Lu Yin raised his brows. There were actually sponsors? It seemed like the Astral Combat Academy wasn't rotten after all.
"Student Lu, as the leader of Astral-10, you must be participating in the Astral Combat Tournament. Do you want to know what rewards the Nalan family has prepared for the tournament?" Madam Nalan tempted him.
Lu Yin smiled. "No need. No matter what the rewards are, they'll be mine if I win, and I won't get any if I lose."
Madam Nalan smiled. "The reward we've prepared is very suitable for you."
Lu Yin was puzzled.
Madam Nalan raised a finger. "A sourcebox that has no offensive properties and is suitable for Perceptive Intermediate lockbreaking."
Lu Yin was shocked. What a generous reward! There were many sourceboxes that were suitable for Perceptive Intermediate lockbreaking, but those that had no offensive properties were precious. For example, the sourcebox that he had unlocked before had given him One Star contribution points. If he became a Perceptive Intermediate and obtained such a sourcebox, he would immediately become a One Star Perceptive Intermediate Lockbreaker. It was no wonder why she had said that it was suitable for him. It was not suitable for him, but rather for all Lockbreakers.
"As expected of one of the wealthiest families in the Outerverse. They're so generous," Lu Yin exclaimed.
Madam Nalan smiled. "It's nothing. It's just a collection. My Nalan family often has dealings with the Innerverse's Sword Sect. Student Lu, the compensation I mentioned was to reveal some information about the Sword Sect to you."
"What does the Sword Sect have to do with me?" Lu Yin was puzzled.
"Student Lu, don't you want to become the champion of the Astral Combat Tournament?" Madam Nalan smiled.
Lu Yin laughed. "Madam, do you think that I can defeat those freakish geniuses and become the champion?"
"The universe is full of unknowns, which is why it's so challenging, isn't it?
There's no harm in knowing more. Who knows, you might even encounter them. "Madam Nalan smiled.
Lu Yin nodded. "I'm all ears."
Madam Nalan smiled. "There are countless geniuses in the Sword Sect, but there are only two who can be called the champion of the younger generation. One of them became one of the Ten Arbiters and stands above all others, while the other is cultivating in seclusion. However, I'm guessing that he'll join one of the academies because of the Astral Combat Tournament. He's definitely one of your opponents."
Lu Yin's eyes flashed. "There's someone from the Sword Sect among the Ten Arbiters?"
Madam Nalan replied, "It's not appropriate for me to mention the names of the Ten Arbiters. This is a rule, and it's also a form of respect for the Ten Arbiters. If Student Lu wishes to understand the Ten Arbiters, then you'll have to join the Council of Astral Academy, which is a subordinate organization of the Ten Arbiters Council."
Lu Yin's fingers twitched unconsciously, but he didn't interrupt.
Madam Nalan gave Lu Yin a deep look before continuing, "The Sword Sect has a sword technique that has been passed down since ancient times. It's called the Thirteen Swords. This sword technique isn't something that anyone can learn just because they want to, as it will automatically choose a suitable inheritor."
"Take the initiative to choose?" Lu Yin was surprised that there was such a thing.
Madam Nalan solemnly explained, "No one knows where this sword technique came from, but everyone knows how terrifying it is. The Sword Sect's sect master once used the Thirteen Swords to kill three powerhouses at the same level as him, and the previous sect master also used this technique to shine during the border wars. It can be said that the most important thing for every generation of the Sword Sect's younger generation is to come into contact with the Thirteen Swords in hopes of receiving its inheritance. However, only one person in each generation can inherit the Thirteen Swords. In this generation, two people have appeared. One is one of the Ten Arbiters, and the other is the disciple I mentioned, Liu Shaoqiu."
Lu Yin's eyes narrowed. He had heard of the Sword Sect's Liu family before. They had a primeval surname that was viewed as an enemy by countless people. They had never received a proper status, but they still looked down on the universe. They were an extremely terrifying family. Liu was originally a royal surname, and the Liu family was like the emperor of the sword. Anyone who wielded a sword would yearn to join the Liu family.
"The first thing Liu Shaoqiu saw when he was born was not his mother or any of his relatives. Instead, he saw a rusted iron sword that had been abandoned by the door. From that moment on, that sword became his weapon," Madam Nalan said in a reminiscing tone.
Lu Yin was stunned, and he looked at her.
"That was a very ordinary iron sword, and cultivators can easily break it. However, this sword was used by Liu Shaoqiu to defeat countless geniuses. After he inherited the Thirteen Swords, the iron sword never left its scabbard again. There is no one in the same generation in the Sword Sect who is worthy of him drawing his sword. He will be a terrifying opponent in the Astral Combat Tournament," Madam Nalan said seriously.
Lu Yin took a deep breath as the pressure on him increased. "What is this Liu Shaoqiu's cultivation? How many swords can he use?"
"He should be a Limiteer. As for how many swords, no one knows. Some say that he has only comprehended the second sword, while others say that he might have comprehended the third. No one knows for sure, but he once injured an Explorer during his travels through the universe," Madam Nalan said.
Lu Yin's eyes narrowed. Liu Shaoqiu really was a powerful opponent. Explorers could explore the universe, which was a realm that Lu Yin had yet to reach. There were already people who could challenge those of a higher realm.
When she saw Lu Yin's gloomy expression, Madam Nalan swirled her cup and clinked it against Lu Yin's. The soft sound startled Lu Yin out of his thoughts. "Student Lu, I'm not telling you this to pressure you. I just want you to know the strength of the top powerhouses in the Astral Combat Tournament. I don't like to fight unprepared battles, and since you saved my life, I will let you know more about them. However, if you fall into fear of your enemies, then the losses will outweigh the gains."
