178: Chapter 178 Round of 16: The Old Rivals Reappear

The results of the draw for the Round of 16 were announced 17 minutes after the end of the second round of qualifiers.

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

[Group 4 · Match 1]

[Red Side: Night Emperor (Heavenly Court) — Rank 65]

[Blue Side: Blood Prince (Primordial Royal Court) — Rank 70]

When the numbers on the screen froze, the entire resting area fell into a deathly silence.

It wasn't fear.

It was 'confirmation'.

From their first clash on the outskirts of Purple Mountain, to the standoff at the Eternal Star Domain auction, to the ambush in the Black Stone Wasteland, to the 72-hour bloody battle in Chaos Valley, to the battle at the Blood Altar—

they had fought too many times.

But not once on an arena stage.

Not once under 127 times gravity.

Not once under the gaze of the Prodigies of ten thousand races.

Shi Potian was the first to speak.

His left fist—the one that had struck the Rank 70 Ancestor Phantom three times in the Ninth Trial of the Ancestor Star without falling—was clenched tighter than ever before.

'Rank 70,' he said.

'He leveled up.'

Lin Ye said nothing.

He just looked at that Rank.

Rank 70.

Two Ranks higher than Zachariah.

Five Ranks higher than himself.

[Blood Prince · Primordial Royal Court]

[Rank: 70 (Four Extremities Peak → Dragon Transformation Level 7)]

[Physique: Blood Emperor Saint Body (Fully Awakened)]

[Combat Power Assessment: 147,000-163,000]

[Battle Record:]

[1. Prodigy Arena Qualifiers: 10 wins, 1.7 seconds per match]

[2. Round of 32: Against a Rank 63 Dragon Clan warrior, took 3.1 seconds]

[3. Round of 16 Promotion Time: 17 minutes ago]

[4. Forbidden Blood Art: Blood God Descent (Never used in public)]

[Note: After his defeat at the Blood Altar, he gained 7 levels in 7 days via unknown means, suspected of having made a deeper deal with the 'Master'.]

Lin Ye looked at the line 'Blood God Descent'.

3 seconds.

He pressed his hand against his chest.

There, the [blood emperor essence blood] lay quietly in the deepest part of his Storage Ring.

That drop of Origin essence blood seized from the Blood Prince's projection body.

That drop of essence blood with a faint Soul connection to the Blood Prince's main body.

That drop he had been waiting for, yet had never used—his trump card.

Su Qingyue walked to his side.

Her left hand—the one that had burned down to only 15% HP in the previous battle—gently grasped his hand.

3 seconds.

Released.

'Rank 70,' she said.

'But you have this.'

Lin Ye looked at her.

'How much HP do you have left?' he asked.

Su Qingyue did not answer.

But Lin Ye saw it.

Her HP: 47%.

The sequelae of the burning in the previous battle, after 12 hours of medical pod repair, this was what remained.

'This battle,' Lin Ye said.

'You cannot enter.'

Su Qingyue looked at him.

3 seconds.

She nodded.

[System Prompt: Your Group 4 Match 1 will begin in 17 minutes]

[Please proceed to Arena Area 1]

[Current remaining time: 16 minutes 47 seconds]

Lin Ye turned around.

He walked toward Arena Area 1.

Behind him, 9 people.

Stepped forward at the same time.

Arena Area 1 was the most central of all the Prodigy Arena groups.

120 meters in diameter, the ground material was the 'Hegemon Body Blood Rock,' the hardest of the original rocks of the Hegemon Body Ancestral Star—legend has it that this was a special material tempered by the Fist Intent of past Hegemon Body ancestors when they broke through, capable of withstanding any attack below the Saint Realm.

At this moment, more than 7,000 spectators had gathered around the arena.

There were God Race.

There were Holy Demon Race.

There were Dragon Clan.

There were Undead.

There were Yao Race.

There were mechanical lifeforms.

There were Sword Pavilion Disciples who had rushed over from the Big Dipper Star Field.

There were Seventh Fleet observation teams who had specifically teleported from the Eternal Star Domain.

There were spies from the Primordial Royal Court who had secretly infiltrated from Purple Mountain.

