin! This is one of the secrets of the 'perfected' realm!"

Qin Yonglin, attacking like a whirlwind, used his booming voice to explain on the spot for Qin Feng.

"When you truly cultivate a fourth-grade killing technique to perfection, your understanding of 'spiritual energy-psychic power convergence' will reach an entirely new level!"

You will no longer be confined to the fixed pattern of this single killing technique; instead, you can draw inferences and flexibly apply this aggregating pattern to all the low-level killing techniques you have mastered, vastly amplifying them!

“Of course, the prerequisite for all this is that you must have already cultivated those low-level killing techniques to the ‘Realm of Mastery’!”

Faced with Qin Yonglin’s overwhelming and ever-changing assault, there was not a trace of fear in Qin Feng’s eyes; instead, they blazed with an unprecedented, dazzling radiance.

He abandoned the still-unfamiliar *Heavy Spear* and instead unleashed the battle instinct that had long been fused into his very marrow—his strongest, most primal self!

With his fists as a frame, he unfurled the spear’s momentum!

That supreme killing move, honed countless times within the Canaan Tower, that final trump card merging his lifelong martial will, erupted in that moment with a thunderous roar!

**[Qian Yuan]!**

At the same time, Qin Yonglin, facing him, sensed the soaring, domineering will radiating from Qin Feng.

His expression turned solemn, and he too unleashed his most powerful offensive technique!

**[Tian Yuan Staff]!**

Boom—!

A sound like a nuclear explosion thundered across the entire virtual arena.

Under the horrified gazes of all spectators, the spear tip and the long staff finally collided.

…

Within the viewing channel, the chatter had already erupted into chaos.

**[Lin Yue]:** Damn! I take back what I said! This guy… he actually completed the aperture fusion!

**[Wu Shangfeng]:** Lin Yue, Old Gu, look at Qin Feng’s final move! Why does it look so familiar? Its core force technique is derived from *Qian Kun Spear*, yet it carries the sharpness of *Cold Gleam*, and…

Hiss, I can see traces of at least a dozen different killing techniques!

And, did you feel it? This move already has that spontaneous resonance with spiritual energy!

**[Gu Yue]:** Hahaha! As expected of my proud disciple! Such rapid progress! Such a profound foundation!

I told you, my judgment back then couldn’t have been wrong!

In the realm of killing techniques at Level Three and below, Qin Feng is already invincible! He has reached the pinnacle of what the ‘Realm of Mastery’ can achieve! This move, *Qian Yuan*, is good! Very good!

…

Other viewers in the channel, who had initially wanted to chime in with their own comments, wisely fell silent after seeing the conversation among these three big shots.

When they clicked on their profiles, they were too terrified to speak.

All three were marked as “Planetary-Level Powerhouses,” and one of them even bore a gleaming “Fighter” badge behind their ID, representing a rank above the Ninth Stage in the Imperial Arena.

…

In the final, most brilliant burst of explosive light.

The alloy spear in Qin Feng’s hands, unable to withstand the power that exceeded its limits, shattered inch by inch.

His data-constructed body, ravaged by the devastating impact, crumbled piece by piece, eventually dissolving into a sky full of scattered starlight.

On the other side, though Qin Yonglin emerged victorious, the bronze staff in his hands, forced to deflect the overwhelming force of *Qian Yuan*, snapped cleanly in two.

This battle, Qin Yonglin had won.

…

The virtual starlight faded, and consciousness returned to reality.

Qin Feng opened his eyes, still sitting cross-legged in that utterly silent cultivation chamber.

The exhilarating battle in the Imperial Arena moments ago seemed to linger vividly before his eyes.

Though he had lost as his body shattered, his heart held no trace of disappointment—only an unprecedented surge of excitement.

Fighting a true powerhouse like Qin Yonglin, even for just a few dozen seconds, yielded immense gains.

He exited the friend room in the Imperial Arena, and Qin Yonglin did the same.

This straightforward, unyielding martial fanatic wore a flush of battle on his face, his eyes filled with the appreciation and thrill of meeting a worthy opponent.

He looked at Qin Feng, offering praise without reservation.

“Qin Feng,”

Qin Yonglin said with emotion, his voice booming with excitement, “Your fundamentals in the realm of killing techniques below Level Four are absurdly solid!

“Especially your final move, *Qian Yuan*—with pure martial will, you spontaneously stirred spiritual energy, and its instantaneous burst of power surpassed ordinary Level Four techniques!

