Chapter 355: Celestial Heaven King! Seven Million Floors, Insufficient to Leave a Name! By Strength

Chapter 355: King of the Firmament! Seven million layers, insufficient for fame! To prove the Way through force is to court death!

Upon confirmation, the light rune transformed into a streak of radiance, sinking into the mechanical brow of Qin Feng and forming a tiny, mountain-shaped mark.

"Qualification confirmed. Proceed to the 'Waiting Platform' and await transmission."

The consciousness faded into total silence. Immediately after, a staff member clad in grey robes, his face shrouded in shadow and devoid of any racial features, appeared soundlessly before Qin Feng.

He bowed slightly to Qin Feng, gestured for him to follow, and then turned to drift away in a specific direction.

Qin Feng followed in silence.

He noted that this staff member possessed no aura of life, nor any fluctuations of mechanical energy; he seemed like a projection existing between the virtual and the real, yet his movement exerted a tangible, undeniable influence upon the surrounding space.

"The Martial Combat Mountain... it is indeed shrouded in mystery at every turn."

Led by the grey-robed attendant, Qin Feng passed through several invisible curtains of energy.

Along the way, he witnessed thousands of similar platforms, dotting the void around the Martial Combat Mountain like stars. Each platform held a number of figures, all of them possessing unfathomable auras.

Eventually, he was brought to a floating platform numbered "Xuan-733."

This platform, spanning tens of thousands of square meters, was constructed entirely of an unknown black rock. Its surface was as smooth as a mirror, yet it absorbed all light perfectly, evoking a sense of infinite depth.

At the edge of the platform, swirling chaotic currents formed a natural barrier.

After bringing him here, the grey-robed attendant bowed once more, his form dissolving into motes of light that vanished into nothingness.

Qin Feng’s gaze swept across the platform.

At this moment, no fewer than a hundred powerhouses had gathered here.

They were of various forms, their races bizarre and diverse.

There were giant beasts a hundred zhang tall, covered in lava-like scales, exhaling sulfurous breaths capable of melting stars;

There were humanoid beings of elegant posture, bearing twelve pairs of energy wings like gods, surrounded by manifestations of the Laws that formed brilliant, surreal phenomena;

And there were formless entities, like writhing shadows, radiating a cold and ominous chill that made the soul tremble.

Without exception, they were all King-level existences.

Some of their auras were so vigorous and refined that even Qin Feng’s current true body felt a hint of pressure; they were clearly old monsters who had been immersed in the King-level realm for countless ages.

These powerhouses stood in small groups, occupying distinct corners of the platform, maintaining a vigilant distance from one another. The air was thick with a peculiar atmosphere, a mixture of anticipation, gravity, and the will to fight.

Qin Feng did not attempt to socialize with anyone. He chose a secluded corner, standing as still as a true steel sculpture, his own energy fluctuations suppressed to the absolute limit.

His identity was "Vanguard," an unremarkable, newly arrived mechanical race King; silence was his best camouflage.

Yet, while he remained silent, his avatar’s powerful information processing system captured, analyzed, and integrated every word of the discussions on the platform.

"...This Martial Combat Mountain is truly as the legends say. Just standing here, one can feel their fighting spirit being stirred and elevated by that impartial will. It is truly incredible!"

A voice, coarse and guttural, came from a bear-like beast-race King, his eyes flashing with bloodthirsty light.

"Hmph, the elevation of fighting spirit is merely the surface."

Beside him, a sharp, thin mantis-like Zerg King sneered, "The truly terrifying part is its rules.

Once you enter, it is an endless cycle of battle, facing 'Martial Combat Phantoms' that grow stronger with every fight.

It is said that those phantoms can perfectly replicate the combat patterns of every powerhouse of the same rank that has ever existed in the universe, even combining Law-based killing moves never before heard of. It is quite simply the most perfect combat-honing machine!"

"Indeed,"

An elderly human with a refined temperament and a single horn on his forehead stroked his beard, his voice tinged with emotion, "This is my third time here.

The previous two times, I was forcibly transmitted out after the hundred-thousand-year limit expired. My highest win streak was only 3.6 million, not even enough to touch the bottom of the 'Eternal Hero Monument'."

At these words, many of the newcomers on the platform revealed expressions of shock.

"Senior, may I ask what the specific rules of this Martial Combat Mountain are? And what is this 'Eternal Hero Monument' you speak of?"

A young King, radiating a sharp sword intent, asked with humility.

Qin Feng’s core consciousness stirred, focusing his attention. This was exactly the intelligence he needed.

The human elder seemed to enjoy being consulted by the younger generation. He cleared his throat and spoke slowly: "The rules of the Martial Combat Mountain are both simple and cruel.

Once a challenger enters, they are randomly placed in a combat space to face the first Martial Combat Phantom.

After victory, there is a very brief rest period, followed by the second battle, and so on, without end."

