"Qin Tianlin... Indestructible Vajra..." Su Chen muttered as he walked toward the challenge room.
Thanks to Wei Zhenghong and the others, he had a rough understanding of Qin Tianlin's information. His primary Holy Class was naturally the one fused by Qin Yun—the Indestructible Vajra.
It was fused from a multiple-transformation type Special Profession and perfectly complented his main profession, making it incredibly fierce and overbearing.
Its only flaw was a lack of agility. Under normal circumstances, a professional would definitely seek to compensate for such a weakness.
But that guy, Qin Tianlin, did not take the usual path. Instead, he supplented it with one of the Sect's three publicly available Holy Classes: Dawn's Heaven Punishnt.
Once suppressed by him, combined with the explosive lethality of Dawn's Heaven Punishnt... tsk, tsk, the resulting devastation was easy to imagine.
Entering the challenge room, Su Chen estimated that his body had recovered to its peak state. His voice was calm as he declared, "Challenge the 11th ranker on the Holy List, Qin Tianlin."
Streams of light intertwined as a figure materialized.
Su Chen was not entirely sure if he could win, his eyes reflecting profound solemnity.
The figure opposite him suddenly erupted, swelling in size amidst blinding golden light. His spine tore through his clothes like a living dragon, and golden-veined rock armor grew wildly from beneath his skin. In the blink of an eye, he transford into a towering, thirty-foot-tall burly Vajra, his entire body covered in dark gold rock armor that gave off a cold, matte gleam.
Its facial features still vaguely resembled Qin Tianlin, but its eyes had been replaced by two blazing white cores of light.
This projection from the challenge system was controlled by artificial intelligence, compiling all the target's data and combat habits recorded within the system.
Evidently, Qin Tianlin liked to go all out from the very beginning to crush his enemies. The Vajra charged instantly, its arms swinging like two massive teoric iron hamrs. Striking with thousands of pounds of force, they tore through the air, generating a fierce gale that pressed Su Chen's robes tightly against his skin.
'What terrifying montum...' Su Chen's heart skipped a beat. He was already in his Crimson Sovereign state, his ntal Core fully subrged into his body. This mimicked the Morning Star Tier state, where mind and flesh beca indistinguishable from one another.
Stomping his left foot heavily, crimson thunder and fire erupted as he threw out both fists in response.
Boom!!!
A blinding burst of light exploded. Su Chen was sent flying backward, crashing to the ground. He felt a violent tremor in his fists and palms, as if he had just punched a massive boulder. A dull ache throbbed in the webbing of his fingers, and droplets of blood mixed with crimson flas were flung into the air.
anwhile, relying on its imnse physical advantage, the burly Vajra rely staggered back a few steps with heavy, thudding footsteps.
'He isn't on the sa level as ng Jingyuan at all,' Su Chen thought, clicking his tongue in amazent. Qin Tianlin certainly had real skill; he truly lived up to his Divine Radiance Grade talent.
The massive Vajra possessed no autonomous consciousness. It imdiately adjusted its stance and charged again, looming like a small mountain. Its golden eyes were filled with brutality as it feinted with its left fist before bringing its right smashing down from above.
The Symbols hidden within its fist suddenly lit up, and a streak of incandescent light darted toward Su Chen's face like a venomous snake.
Su Chen did not take the blow head-on. Relying on the Gale Dancer profession and the speed boost from his sixth-tier Battle Boots, he gracefully dodged out of the way.
"This is a bit unfair..." Su Chen suddenly realized the crux of the problem. His current speed was incredible, aning the Vajra could not hit him at all. But if he wanted to defeat his opponent and seize the position of Top Ranker, he had no choice but to clash head-on.
In other words, in this specific scenario, the opponent's greatest weakness was effectively nullified.
There was no shortage of people on the Holy List who employed such tactics. So even intentionally stacked ultimate burst damage just to climb the rankings. Their bodies could not handle the strain, giving them only enough strength for a single strike—but that one strike was far beyond what ordinary thods could withstand.
"I still have to fight fire with fire..." Su Chen frowned tightly, his gaze narrowing. Activating the Sacred Hand Blessing to amplify his Spiritual Might, he released a surge of ntal power to bind the Vajra before him.
An invisible forcefield abruptly tightened. Crimson chains drilled out from the crevices of the towering Vajra's rock armor, burning the golden veins with a loud sizzle as the giant roared toward the sky.
