Chapter 0945 Hundred Refinements Square

Chapter 0945: Forgeheart Plaza

Lan Chen hurriedly shouted, "Xiao Yun, don’t go! Those guys are insufferably haughty, and... and I lost in a proper duel on the arena. It was my own carelessness!"

Qin Yun walked back and asked, "Old Lan, then I can also be arrogant on the arena and best them honorably in combat! You’re my senior brother now, a disciple of our Star Tower! They savaged you so cruelly because they saw our Star Tower's diminished standing!"

Grandma Xing, holding the Rune Talisman Qin Yun had given her, was treating Lan Chen’s injuries. She nodded and said, "Xiao Yun is now the Tower Master of our Star Tower, as well as the chief disciple! Let him show them our might!"

The weakened Lan Chen, hearing these words, was instantly shocked into alertness. His voice grew louder as he opened his blood-filled eyes to look at Qin Yun and asked, "Is this true? Xiao Yun, you’re the Tower Master now?"

"Old Lan, quickly tell me how I can teach those wretched curs a lesson! If we don’t show them what we’re made of, every two-bit rogue will come looking for trouble with you in the future!" Qin Yun’s face darkened as he said coldly, "You exposed your Star Totem—they'll surely come for you!"

Lan Chen thought carefully, realizing that Qin Yun’s strength must not be weak. He sighed lightly and said, "To the southeast, there’s a very spacious Forgeheart Plaza with eight arenas. The champion disciples guarding them are all extremely strong!"

After swallowing a pill given by Grandma Xing, some color returned to his face. He continued, "To challenge the defending disciples, you need to pay at least one million Purple Crystal Coins. The more you pay, the sooner you can challenge them!"

Grandma Xing frowned and said, "They’re using this method this time? The eight defending disciples who successfully hold their arenas will receive a single Emperor Source Stone as a reward in the end!"

Lan Chen added, "Arena No. 3 is defended by a disciple from Baolong Tower! Baolong Tower’s disciples this time are very strong—two peak-stage Martial Kings. They’re defending Arenas No. 1 and No. 3!"

"Arenas No. 1 and No. 3, right? Which arena’s disciple severely injured you?" Qin Yun’s anger surged as he saw Lan Chen’s severed digits.

"No. 3!" Lan Chen warned, "Xiao Yun, the guy on Arena No. 3 has mastered Divine Techniques and a formidable Martial Soul Mystic Art. That guy has a Black Dragon Martial Soul!"

"I’m going now!" Qin Yun said and blazed forth with all speed, heading straight for the Forgeheart Plaza.

......

Qin Yun flew southeast and encountered two elders along the way.

He descended to greet them and learned that the two middle-aged men were both Emperor Wu from the Ancient Star Pagoda. They were the ones who had brought Lan Chen back.

The Ancient Star Pagoda and the Star Tower had some shared history, and the Star Tower had once aided the Ancient Star Pagoda.

Thus, the Ancient Star Pagoda would occasionally discreetly assist the declining Star Tower.

"Junior Brother Qin, are you going to the Forgeheart Plaza to seek vengeance with those from Baolong Tower? You’d better not go—you’ll get hurt!" one of the elders sighed, advising him kindly.

"Senior Brother, don’t worry. I’ll be fine!" Qin Yun said.

"Junior Brother, Baolong Tower’s disciples are vicious. If you enter the arena, make sure to yield at the right moment!" the other elder also cautioned.

"Understood!" Qin Yun nodded.

Half an hour later, Qin Yun and the two elder brothers finally arrived at the Forgeheart Plaza.

The Forgeheart Plaza was a circular plaza spanning six miles, surrounded by towering formation pillars hundreds of meters high, forming a grand formation.

Outside the vast square stood soaring peaks on all sides.

To construct this enormous plaza, many mountains had been leveled.

Upon arriving, Qin Yun quickly located Arena No. 3 on the square.

The arena was massive—a square dueling platform protected by formation pillars, spanning two to three hundred meters in width.

Qin Yun took out a cloth and masked the lower half of his face, leaving only his eyes and forehead exposed.

As he approached Arena No. 3, he saw Lan Chen’s severed digits lying on the platform!

During martial competitions, the use of weapons and magic artifacts is prohibited, otherwise they will be detected by the arena's formation.

The disciples of Baolong Tower were able to slice off Lan Chen's fingers cleanly, clearly having channeled their power into blade-like force.

The other arenas all had disciples challenging the reigning champions, with many spectators gathered around.

Most of the onlookers were senior disciples, while only about two hundred new disciples had come to participate in the competition.

Arena No. 3 was dead silent because no one dared to challenge its reigning champion!

The reigning champion standing atop the arena was a thick-necked middle-aged man, his beefy arms crossed, oozing arrogance. This was the very person who had severely injured Lan Chen—his name was He Xiajian, a new disciple of Baolong Tower.

During the initial assessment, disciples could only be at the Midstage Martial King Realm. However, He Xiajian was now at the Latestage Martial King Realm, meaning he had broken through only after passing the assessment, giving him a significant advantage.

In fact, some disciples purposefully held back their breakthroughs under the guidance of their elders to remain eligible for the assessment.

