Chapter 574 - 316: Shattering the Vajra

But now, beneath that name, two words gleamed brightly: "Tier Six."

’He managed it too...?’ Qing Cang frowned slightly. Qin Tianlin’s arrogance was a minor issue. The bigger problem was that, because of the Qin Family and some of Qin Yun’s recent actions, he and Su Chen were already as incompatible as fire and water.

’This isn’t good...’

A glint flashed in Black Tuo’s eyes as he stared intently at the name. ’This Qin Tianlin is truly extraordinary. And Zhou Yunyang was actually being honest.’

Previously, he’d only been seventy percent sure that Qin Tianlin was the one who purified the Fog Ashes—all because of that purple flame. Now, he was ninety percent certain.

Discussions erupted all around as more and more people began to talk. "The Bronze Sect has someone like this? How have I never heard of him? How does he compare to Su Chen?"

"He’s a Divine Dawn Level talent, ranked 23rd on the Talent List. If you haven’t heard of him, you must be living under a rock. I heard that within the Sect, he’s been somewhat overshadowed by Su Chen."

"For real? Someone like that can be overshadowed? Just how powerful is Su Chen, then?"

"The gap between them can’t be that big, can it? Information from inside the Sect is incredibly hard to come by. It’s all just hearsay..."

"Qin Tianlin..."

In the distance, Han Xingliu’s brow was furrowed in thought. ’You could maybe stretch things and say Su Chen has some incredibly diluted bloodline from a past Ancient King, or a special constitution. But Qin Tianlin has no Ancient Kings in his ancestry.’

On the outskirts of the crowd, a little farther away, Qin Yun stared at the name with a dark, profound gaze, her face devoid of any joy. ’What have you done?’

...

Meanwhile, in a room inside the arena, Qin Tianlin was on one knee, panting heavily. He was covered in wounds, and blood trickled down his arm, dripping onto the floor of the ring.

’He Muyang... In the True Martial Sect, he’s no weaker than a Star Seed, just short of Melting his Holy Profession. He really lives up to his reputation...’

The battle was over. He gulped down a Nutritional Potion. Only after experiencing it firsthand did he understand just how difficult it was to fight one of these carefully cultivated Tier Seven Professionals.

Even with the help of the purple flame, which allowed him to use the Immortal Vajra Holy Profession, the fight had been incredibly difficult. In fact, he had almost lost.

Even though he had won and was now presumably number one, Qin Tianlin didn’t feel the excitement he had expected.

Because he realized that Su Chen was far more powerful than he had ever imagined.

He had only managed it with the help of the purple flame inside him—a flame from the Lost Flame, which seemed to be related to the Sun Tier.

Furthermore, creating this single opportunity had consumed most of Fan Zhao’s life force.

’But how did Su Chen do it? Did he also use some kind of one-time-use ability?’

’No, he defeated Ding Ze before he even fought Wei Zhenghong. It’s definitely not a one-time-use ability. That guy... what is he...?’

"Stop thinking about it," a familiar voice echoed in his mind. "Once you get the Morning Star Essence, I’ll help you figure out that guy’s secrets."

"Help me figure it out?" Qin Tianlin scoffed but didn’t argue. He just waited quietly for his body to recover.

It had been a one-time opportunity, but he had succeeded. Getting the Morning Star Essence was now a sure thing.

"Unless..."

"There are no unlesses!" the voice interrupted again. "He might have been able to defeat Wei Zhenghong, but he’s no match for Shen Yi’an at all. That proves his limit is right there."

"With the help of Holy Power, you can probably reach about the same level. For him to beat you, he’d need to be even stronger. He’s still only Tier Six, after all. He can’t just keep getting stronger without limit."

Having been thoroughly crushed by Su Chen before had left a deep-seated fear in Qin Tianlin. Hearing the voice’s reassurance, he finally began to relax.

This entity had an extraordinary origin; Qin Tianlin vaguely suspected it might be a Spirit Fragment left behind by a dead Sun Tier expert. Its judgment, at least, was sound.

"That’s a relief, then."

...

Meanwhile, in another room in the arena, the virtual image before Su Chen dissipated. He had just finished his warm-up.

The rules for the preliminary rankings were nearly identical to those for the Holy List. As a Tier Six Professional, if he wanted to challenge someone of Tier Seven, he first had to defeat a Tier Seven Professional.

He had just spent a little time casually picking and defeating someone ranked outside the top 100 to earn that qualification.

"Next up is number one. He... Qin Tianlin?"

Pulling up the virtual screen, Su Chen looked at the top spot and froze. "How is it him?"

He was stunned. ’He actually beat He Muyang?’

’Still Tier Six...’ He double-checked his opponent’s Tier; he hadn’t advanced to Tier Seven.

’It must be with the help of the Sun Residual Fire,’ Su Chen thought, and most of his surprise faded.

’With the help of the Sun Residual Fire, reaching this level seems plausible. But for him to interfere at the last minute... well, since it’s come to this...’

His interest was piqued. "Let me see just how you managed it."

Without hesitation, Su Chen selected Qin Tianlin as his opponent.

Soon, a vaguely familiar, faceless figure materialized before him. Its fighting style was no different than before; it immediately transformed into a giant Vajra, its presence terrifying.

Su Chen’s eyes narrowed as he waited for his opponent’s next move. ’This alone isn’t enough to beat He Muyang.’

Sure enough, the moment after transforming into a giant Vajra, Qin Tianlin’s body changed again, gradually shrinking and becoming more solid.

A dark golden sheen faintly appeared on its skin, vaguely resembling his own previous Vajra Venerable. The overwhelming aura it had projected also receded, replaced by a dense, heavy presence.

’Could this be...?’ Su Chen looked closer, faintly discerning the truth. ’The Immortal Vajra?’

’So he can also perform a Melting Holy Profession at Tier Six. This Sun Residual Fire is truly something else.’

BANG!

The ground beneath Qin Tianlin’s feet exploded as his dark golden form shot forward. Now smaller, he was far more agile, and a dense aura washed over Su Chen as he approached.