Chapter 276: Halfway Through the Journey, Feng Zhiyu's Love, Blood-colored Forbidden Land

Chapter 276: Halfway Through the Journey, Feng Zhiyu's Love, The Scarlet Forbidden Ground! The Junior Schoolmate of Yesteryear, Now Shaking the Sea of Stars

The Human Domain, the 1300th Combat Sector, the Sacred Academy Branch.

In stark contrast to the oppressive, murderous atmosphere that hung over the Myriad Races, the high-level council of humanity was currently filled with exhilaration and wonder.

First, the structure of the Sacred Academy had to be clearly understood.

The "Sacred Academy" did not refer merely to a single academy or a single organization, but rather to an unimaginably vast ruling system established by humanity across the boundless expanse of the Myriad Races Battlefield.

The entire first half of the Myriad Races Battlefield was known as the "Sacred Academy Sea," comprised of hundreds of millions of combat sectors, and the Sacred Academy's sphere of influence blanketed this infinite "maritime region."

In each and every combat sector, humanity had erected a Sacred Academy Branch.

These branches were not only cradles for nurturing geniuses, but also military fortresses guarding their respective domains, and above all, symbols of human authority.

And the core heritage that allowed humanity to forge such a formidable grip over the "Sacred Academy Sea" lay in this—every single Sacred Academy Branch was overseen by a genuine, bona fide "Emperor-Grade" supreme powerhouse!

Hundreds of millions of combat sectors meant hundreds of millions of Emperors!

This was the inscrutable, terrifying heritage of humanity as one of the universe's pinnacle races, a legacy sufficient to strike dread into the hearts of the Myriad Races.

Of course, the other pinnacle races were not merely sitting idly by.

Through countless years, they too had continuously infiltrated the various combat sectors of the "Sacred Academy Sea," planting their own powerhouses.

Perhaps within a certain combat sector, there also existed one or even multiple Emperor-grade existences of foreign races.

However, among the Myriad Races, they ultimately fought each for their own.

They might briefly unite against humanity, their common and foremost archenemy, but far more often, they were filled with competition, hatred, and scheming among themselves, entirely incapable of forming a truly monolithic front.

In contrast, humanity, under the unified deployment of the Sacred Academy, moved as one when orders were given, all branches stemming from the same root.

As one side waxed and the other waned, humanity's ruling status over the "Sacred Academy Sea" remained as stable as Mount Tai.

At this moment, within the "King's Palace," the highest hall of counsel at the 1300th Sector's Sacred Academy Branch, the atmosphere was exceptionally passionate.

Several hundred figures sat within the hall, each emanating an aura as vast and profound as an abyss; they were the King-grade powerhouses stationed in the 1300th Combat Sector.

And upon the golden throne at the absolute apex of the grand hall sat a figure entirely shrouded in soft, holy light, making it impossible to discern their features—the very guardian of this branch, that Emperor-grade powerhouse.

"Delightful! Truly delightful!"

A hot-tempered King, his body a mass of knotted muscles, slapped his thigh and laughed heartily. "That famed Demon General Cetir, his combination of necromantic secret arts and demon arrays was seamless, incredibly difficult to deal with.

To think he was actually chased and battered by that brat Qin Feng all by himself, fleeing in wretched disgrace in the end. This has truly brought glory to our human race!"

"It is far more than just glory."

Another King of elegant demeanor gently swayed a feather fan, smiling as he spoke. "After this battle, Qin Feng already faintly possesses the momentum of being invincible beneath the level of Sector Lord."

"Heaven-Devourer!"

The hot-tempered King turned his head toward a burly, stern-faced middle-aged man sitting not far away, speaking with a face full of envy. "You lucky bastard, you've hit the absolute jackpot. From where on earth did you scrape up such a heaven-defying disciple? Is your Limitless Battlegroup really that incredible? Every now and then, a freakish newcomer just pops out."

At this moment, King Heaven-Devourer bore an unsuppressible smile upon his face, yet he still waved his hand in feigned humility. "Not at all, not at all, it's all because the brat himself lives up to expectations.

As his master, I haven't really been of any grand assistance."

Though he said this, the deep pride and arrogance in the depths of his eyes could not be concealed no matter what.

He was equally shocked within his heart; Qin Feng's speed of growth had already far exceeded the imagination of this master of his.

