Chapter 180

The three main paths of Dongxia all take stepping into the "Professional Realm" as the dividing line for the extraordinary.

After life force breaks through the Hundred Point Threshold, the mortal body's flesh and blood will complete a qualitative sublimation.

The most notable point is gaining the ability and qualification to step toward the Star Sea and witness the vast Universe.

Mortal flesh and blood that has broken gene restrictions is no longer as fragile as before, unable to withstand various radiations and viral invasions.

"The Professional Realm's upgrade is more intuitive. With each segment raised, not only are you granted exclusive traits, you can also undergo 'Evolution' or 'Reconstruction' on the level of life form."

Qin Shi entered Body-Mind Meditative Union, his mind like a mirror surface, reflecting Zhou Yuanchen.

The other party's life form, compared to before, could be said to have undergone an earth-shaking huge change.

Stripping away the flesh and blood, the mortal body seemed to elementalize, spraying out piercing white light, silk-like frost winding around, like clusters of cold flames dotted about, extremely powerful energy fluctuations roaring like sea tides, wave after wave, sweeping across the boundless Xu Kong.

"Tsk tsk, so this is the Professional Realm. A major step for humanity truly stepping toward the extraordinary and transcendent."

Qin Shi's gaze flickered, and as his spirit expanded, it was as if a fine net of mental power covered over, "scanning" Zhou Yuanchen inside and out even more clearly.

The originally misty flesh vitality, after experiencing this sublimation, was compressed into drops of substantive liquid, guided by the vibration of breathing, easily released outward, transforming into energy fluctuations, causing huge destructive power.

This is also the formidable aspect of the "Professional Level".

They possess long-range strike methods exceeding a hundred meters, combined with high-speed mobility, defense hardness comparable to advanced alloys — simply killing machines in small-scale combat!

Of course, once placed in high-intensity planetary wars, the Professional Level is not enough to watch; they can only rely on legion warfare. To determine the course of this level of Large-scale Campaign, it must be Grandmaster Level, even Martial God Realm invincible existences.

"The Entropy Sea Bank's Symbolic Emblem."

Qin Shi caught sight of that strand of brilliance hidden extremely deep; it was precisely the Entropy Sea Bank's special mark, representing the universe's universal currency "Money Symbol".

Only then did he suddenly realize — so Zhou Yuanchen's "genius" was actually borrowed through loans.

"Cultivation Loan, Karma Loan, Potential Loan... this guy, just how much debt does he owe?

The number of loans he carries, I'm scared just looking at it!

Professional Level at most lives to two hundred years old.

Which normal person would willingly take on a huge loan approaching two-thirds of their own Lifespan Cycle! Too crazy!"

A look of shock flashed through Qin Shi's eyes, sighing at Zhou Yuanchen's boldness and determination.

The Entropy Sea Bank's debts don't vanish with death.

They have unique Causal Tracing Channels.

Guaranteeing one loan passes three generations, forever doing cow and horse labor!

Even if a lone bachelor, unmarried for life, with no descendants.

The Entropy Sea Bank can also, according to signed terms, dismantle your various organs and labor your spirit, as debt repayment "items".

Still remember, the orange little dog in the Inner Landscape, unlocked the "Entropy Sea Bank" online software.

Out of curiosity, Qin Shi communicated with customer service for a long time, roughly understanding this super giant whose business scope spans the Star Sea.

He simply didn't dare touch those loan projects that looked so beautiful, only using his own "potential" to order a batch of Star Skeletons and Xu Kong Marrow Crystals.

He remembered Zhou Yuanchen's family background was very ordinary, just slightly stronger than his own kind of Old Factory Street worker's suburb child; with such barren accumulation, he actually dared become an Entropy Sea Bank borrowing client.

"No wonder Lao Zhou his various data are so balanced, almost no shortcomings visible, and no matter how heavy the injuries, he can also recover rapidly."

Qin Shi's mind flashed with clear understanding — this is clearly a Potential Loan, using his own potential as collateral, exchanging for medical quota and personal safety insurance.

Sounds very cost-effective, very reliable.