Lu Yin laughed. "Madam, you're overthinking things. No matter how strong my opponents are, I am still me. So what if I lose? There will always be a next time. Besides, the date of the Astral Combat Tournament hasn't been set yet. If I can become Astral Combat Academy's leader in a few months, then I might be able to catch up to those monsters."
"Then I wish you victory in the tournament and become the champion." Madam Nalan raised her cup and congratulated him from afar.
Lu Yin also raised his cup and clinked glasses with Madam Nalan's.
The fruit juice reflected a beautiful luster under the light of the stars in space.
After Lu Yin left, Madam Nalan stared at the stars in deep thought. A young girl appeared behind her. "Madam."
"What do you think of that youth?" Madam Nalan asked casually. Her tone was different from before, and now it was filled with dignity.
The young girl replied, "He's a genius."
"Just a genius?
If he had been born in the Innerverse, then he would have been able to rival everyone in the Sword Sect aside from Shaoqiu. It's a pity that he was born in the Outerverse, and he hasn't cultivated for long. Once he falls behind, he'll always fall behind, "Madam Nalan muttered.
"If Madam knows, then why did you tell him about the Sword Sect?" The young girl was puzzled.
Madam Nalan smiled. "I just don't want him to be dispirited because of his defeat. As long as he puts all his focus on lockbreaking, then he'll definitely have a bright future. Although the Astral Combat Tournament is important, it's only a stage for the top geniuses. He doesn't belong there. Lockbreaking is his stage."
The young girl whispered, "Even in lockbreaking, there are still geniuses like Dao Bo."
Madam Nalan looked up. "That's right. The universe is too big, and there are too many geniuses. I hope that he can continue walking down this path."
Seven days passed by quickly, and Lu Yin enjoyed a sumptuous meal. After bidding farewell to Madam Nalan, he boarded his own spacecraft and departed from the Nalan family's spacecraft, heading towards Frostwave Weave.
The Nalan family's spacecraft continued to travel without stopping for seven days just for Lu Yin, and it wasn't slow either. Lu Yin retraced his route and realized that even with his upgraded Aurora, it would still take him twelve days to reach Frostwave Weave. With a tenfold increase in speed, the originally month-long journey had been shortened to five days, and he still had seven extra days to spare. This was exactly the seven days that the Nalan family's spacecraft had been traveling for. In other words, Lu Yin's own spacecraft would not be able to catch up to them in those seven days. The Nalan family's luxurious spacecraft was not any slower than the Aurora, and it should also be an upgraded version of the larger Aurora.
They're really rich, Lu Yin thought to himself as he rubbed his belly. He seemed to have gained some weight.
Twelve days passed by quickly, and Lu Yin continued to observe his star chart. The ninth star was becoming clearer and clearer, and he could feel the power of his body when he activated the Sirius Art. Coupled with his battle force and a physical body that he had yet to discover its limits, he didn't even know how strong he was.
Lu Yin guessed that he might be able to fight against an Area Master.
The memory of Frankfurt's spear was still fresh in Lu Yin's mind. Frankfurt had been able to block it, but he hadn't been able to receive a second spear strike, which was why he hadn't used his full strength. Now, as long as Lu Yin filled himself with star energy, he should be able to fight against Frankfurt.
Lu Yin's head hurt when he thought about star energy, as it consumed too much. Six pips on his die was an endless pit, and he felt that even if he gathered all the star crystals in the Great Yu Empire, he would still be able to use them all up in an instant.
Beep beep beep beep!
The spacecraft beeped, and Lu Yin looked up to see that he had arrived at Astral-10.
He hadn't expected to spend nearly four months on this trip, and many things had happened. The Great Yu Empire, the Umbral Butterfly Weave, the Daynight Clan, and the Nalan family had all happened one after another. Astral-10 was much better, as all he had to do was focus on his cultivation and not worry about anything else.
When the door opened, Lu Yin walked out and stretched, feeling like he had returned home.
"It's you?" Hui Daynight stared at Lu Yin from nearby, his eyes filled with excitement and battle intent.
Lu Yin glanced at him, "Why are you here?
Did you go out on a mission? "
Hui Daynight sneered, "It's great that I ran into you. Hand over the position of leader, you're not qualified."
Lu Yin nodded, "Alright, I'll give it to you."
Hui Daynight was stunned.
Lu Yin found it funny and looked at him, "So what if I give it to you? Can you handle it?"
Hui Daynight's eyes flashed with anger, "How dare a stray from the trial zones boast so shamelessly."
Lu Yin's expression turned cold, "You're still asking for a beating."
"Am I wrong?
The Blaze Realm is spreading the news that you were killed by Frankfurt with a single spear strike. You're the joke of Astral-10! "
Lu Yin's eyes narrowed; he was truly angry now. Frankfurt, the Blaze Realm, Jared.
"You're a disgrace to Astral-10! You don't deserve to be the leader!" Hui Daynight shouted and charged at Lu Yin. He stretched out a finger, and a light flashed from his fingertip. It was completely different from the Daynight Soulfinger, but the soul-tearing sensation was several times more intense.
Lu Yin's eyes flashed coldly, and he raised a hand. Just like how he had crushed Hui Daynight before, he grabbed Hui Daynight's finger and snapped it. Hui Daynight's pupils shrank; he had already changed. His strength had increased greatly under the guidance of the Trialmaster, and he had even learned the Daynight clan's new battle techniques. Why was he still like this?
This person's physical body was so strong that the Daynight clan's battle techniques were useless against him.