Scarlet blade light, like gaping maw of primordial beast, completely devoured entire arena. Piercing crimson radiance distorted space, corroded air, even protective light screen trembled violently, groaning under unbearable stress. Three thousand disciples below couldn't even manage a gasp. Their eyes wide, staring fixedly at that expanse of deathly scarlet.

  It's over.

  That thought rose in everyone's heart.

  Blood Li's "Demon God Slash"even Spiritual Light Realm initial stage cultivators wouldn't dare take it head-on. Although Lin Chen had created miracles, he was ultimately only at Condensation Stage Level 8 peak. Before this blade, he couldn't possibly survive.

  Zhao Hu on viewing stand, corners of his mouth stretched to his ears. "Dead! Finally dead! Senior Blood Li is mighty!" His few followers also heaved sighs of relief, as if dropping a thousand-pound weight. This suddenly risen "waste" had brought them too much pressure.

  Liu Ruyan's face was as pale as paper, body trembling slightly. She wanted to rush onto arena, but was firmly blocked by protective barrier. Nails deeply embedded in palms, blood dripping from between fingers, yet she felt no pain. Only her heart transmitted tearing agony.

  Yue Liuli hidden in shadows, Dark Moon Starlight already condensed to extreme, ready to intervene at any moment. But her gaze was calmer than anyone's. Because she could senseat center of that scarlet radiance, that faint chaotic light not only hadn't extinguished, but... was growing brighter!

  "Indeed..." Yue Liuli murmured inwardly, "Chaos Stellar Bodyhow could it be so easily devoured?"

  On arena.

  Blood Li maintained his blade-wielding posture, but the cruel smile on his face gradually stiffened.

  Because he also felt itthe scarlet blade light he unleashed was being... dissolved! Not shattered, not blocked, but from within, disintegrating like ice and snow under blazing sun!

  "What's happening?!" Blood Li's pupils sharply contracted.

  Next moment, at scarlet light's center, that chaotic micro-light suddenly erupted!

  Not an explosion, but... expansion! Like universe's inception, gray chaotic light spread at astonishing speed, everywhere it passed, scarlet blade light collapsed and dissipated, transforming into most primordial heaven and earth spiritual energy, devoured, transformed by chaotic light!

  Within three breaths, scarlet light enveloping arena was completely replaced by chaotic light!

  And Lin Chen's figure reappeared in everyone's sight.

  He still stood in place, only his robes tattered, body now bearing over a dozen wounds varying in depth, blood dyeing his gray robes dark red. But those eyes were brighter than ever before, that Star Pattern on his brow now radiating unprecedented brilliant silver radiance, within it even mingled strands of gray chaotic qi!

  Even more terrifying was that within thirty feet around him, air distorted, light refracted, as if forming an independent "domain." Within domain, corrosive power left by scarlet blade qi was visibly being purified, devoured!

  "This... this is..." Blood Li's face finally completely changed, "Chaotic domain embryo?! How is this possible?! You're clearly only Condensation Stage Level 8!"

  Lin Chen didn't reply.

  He slowly raised his right hand, five fingers spread, palm center a gray chaotic star vortex slowly rotating. With rotation, heaven and earth spiritual energy from surroundings wildly surged in, even the blood demonic qi Blood Li emitted was forcibly pulled over, merging into chaotic star vortex, turning into purest stellar power.

  "Your blood demonic blade qi... tastes decent." Lin Chen spoke, voice calm, yet carrying a heart-chilling coldness. "Any more?"

  "You dare mock me?!!" Blood Li utterly raged.

  He had never suffered such insult! A Condensation Stage Level 8 brat, actually daring to openly sneer at his blood demonic blade qi!

  Blood Li's heart rapidly calculated: Blood-igniting Technique could briefly elevate him to Spiritual Light Realm, but cost immenseburning three-tenths essence blood, afterward needing at least three months recuperation, possibly regressing a minor realm. But now, he couldn't care less. Lin Chen's chaotic domain embryo too terrifying; if not killed now, in future certain to become lethal threat! More crucial... Steward Zhao's promise, and that "Blood Soul Pill" that could truly help him break through Spiritual Light Realm!

  Wealth sought amidst danger!

  Blood Li's eyes flashed with determination. Cultivating blood blade techniques to this day, killing countless, never encountered opponent surviving under his blood demonic blade qi so long. Lin Chen's stellar power could actually dissolve his blood demonic qi! This shocked him, also... greedy! If could devour Lin Chen's stellar essence, his blood blade techniques might breakthrough to higher realms, even... condense true blood demon body!

