Chapter 242: The Gaze of the Tribunal, the Netherworld Rift Opens!

"Huh... so this is the result. I really didn't expect this."

As the shockwave subsided and the dust scattered, Jiang Shijie, who had slammed heavily into the ground, let out a groan.

His eyes were vacant, staring blankly at the sky, his soul seeming to drift out of his body.

His whole person faded to a pallor, like ash after burning out.

The pain of the flesh was far less than the collapse of his spirit.

"How could this be!"

This Serial Vanguard of the Seventh War Corps had his mind filled with confusion and his eyes full of disbelief.

In his twenty-plus years of smooth sailing, Jiang Shijie had never encountered such a defeat.

He couldn't understand, nor accept, that a high school student who had just entered the Professional Level had used overwhelming force to crush him, shattering his proud "No-Bright Mysterious True Light" in three punches.

Under the Star Sea, is it truly unreasonable?

It completely violates the most basic concepts of the Martial Path!

"Cough cough, can you tell me... how many times is your amplification?"

Jiang Shijie lay quietly in the deep pit, his scorching breath turning into wispy white smoke rising upward.

After Qin Shi's violent beating, his bones were shattered in multiple places, his internal organs bleeding and displaced, like a fallen porcelain bottle.

A slight touch would cause him to crumble.

Even with the powerful life force of a Professional Level, he could not make up for near-fatal severe trauma in an instant.

Dense radiance covered his mortal body, but could not provide any effective repair; that domineering and stubborn Qi Jin remained within Jiang Shijie's body, like knives cutting through flesh vitality, making him frown tightly.

"Tenfold."

Qin Shi stood calmly in place, his vast and surging aura fluctuating like a river flowing backward, quickly gathering back into his bones.

The magnificent pillar of light that had pierced through the clouds also dissipated bit by bit, like melting snow, turning into specks of light particles swirling around him.

"Tenfold... hahahaha!"

Jiang Shijie's mouth twitched, revealing a suddenly relieved but ugly smile.

A youth genius who, as an Amateur Level, pierced through the Professional Barrier, strengthening all aspects of his physical quality tenfold?

Damn it, how do you fight this?

The stats are abnormal; if they aren't nerfed, how can you play!?

"I said it, the disciple of Nanhuang Dao Guan couldn't possibly be foolish enough to refine and choose a blank trait."

The heart Jiang Shijie had been holding in suspense finally died.

He silently closed his eyes and spoke with effort:

"You win, Qin Shi. I am utterly convinced."

Qin Shi nodded, accepted gladly, and then engaged in mutual flattery:

"You're not bad either, able to force out my tenfold amplification."

He turned around, looked at Wu Yong outside the arena, and beckoned:

"Carry him down. His injuries aren't serious; he'll be fine after half a month of rest."

Wu Yong's throat bobbed, looking at Qin Shi as if some unbelievable mythological creature had descended upon the world.

"By the way, are you also planning to spar with me?"

Qin Shi seemed to remember something, his gaze focusing on Wu Yong.

The latter was like he had been struck by high-voltage electricity, suddenly trembling and waving his hands repeatedly:

"No, no."

Being able to open an "amplification trait" to tenfold.

What's the difference between that and cheating?

I'll fight with my head!

Wu Yong couldn't help but curse in his heart.

"Who won?"

"Need to ask? Haven't you heard? The two characters for kung fu, one horizontal and one vertical—only those standing have the right to speak!"

"Nanhuang Dao Guan Disciple, Hengzhou Local Prodigy genius enters Professional Level! Big news! This trip wasn't in vain!"

"Shocking! Seventh War Corps Serial Vanguard, encounters an underage high school student, unable to win even with full effort! Headline secured!"

"Exaggerated..."

Media reporters outside the gate surged like waves; those in the outer three layers squeezed forward hard, while those in the inner three layers stood firm, not daring to step onto the stairs.

Everyone whispered to each other, and due to the prestige and fame of Nanhuang Dao Guan, their behavior was very restrained; unlike usual when they pressed the shutter hard, they only dared to roughly take a few photos of Qin Shi.

It could be expected that the headlines of all newspapers today would be this Hengzhou local youth prodigy.

"Xiao Qin won?"

"Correct! A great victory! Knocked Jiang Shijie down in a few punches!"

Taian Metropolitan Area, Administrative Center Building, Chen Ruofu and Fang Butang, these two top leaders, met.

The former was busy to the point of exhaustion; the Hengzhou Great Reclamation had already reached the preparation stage and was about to be fully launched.

Military supplies and armament configuration in the Tai'an Region were all under the jurisdiction of the Patrol Department.

While Chen Ruofu's power radiation range expanded, the number of official documents he handled also surged, leaving him no time to closely follow Nanhuang Dao Guan and Xiao Qin.

Even the news of Qin Shi sparring with Jiang Shijie was learned from Old Fang.

"Truly... picked up a treasure!"

Chen Ruofu's palms struck together heavily, abandoning his usual steady demeanor.

"I'm trying to find a way to get Xiao Qin nominated for the Dongxia Spark! To enter the highest protection sequence! If we only rely on the potential estimate given unilaterally by the Administrative New Star, and the competition results, it's not convincing enough!"

