The morning sun pierced the clouds, spilling over the massive Black Iron Rock arena at the center of the training grounds. The arena surface was densely covered with battle scars, resembling hideous wounds under the sunlight, silently recounting yesterday's brutality. But today, these scars would be covered by new battles, stained anew by fresh blood. The arena tournament's second day, the top sixteen battle, officially commenced.

  Lin Chen sat with closed eyes, concentrating his spirit, the Star Pattern on his brow slightly warm. He could clearly sense the dense stellar power permeating the air above the training groundsthe Dark Moon Starlight left by Yue Liuli last night, and the Netherworld Demonic Qi Poison Elder had laid, the two interwoven, forming an invisible net. And at the net's center lay his arena. Today's battle wasn't merely a test of strength, but also... the first direct confrontation with those eyes hidden in the shadows!

  Lin Chen stood at the edge of the crowd, his gaze calmly sweeping the surroundings. The area below was still packed with a sea of people; nearly all three thousand Outer Sect disciples had gathered, even more crowded than yesterday. Because everyone knew today's battles would be even more brutal, even more... bloody. The top sixteen battle: each match was a life-and-death struggle; the loser not only lost advancement qualifications, but might also... suffer severe injuries or even perish. This was the Azure Cloud Sect Outer Sect assessment's cruelest ruleon the arena, regardless of life or death, only victory mattered.

  But in Lin Chen's eyes, there was no fear, only burning fighting spirit. Last night's meeting with Yue Liuli had enlightened him too muchNetherworld Palace's sacrificial conspiracy, the hunting history of the Nine Star Pattern Ancestors, the truth of father's entrapment, and... the secret of the Stellar Tower. All this weighed on his heart like a mountain, yet also ignited the most violent flames within him. He must grow stronger, strong enough to shatter all conspiracies, strong enough to rescue father, strong enough to... end this three-thousand-year bloody hunting history!

  And today's arena was the first step toward that strength. Each battle was a tempering; each opponent, a stepping stone. He would announce to those eyes secretly observing with the most dominant posture, crushing all enemiesthe inheritor of the Chaos Stellar Body wasn't some soft persimmon they could easily handle!

  "First round, arena sevenLin Chen, versus Wang Mang!" The referee's high-pitched voice thundered like lightning, instantly igniting the entire crowd.

  Wang Mang. Condensation Stage Level 8 peak, earth-attribute defensive cultivator, the Outer Sect's famous "Iron Wall." It was said his cultivated "Thick Earth Formula" had reached the third layer, physical defense comparable to a low-grade spiritual artifact; very few peers could break through his defenses. Yesterday's arena tournament, he precisely relied on formidable defense, exhausting his opponent, advancing to the top sixteen.

  Now, Wang Mang had already leaped onto the arena. His physique was burly, even stouter than Shi Meng by a circle, muscles bulging like granite, skin surface radiating a faint earth-yellow glow. Those eyes like bronze bells stared at Lin Chen, his voice rumbling: "Lin Chen? I heard you defeated Chen Feng in one move yesterday, quite impressive. But today, meeting me counts as your misfortune. My defenses are something your fancy stellar power cannot break through!"

  Lin Chen didn't respond.

  He merely stepped forward, slowly walking onto the arena. His steps were steady, each footfall on the Black Iron Rock emitting a dull thud, like the footsteps of a giant beast. When he stood firm at the arena center, that intangible imposing aura swept out like a storm. The clamorous discussions below bizarrely fell silent at that moment.

  All disciples held their breath, eyes fixed on the arena. They wanted to see whether Lin Chen, who created miracles yesterday, could continue his winning streak today. And facing Wang Mang, renowned for defense, what method would he use to break through?

  "Begin!" The moment the referee's voice fell, Wang Mang moved first. He bellowed, the earth-yellow light around his body erupting wildly, his entire person transforming into a moving mountain, crashing fiercely toward Lin Chen! This wasn't some exquisite move, just the simplest, most brutalbarbaric charge! But coupled with his Condensation Stage Level 8 peak cultivation and the "Thick Earth Formula's" terrifying defensive enhancements, the power of this charge was enough to collapse a small mountain!

  The air compressed with piercing sonic booms, the arena floor trembling slightly. Many disciples below paled, instinctively retreating. If this charge landed on someone, even a Condensation Stage Level 9 cultivator would suffer broken bones!

  But Lin Chen remained in place, unmoving. Only when Wang Mang crashed within three chi did he finally move. Not dodging, not retreating, buttaking a step forward! Simultaneously, his right fist raised, at the fist tip a blinding golden light abruptly exploded! Metal-attribute source spirit qi, concentrated to the extreme!

  "Starfall Fist First StyleArmy Breaker!" Lin Chen shouted lowly, his fist striking out!

