109: Chapter 19 Accepting Help, Beast Core

"NPC? Are there NPCs here?"

Hearing Zhou Bai's words, Zhao Shiyu felt slightly dazed.

"She... she, she's coming towards us..."

When she saw the woman in imperial consort robes slowly walking over, Zhao Shiyu's face flushed with shame, wishing she could crawl into the well ahead.

She had never been seen by anyone else before...

"It's okay, the NPC is here to help us, Shiyu, don't be afraid!"

Zhou Bai gently comforted Zhao Shiyu, speaking softly.

With Zhou Bai's reassurance, Zhao Shiyu's heart settled considerably.

Then, she also slowly began to accept the NPC's help.

However, very soon, Zhao Shiyu realized that this NPC looked remarkably like Shen Ninger...

By the time Zhao Shiyu realized it, it was already too late.

Moreover, later on, Zhao Shiyu also realized that she genuinely needed Shen Ninger's help...

...

The next day, Zhou Bai rose from the virtual reality pod, his eyes filled with delight.

A night of studying had greatly increased his learning points.

Now, with four partners, Zhou Bai's learning efficiency was quadrupled.

Both Zhao Shiyu and Shen Ninger were Fourth-Rank Martial Artists, each with a base point of 2, meaning one study session yielded 80 learning points.

Because they were in the virtual reality pod and with someone assisting, Zhou Bai's learning efficiency was astonishingly high.

In one night, they studied a full two sessions, allowing Zhou Bai to gain 1600 learning points.

Zhou Bai's learning points had now reached 580.

"This is what cultivation should be like, it feels amazing!"

Zhou Bai stretched, murmuring to himself, filled with confidence about his future.

"Next, continue tempering the Skull, enhance Qi and Blood Power and Spiritual Soul. Then, at 12:00, go find Shen Ninger for a private study session..."

Zhou Bai had a plan in mind.

Following that, Zhou Bai immediately took out cultivation resources to temper his Skull and enhance his Qi and Blood Power and Spiritual Soul...

Time passed slowly like this...

...

In the Ancient Mystic Realm, within a densely vegetated forest.

In the forest, Ling Xiao, Qin Hao, Xu Xiu, and Chu Lingyan were battling four Fifth-Order Fierce Beasts.

Although all four were Fourth-Rank Martial Artists, their innate talent and strength were astonishing, and they possessed formidable martial skills.

Under the coordinated efforts of the four, the four Fifth-Order Fierce Beasts quickly fell into a disadvantage.

Gruesome wounds covered the Fifth-Order Fierce Beasts, blood flowing freely as their auras continuously weakened.

"Impressive, no wonder they defeated Sakura Country. Our Xia Country's prodigies truly have great potential!"

Ye Wushang watched the four who held the absolute advantage, his eyes full of appreciation.

"Indeed impressive, truly worthy of being the Top Ten's Ace New Students. Their combat will and instincts are exceptionally strong!"

Liu Wen beside him also nodded in agreement.

The Fifth-Order Fierce Beasts within the Ancient Mystic Realm were extremely terrifying, the cream of the crop among Fifth-Order beasts.

Ordinary Fifth-Rank Martial Artists encountering them would only be brutally beaten and thrashed.

Now, for Qin Hao and the others to suppress them so easily was truly beyond their expectations.

"With their help, we can alleviate some of the pressure, at least a little!"

Gu Yu said slowly.

"Swoosh!!!!"

A moment later, a sharp sword light from Chu Lingyan struck the fierce beasts, cleanly slicing them in two.

"Clap clap clap!!!"

After completely slaying these beasts, Ye Wushang and the others couldn't help but applaud for them.

The four's performance was simply too dazzling, showing not a trace of fear and excellent control over the battle rhythm.

"You all did well!"

Mu Qinghuang came to the four's side, looking at them with pleased eyes.

"They're just a few Fifth-Order Fierce Beasts!"