"The key lies in two points. First, the time limit. Every challenger has one hundred thousand years from the moment they enter. Once the time is up, you are forcibly transmitted out, regardless of your progress, and the challenge ends. Of course, you may also choose to end the challenge voluntarily at any time."

"Second, the ranking. The ranking of the Martial Combat Mountain depends on only two data points: your 'maximum win streak' and the time taken to achieve it.

The higher the win streak, the higher the rank. If the streaks are equal, the one who achieved it in less time ranks higher.

This ranking is updated in real-time on the 'Eternal Hero Monument' that pierces the heavens outside the mountain."

As the elder spoke, everyone on the platform involuntarily cast their gaze toward the towering Martial Combat Mountain outside.

On one side of the mountain, there was a light screen of indescribable scale, like a waterfall cascading from the top of the universe.

Upon the screen, countless golden names and numbers flowed slowly. Every name radiated immortal glory and a heaven-shaking will to fight, as if it were a gathering of the strongest warriors in the history of the universe.

That was the Eternal Hero Monument!

"So that is how it is..."

The young sword cultivator realized, then asked, "And what if one is defeated midway? Does that mean the challenge is over?"

"No."

The human elder shook his head. "Defeat does not mean you are transmitted out.

You will be restored to your peak state by the will of the Martial Combat Mountain, but your win streak will be reset to zero, and you must start again from the first level.

Therefore, in every challenge, you actually have countless opportunities to break for a higher record, until the hundred-thousand-year limit is exhausted."

This rule caused many of the powerhouses present to gasp.

Countless chances to restart seemed merciful, but in reality, it hid a greater terror.

It meant that to leave one's name on the monument, one needed not only combat power that surpassed an era, but also near-perfect endurance, an unbreakable will, and the terrifying potential to constantly break through oneself during one hundred thousand years of monotonous combat.

"This... this difficulty is simply too high. One hundred thousand years, starting over... just thinking about it makes my scalp tingle."

"High is an understatement!"

The Zerg King from before scoffed, "Do you know of the 'Plunder Heaven Emperor' who has recently risen to fame among the myriad races of the universe?"

"Plunder Heaven Emperor?!"

At the mention of this name, the entire platform erupted into a violent commotion.

Even those old monsters who had been resting with their eyes closed opened them now, a sharp glint flashing through their gazes.

"Of course we know him! That is the peerless genius who walked the same Divine Path as the human 'Fierce God' Qin Feng!

Rumor has it that at the Kurgan Star Abyss, it was he who, alongside the Golden Emperor and over fifty other Emperors, finally succeeded in completely obliterating that lawless human Fierce God!"

"Obliterated? I heard that the Plunder Heaven Emperor played a key role, even engaging that Qin Feng in direct combat! What kind of figure was that Qin Feng?

He slaughtered his way through one hundred thousand Kings alone, and in the end, was still able to slay an Emperor while besieged by dozens of others. His combat power was truly an eternal monstrosity! The terror of the Plunder Heaven Emperor’s strength is simply unimaginable!"

"Indeed, it is now universally acknowledged that the Plunder Heaven Emperor is the leader among the geniuses of the Divine Path. With the arrival of the Golden Age, he will soon reach the end of the Divine Path and attain the level of a Demigod!"

Listening to the crowd’s fawning and speculation regarding the Emperor of Plunder, the data streams within Qin Feng’s deep-blue electronic eyes remained perfectly still, though a cold, playful amusement stirred in his core.

These people would never know that the very Qin Feng they claimed to have "successfully obliterated" was, at this moment, listening quietly to the legend of his own death under a different guise.

"Quiet, everyone!"

The Zerg King emitted a sharp hiss, silencing the chatter. "Since you all know the might of the Emperor of Plunder, let me tell you a fact that will drive you to despair."

He paused, seemingly satisfied with the suspense he had built, before enunciating each word: "Even one as formidable as the Emperor of Plunder once came to challenge the Martial Combat Mountain.

And his final record did not even touch the threshold of eight million consecutive victories!

You could stare until your eyes went blind at the Monument of Eternal Heroes, yet you would never find his name, for he failed to even squeeze into the top one hundred thousand!"

"What—?!"

These words struck the crowd on the platform like a supernova detonating in their hearts.

Silence.

A deathly, suffocating silence.

The expressions on the faces of every powerhouse froze; shock, bewilderment, and disbelief intertwined, ultimately dissolving into a profound awe and terror toward that mountain and the ancient monument.

The Emperor of Plunder, a being recognized as having walked the Divine Path and standing nearly invincible, did not even possess the qualifications to leave his name on the stone?

To what terrifying degree must the value of this monument reach?!

And just how monstrous was the difficulty of the Martial Combat Mountain?!

"This... this cannot be, right? A prodigy like the Emperor of Plunder, over ten thousand years—even with the worst luck, he shouldn't have failed to reach the top one hundred thousand!"

Someone questioned with a trembling voice; the impact of this news was simply too great.

"There is nothing impossible about it."

