Chapter 271: Contest for Vacant Slots

The battle ended.

The sub-level genius from Eclipse Sun Valley was defeated.

This fight was undoubtedly the most evenly matched yet the quickest to conclude in the Heaven Realm Contention War.

Mo Sangyu lightly furrowed her brows and asked in doubt:

"If the people of the Azure Abyss truly obtained power from the Black Mist, or were controlled by the Black Mist, they shouldn't be making such a big fuss."

"This behavior seemed to flaunt itself before everyone."

The Black Mist writhes in the Chaos Universe, instinctively devouring everything, but that does not mean the Black Mist lacks sentience.

On the contrary, the Black Mist possesses extremely high sentience.

Voluntary exposure?

Lin Chuan calmly analyzed, "There are three possibilities now."

"First, we misjudged; the performance of the three—Nan Gong Ya—might simply stem from a special secret technique or forbidden art of the Azure Abyss."

"Second, the Black Mist has evolved again, merging with living beings, still appearing in the form of a living being, but the evolution is unstable and cannot fully control the being."

"Third, they are bold and unafraid of being discovered."

"If it is the second case, there might still be a way to save them."

"If it is the third case, this world will soon be turned upside down."

Lin Chuan's expression grew solemn.

If he were to choose, he would certainly hope for the first.

The hard-won peaceful life is about to be shattered again?

Ye Xue said, "The Black Mist and shadow lifeforms are the common enemy of all beings; if there truly is an anomaly, the higher-ups of the Azure Abyss will intervene."

"Surely they have all seen the anomaly."

"Let's discuss it after the talent battle ends; at this moment, no one wants complications."

After some negotiations, Lin Chuan and the ladies made a decision.

After the talent battle ends, they will petition the Purple Star Emperor Sect and the Guardians of the Dao to examine whether the cultivators of the Azure Abyss have any issues.

…

Time flew by.

The first round of the Heaven Realm Contention War concluded.

Half of the hundred geniuses were eliminated, yet they still have a chance.

According to the rules set for the Three Thousand Prefectures Genius Grand Battle, to prevent a draw‑lot duel where one genius completely suppresses another, causing imbalance,

the fifty contestants who failed in the first round of the Heaven Realm will enter a losers' match in the "Cage Mixed Battle" format.

Among them, the winners will clash again with the losers of the second round of the Heaven Realm Contention War.

Winners again will compete against the losers of the third round.

Until nine slots for entering the "Ancient Ruins" are decided.

…

Three days later.

The second round of the Heaven Realm Contention War began.

Lin Chuan's opponent was another sub-level genius; with a single sword strike, the battle ended.

His focus remained on the two women of the Azure Abyss.

Nan Gong Ya's second‑round fight also concluded swiftly, a total crush.

When it was Mo Mo's turn, he likewise won easily.

Lin Chuan seized the chance to find the Fu Guang Daoist and asked about the situation of the Azure Abyss.

The Fu Guang Daoist now holds considerable standing within the Purple Star Emperor Sect and has gathered some information.

"Lin Daoist Friend, to be frank, regarding the Azure Abyss matter, the Guardians of the Dao have already discussed it together with the elders of the Azure Abyss."

"Investigations have been carried out on Nan Gong Ya, Mo Mo, and Leng Fang."

"The result is that the three show no abnormalities; they have merely attained a higher level of understanding of the Azure Abyss's heirloom secret art 'Nine‑Colored Divine Light'."

"Understood, thank you, Fu Guang Daoist Friend," Lin Chuan said, clasping his fists in gratitude.

"No trouble at all, it's nothing."

The Fu Guang Daoist smiled, "Lin Daoist Friend, if you have any more matters later, don't be afraid of trouble; come directly to find this humble Daoist."

"Definitely, definitely."

The two exchanged pleasantries for a while, and the Fu Guang Daoist departed.

Lin Chuan's smile vanished, his expression growing even more solemn, "They couldn't detect any anomaly?"

Whether the elders of the Azure Abyss or the Guardians of the Dao, they are beings beyond legend and have certainly had direct contact with shadow lifeforms,

The great powers of the Wangxian Realm may even have encountered the Black Mist.

"Couldn't find it?"

"Could it truly be my illusion?"

Lin Chuan was puzzled.

No one has the standing or authority to demand an examination of the two women, Nan Gong Ya and Mo Mo, and the higher-ups of the Azure Abyss would not consent.

Mo Sangyu sighed, "If the Black Mist has evolved to the point where it controls a living being with shadow without being detected, that would be terrifying."

The Black Mist is already extremely hard to contend with.

The only way to counter the Black Mist is to purify and fuse it with the "Power of All Beings", converting it into chaotic matter.

If the Black Mist invades the beings, the Nine-phase World may likely lose its means to deal with the Black Mist.

In the end, only destruction arrives.

"We can only take it step by step."

Lin Chuan steadied himself.

If he is too impatient, it will only cause the Azure Abyss to intensify its hostility toward him, bringing an even worse outcome.

Ye Xue said, "I hope sister passes the trial soon."

At present, the only one who can suppress all the major super‑powers, intervene forcefully in this matter, and still stand on their side,

is probably only Lin Yangyang.

Moreover, it must be Lin Yangyang empowered by the "Yang Zu" identity.

"Later I'll still have a chance to confront them, observe a bit more, and when sister returns after receiving the inheritance, we can act even better."

Lin Chuan was no longer so anxious.

With the conclusion of the second round of the Heaven Realm Contention War, a total of twenty‑five geniuses advanced to the third round.

Before the third round began, the Sphere of All Beings set up a small competition.

The twenty‑five geniuses will together enter a small world to vie for a vacant slot.

Whoever obtains the vacant slot can proceed directly to the fourth round of the Heaven Realm Contention War.

For Lin Chuan, this is an excellent opportunity for direct contact with the two women of the Azure Abyss.

At the same time, it is the first direct contest among the top geniuses in the competition.

The voice of the spirit instrument fell silent.

Spatial power surged.

Lin Chuan was enveloped and teleported into an entirely new space.

This space no longer appeared as a "small world" but as a vast avenue stretching into the distance.

Far at the end of the avenue, a purple light sphere floated.

Whoever claims the light sphere can obtain the vacant slot to enter the fourth round of the Contention War.

Lin Chuan glanced aside; all the geniuses were already prepared.

When his gaze met Nan Gong Ya and Mo Mo, the two women's faces were filled with disgust toward him, even a hint of murderous intent.

Lin Chuan did not show weakness and made a throat‑slashing gesture toward the two women.

"Benefactor Lin Chuan, this humble monk supports you."

The Third Burial Fozhi from Golden Spirit Mountain laughed, "These women meddle too much; what's wrong with a real man having three wives and four concubines?"

Lin Chuan: "……"

Is this something a Fozhi should say?

"Speaking of it, I also have a grudge with people from the Azure Abyss," the Third Burial Fozhi added.

"Oh?"

Lin Chuan raised an eyebrow, "What grudge?"

"Many years ago, I was discussing my Buddha's Joy Secret Art with a female cultivator from the Azure Abyss, and those crazy women chased us for several years."

The Third Burial Fozhi clasped his hands and said, "Researching Buddhist teachings also gets meddled with? Benefactor Lin Chuan, tell us, are they meddling too much?"