As the Void Phoenix Wings slowed, Lin Xiao had flown countless miles. Reflecting, he felt a lingering chill. The Stone Clan warrior was unimaginably powerful, nearly shattering the Mysterious Domain’s spatial rules.
That overwhelming strength left him defenseless. Had the spatial rules not suppressed the Stone Clan to Martial King peak, he’d likely be dead.
He marveled at the Mysterious Domain’s complexity. Beyond rare beasts like the Void Sky Moon Gazer, it harbored ancient races like the Stone Clan—truly extraordinary.
How had this battlefield formed? It must have existed for eons.
Fortunately, he’d escaped and successfully cultivated the Stone Clan’s secret art. Witnessing the Stone Clan’s power ignited his ambition.
Yet, Lin Xiao remained grounded. Though he’d evaded the Stone Clan for now, it would likely reappear during the ultimate battlefield. Even suppressed to Martial King peak, it far outmatched his current strength.
Thus, he needed to rapidly enhance his power before the ultimate battlefield.
“Time to find a place to refine the fourth-grade spirit stone!”
Scanning the area, Lin Xiao spotted a nearby mountain peak. After scouting, he settled in a secluded cliff cave, took out the spirit stone, and began refining it.
Pressing his palms against the stone, he channeled vital energy into it, absorbing its vast yuan qi.
A sea of energy surged through his palms into his body, flowing to his dantian.
The immense energy washed over his dantian, condensing into his dantian sea, making his blood boil and his dantian’s power surge.
By the third day, the continuous influx of spirit stone energy had purified and solidified his dantian, elevating its power qualitatively.
“Hiss!” A potent aura radiated from Lin Xiao, spreading outward.
He’d broken through, advancing one realm.
He continued refining the stone, channeling its energy into his dantian.
After several days, when the five-to-six-pound stone was fully consumed, another powerful aura erupted. His dantian’s power surged again.
Using the fourth-grade spirit stone, Lin Xiao had broken through two realms, leaping from third-level to fifth-level Martial King, a massive boost.
His face lit up with uncontainable joy. “No wonder so many fought for it. The benefits are incredible.”
“In just over a month in the Mysterious Domain, I’ve gone from first-level to fifth-level Martial King. With over four months until the ultimate battlefield, could I reach Martial King peak?” Lin Xiao’s eyes gleamed with hope. The ultimate battlefield was indeed a land of endless opportunities, capable of forging figures like the Holy Origin Academy’s dean.
In just a month, he’d advanced four Martial King realms.
He was confident that in the next four months, he’d find chances to reach Martial King peak.
At that level, whether facing Earth Star List, Earth Demon List, or even Heavenly Star or Heavenly Demon List disciples entering the battlefield, he’d hold his own.
Even against the suppressed Stone Clan warrior, he’d have a fighting chance.
At Martial King peak, he’d stand at the pinnacle of the Mysterious Domain Battlefield.
The battlefield seemed governed by a mysterious rule, capping cultivation at Martial King peak. Even the ancient, formidable Stone Clan was restrained to that level.
“Freshly broken through—time for some training!” Lin Xiao’s gaze turned toward the battlefield’s center. Rising, he flew onward.
Over the next half-month, he traveled tens of thousands of miles, seeking out powerful spirit beasts. After dozens of fierce battles with mid-tier fourth-grade beasts, he solidified his cultivation.
His honed strength surpassed his initial breakthrough. Confident, he believed he could now defeat Mo Yue.
Still, he stayed cautious. Nearing the Seven Stars region, the deeper he went, the stronger the fighters. Encounters with top Human Star or Human Demon List disciples, or even Earth Star or Earth Demon List ones, were possible.
…
In a forest of towering ancient trees, a handsome youth in a dragon robe stood atop a peak, exuding an aura of commanding the world.
It was Mo Jiutian, the top Human Star List disciple.
A figure with a striking presence landed, bowing respectfully. “Brother Mo!”
“Lin Xiao appeared in the Stone Mountain Range?” Mo Jiutian asked without turning, his tone indifferent.
The youth nodded. “He used the Void Phoenix Wings to escape the Stone Clan’s attack. He’ll likely reach here soon. Recently, we’ve spotted Hu Yue’s traces. We’ll capture her to lure Lin Xiao into a trap.”
“That girl’s no ordinary foe—a top assassin. But she’s just a girl,” Mo Jiutian said, turning to the youth. “Su Jinguang, is your Fire Spirit Rabbit under control?”
Su Jinguang nodded confidently. “My beast-taming art ensures perfect control. We’ll bait Hu Yue into Black Cloud Valley.”
“Good. Capture Hu Yue, and Lin Xiao will come!” A cold glint flashed in Mo Jiutian’s eyes. “Spread the word: the ambush for Lin Xiao is set in Black Cloud Valley!”
“Black Cloud Valley?” Su Jinguang paused, then nodded. “Perfect. We can wait in ambush, and even if Hu Yue has tricks, she won’t escape. I’ll arrange it!”
He turned, flying off on vital energy wings.
Mo Jiutian stood, gazing at the distant horizon, his eyes cold. “Lin Xiao, I’ve gathered over a dozen Human Star List disciples. Even with your Void Phoenix Wings and Martial King peak corpse puppet, you won’t escape. You’ll taste the pain of losing someone you love!”