The elderly, one-horned humanoid, who had remained silent until now, spoke with a grave tone. "The further one progresses, the more bizarre and unpredictable the wisdom and combat styles of the Martial Combat Mountain’s phantoms become.

They possess not only immense power but also near-infinite combat experience.

It is said that from five million victories onward, every phantom you face is, at the very least, a perfect replication of a top-tier Emperor-level powerhouse in their prime.

And once you pass seven million, you will even encounter the phantoms of those legendary figures who walked the Divine Path, or even those who eventually fell as God-Forbidden prodigies!"

"Facing opponents of that caliber, to maintain a winning streak... is harder than ascending to the heavens!"

The elder’s words were like a bucket of ice water, extinguishing the last flicker of hope in the hearts of those present.

The atmosphere on the platform shifted instantly from anticipation and battle-lust to an unprecedented heaviness.

Everyone realized that this challenge might be far more arduous than they had ever imagined.

Qin Feng listened quietly, though his mind was a tempest of crashing waves.

He knew the strength of the Emperor of Plunder better than anyone.

That was a terrifying existence who had truly traveled deep into the God-Forbidden realm and mastered the Primordial Secret Arts.

If even he could not leave his name on the stone, the difficulty of this challenge truly defied all reason.

"Eight million consecutive victories..."

He silently chewed on the number; it was the exact condition the Stone Buddha had given him to obtain the cosmic wonder known as [Combat].

He had originally thought that with his current strength—both his true body and his avatar having reached the Emperor level—combined with his profound understanding of his own "Limitless Path," achieving this goal would be difficult but not unreachable.

Yet now, it seemed he had vastly underestimated the perils involved.

"No wonder... no wonder the Stone Clan’s Zen Sect would lay out such a grand scheme. Perhaps they know that achieving it through sheer strength is impossible, and thus seek to steal it through some conspiracy?

Or perhaps they aren't aiming for eight million victories at all, but have some other purpose related to the Martial Combat Mountain?"

Qin Feng’s thoughts branched out again, incorporating the inherent value of the mountain itself into his assessment.

Just then, new discussions erupted on the platform.

"Such a terrifying trial ground—what kind of divine being created it?

I have traveled the universe for billions of years and have never heard of any top-tier power possessing such capabilities."

"You’ve asked the right person."

The well-informed Zerg King spoke up again, sounding smug. "Regarding the origins of the Martial Combat Mountain, while there are many theories, one fact is acknowledged by all top powers: its master is revered as the 'Lord of Martial Combat'."

"The Lord of Martial Combat?"

"Yes.

No one knows which race this being belongs to, and no one has ever seen his true form.

It is only known that he is a Lord of the Universe of unfathomable power, perhaps even at the level of the strongest in the cosmos.

Most importantly, this Lord of Martial Combat is absolutely neutral; he never participates in racial disputes and never associates with any faction.

The Martial Combat Mountain is open to all beings in the universe who crave combat and tempering."

"A neutral Lord of the Universe..."

Hearing this, everyone felt a sense of reverence.

A Lord of the Universe was already a being standing at the pinnacle of the cosmic pyramid, a living myth capable of suppressing an entire era.

And a neutral one was even more mysterious and intimidating.

"It is said that this Lord of Martial Combat once made a vow that spread throughout the universe."

The Zerg King lowered his voice, his tone filled with a trace of fanaticism and longing. "Any being, regardless of race or status, who can clear the eight million layers of the Martial Combat Mountain and achieve the great feat of eight million consecutive victories, will see the Lord of Martial Combat appear in person to refine this mountain and bestow it upon them!"

"What?! Bestow the entire Martial Combat Mountain?!"

This news was a hundred times more shocking than the failure of the Emperor of Plunder!

What was the Martial Combat Mountain?

It was a supreme trial ground capable of simulating ancient prodigies, a place that could temper even those on the Divine Path!

Its value was likely more precious than dozens, or even hundreds, of top-tier Emperor-level treasures!

Not to mention the legendary cosmic wonder hidden within!

Such a massive reward instantly ignited the greed and fire in the eyes of every powerhouse on the platform.

"The reward for eight million victories is actually this!"

"Heavens! If one could obtain the Martial Combat Mountain, wouldn't they be able to continuously cultivate top-tier powerhouses for their own race?"

"This is the true supreme opportunity! Compared to this, any Emperor-level inheritance or top-tier treasure is nothing but passing smoke!"

The discussions boiled over once more, and everyone’s breathing grew ragged.

"What a massive appetite!"

Within Qin Feng’s logical core, data streams surged with unprecedented speed.

He instantly connected all the clues.

The Stone Clan’s Zen Sect, as a top-tier major power, must have known the difficulty of eight million victories.

They had likely tried countless times, only to end in failure.

Thus, they turned their schemes toward the space beyond the rules.

Unable to conquer through sheer force, they sought to deceive, or perhaps, to plunder!