But it's just a sugar-coated cannonball; wait until after thirty years old, the cultivation advantages brought by the Golden Age of life force development greatly weaken.

Unable to maintain past high-efficiency breakthroughs, potential assessment day by day increasingly decreases, then must face the Entropy Sea Bank's "collection" and "debt repayment".

"Put that way, I may not be unable to defeat Lao Zhou, refresh the Hengzhou Hundred Strong record!"

Qin Shi's mouth corner raised; he sits on 1,700 Xu Kong Coins, assets absolutely crushing Zhou Yuanchen.

And in the Entropy Sea Bank's client rating, also far surpasses the other party.

"Strong as a Professional Level genius, also cannot resist this killer move of mine."

Qin Shi's spirit entered the Inner Landscape, grabbed that orange little dog.

Logged into the Entropy Sea Bank Application Software, began contacting dedicated customer service.

"One hundred points of life force! So this is the Hundred Point Threshold, the ultimate comfort after breaking through!"

Zhou Yuanchen stretched his body floating in mid-air; within his hundred bones filled an unprecedented powerful feeling.

He had never been this satisfied, as if just lightly raising a hand could tear through cloud layers, just stomping a foot could shatter mountain peaks.

As the light cocoon shattered, a strong wind like ten thousand steel knives instantly surged in, blowing against the mortal flesh and blood that had completed the first stage of evolution.

No feeling at all!

Zhou Yuanchen didn't even mobilize life force; relying solely on body strength, he withstood this lethal killing power comparable to knife chopping and axe hacking.

Chest rising and falling, breathing lightly.

Heart like a furnace operating, pumping out strong and powerful beating sounds.

Immediately after, strands of gorgeous light radiance, like engines, roared and resonated!

Dong!

Zhou Yuanchen's feet stepped on the ground, falling back to the mountain top.

Like a heavy hammer striking, vast and unmatched terrifying force forcibly dispersed the strong wind within several dozen meters.

Visually like a waterfall reversing, endless airflow going against the current upward, spiraling and dissipating.

"You can admit defeat, Xiao Qin."

Zhou Yuanchen looked ahead, looking at Qin Shi whose expression had no ripples, said lightly:

"No matter what, you have no way to defeat me who has become Professional Level! The huge chasm produced between us is like the barrier between backward regions and developed cities; relying on effort alone, it's impossible to break through!"

He couldn't help but admire Qin Shi's resoluteness; even after personally witnessing him step into the Professional Domain, he was surprisingly unaffected, not showing even a trace of frustration or discouragement.

This extraordinary willpower was enough to match his own.

"Compared to those rich kids born with a silver spoon who get whatever they want, we who grew up from adversity are the ones worthy of advancing boldly along the Martial Path, pressing forward all the way!"

Admiration and recognition welled up in Zhou Yuanchen's heart; if not for the need to clear his debts, maintain good financial standing, and facilitate continued small loans in the future, he would not have agreed to cooperate with the Ying Clan.

A youth genius like Qin Shi, whose talent and background were both incredibly similar to his own.

Zhou Yuanchen truly couldn't bear to make a move and eliminate him.

His mind kept flashing with the moving scene of heroes cherishing each other.

"What a pity; cruel reality forces me to show you no mercy."

……

……

At the end of the Great Rift Valley, Xu Sheng, who had watched Zhou Yuanchen successfully enter the Professional Domain, remarked with emotion:

"A Professional under twenty-two; the Supernova the Education Bureau is pushing hard this time is indeed extraordinarily talented, comparable to……"

He glanced at Lao Zhang sitting in a wheelchair beside him and cut off the rest of his words in time.

Shen Zhangyuan's name was absolutely a "taboo" for the Nanhuang Dao Guan.

"As for Zhou Yuanchen, there's nothing to fault about his effort and diligence."

Lao Zhang also praised rarely:

"I've seen countless youth geniuses; those who truly realize their talent and step into the Professional Domain are not many. About thirty to forty percent.

Geniuses are often easily swayed by praise, and young people's dispositions are restless; those who can keep their cool are too rare. Xiao Qin excels in this aspect; Zhou Yuanchen is indeed not bad either."

