I gain ten years' worth of cultivation every day, and even geniuses will only see my doorstep!

"Go, young man. My mission is complete."

The starlight gradually faded.

Qin Yuan bowed deeply to the fading starlight.

Then he turned and strode away.

When I walked out of the Star Palace, there were already quite a few people gathered outside.

Some passed the trial, some failed, and some were waiting for their companions.

Qin Yuan's appearance immediately attracted countless eyes.

"He's out!"

"He passed the test of his heart?!"

"Impossible! No one has been able to pass the Trial of the Heart for a hundred years!"

But the facts are undeniable, leaving them no choice but to believe them.

Youmingzi stood in the crowd, his face ashen.

He passed the Trial of Strength and gained some good results. But compared to the complete inheritance that Qin Yuan obtained, his gains were insignificant.

Jealousy, anger, and murderous intent surged within him.

"Qin Yuan!"

He shouted and blocked Qin Yuan's path.

Qin Yuan stopped and looked at him.

Youmingzi gritted his teeth and said, "Hand over the inheritance of Star Lord! It's mine!"

Qin Yuan said calmly.

"your?"

"Of course! My Netherworld Palace has long coveted this secret realm; this inheritance should rightfully belong to me!"

Qin Yuan looked at him and suddenly smiled.

The smile was faint, yet it sent a chill down Youmingzi's spine.

"want to?"

Qin Yuan said.

"Then come and get it."

He raised his right hand, pointing his index finger at Youmingzi.

Youmingzi's pupils suddenly contracted.

He recalled the Netherworld Palace disciples who had been killed by Qin Yuan, and the rumors of killing five mid-stage Dao Integration cultivators with a single finger.

But he was, after all, a peak Dao Integration Realm cultivator and a core figure of the Netherworld Palace. How could he be intimidated by a mid-stage Dao Integration Realm cultivator?

"court death!"

He shouted sharply, drew a jet-black longsword, and slashed down!

The blade's energy was as thick as a mountain, carrying a world-destroying power!

Qin Yuan pointed out!

The pale golden finger energy collided with the black blade energy!

"boom--!"

A violent energy surged outwards, and everyone around retreated!

The blade's aura shattered!

The force of his finger strike had not yet diminished and went straight for Youmingzi's face!

Youmingzi's expression changed drastically. He tried his best to dodge, but the force of the finger still grazed his left shoulder!

"puff!"

A bloody hole appeared in his left shoulder!

Youmingzi screamed and was sent flying backward!

At the peak of the Dao Integration Realm, he was severely injured in a single blow!

The entire room fell silent!

The way everyone looked at Qin Yuan changed.

That was no longer the gaze one would give to a mid-stage Dao Integration cultivator, but the gaze one would give to a monster.

Qin Yuan withdrew his finger, not even glancing at You Mingzi, and turned to leave.

Behind him, Youmingzi lay on the ground, his face filled with resentment and fear.

He recalled Qin Yuan's finger strike and that indifferent gaze.

In that instant, he truly felt the breath of death.

If he hadn't dodged quickly, that finger would have pierced his heart.

What kind of monster is this Qin Yuan?

With the Starry Sky Realm closed, Qin Yuan returned home laden with spoils.

Upon returning to the Star Pavilion, he did not rush to show off his gains, but instead went into seclusion.

After the system upgrade, his daily cultivation increased by 5000 years. With the complete inheritance of the Starry Sky True Monarch, he needed time to digest it.

Three months later.

At the place where Qin Yuan was in seclusion, a powerful aura soared into the sky!

Late stage of Dao Integration!

He opened his eyes, a glint of shrewdness flashing within them.

Three months, from the middle stage of Dao Integration to the late stage of Dao Integration.

This speed would be astonishing even in the upper realms.

But he knew it wasn't enough.

At the late stage of the Dao Integration Realm, he was considered a top disciple in the Star Pavilion, but looking at the entire First Heaven, there were still old monsters at the Mahayana Realm.

