30: Re-enter the Furnace

"Star City has already received the distress signal, but according to the previously established 'Emergency Communication Regulations',"

"we need to personally send someone with your encrypted token to confirm the authenticity of the message in person."

Silver Fox sneered, "What a hassle. It's been so long, yet we medium-sized cities can't even manage remote video communication."

"Emergency regulations? They're just an excuse for the Communications Department."

He pondered for a moment. "Fine. Take my token and find 'Ghost Face'. Go there and tell him it's my command."

"But Ghost Face is currently responsible for investigating and monitoring the movements of The Watchers..." the person hesitated.

"I really don't know what I'm keeping you trash for. Can't you just take over his task? The most important thing right now is to have someone go to Star City to confirm things."

Silver Fox was frustrated by their incompetence. "The role that triple-attribute Fusion divinity fragment can play is worth five or even ten Dragon City branches!"

Half an hour later, a dark figure left Dragon City, racing toward Star City like a bolt of lightning.

Meanwhile, at the Dragon City Watcher Stronghold, Monsoon was in a great mood after receiving Zhou Xing's communication early in the morning.

In his view, with Zhou Xing's strength, once he broke through to the Control Realm, a spot in this Special Training Camp was practically guaranteed.

And their Dragon City Watchers would receive a massive reward from headquarters.

He also had high hopes of taking a step further and being transferred to Star City or another large city.

Immediately, he reported Zhou Xing's name to Star City along with Qin Yue and Su Mingyue.

Furthermore, he explicitly pointed out Zhou Xing's status as a triple-attribute Awakened One, requesting Star City headquarters to send someone to escort him personally.

Compared to Divine Gene, The Watchers were more human-centric.

In less than half a day, Monsoon received a reply—

Star City would send two Control Realm experts to Dragon City to personally pick up Zhou Xing and the others, which pleasantly surprised Monsoon.

It seemed Zhou Xing's status as a triple-attribute Awakened One was highly valued there.

As for Zhou Xing, he also received the energy crystals Monsoon had sent over.

According to the System's response,

these energy crystals could also be used to enhance Zhou Xing's strength.

Of course, the System felt they were more suitable as energy reserves.

With the divinity fragment, Zhou Xing's own improvement speed would be very fast.

If he obtained these energy crystals, the System could convert them into energy reserves for use at critical moments.

For example, after Zhou Xing used the System's emergency mode to raise his Realm, they could be used to repair the side effects instead of consuming divinity fragments.

They could also replenish Zhou Xing's energy consumption at any time.

In short, having them as energy reserves offered many benefits.

His main priority now was still to find a way to obtain more divinity fragments.

Although he had the new divinity crystal from Monsoon, he had to participate in the first round of selection for the Special Training Camp later.

Before that, Zhou Xing wanted the System to produce two 100% purity divinity crystals first,

to minimize the risk of his sister's condition erupting as much as possible.

The most suitable place to obtain a large number of divinity fragments currently was "The Crucible" arena.

With the System's help, no one could see Zhou Xing's true Realm.

After informing Qin Yue and the others, Zhou Xing headed straight for "The Crucible" arena.

Standing in the familiar passage, Zhou Xing felt a wave of emotion.

Two months ago, it was here that he completed his revenge against Luo Jin.

A poster of his five-game winning streak was still pasted on the passage wall.

However, it had long since been defaced beyond recognition.

"Hello, please provide your pass." At this moment, the staff member who had received Zhou Xing last time walked over.

Before coming this time, Zhou Xing had specifically asked the stronghold for a pitch-black mask with a crow pattern.

So, the person did not recognize Zhou Xing.

When he handed over the special pass, the person suddenly froze, his pupils shrinking: "Night... Night Crow?"

"What, surprised? I need money, so I'm here. Also, I plan to participate in the Foundation Condensing Realm fights this time."

Zhou Xing's slightly raspy voice came out, making the person's expression tighten.

"Alright. It's just that last time I heard..." At this point, the person approached Zhou Xing and lowered his voice, "After you left last time, I saw three people following closely behind. That's their usual style, so..."

Nodding, Zhou Xing looked at the man. "Thanks for the concern. Lead me to register."

Before long, at the registration desk of "The Crucible" arena, a new contract, distinct from the Essence Circulation Realm one, was established—

[Crucible Combat Foundation Condensing Level Regulations]

1. Base prize per match: 3 million

2. Win streak bonus: Doubles after five consecutive wins, then an additional 2 million for every win thereafter, with no upper limit.

3. The opponent's divinity fragment belongs to the winner; The Crucible charges no commission.

This was followed by a "Crucible Life-and-Death Contract" and an "Accident Insurance" form.

This time, the Accident Insurance had become 12 million.

At the strength testing site, it was still that buck-toothed old man.

"Night Crow? Oh, I remember now. You're that Ice-Fire dual-attribute Awakened One from before, right?"

The old man's eyes lit up. "Strange, with your talent, why haven't you chosen to join a faction? You actually still need to come here and take risks."

While muttering, the test was completed. Zhou Xing's energy aura showed the Early Stage of the Foundation Condensing Realm.

"Lord Night Crow, this is your exclusive waiting room. I've reported your information, and an opponent will be arranged soon."

It was the same familiar process. Zhou Xing nodded and waited silently.

After nearly an hour, Zhou Xing's opponent finally appeared.

The moment Zhou Xing stepped into the arena, the cheers of the crowd were non-stop.

A holographic projection floating in the air was playing a highlight reel of his fights from the Essence Circulation Realm period.

The host was also enthusiastically introducing him to the audience.

Soon, Zhou Xing slowly walked out of the tunnel and stepped onto the stage.

On the other side, Zhou Xing's opponent appeared as well.

The opponent was nearly 2.3 meters tall, pounding his chest as he walked.

If he didn't look closely, Zhou Xing would have thought Chen Yan had come to fight.

This man was Zhou Xing's first opponent, code-named "Bone Crusher," who had fused with the divinity fragment of the "titan god."

"Crow?" Bone Crusher looked at Zhou Xing with a grin. "I'm going to crush your bones one by one..."

"Dong!"

A sudden bell in the arena interrupted his words.

The moment the "1" on the countdown lit up,

Zhou Xing's figure had already vanished from the spot.

Amidst the gasps of the audience, Zhou Xing appeared behind Bone Crusher.

The next second—

"Crack!"

A fist wrapped in Ice-Fire Power accurately struck Bone Crusher's kidney area.

This was a common fatal weakness for Awakened Ones who fused with the "titan god" divinity fragment, which Chen Yan had personally told Zhou Xing before.

Bone Crusher's cruel smile froze on his face as his body fell forward uncontrollably.

"It's better not to be too arrogant!" Zhou Xing's whisper drifted out, followed by a sweeping kick from his left leg that struck Bone Crusher's knee.

"Puchi!"

The moment he knelt completely on the ground, an ice spike plunged into Bone Crusher's bulging Adam's apple.

"Ugh..."

Bone Crusher's eyes bulged, and in the next instant, his head slumped down, his body completely devoid of life.

The entire arena was deathly silent!