  No flowery trajectory, no complicated variation, just a straight punch like a battering ram, smashing fiercely toward Wang Mang's chest! Where the fist passed, air tore with sharp sonic booms, golden light trailing a long afterimage!

  Wang Mang's eyes flashed with disdain. Metal-attribute indeed countered earth-attribute, but the prerequisite was... sufficient power! He was confident his defenses could withstand any metal-attribute attack from peers. So not only didn't he dodge, he instead accelerated his charge, attempting to ram Lin Chen directly off the arena with brute force!

  But the next moment, Wang Mang's expression abruptly changed.

  Because he sensed that the metal-attribute source spirit qi at Lin Chen's fist tip was of a purity far exceeding his imagination! That wasn't ordinary metal-attribute spiritual energy, but... metal-attribute essence containing stellar power! More terrifying was that within that force, there was also a trace of chaotic aura, seemingly able to dissolve all defenses!

  Boom!!!

  The moment fist and chest collided, an eruption akin to mountain collapse and earth splitting resounded! Earth-yellow light and golden light madly clashed, terrifying shockwaves transforming into visible ripples, fiercely striking the arena's protective light screen! The light screen trembled violently, cracks densely appearing on its surface, as if on the verge of shattering!

  Disciples below paled in horror, hurriedly operating protective spiritual energy, barely managing to block the scattered aftermath.

  And on the arena, Wang Mang's burly body flew backward like a broken kite! In midair, blood wildly spewed from his mouth, the earth-yellow light at his chest shattering inch by inch, revealing the broken armor within and sunken ribs! He crashed heavily at the arena edge, struggling to rise, only to cough up several mouthfuls of blood mixed with organ fragments, then darkness before his eyes, completely unconscious.

  One fist!

  Merely one fist!

  Condensation Stage Level 8 peak, renowned for defense Wang Mangdefeated!

  The entire arena fell into deathly silence.

  Below, Zhao Hu's face pale, hands clenched into fists, nails deeply embedded in his palms. His few followers were even more ashen, trembling whispers: "This... this can't be? Wang Mang's defenses, even Spiritual Light Realm initial stage cultivators need some effort to break through... Lin Chen he..." "Shut up!" Zhao Hu growled lowly, eyes full of venom. "Tomorrow Senior Blood Li makes a move, definitely will make him die without a complete corpse!"

  And among ordinary disciples, it had long exploded. Countless fervent gazes focused on Lin Chenworship, envy, jealousy, shock... various emotions interwove. "Senior Lin is too strong! This is a true genius!" "Whoever said he was a waste before, step forward!" "I've decided, from now on Senior Lin is my cultivation goal!"

  Even a few Inner Sect senior brothers and sisters revealed surprise. "This youth's metal-attribute essence has actually been refined to near the degree of 'Metal Essence'... it seems this Outer Sect assessment will produce an extraordinary figure." An Inner Sect female cultivator murmured softly.

  All disciples stared wide-eyed, unable to believe as they watched that upright figure on the arena. Yesterday, defeating Chen Feng in one move was already shocking enough. But today, facing the more defensively formidable Wang Mang, still... one fist?! Moreover, that metal-attribute stellar power in that fist, its purity was simply unbelievable! Was this truly strength a Condensation Stage Level 8 cultivator could possess?!

  On the high platform, the Outer Sect Grand Elder's eyes glinted, softly muttering to himself: "Metal-attribute essence power... refined to such a degree. This youth... truly remarkable." Steward Liu's face showed a gratified smile, but deep within her eyes, a trace of worry flashed. Because she noticed Steward Zhao was currently holding a tea cup, fingers slightly tightening, even fine cracks appearing on the cup's rim.

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  Steward Zhao indeed suppressed the rage in his heart. He originally thought Wang Mang could at least force Lin Chen to reveal some trump cards, even consume part of his spiritual energy. He never expected, still one fist resolved! How much was Lin Chen's strength actually hidden? And what made him more vigilant was that the chaotic aura within Lin Chen's punch actually caused a faint tremor in the Netherworld Demonic Qi within his own body! As if encountering a natural enemy, unsettled!

  "Can't let him continue growing." Steward Zhao's heart boiled with killing intent. "Poison Elder... tomorrow must kill him! Even if identity is exposed, must strip the Star Pattern!"

  On the arena, Lin Chen slowly retracted his fist. The golden light at the fist tip dissipated, but he could sense the rotation speed of the Chaos Star Vortex in his dantian had accelerated a little. After nine-attribute balance, his control over each attribute's source spirit qi reached a brand-new realm. That punch just now, he not only utilized metal-attribute essence, but also blended a wisp of chaos energy's "dissolving" characteristic, thus easily breaking through Wang Mang's defense.

  "Metal-attribute restrains earth-attribute, but what truly decides victory is the essence of power." Lin Chen understood in his heart. "My stellar power's essence is higher than ordinary spiritual energy; this is the key to crushing."

