When Qing Yu swung his staff down, Lu Yin's heart skipped a beat. So familiar—this sensation felt very much like the White Night Fist. Without overthinking, he turned his palm into a claw, countering head-on with the Seven-Form Heavenly Beast Claw.
Gules released an arrow.
Balaro, Bai Xue, and Grannie attacked simultaneously. Everyone joined forces to block Qing Yu's strike.
With a loud boom, they were all forced back. Bai Xue, Grannie, Gules, and Balaro simultaneously coughed up blood—Qing Yu's attack was too fierce, and they were pushing themselves too far. Even Zhang Dingtian was forced back over ten steps, each one leaving deep imprints in the ground. Only Lu Yin stood firm, one foot plunging into the earth as he held off Qing Yu's strike, his body under unimaginable pressure.
The iron staff disappeared. Qing Yu now stood ten meters away from Lu Yin, looking surprised. "You're quite strong. Even though I'm only using the strength of the Seeker Realm, being able to block one of my strikes means you're not bad at all."
"Seeker Realm?" a few students like Huo Xiaoling exclaimed in shock. Even those hiding in the shadows, like Yan Gang, were stunned. Wasn't he supposed to be in the Fusion Realm?
Qing Yu laughed wildly. "Idiots, believing whatever people tell you. If I were really in the Fusion Realm, what would be the point of this trial? Would the Da Yu Empire really send you to your deaths? Students in the Seeker Realm are matched with Seeker Realm trial missions. The only thing to blame is your stupidity—and your weakness."
From the shadows, Yan Gang roared and leapt out. Flames erupted as his palms clashed together, forming a fiery spear that shot toward Qing Yu.
Gules shouted, "The fugitive is here! Capture him and the trial will be complete! Our performance will be seen by the Youth Council and the Tenth Academy of the Starry Sky. Everyone, attack!"
Her words had an immediate effect. Anyone who dared come this far was determined to complete the mission and earn a place at the Starry Sky Tenth Academy. No one would give up—especially after Yan Gang made his move. Unwilling to fall behind, the other students all charged at Qing Yu.
Qing Yu was arrogant. If he hadn't revealed his true strength in the Seeker Realm, most students wouldn't have dared to make a move. But he had shown his hand—overconfident and without restraint. Even at the Seeker level, he could still be defeated.
Qing Yu laughed maniacally. "A bunch of pathetic trash. Let me show you what real power is—witness the terror of the White Night Clan!" As he spoke, he swept his staff, glowing with black and white light. In an instant, several students were struck. Two were cleaved in half, blood splattering across the ground. Yan Gang's flaming spear was shattered, and he was knocked back more than ten steps, pale-faced and trembling as he looked up in shock. "White Night Clan?!"
Qing Yu swung his staff, and the terrifying shockwave tore across the land, leaving countless cracks in the ground. Scalding magma erupted and splashed everywhere. The air grew blisteringly hot.
Yan Gang's pupils contracted. The White Night Clan… he was terrified.
Lu Yin ordered Zhang Dingtian and the others not to act. Qing Yu dared expose his strength, which meant he had absolute confidence. This man was terrifying. Even if Lu Yin went all out, he couldn't win. Was this the true power gap in the Seeker Realm? He had never even heard of the White Night Clan before this trial.
A cry of alarm rang out as several bound students fell toward a crevice. Bai Xue immediately acted, freezing the ground and saving them just in time.
Qing Yu struck a student's longsword with his staff, shattering the blade and sending the student flying. His gaze landed on Bai Xue. "Ice talent? Woman, you're mine." With that, his body vanished.
In the next instant, he appeared in front of Bai Xue, reaching out to grab her. Lu Yin barely made it in time, using Flowstep to appear between them and strike with his palm.
Three stars of the Heaven Star Palm exploded directly. The terrifying force halted Qing Yu, and the immense recoil sent Bai Xue flying.
Qing Yu was surprised. "What kind of battle technique is that?"
Lu Yin gritted his teeth and retreated quickly. He wasn't a match—not at all. Even with just Seeker Realm strength, Qing Yu far surpassed him.
Qing Yu sneered and gave chase. "A gifted cultivator, a unique battle technique, and power beyond your realm… You've piqued my interest. This is going to be fun. Hahaha!"
Suddenly, a majestic force erupted in the area, soaring into the sky and sweeping through the clouds. The blast of energy flung everyone back, including Lu Yin. Up ahead, a stranger appeared in front of Qing Yu, planting both palms on his abdomen.
"Die!" Boom—Qing Yu was blasted away, his body smashed deep into a mountainside.
Everyone stared in stunned silence. Was this… a Fusion Realm cultivator? A real one?
Lu Yin stared in shock. This was the true strength of the Fusion Realm—Qing Yu hadn't even been able to react.
Then, without warning, the stranger who had just struck Qing Yu suddenly turned and attacked Lu Yin, eyes filled with killing intent.
