Above Beiwang Mountain.
A massive golden battle platform hovered in the sky, like a floating continent. At the center of the platform stood a figure clad in black.
It was Qin Zi.
At this moment, he stood tall, his robes fluttering in the wind, exuding a spirit of confidence as he waited for challengers from all over the Nine Heavens. There was an aura of disdain toward the world in his posture.
Today, Qin Zi stood here, ready to accept the challenges of every young talent from the Nine Heavens!
Whether genius or prodigy.
If you dare to challenge me, I will take you on!
Outside the battle platform, the sky was already filled with a sea of people. Countless strong cultivators hovered in the air, forming a large circle around the scene, their presence like locusts swarming the sky.
There were Realm Emperors, Quasi-Emperors, and even Martial Emperors present!
Yet at this moment, even the usually aloof Martial Emperors did not dare to act out of line.
Because overseeing this event was none other than the Demon King, Qin Chuan!
Nowadays, no matter whether they were human, demon, or beast, the entire Nine Heavens feared Qin Chuan.
It was well known that the great figures of the three clans had once teamed up to besiege Qin Chuan, yet they had since fallen silent.
Clearly, this Demon King had instilled such terror in the great figures of the three clans that they dared not provoke him again.
He was a true peerless menace!
"Tsk tsk, as expected of the Demon King Qin Chuan. He snatched up all the tokens! That's downright savage."
"Indeed! At first, I thought that elder from Qingye Celestial Sect was lying, but sure enough, no news of tokens emerged elsewhere."
"This Demon King is really bold. Qingye Celestial Sect is an ancient behemoth, stronger than anything we can imagine, yet he dares to steal their tokens! Doesn't he fear retribution?"
"Well, I'd guess he is still somewhat afraid. Hosting this tournament seems like his way of making amends."
"How so?"
"It's obvious, isn't it? He's set the rule that anyone who defeats Qin Zi will earn a token. It's like he's helping Qingye Celestial Sect screen disciples! But... can anyone really beat Qin Zi?"
"That..."
At this point, everyone fell silent.
What kind of monster was Qin Zi?
After more than ten years of publicity, everyone had a pretty clear idea of Qin Zi's immense power. He possessed a natural divine physique, three Dao bones, the Heart of the Beast God, terrifying bloodlines, and multiple inheritances!
Each of these alone could create a peerless genius, and yet all of them were concentrated in Qin Zi.
He was simply invincible!
"Ha! Could it be... that there is truly someone invincible in this world?"
At that moment, a mocking voice rang out, as if ridiculing the ignorance of the crowd, or perhaps laughing at the world's foolishness.
Whoosh!
In an instant, all eyes turned toward the source of the voice. From the east, a figure walked through the sky.
He was dressed in purple, exuding an otherworldly air, and his entire body glowed with a faint purple radiance, resembling a purple sun rising slowly in the sky.
"What a striking young man!"
"Who is he?!"
"Whose descendant could this be?"
Many people gasped in surprise. This young man's aura was so extraordinary, his presence so dazzling.
Yet, despite such an outstanding figure, no one had any recollection of him.
"Who are you?" someone finally asked.
The young man in purple smiled faintly, his voice calm and serene. "Just a wanderer from the wilderness, unworthy of mention."
"What are you here for?" a Martial Emperor asked sternly.
"I'm somewhat interested in Qingye Celestial Sect and would like to take a look, so I've come to take a token," the young man in purple replied with a smile.
Upon hearing this, everyone inhaled sharply.
Take!
He said "take"!
His tone was casual, as if claiming a token was as simple as reaching out and grabbing it. He acted as if no one's permission was required.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
In the next instant, the young man in purple began walking through the crowd, step by step, toward the battle platform.
Though his steps seemed slow, he was astonishingly quick. In the blink of an eye, he was already standing on the battle platform.
"Hand it over."
He looked down at Qin Zi from above, extending his right hand with a tone so casual it seemed like everything was a matter of course.
"Are you certain you're qualified to take it?" Qin Zi slowly raised his head, meeting his gaze calmly.
This man had violet eyes!
Buzz!
