Eve of the Finals

Lin Feng stepped down from the arena, greeted by cheers like mountains roaring and seas crashing.

Yet his expression remained calm. He merely gave the Jiangnan City team leaders a slight nod before heading straight for the lounge.

He shut the door, cutting off the clamor outside.

He immediately sat cross-legged, took out a vial of High-grade Energy Liquid and drank it, then circulated the Wind-Thunder Foundation Building Method to begin healing his injuries.

His battle with Zhao Feng had looked like a clean victory, but in truth, it had been fraught with peril.

Forcing out Wind-Thunder Annihilation at the end had nearly drained more than half his True Qi and mental strength, while his meridians had also suffered considerable shock.

Had he not used Star Origin Spiritual Milk in the Myriad Phenomena Battlefield to forge his foundation incomparably solid, he would likely have damaged his very source by now.

Purple-black Wind and Thunder True Qi slowly circulated through his body, repairing his damaged meridians and nourishing his exhausted flesh and spirit.

Lin Feng closed his eyes and looked inward, carefully reliving every detail of his fight with Zhao Feng.

Zhao Feng's sword intent, pure to the absolute extreme, and his resolve to cast aside all things but the sword had both left a deep impression on him.

Had he not broken through in battle and comprehended Wind-Thunder Annihilation, which touched upon the level of energy's origin, the outcome would still have been uncertain.

The sword path... truly is a path of terrifying slaughter. Lin Feng came to this realization. My wind and thunder power may be strong, but I still fall short in "purity" and "the ultimate."

He realized that although his system of power was formidable and comprehensive, he would often be dragged into a bitter fight when facing opponents like Zhao Feng, who had taken a single path to its utmost limit.

If he truly wished to be invincible among those of the same realm, or even fight above his level, he had to make his own "path" purer—or find a way to perfectly fuse multiple powers and produce a qualitative transformation.

"System, bring up the data analysis of my battle against Zhao Feng. Focus on analyzing the structure of his sword intent and his energy circulation method."

[Command received. Analyzing data...]

[Target 'Zhao Feng' sword intent structure analysis: 37%... Simulating energy circulation...]

[Warning: The target's sword intent contains a unique personal will and Sword Heart. The success rate of forced imitation is below 5%, and it may cause conflict with the host's own path foundation.]

Lin Feng frowned slightly. As expected, at their level, every person's "path" was unique and could not easily be copied directly.

Still, analyzing its structure and principles would be of considerable use in helping him refine his own Wind-Thunder True Intent.

Just as he immersed himself in healing and contemplation, there came a light knock on the lounge door.

"Come in."

The door opened, and Qin Wushuang, dressed in white, slowly entered. That smile, as refreshing as a spring breeze, still rested on his face.

"Brother Lin, are your injuries all right?" Qin Wushuang asked gently, as though he were truly concerned for a friend.

Lin Feng opened his eyes and looked at this unfathomable opponent. Calmly, he said, "Nothing serious. In tomorrow's finals, I won't disappoint you."

"That's good, then."

Qin Wushuang smiled and seated himself across from him without ceremony. His gaze swept over the faintly fluctuating wind and thunder aura around Lin Feng, and a trace of surprise flashed through his eyes.

"Brother Lin's recovery speed is truly astonishing. It seems tomorrow's battle will be even more interesting than I imagined."

"Brother Qin didn't come here merely to check on my injuries, did you?" Lin Feng asked directly.

Qin Wushuang's smile faded slightly as his expression turned serious. "A wise man does not speak in riddles. Brother Lin, the wind and thunder power you cultivate is immensely powerful, but it seems... not to be a complete inheritance?"

Lin Feng's heart stirred, but his expression did not change. "What makes you say that?"

"A feeling."

Qin Wushuang pointed at his chest. "The power of the stars is most sensitive. Within your thunder, the intent of destruction is abundant, but the vitality of creation is lacking. The power of the Wind Fiend is sharp, yet it lacks grandeur. What is too rigid is easily broken; what is too strong invites humiliation. If I am not mistaken, your cultivation method probably cannot advance beyond the Martial Master realm?"

