Translator: CinderTL
[Nine Luminaries Star-Treading: Small Success (47%)]
[Great Sun Spear Technique: Small Success (80%)]
"Such a massive improvement?" Jiang Ye's heart jolted.
Even he was astonished.
Before the S-Rank Combat Mission began, his spearmanship progress had been only 65%.
In such a short time, it had surged by 15%!
He was now one step closer to achieving Major Success.
"It seems this combat mission," Jiang Ye mused, "has unleashed all the accumulated progress from the past few months."
The explosive growth during combat stemmed from his consistent daily efforts.
It was precisely because Jiang Ye had worked so diligently that his advancement had been so rapid.
"During the recent battles, I experienced several moments of enlightenment."
"When I return, there will likely be another surge of improvement." Jiang Ye's heart swelled with joy. "Combat missions truly surpass virtual battles in effectiveness."
The fundamental difference between combat missions and virtual battles lay in the overwhelming sense of life-or-death crisis.
The stronger this sense of crisis, the more intense the resulting breakthrough.
Especially just now, facing dozens of opponents nearing their second breakthrough and two second breakthrough experts.
Jiang Ye experienced the sensation of his latent potential erupting for the first time.
"Excellent!" Jiang Ye exclaimed, his expression invigorated.
These improvements alone made the trip worthwhile.
"Jiang Ye," Yun Qing'er approached, her curiosity piqued. "How did you manage to kill that person within the Substantial Domain?"
"Substantial Domain?" Shen Changxi and Liu Wanxiao turned to look as well.
From their perspective, they hadn't seen any Substantial Domain manifest.
Only those consumed by the Substantial Domain could truly experience it.
To others, there was no discernible anomaly.
"That person possessed a Substantial Domain?" Liu Wanxiao's shock deepened. "Why would such a genius join the Hidden God Organization?"
"Genius?" Jiang Ye remained silent.
If he wasn't mistaken, the effeminate youth earlier also possessed only a Nascent Aptitude. Logically, he shouldn't have been able to manifest an Innate Domain.
Yet now? Even a Substantial Domain had appeared.
"Jiang Ye," Shen Changxi said, her crimson eyes fixed on him. "How did you break through the Substantial Domain?"
She wondered if even she could have accomplished such a feat.
"After killing him," Jiang Ye said, "it broke."
"..."
The group exchanged bewildered glances.
As if it were that easy!
To kill someone within a Substantial Domain, you either needed your own Substantial Domain or combat power that defied all logic. Otherwise, the chances of success were vanishingly slim.
Jiang Ye didn't elaborate. His immunity to the Substantial Domain stemmed from his abilities, Universal Observation and Perceptive Insight. But how could he explain that?
Should I tell them I've already awakened Martial Will Perception?
They'd probably think he was a monster.
Martial Will Perception only awakened after the fourth breakthrough. Jiang Ye hadn't even reached the second breakthrough yetβit was absurd.
"Before we head back," Jiang Ye changed the subject, "let's sweep the place and gather anything valuable."
"Right."
"Time to loot!" Shen Changxi, Liu Wanxiao, and the others quickly snapped to attention.
They immediately split up and began scouring the underground fortress.
Jiang Ye was no exception.
Whoosh! He moved swiftly through the third floor's rooms, meticulously searching each one.
As an S-Rank Combat Mission, the operation was shrouded in extreme secrecy.
The Hidden God Organization hadn't had time to evacuate before Jiang Ye and his team arrived, leaving behind a considerable amount of useful equipment.
This included weapons, armor, potions, and various cultivation resources.
While no single item was particularly valuable, the cumulative worth was substantial.
A few moments later, Jiang Ye and his team returned to the first level of the underground fortress, carrying a large bundle.
They placed the bundle on the ground.
Inside were mostly potions and common cultivation resources like martial ginseng and Martial Spirit Mushrooms.
However, the quality was low, mostly yellow tier, with only a few profound tier items.
"Nothing particularly valuable here," Liu Wanxiao remarked. "But there's a lot of it. I'd estimate it's worth around ten million in total."
"Let's split it evenly four ways," Jiang Ye suggested.
"Agreed."
"No problem," the others nodded.
Even a small mosquito is still meat.
Besides, the real reward from this mission wasn't the loot, but the school's promised compensation.
"Let's head back now," Jiang Ye said with a smile. He had gained the most from this combat mission and was eager to return to school and claim his reward.
"Let's go."
Liu Wanxiao, Shen Changxi, and Yun Qing'er quickly followed Jiang Ye's lead.
This four-person team was gradually coalescing around Jiang Ye as its leader.
Outside the underground fortress, atop Ivory Mountain.
"I'm filled with such regret!" Chen Yuntian watched the projected images, pounding his chest and stamping his feet.
"Easy there, Old Chen," Zhu Honglie chuckled. "Don't get so worked up you forget to breathe and drop dead on the spot."
"Youβ!" Chen Yuntian glared.
"I hate this!"
Finally, he sighed helplessly.
After witnessing the climactic battle, Chen Yuntian's regret deepened.
If he had known Jiang Ye was this exceptional, he would have torn down all pretense, even stooping to shameless tactics, and spent a fortune to secure him as a disciple.
But now, it was too late.
Jiang Ye had already become Zhu Honglie's prized apprentice!
"So what if he killed an enemy with a Substantial Domain who had already achieved a second breakthrough?" Zhu Honglie said casually. "Why are you getting so worked up?"
"..."
Chen Yuntian's lips twitched. This old coot!
A Substantial Domain meant the user had already entered the ranks of true geniuses in terms of Dao Bone Aptitude.
Although Hai Dong's technique fell far short of a true Substantial Domain, resembling a crude imitation, his second breakthrough status still granted him overwhelming dominance over Jiang Ye and the others.
Just moments ago, Chen Yuntian and Zhu Honglie had even prepared to intervene.
Yet, against all expectations, Jiang Ye had single-handedly slain his opponent!
"This kid's potential is likely approaching that of an average student at the ten great schools," Chen Yuntian remarked.
"Old Zhu," Chen Yuntian said, turning to Zhu Honglie, "when do you plan to send him to White Dragon University for advanced studies?"
Upper A-tier students at Penglai University receive five opportunities for advanced studies each year.
These five opportunities are, in some respects, even more valuable than the Penglai Nine Refinements.
"Sending him to White Dragon University now would be premature," Zhu Honglie replied, shaking his head. "He'd be crushed."
"In a few days, after he's digested the rewards from this mission and achieved his second breakthrough, he'll be ready to go."
"I, too, am eager to see how he performs at White Dragon University," Zhu Honglie added with a smile.
Chen Yuntian nodded.
Jiang Ye's current performance was indeed remarkable, but it was still limited to the twenty-five school alliance.
But when compared to the Top Ten Elite Schools, Jiang Ye's performance would only be considered average.
And White Dragon University, ranked among the top three super-elite institutions within the Top Ten, was a true constellation of Heavenly Pride.
Their admission threshold was a staggering 1,000 points or higher.
If students like Shen Changxi and Liu Wanxiao were to attend, they wouldn't even make a ripple.
"Jiang Ye, White Dragon University," Chen Yuntian chuckled, a hint of anticipation in his voice.
(End of the Chapter)
--------------------------------------------------------------
πRead (π¦π¬π¦πππ ππ§) on the Site till Ch464. (290 Chapters Ahead)
π²Read upto Ch224 [+5k] for ABSOLUTELY ππππ! βπ ππ πππ
π15 Novels | 9.5k+ Chapters | 15.7M+ Words [ππ’π§πππ«ππ₯ . ππ¨π¦]
--------------------------------------------------------------