Su Chen closed the distance, but at that exact mont, the Vajra let out a furious bellow and flexed its arms, shattering the chains inch by inch.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Its dual fists crashed down in a relentless barrage.
'It even knows how to feint,' Su Chen thought, his eyelids twitching slightly. He raised his fists like shields to block the heavy blows. Every collision sent intense shockwaves through his joints. Crimson patterns faintly surfaced beneath his skin, and his bones creaked under the imnse pressure.
"Tsk..." He retreated once more, finding the situation increasingly troubleso. Qin Tianlin had practically reached the absolute limit of the sixth tier. The sixth-tier armor within Su Chen's body could only barely withstand the onslaught.
This brute simply rampaged forward with impossibly sturdy defense. Su Chen's other techniques struggled to deal any significant frontal damage.
At best, he could fight it to a stalemate. But to claim the title of Top Ranker, he had to secure a decisive victory.
"It is a battle across tiers, after all. I have no choice but to try that thod..." Su Chen's eyes flashed.
Hum—!
Chaos-colored light patterns erupted from his lower abdon as he fully liberated the Four Seasons ridian Wheel!
In an instant, his body surged with an overwhelming abundance of energy.
Sacred Hand enhancing Blood Burner!
Wisps of bloody crimson surfaced on his skin, and his very flesh and blood began to ignite.
Sacred Hand enhancing Trampler! Golden veins appeared across his heart as it pounded with a mighty rhythm.
In his current state, he could use the Sacred Hand without any restraint. These two professions—which sacrificed the user's own body in exchange for imnse power—beca exponentially more terrifying under the Sacred Hand's enhancent. His aura skyrocketed with every passing second, and the surging blood-flas whipped up into a near-tempest.
The Vajra seed to sense that this opponent was using so sort of technique to rapidly grow stronger.
Consequently, it charged forward once more. But Su Chen simply stood his ground. Countless chains continuously sprang forth to wrap around the towering Vajra. As soon as it shattered one, another took its place, gradually slowing its movents to a crawl.
anwhile, Su Chen recklessly utilized the Sacred Hand to relentlessly amplify his Spiritual Might. Every thought and every binding constraint was entirely reinforced by the Sacred Hand.
It was an indescribable thrill; he could unleash his vast array of abilities without a single inhibition.
Even though Spiritual Might was only a fifth-tier ability, under the Sacred Hand's enhancent, it could exert sixth-tier power. Fueled by this unrestrained amplification, it created a massive impedint for the burly giant before him.
"Roar!" The towering Vajra let out a furious bellow. The golden veins on its back ignited with blinding white holy flas as hundreds of light spears condensed from the void, their tips tearing through the air with a piercing screech.
This was a sequence profession of the Holy Class Dawn's Heaven Punishnt. Su Chen was well aware of this and rapidly retreated.
However, the solidified spears of light abruptly changed direction mid-air, actually locking onto him in pursuit.
They moved so fast that the naked eye could only perceive streaks of light. Moreover, the hundreds of light spears were faintly converging toward a central point.
At the mont they intersected, the streams of light fused together like molten tal, rapidly shrinking in size. Its outline shifted from ethereal to physical, with golden veins surfacing across its exterior. The sound of its flight shifted from a sharp screech to a deep, muffled rumble.
Hundreds of light spears compressed into a single, twelve-foot-long spear. A point of cold starlight condensed at its tip, swirling with a platinum luster and radiating absolute sharpness.
Su Chen felt a sharp sting between his brows. Although his speed was incredible, the distance between them was rapidly closing.
"His body isn't agile, but his offensive thods are. He found a different path." Su Chen's figure flickered unpredictably, darting left and right, up and down. His eyes were calm, while blood-red mist continued to steam from his body, and a faint, stabbing pain emanated from his lungs.
Until a certain mont, he abruptly stopped in his tracks. His pupils reflected the spear's trajectory as it tore through the air. In a split second, he twisted his body from a frontal stance to the side. His right hand, wrapped in the power of fla and thunder, lashed out and firmly grabbed the near-tangible platinum spear.
The shaft of the spear violently trembled like a live python, erupting in milky-white flas that emitted a faint sizzling sound.
Su Chen's gaze turned icy. He had already raised his left hand, turning his palm into a blade, and chopped down like a bolt of lightning!
