The sixth level—Black Mist Secret Realm.

Participants had to defeat four Dao Refining Battle Spirits before progressing onto the seventh floor.

In addition, everyone knew that the higher the level of the pagoda, the stronger the Dao Refining Battle Spirits.

For example, the Dao Refining Battle Spirits on the sixth level seemed to be condensed from invisible black mist, yet they each possessed strength equivalent to a perfect supreme Saint-King!

Moreover, they had grasped frightening daos and arts. Although they were not real living creatures, their terrifying strength and combat skills were enough to drain the color from ordinary people’s faces.

Xie Yuhua, Wang Tu, Su Muhan and other peerless figures were regarded as one of the most dazzling groups of people in Cloud State, but in this sixth level, they were put under great pressure, which considerably affected their speed and progress and their situation became extremely intense.

However, it was different with Lin Xun.

After leaving Helian Qi, Lan Yunke, You Tianxing and others behind in the dust, he reached the sixth level and was as dauntless as ever, attacking at the same speed as before!

The influential figures who saw this couldn’t help but look a little bemused.

“From the beginning, this kid gave the feeling of neither rushing nor leisurely, neither arrogant nor hot tempered. His speed of advancing up the pagoda was also not particularly fast nor slow, but it is this steady speed that’s most astonishing...” someone inhaled sharply.

“Yes, Lu Dubu and Wu Huang have both been moving forward with unstoppable force and are far ahead of everyone else, but they are now facing pressure in the seventh level,” someone analyzed. “On the other hand, Jin Duyi has been very steady throughout. From the first level to the sixth level, he spent roughly the same amount of time in each level and he activated the same technique every time. This itself is frightening.

“To achieve this, one must possess overwhelming strength. The Dao Refining Battle Spirits on the sixth level are clearly no match for this kid!”

Many other important figures nodded in agreement.

They were either the leader of a sect or the head of an ancient clan. With their experience and shrewdness, they could see that as long as Jin Duyi continued to advance like that, he would very likely win first place in the end!

Hearing everyone praise Lin Xun highly, Heng Xiao couldn’t help smiling, thinking to himself,

How would the junior uncle of our Xuanji Dao Sect’s founder be an ordinary person?

Only Daoist Lan had a gloomy look on his face.

He had previously asserted that Lin Xun would not last long and was doomed to fail with the way he was going all out and not conserving his energy.

Who would have thought that Lin Xun not only overtook his competitors in the fifth level, but he also showed no signs of slowing down even when he arrived in the sixth level?!

He was speechless. He felt he had been slapped silently in the face. His face went a little red with embarrassment.

Taking a deep breath, he said in a deep and serious voice, “Currently, on the sixth level, there are the talented maiden Xie Yuhua and rare genius Wang Tu. There are also people like Su Muhan who are outstanding top figures. If Jin Duyi wants to catch up to them...I don’t think his chance of success is that high.

Everyone was taken aback by his words. Many secretly shook their heads. How could they not hear the bias in Daoist Lan’s tone of voice?

“Whether his chance of success is high or not is not for you to decide, Daoist Lan!” Heng Xiao couldn’t hold it in any longer. “As the leader of a sect, you keep targeting a junior and even speak so harshly towards him. Daoist Lan, are you not afraid of being laughed at by the world?”

Daoist Lan’s face became overcast and he was about to say something.

At that moment, a cry of surprise rang out, “Look, that guy has killed the second Dao Refining Battle Spirit on the sixth floor, overtaking nine opponents in one fell swoop!”

Those words shocked the entire audience, and everyone looked over in the same direction.

The sixth level was the Black Mist Secret Realm. Participants had to defeat four Dao Refining Battle Spirits before they could enter the seventh level.

Xie Yuhua, Wang Tu, Yuan He, Su Muhan and dozens of others had to do everything they could to kill four Dao Refining Battle Spirits.

Powerful participants like Xie Yuhua and Wang Tu had each killed three Dao Refining Battle Spirits and were currently in a fierce battle with the last.

Meanwhile, Yuan He, Su Muhan and others had killed two Dao Refining Battle Spirits and were currently fighting fiercely with the third Dao Refining Battle Spirits.

Nine others were fighting the second Dao Refining Battle Spirits.

Lin Xun had only just reached the sixth level and had already killed two Dao Refining Battle Spirits, which meant he had overtaken nine competitors in one fell swoop!

This scene astonished many people.

Daoist Lan, who had been planning to refute Heng Xiao, suddenly went quiet upon seeing this. Unable to vent the pent-up anger, his wrinkly face turned dark and sullen and his expression morphed indefinitely.

Heng Xiao smiled pleasedly, “This is called catching up from behind. This is a fantastic tactic!”

The other important figures looked at each other with varying expressions.

They had never met Jin Duyi before, so they had no grudges against him and of course no prejudice.

However, they could tell that Jin Duyi must have offended Phantasm Empyrean Island from the way that Daoist Lan repeatedly targeted him!

They would not say anything about this, nor would they want to go against the leader of Phantasm Empyrean Island just because Jin Duyi performed well.

