Lu Yin's expression was grave. "Do you know who that Barzel is? He doesn't look very old, same generation as me."
Tao Xiang shook her head. "I don't know." She then glanced over the ministers, her eyes fixing on one, and pointed. "You, come here."
A middle-aged man walked over to Tao Xiang, trembling. "Captain Tao Xiang, Your Highness the King of Zishan, what is the matter?"
"Who is that Barzel?" Tao Xiang asked.
At this time, Shuz, Gurbach, and Tian Ming also came over, looking at the minister.
The minister respectfully said, "Barzel is from the Haimu Territory. In the Outerverse Youth Council, his status is second only to the five great councilors. He is known as the Tyrant Bear. His talent is the Giant Star-Devouring Bear."
"Star-Devouring Bear? A living creature talent?" Lu Yin was surprised.
The minister said, "Yes. The Star-Devouring Bear is a type of Starry Sky Giant Beast. It is rumored that the strongest Star-Devouring Bear can devour a planet. Barzel is an Explorer Realm expert, but he has defeated a Cruiser Realm expert before."
Lu Yin's expression turned solemn. No wonder he was so terrifying. A Cruiser Realm expert in the Great Yu Empire was at the level of a captain of the Imperial Court's Thirteen Squads. That person was actually that strong.
"Alright, that's all. You may go," Tao Xiang waved her hand.
The minister, as if granted amnesty, immediately ran off.
Tao Xiang patted Lu Yin's shoulder. "Don't overthink it. The universe is so big; there will always be some freaks. You're already very powerful. At least that Gui Huo couldn't defeat you, and he's a formidable enemy that even Tian Ming couldn't defeat."
Beside them, Tian Ming was speechless. "Captain Tao Xiang, could you please not use me as an example?"
"Am I wrong? Who was it just now that was helpless against him?" Tao Xiang glanced at him.
Lu Yin smiled. "Although we're of the same generation, he looks to be over 30. I'm not even 20 yet. I have plenty of time to catch up. I believe that when I reach his age, I will definitely be stronger than him."
Tao Xiang smiled. "Well said. Keep it up. I'm leaving."
Lu Yin nodded and watched Tao Xiang leave.
"Lu Yin, since when did you get so close with Captain Tao Xiang?" Gurbach asked curiously.
Lu Yin smiled and looked towards Shuz.
At this time, Shuz was also looking at him. "Thank you."
"No need. I did it for myself," Lu Yin said.
Shuz's eyes were heavy. "I originally wanted to challenge them, but my momentum was suppressed by a single Gui Huo. If it weren't for you, the Martial Hall would have become a laughingstock. King of Zishan, I agree to let you learn the first 20 forms of the Heavenly Beast Claw."
Lu Yin was overjoyed. "Really? That's great."
Shuz nodded and turned to leave. He didn't mention fighting Lu Yin. It seemed Gui Huo's words had affected them. When peers fight, why suppress one's realm? Realm is also a type of strength. Those words were right. But if he didn't suppress his realm, Lu Yin would be no match for him. This fight was meaningless.
After Shuz left, Gurbach and Tian Ming also left. Before leaving, they told Lu Yin to go directly to the first ring to learn. The first 20 forms of the Heavenly Beast Claw could be learned at all five branch halls; only after the 20th form would one need to go to a designated place to learn.
Dolan Yushan and the others entertaining Barzel had nothing to do with Lu Yin, and no one notified him to attend. He took Bronson and went straight to the first ring, eager to learn the Heavenly Beast Claw. The power of the first 20 forms was enough to elevate the Heavenly Beast Claw to a level comparable to the five-star Heavenly Star Palm. The Heavenly Star Palm was a trump card he preferred not to reveal.
The closest place to the martial arena was the body reconstruction pool, which was Tian Ming's branch hall. Lu Yin went straight in.
He and Tian Ming arrived almost at the same time.
Tian Ming personally led Lu Yin to the stone wall. "The first 20 forms are not considered a secret. No less than 50 people in the Martial Hall have learned them, but unfortunately, not many have succeeded. With your talent, I estimate you'll learn it very quickly."
Lu Yin looked at the stone wall in front of him, on which were claw marks. He quickly became engrossed.
Tian Ming did not disturb him and turned to leave.
The claw marks on the stone wall deeply attracted Lu Yin. Activating the Heavenly Star Art, every detail of the claw marks became visible, every change in form was clear. He had already learned 15 forms, so the last five really didn't take much time.
Only half an hour later, Lu Yin came out.
Tian Ming looked at Lu Yin in astonishment. "You've learned it already?"
Lu Yin smiled. "Barely."