They cast a vast net across the star sector, sealing it off, not to contend with any single challenger.

Rather, they themselves—or indeed, anyone who arrived to challenge and claim the [Combat]—would become a mere cog in their design, a vital "pawn" or "sacrifice."

As the realization dawned, Qin Feng felt a chill race from his mechanical spine straight to his core consciousness.

He looked up, gazing once more at that silent, eternal, ash-gray sacred mountain.

In his eyes, the mountain was no longer a mere proving ground, but the center of a colossal, turbulent vortex.

His own disguised vessel had already drifted into the eye of the storm.

"Interesting... it only grows more interesting."

Deep within Qin Feng’s cobalt electronic eyes, a cold light flickered, unseen by any.

Far from feeling fear, he felt a surge of intense exhilaration.

The more complex the situation, the muddier the waters, and the more effectively he could leverage his identity as a "dead man."

The Stone Clan Zen Sect hopes to play the oriole behind the mantis?

They little know that the true hunter has already quietly entered the fray.

Qin Feng reined in his thoughts, returning to his mask of absolute composure.

He listened silently to the surrounding powerhouses—their excitement, their greed—sorting through every piece of information he had gathered, etching the rules, rewards, and difficulties of the Martial Combat Mountain, along with the Stone Clan Zen Sect’s hidden conspiracy, into the deepest recesses of his core.

He made no sound, betrayed no emotion, sinking like the hardest stone into these rising undercurrents, patiently waiting for his moment to arrive.

...

On the "Xuan-733" waiting platform, the frenzy and greed ignited by the "Lord of Martial Combat’s" shocking bounty did not last long.

The precision sensor array within Qin Feng’s "Vanguard" mechanical shell captured the energy fluctuation the instant it appeared.

His logic core quantified the data in a heartbeat: the source of this power was not any powerhouse on the platform, but something from beyond the void, approaching at immense velocity.

The aura was violent, scorching, and saturated with primordial lightning, as if a prehistoric beast were charging forth from an ancient thunder-marsh.

The clamor on the platform was stifled by the pressure of this presence, as if an invisible hand had gripped every throat, silencing the crowd.

Every King-ranked powerhouse, no matter how arrogant they had been, stiffened, their gazes drawn in unison toward a single point.

In the distant chaotic currents, a blinding bolt of blue lightning tore through the void like a divine spear piercing the heavens.

Where the light passed, the laws of space groaned in agony, fracturing into spiderweb-like fissures.

In the next instant, the lightning crossed the vast distance, descending precisely into the center of the platform.

As the light faded, it revealed a figure over thirty zhang tall, possessing a physique of overwhelming power.

His body was covered in blue-black keratin, etched with countless natural lightning patterns that writhed and flickered like living things, emitting the crackling roar of electric arcs.

He had no hair; on his savage head, his eyes were two spheres of pure, leaping ball lightning, and merely meeting his gaze sent a stinging sensation through one’s very soul.

"It is the Savage Thunder King!"

"The top talent of the younger generation in the Tianheng Star Sector—even the Savage Thunder King has come!"

Several King-ranked powerhouses from the local sector gasped, their voices thick with awe and shock.

The name triggered a chain reaction.

"The Savage Thunder King? I have heard of him. They say that three hundred years ago, upon ascending to the rank of King, he faced the veteran ‘Red Rock King’—a legend of millions of years—and though he lost by half a move, he forced the veteran to suffer damage to his true form. That battle made his name!"

"More than that! Rumor has it his ‘Savage Divine Thunder Body’ is an atavistic supreme physique, born with the ability to command the most violent primordial thunders in the universe. In terms of raw offensive power, few of his peers can rival him!"

Listening to the chatter, the Savage Thunder King’s lightning-wrought eyes betrayed a flicker of undisguised arrogance.

He surveyed the surroundings, his gaze sweeping over every King present—not as an equal, but as a tiger patrolling its domain.

When his eyes fell upon Qin Feng’s unremarkable mechanical frame, they lingered only for a moment before shifting away with disdain; clearly, a plain-looking member of the Mechanical Race was beneath his notice.

"Martial Combat Mountain... Hmph, the legends blow it up to be godlike. Today, I shall see for myself what qualifications it has to claim it can temper the geniuses of the ages!"

The Savage Thunder King muttered in a voice like rolling thunder, then strode toward the edge of the platform, as if even a moment’s wait were unbearable.

At that very moment, the emotionless will of the Martial Combat Mountain seemed to sense his battle-intent; a soft beam of light descended from the void, enveloping him.

The Savage Thunder King let out a wild laugh, his body surging into the sky, transforming into a bolt of lightning that vanished instantly into the interior of the mountain.

His departure caused the heavy atmosphere on the platform to ease.

"It has begun! The Savage Thunder King’s first challenge!"

"With his strength, he should achieve a respectable result. Perhaps he will leave the name of our Tianheng Star Sector on the Eternal Hero Stele!"

The local Kings were particularly stirred.