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

7,000 gazes.

Some expectant.

Some scrutinizing.

Some fanatical.

Some—murderous.

17 meters opposite.

The Blood Prince was already standing in the center of the arena.

[Blood Prince · Leader of the Primordial Royal Court]

[Rank: 70]

[Appearance: Pale face, scarlet pupils, dark red long hair moving without wind under 127 times gravity]

[Equipment:]

[1. Blood Emperor Saint Armor · Legendary Grade: Defense +13,700, Blood-type resistance +80%, 30% chance to trigger 'Blood Echo' when attacked, recovering 20% of the damage taken]

[2. Blood Soul Blade · Evolved Type: Attack +11,300-13,700, Lifesteal +40%, permanently increases attack power by 1% for every target killed (currently increased by 17%)]

[3. Heart of the Blood God (Chest): Automatically restores 25% max HP every 30 seconds, and immunizes one fatal damage (cooldown 300 seconds)]

[4. Blood Emperor Saint Body · Fully Awakened: All Blood-type skill effects +100%, Blood energy recovery speed +300%]

He looked at Lin Ye.

3 seconds.

He smiled.

The smile was exactly the same as that last look on the ruins of the Blood Altar.

Very faint.

Very cold.

But this time, there was a trace more—real killing intent.

'Rank 65,' he said.

'Chaos Heavenly Emperor Body.'

'17th place.'

Lin Ye said nothing.

'You defeated Zachariah,' the Blood Prince continued.

'Rank 68 Holy Demon Race prince.'

'17.7 seconds.'

He paused.

'Very strong.'

Lin Ye looked at him.

'What do you want to say?' Lin Ye said.

The Blood Prince's smile widened a little.

'I want to say—'

He raised the Blood Soul Blade.

The blade was still flowing with liquid blood light under 127 times gravity.

'I am stronger than Zachariah.'

[Arena Match · Group 4 Match 1]

[Countdown: 3 seconds]

[2 seconds]

[1 second]

[Start]

0 seconds.

The Blood Prince did not move.

He just stood where he was.

But behind him, space began to distort.

Not tearing.

It was 'dissolving'.

Deep red mist surged from his body, covering half the arena within 0.3 seconds.

That mist was not Devilish Qi.

It was 'Blood Mist'.

[Blood Race Secret Art · Sea of Blood Domain]

[Consumption: 17% Blood Energy]

[Range: 50-meter radius]

[Effect: All enemy units within the Domain take 1,700 points of 'Blood Erosion' damage per second, and healing effects -70%]

[Blood Erosion Special Effect: Every time damage is dealt, the caster recovers an equal amount of HP]

Lin Ye's Chaos Domain unfolded at the same time.

Gray and deep red collided in the center of the arena.

[Law Conflict · Judging]

[Chaos Power vs Blood Emperor Saint Body]

[Result: Chaos Power +17%, Sea of Blood Domain effect -17%]

Blood Erosion damage: 1,700 → 1,411 points/second.

Blood Prince HP recovery: 1,700 → 1,411 points/second.

0.3 seconds.

The Blood Prince moved.

His speed was ridiculously fast.

Not teleportation.

It was 'Blood Shadow Step'.

[Blood Race Secret Art · Blood Shadow Step]

[Effect: Can turn into a blood shadow to move within the Sea of Blood Domain, speed +300%]

[Cooldown: None]

His figure flickered wildly around Lin Ye.

Every time he flickered, he left a blood shadow.

Within 3 seconds.

17 blood shadows.

Pounced on Lin Ye from 17 directions simultaneously.

0.7 seconds.

Lin Ye's sword swept across.

Chaos Power infused into the blade.

Gray sword light shattered 7 blood shadows.

[Kill · Blood Shadow Clone × 7]

[Experience Gained: 0]

But the remaining 10 blood shadows slammed into him at the same time.

[Blood Shadow Impact × 10]

[Damage per hit: 1,700 points]

[Total damage: 17,000 points]

Lin Ye was knocked back 7 meters.

[HP: 100% → 81%]

1 second.

The Blood Prince's main body appeared behind him.

The Blood Soul Blade stabbed toward his back heart.