  "Since you wish death, I'll... grant it!" Blood Li's eyes blazed with bloodlight, blood robe fluttering without wind, behind him even appeared a faint bloody demon god phantom! Simultaneously, he left hand forming seals, bit tongue tip, mouthful essence blood sprayed onto blood blade!

  "With my essence blood, sacrifice my demon blade! Blood demon techniqueBlood-igniting Technique!"

  As Blood Li roared, entire training grounds' sky seemingly dyed scarlet! Originally clear afternoon sky actually manifested a bloody cloud out of thin air, covering above arena! Within cloud layers, faintly visible countless resentful soul phantoms struggling and wailingthat was lingering wills of dead under Blood Li's blade!

  Bloody scent permeating air intensified to nauseating levels; some disciples with lower cultivation already paled, forced to operate spiritual energy resisting corrosive force. Even the Black Iron Rock surface of arena began manifesting fine crimson patternsthat was blood demonic qi concentrated to substantialization, corroding real matter!

  This was true Spiritual Light Realm pressure! Unlike Condensation Stage cultivators' spiritual energy emission, Spiritual Light Realm cultivators' strength could provoke heaven and earth anomalies, form domain suppression! Blood Li only temporarily reached this realm, but already grasped domain essenceblood demon domain!

  Boom!!!

  Within Blood Li, as if something ignited! His originally Condensation Stage Level 8 peak aura wildly surged like volcanic eruption! Condensation Stage Level 9 initial stage, mid-stage, late stage, peak... finally, temporarily breached barrier between Condensation Stage and Spiritual Light Realm, reaching... Spiritual Light Realm·Starlight Stage Level 1!

  Though temporary, though burning essence blood would leave severe aftermath, current Blood Li indeed possessed Spiritual Light Realm combat power!

  "Spiritual Light Realm! Senior Blood Li broke through to Spiritual Light Realm!"

  "Blood-igniting Technique! This is Blood Blade Sect's forbidden technique! Burning essence blood for brief explosive strength!"

  "It's over... this time truly over... How can Senior Lin possibly resist Spiritual Light Realm?"

  Below erupted into clamor again, but this time, despairing clamor.

  Condensation Stage versus Spiritual Light Realmgap like chasm. Ten Condensation Stage Level 9 peak cultivators might not defeat one Spiritual Light Realm·Starlight Stage Level 1. This qualitative leap, transformation of life level!

  "See it?! Lin Chen!" Blood Li sneered, voice becoming hoarse and strange from burning essence blood, "This is Spiritual Light Realm strength! Height you can never reach in this lifetime! Now, kneel and beg for mercy, I might consider giving you quick death!"

  Lin Chen still didn't respond.

  He simply watched Blood Li calmly, brow Star Pattern tremor growing increasingly intense. He could feel his Chaos Star Vortex frantically rotating, nine attributes' source spirit qi forming perfect balanced cycle within. But facing Spiritual Light Realm Blood Li, this strength... still insufficient!

  Unless... use father's sealed power!

  But that's final trump card, must be used at most critical moment. Moreover, Yue Liuli saidonly thirty breaths. Within thirty breaths, must end battle!

  But now Blood Li burning essence blood, combat power reaching Spiritual Light Realm. Even if using father's sealed power, within thirty breaths... truly can resolve?

  Lin Chen's heart rapidly calculated. Though Blood Li's Blood-igniting Technique powerful, inevitably has fatal weaknesseither duration short, or afterward falls into extreme weakness. As long as endure his explosive period, chance for counter-kill!

  But prerequisite... can endure!

  "Since you won't kneel, then... die!" Blood Li ceased nonsense, figure flashing, instantly disappearing in place!

  Not speed fast, but... space flicker! Spatial ability Spiritual Light Realm cultivators initially grasp!

  Next moment, Blood Li appeared behind Lin Chen, blood blade silently chopping toward Lin Chen's nape! Blade edge not yet arrived, blood demonic blade qi already rushed to his face, among it even more bizarre force eroding life energy! This blade if hits, forget Condensation Stage cultivators, even Spiritual Light Realm initial stage, cleaved in two!

  Lin Chen's hair stood on end! Life-death crisis like icy water dousing head, instantly entered unprecedented focused state! Brow Star Pattern frantically trembled, Stellar Eye fully opened! Within his vision, Blood Li's attack trajectory slowed, analyzed, simultaneously dantian Chaos Star Vortex erupted!

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  "Star-shifting StepsExtremity!"

  Lin Chen's body weirdly twisted, like boneless snake, narrowly avoiding this blade! But blade's edge carried blood-colored qi blade, still left deep wound reaching bone on his left shoulder! Blood gushed!

