Lin Sheng remained seated quietly.
The black-robed representative had already returned to the Zheng Family side.
Outwardly, nothing seemed different.
Yet his thoughts lingered briefly on the trace of Star Energy he had sensed earlier.
If the source truly originated from a cultivation method, then it would be the first genuine star-based cultivation path he had encountered since arriving in this world.
The Qian Family Library had contained records regarding Star Qi.
Many heavenly materials absorbed stellar essence over centuries.
Some formations utilized star positions to draw power from the heavens.
Certain artifact refiners specialized in star-attributed treasures.
Yet actual cultivators who cultivated Star Qi directly were exceptionally rare.
At least within Dragon Yuan Province.
Whether the black-robed representative cultivated such a method remained uncertain.
Still—
Lin Sheng was interested.
Very interested.
If an opportunity appeared in the future, he would certainly investigate.
Unfortunately, now wasn't the time.
The competition continued.
The referee soon stepped forward once more.
The arena gradually quieted.
The previous battle still occupied everyone's thoughts.
A Xuan Gang cultivator had been defeated almost instantly.
The shock hadn't faded.
Yet everyone knew the competition couldn't stop.
The referee looked toward the three family delegations.
"The next match."
"Zheng Family versus Qian Family."
The crowd immediately stirred.
The score currently stood at:
Qian Family — 2
Zheng Family — 1
Wu Family — 0
This battle was important.
A victory would tie the score.
A loss would place one side at a disadvantage.
On the Qian Family side, Qian Ying immediately stood.
The moment he did, many spectators became interested.
His earlier victory against the Wu Family representative had left a strong impression.
Although his personality was unpleasant, nobody doubted his strength.
Unfortunately—
The moment he saw the Zheng Family's representative rise from his seat, his expression changed.
The black-robed cultivator.
Again.
The crowd quickly noticed.
Many spectators immediately began whispering.
"He can fight again?"
"Isn't that unfair?"
"I thought representatives were limited."
The discussions spread rapidly.
Even Qian Ying seemed surprised.
He immediately looked toward the referee.
Then toward the Zheng Family.
Clearly intending to protest.
Before he could speak, Zhao Feng lazily spoke from nearby.
"Using the same representative multiple times isn't against the rules."
Qian Ying froze.
His expression immediately darkened.
Unfortunately—
It was true.
The rules never restricted the number of appearances.
Each family merely possessed five representatives.
How they used them was entirely their choice.
The Zheng Family had clearly chosen to place their confidence in a single person.
And that confidence was beginning to look justified.
Qian Ying's expression became ugly.
Yet there was nothing he could do.
Refusing to fight would result in an immediate loss.
After several moments, he gritted his teeth and entered the arena.
The black-robed representative stood silently across from him.
No aura.
No pressure.
No visible cultivation.
Almost as though nobody stood there at all.
Qian Ying narrowed his eyes.
Concealment.
Such concealment wasn't normal.
It could be a talisman.
An artifact.
A secret technique.
Or something else entirely.
Regardless—
He couldn't see through it.
The referee glanced between both competitors.
"Begin."
The battle started.
Yet surprisingly—
Neither moved.
The audience blinked.
One breath.
Five breaths.
Ten breaths.
Still nothing.
The two cultivators simply stared at each other.
The atmosphere became increasingly strange.
Many spectators began exchanging confused looks.
Even the family elders appeared puzzled.
Across the arena, Lou Han clicked his tongue.
"He isn't attacking."
Lin Shou folded his arms.
"He's waiting."
Lin Sheng nodded slightly.
Qian Ying wasn't reckless.
Arrogant?
Certainly.
But not foolish.
The black-robed representative's previous battle had revealed almost nothing.
Charging blindly would be suicide.
Thirty seconds passed.
Neither side moved.
The atmosphere became increasingly awkward.
Finally—
The referee spoke.
"If neither side attacks within another thirty seconds, both participants will be disqualified."
The moment those words fell, smiles appeared on many Wu Family members' faces.
A double disqualification would benefit them greatly.
Qian Ying naturally understood this.
His expression immediately became ugly.
He had no choice.
Attack.
Or lose.
A moment later, his spiritual energy surged.
Several hand seals formed rapidly.
Then—
A water ball appeared.
The spectators stared.
Several even blinked.
A Rank-1 Water Spell.
At the Foundation Establishment Realm.
Against a peer.
The sight appeared almost ridiculous.
Many audience members couldn't understand what he was doing.
