After half a minute, they finally separated, both panting heavily.
It was the first time Lu Yin felt that facing an Exploration Realm opponent was so strenuous.
Hart felt the same way. It was unfortunate that only he could hear the conversation in this space, otherwise, he would have asked where this person came from, being able to fight him, Hart Phoenix, to this extent. But it was time to end it. No one could defeat someone from the Phoenix family.
With a roar, golden flames soared into the sky, forming a phoenix that soared through the void.
Lu Yin was shocked. That person hadn't been using his full strength. The power he now displayed was unbelievable, and the golden flames were astonishing.
Accompanied by a high-pitched cry, the stone platform evaporated, and golden flames filled the sky. Hart emerged like a fire king, pressing down with both palms, sending a torrent of golden flames toward Lu Yin.
Lu Yin's gaze grew solemn as he raised his palm. Six stars rotated, but it wasn't enough. Facing Hart's golden flames, the power of the six stars in the Heaven Star Palm was still insufficient. Lu Yin roared, and as the golden flames descended, a seventh star vaguely appeared. Although it didn't fully materialize, its shadow alone dramatically increased the Heaven Star Palm's power.
He rushed at Hart, striking with the Heaven Star Palm. The seven stars tore through the flames, appearing before Hart's eyes. Hart's pupils contracted, and he instinctively protected himself with flames. The surrounding flames crashed down, creating a shockwave.
The impact of their attacks caused the ground to sink. Although Lu Yin's Heaven Star Palm didn't hit Hart directly, it dispersed the flames around him. With his left hand, Lu Yin struck Hart's abdomen with a Six-Fold Shockwave Palm. Hart spat out blood and roared, spinning around to kick Lu Yin away. Lu Yin retreated several steps, used his spatial flash technique to disappear, and reappeared behind Hart, raising his hand for another Heaven Star Palm.
Hart turned, gritting his teeth as a fiery bird appeared on his body, letting out a high-pitched cry. This was the phoenix; Hart wouldn't be defeated so easily.
Lu Yin's Heaven Star Palm struck Hart, not only dispersing the fiery bird but also sending Hart flying.
Hart roared as golden flames merged with his body, rapidly healing him.
Lu Yin was stunned. This reminded him of Qing Yu, another who was nearly indestructible. He couldn't let Hart catch his breath. Without hesitation, Lu Yin used his spatial flash to appear in front of Hart, both hands raised for another Heaven Star Palm.
Golden fiery birds flew from Hart's palms, clashing with Lu Yin's strikes. The Heaven Star Palm and the golden birds collided more than ten times. Lu Yin struggled to withstand the force, and Hart was also at his limit. His talent was high, but it wasn't limitless; excessive use would deplete him.
After another clash between a golden bird and the Heaven Star Palm, Hart couldn't take it anymore and fainted. Lu Yin's star energy was almost exhausted, but seeing Hart's opening, he struck again with a Six-Fold Shockwave Palm, shattering Hart and securing victory.
This battle made Lu Yin truly appreciate the terrifying talent within the Inner Universe. That person was only in the Exploration Realm, yet he pushed Lu Yin to his limits. If not for his increased control over star energy and Instructor Guanyu's help in perfecting the Shockwave Palm, the outcome would have been dire. He had thought himself invincible within the Exploration Realm, but now he realized how arrogant he had been.
Who knew what level that person held within the Inner Universe? He must belong there.
With the battle won, Lu Yin opened his eyes and saw Michelle's inquisitive look and Meng Yue's astonished gaze. This battle took longer than expected, but it wasn't over. With a victory, he could continue. He needed to go back in.
At the same time, in the Inner Universe, within the dark forest of the Fifth Courtyard, Hart Phoenix stood up, his face extremely sour. He had been defeated by a peer—a humiliation for a descendant of the Phoenix family, the younger brother of that person. This 'Seventh Brother' had to be avenged.
Leaving the area around the Transmission Stone, many people looked over. "Hart, did you complete the three consecutive wins?"
"No need to ask, Hart surely did."
...
Hart ignored them, focusing on training. That 'Seventh Brother' was likely from one of the ten war colleges. With no distinct traits from any major families with Transmission Stones, he was likely from the colleges. He would surely appear in the Academy Competition, and Hart had to defeat him.
