Chapter 26: All the Spiritual Stones Went Down the Drain

The Grand Elder of the Outer Gate, watching from the stand, saw the scene and couldn't help but rub his forehead and sigh.

Chu Jiang clearly noticed the presence of the three senior sect elders, so he wanted to show his strength and refused to be suppressed by others.

However… those three elders came to the Outer Gate actually for the disciple named Qin Yu!

That made things complicated.

Chu Jiang even threatened to break Qin Yu's legs, leaving him bedridden for half a year!

The Grand Elder's gaze unintentionally swept over Wu Lao and the others, noticing a faint aura of killing intent swirling around the Deputy Hall Master.

The three of them were having a private conversation.

"This kid is truly arrogant, daring to provoke Qin Yu, who possesses a 30,000‑jin mortal body strength!"

"All he asks for is to complete the task and claim the spiritual stones; Qin Yu's goal is the top spot, so he'll naturally deal with other Outer Gate disciples. What do you mean his spiritual stones are hard to get? At the start there was no rule preventing my disciple from striking his people, right?"

"In just three days, Qin Yu rose to the Ninth Level of Body Tempering, and you still want to cut off half a year's cultivation? This kid is trying to block my disciple's cultivation path!"

The three Wu Lao's eyes all flashed with anger.

After all, at their level, they are extremely biased toward those they care about.

Even though Qin Yu hasn't formally become their disciple.

They might not even know that yet.

After the third round of battles ended, 250 participants remained, and Qin Yu encountered another disciple unrelated to Chu Jiang or Jiang Hai.

He eliminated him.

He waited quietly.

On Qin Yu's side another was eliminated; this time Chu Jiang used his own offensive spiritual treasure, a yellow‑tier middle grade.

In a duel of the same realm the gap wasn't large, but when such a suppressive treasure appears, the outcome becomes certain.

At this point, Qin Yu's resentment grew stronger.

He didn't care about Chu Jiang's provocation; he was angry because Chu Jiang broke the rules.

If Chu Jiang directly gave the treasure to his own subordinates, Qin Yu wouldn't mind, since the treasure is also part of one's strength.

But… whenever he meets someone on Qin Yu's side, Chu Jiang lends out his spiritual treasure.

This is clearly a targeted action.

In the fourth round, 125 remained; this time Qin Yu drew number 32, and the other holder of that number was the previously encountered disciple named Qing Shan.

The two stepped onto the arena together.

Qing Shan felt a bit regretful.

Spending so many spiritual stones without letting Qin Yu face Chu Jiang himself was truly a pity.

Their gazes met, and Qing Shan said, "Junior brother… you, just concede."

"We'll help you vent your anger against Chu Jiang."

"You're strong; I even feel you can compare to a Foundation Establishment Second Rank whose realm is unstable."

"But if we clash, there will be injury; whoever overexerts will lose the next top three slots."

"If you give up, I can personally give you a thousand spiritual stones, and when you need to establish your foundation, offer assistance, buy your Foundation Pills at low price, etc., how about that?"

He made many promises, hoping the young man before him would understand his good intentions.

The Ninth Level of Body Tempering cannot be defeated.

After all, the gap between the two sides is huge.

He knows Qin Yu has broken the ultimate of the mortal body…

But even at that strength, it's only a little over ten thousand jin of power.

As for himself, being a peak Foundation Establishment Second Rank cultivator, he already possesses twenty thousand jin of mortal body strength.

Plus he can already use martial techniques, fully capable of winning.

Thus Qing Shan kept urging Qin Yu.

In his view, Qin Yu keeps gathering spiritual stones because he lacks resources; offering so many benefits, Qin Yu will surely accept the challenge.

Just as Qing Shan was preparing the next arena match.

Qin Yu slowly lifted his head and calmly said, "No need, senior brother, just act normally."

"I'll handle Chu Jiang's side myself, no need to trouble you and the others."

Qing Shan, about to start the match, was stunned by the words.

Then he felt some displeasure, having given so much, and this kid still didn't know his place?

The six of them had collectively spent about a thousand spiritual stones.

Giving up this time would still yield a thousand spiritual stones.

But he still doesn't know when to stop?

"Do you want young master to speak up?"

"A thousand spiritual stones can't satisfy your appetite?"

"Facing me, you can only lose; taking this thousand spiritual stones and leaving is your best option now."

Qing Shan's brows knit tightly, a cold glint flickering deep in his eyes; he felt deep displeasure.

He thought Qin Yu was playing with fire.

Qin Yu said lightly, "No, I want the top spot."

Then his gaze turned to the other side, "Steward, may we begin?"

"After three breaths, begin."

Qing Shan couldn't help but laugh angrily; among the Outer Gate, several Foundation Establishment Second Rank, and one Foundation Establishment Third Rank.

Top spot? What does that have to do with you, a Body Tempering disciple?

"Defeating a Foundation Establishment First Tier practitioner, and you truly think you have the right to vie for the inner sect?"

"Come! I'll personally show you just how big the gap is!"

Qing Shan's aura around his body slowly surged, the heavy, earth‑like spiritual energy floating about him.

His qi and blood surged beyond measure.

From within, it formed a mountain, as if to crush heaven and earth.

"Mountain‑Moving Technique!"

Qing Shan moved instantly, turning into a divine ray that shot out.

A massive mountain of gathered spiritual energy slammed horizontally forward.

In Qin Yu's eyes, faint lightning flashes flickered.

"Thunder Intent…"

The spiritual energy in his dantian instantly transformed into thunder, enveloping his body.

From the palm of his right hand surged a world‑shaking lightning.

The aura of destruction spread outward.

"Boom!"

The so‑called spiritual mountain shattered in an instant, turning into plumes of smoke.

Qing Shan felt a life‑or‑death crisis.

In the depths of his eyes flashed a look of astonishment.

"Intent… you have mastered Thunder Intent!"

"How could this be possible!"

"You are only a Body‑Tempering cultivator!"

He tried to dodge, but the thunder's speed was too great; it slammed him to the ground, leaving his body limp, numb, and completely immobile.

A trace of loneliness surfaced in Qing Shan's eyes.

Defeated… I actually lost?

He looked at the inexperienced boy before him.

"He actually has the strength to seize the top spot."

"Qin Yu, victory!"

Even the outer‑sect steward felt a surge of turmoil; this kid is truly fierce, killing anyone in an instant.

The many outer‑sect disciples below the arena all shouted in shock.

"What the hell, another instant kill?"

"Qin Yu versus Qing Shan, and it's an instant kill again—no doubt! The Body‑Tempering Ninth Tier has mastered Thunder Intent; perhaps he truly has the right to suppress Senior Brother?"

"Are you dreaming? This kind of Thunder Intent can only be used once, already at the limit; a Body‑Tempering cultivator lacks sufficient spiritual energy. Senior Brother is at Foundation Establishment Third Tier; even if Qin Yu is strong, he can only lose. That's a pity—if he breaks through Foundation Establishment, he would truly have the right to challenge the top spot!"

At this moment, everyone awaited the instant when Qin Yu would face Chu Jiang.

But… only Jiang Hai felt his vision dim.

When Qin Yu won, he understood clearly.

The spiritual stones of us… were wasted.

This is completely aiding the enemy!

Qin Yu is also one of their rivals!

Damn!