In This Business, You Need Connections

Ling Xuan knew this was the strike that would decide the outcome. He poured his final bit of Genetic Origin Energy into his blade, burning his Flame Domain into a tangible force, and unleashed a major killing move he had learned within the Flame Prison.

"Yanmo Burning Heaven."

Two world-shattering forces collided, instantly carving countless terrifying ravines into the Gobi battlefield. Half of the surrounding sand was baked into glass by the intense heat of the flames, while the other half was thrust upward into towering mountain ranges.

Under the impact of the shockwaves, the newly formed mountains collapsed instantly, turning into a sky full of dust and smoke, while the vitrified half shattered into countless fine fragments.

The intense energy fluctuations continued for a full minute before gradually subsiding.

As the dust settled, Ling Xuan knelt on one knee, his Three-Pointed Double-Edged Spear driven deep into the ground.

Yan Lie's armor was also covered in cracks, yet he stood as steady as a mountain: "Your potential is far greater than mine. I am already the number one genius of the Yanshan Legion. My Yanshan Legion possesses three great Immortal Gods; once you join, you can take an Immortal God as your master and obtain incredibly precious cultivation techniques and resources. Consider it once more—join us."

Ling Xuan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and shook his head. Not to mention that the Zhulong lineage had treated him well, it was also his own bloodline; he could never betray his ancestors.

Furthermore, the strength of the Zhulong lineage was far beyond what this Yanshan Legion could compare to. How could he be foolish enough to join an unfamiliar faction?

"I will walk my own path!"

Yan Lie sighed softly and tapped his battle blade against the ground: "You don't have to rush to refuse me. Think about it more. This universe is far more vast than you imagine. To make it out there, you don't just rely on talent and strength; you need background and connections. Without these, you will find every step difficult.

The doors of my Yanshan Legion are always open to you. This is my Virtual Universe Network ID; send me an email when you've made up your mind."

As he finished speaking, a streak of earth-yellow blade light arrived in a flash. Ling Xuan swung his spear to parry, but due to exhaustion, his defense was pierced through.

"Ding! Battle lost. Current record: 1999 wins, 1 loss."

The system notification rang out. As Ling Xuan dissolved into points of light, Yan Lie's whisper echoed in his ears: "I hope you will be stronger the next time we meet."

Exiting the Virtual Universe, Ling Xuan couldn't wait to pull up the battle replay.

For a life-and-death struggle so evenly matched, the value of reviewing it was beyond imagination.

During the battle, he had poured out the essence of everything he had realized in the past. It wasn't until the very last moment that Ling Xuan was narrowly defeated by Yan Lie due to a tiny flaw. Undoubtedly, all his strengths and weaknesses had been exposed.

Ling Xuan cross-referenced the Flame Prison secret manual and analyzed every detail of the battle frame by frame.

"Here, the node for injecting Genetic Origin Energy was at least 0.3 seconds too slow!" He suddenly slammed the table and stood up, pointing at the moment a secret technique was executed on screen, his voice filled with regret. "If I could have adjusted the flow trajectory of the Genetic Origin Energy in advance, the explosive power of this strike would have been enough to tear open a gap in his defense."

There was also the moment he faced the suppression of Yan Lie's domain; he should have compressed his Flame Domain to counterattack, but he missed the opportunity because he was too focused on the range of his attacks.

Just like that, he immersed himself in the review, not closing his eyes for three days and three nights. The battle video was replayed hundreds of times, and the virtual screen was covered in his improvement notes, dense like a spider web.

Three days later, Ling Xuan stepped into the Virtual Universe again and headed straight for the Killing Field.

"Set the opponent as the Planetary Level warrior Yan Lie from three days ago, and maintain his peak combat state."

In an instant, space distorted, and Yan Lie's burly figure descended, carrying the pressure of his Earth Domain.

The giant battle blade in the opponent's hand trembled slightly, and the earth-yellow halo flowing on the blade was no different from his memory, as if silently mocking Ling Xuan's overestimation of himself.

As soon as the battle began, he unleashed his improved tactics. His Three-Pointed Double-Edged Spear turned into a fiery red stream of light, striking directly at Yan Lie's vitals from a tricky angle.

However, every time his blade collided with the battle blade, the heavy feedback transmitted from the weapon reminded him of the massive gap in Genetic Origin Energy between them.

Although his attacks were sharper than before and his use of the Flame Domain was more refined, every swing of Yan Lie's blade carried a destructive force that easily dismantled his offensive.

Again and again, Ling Xuan was pushed back, knocked down, and killed, only to re-enter the Killing Field space to continue the challenge.

He gradually increased Yan Lie's level starting from Planetary Level Tier 1.

When the 703rd battle ended, Ling Xuan was certain: if the gap in their Genetic Origin Energy could be narrowed to within 3 tiers, he would have absolute confidence in turning the tables. At 4 tiers, he had a 70% chance; at 5 tiers, 50%; and at 6 tiers, he would be finished.

When he exited the Virtual Universe, Ling Xuan's expression had returned to calm.

During this time, he had practiced day and night, and with the help of the precious treasures obtained from his Coming-of-Age Ceremony, he had finally successfully broken through to Planetary Level Tier 3.

More importantly, he had completely mastered his insights into the Divine Bird Secret Pattern, reaching a whole new level of understanding regarding the Flame Domain.

"It is time to go to the Temple secret chamber to comprehend the Flame Domain again." Ling Xuan tidied his clothes and strode toward the temple.

Stepping into the temple, a man in blue armor was respectfully offering a token with both hands to the Temple Envoy.

The Temple Envoy took the token, checked it, and returned it to the man.

"Remember, the World Lord Level has two thousand years for comprehension. Go in."

The man in blue armor nodded respectfully and walked into the secret chamber of the Law of Water.

The Temple Envoy then turned to look at Ling Xuan, his deep gaze seemingly able to see through all his growth: "You've made great progress this time, haven't you?"

Ling Xuan bowed respectfully, his tone filled with unconcealable excitement: "Thank you, Senior! I have gained a great deal this time."

As he spoke, he sent the battle videos from the Duel Space and the Killing Field over via his optical computer.

"Go in. I look forward to you making further progress." The Temple Envoy waved his hand, and the door to the secret chamber, engraved with runes of the Law of Fire, slowly opened, releasing a wave of scorching heat.

Ling Xuan took a deep breath and walked into the secret chamber.

The Temple Envoy sat on a primitive stone chair and pulled up the video Ling Xuan had sent. His consciousness was far stronger than an ordinary person's, so he played the video directly at the highest speed.

The intense battle scenes flashed by rapidly, and every clash between Ling Xuan and Yan Lie, every collision of their domains, was taken in by him.

When the video froze on the scene of the final conversation between Ling Xuan and Yan Lie, the Temple Envoy's lips curled into a meaningful arc, and he whispered: "To make it out there, you need influence and background? Interesting."

He opened his Virtual Universe contact list, found the contact labeled "Third Elder," and sent the video of the final battle over exactly as it was, without any text explanation or editing, presenting the battle process in its pure, original form.

Not long after, a reply came back, equally brief, consisting of only four words: "I am aware."

Looking at these four words, the Temple Envoy understood, smiled slightly, and then logged out of the Virtual Universe Network.

Yan Lie: Damn, I'm actually falling apart!