His *Innate Primordial Qi* technique was at the Seventh Layer Peak! Qin Feng now had the confidence to contend with even an expert of the Condensing Vein Realm.
Qin Feng couldnât help but marvel at the importance of fortunate opportunities. Under normal circumstances, it would have taken him at least several years of cultivation to reach this level.
Qin Feng glanced at the wreckage of Aries Palace, then casually took an All Stars Token and merged it with the Order of the Stars at his waist. The sixth golden star, representing the sixth trial, immediately appeared on the order.
Qin Fengâs dark eyes swept over the remaining pile of tokens, and then he walked out of Aries Palace.
DONG!
As the black-robed figure appeared outside Aries Palace, a massive bronze bell at the entrance began to toll on its own, its resonant sound echoing out.
The bell chimed continuously, the sound reaching the mountain peak and resonating throughout the stone path of the Celestial Ladder.
Outside Aries Palace, the faces of the onlookers changed the moment they heard the bronze bell.
The continuous toll of the bell clearly meant someone had passed the Sixth Palace!
Among the crowd, poised young men and women watched with grave expressions as the black-robed figure slowly emerged.
"Incredibly fast. He passed through Aries Palace in less than an hour! A cultivation level like that is completely on par with the very best of the Five Great War Gods!"
"Truly unimaginable!"
"Look at him, his clothes are tidy and he doesnât look troubled at all. He must have cleared that trial with extreme ease!"
...
All eyes, filled with shock and awe, were fixed on the black-robed figure who strolled leisurely out of Aries Palace.
The young womenâs eyes widened one after another, their faces showing utter disbelief.
âCould my choice have been wrong again this time?â Standing rooted to the spot, Yu Yaoâs eyes were fixed on the black-robed young man. A wave of frustration suddenly washed over her. Every time she left Qin Fengâs side, she thought she had found a better prospect, but in the end, she was dealt one blow after another.
Qin Feng was always full of surprises.
âNo, it canât be. My choice has to be right this time. Du Pingxia possesses a Divine Demon Body, a talent that far surpasses a Twelfth-Grade Martial Arts Talent, and sheâs a member of the Great Yan Kingdomâs Imperial Race. Her talent and background are on a completely different level from someone like Qin Feng, who comes from some small-town family!â
âSiding with Du Pingxia is the best choice for my own development and for the Yu Family. Qin Fengâs achievements can never surpass Du Pingxiaâs. Itâs absolutely impossible!â Yu Yao gave herself a mental pep talk, convincing herself.
Confidence reappeared on the young womanâs lovely face. Her beautiful eyes darted about, and her smile was bright and alluring.
Upon seeing Qin Feng walk out, Yu Yao was the first to approach him. With a composed smile, she said, "Qin Feng, congratulations on passing the Sixth Palace!"
Yu Yao was dressed in a pale-yellow gown that accentuated her tall, slender figure. As she approached, her long, dark hair flowed behind her. She moved with a natural, stunning grace, and many of the young men stared at her elegant form with undisguised admiration.
Qin Feng lifted his gaze and glanced at her. He was surprised to find that her cultivation had also advanced by leaps and bounds recently. Before sheâd left him, she was only at the initial stage of the Martial Arts Fifth Layer. Now, she had already reached the peak of the Martial Arts Fifth Layer, just a half-step away from entering the early stage of the Martial Arts Sixth Layer.
Especially since she cultivated Shattered Gold Power, one of the seven mystical powers, her strength was not to be underestimated.
"You certainly know how to pick a new backer. I must say, your reappearances are always... eventful. I wonder which trial your precious Princess has reached by now!" Qin Feng said, his eyes narrowing and a faint smile playing on his lips.
Yu Yao seemed unbothered, apparently not catching the sarcasm in Qin Fengâs voice. Instead, she casually tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and a faint, orchid-like fragrance wafted over.
Qin Fengâs nose twitched. "A young ladyâs scent," he said with a light chuckle.
A faint blush flashed across Yu Yaoâs pretty face. She gave him a look that was both reproachful and playful. "Young Master Qin is never short on women. Would you even remember a plain face like mine?"
Seeing Qin Feng just give a light laugh and say nothing, Yu Yao felt a pang of frustration. She quickly composed herself and continued, "Her Highness the Princess has already entered the Eighth Palace. I imagine the other top experts have also reached the Eighth Palace by now!"
"The Eighth Palace?" Qin Feng nodded, though he was inwardly surprised. It had been less than half a month, yet this group had steamrolled their way to the Eighth Palace. Their strength was truly extraordinary.
But Qin Feng was confident that he would quickly catch up to the lead group.
Yu Yao said seriously, "Qin Feng, with your current cultivation, you could certainly hold your own among the most elite geniuses. But youâre ultimately on your own, isolated and without support. Your disadvantage is obvious when compared to the others, who have powerful allies. Her Highness the Princess actually has a high opinion of you. If you were to cooperate with her, forming a powerful alliance, you two could very well secure some of the top ranks in this trial. It would be a win-win situation for you!"
"Yu Yao, youâre very clever. Youâre not wrong."
Qin Feng chuckled lightly. "But why should I cooperate with Du Pingxia? From what I know, although sheâs called one of the Five Great War Gods, her strength isnât particularly outstanding. If Iâm going to choose a partner, why shouldnât I choose the strongest one?"
Yu Yao smiled confidently. "Because Her Highness the Princess is your best possible partner!"
"Besides, youâve offended Liu Qinghe, and the one backing him is Liu Canyang. I know you arenât afraid of Liu Canyang, and you might even be planning to move against him, but he is an incredibly well-connected man. If you cooperate with Her Highness, you can avoid a great deal of unnecessary trouble. Itâs all upside and no downside for you!"
Qin Feng raised an eyebrow, a hint of a cryptic smile in his dark eyes.
He had to admit, Yu Yaoâs words had struck a chord with him. Although Qin Feng wasnât afraid of any challenge, he did hate trouble.
Given Du Pingxiaâs status, having her as a shield would surely save Qin Feng from a lot of unnecessary trouble down the road.
Qin Feng thought for a moment, then said after a while, "Alright, I agree. But I want to meet this Princess of yours."
"Good, thatâs not a problem. Iâll start making the arrangements!" Yu Yao smiled sweetly; Qin Fengâs agreement was exactly what she had expected. Yu Yao quickly returned to a group of young women and whispered something to a girl in black. To Qin Fengâs surprise, this black-clad girl, whose cultivation was much higher than Yu Yaoâs, seemed to follow Yu Yaoâs every word.
A moment later, the girl in black led a few other young women and hurried off in a certain direction.
âThis Yu Yao really is clever!â Qin Feng thought in surprise. After all, Yu Yao had only joined Du Pingxiaâs camp a few days ago.
To have achieved such a high status within Du Pingxiaâs camp in just a few days, despite her unremarkable aptitude and cultivation, spoke volumes about how sharp-witted Yu Yao was.
Just as heâd judged, give this woman the slightest opening, and she would squeeze through and climb her way to the top.
A short while later, Qin Feng continued on his way toward the Seventh Palace, the Silver Palace.
At this time, up on the mountain peak, Liu Qinghe had already learned of the Yin Yang Double Fiendâs defeat and that Qin Feng had entered the Sixth Palace. Right now, Liu Qinghe was leading many powerful young experts to set a trap in the Seventh Palace, preparing to eliminate this major threat, Qin Feng, in one fell swoop.