The Universe Hall students were stunned. "Senior Thissen actually lost. How is that possible? Senior Thissen is one of the few Fusion Realm experts in our sub-hall, and he was defeated by a mere Exploration Realm fighter."
Hearing this, the Fusion Realm youth named Thissen glared fiercely, "Again!" he shouted, charging at Lu Yin with his Sky Beast Claw.
Lu Yin narrowed his eyes. Thissen's Sky Beast Claw surpassed even Mono's when Mono had regained his Fusion Realm strength. The Universe Hall was indeed full of experts, worthy of being called the elite training ground of the Daoyu Empire. However, with his current mastery of the Celestial Palm, which involved five stars, Lu Yin did not fear such opponents. Just as he was about to strike, a powerful force swept over the area, passing everyone.
This force was also at the Fusion Realm but made Lu Yin's hair stand on end and his face turn pale. He realized he was no match for this power. Who was it?
Thissen abruptly halted, his face turning ashen as he slowly turned around. In the distance, a figure approached leisurely.
Following Thissen's gaze, Lu Yin saw a young man, about the same age as Thissen, perhaps even younger. Yet, the moment Lu Yin saw him, he knew this was the source of the overwhelming power—a young Fusion Realm expert whose strength far exceeded Thissen's. While his Celestial Palm could handle Thissen, it was no match for this person.
Lu Yin's expression grew serious. This was the most terrifying Fusion Realm expert he had encountered so far.
"Master Tianming!" Thissen exclaimed in fear, his face full of terror.
Master? Lu Yin was puzzled. He didn't know much about the Universe Hall as the Daoyu Empire had kept its information tightly sealed. He had asked Grace and the others before, but they only knew that the Empire's strongest youth were concentrated in the Universe Hall. They had no idea about its internal divisions or rankings.
"Thissen, you've become smarter, even learning to launch sneak attacks. Why don't you try ambushing me? Defeat me, and this master's position will be yours," the Fusion Realm youth Tianming walked up to them, nodding amicably at Lu Yin before speaking coldly to Thissen.
Thissen's face changed dramatically. He quickly spoke up, "Master, I didn't mean to. I just saw—"
Before he could finish, Tianming interrupted, "I saw everything clearly. Your target was not the girl but King Zishan. Who gave you the courage to ambush King Zishan?"
Thissen didn't answer, sweat dripping from his forehead.
With a casual wave, Tianming sent an invisible beast claw slamming into Thissen's chest, sending him flying. "Get out."
The other Universe Hall students hurriedly left, not daring to look back.
Lu Yin's heart skipped a beat when he saw Tianming's move. It was the Sky Beast Claw, but unlike Thissen, Tianming had refined it to a profound level. Every move could transform into a claw without extending his palm. This person was a true expert.
"The Universe Hall is self-managed by its students, divided into five halls scattered across the First Ring. He is one of the hall masters, one of the top five experts in the Universe Hall, Tianming," Bronson introduced quietly behind Lu Yin.
Lu Yin's eyes flashed. The top five experts in the Universe Hall. He remembered that Grace had mentioned her brother was one of the top experts. Could he be a hall master too?
"Who are the other four?" Lu Yin asked.
Bronson whispered, "Hughes, Gulbach, Lok Ang, Huo Zhong, and Tianming. They are the five hall masters, the best among the young generation of the Empire."
Lu Yin nodded. Just then, Tianming finished dealing with Thissen and turned to him, apologizing, "It was my lack of discipline. King Zishan, are you unharmed?"
"Master Tianming is too polite. We were just sparring," Lu Yin replied. Although Tianming was just a student, as a hall master, he wielded absolute power within the Universe Hall and was not to be underestimated.
Tianming sighed, "I can tell the difference between a spar and an ambush. The Universe Hall has been declining in talent these past few years, producing such disgraceful elements. I heard that during the Earth trial, the Universe Hall students brought shame upon themselves, while King Zishan excelled."
Lu Yin smiled, "The final victory was only possible with the help of the Universe Hall experts. Master Tianming is too modest."
Tianming smiled and exchanged a few polite words with Bronson before turning to Bai Xue, "Miss, on behalf of the Universe Hall students, I sincerely apologize for what happened. I saw it all on the surveillance. I'm sorry."
Bai Xue, with her cold demeanor, nodded without saying much.
Lu Yin was curious, "Master Tianming, the Universe Hall's Sky Beast Claw has 108 forms. May I learn it?"