Fang Butang held a thermos, hands clasped behind his back, and nodded slightly:

"A pillow arrives just as sleepiness comes; this Xiao Qin really saves us trouble. The Wind Scythe Sequence Army of the Seventh War Corps is famous, and its rise in recent years has been very fast."

"The elite guards personally promoted by Mo Zhen Ting lost to Xiao Qin of the Nanhuang Dojo, providing the best stepping stone! This carries more weight than the Hengzhou Hundred Strong Competition!"

Chen Ruofu was in high spirits, smile lines appearing at the corners of his eyes; obtaining the quota qualification for the Dongxia Spark was not easy.

Not to mention the thirty-two administrative planets, many great families with background and strength were watching; just the competitors from the four great national universities were like fish crossing a river, all hoping to seize this "Dragon Gate" opportunity.

"The Dongxia Spark possesses the highest security sequence and likewise represents entering the vision of the Imperial Capital Center."

Fang Butang unscrewed the thermos lid, took a sip, and said:

"Surveying the military bigwigs and Council Chamber members of the last two thousand years, forty percent come from the Dongxia Spark's hundred-person list."

The four great national universities call it the "Dragon Gate"; leap over it and you can stand at the peak of power, with a boundless future."

Chen Ruofu sighed emotionally:

"In past years, the Nine Surnames monopolized the upward space, with too many paths blocked by them, making it very hard to cross over."

"Only the Spark quota, from drafting to passing, is adjudicated entirely by the Judgment Court; the Nine Surnames dare not and cannot interfere."

The two were chatting animatedly, but Fang Butang poured cold water:

"Those people at the Judgment Court are indeed difficult to deal with; they are all totalitarians. In the Seventh Millennium, that Chief Adjudicator Fei proposed the theory that 'loyalty not absolute is absolute disloyalty,' which became popular internally."

"Unless you are like them, otherwise no matter what, they can always find fault."

"The conditions for the Dongxia Spark are so strict mainly because of the background investigation hurdle."

"Which scion of a family from the Nine Surnames would dare accept the Judgment Court's deep background check?"

"Drag out a hundred people, and I estimate they'd all be executed."

Chen Ruofu frowned tightly, not understanding Fang Butang's meaning:

"Do you think Xiao Qin can't pass the Judgment Court's background check? He was born on Old Factory Street, a standard worker family; tracing back, his ancestors all participated in reclaiming Hengzhou, completely laboring masses."

"If Xiao Qin accepts conscription and serves in a war corps, he is worker, peasant, soldier—absolutely red and proper!"

"If this can't make him an Dongxia Spark, I will definitely appeal to the Imperial Capital Center! Accuse the Judgment Court of having dark secrets!"

Fang Butang sighed:

"Old Chen, did you forget that your Xiao Qin has another identity?"

"He received the favor of the Four Pillars and is an extremely rare Four Gods Co-Selection."

Chen Ruofu's excited emotion seemed to hit an iceberg, his gaze instantly turning cold.

He remained silent for a long time, acknowledging Fang Butang's reminder.

The factions within the Judgment Court were complex; because they had existed for a long time, they gradually were no longer monolithic.

One part revered the Divine Spirit Pillars, believing they were the key to Dongxia's inheritance across generations, the protectors and sword-wielders of civilization;

another part was extremely wary, even resistant; they more recognized the policies of the Four Marshals, believing that the newborn Dongxia, to avoid the old path of the old empire, must bravely leave the cradle and head beyond the galaxy.

The Four Pillars merely played the role of "farmers," treating Dongxia as turkeys to be fed.

"Think of it for the better; Xiao Qin can also win the acceptance of another part of the Judgment Court members."

Though he said this, Chen Ruofu's expression was grave; the label of Four Gods Co-Selection could not be erased and would inevitably become an obstacle for Qin Shi to pass the Dongxia Spark audit, possibly even a hidden danger.

"Back when Xiao Qin drew the Four Pillars to descend together, I was very happy; I suppressed this matter for a while, thinking to use it as a trump card against Central City."

"Alas, gains and losses; now it's time to worry."

Fang Butang, who had put down his thermos, glanced sideways at the worried Chen Ruofu and smiled:

"I have a plan, Old Chen; do you want to hear it?"

"Just fart it out!"

Chen Ruofu said unhappily.

He hated riddle-speakers the most.

Especially Old Fang's "strategist look of having everything under control," which really deserved a beating.

"The totalitarians in the Judgment Court are mostly fanatical admirers of Marshal Qin. If your Xiao Qin could enter the Fourth War Corps..."

Chen Ruofu's eyes brightened; in an instant he reacted and took over the conversation:

"Right! Xiao Qin's teacher Liang Zhengxiong is a retired veteran of the Fourth War Corps."

"But this person has some serious problems; specifically what they are, I'm not very clear. I only know he once appeared before the Judgment Court's Military Court."

Fang Butang raised his eyebrows; there was actually such a thing?

He had also reviewed Qin Shi's files, discovered Liang Zhengxiong's resume was extraordinary, and thus thought of using the Fourth War Corps identity as cover to dilute the obvious label of Four Gods Co-Selection.

