“I’m quite curious.” Palace Master Jiang Fu turned his head with a smile. “Xinghuo Xunyi had trained for five hundred billion years in the past, yet his strength was only so-so. But now, in such a short time, his illusion techniques have become so formidable. Could it be that Xinghuo failed to find a good master for his son all those years? Such rapid improvement must indicate extraordinary comprehension. And if his comprehension was high, even without a good master, his solo cultivation shouldn’t have been as weak as it was initially… Elder Dongbo, could you enlighten me?”
“Haha.”
Divine Emperor Xinghuo, who was seated nearby, laughed heartily. “Jiang Fu, let’s just say Elder Dongbo truly lives up to being the most accomplished cultivator in the history of the Rule-Oriented Mystery System’s Illusory Path! His understanding of illusions is unparalleled. Under his guidance, my son’s comprehension of illusions has advanced by leaps and bounds! I am deeply grateful to Elder Dongbo for unlocking my son’s potential in illusions. Haha, coming to this Star Conference was absolutely the right decision!”
Though Palace Master Jiang Fu had directed his question at Dongbo Xueying, Divine Emperor Xinghuo had interjected. Yet, the other Chaos Realm powerhouses present all nodded in agreement.
After all, this was no laughing matter.
Heart Image Sect Master, Palace Master Jiang Fu, and Divine Emperor Xinghuo were the three strongest figures present, all standing at the pinnacle of the Chaos Realm. To them, slaying a seventh-level Star Tower opponent was mere child’s play—effortless slaughter! Even against an eighth-level Star Tower opponent, they held absolute dominance, needing only a few more moves to secure victory. Their status was akin to that of seventh-level Star Tower experts among the Unity Realm cultivators.
Thus, even the proudest among them, like General Tian Guang, though they refrained from vocal agreement, still wore faint smiles.
“This Unity Realm brat actually has Divine Emperor Xinghuo defending and thanking him so openly.” General Tian Guang, seated beside Dongbo Xueying, couldn’t help but let his thoughts churn. He could sense that Divine Emperor Xinghuo’s gratitude was genuine, as was his boundless joy.
“Could it be that Dongbo Xueying truly unlocked Xinghuo Xunyi’s potential?” General Tian Guang found it hard to believe. But even if he doubted, what could he do? Divine Emperor Xinghuo had already spoken.
…
In the world of cultivators, the principle of “might makes right” was deeply ingrained.
Among the distinguished guests seated on the high platform, Dongbo Xueying was the only Unity Realm cultivator—everyone else was at the Chaos Realm. This spoke volumes. In truth, it was hardly surprising. Chaos Realm powerhouses, with sufficient accumulation, could all reach the seventh level of the Star Tower. Yet in this era, across the Five Great Sacred Worlds and the Chaos Void, there wasn’t a single Unity Realm cultivator who had achieved the seventh level of the Star Tower.
Naturally, Chaos Realm experts looked down upon those in the Unity Realm. Even their mere avatars could wield the power of the fifth or sixth level of the Star Tower, capable of slaughtering countless Unity Realm cultivators.
Initially, they had inwardly dismissed Dongbo Xueying due to his lower cultivation. Later, when he shamelessly chose “Xinghuo Xunyi,” their disdain only grew. But now… the tables had turned completely.
First, Xinghuo Xunyi’s strength had become terrifyingly formidable. Most importantly, he had been weak during the preliminary selection, meaning his improvement in such a short time was staggering. The other four conference mentors hadn’t chosen him, clearly unaware of his astonishing progress. Had they known, Palace Master Jiang Fu and the others would have undoubtedly picked him.
Only Dongbo Xueying had seen his potential and selected him—and in the field of illusions, no less. Though they didn’t know how Dongbo Xueying had managed to elevate Xinghuo Xunyi to such heights, it only deepened their respect for this Unity Realm conference mentor.
