Chapter 53: If You Want to Apologize, Let's Fight

That day, Qin Jue sparred with Wu Xiao twice and fought once with the Iron Trio.

By the end of the day, he had reaped a full 10 victory points.

Deeply satisfied, Qin Jue returned to his manor and, as per his usual routine, began practicing the "Nine Bulls and Two Tigers Skill".

According to the opening passage of the cultivation technique, Qin Jue placed his feet shoulder-width apart, let his hands hang naturally, and slowly drew in a breath.

In the past, the vital energy of heaven and earth, which should have trickled like a gentle stream down into his lower abdomen, always remained elusive.

Tonight, perhaps due to a mind free of distractions, a wisp of coolness actually followed his nose and mouth, slowly sinking into his lower abdomen.

Suppressing his inner excitement, Qin Jue exhaled while trying to imagine a surge of power rising from his abdomen and rushing through both arms.

Immediately afterward, he clenched his fists, mimicking the motion of pushing an ox.

In an instant, the muscles in his arms tightened, and a wave of heat surged within his body.

"It worked!"

Qin Jue snapped his eyes open, filled with pleasant surprise.

He immediately checked his personal status panel.

[Name] Qin Jue
[Age] 16
[Realm] Skin and Flesh Realm "Bone-Refining Pass"
[Attributes] [Strength] 5 [+], [Constitution] 11 [+], [Agility] 8 [+]
[Techniques] "Iron Bone Skill" (Consummate), "Nine Bulls and Two Tigers Skill" (Initiate) [+]
[Combat Skills] None
[Arts] Archery (Great Accomplishment) [+], Saber Technique (Consummate)
[Victory Points] 35

It could be upgraded!

Seeing the plus sign beside the technique, Qin Jue did not hesitate for a second and directly allocated points.

In a flash, a wave of heat burst forth from his dantian, sweeping through Qin Jue's entire body like a raging tide.

The muscles in his arms tightened instantly, as though countless tiny forces were weaving and darting between the muscle fibers. His muscle contours grew increasingly defined and rugged, every inch bulging with explosive power.

His legs, which had previously appeared somewhat slender, now grew thick and powerful.

Qin Jue felt his entire body brimming with an inexhaustible strength, his vital blood roaring through his meridians like a galloping river.

He tried swinging his fist lightly, and a rushing sound of wind whipped through the air.

This tiny change left Qin Jue pleasantly astonished.

At this moment, he genuinely felt the transformation in his own strength.

Qin Jue looked at the panel once more.

The technique had advanced to the first stage, though his realm remained unchanged.

To his surprise, his previous total of 35 victory points had instantly dropped by a full 20 points.

"It takes this many victory points?" he muttered in astonishment.

He had never expected that upgrading this technique to just the first stage would require 20 victory points.

What about the remaining eleven stages?

Qin Jue did not even dare to imagine...

However, victory points were always tied to strength, which also indicated that this technique was truly extraordinary and brought massive enhancements.

It was the true embodiment of absolute power breaking all laws!

A subtle ripple stirred in Qin Jue's heart, filled with eager anticipation for that day to arrive.

With the technique upgraded, Qin Jue felt a gnawing hunger and immediately instructed Jiang Wan to prepare a meal...

The next day, just as dawn broke, Qin Jue arrived at the military camp and went straight to find Wu Xiao.

He was far too starved for victory points!

Wu Xiao was startled to find that after a single night, the fellow in front of him... seemed to have grown!

Before he could voice his confusion, Qin Jue had already charged at him, leaving Wu Xiao with no choice but to brace himself and fight.

However...

This time, having mastered the technique, Qin Jue knocked Wu Xiao senseless with a single punch.

Holding his chest in utter bewilderment, Wu Xiao stared at Qin Jue standing three meters away as if he had seen a ghost.

"What is going on here?" he muttered, completely baffled.

Qin Jue did not answer and lunged forward with a brisk stride.