Xu Sheng laughed inwardly; the predecessor is truly biased toward his own disciple.

At a time like this, he still doesn't forget to bring in praise for his own disciple.

"Predecessor, should I intervene? Judging by the looks of it, Zhou Yuanchen and Qin Shi are about to have a showdown; their fighting intent is both very strong. If they really fight, Qin Shi cannot possibly win against Zhou Yuanchen, who is already a Professional."

Xu Sheng asked tentatively:

"Moreover, Zhou Yuanchen just completed the first stage of Evolution; his Qi Life Force increased enormously, but his Breath is not stable enough. If he loses control, he might severely injure Qin Shi……"

Lao Zhang's eyelids drooped; with his sharpness, how could he not hear the implication in Xu Sheng's words?

If he truly spoke up and had the other party interfere with the Top Hundred Trial process.

After so many years, the prestige the Nanhuang Dao Guan had accumulated would probably not retain a few points.

Be it Old Martial Arts or New Martial Arts, both value a "Reputation" character.

Without reputation, there is no substance.

Wanting to make it in the circle and sit firmly in the top seats.

Besides ability, one must also possess prestige.

This Top Hundred Competition is different from the past; all eyes are on it, even Tomorrow Group's reporters have rushed over, ready to get first-hand materials for follow-up reports.

Lao Zhang knew perfectly well in his heart that the Center City Education Bureau side would love nothing more than for him to step in.

Anyway, the Ying Clan's scheme to block Xiao Qin outside the Core Area had already fallen through.

Even if Zhou Yuanchen is allowed to win, Qin Shi can still obtain the generous rewards for second place.

At most, as the Nanhuang Dao Guan Disciple, letting the Education Bureau's Supernova step on his head would sound bad when spread, but there is no substantive loss.

"Juniors vying for victory; why should we outsiders worry so much? Just wait quietly for the result."

Lao Zhang lowered his eyelids, pondering having Old Ren prepare some injury medicine.

Even though Xiao Qin has broken the Three Great Limits and possesses the Top-Tier Weapon bestowed by the Four Pillars.

Wanting to break through the Professional Domain's barrier and cross swords with him still presents difficulty.

Moreover, Zhou Yuanchen is no ordinary Professional!

……

……

"A peak showdown! What a pity Xiao Qin was a step late; he's several years younger than Zhou Yuanchen, equivalent to lagging behind several years of cultivation. If they were the same age, Xiao Qin would definitely win!"

Chen Ruofu sighed.

He was at the Temporary Command Base, able to receive the fastest news.

Learning that Qin Shi had fought his way into the Core Area and raced Zhou Yuanchen up Copper Mountain, this Patrol Department head couldn't help but feel gratified.

Fighting all the way from the Outer Area, he hard-chased and caught up to that batch of geniuses in the Core Area.

This strength speaks for itself; it's considerably solid, enough to shatter all doubts from various sides!

But soon news came of Zhou Yuanchen breaking through to Professional, making both Chen Ruofu and Fang Butang's faces turn grave.

They both knew clearly that Zhou Yuanchen was the Supernova the Center City Education Bureau was pushing hard, and the Education Bureau was in the same boat as the Ying Clan.

"Your Xiao Qin had better be sensible; otherwise, if Zhou Yuanchen strikes with lethal force, no one can save him."

Fang Butang also felt it a pity; Qin Shi lost because his age was excessively young; compared to Zhou Yuanchen, he lacked tempering and settling down.

"What about Representative Zhou? You haven't seen him, have you?"

Chen Ruofu turned his head and asked.

Reasonably speaking, having barely secured the advantage, Zhou Shu should have jumped out to speak.

"Chatted him up the day before yesterday, annoyed him so much he runs at the sight of me now."

Fang Butang shook his head, then said:

"I feel this old guy harbors ill intentions; these past few days he's often been staring at the Rescue Team. Could he be trying to find a breakthrough from the Martial Association, attempting to cheat?"

Chen Ruofu narrowed his eyes; as the Trial venue, the Great Rift Valley was isolated from the outside world. The only official personnel able to enter and contact the contestants were the Martial Association's Rescue Team.