"Stop being so humble."

The elegant King laughed. "Who doesn't know that for the sake of this disciple, you spent an entire day screaming at numerous Kings of the Limitless Battlegroup?"

The Kings discussed animatedly, their words filled entirely with praise for Qin Feng and envy for King Heaven-Devourer.

After the excitement, the atmosphere within the hall gradually turned solemn.

A veteran King with a snow-white beard and a steady aura spoke up. "Everyone, glad as we are, we must also see the immense crisis hidden behind this battle.

The potential Qin Feng has displayed is far too terrifying; the Myriad Races will never sit back and watch him grow so smoothly."

"Correct."

The elegant King closed his feather fan, his expression turning grave as he took up the thread. "The 'Death Difficulty' mission issued by the Will of the Universe has rewards that remain unknown to this day.

But for the Will of the Universe to crown it with the name 'Death,' the preciousness of its ultimate reward will likely surpass our imagination.

What I worry about is, if the reward is truly so precious that even Emperor-grade, or even higher-level existences would covet it... the Myriad Races might truly tear up the agreement, dispatching Sector Lord-level powerhouses into the fray regardless of the cost."

As these words were spoken, the King's Palace suddenly fell into a dead silence.

Sector Lord.

That was another dimension of life altogether, completely transcending the Black Hole level.

A single Sector Lord was a walking cosmic calamity.

Between humanity and the Myriad Races, for the sake of Qin Feng's Will of the Universe mission, an agreement had been reached: powerhouses of the Sector Lord level were strictly forbidden from making a move.

But an agreement, after all, was just an agreement.

In the face of sufficiently immense benefits, any agreement could turn into a scrap of waste paper.

"We cannot pin our hopes on the Myriad Races."

King Heaven-Devourer spoke in a deep voice, his gaze steadfast. "During the mission, the upper echelons of our human race cannot directly send people to aid Qin Feng either. Not because of the agreement, but because it would be viewed as a violation by the Will of the Universe.

That would be equivalent to making Qin Feng undergo a Death-level mission for absolutely nothing."

"We cannot strike directly, but we can grant him the greatest support within the boundaries permitted by the rules."

The veteran King's eyes narrowed as he spoke. "Since we cannot send people to aid him, let us give him more resources to make his own strength even greater!"

"I agree!"

The hot-tempered King responded immediately. "What that brat lacks most right now is probably the top-tier resources to continue pushing the Nine Spiritual Primal Chart to higher levels.

This secret art of King Nine Spirits requires greater consumption the later it gets.

Though the spoils of war he captured are numerous, they probably won't last very long."

Just then, the elegant King's eyes flickered, and he suddenly put forward a suggestion that caused everyone's spirits to lift.

"Everyone, speaking of raising strength, I happen to recall a place... That 'Scarlet Forbidden Ground' of our human race seems to have not been utilized for many years, has it?"

"The Scarlet Forbidden Ground?"

Hearing this name, the King-grade powerhouses present all revealed a trace of complex emotion upon their faces; there was recollection, there was apprehension, but more than anything, there was excitement.

"Yes, counting it up, it has indeed not been opened for several million years."

"The Scarlet Forbidden Ground happens to lie right upon the path of Qin Feng's mission star map, which makes it perfectly appropriate."

The veteran King nodded slowly, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes.

"Then let us open it!"

The elegant King spoke with a decisive tone. "Though the 'Scarlet Forbidden Ground' is perilously dangerous, offering a narrow escape from death, the opportunities within are also incredibly grand. Especially for a genius like Qin Feng, whose Dao foundation is incomparably solid and who excels in frontal combat, it is practically a sacred cultivation ground tailored made for him!

As long as he can walk out of there alive, his strength will boundlessly rise to another level!

When that time comes, even if he truly faces a Sector Lord, he might not be entirely without a sliver of hope!"

"Approved!"

"I agree! Open the Blood Forbidden Ground immediately!"

"Let it be done!"

The King-level powerhouses quickly reached a consensus.

As their discussions gradually faded, all eyes turned once more to the supreme throne, awaiting the final verdict.

The Emperor-level powerhouse, who had remained silent all along, let the holy light around him ripple faintly.

A voice, gentle yet imbued with boundless majesty, slowly arose, echoing through every corner of the Hall of Kings.