Lin Ye did not look back.

His sword thrust backward from under his ribs.

The blade intersected with the Blood Soul Blade.

[Block Successful]

But the blood energy attached to the Blood Soul Blade spread along the sword to his hand.

[Blood Erosion · Advanced]

[Damage per second: 1,411 → 2,300 points]

[Healing effect -70% → 90%]

1.3 seconds.

Lin Ye turned around.

Sword swept.

The Blood Prince turned into a blood shadow and retreated.

The sword light grazed 0.1 meters from his chest.

1.7 seconds.

The Blood Prince turned into 17 blood shadows again.

Pounced again.

This time, Lin Ye did not use his sword.

He closed his eyes.

Chaos Domain — Full Power.

[Chaos Domain · Devour Mode]

[Activation Consumption: 17% Divine Power]

[Effect: Forcibly devours all 'Blood Shadow Clones' within the Domain, converting them into Chaos Divine Power]

The moment the 17 blood shadows rushed into the Domain.

They stopped simultaneously.

Then.

Disintegrated.

Turned into deep red light spots.

Absorbed by the Chaos Domain.

[Devour × 17]

[Chaos Divine Power Gained: +1,700 points]

The Blood Prince's pupils contracted slightly.

'...Devour,' he said.

'Just like dealing with Zachariah.'

Lin Ye opened his eyes.

Looked at him.

'Not the same,' Lin Ye said.

'He was Devilish Qi.'

'You are blood.'

2 seconds.

Lin Ye took the initiative.

The Chaos Domain moved with him.

Gray light engulfed half the arena.

The Blood Prince did not retreat.

He stood in place.

The Blood Soul Blade was raised.

[Blood Race Secret Art · Blood God Descent · Preparation]

[Consumption: 50% Blood Energy]

[Casting time: 3 seconds]

[Effect: Summons a Blood Race Ancestor projection, duration 30 seconds]

[Projection Rank: 75]

[Cooldown: 7 days]

Behind him, space began to distort violently.

A huge rift was forming.

Liquid, dark red blood flowed along the edges of the rift.

Blood dripped onto the arena, instantly corroding a deep pit 1 meter in diameter.

2.3 seconds.

Lin Ye's sword stabbed toward the Blood Prince's chest.

The Blood Prince did not dodge.

He took it head-on.

[Damage dealt: 7,300 points]

[Blood Prince HP: 100% → 98.7%]

[Heart of the Blood God · Passive: Restores 25% every 30 seconds]

[HP: 98.7% → 100% (Restored after 2.3 seconds)]

Lin Ye's second sword.

[7,100 points]

[100% → 98.9%]

Third sword.

[7,400 points]

[98.9% → 97.6%]

2.7 seconds.

Blood God Descent — Complete.

A phantom about 10 meters tall stepped out from the rift.

[Blood Ancestor Projection]

[Level: 75]

[HP: 470,000]

[Traits:]

[1. Undying Blood Sea: As long as Blood Prince is alive, the projection restores 5% of its max HP per second]

[2. Blood Curse: Targets hit by the projection cannot receive any healing for 60 seconds]

[3. Blood Rage: For every 10% HP lost, the projection's attack power increases by 20%]

[4. Blood God Domain: Within a 100-meter radius, all Blood Race units gain +50% to all stats]

Blood Prince stood behind the projection.

His HP: 97.6% → 100% (Blood God Heart recovery).

His Blood Energy: 50% → 17% (summoning cost).

But he smiled.

In that smile, there was 70% confidence.

And 30%—madness.

"Level 75 projection," he said.

"Can you still devour?"

The 3rd second.

Lin Ye's fourth sword strike stabbed toward Blood Prince.

The projection moved.

One of its hands blocked in front of Blood Prince.

The sword pierced the projection's palm.

[Damage dealt: 4,700]

[Projection HP: 470,000 → 465,300]

[Projection restores 5% per second = 23,500/second]

[Actual loss: 0]

Lin Ye pulled out his sword.

He retreated.

He stood at the edge of the Prodigy Arena.

He looked at that Level 75 projection.

He looked at the laughing Blood Prince behind the projection.

3 seconds.

He pressed his hand against his chest.