As they debated, a new, smaller light screen quietly emerged beside the colossal Eternal Hero Stele. Upon it, golden characters flickered into existence:

[Challenger: Savage Thunder King (Tianheng Star Sector)]

[Current Win Streak: 0]

"Look! It is the live status!"

Every eye was drawn to it.

The "0" began to pulse frantically the moment it appeared.

1... 10... 100... 10,000...

The numbers climbed with dizzying speed.

Each increment represented a victory the Savage Thunder King had secured within the mountain.

The digits themselves seemed imbued with the nature of thunder, displaying a violent, unstoppable momentum, each flicker accompanied by a faint spark of electricity.

"So fast! It is like splitting bamboo!"

"It seems the early Martial Combat phantoms pose no threat to him at all!"

The powerhouses on the platform were stunned by the sheer velocity.

As Kings themselves, they understood what this meant.

It meant the Savage Thunder King was advancing through combat with "one-hit kills," leaving his opponents no time to even offer resistance.

One hundred thousand... five hundred thousand... one million!

When the win streak crossed the seven-digit mark, the speed of the climb finally saw its first visible deceleration.

The numbers were no longer a blurred stream of light; one could clearly see each individual pulse.

"He has reached one million! That is a height many veteran Kings struggle to attain!"

"Look! The speed is slowing; he has begun to encounter true opponents!"

Everyone held their breath, their gazes locked onto the screen. One million five hundred thousand... two million... two million five hundred thousand...

The numbers continued their steady climb, but each step forward appeared more labored than the last.

The frequency of the pulses shifted from the millisecond range to the second range, occasionally pausing for several seconds before struggling to tick upward once more.

This brief pause felt to everyone present like a long and agonizing torment, for they knew it meant the Savage Thunder King was locked in a truly desperate struggle.

"It's almost at three million! Keep going!"

"Break through! Once you pass three million, a whole new world awaits!"

Yet, just as the win counter struggled to tick up to "2,999,999," it seemed to be struck by a freezing spell, remaining stubbornly fixed in place.

One second... two seconds... ten seconds...

Time seemed to stretch into infinity at this moment.

On the platform, one could hear a pin drop.

Everyone knew this was the critical juncture; the Savage Thunder King was fighting his final battle to reach three million victories.

But the next digit, the one that signified triumph, refused to appear.

The numbers on the light screen remained "2,999,999," but the electric arcs flickering around them began to grow faint and dim, as if portending the challenger's waning strength.

Finally, after a faint ripple, like the extinguishing of an energy core, the golden text representing the Savage Thunder King’s record, along with the frozen number, collapsed like a sand painting scattered by the wind, dissolving into specks of light that vanished entirely from the screen.

Challenge, failed!

Immediately, a beam of transport light ignited in the center of the platform, and the Savage Thunder King stumbled out.

He was a shadow of the arrogant figure who had entered before.

The lightning patterns that once danced across his skin were now dull and lusterless, and the ball lightning in his eyes had nearly flickered out, leaving only two weak, dying sparks.

His tall frame was slightly hunched, and a trace of scorch marks from leaking energy still lingered at the corner of his mouth.

His aura was withered to the extreme; clearly, in that final battle, he had not just been defeated, but had suffered a crushing, catastrophic rout.

A deathly silence fell over the platform.

The local lords who had held such high hopes for him now wore expressions of extreme complexity—shock, pity, and a profound fear of the bottomless difficulty of the Martial Combat Mountain.

Three million consecutive wins would be enough for any lord in the outside world to boast of for a lifetime.

Yet here, it was not even enough to leave a single speck of dust upon that stone monument.

The Savage Thunder King stood in silence, his fists clenched, his body trembling slightly with resentment and rage.

Finally, he let out a suppressed growl, and without exchanging a word with anyone, he transformed into a dim bolt of lightning and plunged into the distant void, disappearing from everyone’s sight without a backward glance.

A top-tier prodigy of the local star sector had arrived in high spirits, only to return in utter disgrace.

His failure was like a massive boulder crashing into the hearts of every powerhouse present, stirring up cold, icy waves of "reality."

Qin Feng’s mechanical body remained standing in the corner.

Within his cognitive core, a detailed report on the entire process of the Savage Thunder King’s challenge had already been automatically generated.

"The Way of the Savage Thunder possesses excessive ferocity but lacks versatility.

Its power attribute is singular, allowing it to crush opponents with sheer explosive force in the early stages.

But once it encounters phantoms with bizarre laws or attributes that counter lightning, it falls into a grueling struggle. Three million wins must be the general limit for a 'specialist' powerhouse like him.

At that stage, he must have encountered an opponent who rendered all his advantages completely void."

He analyzed calmly, marking this first case as a vital reference for his own future challenges.

Just as the atmosphere on the platform grew oppressive due to the Savage Thunder King’s failure, a clear, resonant sword hum rang out across the void without warning.