No one had expected this—not even Lu Yin himself. Why would this person attack him?
Facing a fatal strike from a Fusion Realm powerhouse, Lu Yin activated the Heavenly Star Art, barely managing to see the man's move trajectory. He shifted his body sideways, narrowly evading the attack. The man's blow shattered the earth, and the aftermath sent several students spitting blood. However, the attack missed its mark—it hadn't hit Lu Yin.
The man was surprised and prepared to strike again. But at that moment, a beam of light descended from the sky, enveloping him. His offensive was forcibly interrupted, and the star energy backlash injured him.
Everyone looked up—it was the monitoring station of the Dayu Empire taking action. In a trial, if a student breaks the seal and steps into the Fusion Realm, they are immediately disqualified. This man was clearly a Fusion Realm student and was now being forcibly expelled from the trial grounds.
Lu Yin panted heavily and swept his gaze toward the forty-two captured students, finally focusing on Lars. Lars' gaze was filled with hatred—and a hint of regret. It was him. Among all the students, only a few were qualified to command a Fusion Realm powerhouse, and the one who hated Lu Yin the most was undoubtedly Lars.
Clenching his fists, Lu Yin wanted to kill this threat then and there. But suddenly, a loud boom drew everyone's eyes toward the cliff. Qing Yu stepped out from the dust, face gloomy, a trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth.
Many people's hearts sank—even a full-force attack from a Fusion Realm expert couldn't kill him?
Qing Yu wiped the blood from his mouth, glanced around with cold eyes, and smirked. "Good. Willing to forfeit your rank just to deal with me. Impressive resolve. Unfortunately, there won't be a second time. You think a mere Fusion Realm can kill me? Dream on. Today, all of you—will die."
With that, he swung his staff. The long staff blotted out the sky, sweeping down with immense pressure. Several students were crushed to death on the spot.
Gules shouted, "He's injured! Attack now, we can still win!"
Yan Gang, Mono, and other Fusion Realm powerhouses whose cultivation had been sealed immediately struck at Qing Yu.
Qing Yu laughed wildly. "Win? I'll make you cry." As he spoke, he waved his hand, flipping the earth to reveal three bound figures.
Everyone halted, staring at the three with confused eyes.
Only Zhang Dingtian and Bai Xue turned pale with shock. "Wang You, Tong Zhan, Liu Shaoge?!"
Lu Yin was equally stunned—these three were among the Seven Sages of Huaxia, especially Wang You, one of the top three sages. Why were they here? And Liu Shaoge—he had been captured too?
Qing Yu grinned cruelly and looked at Lu Yin. "A lowly insect like you dares to bargain with me? You think I gave ten days to let those fools gather? No—I gave those days to capture them. Anyone who dares negotiate with me must die. And before you die, I'll make you suffer. Not just these three—even Huaxia's capital, Jinling, Wucheng—they're all facing beast tides. I brought the apocalypse to this planet—so what? What can you do to me? Now, regret."
With that, he waved his hand. A fierce gust of wind swept through—three heads fell.
Bai Xue's face turned deathly pale.
Zhang Dingtian's eyes widened as he gripped his longsword and charged at Qing Yu.
Qing Yu sneered. His black-and-white hair swayed as he pointed a single finger. No one could see the move clearly. Zhang Dingtian's right chest was pierced through, and his body was flung away. Qing Yu then took the initiative to attack the students. Like a tiger in a flock of sheep, blood splattered across the land.
Bai Xue, eyes bloodshot, struck at Qing Yu with a palm. Qing Yu casually flicked his finger and shattered the ice, grabbing Bai Xue's long hair with one hand. He took a deep breath. "Smells good. Woman, you're mine now."
At that moment, Lu Yin appeared—left hand: Heavenly Beast Claw, right hand: Heavenly Star Palm, both blasted toward Qing Yu.
Qing Yu's gaze sharpened. Among everyone here, only a few were worth his attention. Lu Yin was one of them, though just barely.
Bai Xue was knocked back once more. Lu Yin's Heavenly Beast Claw was shattered by Qing Yu, and the Heavenly Star Palm clashed with Qing Yu's single finger. The stars exploded—but it was no match. His right palm was pierced through, and he staggered back in defeat.
All the students stared at Qing Yu in horror. This monster…
Yan Gang coughed up blood, cracks forming on his body surface. He was shaken to the core. This was the strength of the White Night Clan, the terrifying power of a great lineage—far above them all.
"So boring," Qing Yu said faintly, standing on the ground. "I was planning to play a bit longer. Oh well, I'll just end it here."
His gaze turned toward the captured students.
Beside them, Gules and Balalo were already lying on the ground, their life or death unknown. In their place stood a handsome young man with a gentle gaze.
Lu Yin clutched his bleeding right hand. The moment he saw the man, his expression changed drastically.Liu… Shao… Ge?!