176: Chapter 176 Battle of the Top 100: Showdown with the Holy Demon Clan

The drawing results for the second round of the ranking tournament were announced 17 minutes after the qualifiers ended.

Lin Ye stood before the holographic projection screen in the rest area, watching the name that kept flickering.

【Group 7 · Match 3】

【Red Side: Night Emperor (Heavenly Court) — Level 64】

【Blue Side: Zachariah (Holy Demon Palace) — Level 68】

———

When the numbers on the screen froze, the low murmurs of conversation in the rest area vanished.

It didn't just vanish.

It "frozen."

As if someone had sucked the air out, leaving a vacuum.

———

Zhao Wuji was the first to speak.

His voice was very soft, but in this suddenly quiet space, every word was as clear as a hammer hitting a steel plate.

"...Level 68."

"Holy Demon Palace."

"Rank 2 on the Ten Thousand Races Prodigy Ranking."

———

No one spoke.

But everyone's gaze fell upon that name.

Zachariah.

Prince of the Holy Demon Race.

The first existence in the Abyss Star Field in ten thousand years to obtain the title of 'Holy Demon Palace Saint' before reaching Level 60.

Level 68.

Four levels higher than Lin Ye.

———

【Zachariah · Holy Demon Palace】

【Level: 68】

【Physique: Abyss Demonic Body (Fully Awakened)】

【Combat Power Assessment: 127,000-141,000】

【Record:】

【1. Ancient Star Road First Gate Clear Time: 1 day, 23 hours, 41 minutes (9th in history)】

【2. Killed 3 God Race prodigies in the Ancient Road special event 'God-Demon Battlefield Fragment'】

【3. Known to have mastered the forbidden technique 'Abyss Gaze': Has a chance to directly obliterate the consciousness of enemies with lower Mental Energy than himself】

【4. Has signed a contract with a certain Fallen Ancient Saint, allowing him to summon their projection during battle (limited to 3 times)】

【5. Prodigy Arena Qualifiers Record: 10 wins, 0 losses, average match time 7.3 seconds】

———

Lin Ye looked at the line "average match time 7.3 seconds."

2.6 seconds slower than him.

But the level of the opponents was different.

His 10 opponents had a maximum level of 63.

Zachariah's 10 opponents had a maximum level of 66.

———

Shi Potian walked to his side.

His left fist—the one that had withstood three punches from the Level 70 Ancestor Phantom without falling during the Ninth Trial of the Ancestor Star—was clenched tighter than usual now.

"Level 68," he said.

"I've fought that."

———

Lin Ye looked at him.

"You've fought a Level 68."

"The Mother Empress."

"But the Mother Empress is a beast."

"He is the Prince of the Holy Demon Race."

———

Shi Potian didn't speak.

He just raised his left fist to his chest.

And looked at it.

For 3 seconds.

"It's all the same," he said.

"Flesh and blood."

"One punch, and it will still hurt."

———

Lin Ye didn't answer.

He just placed his right hand on his sword hilt.

That Fine Iron Longsword brought back from the Trial Ancient Star had a grey crack in the center of its blade, which was currently pulsating at a frequency of once every 1.7 seconds.

In perfect sync with the blood emperor essence blood in his bosom.

With the heartbeat of the Blood Prince 300 meters away.

And with the breathing of Zachariah, who was currently resting with his eyes closed in another rest area.

Completely synchronized.

———

【System Notification: Your 3rd match will begin in 17 minutes】

【Please proceed to Arena Area 7】

【Current time remaining: 16 minutes 47 seconds】

———

Lin Ye turned around.

He walked toward Arena Area 7.

Behind him, nine people.

Stepped forward simultaneously.

———

Arena Area 7 was the northernmost one among the entire Prodigy Arena complex.

Its diameter was 30% larger than the other arenas, and its ground material was the hardest layer of Ancestor Star raw rock—sufficient to withstand the aftershocks of battles above Level 70.

At this moment, over 3,000 spectators had already gathered around the arena.

There was the Dragon Clan.