Tianming nodded, "Of course. From the moment King Zishan arrived on True Universe Star, you have been one of us. I can allow you to learn the first five forms."
Lu Yin frowned, "Only the first five forms?"
Tianming explained, "King Zishan may not know, but the Sky Beast Claw is a top-level battle technique of the Universe Hall and the Daoyu Empire. Not just anyone can learn it. Joining the Universe Hall only grants the eligibility to learn it. To actually learn, you need the hall masters' consent. One hall master's consent allows you to learn the first five forms. With the consent of three hall masters, you can learn the first ten forms. With the consent of all five hall masters, you can learn the first twenty forms."
"There's such a rule?" Lu Yin was resigned.
"Generally, Universe Hall students in the Exploration Realm can only learn the first five forms. The Sky Beast Claw is not easy to master. For Exploration Realm students, five forms are sufficient. Only those who reach the Fusion Realm can learn the first ten forms. Stronger Fusion Realm elites can learn the first twenty forms. Thissen has learned the first twenty forms but has only mastered thirteen. Fully mastering the twenty forms will take him a long time," Tianming explained patiently.
Lu Yin remembered Las had learned five forms, and Mono probably ten. Thissen had mastered thirteen forms. He himself had learned seven forms from Mono. Out of 108 forms, he hadn't even learned a fraction.
"Master Tianming, how many forms have you mastered?" Bai Xue suddenly asked.
Everyone looked at Tianming.
Lu Yin was also curious. Tianming's casual use of the Sky Beast Claw far surpassed Thissen's. To be a hall master and make someone like Thissen not dare to resist, he must be exceptional.
Tianming smiled lightly, "Forty-three forms."
Lu Yin and the others' eyes widened at the terrifying number. Nearly half of the forms. This was a hall master, far surpassing Thissen and the others.
"Among the five hall masters, Lok Ang has mastered the most—forty-nine forms. He is the strongest among us in the Sky Beast Claw," Tianming said.
"If I want to learn all the Sky Beast Claw forms, what should I do?" Lu Yin asked.
Tianming shrugged, "Defeat one of us and become a hall master. Then you can access all the resources of the Universe Hall." He waved his hand, "I have matters to attend to. I wish you all the best. By the way, those who undergo body reshaping must join the Universe Hall. If you have no other options, you can join my hall. I'll take good care of you."
"Master Tianming, we've already been recruited by the Imperial Court's Thirteenth Squad. Can we still join the Universe Hall?" Bai Xue asked.
Tianming smiled, "The Thirteenth Squad and the Universe Hall do not conflict. The Universe Hall is for learning, while the Thirteenth Squad is for fighting." With that, Tianming left.
At that moment, Zhang Dingtian's groans ceased, and shortly after, Bai Xue entered the Transformation Pool.
Soon, Bai Xue's painful moans echoed. Her voice was much more pleasant than Zhang Dingtian's, but it made Lu Yin anxious. "Bronson, who's performing the reshaping? Is it a man or a woman?"
Bronson replied flatly, "No one. They endure it themselves."
Lu Yin nodded, relieved. If a man were in there reshaping Bai Xue, he would be unhappy. Although Bai Xue wasn't his woman, he just didn't want anyone else to take advantage of her.
"By the way, Shi Wuzhang, which squad recruited you?" Lu Yin remembered the monk and asked.
Shi Wuzhang slowly raised his head, his voice hoarse, "Zhang Dingtian was chosen by the Fifth Squad. Bai Xue by the Sixth Squad. I will join the Eleventh Squad."
Lu Yin pondered. Bronson had introduced him before. The Fifth Squad's captain was Huo Qingshan, the head of the Huo family in the Daoyu Empire and Huo Xiaoling's father. The Sixth Squad's captain was Tao Xiang, the loli. The Eleventh Squad's captain was the bald blind monk, known as the Blind Monk.
It made sense that Huo Qingshan chose Zhang Dingtian, who had cross-boundary combat power and could join the Imperial Court's Thirteenth Squad.
Shi Wuzhang being chosen by the Blind Monk was also logical, given their similar intimidating appearances. West Kermado had mentioned that Shi Wuzhang's perseverance had caught someone's attention
, likely the Blind Monk.
But why did Tao Xiang choose Bai Xue? That loli left a deep impression on Lu Yin.
Well, it didn't matter. Since they had left Earth, their fates were in their own hands.
It was a pity that the Starry Sky Battle Academy was about to reach the Canglan Territory. Zhang Dingtian and the others, after reshaping, would need to start training anew, clearly unable to catch up. What a shame.