If my *Nine Yuan Staff* hadn’t reached perfection, with my control over force and deflection techniques at their peak, perhaps what broke wouldn’t have been just my staff.”

His gaze grew intensely fervent, as if beholding an unparalleled rough gem.

“Take my advice, Junior Qin. This move *Qian Yuan* is the essence of your martial path—never abandon it.

When the day comes that you can cultivate a multitude of mid-to-high-level killing techniques to the ‘Realm of Perfection’ and, by drawing inferences, integrate their ‘Spiritual-Energy Aggregation Modules’ into this *Qian Yuan*…

By then, I can’t even imagine how terrifying this ultimate move of yours will become!”

“Excellent! Excellent!”

He clapped Qin Feng on the shoulder forcefully. “This battle was incredibly satisfying! The most exhilarating fight I’ve had since advancing to Level Six!”

Qin Yonglin laughed heartily, his eyes full of expectation as he looked at Qin Feng.

“Qin Feng, I’ll wait for you! Wait until you’ve also cultivated mid-to-high-level killing techniques to the ‘Realm of Mastery’—then we’ll fight again, to our hearts’ content!”

“Agreed!”

At the words “Realm of Mastery,” a dazzling light burst forth from Qin Feng’s eyes.

Without hesitation, he gladly accepted the challenge!

The Realm of Mastery!

For others, it might be a distant, legendary state requiring endless years to polish.

But for him, it was an inevitable goal!

He was equally confident that he could grind these higher-level mid-to-high-tier killing techniques, one by one, to the Realm of Mastery!

Hearing Qin Feng’s affirmative reply, Qin Yonglin was content, with no regrets.

He and Wan Kun and the others clasped their fists at Qin Feng, Long Yu, and the rest, then turned and left in a whirlwind, no doubt eager to review the battle just fought.

After seeing off Qin Yonglin and his group, the cultivation chamber fell silent once more.

Just then, Qin Feng noticed that the private message icon on his personal terminal was blinking incessantly.

He opened it and found that Mentor Lin Yue, Mentor Gu Yue, and Mentor Wu Shangfeng had all sent him new messages at almost the same time.

He first opened Lin Yue’s chat window.

**[Lin Yue]:** Brat, confess honestly! How the hell did you improve so fast?! Tell me! Have you been secretly worshipping some forbidden evil god behind our backs?!

Lin Yue’s message was, as always, direct, even carrying a tone of interrogation.

But beneath that seemingly stern questioning, Qin Feng could clearly feel her genuine concern and worry.

Then, the messages from Mentor Wu Shangfeng and Mentor Gu Yue were more or less the same.

[Wu Shangfeng]: Qin Feng, your progress has exceeded my expectations. Excellent. But the path of martial arts grows ever more perilous the further one treads. The greater the talent, the more susceptible one becomes to the covetousness and temptations of the outside world. Remember: guard your heart, and you shall reach the end.

Wu Shangfeng’s roundabout inquiry carried the same underlying concern.

[Gu Yue]: Haha! Good lad! But speaking of which, your speed is indeed a bit uncanny.

You must remember: we human martial artists cultivate the grand and upright path, relying on our own will and sweat. Never, for the sake of momentary speed, touch those crooked and deviant ways!

Those chaotic beasts love nothing more than a genius like you—firm of will yet ravenous for power!

...

Gu Yue trusted Qin Feng, yet still offered him a warning and a reminder.

All three mentors, as if by unspoken accord, showed immense shock at his rate of progress… and a trace of deep concern.

...

A warmth filled Qin Feng’s heart, and he instantly understood his teachers’ well-meaning intentions.

They were seasoned planetary-level powerhouses, men of vast experience.

In their long lives, they had seen far too many dazzling prodigies.

These prodigies, from a place teeming with geniuses, fought with all their might, bleeding in battle, only to emerge and enter another higher, broader training ground where geniuses were as numerous as hairs on an ox.

In that process, the immense sense of disparity, the cruel reality, and the craving for greater strength often became the final straw that crushed their Dao heart.

How many geniuses, unable to bear that pressure, succumbed to the whispers of the chaotic evil gods, lost themselves, and fell into an abyss of eternal ruin?

Of course, the main reason for the teachers’ worry was that Qin Feng’s progress—like a rocket—was simply too fast, so fast that it exceeded their understanding of the very concept of “genius.”

“Teacher, the thing is…”

Qin Feng hurriedly began to reply.

(End of this chapter)