An invitation from the Lady of the Nine Heavens? It proposed a duel on Penglai Island with a Semi-Saint from Europe's Transcendent Organization 'Mount Olympus,' a formidable expert titled 'Athena.'

Judging by its appearance, this invitation was a mass-produced, standard-issue type. There must have been quite a few of them. The Lady of the Nine Heavens must have invited many people.

A battle at the Semi-Saint level, in this current End of Dharma Age, absolutely qualified as a world-shaking event. Especially for Innate Grandmasters at their peak—it was even more crucial. If one could witness a battle between Semi-Saints, perhaps they might gain sudden insight into the mysteries of the Saint Realm. This could allow them to take a half-step into it, completely transcending the Innate Realm to become a Semi-Saint-level powerhouse. This was undoubtedly a tremendous opportunity!

Lv Chunyang apparently thought so too. "Mr. Qin," he said, "a battle between Semi-Saints should be quite beneficial for you, helping you enter the Saint Realm. When the time comes, we will eagerly await your presence on Penglai Island."

Although Lv Chunyang knew of Qin Heng's unparalleled strength, having even sparred with him personally only to be utterly crushed, he didn't believe Qin Heng was truly a Semi-Saint. Instead, he thought Qin Heng was merely an exceptionally powerful Innate Grandmaster. This was because entering the Saint Realm had a very distinct characteristic: during battle, one would emit a unique Saintly vision that intertwined with the laws and principles of Heaven and Earth, making it very noticeable. Only a true Saint could conceal such a vision; a Semi-Saint absolutely could not.

Since Qin Heng hadn't displayed this Saintly vision before, Lv Chunyang considered two possibilities. One: Qin Heng had truly entered the Saint Realm and become an incredibly powerful Saint. Two: Qin Heng hadn't yet entered the Saint Realm at all, wasn't even a Semi-Saint, and was just unbelievably strong.

Lv Chunyang had automatically dismissed the first possibility. He knew Qin Heng was only eighteen years old—how could anyone reach the Transcendence Realm at eighteen! That was simply impossible!! No one would believe an eighteen-year-old could be a Semi-Saint, no matter who was told. Because that would be too absurd! It was an outright impossibility!! Even in ancient times, when spiritual energy was relatively abundant, such an extraordinary talent had never existed. Qin Heng couldn't possibly be a Semi-Saint.

"Indeed, it's a kind gesture. Thank you." After looking at the invitation, Qin Heng gave a slight nod. He then closed it and casually set it aside, saying, "Then please convey my best wishes to the Lady of the Nine Heavens for a triumphant battle. I won't be going to Penglai Island."

"Alright, I'll return and report this immediately, and ensure we extend…" Lv Chunyang suddenly froze, then abruptly looked up at Qin Heng in disbelief. "Mr. Qin, what… what did you just say?"

"Convey my best wishes to the Lady of the Nine Heavens for a triumphant battle. I won't be going to Penglai Island," Qin Heng repeated, then added, "If there's nothing else, you should go back."

"But-but this is a battle between two Semi-Saints!" Lv Chunyang still felt extremely shocked, utterly incredulous; in his view, Qin Heng had no reason to refuse.

"Even a battle between Saints would be meaningless to me," Qin Heng said, waving his hand dismissively to signal Lv Chunyang to leave. "Go back now."

For others, a battle at the Semi-Saint level was very important, with much to be gained. But for Qin Heng, it was utterly meaningless. A Semi-Saint, after all, was only equivalent to being half a step into the Foundation Establishment Stage. In Qin Heng's eyes, they were no different from ants, hardly worth mentioning.

Would an Immortal Emperor intentionally go to watch two cultivators, not even at the Foundation Establishment Stage, fight? Impossible.

Although Lv Chunyang didn't understand why Qin Heng would refuse the invitation, he still dared not be disrespectful and left Qin Heng's dormitory with utmost reverence.

After Lv Chunyang left, the dormitory returned to tranquility, leaving Qin Heng alone.

"A challenge between Semi-Saints, huh..." Qin Heng's gaze shifted towards the window, his eyes immeasurably deep as he said lightly, "The Dao and principles of Heaven and Earth have become clearer, and spiritual energy has grown richer. The revival of spiritual energy is accelerating—they're getting impatient."

Ever since Qin Heng had extinguished the Golden Core-level demon—which had emerged through the Nine Nether rift—with a single finger, the revival of Earth's spiritual energy had accelerated. Once spiritual energy truly revives and the wonders of the laws re-emerge, many things in this world, even its rules, will have to be rewritten. Before that happens, the stronger one is, the more benefits one can reap from this great cosmic shift.

The Lady of the Nine Heavens challenging Athena was most likely an attempt to achieve a breakthrough by fighting, to truly advance to the Saint Realm. Qin Heng had no interest in a battle of such a level. He was more concerned about when the Immortal Mansion relics and even great worlds—hidden in alternate dimensions—would begin to open and descend due to the revival of spiritual energy and laws. These were the things that could truly help Qin Heng comprehend the Supreme Law and elevate his cultivation.

DING-A-LING!

Not long after Lv Chunyang had left, while Qin Heng was on his bed meditating with his eyes closed, his phone suddenly rang. He checked it and was surprised to see the call was from his cousin on his maternal aunt's side.

Qin Heng's mother, Liu Shuyu, was a member of the Liu family from Jizhou, a family with a hundred-year history. She was, however, the illegitimate daughter of the Family Head and had previously received no recognition from the family; they had even looked down on Liu Shuyu with disdain. It wasn't until a few years ago, when the Daqin Group soared to prominence and completely dominated China's business world, that the old master of the Lius had no choice but to swallow his pride and acknowledge Liu Shuyu as a member of their family.

Liu Shuyu and Qin Fa were respectful of their elders; hence, they showed much forbearance towards the old head of the Lius. Moreover, the Lius' influence wasn't weak, and many of the Daqin Group's business channels in Jizhou were facilitated by them. As a result, quite a few members of the Lius occupy managerial positions within the Daqin Group. Relying on their Liu family status, they pay little heed to either Qin Fa or Liu Shuyu, behaving haughtily and arrogantly.

Qin Heng's cousin, Liu Tong, was one of them. Liu Tong held himself in high regard and had always looked down on Qin Heng, who, in his eyes, seemed to do nothing but travel and amuse himself. Qin Heng's past relationship with this Liu Tong had not been good. This was because Liu Tong usually called only to lecture or even ridicule Qin Heng.

However, the current Qin Heng was no longer the person he used to be. He didn't care much about this Liu Tong and answered the call directly, "Hello, what's up?"

"'What do you mean, hello?! I'm your cousin!'" Liu Tong's harsh voice came from the other end. "Qin Heng, you really are useless. You're in university and still don't know the first thing about manners. Next time you answer my call, remember to call me Brother Tong, got it? Don't be so rude. No matter what, you're still half a Liu, so don't embarrass our family!

"Never mind, I can't be bothered with your nonsense. I'm calling to inform you of something: my mother has arranged a blind date for you. The other party is the daughter of Cheng Feng, a board member and senior president of the Heavenly God Group. The Daqin Group and Heavenly God Group are heading towards a strategic cooperation, and this blind date is to strengthen the friendly relationship between us. Qin Heng, you need to understand, this blind date is very important. You useless freeloader, who only knows how to eat, drink, and play—it's time you contributed your remaining value to the company! Your parents have agreed, so you must go. You don't have the right to refuse."

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