There, in the deepest part of his Storage Ring.

That [blood emperor essence blood].

It was pulsing at a frequency of 1.7 seconds per beat.

With Blood Prince's heartbeat.

With the projection's breathing.

With his Chaos Devour instinct.

Completely synchronized.

[System Prompt: Detected Soul connection between "blood emperor essence blood" and Blood Prince's true body]

[Activate this connection to forcibly break "Blood God Descent"?]

[Activation Consequences:]

[1. blood emperor essence blood permanently consumed]

[2. Blood Prince's true body suffers Soul backlash, all stats -30% for 60 seconds]

[3. Projection loses connection with Blood Prince and dissipates automatically after 30 seconds]

[4. You gain temporary status "Blood Race Bane": +50% damage against Blood Race units for 60 seconds]

[Warning: After activation, Blood Prince will permanently lose a drop of Origin Essence Blood, and his hatred toward you will rise to "immortal resentment"]

Lin Ye looked at the line "permanently consumed."

3 seconds.

He took the essence blood from his bosom.

That dark red droplet slowly rotated in his palm.

The tiny golden patterns inside were squirming crazily.

That was its resonance with Blood Prince's true body.

When Blood Prince saw that essence blood, his smile froze.

"...You." His voice trembled for the first time.

"You've been carrying it all along?"

Lin Ye did not answer.

He simply gripped it tightly.

The 4th second.

[blood emperor essence blood: Activated]

[Soul Connection: Established]

Blood Prince let out a shrill roar.

His body twitched violently.

That Level 75 projection, at this instant—lost its connection with him.

[Projection: Connection Lost]

[Remaining duration: 30 seconds]

[Restore 5% HP per second—Disabled]

[Blood Race all stats +50%—Disabled]

Lin Ye did not wait for those 30 seconds.

He charged.

Chaos Domain fully opened.

Chaos Power infused into the sword blade.

[Chaos Heaven Opening]

[Cost: 47% Divine Power]

[Attack Power +500%]

[Ignore 50% Defense]

His sword pierced the projection's chest.

[Damage dealt: 47,000 × 500% = 235,000]

[Projection HP: 465,300 → 230,300]

The 5th second.

The second sword strike.

[235,000]

[230,300 → 0]

[Projection: Killed]

[Experience gained: 470,000]

[Lin Ye Level: 65 → 66]

Blood Prince knelt on the ground.

Blood was seeping from his seven orifices.

That was the aftermath of the Soul backlash.

[Blood Prince: Current Status]

[HP: 100% → 83% (Backlash damage)]

[Blood Energy: 17% → 0%]

[All stats -30%, duration 60 seconds]

[Blood God Heart: Cooling down (remaining 273 seconds)]

He raised his head.

He looked at Lin Ye.

In those scarlet pupils, for the first time—fear appeared.

The 5.3rd second.

Lin Ye walked in front of him.

The sword tip pointed at his throat.

Blood Prince looked at him.

3 seconds.

He smiled.

In that smile, there was no fear, no unwillingness, not even the humiliation of a loser.

There was only one thing—a sense of relief from finally confirming something.

"You won," he said.

Lin Ye did not speak.

"But you know," Blood Prince continued.

"I won't die here."

"The rules of the arena competition state that after death, one will respawn at the Ancestor Star respawn point."

"I will come back again."

Lin Ye looked at him.

"I know," Lin Ye said.

"Then what are you waiting for?" Blood Prince asked.

Lin Ye did not answer.

He simply pushed the sword—forward 0.3 meters.

The sword tip pierced Blood Prince's throat.

[Critical Hit]

[Blood Prince: Killed]

Blood Prince's body turned into specks of blood-colored light and dissipated on the arena.

Only one sentence echoed in the air:

"Next time."

"I will not lose."

[Battle End]

[Time elapsed: 5.3 seconds]

[Winner: Night Emperor (Heavenly Court)]

[Evaluation: Consumed [blood emperor essence blood], forcibly broke Blood God Descent]

[Promotion: Top 16]

Lin Ye stood where he was.

His HP: 81% → 47% (Combat consumption).