Crack!
The spear shattered on impact, dissolving into streams of light that faded away.
Su Chen took a deep breath. This was his true peak state. Enhanced by the Sacred Hand, the Blood Burner and Trampler professions were not inferior to sixth-tier abilities in the slightest.
They achieved a perfect equilibrium within his body, granting him an unparalleled amplification!
Boom!
Tearing through the air, Su Chen charged forward, pulling his fists back before striking out with two streaks of light aid straight at Qin Tianlin's face.
The Vajra crossed its arms to block, but a deafening boom rang out like a struck bell. The massive body staggered, retreating continuously.
Scorching arcs of lightning and fire exploded across the arena. It was impossible to tell just how many punches Su Chen threw; the sounds of impact rged into a single continuous roar. The golden veins on the Vajra's body crumbled inch by inch, and its rock armor peeled off like dead skin.
Boom!
Delivering what seed to be the final blow, crimson thunder erupted from Su Chen's right fist as it viciously pierced into the giant's ribs. The towering Vajra's body, already covered in cracks, violently shattered apart.
At the Bronze Core, in front of the Nether Hall, Wei Zhenghong and Shen Yi'an were being escorted out by a large entourage.
After coming to a stop, Wei Zhenghong turned to a middle-aged man with a long beard and said, "Hall Master Shen, I will have to trouble you with the matter regarding the Spirit Fire."
"This is well within my duties," Shen Zhou, the Vice Hall Master of the Nether Hall, replied with a smile. "Rest assured, Star Seed Wei. I will definitely deploy more personnel to scout the Nether Realm and locate a new Spirit Fire as quickly as possible."
"With your word, I can finally put my mind at ease." Looking visibly relieved, Wei Zhenghong exchanged a few more pleasantries with the crowd before leaving alongside Shen Yi'an.
"It was a matter that could have been settled with a few words. Why did you insist on dragging here?" Shen Yi'an asked once they had walked a fair distance away.
"He is your uncle, after all. With you tagging along, they're bound to take the request more seriously," Wei Zhenghong explained.
Shen Yi'an shook his head. "You are Venerable Chu Lingyuan's student, as well as a Star Seed. Even without , he wouldn't dare slack off."
——
"I just wanted an extra layer of insurance," Wei Zhenghong sighed.
Shen Yi'an's indifferent gaze swept over him. "You seem to be in quite a hurry."
"Isn't that obvious?" Wei Zhenghong replied bluntly. "The main venue for the Peak Star Tournant has been shifted to our Sect. Although it looks like we still have two years, based on past experience—and coupled with the special circumstances this ti—the other Factions and forces will definitely arrive early."
"Due to the Fortune Bronze Core, our Sect's preliminary screening chanism is completely different from the other Factions. We almost never engage in live combat."
"When the ti cos, am I supposed to just let my training projection get bullied by others? Those guys with Divine Radiance Grade talent absolutely love challenging Star Seeds."
"You will fuse your Holy Class sooner or later. There is no need to rush," Shen Yi'an said in a flat tone.
Hearing this only made Wei Zhenghong more depressed. "It's easy for you to say."
As the two walked along the main path, their noble identities and lofty status as Star Seeds naturally caused many people to stop and greet them. Wei Zhenghong and Shen Yi'an responded to each one.
"Ah, Star Seed Shen, Star Seed Wei, it is quite rare to see the two of you!" Zhou Yunyang approached from the side, a sycophantic smile plastered across his face.
Wei Zhenghong was naturally no stranger to Zhou Yunyang, a notorious smooth-talker. "Deacon Zhou."
Shen Yi'an also nodded at him.
"Please, carry on with your business, you two." After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Zhou Yunyang hurriedly scuttled off into the distance.
"To think this guy didn't try to pester us... how unusual," Wei Zhenghong noted in surprise. "Did sothing happen?"
Shen Yi'an had already noticed that among the people passing by them, there were not only ordinary Sect mbers but also plenty of deacons, and even a Vice Hall Master. After greeting them, they were all rushing toward the exact sa direction.
"That appears to be the direction of the Challenge Center."
Wei Zhenghong's heart stirred, and his curiosity was piqued. "Let's go take a look."
Shen Yi'an naturally had no objections.
The two made their way over. Before they even reached the Challenge Center, they saw a massive crowd gathered in front of the doors. People were clustered in twos and threes, seemingly discussing sothing.