The moment their gazes locked, the air between them crackled with electricity, sparking fiercely.
The young man's eyes gleamed with a sharp intensity as he said forcefully, "Only the weak speak of qualifications. Whatever I desire, I will have!"
"That was in the past," Qin Zi responded coldly.
"It's no different now."
The young man in purple spoke indifferently, then extended his palm toward Qin Zi. "If you doubt me... try and stop me."
"Heh, I was thinking the same thing!"
Qin Zi snorted coldly.
He had never encountered such an arrogant young man before. He used to think he was the most arrogant among the younger generation.
But today, he realized that there was always a higher mountain—there truly were people who could soar above the heavens!
"Let's begin."
With that, Qin Zi stamped his foot on the ground. Immediately, a pitch-black barrier rose from the edges of the battle platform.
It was a hemispherical black screen that rapidly expanded, enclosing the entire platform and cutting off all external observation.
"What are you doing?!"
The young man in purple's face changed, and he shouted in anger, thinking Qin Zi had some trap in store.
"Heh, what's there to fear? It's just to keep prying eyes out so you don't lose face too badly," Qin Zi scoffed.
In fact, this barrier formation was something his father had instructed him to activate during battle.
According to his father, it was a way to show some mercy and allow one's opponent to retain dignity—"Spare them when you can."
Qin Zi admired his father's wisdom and magnanimity, so he followed the advice.
After all, he had no desire to humiliate others to elevate himself. If one must rely on shaming others to rise, that was nothing but childish behavior.
"Hmph, such arrogance!"
The young man in purple, seeing that Qin Zi's expression seemed genuine, calmed down a bit and allowed the dark barrier to close around the platform.
He had taken a gamble.
Even if this formation had tricks up its sleeve, he had his own means of escape. After all, he had gained many fortuitous opportunities!
"Kill!"
Once the black barrier fully enclosed the platform, Qin Zi attacked, his right foot stomping down hard on the platform as he launched himself forward like a mad dragon.
His blood surged, his battle intent reaching the heavens.
"Purple Qi Protection!"
The young man in purple roared, and dense purple energy erupted from his body, noble and majestic, sweeping outward like a tidal wave.
"Break!"
Qin Zi threw a punch, his raw, violent power smashing the purple energy and sending it recoiling backward.
"What?!"
The young man in purple was shocked. His Purple Qi Protection was said to be impervious to all techniques, yet it was shattered by this single punch.
How could this raw strength be so overwhelming?
But... he wasn't weak either!
"Heaven-Cleaving Divine Palm!"
In the next instant, his eyes turned sharp, and with a fierce cry, his right hand gathered purple flames as he thrust it forward, preparing to clash head-on with Qin Zi.
He fancied himself the protagonist of this era, believing he would not lose to anyone—whether in divine techniques or physical strength!
Clang!
Fist met palm, and the sound of the impact echoed across the platform.
The violent clash sent shockwaves rippling outward, expanding in all directions like a world-ending storm.
"What terrifying power!"
Qin Zi's expression changed slightly as he felt his wrist go slightly numb. However, his opponent's hand had already started to crack, blood splattering everywhere.
"This is impossible!!"
"Kill!"
The young man in purple roared in defiance as he was knocked backward, his face contorted in rage. As he flew through the air, he swung his arm fiercely.
Whoosh!
In an instant, the blood from his wounded palm transformed into three purple dragons, which roared and clawed their way toward Qin Zi.
"Hmph!"
Qin Zi snorted coldly. The Dao bones in his chest glowed as energy surged, and a pair of enormous wings of light appeared on his back.
Swish, swish!
The wings snapped together like a massive pair of scissors, slicing through the three purple dragons with ease, tearing them apart as if they were nothing.
Then, with a powerful flap of his wings, Qin Zi accelerated forward at an incredible speed, becoming a blur of light as he charged toward the young man in purple.
"Crush!"
Qin Zi raised his right hand, which shone like a radiant grinding disc, and brought it down toward the young man's horrified face.
"No!!!"
The young man screamed in agony, as if his pride and dignity were being utterly shattered along with his defeat.