Wu Xiao had no choice but to engage him once again.

Not even three rounds passed...

Before he was knocked flat onto the ground.

This time, no matter what, Wu Xiao refused to fight anymore.

Qin Jue's growth was simply too terrifying. If he couldn't even last three rounds, what the hell was the point of fighting?

Helpless, Qin Jue considered seeking out the three He brothers.

"Squad Leader."

At that moment, Xiao Wushan hurried over.

Qin Jue turned around. Could something have happened within the platoon?

Over the past few days, he and Wu Xiao had mostly stayed outside the camp, so he hadn't bothered with platoon affairs.

"The Captain has issued an order. Every platoon leader must personally drill their troops to deepen coordination," Xiao Wushan reported.

Qin Jue's eyes lit up.

This move was out of the ordinary. Could another battle be on the horizon?

At that moment, he seemed to see countless victory points waving at him.

Without hesitation, he followed Xiao Wushan back to the camp.

Behind them, Wu Xiao felt a wave of relief. Looking at that retreating figure, he murmured under his breath, "What a freak!"

For the rest of the day, Qin Jue did not farm any victory points.

If a war was truly coming, troop training was clearly far more important.

By the time evening arrived and training concluded.

Qin Jue was about to head home when he turned around and saw Ji Quan parting the crowd, striding rapidly toward him.

As a Second-Realm martial artist, Ji Quan usually commanded a formidable aura. Yet at this moment, as he approached Qin Jue, his pace involuntarily slowed, and his imposing presence was largely reined in.

He bowed slightly, a smile on his face that failed to conceal the nervousness in his eyes. "Commander Qin, I've finally waited for you."

"What is it?" Qin Jue asked expressionlessly.

Sensing the coldness emanating from the other party, Ji Quan's previously straight spine instantly curved lower, and he cupped his fists, his hands trembling slightly.

"Regarding what happened last time, it was my fault for being blind and acting rashly." He paused, swallowed hard, and fine beads of sweat popped up on his forehead. "I've come to apologize several times afterward, but unfortunately, you were never around. Since I finally ran into you today, I hope you can hear me out."

As a Second-Realm martial artist, Ji Quan had once prided himself on his status, but after witnessing the potential Qin Jue displayed during the camp tournament, he had been shaken to his core.

Thinking of his previous offenses, panic gripped his heart.

In the military, the strong were revered. If Qin Jue attained a high position in the future, his own days would undoubtedly be miserable.

He took a deep breath, mustered his courage, and continued, "Commander Qin's talent is extraordinary, and your future is boundless. It was my shortsightedness that offended you. I hope you won't hold it against me. If you ever need me for anything in the future, just give the word."

With that, he lowered his head and cast his gaze downward, quietly waiting for Qin Jue's response while not even daring to breathe loudly.

Observing Ji Quan's sincere expression, Qin Jue's thoughts drifted back to the confrontation of that night, and he suddenly spoke, "An apology is fine, but you have to fight me first."

"Ah?" Hearing this, Ji Quan was dumbfounded, his face plastered with shock and incomprehension.

In a flash, thinking that Qin Jue still harbored a grudge over the previous incident, he said anxiously, "Commander Qin, please make it clear. Exactly what will it take for you to completely let go of the unpleasantness from before?"

"I've made myself quite clear. Have a match with me." Qin Jue's gaze was firm as he repeated himself unhurriedly, his tone devoid of any hint of a joke.

Confusion grew within Ji Quan's heart as he pondered to himself: he was a Second-Realm martial artist, while Qin Jue was merely in the First Realm. If they really fought, wouldn't the outcome be entirely without suspense, allowing him to completely crush the other man?

Could it be that he wanted to use this opportunity to vent the pent-up anger in his chest?

The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.

After weighing his options, Ji Quan gritted his teeth and nodded in agreement. "Alright then."

In his view, compared to taking a beating, securing his future prospects in the military was of paramount importance.