Xuanwu War Sovereign

In a vast, open area, dozens of experts were split into several distinct groups. Everyone’s attention was captured by a peculiar path ahead, crackling with lightning.

Wisps of lightning formed into pale blue rings, flickering with a strange, electric light!

In the middle of the path, a youth in scorched clothes was enduring the pale blue wisps of lightning arcing over his head, struggling to advance step by step through the electric glow.

This was a genius at the Late Stage of Martial Arts Eighth Layer Heaven. His face was no longer recognizable, and the True Qi light flickering around him was unstable. His powerful Innate True Qi was dimming; clearly, he wouldn’t last much longer under the lightning.

Directly in front of him was an arched bridge, and across this long bridge, a magnificent and grand hall could be seen.

The Refining Spirit Hall.

This path, crackling with lightning, was clearly the only way to the Refining Spirit Hall.

"Is this the Sky Thunder Refining Array?" At the entrance, Qin Feng was the last to appear. His dark eyes narrowed as he took in the scene. Gazing at the pale blue path crackling with lightning, Qin Feng instantly recognized the Profound Array laid out upon it.

"The Sky Thunder Refining Array?" Nearby, Lû Chunyang, who had been secretly observing the black-robed youth, heard this. His figure flashed, and he landed beside Qin Feng to ask.

After a glance at him, Qin Feng’s gaze returned to the lightning-filled area. "The Sky Thunder Refining Array is a Thunder Attribute Third-level Mysterious Array with very strong attack power. If fully activated, it can even draw upon the power of celestial thunder from the heavens. Its might is enough to easily refine even a Condensing Vein Realm expert to death!"

"It’s that powerful?" Lû Chunyang clicked his tongue in amazement.

"Indeed," Qin Feng nodded. "However, the purpose of this array before us is likely not to kill but to test. You could even say that for most of us Martial Artists, this Celestial Thunder Power is more beneficial than harmful."

"Is that so?" Lû Chunyang tilted his head to look at the youth under the lightning, who was scorched black and smelled of cooked flesh. His mouth twitched. ’How can that be considered more beneficial than harmful?’

Qin Feng nodded and smiled. "If I’m not mistaken, this second trial is a test of physical strength. The Celestial Thunder Power in this Sky Thunder Refining Array isn’t that strong. While it poses a certain danger to an Innate Strong Person, it’s not fatal. On the contrary, you can even use the Celestial Thunder Power to temper your physical body!"

"As long as you don’t try to force your way through or attack the array, there’s no mortal danger," Qin Feng added.

"So, as long as your physical body is tough enough to withstand the lightning of the Celestial Thunder Refining Form, you can pass this second trial?" Lû Chunyang asked.

"That’s more or less it," Qin Feng nodded.

"So that’s how it is!" Hearing Qin Feng’s explanation, the expressions of the several youths who had been secretly listening in relaxed.

In the distance, Liu Canyang, Xiao Yuchan, and others, who had been conversing with Du Pingxia and her group, turned their heads in surprise toward the black-robed youth.

’The black-robed youth was completely right. But when they had arrived earlier, they had paid a steep price to gather that same information.’

Several people had suffered badly at the hands of the Sky Thunder Refining Array.

"Princess, may I ask who this brother is? He seems to know the Sky Thunder Refining Array like the back of his hand. Such knowledge is truly extraordinary!" Xiao Yuchan said, looking at the black-robed youth with a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.

At that moment, it wasn’t just Xiao Yuchan; all the youths who had heard Qin Feng’s words were now watching the black-robed youth, some openly, some secretly.

"Him? He’s a Mystic Master. A First-grade Official Xuan Master, at that!" Du Pingxia said with a light smile, her peripheral vision sweeping over the black-robed youth as a strange light flickered in her beautiful eyes.

’When exploring ancient ruins like the Land of Spirit Refining, which are filled with arrays and traps, having a Mystic Master on your team is an undeniable advantage.’

"Oh, is that right? An Official Xuan Master?" A trace of surprise flashed in Xiao Yuchan’s eyes, which then lit up. He instantly realized the black-robed youth’s value.

’This black-robed youth has already become an Official Xuan Master at such a young age; his future accomplishments will be limitless. Gaining the friendship of such a promising young Mystic Master would undoubtedly be an extremely worthwhile investment.’

Some of the other youths had strange glints in their eyes, but they quickly suppressed the impulse to go forward and befriend him. For now, the most important thing for everyone was to pass the second trial.