Qin Yun took out an Amethyst Card and walked toward the referee of Arena No. 3, saying, "I'm here to challenge!"

"Please show your disciple badge. Only golden disciples are allowed to participate in arena challenges!" The old referee said, a flash of surprise flashing in his eyes.

The reigning champion of Arena No. 3 was at the Latestage Martial King Realm!

Though Qin Yun's face was covered, he clearly looked young. The old referee thought it downright suicidal for him to challenge the ruthless He Xiajian.

Apart from Arenas No. 1 and No. 3, the other arenas all had challengers lining up. This showed just how intimidating Baolong Tower's disciples were!

Qin Yun took out his golden token and handed it over.

On the arena, He Xiajian, with his arrogant demeanor, fixed Qin Yun with a predatory glare, like a wolf sizing up a lamb.

"Qin Xiaoyun? Star Tower?" The old referee exclaimed in surprise.

Upon hearing this, He Xiajian barked out a laugh. "After that bald fool from Star Tower was carried away, another dumb kid actually crawled out! Truly, anyone who joins Star Tower must be an idiot!"

At his words, the crowd turned their gazes toward the masked Qin Yun.

Anyone who had witnessed Lan Chen's brutal beating would never forget it.

And now, someone actually dared to challenge He Xiajian—a new disciple from Star Tower, no less!

Qin Yun handed over the Amethyst Card. "One million Amethyst Coins to enter the arena, right?"

The old referee frowned. "Young man, are you sure about this?"

Qin Yun replied without hesitation, "I'm sure. I want to step onto the arena."

Another golden disciple from Star Tower challenging Baolong Tower's He Xiajian immediately sent ripples through the crowd.

Spectators from other arenas quickly came running over.

In no time, Arena No. 3 was packed shoulder-to-shoulder with spectators!

Yu Shutian, Hong Mengshu, Gong Feiyan, and Kang Feiqing were also present in the Hundred Refinements Plaza.

Hong Mengshu and Yu Shutian were just watching, not participating. They had previously stepped in with threats to save Lan Chen.

And now, another disciple from Star Tower was challenging He Xiajian!

"That's Xiao Yun, isn't it?" Kang Feiqing whispered to Yu Shutian and Hong Mengshu.

"The golden disciple of Star Tower... Qin shouldn't be a golden disciple!" Hong Mengshu murmured.

"The challenger stepping onto the stage is named Qin Xiaoyun..." Kang Feiqing frowned and asked, "Is this Xiao Yun's real name?"

Hong Mengshu's brows furrowed slightly, her beautiful eyes filled with astonishment as she gazed at the third arena nearby. She knew Qin Yun's name and was certain that Qin Xiaoyun was clearly Qin Yun. She was just very curious about how Qin Yun had become a golden disciple.

Lan Chen hadn't mentioned to them that Qin Yun had become a golden disciple.

Yu Shutian also looked at the masked man in blue stepping onto the stage and sighed softly, saying, "If it's Ah Yun, then we don't need to worry!"

She was well aware of Qin Yun's strength!

Gong Feiyan's almond-shaped eyes were full of confusion as she stared at Qin Yun's back, whispering, "How did Ah Yun become a golden disciple? He didn't pass the assessment! And he definitely isn't impersonating someone else, because the golden insignia bears his name!"

Qin Yun stepped onto the arena, and the crowd immediately broke into jeers!

"Another one here to get killed!"

"Star Tower rarely gets two young new disciples, but now both will be destroyed!"

"The disciples of Baolong Tower will surely be gloating about this for a while!"

"Haha, this guy is even wearing a mask—scared people will recognize him after he loses too badly?"

"The bald guy before almost got killed, and only the intervention of Ancient Star Pagoda saved him!"

"Look... he's picking up that bald guy's fingers... haha, he's just here to pick up fingers!"

The spectating disciples all watched the arena with cruel delight.

Qin Yun gathered up all of Lan Chen's fingers and put them away safely, then turned to the referee below the stage and calmly asked, "Is killing allowed on the arena?"

The old referee paused for a moment before replying, "It is."

Qin Yun nodded and said, "Then let it begin."

Hearing his question, the crowd burst into mocking laughter.

He Xiajian laughed arrogantly: "Kid, you want to kill me to avenge that bald guy? Haha, even though I couldn't take his Star Totem, I caved in his skull and destroyed it!"

Qin Yun's power surged through him, fueled by his rage!

The angrier he got, the calmer he became.

His furious energy, controlled by his calm, only grew stronger!

The old referee struck a gong, starting the match!

"He Xiajian, I ask you—was taking the Star Totem your idea, or Baolong Tower's?" Qin Yun's gaze was icy, his killing intent intensifying.

"It was Baolong Tower's idea—what of it? Are you saying Star Tower plans to seek revenge on us? You youngsters should save your strength to bury your elders!" a Baolong Tower elder below the stage laughed loudly.

The crowd joined in the raucous laughter.

"Xiajian, take your time and enjoy the process—play with him slowly!" the middle-aged man from Baolong Tower shouted with a hearty laugh.

He Xiajian's face, already contorted with arrogance, became viciously sneering. The violent martial energy beneath his burly muscles pulsed and trembled, emitting a low, resonant hum.