There was the God Race.

There were the Undead.

There was the Yao Race.

There were mechanical lifeforms.

And there was a Holy Demon Race observation group that had traveled specifically from the Abyss Star Field.

———

When Lin Ye stepped onto the arena, those gazes pressed down on him like physical weight.

3,000 gazes.

Some were curious.

Some were scrutinizing.

Some were expectant.

And some—were hostile.

———

17 meters away on the opposite side.

Zachariah was already standing in the center of the arena.

【Zachariah · Prince of the Holy Demon Race】

【Level: 68】

【Height: 2.1 meters】

【Appearance: Long black hair falling to his waist, pale and handsome face, deep purple pupils with an inverted cross-shaped golden pattern in the center】

【Equipment:】

【1. Abyss Demon Armor · Legendary Grade: Defense +11,300, Dark Resistance +70%, 30% chance to trigger 'Abyss Backlash' when taking physical attacks, dealing 20% of the damage back to the attacker】

【2. Demon Emperor Scepter · Legendary Grade: Spell Attack +9,700-11,200, Dark Damage +50%, Casting Speed +30%】

【3. Abyss Covenant Mark (Chest): Can summon a Fallen Ancient Saint projection, duration 30 seconds, cooldown 24 hours】

【4. Devilish Qi Core (Dantian): Automatically restores 15% Max Health every 60 seconds and applies 'Devilish Qi Erosion' to all enemy units within 7 meters】

———

He looked at Lin Ye.

For 3 seconds.

He smiled.

The smile was very light, very faint, even carrying a hint of... curiosity.

"Level 64."

"Chaos Heavenly Emperor Body."

"Rank 27."

His voice was deep, like an echo coming from the bottom of an abyss.

"I watched your qualifiers."

"10 matches in 47.10 seconds."

"Average of 4.7 seconds."

———

Lin Ye didn't speak.

———

Zachariah continued.

"My qualifiers."

"10 matches in 73 seconds."

"Average of 7.3 seconds."

"2.6 seconds slower than you."

He paused.

"But my opponents reached up to Level 66."

"Your opponents reached up to Level 63."

———

Lin Ye looked at him.

"What are you trying to say?" Lin Ye asked.

———

Zachariah's smile widened slightly.

"I'm saying—"

He raised the Demon Emperor Scepter to his chest.

The fist-sized deep purple crystal atop the scepter began to glow slowly.

"Today, you will learn for the first time."

"What 'Level Suppression' really means."

———

【Arena Match · Group 7 Match 3】

【Countdown: 3 seconds】

【2 seconds】

【1 second】

【Start】

———

Second 0.

Zachariah didn't move.

He simply pointed his scepter forward.

【Abyss Magic · Devilish Qi Domain】

【Cost: 17% Devilish Qi】

【Range: 50-meter radius】

【Effect: All enemy units within the Domain take 500 points of 'Devilish Qi Erosion' damage per second, and Movement Speed -20%】

【Duration: Infinite (Requires continuous Devilish Qi to maintain)】

———

Deep purple mist gushed from the tip of the scepter.

It spread across the entire arena within 0.3 seconds.

The moment the mist touched Lin Ye's skin—

【System Notification: You are affected by 'Devilish Qi Erosion'】

【Current Status: Devilish Qi Erosion · Basic】

【Effect: -500 Health per second】

【Duration: Infinite (Requires dispelling)】

———

Lin Ye's Health: 100% → 99.7% → 99.4% → 99.1%.

500 points per second.

His total Health was approximately 47,000 points.

Theoretically, he could last for 94 seconds.

But the battle would not last only 94 seconds.

———

Second 0.3.

Lin Ye's sword left its scabbard.

Chaos Domain—Activate.

【Chaos Domain · Expanded】

【Radius: 17 meters】

【Effect: All enemy units within the Domain have all attributes -30%】

———

The grey Domain spread from beneath his feet.

The moment it made contact with the deep purple Devilish Qi Domain—

【Law Conflict · Determining】

【Chaos Power vs Abyss Devilish Qi】

【Result: Stalemate (Each side weakens the other's effect by 17%)】

———

Lin Ye felt it.