"What is going on at the Challenge Center today?"
Wang Ye was in the middle of chatting with a friend when he suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder. He instinctively turned around, his pupils imdiately quaking as he swallowed hard. "Star Seed Wei, Star Seed Shen."
He hastily bowed in greeting.
"I asked you what is going on," Wei Zhenghong repeated impatiently.
"Oh, right! It seems Senior Apprentice Brother Qin Tianlin is preparing to seize the title of Top Ranker," Wang Ye realized, answering hurriedly.
"Qin Tianlin wants to seize the title?" Wei Zhenghong's face darkened slightly. Looking at the large crowd gathered nearby and the people rushing over from the distance, he couldn't help but scoff coldly. "It's not like Venerable Qin Yun's residence doesn't have a challenge room. Why did he suddenly decide to co to the Challenge Center and stir up such a massive commotion?"
Wang Ye's friend had already quietly slipped away. Wang Ye's eyes darted nervously, and he silently took a step back as well. He truly did not want to get involved in the conflicts between these higher-ups.
However, Wei Zhenghong's gaze remained fixed on Wang Ye. "If Qin Tianlin is preparing to seize the title, what are you all doing joining the spectacle..."
Wang Ye's expression stiffened, and he replied helplessly, "Aren't we just curious?"
The Sixth Tier Champion was already among the absolute peak figures in the Holy Hall, excluding those old fogeys at the seventh-tier occupying the top ten of the Holy List.
Furthermore, Qin Tianlin possessed a Divine Radiance Grade talent, making him the most gifted individual in the Bronze Sect. He practically radiated an aura of prominence, leaving many people deeply curious as to whether he could succeed this ti.
"Curious?" Wei Zhenghong's face was utterly indifferent. He knew perfectly well that soone from Qin Yun's faction was secretly orchestrating this spectacle, and he was already contemplating leaving.
Nine tis out of ten, Qin Tianlin would succeed, and Wei Zhenghong had no desire to serve as a stepping stone to highlight Qin Tianlin's glory.
"Star Seed Shen, Star Seed Wei?" A voice suddenly called out from behind, tinged with a mix of surprise and delight.
Wei Zhenghong looked up to see the crowd in front of the Challenge Center parting ways as Qin Guang stepped forward. He wore a sickeningly sweet smile on his face. "I never expected the news of my son attempting to seize the title would attract the two Star Seeds to co and observe."
Seeing Qin Guang filled Wei Zhenghong with disgust. Back when Qin Yun had nearly forced him into a dead end, this was the very sa guy who had been jumping up and down on the sidelines, making his presence obnoxiously known.
Thus, his response was completely rciless. "Don't misunderstand. We were rely passing by."
Qin Guang's expression stiffened. Just as he was about to speak... "Fuck! How did I get pushed out of the top one hundred?"
Such an outburst suddenly echoing through the quiet crowd was incredibly eye-catching. Many people cast their gazes over, their expressions shifting. So recognized him; his na was Chen Xiaosheng. He was staring at the notification on his Wristband with an ugly look on his face.
This guy had only just squeezed into the 100th rank of the Holy List a short while ago, yet it seed he had already been bumped down. A few people present who didn't have the best relationship with him couldn't help but reveal amused smiles.
Realizing he had drawn far too much attention, Chen Xiaosheng laughed awkwardly and hastily retreated a few steps.
He anxiously opened his Wristband. The top one hundred on the Holy List enjoyed quite a few rewards and privileges.
Especially since he had only just made it in and hadn't even used his chance at the Fortune Bronze Core yet. Being pushed out so quickly, how could he possibly remain calm?
He opened the leaderboard to check. Sure enough, he had dropped to 101st place, and Ye Wei was still right behind him.
anwhile, ng Jingyuan, who was previously ahead of him, had been pushed down to 100th place.
"To think it wasn't Ye Wei who passed . That ans whoever it is must have jumped up multiple ranks..." Chen Xiaosheng couldn't help but feel surprised. As his gaze drifted higher up the list, his expression suddenly froze. His pupils shrank and trembled violently, revealing a look of pure horror.
The few people in the center of the crowd didn't pay much attention to his reaction. Changes in the Holy List rankings happened almost constantly.
Not to ntion, this person had only been barely hanging onto the very edge. Soone getting pushed down was perfectly normal.
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