  The referee now snapped back from shock, loudly announcing: "Arena seven, Lin Chen wins, advances to top eight!"

  A mountain-crashing, tsunami-like roar erupted below. Yesterday, there were still many questioning Lin Chen's strength, thinking it was luck. But today's fist completely shattered all doubts. Current Lin Chen, in hearts of Outer Sect disciples, was already an undeniable "monster-level" genius!

  But Lin Chen held not the slightest complacency. His gaze swept over the high platform, briefly clashing with Steward Zhao's cold stare, then shifting away. Then, he jumped off the arena, heading toward the rest area. Today's battles had only just begun. The top sixteen battle, he still had to fight two more rounds to advance to top eight. And each round, he would crush through with most dominant posture!

  Second battle began half an hour later. Opponent was water-attribute cultivator at Condensation Stage Level 9 initial stage, skilled in water-attribute illusions and attrition tactics. But Lin Chen still didn't give other any chance. The moment battle began, he used Star-shifting Steps combined with Water-walking Steps, transforming into three afterimages, simultaneously attacking from three directions. Opponent's water illusions under his Stellar Eye's insight were like nothing. That seemingly all-encompassing mist illusions, under Stellar Eye's silvery radiance, instantly exposed true formmerely three real bodies rapidly moving on arena. Lin Chen could clearly see flow paths of water-attribute spiritual energy within opponent's body; every moment of illusion switching was a fatal flaw. After three moves, Starfall Fist imbued with fire-attribute source spirit qi directly blasted opponent off arena.

  Yet another crushing defeat!

  Disciples below were already numb.

  If first battle, one fist defeating Wang Mang, still had attribute-restraint elements. Then this battle, facing higher cultivation water-attribute cultivator without attribute restraint, still resolved in three moves... this could no longer be described as "strong"; this was... absolute dominance!

  "Lin Chen's strength probably already approaches Spiritual Light Realm!"

  "Condensation Stage Level 9 before him, like clay chickens and pottery dogs! How can they fight?"

  "It seems this Outer Sect's first is undoubtedly him!"

  Various discussion sounds surged like tides. And on high platform, Steward Zhao's expression had gloomed to point of dripping water. The black-robed man behind him whispered, "Valley Master, should we activate sacrificial array early? Letting him continue winning might lead to unforeseen variables." Steward Zhao gritted his teeth: "No! Sacrificial array must be activated in final round, otherwise can't achieve optimal effect. Moreover... Poison Elder has already prepared Netherworld Soul-devouring Poison, tomorrow... must kill him!"

  Lin Chen knew all this well. But he didn't care at all. What he wanted was precisely under everyone's gaze, with most overbearing posture, crushing all the way through! He wanted those secretly observing eyes to feel fear, feel... despair!

  This wind-attribute cultivator named Feng Wuhen, known for speed in Outer Sect; reportedly his "Wind Shadow Steps" cultivated to great completion, fully unleashed could manifest nine afterimages, reality and illusion indistinguishable. Yesterday's arena tournament, precisely relying on ghostly speed, toyed with his opponent, easily advanced. Now standing on arena, Feng Wuhen wore a confident smile: "Lin Chen, no matter how strong your power, if you can't hit me it's useless. My speed, even Spiritual Light Realm initial stage cultivators have praised."

  Third battle's opponent was wind-attribute cultivator at Condensation Stage Level 9 mid-stage, speed extremely fast, adept in guerrilla tactics. But Lin Chen's response was even simpler and more brutalabsolute power, sealing entire field! After battle began, Feng Wuhen's figure shook, instantly manifesting six afterimages, pouncing from different directions! But Lin Chen merely slowly lifted foot, stepped forwardHum! With him as center, within thirty-foot radius, space abruptly solidified! Countless fine silvery light points materialized out of thin air, like starry sky descending, interweaving into faint silvery light curtain. This precisely embryonic Stellar Domainthough range limited, enough to alter localized battlefield rules!

  Within domain, stellar power like quagmire, greatly restricting opponent's speed. Feng Wuhen horrifically discovered his proud "Wind Shadow Steps," now as if trapped in glue, each step unbearably heavy! Those six afterimages, precisely due to sudden speed drop, instantly exposed their true forms! "This... what domain is this?!" Feng Wuhen exclaimed in shock. "End it." Lin Chen raised hand, Starfall Fist fused with earth-attribute essence, like meteor descending, smashing opponent together with protective spiritual energy, into arena floor!

  Yet another crushing defeat!

  Three battles, totaling less than ten moves, Lin Chen with all-victory record, dominantly advanced to top eight! Entire process, he didn't even use his true trump cardsfather's sealed power, and hidden abilities of Star Pattern space.