"Very well, let it be as you say."

"First, open the Blood Forbidden Ground. Once the news spreads, Qin Feng will surely enter."

The Emperor's voice paused, and in that gentle tone, a sudden chill and dominance capable of freezing time itself crept in.

"At the same time, issue my command: activate the highest combat readiness protocol. All Domain Lords are to return to their posts. All frontline legions are to enter first-level combat readiness."

"Monitor the movements of all races at all times."

"If any race dares to send a Domain Lord-level combatant onto the battlefield..."

"Then, show no mercy."

"Qin Feng must not die. Our human race has not produced such a dazzling prodigy in many, many years."

These simple words revealed the absolute hegemony hidden beneath the human race's gentle exterior—a hegemony that brooked no challenge.

For a genius not yet fully grown, they were willing to unleash an all-out war!

"Yes!"

Dozens of King-level powerhouses in the Hall of Kings rose together and bowed in salute.

A dark undercurrent, sweeping across the entire Saint Academy Sea, had already begun to surge wildly.

...

Travel through the cosmos was monotonous, lonely, and long.

Two hundred years—enough time in mortal kingdoms for several dynasties to rise and fall, for seas to turn into mulberry fields.

But for Qin Feng, who had already stepped into the Black Hole level, it was merely a slightly extended period of seclusion and journey.

Over those two hundred years, like a solitary ascetic, he piloted his ship along the preset star charts, silently crossing one barren or prosperous galaxy after another.

Whenever the energy accumulated in his body was more than half depleted, he would temporarily deviate from his course, seek out a vigorous, energy-rich star, and, like an ancient beast unfurling its body, devour its vast energy in a few short days, turning it into the foundation for the next leg of his voyage.

Such behavior—devouring stars—was not uncommon in the universe; many powerful cosmic lifeforms lived by it.

But Qin Feng's efficiency far surpassed his peers.

The perfected *Tenfold Hand* granted him nearly infinite capacity for transformation and endurance. The violent torrents of energy within a star were, in his body, no more than gentle streams, swiftly absorbed, compressed, and stored.

Two hundred years of solitary travel were also two hundred years of cultivation. In days without battle, he immersed his entire mind in the comprehension of the *Nine Spirit Origin Diagram*.

This secret art, originating from the highest inheritance of the Mechanical Race, was profound and vast. Each elevation of a spirit level felt like a leap in the very essence of life.

Yet the threshold from the Third Spirit to the Fourth Spirit was far higher than the first two combined.

Even with the terrifying deduction ability granted by his "Mechanical Twin" talent, and his ceaseless contemplation day and night, after two hundred years, the progress bar remained excruciatingly slow, with the breakthrough still far off.

He was not impatient.

The path of martial arts was never achieved overnight.

The exhilarating battle at Chiyu Pass had given him a clear understanding of his current strength—invincible below the Domain Lord level. With his triple amplification and the ultimate burst of forty-five times the speed of light, he feared no opponent.

But that did not mean he could rest easy.

That battle had also exposed his weakness—a lack of diverse techniques. If targeted by a peer skilled in formations, space manipulation, or bizarre secret arts, his advantages would be greatly diminished.

Setier's cunning escape had been a warning.

"One hundred space teleportation uses left..."

Qin Feng's gaze was calm.

This was the only thing he had persisted in over the past two hundred years, aside from cultivation and replenishing energy.

Each year, he received one precious personal space teleportation use.

Of course, he had spent some of those uses, leaving only one hundred now.

He had now reached the midpoint of his star chart route. Next, he needed a safe and resource-rich stopover for a prolonged rest.

His eyes fell on the most brilliant point at the center of the star chart.

[Heavenly Xuan Ancient Kingdom].

This was a behemoth among the hundreds of surrounding cosmic nations.

Unlike the Chiyu Cosmic Nation, which was merely guarded by a peak Domain Lord, the ruler of the Heavenly Xuan Ancient Kingdom was a genuine Marquis-level powerhouse.

This meant that even on the vast battlefields of myriad races, this ruler held significant status and influence.

Even more intriguing were the rumors about this Heavenly Xuan Monarch.

He was not human but hailed from one of the universe's peak races—the Feather Race—and was of noble blood, a direct relative of a certain "Emperor" of the Feather Race.