  "Avoid first blade, can avoid second?!" Blood Li coldly laughed, figure flickering again!

  This time, appearing at Lin Chen's left side, blood blade horizontally sweeping! Simultaneously, right hand five fingers spread, five blood-colored chains materializing, sealing all Lin Chen's retreat paths!

  Lin Chen's pupils sharply contracted! This bladecannot dodge!

  Can only... withstand!

  "Star Body Refinement TechniqueFull Open!" Lin Chen growled lowly, whole body skin manifesting densely packed silver patterns, like wearing layer of stellar armor! Simultaneously, both fists strike out, left hand metal-attribute Starfall Fist smashing toward blood blade, right hand fire-attribute Starfall Fist smashing toward blood-colored chains!

  Clang Clang Clang!!!

  Dense metallic clashes erupted like torrential rain! Lin Chen's body violently shook, each blade blocked forced him back one step, mouth continuously spewing blood! But those eyes grew increasingly bright!

  Because he observed, learned! Stellar Eye like most precise instrument, recorded each of Blood Li's blade trajectories, each wisp of blood demonic qi's flow patterns, each spatial flicker's fluctuation frequencies!

  He searched for flaw! That fleeting flaw!

  Three blades, five blades, ten blades...

  Lin Chen's body already bore over twenty wounds, blood staining large area of arena. But his backbone remained straight! His fists still swung!

  Below, deathly silence.

  All disciples dumbfounded.

  Never witnessed such brutal battle, never seen such tenacious will.

  Condensation Stage Level 8 peak, withstanding Spiritual Light Realm·Starlight Stage Level 1, receiving twelve blades! Though severely injured, but... still standing!

  "Senior Lin..." a female disciple murmured, eyes reddening.

  "This is true genius... This is true strong one..." another disciple clenched fists, admiration burning in eyes.

  Even those Inner Sect senior brothers and sisters revealed astonishment. "This youth's will... simply terrifying." "Chaos Stellar Bodyindeed worthy of name." "Pity... realm gap too great. He cannot endure long."

  Indeed, cannot endure long.

  Lin Chen could feel his spiritual energy already bottoming out, Star Body Refinement Technique also near limit. At most endure three more blades, then completely collapse.

  But precisely now, Stellar Eye finally captured that flaw!

  Blood Li unleashing thirteenth blade, due to consecutive spatial flickers, within body blood demonic qi momentarily disorderedthough only zero point zero three seconds, for Lin Chenenough!

  Now!

  Lin Chen's eyes stellar radiance burning to extremity, dantian Chaos Star Vortex frantically rotating, squeezing final shred spiritual energy! Simultaneously, no longer suppressing brow Star Pattern resonance, instead... completely release!

  "Star PatternResonate Big Dipper!"

  This moment, time seemingly froze.

  Lin Chen releasing all suppression on Star Pattern, letting that resonance power originating from soul's depths erupt completely! That's not simple strength invocation, but... bloodline's call, fate's response!

  Beyond nine heavens, Big Dipper seemingly sensing kin's summons, billion-year slumbering stellar essence began awakening! First star 'Dubhe' lit, shedding 'Breaker of Armies' power's silvery radiance; second star 'Merak' echoed, descending 'Giant Gate' power's radiance; third star 'Phecda' shimmered, bestowing 'Wealth Controller' power's blessing; fourth star 'Megrez' resplendent, sprinkling 'Skilled in Literature' power's wisdom; fifth star 'Alioth' bloomed, descending 'Purity and Chastity' power's majesty; sixth star 'Mizar' erupted, granting 'Mighty in War' power's valor; seventh star 'Alkaid' flourished, shedding 'Breaker of Armies' power's end!

  Seven stars connected, stellar power channeled into body! That's not simple power infusion, but... stellar essence's baptism! Lin Chen's body under stellar power's washing, every cell cheering, transforming! Meridians originally damaged by blood demonic erosion, under stellar power's nourishment, visibly repairing, strengthening! Bone surfaces manifested faint stellar patternsthat's Star Body Refinement Technique evolving to higher realms' sign!

  Even more wondrous, Lin Chen could clearly feel, between him and Big Dipper, established connection surpassing time and space. As if mind moves, can summon stellar power descent! Though this connection still weak, but indeed existedthis Spiritual Light Realm cultivators initially contacting 'heaven and human communion'!

  Boom!!!