  When referee loudly announced top eight list, atmosphere throughout training grounds reached its peak. All disciples' gazes focused on that gray figure. Former "waste," now Outer Sect's top contender! This kind of reversal satisfaction made countless disciples' blood boil!

  But Lin Chen noticed, within top eight list, besides himself, there were several familiar namesShi Meng, unexpectedly also advanced! Though process was difficult, relying on brute force and tenacious will, he exhaustively defeated his opponent. Lin Chen saw when Shi Meng came off arena, whole body covered in blood, left arm twisted, yet still grinning: "Brother Lin, I didn't embarrass you!" That scene warmed Lin Chen's heart. This simple blacksmith's son, perhaps his talent wasn't as high as others', but that unyielding will was more precious than any genius.

  Blood Li. This name among Outer Sect disciples was like a nightmare. Three years ago, Blood Blade Sect and Azure Cloud Sect had small-scale conflict; back then still at Condensation Stage Level 7 Blood Li, alone with one blade, consecutively slaughtered three Azure Cloud Sect Outer Sect disciples at Condensation Stage Level 8, severely injured five. That battle, his whole body drenched in blood, like hellish Asura, from then on "Blood Li" name resounded across Azure Cloud Kingdom's borders. Reportedly blood blade secret technique he cultivated, each strike must see blood; no blood, no return. More terrifyingly, he liked to torture opponents during battle, letting them slowly die in pain and despair.

  Blood Blade Sect Outer Sect's number one, Condensation Stage Level 9 peak, cultivates Blood Blade Sect secret techniques, renowned for bloodthirsty savagery. Yesterday, disciple Poison Elder crippled, reportedly was Blood Li's junior brother. And today, Blood Li similarly with crushing posture, won three consecutive battles, advanced to top eight. More crucially, according to Yue Liuli's intelligence, Blood Li... was Zhao Hu's heavily paid external aid! Goal: on arena, cripple Lin Chen!

  "Blood Li..." Lin Chen looked toward that distant arena. There, thin, sinister-faced black-robed youth stood with arms crossed, coldly gazing over here. When their gazes met, Lin Chen could clearly sense that undisguised... killing intent within other's eyes!

  That killing intent, like substance, carrying bloodthirsty and savage aura, as if wanting to tear him apart!

  "Tomorrow, top eight battle, your opponent is Blood Li." A cold voice suddenly sounded beside his ear. Lin Chen turned, yet couldn't see Yue Liuli's figure. Only faint wisp of dark purple starlight, slowly drifting in air. "Blood Li cultivates blood blade secret techniques; each burst afterward has brief blood qi disorder. That's your only chance. Rememberwithin thirty breaths, must defeat him. Otherwise, once sacrificial array activates, everyone will die."

  Simultaneously, atop training grounds' highest bell tower, slender black-clad figure stood quietly. Yue Liuli's dark purple eyes penetrated layers of space, locked onto Lin Chen. "Three battles, total nine moves. Metal-attribute essence refinement seventy percent, fire-attribute sixty percent, earth-attribute fifty percent... chaotic energy initially fused. Strength assessment: invincible below Spiritual Light Realm initial stage." She murmured softly. "But facing Blood Li... within thirty breaths to resolve, still has risk. Netherworld Soul-devouring Poison once enters body, even with Star Pattern protection, will suffer severe damage. Lin Chen... can you do it?"

  Lin Chen clenched fists, silvery light burning in eyes.

  Blood Li? Invincible below Spiritual Light Realm?

  So what!

  Tomorrow on arena, he would use most savage way, tell everyoneinheritor of Chaos Stellar Body, must not be insulted!

  And now, on high platform, Steward Zhao watched scene of Lin Chen and Blood Li staring across space, corners of his mouth finally revealing trace of cruel smile.

  Deep night, beneath training grounds' central arena, black shadow quietly appeared. Poison Elder's withered face under moonlight resembled ghost. His hands quickly formed seals, countless black runes pouring from palms, merging into arena floor's cracks. Those cracks precisely marks left by daytime battles; now they became sacrificial array's best carriers. "With blood as guide, with souls as sacrifice, Netherworld Gate... open!" Poison Elder chanted lowly, madness flashing in eyes. He could feel, beneath arena, within earth's veins, terrifying Netherworld Demonic Qi slowly awakening. Tomorrow, when top eight battle's blood stained arena, that moment to activate sacrificial array! And Lin Chen's Star Pattern... would become final key to open Chaos Rift!

  "Finally... about to begin."

  "Tomorrow, on arena, Lin Chen's Star Pattern... will belong to Netherworld Palace!"

  "And his life... will become first sacrifice to rift!"

  Night, fell once more.

  But undercurrents within training grounds were more turbulent than last night.

  Tomorrow's battle would not merely be life-and-death duel between Lin Chen and Blood Li.

  But also... first direct confrontation with Netherworld Palace!

  Storm, approaches!