Yet he was a staunch advocate of the "Unity of All Races" philosophy, promoting the abandonment of racial prejudice and the pursuit of equality and harmony among all intelligent life.

This ideology, considered "heretical" by the major peak races, made him an outcast among the conservative high ranks of the Feather Empire. He was eventually semi-exiled to this star sea far from the Feather Race's core territory, where he established the Heavenly Xuan Ancient Kingdom.

Over millions of years of governance, the kingdom had not declined. Instead, thanks to its open and inclusive policies, it attracted countless beings from different races and civilizations to settle and trade, eventually forming the dazzlingly prosperous scene it was today.

It was a paradise for adventurers, a heaven for merchants, and a refuge for many exiles who could not find a foothold in their homelands.

Qin Feng chose this place for three reasons.

First, the Heavenly Xuan Ancient Kingdom was well-ordered. Its ruler, a Marquis-level powerhouse, could suppress all petty troublemakers. Here, even the myriad race forces hunting him would not dare act too recklessly, providing him with a relatively stable environment.

Second, this place was a melting pot of diverse races, with immense information flow—an excellent spot for gathering intelligence and seeking opportunities.

He needed to find a breakthrough and resources for the subsequent cultivation of the *Nine Spirit Origin Diagram*.

Third, and most importantly, he needed to stay here long enough to accumulate all the remaining teleportation uses he required.

Once he had gathered enough teleportations, he could activate them, crossing the perilous latter half of his journey at a speed far surpassing conventional tracking methods, and descend directly upon the final checkpoint.

Without any hesitation, Qin Feng transformed into an elusive streak of light, cruising at thirty times the speed of light, heading straight for the capital, "Heavenly Xuan Ancient City."

The starports and life-bearing planets along the way, though prosperous, could not capture his attention.

His target was the heart of this ancient kingdom, the place where resources and information were most concentrated.

At the same time, his mental power, already refined to a golden-red hue, spread outward like an invisible tide, centered on him, silently permeating in all directions.

This was not a reckless scan but a highly restrained probe. He controlled his mental power to be as fine as silk, skillfully avoiding areas where powerful beings might exist, searching only the barren, seemingly ownerless cosmic spaces for possible opportunities.

The golden-red quality of his mental power granted him extraordinary perception and concealment.

The vast majority of Black Hole-level beings could not detect his "spring rain moistening silently" kind of probing.

One day, two days...

Half a month later, Qin Feng had already ventured deep into the heart of the Tianxuan Ancient Kingdom.

Along the way, he witnessed countless bizarre races and magnificent starry wonders, and also sensed several faint yet powerful auras, among which were not a few at the Limit Black Hole level.

Yet he remained low-key, never crossing paths with any faction.

On this very day, as his spiritual power swept across a shattered asteroid belt, it suddenly caught a trace of unusual energy fluctuation.

It was a structure hidden within the wreckage of a colossal meteorite, its exterior coated with an optical layer capable of absorbing most detection waves, blending almost seamlessly with the cold, dark cosmic backdrop. Had his spiritual power not been far superior to the ordinary, he would have nearly overlooked it.

“Some kind of secret stronghold?”

Qin Feng’s heart stirred slightly. He concealed all his aura, becoming like an inconspicuous speck of cosmic dust, and quietly drew near.

His spiritual power, like the most precise probe, silently infiltrated the defensive barrier of the structure.

The barrier’s energy level was not low, enough to fend off the prying of ordinary Black Hole-level experts, but before his golden-red spiritual power, it was as flimsy as paper, easily pierced through without stirring a single ripple.

His spiritual power swept swiftly through the interior, imprinting into his mind all information about the stronghold’s structure, personnel distribution, energy core, and more.

This was an ancient building called the “Cangyan Tower,” outwardly an intelligence-selling organization, but secretly also taking on shady assassination missions. In this region of the Tianxuan Ancient Kingdom, it counted as a considerable underground force.

There were seven or eight Black Hole-level beings permanently stationed in the tower, the highest in cultivation being the Tower Master, a powerhouse-level Black Hole.

Such strength, in Qin Feng’s eyes now, was utterly insignificant.

He intended to leave, unwilling to stir up trouble.

Yet, just as his spiritual power was about to withdraw, he “saw” a face both familiar and unfamiliar.