  As if ancient sluice gate opened, Lin Chen's brow Star Pattern erupted blinding silvery light, rushing straight into firmament! Simultaneously, Big Dipper originally dimmed, suddenly blazed! Seven thick silvery light pillars descending from heaven, ignoring protective barrier, precisely infused Lin Chen's body!

  That's purest stellar power! Heaven's celestial stars' essence gift!

  "What?!" Blood Li's face drastically changed, "Summon stellar power?! Impossible! Only Spiritual Light Realm above cultivators can achieve!"

  But facts before eyes!

  Lin Chen's body, under seven stellar light pillars infusion, injuries visibly healing, aura wildly soaring! Condensation Stage Level 8 peak, Level 9 initial stage, mid-stage, late stage, peak... finally, temporarily reached... Spiritual Light Realm·Starlight Stage Level 1!

  Equal realm with Blood Li!

  "This is... Starfall Fist Second StyleSeven Stars Linked!" Lin Chen roared lowly, both fists above, seven points silvery starlight sequentially brightening, like Big Dipper's seven stars arranged on fist tips! Each star point, containing one stellar attribute's essence power! Seven stars linked, power... geometric multiples growth!

  This fist style, not Lin Chen created out of thin air, but... Chaos Stellar Body's innate resonance with Big Dipper's seven stars, natural manifest inherited memory! As if ancient times, Chaos Stellar Body's predecessors, already created corresponding combat techniques, waiting descendants awaken to inherit!

  Seven Stars Linked's essence, lies in 'linked' word. Seven star points not simultaneous eruption, but like Big Dipper's arrangement, sequentially bright, sequentially burst! First star 'Breaker of Armies' power tears defenses; second star 'Giant Gate' power stabilizes offense; third star 'Wealth Controller' power accumulates might; fourth star 'Skilled in Literature' power seeks flaws; fifth star 'Purity and Chastity' power suppresses resistance; sixth star 'Mighty in War' power erupts destruction; seventh star 'Breaker of Armies' power ends all!

  Sevenfold power stacked, strength not simple seven times, but... geometric progression! Theoretically, if perfectly controlled, Seven Stars Linked's power enough leap two major realms slay foes! Of course, current Lin Chen far from that degree, but dealing with similarly temporarily achieving Spiritual Light Realm Blood Li... enough!

  "Take this! Blood Li!"

  Lin Chen stepped out, figure like teleport appearing before Blood Li, both fists out! Fist tips, seven star points linking line, transforming into silver light pillar piercing heaven earth, fiercely smashing toward Blood Li's chest!

  This fist, not merely power eruption, but... will sublimation!

  Ten years enduring humiliation's eruption!

  Three years arduous cultivation's reward!

  Father's expectation's bearing!

  Stellar path's first cry!

  "No!!!" Blood Li's eyes finally revealed terror, he frantically wielded blood blade, attempting block. But Seven Stars Linked's might, far surpassed his imagination!

  Boom!!!

  Silvery light pillar and blood-colored blade radiance collided instant, erupted terror akin heaven's tribulation! Entire training grounds violently shook, protective light screen finally unbearable, inch-by-inch shattering! Terrific shockwaves tsunami-like swept outward!

  Below, countless disciples blasted away like tides!

  And at arena center, Blood Li's blood blade... broke!

  That blood blade drinking blood thirty-seven people, comparable mid-grade spiritual artifact, under Seven Stars Linked's strike, like rotten wood fractured! Simultaneously, Blood Li's chest manifested bowl-sized transparent hole! Within, heart already dust!

  "How... how possible..." Blood Li lowered head, gazing chest hole, eyes filled disbelief.

  He burned essence blood, temporarily reached Spiritual Light Realm, thought could crush Lin Chen.

  Never expected, other also could summon stellar power, temporarily equal realm, moreover... one fist annihilated him!

  "I... refuse..."

  Blood Li spat last four words, body collapsed, life thoroughly severed.

  Blood Li's consciousness rapidly dispersing. Recalling three years ago, still merely Blood Blade Sect ordinary Outer Sect disciple, because chance opportunity, obtained "Blood Demon Blade Art" remnant volume. Since then, stepped no return pathkill, drink blood, refine soul, using countless fellow lives paving his rise road.

  He thought originally, this time accepting Steward Zhao's task, could obtain Blood Soul Pill, could devour stellar essence blood, two gains one stone. Unexpected... kicked iron plate! No, kicked... stellar mountain!

  If... if originally not chosen this demonic path, if... if today not mounted arena, if... regretfully, no ifs.

  Carrying boundless regret unwillingness, Blood Li's final shred consciousness, completely sank eternal darkness.

  Dead.

