Lin Yuan's Strength

Lin Yuan gripped the Thousand Mountain Axe and looked at Resk. "I didn't expect to run into you first. I still remember the match we agreed to have ten years ago."

The hulking Resk stared intently at Lin Yuan and said slowly, "The match—I don't care! I just want to fight!"

From Resk's answer, Lin Yuan got the sense that the big man was simple-minded and single-minded, thinking only about fighting.

The provocation against Lin Yuan ten years ago had probably been Barry the bald man's idea.

"The battle will begin when the countdown ends. Five, four..."

The cold mechanical voice echoed through the Battle Space.

Lin Yuan and Resk both readied themselves.

"Three, two, one!"

The moment the voice finished saying "one," the hulking figure across from him vanished.

Resk looked clumsy, but he was fast. In the blink of an eye, he was right in front of Lin Yuan.

"Blade-Breaking Slash!" Resk growled. His Domain of Metal spread with a rumble, and a golden giant axe flashed with light as it came down on Lin Yuan.

Lin Yuan wasn't the least bit afraid. His Domain of Earth opened in an instant, and some of the mysteries of the Law of Space Origin flowed into it.

At once, Lin Yuan's Domain of Earth grew much denser. Ochre currents spread through it, and even space showed signs of solidifying.

Lin Yuan hadn't specifically studied how to perfectly integrate the Law of Space Origin into his Domain. He had naturally grasped this application while cultivating the third stage of the Thousand Mountain Secret Code, after making a small breakthrough in his understanding of the Law of Space Origin.

Although the integration still wasn't perfect, it was far stronger than his previous Domain, which combined earth and metal.

The heaviness of the Law of Earth Origin combined with space and his Domain, giving Lin Yuan astonishing defensive power.

In terms of defense alone, Lin Yuan was now no weaker than Long Yun had been during the Genius Battle, when his defenses had overwhelmed everyone at his level.

After all, although Lin Yuan's integration wasn't perfect, his Law Comprehension was stronger than Long Yun's had been back then.

Lin Yuan didn't use any Secret Technique. He met the attack with a single swing of his axe.

"Clang—!"

The golden giant axe in Resk's hands contained a profound understanding of the Law of Gold Origin. It should have been incomparably sharp, but the instant it touched Lin Yuan's Thousand Mountain Axe, it bounced away.

"Hm?" Resk's pupils contracted. It felt as if his axe had struck a mountain.

Seeing Resk's reaction, Lin Yuan's lips curved slightly.

Lin Yuan was very satisfied with his current defensive power.

Resk quickly retreated, regained his stance, and attacked again.

"Ha! Phantom Gold Slash!" Resk finally got serious.

The Secret Technique Resk used not only concentrated the sharpness of the Law of Metal, but also drew on a trace of the mysteries of the Law of Space Origin.

Beyond the giant axe, an even larger golden axe phantom abruptly appeared.

Rex charged at Lin Yuan again, moving faster than before.

Lin Yuan remained composed.

"Earth Tremor!"

Lin Yuan uttered the two words. In an instant, the space covered by his Domain grew even denser.

The second move of the Thousand Mountain Secret Code, "Earth Tremor," was a defensive Secret Technique. Mountain Phantoms seemed to rise all around Lin Yuan, further strengthening his defenses.

Earlier, while sparring with the chubby Cohen, Lin Yuan had managed to withstand the second move of the Blood Edge God Weapon using only his Domain of Earth and the Secret Technique "Earth Tremor."

Now Lin Yuan's strength had advanced further, and even he didn't know just how strong his defense had become. He had always focused on cultivation and had never tested it.

The enormous golden axe phantom crashed down on Lin Yuan. Beneath it, his figure looked tiny.

"Rumble—!"

A violent crash rang out, and dust billowed across the grassland.

The spot where Lin Yuan had been standing was smashed into a deep crater.

Resk smiled confidently.

This was the first time since the Ranking Tournament began that Resk had used the second move of the Space-Shattering Gold-Splitting Axe, "Phantom Gold Slash."

Although Resk had only just managed to grasp a trace of the Law of Space Origin, his understanding of the Law of Gold Origin ran deep. The Law of Gold Origin was hard and unyielding, and its attacks were extremely powerful.

On top of that, he was fast. Even against a Spirit Reader Controller, he could hold his own, and he was able to finish off his opponents as quickly as possible in every battle.

"Whoosh... whoosh..."

A gust of wind swept across the grassland, gradually scattering the dust.

The figure in the crater slowly came into view.

Lin Yuan stood at the bottom of the crater, completely unharmed.

Rex's eyes widened in disbelief.

He had thought that if his opponent took that strike head-on, he would at least be gravely wounded, if not killed.

Lin Yuan looked up at Resk outside the crater.

"My turn."

Before his words had even faded, Lin Yuan stepped forward and vanished, leaving behind an afterimage.

Resk was just about to steady himself and use "Phantom Gold Slash" again, but Lin Yuan was too fast.

Lin Yuan's movements were elusive. Several afterimages appeared all around Resk.

The afterimage directly in front of Rex suddenly solidified, revealing Lin Yuan's true form.

"Rift Wave!"

Lin Yuan swung the Thousand Mountain Axe, sending an ochre shock wave cutting through the air.

A look of shock flashed across Resk's eyes. He hadn't expected Lin Yuan to have not only astonishing defenses, but also such terrifying speed.

Rex hastily pushed his Domain of Metal to its limit and raised his axe to block the incoming shock wave.

But Lin Yuan vanished again, leaving another afterimage where he had been.

The next instant, Lin Yuan appeared from the afterimage behind Rex, now at extremely close range.

"Mountain Collapse!"

Lin Yuan roared and swung the giant axe with all his strength.

Rex reacted instantly, turning around to prioritize blocking the attack coming from behind.

"Blade-Breaking Slash!"

"Boom—!"

The two axes collided with a deafening crash.

The impact sent Resk stumbling back several steps before he managed to steady himself. By then, the ochre shock wave at his back was already rushing toward him.

"Pfft!"

The shock wave pierced Resk's massive body, slicing him in half at the waist.

"Battle over. The winner: Lin Yuan!"

The mechanical voice sounded in Lin Yuan's mind.

"Participant Lin Yuan, your current record is '111 wins, 0 losses.'"

A flash of light passed, and Lin Yuan was teleported out of the Battle Space.

Inside the Spectator Hall in the Virtual Universe.

Layton's mouth hung open, his face full of disbelief.

He had thought his disciple Resk could win, though it might take a little longer. He hadn't expected the battle to end like this.

Marquis Yuankun smiled with satisfaction and looked at Marquis Golden Sword and Marquis Huanyu beside him. "What do you think?"

"Our junior brother really is exceptionally talented. His understanding of the Law of Earth Origin is profound, and he has advanced beyond merely entering the Law of Space Origin. He's even mastered the second level of Ten Thousand Shadow Steps, 'Ten Shadow Steps.'"

Marquis Golden Sword's tone was full of praise.

Marquis Huanyu nodded as well. "Your young disciple's future is boundless. He's much stronger than the young one in my family."

Hearing their praise, Marquis Yuankun felt delighted.