In a secret chamber on the first underground floor of the ancient tower, a young man stood with a haggard face and numb eyes.

He wore a uniform gray robe, standing alongside dozens of other Star-level beings, like soulless puppets.

“Feng Zhiyu… Senior?”

Qin Feng’s spiritual power condensed slightly, a flicker of surprise rising in his heart.

That face, though deeply etched by time and hardship, had a silhouette Qin Feng would never mistake.

It was none other than the senior from the “Fearless War Group” at Canaan Starry Sky Martial University, Feng Zhiyu.

Qin Feng remembered that after he had made a name for himself in the War Group Tournament, this senior had privately given him a considerable amount of resource support.

That was not from the group’s public accounts, but Feng Zhiyu’s personal aid, without any utilitarian motive, purely out of appreciation and mentorship for a junior.

This kindness had always stayed in Qin Feng’s heart.

But now, Feng Zhiyu’s condition was dire.

His cultivation had stagnated at the initial Star level, which was clearly abnormal for a former prodigy.

What made Qin Feng’s heart sink even more was that he detected a vicious spiritual brand on Feng Zhiyu’s spiritual origin.

That brand was like a parasitic worm, deeply rooted in his soul, with the other end connected to a Black Hole-level being wearing a bronze mask at the front of the chamber.

That was the Seventh Elder of Cangyan Tower.

Clearly, Senior Feng Zhiyu had been enslaved by this man using a secret technique, reduced to a slave.

Qin Feng’s eyes instantly turned cold.

He withdrew his spiritual power, his form slowly dissipating into the void, and the next moment, he appeared outside the thin defensive barrier of Cangyan Tower.

A drop of water’s kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring.

Since he had encountered this, he could not stand idly by.

…

Cangyan Tower, underground chamber.

The cold and oppressive air, as solid as substance, weighed heavily on the hearts of every prisoner.

Feng Zhiyu stood expressionless, his gaze hollowly fixed on the figure wearing the bronze mask ahead.

His body could still move, his mind still functioned, but the brand named “Soul Lure” deep in his soul was like an invisible shackle, preventing any thought of resistance from arising.

Any idea of defying the Seventh Elder’s will would bring excruciating pain as if his soul were being torn apart.

He could no longer remember how long he had been trapped here.

Perhaps a hundred years, perhaps two hundred, or a thousand?

Time had lost its meaning here; all that remained was day after day of numbness and despair.

His life was never meant to be like this.

He, too, had once been a favored son of heaven.

He had advanced triumphantly, eventually achieving an outstanding 92nd place in the Cosmic Genius Battle, earning the qualification to enter the Myriad Races Battlefield.

He chose Thunderclap Cosmic City as the first stop of his journey, filled with ambitions to make his mark and shine across the starry sea.

There, he underwent trials and steadily improved his strength.

Until, during his travels, he met that feather-race woman he could never forget—Yuexi.

She was the youngest daughter of the Tianxuan Kingdom’s ruler, kind, innocent, without a trace of royal arrogance.

They fell in love.

Yet the vast gap in status and racial barriers became an insurmountable chasm between them.

Though the Tianxuan Kingdom’s ruler preached unity among all races, when it came to his own daughter’s lifelong matter, especially with a human prodigy, he fell into deep hesitation and difficulty.

Humans were the number one enemy recognized by all races.

If he accepted a human prodigy rooted in the [Eternal Singularity] as his son-in-law, it would be tantamount to placing the entire Tianxuan Ancient Kingdom at the forefront of the storm.

The Feather Empire would never tolerate such a thing.

In the vortex of politics, personal feelings seemed so insignificant.

In the end, at Yuexi’s desperate pleas, the Tianxuan ruler relented and gave Feng Zhiyu an almost impossible test—to single-handedly destroy the entrenched cancer of Cangyan Tower in the Tianxuan Ancient Kingdom.

If he succeeded, he would acknowledge Feng Zhiyu’s identity.

Young and reckless, Feng Zhiyu, for love, accepted the task without hesitation.

He thought that with his talent and strength, as long as he planned carefully and raised his power to the Black Hole level, there was a chance of success.

But he ultimately underestimated the insidiousness and deep-rooted connections of the underworld.