"But on some level, it shows he does not have fatal problems, at least not treason, leaking secrets, or desertion."

"Otherwise the Judgment Court wouldn't let him get away scot-free."

Fang Butang thought it through carefully and added.

"Hopefully. Nowadays Dongxia has too many ideologies and thought trends, with undercurrents surging."

"I want Xiao Qin to become an Dongxia Spark also hoping he has a layer of strong protection."

"Through Shen Zhangyuan of the Nanhuang Dojo, I understood one thing: under heaven, all matters, heroes and champions, mostly lose to petty men."

Chen Ruofu spoke earnestly, his eyes full of worry.

"Do whatever you're capable of."

But Fang Butang saw things more openly and "comforted" him:

"Wait until you become a Planetary Governor to ponder these things, Old Chen."

……

……

"Ninth Senior Sister, Senior Brother Ren... did the media reporters leave?"

Qin Shi, who had stood motionless like a statue the entire time, asked softly toward Jian Yuzhu and Old Ren as they approached.

"They've all dispersed. As for the two following the Seventh War Corps, there are regulations prohibiting photography and video recording, but interviewing and writing text content isn't against the rules."

Old Ren looked around twice; the open space at the doorway was already quiet.

Thanks to Chen Yun bringing Patrol officers to set up a cordon, the lively crowd of onlookers receded like a tide.

"Then hurry up and help me, I can't stand anymore, Senior Brother Ren."

The imposing posture Qin Shi had maintained for nearly ten-odd minutes finally collapsed.

The aftereffect of the Tenfold Amplification trait is that the body is hollowed out and squeezed dry until not a single bit remains.

Upon hearing this, Old Ren hurried forward and supported his little Qin Shidi.

"Are you alright?"

Jian Yuzhu asked with concern.

"No matter, just exhausted. I need to recover my physical ability."

Qin Shi, like a myasthenia patient, let Senior Sister and Senior Brother help him into the backyard.

He sat cross-legged; the Perfect Core rotated slowly, absorbing free energy factors.

After breaking through to Professional Grade, cultivation efficiency was enhanced once again.

Because Nanhuang Dojo obtained the Permit Authority and the blockade level was lowered, the overlap between the Netherworld Ocean and the Material World slowly increased.

The usually mist-thin energy factors suddenly became dense, converging like streams and gradually emitting a "hua-la-la" roar, akin to rivers surging, encircling Qin Shi.

Be it the Void Meditation Method, the Universe Furnace Secret Canon, or the main-cultivated Soldier-Attack Combat Method.

All belong to the "Big Eater tier"!

Like an adult Taotie, they fundamentally cannot eat their fill!

Now integrated and unified under the Perfect Core, once they operate, they are simply terrifying like a sea eye.

Energy factors poured down like an inverted waterfall, rumbling into Nanhuang Dojo; at a glance it looked as if space had been torn open and the sky had sprung a leak.

One could see streams of energy jetting out, vying to surge into Qin Shi's mortal body and hundred bones, filling the deficit consumed by his activation of the Tenfold Amplification trait.

"Hah! Breaking through to Professional Grade, the feeling is indeed completely different."

Qin Shi sighed with emotion.

His mortal body, having reached its output limit, received nourishment, like parched land suddenly blessed with sweet rain.

Billions of cells all became active, wantonly absorbing energy factors.

"Enjoyable, too enjoyable. If I can maintain this cultivation speed every day, catching up to Lao Liang is just around the corner!"

While immersed, Qin Shi watched the spatial rift growing larger and larger, somewhat worried.

Would this attract some Netherworld archdemon, or a Pillar Retinue from the Chaos Camp?

After all, this Old Factory Street area has stirred up two major incidents.

The Military Factory Explosion and the Electronic Demon last time — Qin Shi's memory is still fresh.

But he waited for a long time, and his Inner Landscape never sensed any abnormal breath.

……

……

Inside Nanhuang Dojo's Meditation Room, Old Yu sat with eyes closed, a layer of soft light covering her serene face.

Viewed from afar, she resembled a statue of a goddess.

Thoughts rubbed, spirits collided; wisps of flame manifested from within, reflecting in the Consciousness Sea, forming several brilliant rings.

"Little Qin Shidi's cultivation commotion is truly huge."

Old Yu opened her eyes, abruptly rose, soared into the air, and appeared in the overlap rift between the Netherworld Ocean and the Material World.

She lifted a step and entered.

The moment she entered the Netherworld, the Spiritual Halo suspended behind her head enveloped her whole body, causing her appearance to change drastically.

Her figure unfurled like flowing clouds; her feet were submerged in surging mist and rosy clouds, like an Immortal amidst the clouds.

Old Yu lightly spread her wide sleeves; ribbons brushed across the Netherworld Ocean, and Treasure Aspect Golden Flowers bloomed in succession.

A massive dark swath, the Pillar Retinue like a raging tide, were all pulverized and disintegrated.

"He is under my protection."

Old Yu, usually like the girl next door, now revealed a domineering posture with cold, contemptuous gaze.

"Scram farther away."

(Chapter End)