"Zheng Xu, who was just carried back, has already been penalized for cheating, privately carrying medicines. Zheng Xu is also one of the contestants cooperating with the Ying Clan; it's hard to guarantee there aren't other cheaters besides him."

But Zhou Yuanchen has already entered the Professional Realm—what cheating methods could he possibly need?

Fang Butang's gaze was sharp as he thought of a possibility:

"As far as I know, Zhou Yuanchen's ties to the Ying Clan aren't deep. So far, the plan to surround Qin Shi has failed; even if Qin Shi loses to Zhou Yuanchen, he can still take second place. That doesn't match the Ying Clan's expectations."

"If I were Ying Lin, I'd go all in and raise the stakes, forcing Zhou Yuanchen to completely eliminate Qin Shi. Don't forget, the Top Hundred competition has a Death Quota—even if Zhou Yuanchen kills him, the Nanhuang Dao Guan can't officially pursue it!"

"One sentence—if the Ying Clan can just send one sentence to let Zhou Yuanchen know! This duel isn't simply about determining superiority; it's a Life-or-Death Duel where only one can survive!"

……

……

At the highest point of Copper Mountain, the vast open plaza seemed to connect with the sky.

With every step Zhou Yuanchen took, the four directions trembled.

The Ten Directions Freezing Demon Path operated on its own, rolling cold currents like great rivers.

Wherever he passed, even the currents of air were frozen, clearly visible like silk threads.

Then they were shattered by a "Crack!", turning into clouds of sparkling powder that scattered away.

"Lao Zhou really knows how to act. If I didn't know for sure he's just relying on small loans, I might have been fooled too."

Qin Shi's heart was like a calm lake, his expression serene, the hundred bones within his body like a furnace, constantly channeling Qi Life Force.

"Sorry, but I'm eliminating you here."

Zhou Yuanchen saw it as the struggle of a weakling, considering how much strength to use.

He wanted to ensure Qin Shi wasn't hurt too badly while still satisfying the Ying Clan, but suddenly a secret voice reached his ears.

The speaker seemed not far away, somewhere near Copper Mountain.

The message was short, but it caused Zhou Yuanchen's facial color to shift several times, with an extremely obvious look of struggle appearing in his eyes.

"As much as two point eight billion."

Zhou Yuanchen's throat went dry—such an astronomical sum could create a whole batch of Professional Realm cultivators.

It could also give his own chance to impact the Grandmaster Level a few more points!

"Pay off the loans, no more debt, successfully reach shore……"

One tempting word after another appeared in Zhou Yuanchen's Brain Sea—the easy life he had imagined countless times.

Now, all he had to do was wave a hand to get it.

"Qin Shi……"

After stopping his footsteps and standing with head bowed in silence, Zhou Yuanchen, following what seemed brief but was actually a long and intense inner struggle, slowly raised his head.

He was in the Wu Xiang State of the Ten Directions Freezing Demon Path, incomparably calm, incomparably rational.

"You, run away quickly!"

Zhou Yuanchen softly spat out these words, as if desperately suppressing something:

"Run away immediately, then give up the competition, before I can no longer restrain the killing intent in my heart!"

For someone who had been in debt since childhood, crushed breathless by loan after loan.

Paying off everything and reaching shore was undoubtedly the greatest goal in life!

Even though Zhou Yuanchen greatly admired Qin Shi, regarding him as a worthy opponent deserving recognition and a match for himself.

He still could not suppress the arising killing intent!

"Lao Zhou, entering the Professional Realm has made you a bit full of yourself."

Although Qin Shi didn't understand what Zhou Yuanchen was agonizing over, as if trapped in painful struggle, he had already found the one chance to defeat his opponent among ten thousand impossibilities.

"Sorry, Lao Zhou. From this moment on, you will see what a true genius is!"

Meeting Zhou Yuanchen's cold and confused gaze, Qin Shi slowly raised his hand.

Just like casting a spell through the Spiritual Path, his mouth opened and closed as he silently said:

"Freeze, Settle, Account!"

(Chapter End)