Lu Yin re-entered the battlefield of the Transmission War, this time in a swamp, where someone already awaited him.
Seeing the opponent, Lu Yin's heart sank. He felt like spitting blood—Brother Gale, the top expert who had instantly defeated him in his first match, had reappeared.
The moment Lu Yin appeared, Brother Gale attacked, his star energy obliterating the void. Lu Yin was instantly defeated again, unsurprisingly.
Exiting the Transmission Stone area, he heard the elder announce his record, "Lu Yin, one win, seven losses."
"You actually won?" Meng Yue was surprised.
Lu Yin ignored him and looked at Michelle, "You're from the Inner Universe. Have you heard of the Phoenix family?"
Michelle was surprised, "You encountered someone from the Phoenix family?"
Lu Yin nodded.
Michelle said flatly, "They're one of the strong families of the Inner Universe. It's understandable to lose." She then entered the Transmission Stone area.
Lu Yin wanted to tell her he had won but decided against it. The Phoenix family indeed deserved the title of a strong family. An Exploration Realm member could push him so hard; he couldn't imagine the strength of their Fusion or Ultimate Realm members.
Winning a hundred victories in the Transmission War to enter the trial domain was tempting, but most people knew their limits and quietly trained until they were ready. Only a few, including Lu Yin, stayed at the entrance to the trial domain.
Soon, Meng Yue left, still without a single win.
At the trial domain entrance, only Lu Yin and Michelle continued challenging the Transmission War.
Unknowingly, Lu Yin fought twelve matches, winning two, shocking Michelle. Her win rate was similar. That an Exploration Realm fighter had a win rate comparable to hers was unbelievable.
Sometimes, luck was essential. In his thirteenth and fourteenth matches, Lu Yin faced Exploration Realm opponents, seemingly new students, an incredible stroke of luck. But his fifteenth opponent was troublesome—Da Wa Mo Long.
During the Tenth Courtyard entrance exam, one of the three forces targeting them included Da Wa Mo Long. Although Lu Yin hadn't encountered him before, this fifteenth Transmission War match pitted him against Da Wa Mo Long.
Seeing the huge beast before him, Lu Yin was stunned. There were beasts in the Transmission War? Even stranger, this beast had a codename, Dragon Eight.
With a roar, Dragon Eight charged at Lu Yin, its massive claw coming down, terrifying star energy of the Fusion Realm sweeping through, trying to immobilize Lu Yin.
If he were a top Fusion Realm expert, Lu Yin would indeed be immobilized. He'd have to attack the star energy or the opponent's body, but against a Fusion Realm opponent, Lu Yin's control over star energy allowed him to easily evade, escaping the suppression.
Dragon Eight didn't expect Lu Yin to dodge, hesitating for a moment before its massive body split into two, covering the sky. Its sharp claws moved in a strange pattern, forcing Lu Yin to confront them head-on.
Lu Yin raised his hand, executing the Six-Fold Shockwave Palm.
Boom!
The ground shattered. In this swamp environment, Lu Yin and Dragon Eight clashed, and Lu Yin was sent underground.
Dragon Eight staggered back, its claws trembling from the counterforce. It was shocked—a mere Exploration Realm fighter could hurt it. Unbelievable. Was this person from the top families of the Inner Universe?
Lu Yin leaped from the swamp, staring solemnly at Dragon Eight, with six stars rotating in his palm. This beast was strong, not an ordinary Fusion Realm opponent, befitting the challenge of the Transmission War.
Lu Yin had speculated that his six-star Heaven Star Palm could threaten Gurubach. When his star energy control reached its peak, the six-star Heaven Star Palm would surpass even Hughes, making him the top fighter in the Great Yu Empire. Yet, even with such strength, he rarely won in the Transmission War. The battle with Hart Phoenix was particularly grueling.
Hart Phoenix's strength definitely surpassed Hughes, and he was only in the Exploration Realm. The talent within the Inner Universe was terrifying.
This beast might not reach the pinnacle of talent, but it wasn't an ordinary Fusion Realm opponent either. Defeating it would be difficult, especially with its incredible speed.
Suddenly, Dragon Eight's body blurred, splitting into five.