His Chaos Domain had encountered an opponent it could not completely suppress for the first time.

The Devilish Qi was still eroding him.

500 per second → 415 per second.

Weakened by 17%.

But it hadn't disappeared.

———

Second 0.7.

Zachariah moved.

His figure was like a phantom within the Devilish Qi.

So fast that even Lin Ye's dynamic vision could only catch afterimages.

【Abyss Magic · Shadow Step】

【Effect: Allows instantaneous movement to any location within the Devilish Qi Domain】

【Cooldown: 1.7 seconds】

———

Second 0.9.

He appeared 3 meters behind Lin Ye.

He pointed his scepter forward.

【Abyss Magic · Shadow Stab】

【Damage: 7,300-9,700】

【Special Effect: Ignores 30% of Defense】

———

Lin Ye didn't turn around.

But his sword swept upward behind him.

The blade and the Shadow Stab collided in the air.

【Block Successful】

【Damage Taken: 0 points】

———

But the moment the Shadow Stab exploded, a wisp of deep purple mist spread along the blade to Lin Ye's hand.

【Devilish Qi Erosion · Advanced】

【-500 per second → -800 per second】

【Movement Speed -20% → -30%】

———

Lin Ye's Health: 99.1% → 98.3% → 97.5%.

———

Second 1.3.

He turned.

The sword swept across.

Chaos Power was infused into the blade.

A grey sword light slashed toward Zachariah.

———

Zachariah didn't dodge.

He raised his scepter.

【Abyss Magic · Demon Shield】

【Damage Absorption: 17,000 points】

———

The sword light slashed into the Demon Shield.

【Damage Dealt: 11,300 points】

【Demon Shield Remaining: 17,000 → 5,700】

———

Zachariah's pupils contracted slightly.

"Chaos Power," he said.

"It truly does counter Devilish Qi."

"But—"

He smiled.

"How much longer can you hold out?"

———

Second 1.7.

He teleported again.

This time, he was directly in front of Lin Ye.

The scepter pointed at Lin Ye's chest.

【Abyss Magic · Devilish Qi Blast】

【Damage: 11,000-14,000】

【Range: 3-meter radius】

【Cast Time: 0.3 seconds】

———

Lin Ye's sword stabbed out within 0.2 seconds.

He wasn't stabbing Zachariah.

He stabbed the ground beneath his own feet.

【Chaos Domain · Compressed】

【Compresses the 17-meter Domain to a 3-meter radius】

【Effect: Chaos Power concentration within the Domain +300%】

———

The Devilish Qi Blast exploded 0.3 meters in front of him.

[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]

However, the moment the blast's shockwave touched the Chaos Domain, it was diluted by 70%.

[Actual Damage: 11,000-14,000 → 3,300-4,200]

[Lin Ye Health Points: 97.5% → 93.7%]

The 2nd second.

Lin Ye drew his sword.

He charged forward.

The Chaos Domain moved with him.

He wanted to close the distance.

Zachariah watched him charge over.

He did not retreat.

He simply raised his scepter.

[Abyss Magic: Devilish Qi Vortex]

[Effect: Summons a vortex beneath the target, lasting 3 seconds]

[Target within vortex: Movement speed -70%, takes 2,000 damage per second]

Beneath Lin Ye's feet, the ground suddenly cracked open.

A deep purple vortex surged from the fissure.

His speed plummeted from a charge to nearly a standstill.

[Devilish Qi Erosion: Severe]

[Per second -800 → Per second -1,300]

[Movement speed -30% → 70%]

Health Points: 93.7% → 92.4% → 91.1% → 89.8%. 1,300 points per second.

The 2.3rd second.

He forcibly took a step forward.

The Chaos Domain resisted the Devilish Qi Vortex.

[Law Conflict: Calculating]

[Chaos Power vs Abyss Devilish Qi]

[Result: Chaos Power +17%, Devilish Qi Vortex effect -17%]

Movement speed -70% → -53%. Damage per second 2,000 → 1,660.

