Translator: CinderTL
The benefits from civilization fires had a limit. After accumulating over a thousand, their impact on his growth became negligible.
"Thank you," Chen Zilu replied, accepting the hundreds of civilization fires without hesitation. A complex emotion flickered deep within her eyes.
She had previously worried that Jiang Ye might be discouraged by her strength. Now, it was clear there was no need for such concern. Jiang Ye's power far exceeded her imagination.
"He's finally surpassed me," Chen Zilu sighed inwardly, genuinely happy for Jiang Ye.
She had long prepared herself for this moment, but when it finally arrived, a trace of unease lingered in her heart. She wasn't sure how to navigate the shifting dynamics of their relationship.
She was Jiang Ye's senior sister and former teacher. In the past, she had never considered how she would face him once his strength surpassed hers.
Should they maintain the status quo? Or should she seek further development? Chen Zilu wasn't sure, a flicker of confusion crossing her mind.
Jiang Ye was unaware of Chen Zilu's thoughts.
"Song Gang, let's go!" Jiang Ye called out, transforming into a dazzling streak of flowing light that shot toward the heavens.
Hunting star beasts! That was Jiang Ye's next objective.
As time passed, a peculiar team roamed the civilization ruins, moving with unrestrained arrogance.
No one dared to provoke them.
Even the top ten powerhouses on the Great Stellar War Ranking would detour far around them, avoiding any confrontation.
The reason was simple:
This team included the terrifying figure who held the number one spot on the Great Stellar War Ranking.
#1: Jiang Ye, 999 civilization fires
A staggering lead!
A solitary figure, leaving all others in his dust!
The gap between him and the second-ranked contender was at least three hundred civilization fires.
Thanks to Jiang Ye's presence, no one dared approach their team, allowing Jiang Ye, Chen Zilu, and the others to proceed with unparalleled ease.
Meanwhile, in the core region of the civilization ruins, within the Thunder Mountain Range—a mountain range perpetually shrouded in lightning, its landscape rendered terrifying by the endless flashes—a silver-haired figure sat cross-legged amidst the raging storm.
Rumble!
Boom! Rumble!
Terrifying bolts of lightning crashed down, striking the figure below, yet only made his form shine even brighter.
"This Thunder Mountain Range is similar to the Spirit Cleansing Waterfall," the silver-haired youth mused. "It's perfect for tempering my physical body." He thought to himself, "Over the past half-month, my physical strength has improved significantly."
The silver-haired youth was none other than Zhou Xingkong.
"The core region of these civilization ruins offers quite a few benefits," Zhou Xingkong thought. "I wonder how much Chu Jingye, Li Zihuang, and the others have gained."
He remained determined to win the Great Stellar War.
Zhou Xingkong knew that Chu Jingye and the others were his greatest rivals.
Suddenly,
"Hmm?"
"Zhou Kun has been eliminated?" Zhou Xingkong's thoughts stirred.
"What?"
"Jiang Ye has comprehended the mysteries of fire and earth," Zhou Xingkong received Zhou Kun's final message. "And he's mastered an ultra-long-range killing technique?"
Instantly, Zhou Xingkong's expression changed.
A peak seventh breakthrough expert like Zhou Kun would undoubtedly possess escape artifacts.
If Zhou Kun couldn't escape even with those, how powerful must Jiang Ye be?
"A long-range killing move? Could it be archery?" Zhou Xingkong frowned, the only possibility that came to mind.
What kind of archery could prevent even a peak seventh breakthrough expert from escaping?
Heaven-Rank? Definitely not.
"Could Jiang Ye possess a demigod-tier archery technique?"
"But isn't spear technique his specialty?" Zhou Xingkong was filled with doubt. On the surface, he seemed indifferent to their upcoming duel, but secretly, he had been gathering extensive intelligence on Jiang Ye.
Yet none of those records mentioned Jiang Ye possessing a demigod-tier archery technique!
"And that's not all."
"His spear technique also appears to be demigod-tier," Zhou Xingkong muttered, his brow furrowing deeply.
A demigod-tier spear technique, a demigod-tier archery technique, and two mysteries of heaven and earth comparable to the peak seventh breakthrough realm!
"Can I win?"
"Jiang Ye's trump cards probably extend beyond what he's shown," Zhou Xingkong's eyes flickered. "If I were him, I wouldn't reveal all my cards before the final battle."
Though arrogant, he was never complacent.
Even after uncovering so many of Jiang Ye's trump cards, Zhou Xingkong still suspected the young man might have more hidden up his sleeve.
Even if these were all of Jiang Ye's cards, Zhou Xingkong couldn't be certain he could defeat him.
"Damn it," he muttered.
"How can a mere Primitive Aptitude be this strong?" Veins bulged on Zhou Xingkong's forehead. "Is he cheating?"
Half a year ago, Jiang Ye was only at the third breakthrough stage, while Zhou Xingkong had already reached the mid-stage of the fifth breakthrough. He could have crushed Jiang Ye with a single finger.
But now? In such a short time, Jiang Ye had become an incredibly formidable opponent.
"This kid is ruthless," Zhou Xingkong thought grimly. "Given our feud, if I'm truly outmatched, he won't show any mercy."
As someone with a Transcendent Aptitude, Zhou Xingkong had absolute confidence. Even if Jiang Ye had more tricks up his sleeve, he was certain he could remain undefeated.
But there was always a chance, however slim.
What if Jiang Ye was hiding an unimaginable killing move?
As the Zhou Family's peerless prodigy, Zhou Xingkong might act arrogantly, but he was far from foolish.
"We must prepare for both possibilities."
Whoosh! Zhou Xingkong abruptly rose, transforming into a streak of flowing light as he shot deep into the core region.
Within the core region, in a vast mountain valley, a stunningly beautiful young woman in purple robes sat cross-legged, meditating on the mysteries of heaven and earth.
Suddenly,
"Hmm?"
"A message from Li Shiyue?" Li Zihuang opened her eyes, listening intently.
A look of surprise quickly spread across her delicate features.
"Fire and earth? Two mysteries of heaven and earth?"
"And a demigod-tier archery technique?" Li Zihuang marveled inwardly. "Is Jiang Ye really this strong?"
In an instant, she realized Jiang Ye would be a formidable contender for the top three spots in the Great Stellar War.
"However,"
"I've heard Jiang Ye has a grudge against Zhou Xingkong," Li Zihuang mused. "Once the second-tier begins, he'll likely target Zhou Xingkong first. I'll observe the situation then."
"If Jiang Ye proves no match for Zhou Xingkong, I'll offer a subtle assist."
Li Zihuang held a favorable impression of Jiang Ye. She had always believed that peerless geniuses from humble backgrounds were worth cultivating.
(End of the Chapter)
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