Starting as a Grandmaster, all of my cultivation techniques are at max level.

With Mu Qing's detailed explanation, Xia Jin's understanding of this Thunder Pool assessment became much clearer in an instant.

"So," Xia Jin stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze indifferent, "this Thunder Pearl is merely the threshold for qualification. What truly drives these Earth-level disciples to fight tooth and nail is the title of number one?"

Mu Qing nodded hurriedly, "Yes, yes, Brother Xia really gets it right away! We Earth-rank disciples cultivate in the first level of the Divine Temple, where resources are already limited. To advance to the Heaven-rank disciples and enter the second level, we must stand out in every assessment. And this Thunder Pool Trial is the most important opportunity this year!"

He paused, leaned closer, and lowered his voice, saying, "It's said that the first-place winner of this assessment will not only be promoted to the Heavenly Rank, but will also receive a Primordial Chaos Pill bestowed by the Temple! That's a divine object that can help someone break through their bottleneck!"

"Hun Yuan Dan?" A hint of interest flashed in Xia Jin's eyes, but he quickly suppressed it. He looked at Mu Qing and asked a question that had been on his mind for a long time.

"Mu Qing, I have a question for you."

Seeing Xia Jin's expression suddenly turn serious, Mu Qing quickly suppressed his smile and said solemnly, "Brother Xia, please speak."

Xia Jin's gaze was piercing as she looked directly into Mu Qing's eyes: "You've been in the Temple for three years, have you ever thought about where all the powerful individuals recruited from various continents of this world have ended up?"

Mu Qing's expression froze instantly.

He opened his mouth, but found himself at a loss for words.

After a long silence, Mu Qing gave a wry smile and spread his hands: "Brother Xia, you've really stumped me. All I know is that most people are just like me, just wasting their lives in this first level of heaven. As for those disciples who have advanced, I haven't seen them again?"

Seeing Xia Jin's brows furrow slightly, he quickly added, "However... I once heard a rumor."

"What rumor?"

Mu Qing looked around to make sure no one was nearby before lowering his voice and saying, "I heard from others that our temple is actually divided into three heavens. Earth-level disciples are in the first heaven, Heaven-level disciples are in the second heaven, and Hun-level disciples... are in the highest third heaven."

At this point, the smile on his face vanished completely: "And those disciples with the 'Hun' name on their names are said to be prepared to avert the world's impending doom!"

"Apocalyptic catastrophe?"

A sharp light flashed in Xia Jin's eyes, and an invisible pressure involuntarily emanated from her.

This was the third time he had heard the word.

"Explain in detail to me!"

Mu Qing was startled by the sudden burst of aura emanating from Xia Jin, and cold sweat involuntarily trickled down his forehead. But he still forced himself to continue:

"Brother Xia... Brother Xia, you probably don't know yet, do you? According to the timeline, it will be three years! In three years, the cataclysmic calamity will descend upon this world!"

He swallowed hard. "It's said that after this cataclysmic event, at least 90% of all living beings on every continent of this world will perish! And the temple will be the only safe place!"

"That's why we disciples, even knowing we're weaker than others, still fight tooth and nail to stay!"

Xia Jin's face was now terribly gloomy.

Three years.

Only three years left.

If, as Mu Qing said, the cataclysmic calamity is about to descend, the Great Xia Dynasty will inevitably be doomed as well. He has devoted all his efforts to making Great Xia the only hegemonic power in the Eastern Xuan Continent, wouldn't it all be reduced to nothing in an instant?

Leng Yuexi and Su Xuanji were still waiting for him to return to the palace. His younger brother, Xia Yu, and the others were also there.

And those ministers who followed him, those people who trusted him...

An extremely terrifying aura erupted from Xia Jin!

The surrounding thick fog seemed to be violently torn apart by an invisible hand, instantly dissipating in all directions. Cracks appeared on the ground beneath their feet, spreading outwards in all directions.

Mu Qing felt as if the sky had fallen, her legs went weak, and she collapsed to the ground.

"Xia...Brother Xia! Brother Xia!"

Mu Qing shouted a few times with all his might.

Xia Jin suddenly came to her senses.

He glanced down at Mu Qing, who was slumped on the ground, and with a wave of his hand, the terrifying pressure that had enveloped Mu Qing instantly dissipated.

Mu Qing felt as if he had been granted a pardon, panting heavily, and looked at Xia Jin with eyes full of awe.

What the hell is this monster?

He had never sensed that aura from any of the Earth-ranked disciples of the temple before; this person was probably at least as strong as a Heaven-ranked disciple!

"Walk."

Xia Jin snapped out of her thoughts, a resolute glint in her eyes.

"I want first place in this Thunder Pool assessment! I'll go all the way from being an Earth-rank disciple to being a Hun-rank disciple!"

Mu Qing was taken aback, then quickly scrambled to his feet and cautiously asked, "Brother Xia, you want to get first place? Then you'd better be careful. The most crucial thing to winning this time is facing the Seven Heroes of Tianqi!"

"The Seven Heroes of the Apocalypse?"

Xia Jin narrowed her eyes and looked at Mu Qing.

Seeing his confusion, Mu Qing quickly explained, "Actually, it's just a group of seven top experts from the Tianqi Continent, including Tian Hong. All seven are at least at the ninth level of the Divine Transformation Realm, and the three leading figures, including Tian Hong, have even entered the Creation Realm! They are practically the largest force in this Thunder Pool Trial!"

He paused, then glanced cautiously at Xia Jin: "Brother Xia, I know you're strong, but Tian Hongtian and the Seven Heroes of Tianqi are not to be trifled with. What if..."

"So what if you're in the Creation Realm? In front of me, you're nothing but a bunch of nobodies."

Xia Jin interrupted him calmly, her tone completely indifferent.

Mu Qing opened her mouth, but swallowed the words that were about to come out.

Although he knew that Xia Jin was very strong, and most likely a Creation Realm expert, Tian Hong and his group were no pushovers either. Including Tian Hong, there were at least three Creation Realm experts.

"Let's go."

While Mu Qing remained silent, Xia Jin had already walked forward, but stopped after taking two steps and looked back at Mu Qing: "Didn't you want the Thunder Pearl? Come along, I'll kill a few more Thunder Beasts later to make it a round number for you."

Mu Qing was taken aback for a moment, then his face lit up with a smile, and he followed after them eagerly.

"Alright! Brother Xia, slow down. This Thunder Pool is very dangerous. I'll scout ahead for you!"

He jogged to catch up, thinking to himself.

Regardless of who is stronger between the Seven Heroes of Apocalypse and the man before me, I'm just going to watch the show anyway. What can I do to interfere in a clash between such beings?

As long as I get the Thunder Pearl in the end, that's enough!