The 2.7th second.

He took another step.

Distance to Zachariah: 7 meters.

The 3rd second.

Zachariah raised his scepter.

This time, it was not an attack.

It was a Summon.

[Abyss Contract: Fallen Ancient Saint Projection]

[Cost: Abyss Contract Mark (2 uses remaining)]

[Summon target: Abyss 7th Layer - Ancient Saint Anming]

[Projection Rank: 70]

[Duration: 30 seconds]

A massive phantom condensed behind Zachariah.

It was about 7 meters tall, pitch black throughout, with only a pair of deep purple eyes.

[Fallen Ancient Saint: Anming Projection]

[Rank: 70]

[Health Points: 170,000]

[Attack Method: Abyss Gaze / Devilish Qi Breath / Spatial Tear]

[Duration: 30 seconds]

Lin Ye stopped in his tracks.

He stared at the phantom.

3 seconds.

He gripped his sword tightly.

The 3.3rd second.

The phantom's eyes lit up.

[Abyss Gaze]

[For targets with Mental Energy below Rank 70, there is a 17% probability of direct consciousness erasure]

[Against Lin Ye: Mental Energy check — Passed]

Lin Ye's consciousness wavered for a moment.

0.1 seconds.

He regained clarity.

But in that very 0.1 seconds, Zachariah had already appeared before him, his scepter pressed against his chest.

[Abyss Magic: Devilish Qi Penetration]

[Damage: 17,000 points]

[Special Effect: Injects a large amount of Devilish Qi into the target, causing a Devilish Qi Rampage state lasting 30 seconds]

Lin Ye was knocked back 7 meters.

His chest, the location of the civilization spark chip, was currently being frantically eroded by deep purple Devilish Qi.

[Devilish Qi Erosion: Rampage]

[Per second -1,300 → Per second -2,700]

[Movement speed -53% → 70%]

[Attack speed -30%]

[Casting speed -50%]

[Duration: 30 seconds]

Health Points: 89.8% → 87.1% → 84.4% → 81.7%. 2,700 points per second. He could hold on for at most 20 more seconds.

The 3.7th second.

Lin Ye knelt on one knee.

His sword was plunged into the ground, supporting his body to prevent him from collapsing.

Devilish Qi raged within him.

His Chaos Power was being suppressed.

Zachariah stood 7 meters in front of him.

He did not continue to attack.

He simply looked at him.

Rank 64, he said.

Chaos Heavenly Emperor Body.

Very strong.

But the Rank 68 Abyss Devil Body is stronger.

Lin Ye raised his head.

His eyes—the eyes that had been eroded by Devilish Qi, their pupils now rimmed with purple—looked at Zachariah.

3 seconds.

He smiled.

The smile was light, faint, and even carried a trace of... mockery.

Rank 68, he said.

Is that all you've got?

Zachariah's pupils contracted slightly.

He was not angry.

He was simply... curious.

Can you still stand?, he asked.

Lin Ye did not answer.

He simply placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

The refined iron longsword he had brought back from the Trial Ancient Star had a gray crack in the center of its blade, which was currently pulsing 3 times faster than usual.

0.5 seconds/time.

That was the Chaos Power burning its Origin.

The 4th second.

He stood up.

The first exclamation erupted from the audience stands.

He stood up?!

2,700 damage per second, and he can still stand?!

Zachariah watched him.

3 seconds.

He smiled.

This time, there was a trace of genuine... interest in his smile.

Interesting.

Then let's go again.

The 4.3rd second.

The phantom launched Abyss Gaze again.

Lin Ye's Mental Energy check — passed again.

But his body was already beginning to disobey him.

The Devilish Qi Erosion had already seeped into his bone marrow.

The 4.7th second.

Zachariah's scepter was raised again.

[Abyss Magic: Devilish Qi Burst]

Just at that moment, a beam of icy blue light shot over from the audience stands at the edge of the arena.

It was not an attack on Zachariah.