This sound was not as violent as thunder, but carried an ultimate sharpness that seemed to pierce all things and sever causality.

The moment the sword hum sounded, every powerhouse on the platform who practiced with weapons felt their own secret treasures humming and trembling uncontrollably, as if bowing before their sovereign.

A brilliant silver galaxy surged forth from the depths of the universe.

It was not a true galaxy, but a torrent formed by billions of infinitely fine sword lights.

At the end of the galaxy, a slender figure stood with hands behind his back, treading upon the sword light, dressed in white as pristine as snow, untouched by a single speck of dust.

He did not even land on the platform; he merely hovered a hundred meters above it, yet an invisible, piercing sword domain had already enveloped the entire area.

Within this domain, space itself seemed fragile, as if with a single thought, he could slice this law-constructed platform—and every living soul upon it—into its most basic particles.

"That is... the Star River Sword King!"

This time, the gasps were not limited to a single star sector, but came from more than half of the powerhouses on the platform!

Their voices carried a shock and fervor ten times stronger than when they had seen the Savage Thunder King.

"That existence, ranked ninety-first on the Universal [Lord Ranking]? Why would he come here?"

"Heavens! This is a figure who truly stands at the pinnacle of the pyramid of the entire universe's Lord realm!

The [Lord Ranking] only records one thousand names; every one of them is a monster capable of battling those who have just entered the Emperor realm!"

"His 'Star River Immeasurable Sword Canon' is said to have reached a state of divine mastery; a single strike releases a galaxy of billions of sword lights, capable of grinding down all Great Dao laws!"

Unlike regional prodigies like the Savage Thunder King, the name of the Star River Sword King resonated throughout the entire known universe.

His arrival instantly pushed the atmosphere on the platform to a new climax.

The Star River Sword King remained cold and indifferent, turning a deaf ear to the discussions below.

His gaze remained locked upon the towering Martial Combat Mountain, his eyes filled with a pure, yearning sword intent.

Likewise, the will of the Martial Combat Mountain responded immediately.

A beam of reception light, far more brilliant than the one that had greeted the Savage Thunder King, descended from the heavens and enveloped him.

The Star River Sword King did not hesitate; his form merged with the sword light, transforming into a silver streak that pierced the heavens, plunging into the beam.

Beside the Monument of Eternal Heroes, the real-time battle screen lit up once more.

[Challenger: Star River Sword King (No Affiliation)]

[Current Win Streak: 0]

This time, the movement of the numbers was even more terrifying than it had been for the Savage Thunder King.

It could no longer be called "ticking"; it was a silver line, frantically "drawing" itself upward in the numerical region!

One million... two million... three million!

The stage where the Savage Thunder King had met his doom posed almost no effective obstacle under the Sword King’s blade.

The light line representing the win streak merely paused for a heartbeat at the three-million mark before surging forward with unstoppable momentum.

"He broke it! The three-million mark, he broke through it in an instant!"

"As expected of a powerhouse on the [Lord Ranking]! This strength is simply not in the same dimension as the Savage Thunder King!"

Exclamations rose and fell across the platform.

Four million!

The numerical line continued to extend upward with determination; although its speed had slowed, the aura of unyielding sharpness remained undiminished.

Four million five hundred thousand... four million eight hundred thousand...

Finally, as it neared the five-million threshold, the silver line began to flicker violently, and its speed of extension became as sluggish as a crawling snail.

"Has he reached his limit?"

It seems five million victories represent a formidable watershed, one that has even brought the Galaxy Sword King under immense strain.

Every heart in the arena rose to the throat.

4,999,999...

The digits finally came to a halt.

This pause was far more agonizing than the one that had preceded the fall of the Savage Thunder King.

The silver streak representing the Galaxy Sword King flickered and trembled violently upon the light screen, at times erupting with brilliant radiance, at others dimming until it nearly vanished.

The onlookers felt as if they could peer through the screen and witness a cataclysmic duel of swordsmanship.

Yet, in the end, no miracle occurred.

Following a mournful sound like the first cry of a blade shattering at the dawn of the universe, the silver streak, along with the line of golden text, disintegrated completely.

Moments later, the teleportation light flared, and the Galaxy Sword King appeared in the center of the platform.

He remained clad in his white robes, yet a tiny, almost imperceptible tear marred the hem.

For the first time, his face, usually frozen in eternal ice, betrayed a flicker of emotion—a mixture of shock and bewilderment.

He looked down at his hands, those flawless instruments born for the sword, but now, a faint white mark marred the web between his thumb and forefinger.

He did not depart in the disheveled haste of the Savage Thunder King; instead, he stood still for a moment, bowed slightly toward the direction of the Martial Arena, and performed the traditional salute of a swordsman.

Then, he turned into a streak of light and vanished without a sound.

This silent departure left the crowd in a state of shock far deeper than the roar of the Savage Thunder King.

A figure ranked ninety-first on the King’s List had been halted at five million victories.

This fact weighed upon them like an invisible mountain, leaving them gasping for breath.