While he was still cautiously gathering intelligence on the periphery, his whereabouts were exposed, and he fell into the trap set by Cangyan Tower.

Facing the attack of a Black Hole-level expert, he had no power to resist.

What awaited him was not death, but a torment worse than death.

The Seventh Elder of Cangyan Tower, seeing the potential of his [Eternal Singularity], was unwilling to kill him. Instead, at great cost, he planted the “Soul Lure” brand deep in his soul, turning him completely into a puppet under control.

The former prodigy was thus reduced to a prisoner, becoming the most useful tool in the assassin organization’s hands.

His ambition, his love, everything—vanished into thin air the moment the brand was planted.

By now, Feng Zhiyu had lost count of how many innocent people he had been forced to kill.

“All of you, pull yourselves together!”

Elder Seven's cold, raspy voice echoed through the secret chamber, jolting Feng Zhiyu from his painful memories.

With a wave of his hand, dozens of light screens materialized before the crowd.

On each screen was the portrait of a living being, accompanied by extremely detailed descriptions.

“This is the latest bounty list, along with intelligence warrants from several neighboring cosmic nations.”

Elder Seven's voice was devoid of emotion. “Your task is to memorize these faces and all their features! When you carry out missions in the future, report immediately upon spotting a target.”

He paused, his tone turning especially grim. “Remember, for galaxy-level beings, you may handle them according to your strength and clearance. But for anything involving black hole-level existences, unauthorized action is strictly forbidden! All you need to do is record their location and time of appearance, then report to me. Understood?”

“Yes.”

The dozens of “slaves,” including Feng Zhiyu, responded in unison, their voices numb and uniform.

Elder Seven nodded in satisfaction and pointed to one of the largest light screens, placed at the very top of all the lists, conspicuously prominent.

“Especially this one!”

His voice suddenly rose, laced with barely concealed greed and fervor. “This one called Qin Feng is the top priority among all targets! Third on the Hidden Dragon List, a fat sheep on the All-Races Kill List! Any trace of him is of supreme value!”

Feng Zhiyu instinctively raised his head, his gaze falling upon that light screen.

With just one look, his entire body, even his soul, seemed struck by lightning, instantly frozen stiff.

On the screen was a youth clad in blue-gold streamlined power armor.

He stood silently amidst a chaotic void battlefield, behind him a pair of enormous, magnificent crimson-gold wings slowly unfurling, blotting out the sky.

In his hand, he gripped a strangely shaped dark-gold spear, its tip still stained with what seemed to be undried divine blood.

Around him were countless broken corpses of black hole-level experts, along with fragments of secret treasures floating everywhere.

The scene was like a painting depicting the apocalypse of gods and demons, filled with bloodshed and tyranny.

And that youth was the sole sovereign of that tableau.

Though that face had matured far beyond memory, stripped of all youthful innocence, leaving only chiseled coldness and majesty, Feng Zhiyu recognized him at a glance.

Qin Feng!

The junior who had once received a trivial bit of help from him in Canaan!

His pupils contracted sharply, his mind a blank.

The descriptive text below the screen seared into his eyes like a red-hot branding iron.

【Third on the Hidden Dragon List, Qin Feng, known by the epithet ‘God of Slaughter.’】

【Core traits: Gold-red spiritual power, Heaven-Evolving Weapon, Secret Art ‘Inch Light,’ Secret Treasure ‘Crimson-Gold Wings.’】

【Wanted by: the Demon Race, Mechanical Race, Stone Race, Crystal Race… and seventy-two other peak cosmic races jointly issued.】

【Mission hint: This person's combat power far exceeds his realm. Once in the Red Feather Cosmic Nation, alone with his spear, he routed a coalition of seven Limit Black Holes and over a hundred black hole-level experts.

His strength is unfathomable, suspected to possess the combat power of ‘the strongest below Domain Lord.’

If he is found within the territory of the Tianxuan Ancient Kingdom, report immediately to the upper echelons of the Cangyan Tower. Upon confirmation, a bounty of ten billion Tianxuan coins will be awarded!】

Feng Zhiyu stared blankly at the shocking lines of text, feeling as if his worldview was being completely overturned.

Third on the Hidden Dragon List…

God of Slaughter…

One man breaking an army…

The strongest below Domain Lord…

These words, like myths and legends, were all connected to that junior he remembered?