It landed on Lin Ye.

[Vast Cold Spiritual Power: Remote Purification]

[Source: Su Qingyue (Outside the arena)]

[Effect: Dispels 30% of the Devilish Qi on the target]

[Cost: Caster consumes 5% of maximum Health Points per second]

The concentration of Devilish Qi on Lin Ye instantly dropped.

[Devilish Qi Erosion: Rampage]

[Per second -2,700 → Per second -1,890]

He raised his head and looked toward the audience stands.

Su Qingyue was standing there.

Her left hand—the hand that had pressed against the core shield during the Blood Altar guardian battle, released the Extreme Cold Burst in the Mother Empress Hall, and was currently pressed against her own chest—was burning.

[Su Qingyue: Current Status]

[Health Points: 100% → 95% → 90% → 85%]

[Consumes 5% maximum Health Points per second]

[Continuously providing purification for Lin Ye]

Lin Ye looked at her.

3 seconds.

He gripped his sword.

The 5th second.

He charged forward.

Chaos Domain fully activated.

Gray light and deep purple Devilish Qi collided frantically on the arena.

Zachariah's pupils contracted for the first time.

...External assistance?

A violation?

No... the rules do not forbid external assistance.

It's just that no one has ever been able to do it.

His scepter was raised.

The phantom launched an attack again.

But this time—Lin Ye's sword pierced its chest 0.1 seconds before the phantom finished its gaze.

[Chaos Power: Erosion]

[Deals: 17,000 damage to the projection]

The phantom's gaze was interrupted.

The 5.3rd second.

Lin Ye rushed to Zachariah.

His sword stabbed toward his chest.

Zachariah teleported.

He appeared 17 meters away.

The 5.7th second.

Lin Ye pursued.

His sword stabbed out again.

Teleport.

The 6th second.

Pursue.

Teleport.

The 6.3rd second.

Pursue.

Teleport.

The 6.7th second.

Zachariah's teleportation cooldown — 1.7 seconds.

Lin Ye had calculated this timing perfectly.

The very moment he landed from his teleport, the sword was already waiting there.

[Hit]

[Deals damage: 7,300 points]

[Zachariah Health Points: 100% → 98.3%]

For the first time, Zachariah—was injured.

He looked at the wound on his chest.

The wound was shallow.

But at the edges, there was a ring of gray markings that were slowly expanding.

Chaos Power.

It was eroding his Abyss Devil Body.

The 7th second.

He raised his head.

He looked at Lin Ye.

He looked at the icy blue figure behind Lin Ye in the audience stands, who was burning her own Health Points.

3 seconds.

He smiled.

There was no anger in that smile.

Only a kind of... satisfaction of meeting a worthy opponent.

Interesting.

Truly interesting.

He put away his scepter.

He pressed his right hand to his chest.

There, the Abyss Contract Mark was glowing.

[Abyss Contract: Second Summon]

[Summon target: Abyss 3rd Layer - Ancient Saint Soul Eater]

[Projection Rank: 68]

[Duration: 30 seconds]

A second phantom condensed behind him.

It was smaller than the first one.

But it was more eerie.

It had no physical form.

It was just a mass of writhing, deep purple mist.

Lin Ye stood in place.

His Health Points: 81.7% → 79.3% → 76.9% (1,890 points erosion per second).

His Chaos Power: 47% → 31% (combat consumption).

Behind him, Su Qingyue's Health Points: 85% → 70% → 55% (5% consumption per second).

He gripped his sword.

[System Prompt: Your current status]

[Devilish Qi Erosion: Severe — -1,890 Health Points per second]

[Chaos Power — 31%]

[Remaining combat time: approx. 17 seconds]

[Su Qingyue's remaining assistance time: 11 seconds (Health Points 55% → 0%)]

Lin Ye looked at the line 17 seconds.

3 seconds.

He smiled.

The smile was the same as when he had mocked Zachariah earlier.

Light.

Faint.

It even carried a trace of... madness.

17 seconds, he said.

That's enough.

[Chapter 176 - End]