Lin Yuan had partially fused his Domain of Metal into his Domain of Earth. With the added support of the Law of Earth Origin, his strength had increased more than tenfold compared to the previous battle.
Lin Yuan didn't want to reveal his talent and comprehension in the Law of Fire Origin yet. For one thing, although he had gained some comprehension, he had no practical experience applying it in battle and no Secret Technique to train with. For another, it would be difficult to explain to his teacher, Marquis Yuankun. He couldn't very well say he had been hiding it from the beginning, or claim he had recently come across some incredible opportunity.
In short, there was no way to explain it, and it would only bring him a lot of trouble. He'd wait until it came to light on its own.
Surprise showed in the Black-Clad Man's eyes as he charged with his flaming giant axe. He was far faster than in the previous battle.
Lin Yuan swung his axe to meet him head-on.
The Black-Clad Man's swing carried deep comprehension of the Law of Fire Origin, and his assault was ferocious. His axe technique was clearly more refined, and his level of force was greater than Lin Yuan's. But Lin Yuan had the advantage in his Domain. Bolstered by the Law of Earth Origin, it was incredibly solid and had formidable defensive power.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
The Black-Clad Man couldn't break through Lin Yuan's defenses. Lin Yuan's advantage didn't lie in his attacks, so he posed little threat to the Black-Clad Man either. For a while, the battle was deadlocked.
Lin Yuan wasn't in a hurry. Relying on his "tough hide and thick flesh," he kept learning from and studying the Black-Clad Man's axe technique and use of the Law of Fire Origin.
The longer he fought, the more Lin Yuan realized how crude his own axe technique was. It seemed he urgently needed a Secret Technique suited to an axe wielder like him.
It would be even better if he could get a suitable divine-grade giant axe to go with the technique. Then he'd have something that could serve him for a long time.
His footwork needed improvement too, or he would easily end up in this sort of passive situation, stuck defending and taking hits.
Lin Yuan pondered.
He had already passed the Grade A Assessment and could become a Holy Land student. But since he was here, he was curious to see how strong the Black-Clad Man in the C-Rank Assessment would be.
Lin Yuan had only just grasped a trace of the Law of Space Origin. This wasn't a secret from his teacher, Marquis Yuankun, and there was no need to hide it at the Holy Land either. He could use it openly.
Lin Yuan made up his mind. Tightening both hands around the giant axe, he applied a sliver of his understanding of one of the 108 principles of the Law of Space Origin.
The blade of the giant axe trembled slightly. Lin Yuan swung it with both hands, and afterimages formed along its path. The axe shadows were elusive.
The axe came down, followed by the afterimages behind it, as if several giant axes were striking one after another.
The Black-Clad Man was startled by Lin Yuan's sudden move and raised his axe to block.
One strike, two strikes, three strikes...
At last, the Black-Clad Man couldn't withstand the barrage of afterimage attacks.
"Pfft! Pfft!"
The axe shadows shattered the Black-Clad Man's Battle Armor and cut into his body. He fell into a pool of blood...
"You have passed the Grade B Assessment."
The mechanical voice rang out again.
"You may choose to exit the Assessment Space or take the C-Rank Assessment."
"I choose to continue with the C-Rank Assessment."
The real world.
The uniformed woman was still wondering why this "Giant Axe Warrior" hadn't come out of the Grade B Assessment.
So she opened the battle feed from the Assessment Space again.
"Huh? He actually passed the Grade B Assessment!"
The uniformed woman was startled.
"He even entered the C-Rank Assessment..."
"I'll have to report this to my superior. Where did this 'Giant Axe Warrior' come from? He's unbelievably strong."
A moment later, a red-robed figure suddenly appeared in front of the uniformed woman. He was an ordinary World Lord instructor from the Nine Flame Sacred Land.
"What's going on?"
"Lord Fenyu."
The uniformed woman bowed her head in greeting.
"It's like this, my lord. A Universe Level 'Giant Axe Warrior' wanted to join the Holy Land as a student, so I had him take the Grade A Assessment."
The uniformed woman glanced at the battle feed in front of her and continued:
"But who knew he'd pass the Grade A and Grade B Assessments one after another? He's now entered the C-Rank Assessment."
"What? Let me see."
Lord Fenyu raised an eyebrow and looked at the battle feed from the Assessment Space.
"Universe Level 9, his Domains have begun to fuse. He's comprehended the Law of Earth Origin, and... a trace of the Law of Space Origin?"
Lord Fenyu immediately understood. Frowning, he said to the uniformed woman:
"This must be the disciple Marquis Yuankun just took in. Marquis Yuankun already notified the Holy Land yesterday that his youngest disciple would be joining."
Lord Fenyu sounded a little angry.
"Why did you let Marquis Yuankun's disciple take the trial? Don't you remember the notice that was sent down?"
"My lord, I didn't know he was—"
"Enough!"
"I'm docking ten years of your bonus. Go reflect on your actions."
The uniformed woman looked aggrieved but didn't dare speak. She silently withdrew.
Lord Fenyu continued watching the battle feed.
"Hmm... He has excellent talent and decent Law Comprehension, but his fighting is too crude. His axe technique is amateurish too. He probably won't last long... There it is."
"The C-Rank Assessment is no easy feat. Still, this kid's strength is more than enough to get into the Core Layer."
Lord Fenyu thought to himself.
Virtual Universe, Assessment Space.
A few minutes earlier.
Lin Yuan had started the C-Rank Assessment.
The corpse of the Black-Clad Man on the ground disappeared, and he reappeared unharmed.
The Black-Clad Man looked Lin Yuan over and said:
"Passing the Grade B Assessment means you'd be considered a genius even in the Holy Land. Now you're taking the C-Rank Assessment. If you pass, you'll be among the very best in the entire Holy Land."
"Throughout the Holy Land's history, no student has ever passed the C-Rank Assessment on their first attempt."
"Enough talk. Let's get started. Show me what you can do."
Lin Yuan urged him impatiently.
"Young man, don't be so impatient."
The Black-Clad Man raised the hand gripping his giant axe.
"This time, you really need to be careful."
Suddenly, a crimson aura poured from the Black-Clad Man's body. Waves rippled through it, as if it were about to freeze all the space around them.
Lin Yuan immediately felt enormous pressure.
The Black-Clad Man's Domain of Fire had perfectly fused the Law of Fire Origin with the Law of Space Origin. It was a perfectly fused Domain.
Lin Yuan swung his axe at him, but the Black-Clad Man didn't move.
Lin Yuan's giant axe slowed more and more within the Black-Clad Man's Domain, its power dwindling until it came to a complete stop. Then flames ignited across Lin Yuan's axe and body.
The Black-Clad Man slowly raised his giant axe and brought it down...
Everything before Lin Yuan's eyes disappeared, and he returned to the original single-person space.
The mechanical voice rang out:
"This assessment is over. You ultimately passed the Grade B Assessment."
Lin Yuan remained calm and wasn't discouraged. He knew he had many shortcomings, which also meant he had enormous room to improve.
Lin Yuan exited the Virtual Universe.
Before you continue