Even several Foundation Establishment cultivators frowned.
Yet Lin Sheng's eyes narrowed slightly.
Interesting.
The spell wasn't the attack.
The spell was merely the trigger.
The water projectile shot forward.
The black-robed representative didn't move.
The projectile struck the invisible barrier.
Then—
Everything changed.
Boom!
A violent surge of wind erupted.
The water spell instantly transformed.
A tornado appeared around the black-robed cultivator.
The arena shook.
Countless wind blades materialized throughout the storm.
Each one contained terrifying destructive power.
The audience immediately erupted.
"So that's his trump card!"
"A compound spell!"
"No wonder he used a Rank-1 spell!"
The tornado continued growing.
Wind blades continuously collided against the invisible barrier.
Again.
And again.
And again.
The pressure mounted relentlessly.
Cracks appeared.
The audience leaned forward.
The barrier trembled.
Then—
Shattered.
Boom!
The entire tornado collapsed inward.
Countless wind blades flooded the area.
A deafening explosion echoed throughout the arena.
Dust filled the battlefield.
Visibility vanished completely.
Qian Ying's chest rose and fell heavily.
His face had become pale.
The spell had consumed an enormous amount of energy.
At least seventy percent of his magical power.
This wasn't an ordinary attack.
It was a trump card.
A finishing move.
Several breaths passed.
No movement emerged from the dust cloud.
Qian Ying's eyes brightened.
Then he laughed.
A loud, triumphant laugh.
"Hahaha!"
"I knew—"
His words stopped abruptly.
Something appeared.
A faint light.
Tiny.
Almost invisible.
The moment it appeared—
Lin Sheng's Mental Field reacted.
Star Energy.
A concentrated burst.
The next instant—
Boom!
An explosion erupted beside Qian Ying's head.
Blood sprayed.
The entire left side of his body was blasted sideways.
His laughter instantly transformed into a scream.
The audience gasped.
Qian Ying crashed onto the arena floor.
Rolling several times before finally stopping.
The dust cloud gradually dispersed.
The black-robed representative remained standing.
His robes were damaged.
Several tears appeared across the surface.
Yet otherwise—
He seemed completely unharmed.
The audience stared.
Disbelief spread across countless faces.
Even after suffering such an attack...
He remained standing.
Not far away, Lin Sheng's expression became serious.
The barrier had broken.
The wind spell had landed.
Yet the representative still survived.
That alone was impressive.
Then again—
The real surprise wasn't his defense.
It was the attack.
That tiny beam of light.
The same unfamiliar fluctuation.
The same Star Energy.
Before anyone could react further—
The black-robed representative raised his hand once more.
Another faint light began gathering.
The atmosphere immediately changed.
Qian Ying was already severely injured.
If another attack landed—
He might die.
At that moment, an enraged voice exploded from the Qian Family delegation.
"We surrender!"
The shout came from the Grand Elder.
His face had become ugly beyond measure.
Without hesitation, he announced defeat.
The gathering light disappeared.
The black-robed representative lowered his hand.
The referee immediately stepped forward.
"The winner."
"Zheng Family."
The announcement echoed throughout the arena.
The scoreboard shifted once more.
Qian Family — 2
Zheng Family — 2
Wu Family — 0
The competition had become tied.
Yet nobody cared about the score.
All attention had shifted toward Qian Ying.
The Grand Elder immediately appeared beside his son.
Spiritual energy surged.
His expression darkened further.
Qian Ying still breathed.
Thankfully.
Yet the injuries were severe.
The left side of his head had been devastated.
His ear was gone.
Blood covered his face.
Part of the skin had been completely torn away.
Fragments of white bone were visible beneath the wound.
The sight was horrifying.
The Grand Elder's body trembled with rage.
A terrifying aura erupted from him.
Pressure swept across the arena.
Many spectators immediately paled.
His gaze locked onto the black-robed representative.
Murderous intent filled his eyes.
Yet—
The black-robed cultivator didn't even look at him.
The terrifying aura washed over his body.
Completely ignored.
As though it didn't exist.
The representative simply turned around.
Then calmly walked back toward the Zheng Family delegation.
Step after step.
Unhurried.
Unaffected.
The sight only made the Grand Elder angrier.
Yet before he could act, several powerful gazes descended upon him.
The referee.
The family heads.
Alliance representatives.
Everyone was watching.
Slowly, the Grand Elder suppressed his aura.
His expression remained ugly.
But he sat down.
The competition wasn't over.
Not yet.