22 Qi Tian’s Victory Over Yan Tu Ascending to Fourth Rank in Less Than Five Years

The Decisive Battle

Once again, Yan Tu unleashed his Fire Serpent Gu.

As soon as the fire serpent landed on the grassy battlefield, towering flames erupted, spreading rapidly across the entire training ground. The once-green field was instantly engulfed in a sea of fire, consuming everything in its path.

The arena transformed into a blazing inferno.

Qi Tian hovered steadily in the air, his wings spread wide, locking eyes with Yan Tu, who stood amidst the flames below.

Yan Tu's gaze was solemn as he stared at the massive, ice-infused blade of energy in Qi Tian's hands. Instead of immediately launching an attack, he took a deep breath and bellowed,

"It's not over yet—Fire Claw Gu!"

He activated four Fire Claw Gu at once, causing a violent depletion of his primeval essence. His inner aperture churned like a turbulent sea, the golden essence within rapidly draining.

The four Fire Claw Gu did not attack Qi Tian directly. Instead, they fused with the fire serpent.

In mere moments, the fire serpent sprouted two pairs of claws.

No longer just a serpent—it had transformed into a fire flood dragon!

Within the sea of fire, the newly-formed fire flood dragon roared, raising its head high, exuding an overwhelming presence.

The spectators erupted in shock and awe.

"Yan Tu has combined his Fire Serpent Gu and Fire Claw Gu to achieve half the power of a true Fifth Rank Fire Flood Dragon Gu!"

"I never expected to witness Lord Yan Tu's ultimate move—Fire Sea Twin Flood Dragons! No, in this case, it's a single flood dragon!"

"Can Yan Tu turn the tides with this? A battle of killer moves against killer moves!"

The battle had reached its climax.

Qi Tian's massive, ice-infused blade of energy clashed against the fire flood dragon.

In the blink of an eye, the flood dragon was severed in two.

The energy blade, though weakened, remained intact—smaller but denser, more focused. The Lock Qi Gu within it ensured that its power was not easily dispersed.

The remaining blade surged forward toward Yan Tu.

Realizing his impending defeat, Yan Tu's expression twisted in frustration before he finally admitted,

"I concede!"

At his words, an unseen force descended upon the battlefield, extinguishing the remnants of Qi Tian's attack.

This was the power of the arena, ensuring combatants were not fatally wounded.

The supervising Gu Master stepped forward, surveying the scorched battlefield before officially announcing the result.

Yan Tu's face was a complex mix of emotions—defeat, frustration, and resignation.

"Yan Tu actually admitted defeat?" Many spectators found it hard to believe.

"Qi Tian has shattered the heavens!"

"Everything is changing! The balance of power in the arena will shift!"

For years, Yan Tu had been one of the dominant forces in the Martial Arena, yet now, even he could not suppress Qi Tian.

This battle marked Qi Tian's meteoric rise!

"A Third Rank cultivator defeated a Fourth Rank expert! And not just any expert, but Yan Tu himself!"

"The strength of Qi Path Gu techniques is undeniable. No wonder Qi Path has been flourishing!"

"Qi Tian's killer move is terrifying—even ordinary Fourth Rank Gu Masters would struggle against him!"

"Now that Qi Tian has defeated Yan Tu, only Ju Kaibei remains as his last major obstacle! If he defeats Ju Kaibei, he will stand alone as the undisputed champion of the arena. If he defends his position for eighteen matches, he will even be granted the title of an Outer Elder of the Shang Clan!"

"Yan Tu and Ju Kaibei have long been equals. If Qi Tian could defeat Yan Tu, he has a strong chance against Ju Kaibei as well. His mastery of flight and long-range attacks puts him at a major advantage against close-combat specialists."

In tea houses, taverns, and streets across the city, everyone was talking about this legendary battle.

However, Qi Tian ignored the outside world.

Immediately after his victory, he returned to his residence—Nanqiu Courtyard—to enter seclusion.

Because he felt it—his breakthrough to Fourth Rank was imminent!

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One Month Later—A Night of Breakthrough

Inside a secret chamber within Nanqiu Courtyard, Qi Tian sat cross-legged.

The sound of surging tides filled his mind.

Within his aperture, waves of primeval essence churned violently, forming countless silver snowflakes.

The peak-level Third Rank essence surged, sweeping toward the walls of his aperture, nourishing them drop by drop.

The transformation was subtle yet undeniable.

Bit by bit, the walls of his aperture were changing.

And when the transformation reached its peak—when quantity became quality—he would break through into Fourth Rank!

Qi Tian had been at the Third Rank for over two years.

He had used two Sacrificial Gu to break through during the Second Rank and two more during the Third Rank.

Additionally, he had cultivated with Seven Fragrance Wine Worms, accelerating his refinement of primeval essence.

Now, the moment had finally arrived!

His silver primeval essence continued to deplete at a rapid pace. The breakthrough process was demanding—most of his essence was consumed, yet the transformation was incomplete.

Only one final push remained!

But that final push was the hardest.

Countless Gu Masters had reached this very threshold, only to be stuck for years or even a lifetime, unable to take the final step.

Even Wei Yang, a prominent elite of the Shang Clan, had been stalled at the Third Rank Peak due to his B-grade aptitude.

But Qi Tian was different.

At the critical moment, he crushed a Gu in his hands.

Instantly, a surge of silver essence materialized from nowhere, flooding his aperture!

This was Bubble Gu, a near-extinct treasure among mortal Gu Masters. Though the one Qi Tian obtained was only a damaged remnant, it was still powerful enough for one-time use.

This was the perfect moment to use it.

With this additional essence, his aperture walls finally changed!

All of his past accumulation reached its peak—and then shattered.

Crack!

The walls of his aperture collapsed like fragile crystal, sinking into the sea of essence before dissolving entirely.

For an entire hour, his body underwent a profound transformation.

The shattered walls of his aperture reformed—now as a thin, golden membrane.

More radiant.

More refined.

A single thread of faint golden primeval essence emerged from the depths of his aperture.

Golden Essence!

This was the symbol of Fourth Rank cultivation!

Qi Tian slowly opened his eyes.

In the darkness of the secret chamber, his gaze shone like a bolt of lightning.

A smile of satisfaction spread across his lips.

"I did it. Less than five years to reach Fourth Rank!"

"In my past life, it took me a full eight years to reach this level."

This was the difference between his past and present.

His incredible speed of advancement had been made possible by:

Sacrificial Gu—four in total.

His rich experience from his past life.

His relentless dedication.

The support of treasures like Seven Fragrance Wine Worms.

The final push from Bubble Gu.

Now, he had finally stepped into a new realm!

In the world of cultivation, First and Second Rank Gu Masters were the lowest tier.

Third Rank was the foundation of elites.

Fourth and Fifth Rank were true powerhouses.

Most clan leaders were only at the Fourth Rank.

In Southern Border, a Fourth Rank Gu Master could easily rule a minor clan.

Even in the Demonic Path, a Fourth Rank cultivator could become a feared warlord.

With this breakthrough, Qi Tian had finally emerged as a dominant figure!

"A new chapter begins. Now, I must focus on upgrading my Gu.