Chapter 163 – Back to the Basement! Efficiency Boost!

As Ye Sheng and Xu Xingchen entered the basement, they immediately drew the attention of everyone inside. One by one, they opened their eyes to look, and even those dozing off were startled awake, turning their drooling gazes toward the newcomers.

“They’re back!” someone exclaimed with delight.

“With Xu Xingchen, a High-Tier Super-Limit, here… it would be strange if they didn’t return!” Others glanced over briefly before losing interest, closing their eyes again to feign sleep, seemingly unsurprised by the duo’s return.

The severely injured young man sat leaning against the wall. His wounds had mostly healed by now, and he scrutinized Xu Xingchen and Ye Sheng as they entered the basement.

He paid particular attention to Ye Sheng, studying him for a few extra moments.

It came as no surprise to him that Xu Xingchen was completely unscathed. After all, as a High-Tier Super-Limit, only those at the Giant Level could pose a threat to him.

However, when he saw that Ye Sheng was also completely unharmed, without a single injury, a flicker of envy surfaced in his eyes.

He had ventured out overnight, risking his life and returning with severe injuries, while Ye Shen remained perfectly intact.

“Luck truly trumps everything. With Xu Xingchen protecting him all night, it’s no wonder he’s unscathed,” the injured young man sighed inwardly, lamenting his own lack of fortune. He leaned back against the wall once more.

He needed to focus on recovering his injuries as quickly as possible. If he were chosen as a “Hunter” again tonight, his current condition would likely lead to his elimination.

As Ye Sheng and Xu Xingchen walked further into the basement, Shangguan Ying’s gaze also turned toward them. Seeing them safe and sound, she nodded slightly without saying a word.

It was enough to see them return safely; there was no need for further discussion.

What puzzled her, however, was Xu Xingchen, who seemed to have lost his mind. Ever since entering the basement, he had been giggling incessantly, to the point where it sent shivers down her spine.

“What’s wrong with him?” Shangguan Ying frowned slightly, closing her eyes and ignoring him.

Ye Sheng sat cross-legged without saying much.

Beside him, Xu Xingchen continued to chuckle foolishly.

The others in the basement grew uneasy from his laughter, especially those who had been dozing off and were now awakened by it. They felt somewhat annoyed but dared not reprimand Xu Xingchen, a High-Tier Super-Limit.

With nothing better to do, the group began chatting about last night’s battle involving three 4th-Turn Giants.

The more they talked about it, the louder Xu Xingchen’s laughter became, making everyone feel as if the basement had turned eerily sinister!

…

Ye Sheng remained seated, paying no mind to the half-mad Xu Xingchen beside him. He split a strand of his consciousness and entered the Nightmare Ghost Realm.

Inside the Nightmare Ghost Realm, Ye Sheng sat cross-legged in a white robe, his eyes thoughtful.

The battle last night had yielded considerable gains for him, providing a fresh understanding of Skills.

He now had a clearer grasp of his own Combat Power.

Currently, with the Nightmare Ghost Realm and the Diamond Demon-Subduing Sword combined, he could step into the “Intermediate-Tier Giant” Domain.

However, Ye Sheng knew this was only possible if he could pull his opponent into the Nightmare Ghost Realm. If he failed to do so, his Combat Power in the outside world would remain at the “Beginner-Tier Giant” level.

Ye Sheng shook his head.

The Ghost Chain only had a 10% Chance to drag someone into the Nightmare Ghost Realm—a probability that wasn’t high!

If he encountered an Intermediate-Tier Giant and failed to pull them into the Ghost Realm, he would be in serious trouble.

“This intermediate-tier giant is ultimately just a clever trick, not a true intermediate-tier giant.”

Ye Sheng shook his head, naturally unsatisfied with this.

“It’s more important to quickly raise the ‘Diamond Demon-Subduing Sword’ to LV4! By then, not only will I be an intermediate-tier giant, but I might even leap directly into the high-tier giant ranks!”

“Grinding proficiency is the true path!”

Ye Sheng stroked his chin and began projecting the burly figure and the fire-red longbow woman into the Nightmare Ghost Realm.

Swish! Swish!

With a single thought from Ye Sheng, two figures appeared in the Nightmare Ghost Realm the next moment.

They were precisely the projected burly figure and the fire-red longbow woman.

The two were vivid and lifelike, growing increasingly realistic.

Without further ado, Ye Sheng then used the ‘Diamond Demon-Subduing Sword’ to attack the two. He aimed to experience the changes and techniques of the Diamond Demon-Subduing Sword under the pressure they exerted, allowing his proficiency to skyrocket.

With these two as sparring partners, the efficiency was immediate and obvious.

Especially the fire-red longbow woman, who possessed 108 arrow skills with intricate variations, exposing Ye Sheng to different situations and allowing him to gain deeper insights into skill transformations.

Additionally, a powerful fusion skill provided Ye Sheng with immense pressure.

The burly figure was no weakling either. Both were beginner-tier giants who had created fusion skills. He wielded thirty-two types of saber techniques, each with formidable power.

Under the tempering of these two, Ye Sheng’s proficiency with the Diamond Demon-Subduing Sword soared like a rocket. This efficiency far surpassed that of ordinary 4th-stage ghost creatures.

Ye Sheng estimated the efficiency to be at least twenty times greater than before!

…

Blood Fiend City remained extremely quiet throughout the entire day, with examinees hiding underground. Even giant-level individuals could not venture outside.

As time passed, daylight gradually faded, and darkness once again descended upon the world.

In the basement, the light grew increasingly dim.

Many grew tense. With the arrival of the third night, the final selection of hunters would take place.

“Everyone, once we survive tonight, the first round will be over,” someone spoke in a hoarse voice, looking at the group in the basement.

Many among them had been quite lucky, having not been selected as hunters so far and safely reaching the third night.

“Yes, I hope I’m not chosen as a hunter tonight. Once tonight passes, I can advance to the second round,” a young man said, silently praying to the myriad gods.

In one corner, the severely injured young man leaned against the wall. In the dim environment, his face appeared somewhat shadowed.

After some time recovering, his injuries had healed by eighty percent, but his combat power was severely affected.

“Brother Wei, you’ve already been selected as a hunter once. The chance of you being chosen tonight is very small,” someone, noticing his gloomy expression, offered words of comfort.

“I hope so!” the severely injured young man nodded. He also didn’t believe he could be chosen again tonight—how could anyone be that unlucky?

Not far away, Xu Xingchen leisurely sucked on an ice pop, making slurping sounds that stood out conspicuously in the dark basement.

He didn’t look at the others, frequently turning his head instead to glance at Ye Sheng, who sat cross-legged nearby.

Since returning at dawn today, Ye Sheng had remained seated motionless, as if in deep meditation.

Xu Xingchen did not disturb him, silently acting as his Dharma Protector nearby, inwardly admiring his dedication to seizing every minute for cultivation.

In the silence, night had completely fallen, plunging the basement into darkness as the last trace of light vanished.

“Time to choose the hunter,” someone said in the darkness, though no one knew who.

Everyone grew tense at these words.

After a moment, a crimson glow lit up in the basement, drawing everyone’s gaze.

Yet, as they looked, each person’s expression turned slightly strange.

The severely injured young man was glowing with a bloody light. His eyes were vacant, his face gradually flushing red, until he finally couldn’t hold back and cursed, “What the hell…”