Five million... what kind of hellish landscape must the latter half of this Martial Arena be?

Do we... still have any hope?

A sentiment known as despair began to spread through the crowd.

Within Qin Feng’s core, an analytical report on the Galaxy Sword King had already been generated.

Pure swordsmanship, ultimate sharpness.

His offensive lethality even surpasses my current true form.

But his defense and physical vessel are, relatively speaking, his weaknesses.

The opponent at the five-million-victory mark must have exploited this.

Perhaps it was an enemy with a bizarre fighting style that could not be locked onto by sword light, or perhaps... a monster whose physical strength reached such an inconceivable level that it completely ignored his blade.

Qin Feng’s analysis only served to bolster his confidence in his own Path of the Limit.

Pure offense or pure defense both have their boundaries.

His path, however, is all-encompassing, pushing everything toward the absolute limit—this is the only perfect way.

Just as the atmosphere on the platform plunged into a freezing point due to the successive failures of two prodigies, a pressure so heavy it defied description, as if the entire universe had collapsed into a single singularity, suddenly descended!

Boom!

It was not a sound, but a violent tremor on the level of the laws themselves!

The entire Platform Xuan-733 groaned under the weight of this pressure.

The ground, composed of unknown, indestructible rock, cracked inch by inch!

The chaotic currents serving as a barrier were forcibly pushed back tens of thousands of kilometers, creating an absolute vacuum!

The hundreds of King-ranked powerhouses on the platform felt as insignificant as dust before this presence.

Those with weaker cultivation could not even remain standing; they were forced to their knees, golden blood spilling from their seven orifices.

Even the King-ranked mechanical avatar of Qin Feng suffered an overload in its internal energy circuits, triggering a piercing alarm!

He was forced to push his energy core to its absolute limit just to resist the pressure and maintain his stance.

Every face was etched with extreme horror and dread.

They struggled to lift their heads, gazing toward the source of the pressure.

A figure had appeared in the center of the platform, though no one had seen him arrive.

He was not tall, his frame was even, and he wore the simplest gray martial arts tunic. His black hair fell over his shoulders, and his features were plain, entirely unremarkable.

Yet, this seemingly ordinary body appeared to carry the weight of a billion stars.

He stood there in silence, releasing no manifestations of law, displaying no fluctuations of energy, yet his very existence caused the Great Dao of the universe to retreat and bow in submission.

Every cell, every inch of his skin, seemed to be condensed from the purest form of power.

This aura... this sensation... impossible! Could it be...

An elder of an alien race, who had lived for endless eons and seen much, spoke with a voice trembling so violently that he seemed to be witnessing the most inconceivable sight in existence.

Heavenly King!

Finally, someone squeezed the name through their teeth—a name that was enough to bring despair to the prodigies of all races!

Boom!

The name resonated in the depths of everyone’s soul like a thunderclap of creation!

Heavenly King!

A forbidden existence who, like the deceased human god of war Qin Feng, had embarked on the path of Proving the Dao through Power—a path of eternal tyranny!

A terrifying monster who ranked among the very top of the prodigies on the Divine Path!

He... he has actually come!

Proving the Dao through Power... in one era, no, in an entire cosmic epoch, only one being can reach the end of this path!

The Heavenly King and the fallen human Qin Feng were natural-born rivals!

Now that Qin Feng is dead, he is the sole traveler on this path—assuming no other ancient monsters of the same path have emerged!

No wonder... no wonder there is such terrifying pressure! This is the Great Dao of Power in its purest form, unadulterated by any technique! Before him, the laws we take such pride in are like children’s toys!

On the platform, all distractions vanished.

In every heart, only the most primitive awe and submission remained.

Within Qin Feng’s mechanical eyes, the deep blue light flickered with unprecedented frequency.

His core was engulfed in the most violent storm since his feigned death.

It is him!

The Heavenly King!

Although this was his first time seeing him in the flesh, he could never mistake that aura of the Great Dao of Power—a force that was of the same origin as his own, yet filled with such exclusivity!

This is the other traveler on the Path of the Limit!

It is a decree of cosmic law: we are ultimate rivals, and only one of us may survive.

Qin Feng could clearly sense that his true self, hidden billions of light-years away—a supreme divine vessel forged from the Primal Crucible and the Ultimate Body—was vibrating with an uncontrollable, primal hunger for battle.

Two supreme paths, identical in nature yet belonging to different masters, collided and repelled each other in the dark, silent depths of existence.

"As I thought... a battle between us is inevitable."

A chilling intent to kill surged within Qin Feng. "And only one of us will walk away alive."

He forcibly suppressed the tremors of his true form, focusing every ounce of his attention on the Sovereign of the Azure Heavens before him.

He would carve every detail of this nemesis into his own data core.

The Sovereign of the Azure Heavens seemed to regard the gathered monarchs as nothing more than dust.