...

Beside Liu Canyang, someone’s expression changed upon seeing Qin Feng, a flash of anger in their eyes. He walked over and whispered a few words in Liu Canyang’s ear. Liu Canyang froze for a moment, then raised his head to look at the black-robed youth.

A cold, sinister light flashed in the depths of his eyes.

"What? You’re saying he’s the Qin Feng that Qin Tianjiao and Xu Fei were talking about—the one who’s supposedly domineering, arrogant, vicious, cruel, and seeks revenge for the smallest slight?" Beside Xiao Yuchan, someone had also quietly revealed Qin Feng’s identity.

Dressed in white robes, completely unstained by dust, Xiao Yuchan furrowed his brow.

"Young Master Xiao, should we take this opportunity?" the sinister-looking youth asked, shooting Qin Feng a venomous glance before silently making a throat-slitting gesture.

After a moment of consideration, Xiao Yuchan shook his head. Looking at the black-robed youth, he sent a telepathic message, "Not for now."

"But he’s Qin Tianjiao and Xu Fei’s enemy, after all!" The sinister youth was unwilling to give up. He was one of Xiao Yuchan’s trusted subordinates and had accepted a significant bribe from Qin Tianjiao and Xu Fei before entering the Land of Spirit Refining.

The sinister youth didn’t want to see the promised benefits fly away.

"Qin Tianjiao and Xu Fei are just two petty figures with mediocre talent. Why should I care what they think? Besides, Qin Feng is not someone who can be killed so easily. His talent is exceptionally high, and he is an expert in Profound Arrays. If he were to escape, I would have made a terrifying enemy. To provoke such a man for the sake of two minor characters like Qin Tianjiao and Xu Fei would be most unwise."

Xiao Yuchan glanced at Hu Qing, who was still unwilling to give up and looked as though he wanted to say more. A flash of disappointment crossed Xiao Yuchan’s eyes as he snapped, "That’s enough. Say no more. It’s not your place to make decisions here!"

Xiao Yuchan turned away from the sinister youth. ’This subordinate is truly blinded by greed,’ he thought. ’It seems I’ve been too indulgent with him in the past, letting him become so insolent that he now thinks he can influence my decisions.’

Hu Qing lowered his head, an ugly look on his sinister face. He could feel Xiao Yuchan growing distant.

Hu Qing realized he had fallen out of favor. In that moment, a boundless, venomous resentment surged within his heart.

’It’s him. It’s all because of Qin Feng. If it weren’t for him, Xiao Yuchan would never have reprimanded me! Qin Feng, I, Hu Qing, swear that I will not let you off!’ From afar, Hu Qing stared venomously at the black-robed youth.

...

’Killing intent?’ Qin Feng’s Spiritual Sense was exceptionally sharp. The cold killing intent felt like needles on his back. His gaze followed the hateful stare to its source, and he instantly saw a sinister youth dressed in black.

A glint of coldness appeared in Qin Feng’s eyes. He didn’t know why this black-clothed youth hated him so much, but he didn’t care. ’If it comes to it, I’ll just find a chance to kill him.’

RUMBLE!

A bolt of lightning crashed down. The youth inside the Sky Thunder Refining Array collapsed, black smoke rising from his body. Instantly, a young man nearby flicked out a whip. It danced like a Spiritual Serpent, hooked around the fallen youth’s waist, and with a powerful tug, pulled him to safety.

THUD! His body hit the ground.

The youth looked utterly miserable. His whole body was scorched black, and in many places where the lightning had struck, his skin was split open and his flesh was raw. By the time he was out of the array, he had already fallen unconscious.

"Another failure," someone sighed quietly.

"At least he didn’t die. Unlike the first few who tried to force their way through this path—they were struck dead by the Celestial Thunder," someone else muttered with a curl of their lip.

"Look, someone else is about to enter the array!"

"It’s him!"

All eyes converged on the cool, aloof youth in the black robe. The one preparing to enter the array was none other than Qin Feng.

Qin Feng walked up to the Sky Thunder Refining Array, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. Most of the top geniuses from All Stars Academy were currently stopped before this very array.

Even Liu Canyang, Yuan Daozhen, Li Qiubai, and Xiao Yuchan were among them.

Without a doubt, whoever passed the Sky Thunder Refining Array’s trial first would seize the initiative and be the first to enter the Refining Spirit Hall...