"Our Nine Flames Universe Kingdom has always placed great importance on nurturing talent, as well as the Peak Genius Tournament and the Warrior Battle. In the previous Warrior Battle, four Holy Land geniuses made it into the top 1,000 across the universe. One ranked in the top ten, and two in the top hundred."
The Nine Flame Kingdom Lord's gaze was sharp as he looked down at the Universe Level disciples in the square.
"For this Warrior Battle, I hope more of you will make it into the top 1,000 than last time."
"Yes, Kingdom Lord!"
The kneeling Universe Level disciples answered respectfully in unison.
They were all incredibly excited. Before hearing the news, none of them had imagined they would get to see the Lord of the Nine Flames Universe Kingdom—the very man who had founded it—with their own eyes.
"Do your best, young ones." His deep voice made the space tremble, and everyone present felt a shudder that came from their very souls.
"Those who passed the C-Rank Assessment, step forward."
At the Kingdom Lord's command, Lin Yuan and Brian quickly rose, bowed, and went to the front of the group.
"Lord Kingdom Lord." The two bowed respectfully.
"It seems you two are the most outstanding talents among the Holy Land's Universe Level disciples."
The Nine Flame Kingdom Lord looked them over, his gaze seeming to see right through them.
"Remember, you have only one goal this time: to take first place across the universe in this Peak Warrior Tournament. Understood?"
"Understood! We'll make sure the glory stays in our Nine Flames Universe Kingdom!" the two replied together.
"Good. If either of you truly takes first place across the universe, I'll reward you handsomely!"
"All right. As promised, I'll give each of you pointers on one move."
With that, the Nine Flame Kingdom Lord reached out, and Lin Yuan and Brian vanished from the square.
"Longxin, you'll take charge of the other arrangements for this Warrior Battle."
"Yes, Kingdom Lord." The undying named Longxin accepted the order respectfully.
Having said that, the Nine Flame Kingdom Lord vanished as well.
Lin Yuan felt the world spin. When he came to, he was inside a vast palace, with Brian beside him.
"How incredible! What kind of divine ability is this?" Brian exclaimed.
A moment later, the Nine Flame Kingdom Lord appeared before them.
"Lord Kingdom Lord." The two hurriedly bowed.
But the Nine Flame Kingdom Lord had shed his earlier air of authority and severity. He smiled at Lin Yuan and Brian.
"You two, demonstrate the moves you want me to advise you on. You first."
The Nine Flame Kingdom Lord pointed at Brian.
"Yes, Lord Kingdom Lord."
Brian took a deep breath.
A domain of freezing winds and snow formed around him. He flickered, producing more than a thousand Phantom Bodies, each gripping a silver sword.
Within the Ice-Sealing Domain, countless silver-haired figures filled the space. They simultaneously performed several kinds of sword techniques, without any discernible pattern. Each figure moved as swiftly as a gale, and even the space itself seemed to be sliced apart.
A moment later, the Ice-Sealing Domain and the thousands of figures vanished, and the space returned to calm.
Lin Yuan felt conflicted after watching Brian demonstrate his moves.
For one thing, Brian had grown stronger since the last Ranking Tournament. His insights into both the Lower Origin Law and the Law of Space Origin had improved, and his swordsmanship was more refined than before.
For another, that kid hadn't demonstrated just one move! He'd clearly mixed together who knew how many different techniques.
Lin Yuan wondered how the Nine Flame Kingdom Lord would advise him. Would he choose one move to comment on, or advise him on all of them?
After watching Brian's demonstration, the Nine Flame Kingdom Lord nodded in satisfaction.
"Very good. You truly live up to your Desolate God Race heritage. With your strength, you have a real chance of taking first place across the universe."
"You have a remarkable talent for the Law of Space Origin, and your swordsmanship is decent. Your insights into the two Lower Origin Laws of Water and Wind also surpass those of others at your level. Watch closely. I'll demonstrate this only once."
The Nine Flame Kingdom Lord waved his hand. Nine planets wreathed in scarlet flames flew out and hovered in the air above the palace. Each one was over a hundred kilometers in diameter.
The nine planets began orbiting on their own, and occasional flashes of light flickered across their surfaces. It was a wondrous sight.
The demonstration ended a moment later.
"I've shown you all the flaws and shortcomings in your moves, as well as how they can be improved. Go back and study them carefully."
Only then did Brian come back to himself. He bowed respectfully and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Lord Kingdom Lord!"
Lin Yuan couldn't understand the demonstration at all. It seemed the Nine Flame Kingdom Lord's display had only been suitable for Brian to learn from.
Still, the Kingdom Lord was generous. He'd said he would advise Brian on one move, but his demonstration had covered all of the moves Brian had performed.
Lin Yuan felt a little helpless. He'd been too honest.
But he quickly came up with a plan for his own demonstration.
After his Storm Ruins Spirit Clone had been successfully created, Lin Yuan had spent several thousand Hunyuan Units at the Holy Land to buy two movement Secret Techniques that were relatively easy to master. One incorporated the Law of Wind Origin, while the other incorporated the Law of Time Origin.
With his existing insights into the Laws of Wind and Time Origin, they weren't difficult to practice.
Lin Yuan's Original Body set aside some time to train, and he soon mastered the easier opening layers.
"All right, your turn, young one," the Nine Flame Kingdom Lord said to Lin Yuan.
"Yes, Lord Kingdom Lord!"
Lin Yuan spread his hands, and a giant axe appeared in each one.
His gaze sharpened. He pointed his right-hand axe toward the sky, and a vast space of flames formed around him.
Lin Yuan suddenly exerted his strength and swung the giant axe in his left hand forward.
"Boom—!"
The strike was immensely heavy, making the space tremble. This was the Fourth Layer of the Thousand Mountain Secret Code: "Domain Suppression."
Then Lin Yuan flickered, producing hundreds of Phantom Bodies. Each one performed one of three movement Secret Techniques, and every clone moved in an utterly bizarre way, making its path impossible to predict.
Next, flames began to burn across Lin Yuan's body. Gripping the giant axe, he swung it forward at the fastest speed he had ever managed. His figure appeared several kilometers away in an instant, and a long streak of light slowly emerged behind him.
Lin Yuan put away both giant axes and stopped. He bowed to the Nine Flame Kingdom Lord and said respectfully, "Please guide me, Lord Kingdom Lord!"
Brian, standing nearby, was aghast, his face full of disbelief.
The Nine Flame Kingdom Lord raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "His insights into the Law of Fire Origin are profound, and his insights into the Law of Space Origin are quite good. He's also gifted in the Origin Laws of Wind and Earth. He's even grasped a little of the Law of Time Origin. How can this be...? With a talent like this, could the Holy Land instructors be blind? Why haven't they reported him to me?"
"This young one is only at Universe Level. How can he bear and comprehend so many laws? It seems he either has an extraordinarily rare talent or has had some special encounter."
The Nine Flame Kingdom Lord first glanced at Brian, then said, "Young one of the Desolate God Race, I'll send you back to the Holy Land first."
"As for you, young one." The Nine Flame Kingdom Lord looked at Lin Yuan. "Stay here for a while."
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