His Divine Power: 75% → 28% (Chaos Heaven Opening consumption).

His Chaos Domain: Still running, but already starting to become unstable.

His body—at the moment Blood Prince disappeared, began to sway.

The 6th second.

He knelt on one knee.

The sword was stuck in the ground, supporting his body.

[System Prompt: You have been affected by the "Blood God Descent" backlash]

[Blood Race Curse: Residual]

[Effect: -1,700 Qi/Blood per second, duration 30 seconds]

[Chaos Devour: Passive triggered]

[Devour progress: 17%...31%...47%...]

But it was too slow.

1,700 points per second.

His HP: 47% → 45.3% → 43.6% → 41.9%.

He could hold on for 17 seconds at most.

The 7th second.

Su Qingyue rushed onto the arena from the spectator stands.

Her left hand pressed on Lin Ye's shoulder.

[Vast Cold Spiritual Power: Emergency Purification]

[Cost: 17% HP]

[Effect: Dispel 30% of the curse on the target]

Her HP: 47% → 30%.

Curse: 1,700 → 1,190 points per second.

The 8th second.

Shi Potian rushed onto the arena.

He had no spiritual power.

But he had Hegemon Body.

He pressed his left fist against Lin Ye's chest.

[Hegemon Body: Qi/Blood Resonance]

[Cost: 30% of own HP]

[Effect: Transfer own Qi/Blood to the target]

His HP: 100% → 70%.

Lin Ye's HP: 41.9% → 61.3%.

The 9th second.

Yun Qianxue knelt in front of Lin Ye.

The head of her [Green Lotus: Rebirth] staff lit up.

[Healing Spell: Limit Casting]

[Cost: 30% Divine Power]

[Effect: Restore 30% of target's max HP]

Lin Ye's HP: 61.3% → 91.3%.

The 10th second.

The curse was completely devoured.

[Chaos Devour: Completed]

[Chaos Divine Power gained: +1,700]

[Lin Ye Divine Power: 28% → 31%]

He stood up.

He looked at the three people in front of him.

Su Qingyue.

HP: 30%.

Shi Potian.

HP: 70%.

Yun Qianxue.

Divine Power: 70% → 40%.

He did not say thank you.

He simply nodded.

[System Prompt: You have advanced to the Top 16]

[Next round opponent: Randomly matching...]

[Estimated wait time: 47 minutes]

[Current status: Severely injured]

[Suggestion: Immediately enter a medical pod for repairs]

Lin Ye walked off the arena.

Every step was very slow.

Every step left a 1.7 cm deep footprint under 127 times gravity.

He walked into the rest area.

The medical pod was already waiting.

[Medical Pod: Hegemon Body Ancestral Star Custom Edition]

[Repair time: 12 hours (based on current injuries)]

[During repair: Unable to participate in combat]

[Next match time: 7 hours later]

[Conflict: You cannot complete repairs within 7 hours]

Lin Ye looked at the line "Conflict."

3 seconds.

He lay into the medical pod.

Before the pod lid closed, he took one last look outside the rest area.

There, the list of the Top 16 was scrolling on the holographic screen.

[Top 16 List: Prodigy Arena]

[1. Odin (God Race) — Level 67]

[2. Frost Burial (Kingdom of the Undead) — Level 65]

[3. Cang Xuan (Dragon Clan Alliance) — Level 64]

[4. Sword Nameless (Sword Pavilion) — Level 64]

[5. Xingyue (Garden of Nature) — Level 64]

[6. Rex (Mechanical Cult) — Level 63]

[7. Yan Ji (Fire Spirit Race) — Level 63]

[8. Shi Potian (Heavenly Court) — Level 63]

...

[16. Night Emperor (Heavenly Court) — Level 66 (Severely injured/Medical pod)]

16th place.

The last place.

But he advanced.

On the flexible screen on the inner wall of the medical pod, the countdown began to tick.

[12:00:00]

[11:59:59]

[11:59:58]

Lin Ye closed his eyes.

His right hand was still gripping that fine iron longsword brought back from the Trial Ancient Star.

On the sword blade, there were 17 newly added scratches.

That was the memento left from the battle with Blood Prince.

[Chapter 178: End]