To their surprise, the next moment, they couldn’t help but tense up nervously.

The leader of Sky Piercer Sword Sect, Cloud Star Sect, Jianan Zen Sect and the Imperial Su Clan...all donned solemn expressions.

This was because Lin Xun had killed the third Dao Refining Battle Spirit and was leveled with Xie Yuhua, Wang Tu, Su Muhan and Yuan He!

The atmosphere became silent and still, as all eyes were fixed on the huge light screen.

“Great!”

“Not bad!”

Before long, the sect master of Cloud Star Sect and Sky Piercer Sword Sect both lit up with delight.

Xie Yuhua and Wang Tu had both killed the fourth Dao Refining Battle Spirits at almost the same time and entered the seventh level!

The head of the Imperial Su Clan, the abbot of Jianan Zen Sect, and other important figures all shook their heads with complicated expressions on their faces.

This was because the third person to reach the seventh floor was Lin Xun!

This meant that Su Muhan, Yuan He and others were behind Lin Xun.

𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

The head of the Su Clan praised, “Jin Duyi is truly a terrifying character. He hid his power well and is as stable as a rock.”

“The true power of a heavy sword is not its sharp edge, but from the one who uses it. Jin Duyi is indeed extraordinary.” The abbot of Jianan Zen Sect nodded.

At this point, how would the spectators not see that Jin Duyi, who was selected from Fierce Wind City, was an undeniably remarkable character!

He became known far and wide in Cloud State after ninety-nine consecutive victories.

He defeated Helian Qi in one move and came into the attention of the seven major factions.

And now, in this second round of selections, his unhurried speed and steady pace in passing the levels amazed all the influential figures present!

Only Daoist Lan felt a tight feeling in his chest and could not help but say aloud, “When he surpasses Wu Huang and Lu Dubu, I will personally apologize to him and admit that I misjudged him!”

Those words surprised everyone.

However, when they thought about it more, they knew that it was near impossible.

Lu Dubu and Wu Huang were already fighting on the eighth floor, while Jin Duyi had just reached the seventh floor. It was almost impossible for him to catch up with the two.

Unless he could maintain that terrifyingly steady pace and attacking speed throughout the seventh, eighth and ninth floors, only then would he have a glimmer of hope.

But…

Was that possible?

Only Heng Xiao said confidently to himself.

It’s possible!

……

An hour had passed since the second round of selections began.

Lu Dubu and Wu Huang had both fought their way up to the eighth level, and they were equally matched, drawing the attention of everyone in the audience.

On the seventh level were Xie Yuhua, Wang Tu and Lin Xun, who also drew a lot of attention.

On the sixth level were Su Muhan, Yuan He, and others.

On the fifth level, many people including Helian Qi, You Tianxing, and Chu Qiu were about to break into the sixth level.

As for the participants below the fifth level, they no longer received any attention from the influential figures.

This was because everyone knew well that half the time had already passed and it was near impossible for those still on the fourth floor and below to pass the second round of selections!

The participants in the Great Void Dao Refining Pagoda were unable to perceive what was happening in the outside world.

Time flew by and everyone was fighting with their all.

Some people were overflowing with fighting spirit.

Some people were killing like mad.

Some people were calm and composed.

Unfortunately, more were feeling hopeless and powerless.

Over nine hundred experts had participated in the second round of selections this time. Some of whom stood out from the competition in the ten participating zones while some were descendants of the seven major factions.

But now, those stuck on the fourth level and below were gradually losing their confidence and giving up, because they knew that even if they continued to fight, there would not be enough time to pass!

None of this affected Lin Xun.

The seventh level.

The Cloud Sea Secret Realm.

To pass this level, one had to defeat three Dao Refining Battle Spirits.

At this moment, Lin Xun’s state of mind was as calm as ever. Every time he fought an opponent, he adjusted his combat power accordingly.

Even though the Dao Refining Battle Spirits on the seventh floor were unbelievably strong, they were not enough to bring any pressure to him.

In less than a few moves, the winner was decided!

Lin Xun was unbothered. He only cared about the Martial Dao Origin Power that he would obtain from killing Dao Refining Battle Spirits!

Boom!

With an explosion, Lin Xun killed another Dao Refining Battle Spirit and acquired pure Martial Dao Origin Power.

His eyes lit up. “I’m about to break through. I am only one step away from condensing the Red Flame Dao Body!”

Lin Xun contemplated, “This last step must be completed in one go. It seems like I have to do a final all-out sprint…”

Meanwhile, in the outside world, the influential figures could not keep calm.

“Lu Dubu has started the final spurt!”

“Wu Huang is also beginning to show his true power!”

Exclamations of surprise rang out and almost all eyes were gathered on the eighth floor, where Lu Dubu and Wu Huang were neck and neck.

On the eighth level, participants had to defeat two Dao Refining Battle Spirits to reach the final ninth level!

However, the two Dao Refining Battle Spirits possessed abnormal and terrifying powers. Lu Dubu and Wu Huang fought for nearly seven and a half minutes before they each killed one.

After that, the two erupted with all their power as if they had no more reservations!