How long had it been?

In the centuries he had been imprisoned here, in this sunless place, what earth-shattering changes had occurred in the outside world?

The junior who once needed his guidance had now grown to such a terrifying height that the peak races of the entire universe had to jointly put a bounty on him, and he could even slay Limit Black Hole experts head-on?

The immense shock caused his mind to waver for an instant.

He recalled the days in Canaan, the Fearless War Group, and that youth who had stunned everyone in the war group tournament yet remained calm and reserved.

Things had changed, people were different—how had it come to this!

Crack—!

A crisp whip crack, accompanied by a searing pain from the depths of his soul, abruptly yanked Feng Zhiyu back from his daze.

A whip of energy condensed from spiritual power lashed fiercely against his soul origin.

That agony far surpassed any physical torment, causing him to tremble violently, drenched in cold sweat, nearly collapsing to his knees.

“Worthless! How dare you lose focus before me?”

Elder Seven withdrew the whip, scolding in an icy tone. “Have you grown too comfortable and forgotten the taste of ‘Soul Lure’?”

Feng Zhiyu clenched his teeth, forcing back the scream in his throat, enduring the trembling of his soul, and lowered his head.

“Carry this bastard’s face and every feature of his equipment into your bones!”

Elder Seven’s gaze swept over all the slaves present, his voice filled with overbearing arrogance and greed.

He pointed at Qin Feng on the screen and let out a smug sneer. “Hah! ‘God of Slaughter,’ ‘strongest below Domain Lord’—nothing but human hype!

No matter how strong, he’s just a junior who just entered the black hole level. If he dares to come to the Tianxuan Ancient Kingdom, if he falls into the net I’ve laid at Cangyan Tower, I’ll personally take his head and exchange it for that immense fortune!”

“Once I use his bounty to push my cultivation to Limit Black Hole, you slaves will naturally rise in status too.

Remember this clearly—this is your chance to rise to the heavens in one step!”

Elder Seven’s voice echoed in the chamber, full of temptation and empty promises.

However, Feng Zhiyu kept his head down, and what surged in his heart was not hope but endless sorrow and mockery.

Kill him personally?

An ordinary black hole level who wasn’t even a Limit Black Hole dared to boast about hunting a peerless god of slaughter who could rout a coalition of seven Limit Black Holes head-on?

How ignorant, how ridiculous!

Just as Elder Seven was gloating over the beautiful blueprint he had painted for himself, a cold, emotionless voice rang out without warning in the secret chamber.

The voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached the ears of every living being, as if exploding directly in the depths of their souls.

“You want to kill me?”

This sudden voice plunged the entire chamber into dead silence.

The smug smile on Elder Seven’s face froze instantly, every hair on his body standing on end. His energy boiled in an instant, and a powerful black hole-level pressure erupted.

“Who?!”

He roared sharply, a hint of barely perceptible panic in his voice. “You pretentious ghost! Get out here!”

At the same time, his vast spiritual power surged like a breached flood, madly sweeping in all directions to locate the source of the voice.

Yet, his spiritual power swept through the entire chamber, through the entire Cangyan Tower, and found nothing.

That voice seemed to have appeared out of thin air, leaving no trace.

Just as he was gripped by shock and uncertainty, the voice sounded again, this time, right beside him.

“Hello, I am Qin Feng.”

The Seventh Elder’s eyes flew wide open.

To his horror, he realized that directly ahead, in the empty space between him and Feng Zhiyu and the other slaves, a figure had silently materialized, hovering there at some unknown moment.

The man was clad in blue-gold power armor, a pair of crimson-gold wings quietly folded behind him. He held no spear, but stood with his hands behind his back.

His countenance was stern, his gaze as calm as a pool of ice that had never thawed for ten thousand years, as he looked at him with indifference.

That face was unmistakably identical to the one on the light screen—the “Fierce God” Qin Feng, whom he had regarded as his prey and stepping stone!

“Qin… Qin Feng?!”

A shudder ran through the Seventh Elder’s frame.

His earlier words had been mere bravado to the slaves. Now, in the 1300 Star Sector, and indeed among all Black Hole-level cultivators on the Ten Thousand Races Battlefield, who did not know that the Fierce God Qin Feng was an existence unmatched below the Domain Lord level?

(End of this chapter)