Qin Hao didn't care in the slightest, speaking unhurriedly.

Ling Xiao and the others also showed little emotion, clearly not overly pleased with such a result.

"The fierce beasts in the Ancient Mystic Realm are different!"

Liu Wen came to their side, a burst of spiritual power shot out, penetrating the beasts' wounds and directly extracting a bloody red inner elixir from within.

"These Fifth-Order Fierce Beasts all have inner elixirs within them. The elixirs contain pure Qi and Blood Power and Demonic Energy, which can be used to enhance Qi and Blood Power, temper Bones, and refine the Five Viscera..."

Liu Wen distributed the four inner elixirs to the four, then continued, "Try it, absorb the power inside!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Hao and the others immediately circulated their Breathing Technique to absorb the power of the fierce beast inner elixirs.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh!!!!"

As they absorbed the power of the fierce beast inner elixirs, Qin Hao and the others all felt their Qi and Blood Power increase significantly, and even their bone tempering progress seemed to have advanced somewhat.

"It really works!"

Xu Xiu's eyes lit up, then he said excitedly, "If we had a large number of fierce beast inner elixirs, couldn't I quickly advance to the Fifth Rank!"

"Of course, that's why the competition for this Ancient Mystic Realm is so fierce. It's not just about fierce beast inner elixirs; there are many other opportunities elsewhere too!"

Liu Wen then explained,

"This World Martial Arts Competition isn't just for the honor of our Xia Country; it's also a tremendous opportunity for each of you personally!"

"We will definitely work hard!"

Feeling the clearly enhanced Qi and Blood Power within his body, Ling Xiao also said excitedly.

Originally, he felt he might remain forever overshadowed by Zhou Bai.

He never expected that Zhou Bai, choosing to cultivate alone, would miss this opportunity of the fierce beast inner elixirs. He absolutely had a chance to surpass Zhou Bai.

As long as he reached the Fifth Rank before Zhou Bai, he definitely had a chance to wash away the shame.

Qin Hao beside Ling Xiao felt the same; he also deeply desired to surpass Zhou Bai.

Now, the opportunity seemed right before their eyes.

"I still have confidence in you all. Don't be like that fellow Zhou Bai, who thinks that being the champion of the Battle of the Dawn makes him arrogant and complacent, evading responsibility, without a shred of national honor. Such a person coming to the World Martial Arts Competition is simply a waste!"

Ye Wushang not far away also said slowly.

"Big Brother Ye, God Bai is at a critical point in his cultivation; he's not evading responsibility!"

Xu Xiu defended Zhou Bai.

"Enough, no need to pay attention to such a coward!"

Ye Wushang said indifferently.

"Zhou Bai is not a coward. Without him, we wouldn't have even qualified for the World Martial Arts Competition!"

Chu Lingyan also stepped forward to speak up for Zhou Bai.

"Ling Yan, how have you also been bewitched by that guy? He's just good-looking and has a bit of talent and strength. I really can't see what's so great about him!"

Mu Qinghuang frowned slightly, then said, "You'd better not associate with Zhou Bai..."

"If you continue to slander Zhou Bai, I'll also withdraw and return to cultivate!"

Chu Lingyan then said slowly, her tone resolute.

"Ling Yan, you..."

Seeing the prodigy she valued so highly defend Zhou Bai like this, Mu Qinghuang felt uncomfortable.

"Fine, we won't talk about Zhou Bai anymore. Let's focus properly on the World Martial Arts Competition, hunting fierce beasts to earn points!"

Thinking of Chu Lingyan's temperament, Mu Qinghuang continued.

With Mu Qinghuang's words, Ye Wushang and the others said nothing more.

The group continued hunting fierce beasts in various parts of the Ancient Mystic Realm.

With Qin Hao and the others joining, Xia Country's point accumulation speed indeed increased significantly.

However, Country M still loomed like a towering mountain ahead of them, leaving little room for them to surpass...

...