Chapter 1533: You Haven

Ching!!!

After another fierce clash!

On Lin Qianxue's cold, composed face appeared an unprecedented anticipation:

"Little brother, I can't beat you at Universe Third Stage."

"But I want to test your limits!"

Boom!!

Silver-blue lightning surged into the sky!

Lin Qianxue's slender figure, illuminated by the lightning, looked even more stunning.

Her aura surged again, directly reaching Universe Fourth Stage!

"Good!"

Xu Jingming's battle spirit also boiled over, his Annihilation Divine Thunder exploding fully!

The two charged at each other once more!

This time, the battle plunged into full-blown frenzy!

After Lin Qianxue's strength rose to Universe Fourth Stage, her spear technique's power skyrocketed!

The black spear became a thunder dragon of the nine heavens, each strike drawing upon the origin of lightning.

Destruction energy coiled around the spear tip, tearing fine cracks through space!

Her movement was ghostly, her long legs unleashing astonishing speed.

Sometimes leaping into the air, her legs lashed like whips; sometimes skimming the ground, the spear tip aimed straight for vital points!

Xu Jingming's pressure skyrocketed!

His Purple Nightmare Demon Body and Star Core Thunder Body operated at full capacity.

Jet-black thunder surged wildly, his spear spinning into a vortex of black light, desperately holding back.

But the gap in cultivation stage remained.

Lin Qianxue, at Universe Fourth Stage.

Outclassed Xu Jingming, at Universe First Stage, in strength, speed, and mastery of origin.

Not to mention her vast battle experience and exquisitely refined spear art.

"Thunder Dragon Break!"

Lin Qianxue cried out sharply, thrusting her black spear forward!

The spear transformed into a phantom thunder dragon, crashing toward Xu Jingming with destruction energy!

This strike was at its absolute fastest!

Even with his Thunder Dragon Wings, Xu Jingming could not dodge.

He could only condense Annihilation Divine Thunder at his spear tip and thrust forward—

T3 Spear Technique: Flash Lightning Ultimate Pierce!

Boom!!!

The two terrifying thunders collided, unleashing an energy storm!

Xu Jingming's Thunder defensive barrier shattered violently.

He was flung backward, crashing hard against the energy barrier!

The barrier shook violently, nearly breaking.

He slid to the ground, knelt on one knee, propping himself up with his spear, a trickle of blood seeping from his lips.

"Ha... ha......"

Xu Jingming breathed heavily, slowly exiting his Purple Nightmare Demon Body form, his Thunder receding.

He looked up at Lin Qianxue in the arena and said seriously: "Sister, I lost."

Lin Qianxue sheathed her spear, the lightning around her dissipating.

She stepped forward, her long legs beneath the black battle suit perfectly sculpted, her steps light.

Reaching Xu Jingming, she bent down and extended her hand.

Xu Jingming froze, grasped her pale, slender hand, and used it to rise.

"No, I lost."

Lin Qianxue shook her head, her pale golden eyes fixed on him, filled with admiration and approval:

"I had to use Universe Fourth Stage power to defeat you—that says everything."

In truth,

Xu Jingming's strength upon entering the Universe Stage had vastly exceeded her expectations.

She had assumed he could barely match a Universe First Stage Yuanzu.

Yet she had to unleash Universe Fourth Stage power to win.

"By the way, you haven't used your full strength yet, have you?"

Lin Qianxue's beautiful eyes regarded Xu Jingming with keen interest.

"Yes, I've held back some cards," Xu Jingming did not hide.

His T2-level eye technique, Soul Eye, and the Soul Core secret art "Shattered Star Thunder Spear" remained unused.

After all, this was merely a strength test.

Habitually cautious, he never revealed his full power in public settings.

"Good. With such caution, your survival rate in the Outlands battlefield will be much higher."

Lin Qianxue's admiration deepened, "I now know your strength—roughly Universe Seventh Stage."

Even ordinary Universe Rank 8 warriors, you can fight.

The surrounding team members had long fallen silent.

Everyone's gaze toward Xu Jingming had completely changed.

From initial skepticism, it had turned into utter shock!

He entered the Universe Rank just now, yet he can battle a Universe Rank 8!

Isn't this just a bit too much?

"I know which team to assign you to."

Lin Qianxue looked at Xu Jingming, her red lips slightly upturned: "Starting now, you'll operate with Duke's Wildfire Team."

As soon as she finished speaking, a chorus of sharp intakes of breath echoed around.

Wildfire Team?

Even among the over a hundred teams of the Ember Warband, Wildfire Team ranks among the top five!

Their captain, Duke, is a Universe Peak powerhouse!

The remaining team members are all universally ranked at Universe Rank 9.

Assign a Universe Rank 1 to Wildfire Team?

This is unprecedented!

But this time, no one questioned it.

Everyone understood—

This young man named Xu Jingming had the qualifications.

"Fine." Xu Jingming nodded.

To him, which team he joined didn't matter.

As long as he could quickly adapt to the battlefield mechanics of the Outer Domains.

"Haha, Brother Xu, looks like you'll be sticking with us from now on."

Duke, the orc, boomed loudly, "I'll come find you soon—I'll introduce you to the rest of our team!"

Soon, Xu Jingming exited the Virtual Universe, his consciousness returning to reality.

After a brief adjustment, he followed the coordinates Duke sent and walked toward the northeast of the warband's base.

After passing several wide alloy streets, a uniquely shaped building appeared in view.

It was a spiral tower over five hundred meters tall, entirely constructed from a crystal material emitting a faint golden luster.

Dynamic neon lights flowed across its surface, outlining intricate and opulent patterns.

Even against the fortress's cold, grim atmosphere, this building radiated an out-of-place luxury.

The main entrance stood twenty meters high, carved from a single block of star-core crystal, translucent and gleaming.

Inside, mellow music and laughter faintly drifted out, sharply contrasting the tension outside the fortress.

"Xiaoyao Tian."

Xu Jingming glanced at the floating virtual sign above the doorway and stepped inside.

The moment he crossed the threshold, it felt as if he had entered another world.

Warm, soft lighting replaced the fortress's cold illumination.

The air carried a faint fragrance—like flowers, like fruit—invigorating and soothing.

The floor was covered in thick, plush carpet embroidered with intricate starry patterns, muffling every step.

The lobby was vast, with ceilings soaring over twenty meters high.

At its center stood a massive holographic fountain, its colors and shapes shifting constantly, water murmuring, lights dancing.

Around it were semi-open booths, private lounges, and transparent observation platforms floating midair.

Many warriors, dressed in casual or light attire, gathered in small groups.

Some whispered and laughed, others sipped drinks of strange hues, their expressions relaxed and content.

"Welcome to Xiaoyao Tian, noble warrior.

Here, all your desires are fulfilled—may you forget the fatigue of battle and indulge fully.

How may we serve you?"

As soon as Xu Jingming stepped inside,

a smiling female attendant approached him.

She wore a well-tailored pale gold gown, her voice melodious.