Tian Ming's pupils shrank. "I'm a little envious of you now," he said in admiration. "This kind of talent surpasses everyone. Even Lok Ang, who is the most proficient in the Heavenly Beast Claw, wasn't this fast when he learned the 20 forms. The gap is even a bit large."
Lu Yin didn't dwell on this topic and instead said, "Hall Master Tian Ming, I remember you used a special combat technique during your fight with Gui Huo, something called Triple Impact."
Tian Ming smiled. "Yes, Triple Impact. What, are you interested?"
Lu Yin was excited. "Can you let me see it?"
Tian Ming nodded. "Actually, Triple Impact originates from the Haoyuan Territory. The Haoyuan Territory has a powerful ancient combat technique called Ninefold Impact. I stayed in the Haoyuan Territory for a short time and barely learned Triple Impact." He then struck his palm into the void. The same force struck three times, each stronger than the last. The power of the third time was even double or triple the first. Like the star explosions of the Heavenly Star Palm, it was a type of stacking attack.
Lu Yin's eyes lit up. "I want to try."
Tian Ming nodded. "You can. Be careful." He then sent a palm strike towards Lu Yin. Lu Yin's expression was grave. He raised his hand and also struck out with a palm. As the palm struck, the stars appeared, three of them faintly visible.
With a soft thud, Tian Ming didn't use much force, only letting Lu Yin feel the momentum of Triple Impact. Lu Yin also didn't detonate the stars, quietly perceiving the threefold force while circulating the Heavenly Star Art, seeing every change in Tian Ming's palm strike completely. After the third soft sound, Lu Yin was pushed back.
"How was it?" Tian Ming asked.
Lu Yin shook his numb right hand and said in admiration, "A miraculous way of exerting force."
"Learned it?" Tian Ming gave a faint smile.
Lu Yin was startled and a little embarrassed. "A little."
Tian Ming said nonchalantly, "I heard long ago that the King of Zishan can learn an opponent's combat techniques through battle. Don't overthink it. This is your ability. In this universe, the strong prey on the weak. It may look like a civilized society, but in reality, it's more brutal than ancient times. Being able to learn is your skill."
"However, it's best not to touch some of the combat techniques of the ancient powerful clans. Firstly, they are very difficult for you to learn and require special conditions. Secondly, they will not allow outsiders to learn them."
Lu Yin nodded. "Thank you for the advice, Hall Master Tian Ming. I'll be leaving now."
Tian Ming nodded and watched Lu Yin leave.
After returning to the King of Zishan's residence, Lu Yin did not stop and immediately went into seclusion to comprehend the force of Triple Impact.
It took him over an hour to be considered to have understood it, and he couldn't help but marvel at the power of the Heavenly Star Art again. It could display every single trace of change in an opponent's combat technique. This was only the primary level of the Heavenly Star Art. What would the complete version be like? Could he even learn the combat techniques of some powerful clans? That would be too terrifying. How frightening would a power that possessed the complete Heavenly Star Art be?
Lu Yin was not complacent. This universe was full of too many prodigies. He believed that there was definitely someone who had learned the complete Heavenly Star Art, and that person's power was something he could not comprehend. He had only just begun.
In the depths of the universe, there was a vast continent. On the vast continent stood a huge City of the Sky. This was the headquarters of the Outerverse Youth Council.
Looking down on the continent from the City of the Sky was like a god ruling over the world.
In the sky, nine satellites hung, each emitting a silver light, like rivers connecting to the continent, spanning an endless distance.
On the edge of the City of the Sky, a young woman looked down. Her appearance was exquisitely beautiful and natural. She wore a tight-fitting white jacket trimmed with gold silk, and in her hand, she held a two-meter-long sword with a silver-white scabbard. Her long black hair fell straight down to her waist. Her entire body exuded a quiet, ancient aura. Her eyes were deep and held a trace of sharpness. Her whole person was like a sheathed sharp sword; although hidden, it still showed its edge.
The young woman just quietly looked down, watching more and more people kneel on the ground, her eyes calm, her thoughts unknown.
Behind her, a man in black slowly approached, handsome, with a humble gaze. "Wendy, what are you looking at?"
"To them, we are gods. So, to us, who is god?" Wendy asked faintly.
The man gave a faint smile. "No one can be our god. Our destiny is only in our own hands."
Wendy's eyes lit up, her expression calm. "What do you want from me?"
"Barzel reported that the King of Zishan in your country has publicly declared that he wants to marry you," the man said with a smile, his tone slightly mocking.
"So?" Wendy was completely unconcerned.
"What do you want to do? Barzel is waiting for your orders," the man smiled.
Wendy turned around, her eyes calm. "It doesn't matter. Do as you wish." With that, she slowly walked away.