He needs to break through to the Mahayana stage as soon as possible.

A system notification sounded:

[Host has been detected to have broken through to the late stage of the Dao Integration Realm. Daily cultivation gains have increased to 6000 years.]

[The cultivation requirements for the fourth level of "The Universe and the Stars" have been met. Do you wish to begin the breakthrough?]

[Required for breakthrough: 10 Star Essence, or 1 Great Ascension Stage expert's essence blood, or 200000 Energy Points.]

Qin Yuan frowned slightly.

He only possessed three pieces of the Star Essence.

He can't kill someone with the essence and blood of a Mahayana stage expert.

He currently has 184500 energy points, just a little short.

Looks like I need to get out and get some exercise.

He got up, pushed open the door, and went out.

Lei Potian was waiting outside the door.

When he came out, Lei Potian's eyes lit up.

"Junior Brother Qin! You've broken through?!"

Qin Yuan nodded.

Lei Potian gasped.

"From the mid-stage to the late-stage of the Dao Integration Realm in just three months... that speed is terrifying."

Qin Yuan asked, "Did Senior Brother Lei need something from me?"

Lei Potian chuckled.

"Of course there's something to do. In three days, the once-in-a-century 'Battle of the Prodigies' in the First Heaven will begin. Prodigies from all sects and factions will participate to compete for a place on the 'First Heaven Prodigy Ranking'."

He paused.

"Those who rank in the top ten will qualify to enter the 'Second Heaven'."

Qin Yuan's eyes lit up.

The second heaven.

The concentration of spiritual energy there is ten times that of the first heaven, making cultivation faster and offering more opportunities.

Moreover, once you reach the second heaven, you can escape the entanglement of the Netherworld Palace in the first heaven.

How do I participate?

Lei Potian said, "The sect will recommend candidates. You have already been automatically shortlisted."

He patted Qin Yuan on the shoulder.

"Play well and try to get into the top ten. Then we'll go to the Second Heaven together and continue being fellow disciples!"

Qin Yuan nodded.

"Thank you, senior brother."

Three days later, the first round of the Heavenly Pride Battle officially began.

The venue was set up in Tianjiao City, a giant city in the center of the First Heaven, specifically used for hosting various large-scale events.

At this moment, the training ground in the center of Tianjiao City was already crowded with people.

The number of elders and disciples from various sects, experts among the rogue cultivators, and countless cultivators who came to watch the spectacle totaled as many as 100,000.

On the high platform sat nine ancient monsters at the Mahayana stage—representatives from the nine major forces of the First Heaven.

The one from the Star Pavilion is Elder Xinghe Daoren.

His gaze swept over the contestants below, and when he saw Qin Yuan, he nodded slightly.

Qin Yuan returned the greeting with clasped hands.

"clang--"

The bell rang.

An elderly man in white robes leaped and landed in the center of the training ground, speaking loudly.

"The First Heavenly Pride Battle now begins. The rules are as follows: matches will be drawn by lot, with winners advancing and losers being eliminated. The top ten will qualify for the Second Heaven."

"Now, draw lots!"

Qin Yuan stepped forward to draw lots.

The number drawn was: seventeen.

His first opponent drew the number 123.

Soon, it was his turn to go on stage.

On the training ground, a young man in black had been waiting for a long time.

Late stage of Dao Integration, disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect.

He sneered when he saw Qin Yuan come up.

"Qin Yuan? I've heard you made quite a name for yourself in the Starry Sky Secret Realm. Today, I'll see just how capable you really are."

Qin Yuan remained silent.

The referee gave the whistle.

The young man in black drew his sword and slashed down!

The sword energy was sharp and carried a chilling killing intent!

Qin Yuan raised his hand and threw a punch!

"boom!"

Sword energy shattered!

The fist, still carrying considerable force, slammed into the black-clad youth's chest!

The young man in black coughed up blood and flew backwards onto the martial arts field!

One strike, instant kill!