299: Chapter 299 Blood God Palace!

"The gap between ordinary martial artists and prodigies, and between prodigies and monstrous talents, truly begins to widen from the Fifth Stage onwards."

Qin Yan muttered to himself.

At the fourth stage and below, the gap in talent can be compensated for by effort, resources, and opportunities.

But once one reaches the Fifth Stage, the grade of Spear Qi directly determines one's upper limit.

A martial artist who can only comprehend Third-Grade Spear Qi throughout their life, no matter how solid their foundation or abundant their resources, would find it difficult to contend with a peer who has mastered First Grade Spear Qi.

This is a fundamental difference.

And he, Qin Yan, wields Destructions End Spear Qi—a top-tier Spear Qi among the first grade!

Qin Yan suppressed the excitement in his heart and began to meticulously calculate his current theoretical maximum burst power based on his own situation:

Basic Blood Qi: 2315 calories.

Direct bonus from Destructions End Spear Qi: an additional 400 calories of burst.

Spear Qi's amplification of basic Blood Qi: 2 times.

So, the Blood Qi burst in normal state = (Basic Blood Qi × 2) + Spear Qi burst of 400 = 8630 calories.

That's not all.

Two Blood Gang, each providing a 10-calorie increase, totaling 200 calories.

Unity Killing Move: Can increase Spear Technique power by 4 times.

However, Unity is merely a killing move of the low-grade realm, with an upper limit—according to the records of the Nine Revolutions Golden Body Spear, the maximum amplification of this killing move is 400 calories.

Stacking all amplifications:

Normal burst 863 calories + Blood Gang 200 calories + Unity limit 4000 calories = 12830 calories!

"Twelve thousand eight hundred and thirty calories..."

Qin Yan took a deep breath.

This number has already exceeded the scope of a Third-Rank Martial Artist, and even surpassed many Fourth Rank Martial Artists in their early stages!

One must know that if an "ordinary" Fourth Rank Martial Artist in the early stage chooses a common cultivation method to break through to the Fourth Rank, their basic Blood Qi can only increase by about 200 calories.

In other words, a typical Fourth Rank Martial Artist in the early stage would have a basic Blood Qi of roughly 3500-4000 calories.

Of course, these are "ordinary" martial artists.

Those prodigies and monstrous talents would certainly choose more powerful cultivation methods when breaking through to the Fourth Rank.

Their basic Blood Qi might increase by 3000, 3500, or even more calories, but those are after all a minority.

As for Martial Arts Skill—most ordinary Fourth Rank Martial Artists' Martial Arts Skill still remains at the fourth stage.

Those who can reach the Fifth Stage in the early Fourth Rank are at least clan prodigies.

So, a "mediocre" Fourth Rank Martial Artist in the early stage, with basic Blood Qi of about 3500-4000 calories, fourth stage Martial Arts Skill, plus the Blood Gang they master...

Their comprehensive Blood Qi burst would be around 5000 calories.

Even with cultivation method skills or other burst methods, it would be difficult to break the 10000-calorie mark.

And Qin Yan, at full burst, approaches 13000 calories!

This means... Qin Yan now possesses the strength to fight above his rank!

Fighting above one's rank is a sign of a prodigy.

But usually, it refers to a prodigy being able to contend with an ordinary Fourth Rank Martial Artist at the Third Rank.

However, Qin Yan now is no longer "contending," but "crushing"!

An ordinary Fourth Rank Martial Artist in the early stage would probably not last a single move against him.

This is the charm of First Grade Spear Qi!

"What a pity, the Nine Revolutions Golden Body Spear is ultimately just a low-grade Body Tempering Martial Art, and the 'Unity' killing move's limit is locked at a 4000-calorie amplification.

If only this limit could be broken..."

Qin Yan shook his head, not dwelling on it further.

Too much ambition spoils the broth.

His current gains had already far exceeded expectations.

He should be content.

"Since I've broken through, next... I should attempt the most core inheritance of the Jade Court."

Qin Yan put away his Ink Trace Spear, his gaze directed towards the depths of the court.

The inheritance of the Jade Court is divided into three levels:

The outermost layer consists of ordinary ruins and buildings, scattered with minor opportunities, and relatively low danger.

In the middle are the "Ten Mansions," such as Qinglin Mansion, each with a trial left by an ancient mansion lord.

Passing it grants corresponding inheritance or treasures.

The difficulty is high, but the rewards are generous.

And at the very core are the "Four Halls."

These are where the court's most powerful and core four inheritances reside, rumored to represent the court's supreme achievements in certain fields.

If one could obtain an inheritance from one of the Four Halls, the benefits would undoubtedly far exceed the Spear Technique trial rewards he had previously received.

However, since the discovery of the Jade Court ruins, countless prodigies have entered the Four Halls to attempt to acquire inheritances over the long years, but not a single one has succeeded.

Either they were incompatible with the inheritance's attributes and couldn't even qualify to enter the trial.

Or the trial difficulty was hellish, with those who entered facing certain death, perishing within.

Thus, the inheritances of the Four Halls remain shrouded in mystery, yet to be truly unveiled by anyone.

"My target... the Blood God Hall."

Qin Yan had long made up his mind.

This choice was not arbitrary.

He recalled the blurry blood-colored figure emanating monstrous aura he saw on the ancient mural when he first entered the outer reaches of the court.

Although he wasn't sure if that was the Hall Master of the Blood God Hall, it was definitely related to the Blood God Hall.

And his greatest unique characteristic, besides his newly breakthrough Spear Technique, was the mysterious "Blood Demon Nest" within his heart.

This talent originated from the Blood River and a supreme grade blood pill, possessing a natural and strong connection to the path of "blood."

"My only 'special advantage' that I can currently offer, besides Fifth Stage Spear Technique, is this 'Blood Demon Nest.'"

Qin Yan's thoughts were clear, "The Four Halls' inheritances must each have their own focus and extremely stringent requirements.

For the other three halls, I lack the corresponding core aptitude or prerequisite conditions for their focused domains.

If I go rashly, I probably won't even qualify to trigger the trial, and nine times out of ten, I'll be turned away."

The Blood God Hall, after his self-assessment, was the most likely place for him to resonate with and obtain trial qualifications.

Although the risks were unknown, it was worth a try.

Having made up his mind, Qin Yan no longer delayed.

He identified the general direction of the court's depths and then set off, heading towards the more secluded and magnificent cluster of buildings.

It must be said that the scale of the Jade Court was truly unimaginably vast.

Even with Qin Yan's current stamina and speed, it took him a full three days and three nights of travel to truly approach the core heartland of the court.

The buildings here were even more ancient and grand, with increasingly peculiar styles.

The energy permeating the air was also purer and more violent, with ancient runes occasionally flashing in the void, leaving behind a heart-pounding pressure.

However, just as Qin Yan finally stepped into the edge of this core area, ready to inquire or search for the specific location of the Blood God Hall,

A piece of news from a prodigy who hurriedly returned from ahead, looking surprised and uncertain, instantly made him stop, his brows tightly furrowed.