Chapter 1361: Star Abyss Death Zone! Insane Difficulty!

The Star Abyss Death Zone is located in the training area northwest of the academy.

In reality, this place is a small square.

Under the guidance of No. 1, Xu Jingming quickly arrived at the entrance of the Star Abyss Death Zone.

It was a vast black square.

In the center of the square stood nine towering Shi Zhu, each carved with ancient, mysterious runes.

Most striking was the vortex-like spatial tear at the far end of the square—the entrance to the Star Abyss Death Zone.

At this moment, other students were also present in the square.

But their number was small—only a dozen or so.

Even so, Xu Jingming's arrival still drew their attention.

"That's… Xu Jingming, the top scorer of this year's Talent War?"

"Considering the timeline, they should have enrolled by now."

"But why is he here? Freshmen are supposed to first train combat techniques or seek a master."

"......"

Low murmurs arose.

Clearly, as the top scorer of this year's Talent War,

Xu Jingming had already gained considerable fame within Star Dome Academy.

Ignoring their whispers, he flashed forward and stepped directly into the Star Abyss Death Zone.

As soon as he entered, a cold voice echoed in his mind:

【Challenger detected: Xu Jingming, Star Radiance Ninth Stage】

【Challenge Difficulty: Star Radiance Stage】

【Warning: Star Abyss Death Zone differs from ordinary trials—death here inflicts immense pain. Confirm challenge?】

"Confirmed." Xu Jingming did not hesitate.

Please.

A little pain? How could that stop him?

【Challenge confirmed. Good luck.】

His vision blurred, then cleared.

Xu Jingming found himself standing on a barren black land.

The sky was blood-red, without a sun, yet countless eyes seemed to flicker in and out of the clouds.

"Welcome, student Xu Jingming, to the Star Radiance Stage of the Star Abyss Death Zone!

The Star Radiance Stage has nine trial layers; difficulty increases with each layer.

Completing all nine layers counts as clearing the Star Abyss Death Zone, granting a reward of 500,000 points!"

The majestic voice rang through the sky, making Xu Jingming's eyes gleam.

As the pinnacle human faction, Star Dome Academy gathered celestial treasures and weapons from across the entire human universe.

With the Deep Blue System, he didn't particularly need celestial treasures.

But weapons and gear? That was another matter.

In reality, he still owned only a B1-class combat suit and a C1-class spear.

This combination was still top-tier in the Noah Empire.

But in Star Dome Academy, it was utterly insignificant!

As he advanced to the Star Stage, he would inevitably need higher-grade combat suits and spears.

And between each minor grade of combat suit and weapon, the price differed by several times!

He had just checked the Shangcheng inside Star Dome Academy.

A single S9-class combat suit plus an S9-class spear cost 10,000 points to purchase.

He had exactly 10,000 points to his name.

He needed those points to buy combat technique manuals—he couldn't possibly spend them on gear.

But with 500,000 points? That would be different—he could spend freely!

As he thrilled at the thought, the sky's voice spoke again:

"Begin Trial Layer One: You must slay five thousand Star Abyss Ninth-Stage demonic creatures."

"Five thousand? Not too bad."

Xu Jingming raised his sword-like brows.

As an elemental master who had perfected the Lightning Law and the Domain of Destruction,

mob tactics meant nothing to him.

Whether one demonic creature or ten thousand, it made no difference.

A martial artist might chop until his arms gave out and still fail to finish them all.

"Time limit: one minute. Failure to complete within one minute counts as challenge failure."

The voice in the sky followed immediately.

"One minute?" Xu Jingming's eyes widened sharply.

Five thousand Star Abyss Ninth-Stage demonic creatures! Not five thousand pigs!

On any ordinary life planet, Star Radiance Ninth Stage was already an absolute powerhouse!

Even he couldn't slay that many Star Abyss Ninth-Stage creatures in such a short time.

Swish-swish-swish...

Before he could continue thinking, the distant black horizon suddenly began to wriggle.

Immediately afterward, a tide of demonic creatures appeared at the edge of vision, surging toward him at astonishing speed!

Each demonic creature was the size of a tank, radiating colored domain auras.

Corrosive fluids dripped from their grotesque mouthparts, and their crimson eyes held only the desire to kill.

"From their aura, these demonic creatures aren't ordinary tribes."

They all possess dual-domain perfection, though not upper-tier domains.

But even in the Noah Holy Land, they'd be among the top few.

To kill them all within one minute—even I might not manage it. I'll have to give it my all."

Without much hesitation, Xu Jingming activated the Ziyan Demon Body.

Crackling—!!

Under the enhancement of the Ziyan Demon Body, brilliant and furious golden Hao Tian Shenlei erupted violently!

Immediately after, his figure flashed forward, charging straight into the demonic horde.

First layer: under the enhancement of the Ziyan Demon Body, Xu Jingming passed effortlessly.

Second layer: the number of demonic creatures doubled, yet the time limit remained one minute.

Though difficult, Xu Jingming still succeeded.

Third layer: no time limit, but he must slay thirty thousand demonic creatures!

This time, the number of demonic creatures was far too great, and unlike the first two layers, they weren't clustered together.

With no other choice, Xu Jingming activated Lei Guang Mie Shi Pao to annihilate them on a massive scale.

Fourth layer, fifth layer...

Six hours later.

Xu Jingming knelt on one knee, his right hand gripping his spear, upon the black earth.

Drenched in blood, his arms trembled involuntarily.

He gasped violently, each breath searing with pain.

Blood oozing from his lips stood out starkly against the black ground.

"Sixth layer..."

He struggled to lift his head, gazing at the six figures before him, radiating terrifying auras.

All six were encased in battle armor, each wielding a different weapon.

Most terrifying of all, colored fundamental laws shimmered around them!

"Cough..."

Xu Jingming spat out a mouthful of blood; his Yuan energy was nearly exhausted.

The Ziyan Demon Body had automatically deactivated; the golden Lei Guang that once surrounded his body had dimmed to nothing.

"I didn't expect the sixth layer to be six 'Yueying'-level opponents."

No, this is just too monstrous?"

He couldn't help cursing inwardly.

Six Starlight Peak opponents!

And all of them had comprehended fundamental laws, possessing perfected upper-tier domains!

In short, except for lacking the Spirit Bloodline, their strength was identical to that of Yueying!

In the original Genius Battle, Xu Jingming had only needed to face one such opponent—now he faced six!

To be fair, with the strength of his Ziyan Demon Body's third stage, he wasn't entirely incapable of winning.

But he had already expended far too much Yuan energy earlier!

He was nowhere near peak condition; by this point in battle, he was utterly drained.