His gaze was aloof and indifferent, like a dragon looking down upon ants. He cast a casual glance at the Monument of Eternal Heroes, his lips curling into a sneer of contempt.

The next moment, the light of ascension descended.

Without a second's hesitation, he stepped forward. That single stride seemed to transcend the boundaries of space and time, placing him directly at the heart of the light column, where his figure instantly vanished.

The terrifying pressure he had brought with him dissipated into nothingness.

Only then did the people on the platform feel a reprieve, gasping for air; many collapsed to the ground, their bodies drenched in cold sweat.

"So... so terrifying..."

"Just standing before him, I felt as if my very soul was on the verge of shattering!"

"Is this the true might of a prodigy on the Path of Gods?"

While the crowd still trembled, the real-time combat screen lit up with the information of the Sovereign of the Azure Heavens.

[Challenger: Sovereign of the Azure Heavens]

[Current Win Streak: 0]

This time, the numbers on the screen did not merely flicker or increment.

They exploded!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Each refresh of the digits was like a cosmic cataclysm. Golden light, like the erupting magma of a breached star, surged upward with an unstoppable, frenzied momentum!

One million! Two million! Three million!

The threshold that had stopped the Savage Thunder King did not delay him for even a millisecond.

Four million! Five million!

The desperate abyss that had claimed the Star River Sword King was likewise shattered by a single punch!

The golden torrent representing his win streak tore through everything, utterly irresistible!

Six million!

Six million five hundred thousand!

Every powerhouse on the platform, including Qin Feng, watched in stunned silence, their thoughts grinding to a halt.

This was no longer a trial; this was a slaughter!

Finally, as the numbers surged past six million eight hundred thousand, the golden torrent’s upward momentum faltered for the first time.

It no longer rose effortlessly, but instead struck like an enraged beast against an invisible barrier. With every digit it climbed, the screen shuddered violently.

"It’s slowing down! Even the Sovereign of the Azure Heavens is slowing down!"

"Heavens! He is pushing toward the seven-million mark!"

Everyone stood up, craning their necks, eyes locked on that final stretch.

Six million nine hundred thousand...

Six million nine hundred and fifty thousand...

Six million nine hundred and ninety-nine thousand...

In those final ten thousand matches, every step forward seemed to consume the energy of an entire world.

At last, following a thunderous roar that echoed through the souls of all present, the golden digits successfully leaped to a new height—

Seven million!

After three full seconds of silence, the entire platform erupted in a tsunami of awe!

"Seven million! He did it! He reached a seven-million win streak!"

"A feat unique in all of history! This is a record that will surely be etched into the annals of time!"

"Look at the Monument of Heroes! His name must appear there! Even at the very bottom, it would be enough to echo through eternity!"

Everyone turned their gaze in excitement from the real-time screen to the Monument of Eternal Heroes, the true symbol of glory. They waited, eager to witness the birth of a new legend.

However...

One second, two seconds... one minute... ten minutes...

The massive stone monument, ancient and weathered, remained unchanged.

The hundred thousand brilliant names upon it continued to flow slowly, but not a single new name forced its way in.

The cheers on the platform gradually died away.

The expressions of excitement and fanaticism on the crowd's faces slowly froze, replaced by a dull, hollow confusion that ran a hundred times deeper than when they had watched the Star River Sword King fall.

"What... is happening?"

"Why... is his name not there?"

"A seven-million win streak... seven million matches! Can even such a heaven-defying record not earn a place on the Monument of Heroes?!"

An unacceptable, even absurd truth stood before them.

The minimum threshold for a name to be carved upon the Monument of Eternal Heroes was, in fact, higher than seven million wins!

This meant that the owners of those hundred thousand names had all achieved the terrifying feat of surpassing seven million consecutive victories!

At this moment, as the powerhouses looked back at the monument, there was no longer any greed or ambition in their eyes.

Only the purest, most reverent awe, as if gazing upon a miracle.

Beneath the Monument of Heroes, all are but ants.

The light of teleportation flickered, and the Sovereign of the Azure Heavens reappeared.

For the first time, his aura was slightly disordered.

A clear fist mark marred his simple martial robes. A streak of blinding golden blood hung from the corner of his mouth.

He had been defeated.

In his eyes, deep as ancient wells, a monstrous rage and battle-lust ignited for the first time.

He did not look at anyone on the platform, but stared fixedly at the summit of the Martial Combat Mountain, as if he would swallow the entire mountain whole.

"Very well..."

He spat out two words, his figure flickering like a phantom before vanishing without a trace, leaving behind only a lingering, heart-stopping pressure and a group of kings utterly shattered in spirit.

Clearly, the Heavenly King had departed to refine his strength, determined to push his limits for the next hundred thousand years until he achieved his absolute best.

Qin Feng watched in silence as the Heavenly King disappeared, his expression beneath the mechanical visor grave as never before.

"Seven million consecutive victories—that is his current limit. And yet, even that is not enough to earn a name..."

(End of this chapter)