By the time he returned to the inn, it was already afternoon. Autumn sunlight streamed through the window lattice, bathing the room in warmth, but Shen Xiu had no mind to appreciate the view. He sat down in a chair, Murong Zhan's every word replaying over and over in his head.
"Ninth Heaven of the Saint Venerable Realm." Shen Xiu murmured the number softly, his brow knitting slightly.
With his current strength, combined with the power of the third form of the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder Art, he was confident he could fight an opponent at the Seventh Heaven of the Saint Venerable Realm. He could barely hold his own against someone at the Eighth Heaven—but the Ninth Heaven of the Saint Venerable Realm was an existence on an entirely different level. Every three heavens of the Saint Venerable Realm marked a dividing line. The gap between the Seventh and Ninth Heavens was even greater than the combined gap from the First Heaven to the Sixth.
"Ten moves." At some point, Lin Fan had come to the doorway. Leaning against the frame with his arms folded, he said, "Murong Zhan saying ten moves is already giving you too much credit. In your current state, facing a true Ninth Heaven Saint Venerable Realm expert, it would be impressive if you lasted five moves."
Shen Xiu gave a bitter laugh. "Brother Lin, can't you leave me even a shred of dignity?"
"Dignity won't put food on the table." Lin Fan's tone was calm. "I'm telling you the truth. On the battlefield, misjudging your own strength will cost you your life."
Shen Xiu's smile vanished. He nodded solemnly. "I know. That's why I need to master the fourth form of the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder Art within this month."
"The fourth form—Thunder Shatters