Chapter 1386: Preparing for Battle!

In the main hall of the Qin family, Qin Nantian and his son sat at the head, while Qin Shao stood below.

"Well, did he agree?" Qin Nantian asked in a deep voice.

He showed little courtesy toward this nephew from a collateral branch who had obtained the Golden Sword Token.

His condescending attitude was plain to see.

It was not surprising—the Qin family had too many geniuses!

Especially under the shadow of Qin Tian's brilliance, Qin Shao's achievements were not so dazzling.

"He made a three-year pact with me!" Qin Shao said.

Qin Nantian was initially surprised, then frowned in displeasure. "Why three years? Three years is too long; too many variables!"

Qin Shao was displeased but dared not act rashly in front of Qin Nantian, so he patiently explained, "A life-and-death battle requires mutual consent! He is only at the mid-Dongxuan stage now; an immediate battle would be suicide. He wouldn't agree."

Qin Nantian frowned. "Three years—can he really make such rapid progress in that time to match your strength?"

He knew Qin Shao's strength well; few among his peers could rival him!

They had also learned about Ye Yuan's performance, which was far inferior to Qin Shao's in combat power.

Qin Shao was two minor realms higher and had a very high comprehension of the laws.

This was nearly an insurmountable gap at the Divine Path realm.

Three years was but a blink for a Divine Path expert; what could Ye Yuan accomplish?

Qin Shao thought for a moment and said, "I suspect he is comprehending some martial technique. He is confident he can master it within three years—that must be his trump card!"

Qin Nantian fell into thought, then suddenly asked, "Then in three years, are you confident you can kill him?"

Qin Shao said with firm resolve, "Rest assured, Patriarch. In these three years, I will give my all to break through to the fourth level of the Sword Tomb! Three years from now, I will cut him down with my sword!"

Qin Nantian nodded and said to Qin Shao, "Good. If you need any resources during these three years, just ask the family! But this battle must be won!"

Qin Shao clasped his fists. "Yes, Patriarch!"

"Alright, go home and see your parents," Qin Nantian waved his hand, dismissing Qin Shao.

After Qin Shao left, Qin Nantian said to Qin Tian, "In your opinion, what are Qin Shao's chances of winning?"

Qin Tian said, "Against anyone else, Shao's strength would make it a foregone conclusion. But against Ye Yuan, his chances might be somewhat reduced."

Qin Nantian's face darkened. "What do you mean?"

Qin Tian smiled. "Father, don't worry. With Shao's strength, as long as he passes the fourth level within three years, his chances are at least eighty percent! My concern about Ye Yuan is mainly because he is somewhat unpredictable."

Qin Nantian frowned. "Are you referring to what happened on the first level of the Sword Tomb?"

Qin Tian said, "Yes! I share Shao's view—Ye Yuan is likely comprehending some powerful martial technique. His willingness to challenge someone above his level must rely on that. But he probably didn't expect Shao's talent to be equally outstanding; three years is enough for him to make great progress. I imagine Shao's wariness of Ye Yuan is even deeper than mine, so these three years will be a period of transformation for Shao!"

Hearing Qin Tian's analysis, Qin Nantian's expression eased slightly.

They knew Qin Shao's character well—he was very competitive!

Stimulated by the three-year pact with Ye Yuan, Qin Shao might unleash potential that would astonish everyone.

Even if Qin Shao's talent was inferior to Ye Yuan's, in just three years, he would not fall too far behind!

After all, Qin Shao was two minor realms higher than Ye Yuan.

That gap could not be closed in three years!

...

At the Wu Meng Academy, news of the three-year pact between Ye Yuan and Qin Shao spread like wildfire.

Upon hearing this, Xie Jingyi immediately sought out Ye Yuan.

"Ye Yuan, have you lost your mind? You know Qin Shao is this year's top scholar, yet you still agreed to a life-and-death battle?" Xie Jingyi fumed as soon as she saw Ye Yuan.

Ye Yuan smiled. "I agreed because I have some confidence."

"Some? Have you taken leave of your senses?" Xie Jingyi said angrily.

"Heh, as Qin Shao said, if I want to rise, I must get past him. Besides, it's been a long time since I've experienced such a battle. His challenge ignites my fighting spirit!" Ye Yuan said excitedly.

Ever since arriving in the Tongtian Realm, Ye Yuan had always appeared as a weakling.

He always needed others' protection.

In these decades, Ye Yuan had hardly fought in any real sense.

Now, he had comprehended a very profound cultivation method and was also mastering a formidable martial technique.

Qin Shao's challenge had ignited Ye Yuan's desire to fight!

"But you can't gamble with your life! If you want to fight, why must it be Qin Shao? He's about to break through the second level of the Sword Tomb! In three years, who knows how strong he'll be!" Xie Jingyi said, frustrated by his recklessness.

Ye Yuan looked at Xie Jingyi and smiled. "You, fatty, still have time to worry about me? If I'm not mistaken, your family has already made a move, hasn't it?"

Xie Jingyi's expression froze, and she said awkwardly, "How... how did you know? The family has cut off all my resources! Those bastards, how outrageous!"

"It's not hard to guess. You've caused such a big mess; it's lucky they didn't expel you from the family! But... you should be careful of your third uncle," Ye Yuan said.

Xie Jingyi paused. "Third uncle? He... he probably means no harm? What he did that day was likely just to save me."

Ye Yuan said, "It's always good to be cautious! Here are five million low-grade Divine Essence Stones. Use them for now, and come to me if you need more."

The little fatty laughed heartily. "Then I won't stand on ceremony. I know you're backed by the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, a real rich man! Today, I'll take advantage of you."

Seeing the little fatty's greedy look, Ye Yuan was momentarily speechless.

This kid was really not shy at all.

...

From then on, there were two more madmen in the Sword Tomb.

One madly tortured himself, the other madly practiced swordsmanship!

On his second entry into the Sword Tomb after the three-year pact, Qin Shao broke through the second level and entered the third!

And Qin Shao's training entered a frenzy.

Every time he entered the Sword Tomb, he would not come out until he was covered in wounds.

In response, Qin Shao's sword law comprehension soared rapidly.

Ye Yuan remained the same as before, leaving the Sword Tomb battered and bruised each time.

Then he would rest for a few days before going back in, repeating the cycle.

His sword technique had yet to be perfected, but Ye Yuan was not anxious.

He was waiting!

Waiting for the day when everything would fall into place naturally!

After so much torment, a prototype was gradually taking shape in Ye Yuan's mind.

One day in the second year, Ye Yuan sat down again on the second level and slowly drew a sword.