Second, and most crucially, they could all sense Divine Emperor Xinghuo’s genuine gratitude and protective stance toward Dongbo Xueying. That alone made it impossible for them to underestimate him.
…
The five rounds of eliminations concluded swiftly, with two cultivators emerging from each group—ten in total.
These ten genius cultivators then engaged in one-on-one battles, each fighting nine matches. Their final rankings would be determined by their overall performance, with the top five advancing.
At this stage…
The battles became truly significant.
The two hundred selected in the preliminary rounds of the Star Conference, even if they joined the Six Great Holy Lands, would at best receive ordinary treatment—far from being core disciples. But the final ten would be taken in as core disciples, receiving the full focus of their sects’ resources.
“Boom—!”
The shockwaves of battle reverberated across the hundred-thousand-mile arena.
“Qiong Cang Tian Yun wins!”
…
Each of the nine matches was fiercely contested, showcasing the participants’ extraordinary talent and ingenuity. The countless spectators below watched with rapt excitement.
“Xinghuo Xunyi wins.”
Standing motionless on the arena, Xinghuo Xunyi had already secured five consecutive victories.
His battles were the most dazzling of all. Each time, he remained rooted in place, first deploying his illusions. Even if his opponents resisted, their strength would be drastically diminished. Then, he would summon the “Prison of Worlds”—typically six layers of overlapping spatial barriers that entrapped his foes, rendering them helpless before being forcibly ejected from the arena.
Five matches in a row, all won with effortless ease.
“His illusions are terrifying.”
“But his binding technique is even more horrifying. Once trapped, even third-level Star Tower opponents can’t break free.” The eliminated geniuses below marveled in awe.
“Just ten thousand years ago, he was only at the second level of the Star Tower. Now, in the blink of an eye, he’s reached such heights.”
“Is Elder Dongbo’s guidance really that incredible?”
The eliminated geniuses, who had once accused Dongbo Xueying of unfairness, now acknowledged his unparalleled ability to nurture disciples.
“I sought his advice too, but my improvement was minimal.”
“Were you even cultivating the Illusory Path?”
“Exactly. Elder Dongbo likely specializes in illusions. We’re not illusionists.”
“And let’s not forget—you’re not Divine Emperor Xinghuo’s son. Why would Elder Dongbo spare no effort for you?”
Whispers of envy and admiration filled the air. Regardless of their personal feelings, they all silently conceded Elder Dongbo’s keen eye and teaching prowess.
…
Finally, Xinghuo Xunyi moved.
Facing a powerful void creature named “Kang Yong,” he unleashed the second form of Dongbo Xueying’s self-created technique, *The Void Realm*—”Bubble’s Ruin.” He was even forced to execute three consecutive strikes of the technique to severely wound Kang Yong and force his surrender.
…
The forty-five matches continued relentlessly.
At last, the final battle arrived. The organizers of the Star Conference had deliberately saved the clash between “Qiong Cang Tian Yun” and “Xinghuo Xunyi” for last. Both had achieved eight consecutive victories. The winner of this match would secure a flawless nine-win record, indisputably claiming the title of the Star Conference’s strongest contender.
In truth, both were already guaranteed a spot in the top five and would be nurtured as core disciples. Yet, their fighting spirits burned fiercely.
“Boom—!” Qiong Cang Tian Yun stood imposingly, his massive frame wreathed in swirling black clouds, a testament to his formidable physical prowess.
At the other end of the arena, Xinghuo Xunyi, appearing as an unassuming youth, stood with an aura so restrained he seemed utterly harmless. Then, in an instant, his body erupted with a radiant white light that engulfed the entire battlefield.
“It begins.”
Heart Image Sect Master, Palace Master Jiang Fu, Divine Emperor Xinghuo, General Tian Guang, Five Marsh Serpent Ancestor, Dongbo Xueying, and the other high-platform observers focused intently on the battle below. While they might have disregarded earlier matches, this one was the most pivotal of the entire Star Conference.
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