Soul Emperor Awakening

Lin Xuan had just leveled a harsh threat. He was furious at Mo Qianji's words. Few things could provoke his wrath, but Mo Qianji had just managed it. 'To dare threaten me with my friends... Judging by his demeanor, he's the type who would actually go through with it.'

Lin Xuan knew the loophole in the system. If Mo Qianji wanted to, he could really rush in and force a challenge. Mo Qianji would probably attack before Hu Hong even had a chance to concede. Losing a badge was one thing, but the real fear was that Mo Qianji would go for the kill!

"A graveyard? How amusing!" Mo Qianji dismissed Lin Xuan's threat, sneering, "I'd rather like to see just how strong you are, and how you plan to put me in that graveyard. I've heard those exact words from others countless times. In the end, they became *their* final words!"

Mo Qianji retorted mercilessly, utterly unconcerned by Lin Xuan's threat. He was simply that confident in his own strength.

"You only have a Celestial Level qualification. Do you really think you're qualified to face someone with a Reincarnation Level one?" Liu Yue'Er interjected coldly from the side, equally disgusted by Mo Qianji's words.

"A Reincarnation Level qualification, you say…" Mo Qianji licked his lips, his voice laced with anticipation. "I'm very much looking forward to seeing what that entails, and what your true strength is! I won't lie to you—that Celestial Level qualification of mine is from a few months ago. Did you really think I've been making no progress since then?"

His Celestial Level qualification was indeed from several months ago. He had spent all that time on the Fifth Layer without seeing a single other member of the Demon Race achieve the same, which had been a great disappointment. Now, someone with a Reincarnation Level had appeared. And mixed in with his apprehension was a sliver of excitement!

If he missed this opportunity, his chances of becoming the Floor Master of the Fifth Layer would become slim. The Ice and Snow Tower had a rule: if a Floor Master was defeated on a different floor, they would not lose their title. If he defeated Lin Xuan this time, Lin Xuan would be sent back to the First Layer. His name would remain on the Gate of Life and Death, but his Reincarnation Level qualification would be gone.

At that point, only two people with Celestial Level qualifications would remain. He could then fight Liu Yue'Er, and if he won, he would become the Floor Master. Other than this path, the only options were to lose and be reset to a single badge to start all over again—an obviously unacceptable outcome.

The alternative was to use his six badges to challenge the Floor Master of the Sixth Layer, but he had no confidence he could win. Therefore, his greatest opportunity lay with Lin Xuan.

"Done with your pointless rambling?" Lin Xuan said in a low voice. "Time and place!"

"Right now! The place will be the Martial Arts Arena on the Fifth Layer!" Mo Qianji sneered, settling the matter instantly.

"You're despicable! My brother just came out of the Gate of Life and Death! His Elemental Power is drained, and you want to fight him before he's even recovered? Have you no shame?!" Liu Yue'Er immediately burst out cursing.

"It's fine. Dealing with this piece of trash will be simple. Drained Elemental Power? It's completely irrelevant." Lin Xuan led Liu Yue'Er and started walking toward the Martial Arts Arena on the Fifth Layer.

Mo Qianji snorted but said nothing more, quickly following them. The other members of the Demon Race exchanged glances, then scattered to spread the news—not just about the Reincarnation Level qualification, but also about Mo Qianji's challenge to Lin Xuan!

By the time they arrived at the Martial Arts Arena, a crowd of spectators was already gathering. Many had received the news and rushed over. They all took their seats in the stands, their gazes sweeping over Lin Xuan. This was the one with the Reincarnation Level qualification, the one named Lin Xuan!

In a short period, the name Lin Xuan had resounded throughout the entire Ice and Snow Tower. Even those on the highest floors would soon know it. A Reincarnation Level qualification hadn't been seen in so long that many in the Demon Race instantly committed the name to memory: Lin Xuan!

Lin Xuan himself never expected his name to spread like this. He had never announced it, and the other members of the Demon Race hadn't bothered to ask. They had all just called him 'that kid from the Demon Fox Race.' But now, things were different. That kid from the Demon Fox Race had a name: Lin Xuan!

"Mo Qianji versus Lin Xuan of the Demon Fox Race. One has a Celestial Level qualification, the other a Reincarnation Level qualification. Who do you think will win?"

"Mo Qianji is strong, but I think Lin Xuan has the edge. A Reincarnation Level qualification! Damn, we can't even dream of that!"

"I also feel like Lin Xuan will win. I mean, the Reincarnation Level qualification speaks for itself!"

...

Strength commands respect everywhere, especially a Realm so high that others could only look up in awe and admiration. The high-level members of the Demon Race might still look down on Lin Xuan, but on these lower floors, the way people looked at him had changed. After all, he had earned their recognition.

Beating Xiong Ba could be attributed to luck, but passing the Reincarnation Level challenge could not.

The two stepped onto the Martial Arts Arena, and a protective barrier rose around them, signaling the official start of the match. Only victory and defeat mattered now.

Just then, Mo Qianji retrieved a strange, winding Snake Sword from his Storage Ring. Lin Xuan, however, paid the bizarre Weapon no mind. His eyes were fixed on Mo Qianji as he sneered, "Weren't you curious about the power of a Reincarnation Level qualification? I only need one move to finish you!"

"One move?" Mo Qianji was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing as if he had just heard the funniest joke in the world. "That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard! Do you think you have the power of someone with seven or eight badges?"

The words had barely left his mouth when—BOOM!—an immense aura erupted and soared into the sky. In an instant, the entire space was enveloped by the pressure Lin Xuan released, making Mo Qianji feel as if he were suffocating.

FWOOSH!

Phoenix Fire erupted from his body, and an instant later, the Yulan Sacred Fire flared up on his arm. Incredibly, it began to fuse with the Phoenix Fire. The sight of the Dual Flames merging was so unbelievable that the surrounding audience was left dumbstruck.

Without terrifying Control Power, it would be impossible to merge two Flames so perfectly. This was yet another testament to just how frightening Lin Xuan's power was.

"Illusionary Charm Domain!"

With a flash in Lin Xuan's eyes, his Illusion Technique activated at full power. Before Mo Qianji could even react, he was trapped within it. His vision blurred, and the scene before him changed completely. Lin Xuan's figure vanished, leaving only the oppressive weight of that terrifying aura.

'An Illusion Technique, is it? Break!'

Mo Qianji sneered. His Snake Eyes swiveled as he tried to shatter Lin Xuan's Illusion Technique. But just as he began to act, he felt a sudden heat in his chest, immediately followed by an icy chill. The next thing he saw was a staff of intertwined red and blue light that had already pierced through his chest, the Phoenix Fire and Yulan Sacred Fire spreading rapidly through his body.

Then, he saw Lin Xuan's cold, handsome face. His pupils swirled with red and blue light, filled with killing intent—and an even deeper coldness.

And that was a one-move instant kill.