  Blood Blade Sect Outer Sect number one, Condensation Stage Level 8 peak, after burning essence blood reaching Spiritual Light Realm·Starlight Stage Level 1 Blood Lidead!

  Annihilated by Lin Chen one fist!

  Entire arena deathly silent.

  Even breath sounds vanished.

  All stared dumbly arena upright figure, as if watching... deity of war!

  Lin Chen slowly retracted fists, body but swayed. Seven Stars Linked's might though terrifying, consumption also immense. Now, within body spiritual energy completely exhausted, even standing strength almost gone.

  But he cannot collapse.

  At least, now cannot.

  He inhaled deeply, forcibly steadying form, gaze sweeping high platform, clashing Steward Zhao's cold stare again.

  Steward Zhao's expression, already gloomy like cauldron.

  Blood Li dead.

  Heavily paid external aid, unexpectedly... counter-killed by Lin Chen!

  This not merely plan's failure, but also... his authority's provocation!

  "Lin Chen..." Steward Zhao's heart killing intent boiling volcano, "You... must die!"

  But now, he cannot act.

  Because arena tournament continues, because... everyone's gaze, focused here.

  He can only suppress killing intent, complexion iron-blue watching.

  And Lin Chen, but suddenly felt heaven spinning earth revolving.

  Seven Stars Linked's side effect, began erupt.

  Overdraft.

  Extreme overdraft.

  His vision began blurring, ears also ringing buzzing.

  No good... cannot collapse here...

  Lin Chen gritted teeth, attempting mobilize final shred strength, but body refused command forward tilt.

  Precisely he about fall ground instant, black shadow lightning rushed arena, supporting him.

  Yue Liuli.

  She unknown when appeared arena, single hand supporting Lin Chen, other hand quickly tapping his brow, injecting wisp Dark Moon Starlight, temporarily stabilizing his injuries.

  "You performed well." Yue Liuli whispered lowly. "Now, rest well."

  Lin Chen wanted say something, but consciousness already plunged darkness.

  Before unconsciousness, final seen imagehigh platform, Steward Zhao currently low-voice conversing black-robed man. Black-robed man's sleeve cuff, embroidered grimacing skull, around skull, encircling nine crimson patterns.

  That's... Netherworld Palace's emblem!

  Netherworld Palace people, indeed secretly observing!

  Moreover, with Steward Zhao... colluding!

  This thought flashed mind, Lin Chen finally completely lost consciousness.

  And arena, Yue Liuli supporting unconscious Lin Chen, gaze but coldly sweeping high platform, finally fixed black-robed man.

  "Netherworld Palace... finally showed yourselves?"

  Her mouth corners, hooked icy arc.

  "Yue Liuli supporting Lin Chen, gaze but penetrating void, seemingly seeing farther crisis. She could sense, Netherworld Palace people would not let this go. Blood Li's death, only would intensify conflict. Moreover... Steward Zhao's collusion with Netherworld Palace, likely merely iceberg's tip. Within Azure Cloud Sect, exactly how many traitors still? Within Star Moon Sect, whether also Netherworld Palace's infiltration?

  Even more her worry, Lin Chen's within Chaos Star Vortex. Earlier summoning Big Dipper's seven stars, that resonance power too intense, likely already alerted certain existences' notice. Nine Star Pattern Ancestors... those ancient strong ones betraying peers, whether also sensed new Star Pattern awakening?

  "Must quickly bring him leave here." Yue Liuli's heart decided. "Azure Cloud Sect already unsafe. First go Situ Ming there, then... proceed Meteorite Valley! Only find Stellar Tower, can truly unveil all mysteries!"

  This war... just began!"

  Below, three thousand disciples still immersed shock.

  Witnessed miracle personally.

  Witnessed Condensation Stage Level 8 peak Lin Chen, counter-killed burning essence blood reaching Spiritual Light Realm Blood Li!

  This not merely strength's victory, but also... will's victory!

  From today onward, "Lin Chen" this name, no longer "waste," but... Outer Sect first genius! Countless disciples worship idol!

  But only few knewbehind this battle, lurked deeper conspiracy.

  Netherworld Palace already appeared.

  Steward Zhao's true face, also about exposed.

  And Lin Chen, unconscious, not knowinggreater storm, brewing!

  Father's whereabouts, Stellar Tower's secret, Netherworld Palace's conspiracy, Star Moon Sect's mission... all these, will upon his awakening, unveil one by one!

  And now, unconscious Lin Chen, brow that Star Pattern, still emitting faint silvery radiance.

  As if foretellingstellar path, never ceasing!