Lin Feng's gaze sharpened slightly.

Qin Wushuang's insight was frighteningly keen. With almost a single glance, he had seen through the current limitations of the Wind-Thunder Foundation Building Method.

The system's deduction and optimization had certainly played a role, but its foundation still lay in the incomplete Nine Heavens Thunder Blade and the Wind Fiend power he had comprehended himself. It lacked the guidance of a higher-level inheritance.

"What advice does Brother Qin have?" Lin Feng neither confirmed nor denied it.

"I wouldn't dare call it advice." Qin Wushuang waved his hand.

"I merely find it a pity. With Brother Lin's talent, if you were to be held back by your cultivation method, it would truly be a great loss to humanity. Within the Thunder Institute of Beichen Martial University, we have preserved part of the ancient Thunder Emperor's inheritance—the Nine Heavens Thunder Spirit Art. Perhaps it can complete Brother Lin's path. Besides..."

He paused, lowering his voice by several degrees, his tone carrying a hint of deeper meaning. "Brother Lin, do you know that Shadow Kill Pavilion has placed you among the top hundred of the Blood List? And it seems to be connected to something that can tempt even Martial King-level experts?"

Lin Feng's heart shook violently, yet his face remained impassive. "Brother Qin is certainly well informed."

"Beichen Martial University has some channels, after all."

Qin Wushuang smiled faintly. "Brother Lin, this world is vast, and it is dangerous. Fighting alone is never a long-term solution. Sometimes, choosing a powerful platform not only grants you resources, but also... protection."

His words carried deep implications. There was both an intention to recruit him and a trace of reminder and warning.

Lin Feng fell silent for a moment before slowly saying, "Thank you for telling me, Brother Qin. But I will walk my own path."

Qin Wushuang seemed to have expected this answer. He was not surprised, and rose with a smile. "In that case, we will settle it on the arena tomorrow. I hope Brother Lin can bring me even more surprises."

With that, he turned and left. His white robes fluttered, his bearing as transcendent as ever.

Lin Feng watched his departing back, his gaze profound.

Qin Wushuang's words had confirmed some of his suspicions.

Shadow Kill Pavilion's pursuit would not stop, and the so-called clue about the "key" likely involved something enormous.

Strength... I still need greater strength! Lin Feng clenched his fist, a fierce glint flashing through his eyes.

Only by becoming strong enough himself could he fear no schemes or plots and take control of his own destiny!

He thought no more of it and closed his eyes once again, circulating his cultivation method with all his strength.

Within his dantian, the purple-black vortex accelerated, constantly devouring the pure medicinal energy of the Energy Liquid. At the same time, within his Sea of Consciousness, that wisp of True Meaning of Thunder and scattered starlight slowly merged, as though nurturing something.

In tomorrow's finals, he would not merely win. He would find, through this battle, the path that belonged to him—a path to a higher realm!

Meanwhile, within a concealed VIP room somewhere in the arena.

The Star River Martial King stood with his hands behind his back before the window, gazing at the brightly lit arena below as he slowly spoke. "Have you investigated it clearly? Is the thunder cultivation method on that youngster named Lin Feng connected to the Thunder Emperor Ruins?"

Behind him, a vague figure bowed and replied, "Reporting to the Martial King, our preliminary judgment is that the style of his cultivation method is seventy percent similar to certain Thunder Pattern Talismans discovered around the outskirts of the ruins. However, whether it is a core inheritance still requires further confirmation. In addition, people from Shadow Kill Pavilion have already infiltrated the area."

A cold killing intent flashed through the Star River Martial King's eyes. "Keep a close watch on them. During the provincial examination, they are absolutely not allowed to touch any examinee—especially... Lin Feng."

"Yes!"

The night grew deeper, yet Starfall Arena remained as noisy as ever.

On the eve of the finals, undercurrents surged.

Everyone awaited the birth of the ultimate king tomorrow!