140: Breaking the Limits and Reaching the Stars

Qin Jin walked at the very end of the team.

He looked towards Mentor Meng Ning; he could see him with his naked eye, but in his perception, he did not exist.

This level of competition involved numerous academies within the galaxy, and the ten strongest students from a single academic year were sent to participate. The lead mentor was clearly extraordinary.

Most likely, he was a Celestial!

As thoughts flashed through his mind, Qin Jin followed the team, stepping onto the gangway. Just as he was about to enter the starship, Meng Ning’s voice rang out.

“What a pity.”

He looked at Qin Jin: “You are truly a good seedling, but unfortunately, I was not in the academy when you asked Candle Kite to pose the question. Otherwise, I would have definitely argued with Gu Huang for you.”

“Keep it up.”

Meng Ning’s tone held appreciation: “In the Star Dome Breaking Limit Cup, the strongest combatants are often senior students from top academies, but in the past, there have also been first-year students who have distinguished themselves there.”

“Qin Jin.”

“I have high hopes for you.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Jin’s expression was calm, neither humble nor arrogant: “Thank you, Mentor Meng Ning.”

Meng Ning smiled kindly.

He followed behind Qin Jin, entering the starship. His gaze swept over the ten students present, and his voice rang out.

“This is our Martial Abyss’s Wen Wu Hao.”

“Wen Wu Hao has living areas, entertainment areas, and training areas. You can fully experience them during the upcoming journey.”

“If you are itching for a fight, you can go to the combat zone. For specific information about the starship, you can inquire with Candle Kite’s avatar, which is integrated into Wen Wu Hao, through your personal terminal.”

“We will first travel to another starfield to pick up the second and third-year participants, and then we will all depart together for the competition venue.”

Meng Ning’s voice trailed off.

Xie Wuhai’s hand shot up.

“Just say it directly.”

Meng Ning looked at him, his tone gentle: “This is not an academy; there’s no need for so many rules.”

“Mentor Meng Ning.”

Xie Wuhai immediately spoke: “Are the second-year and third-year seniors also participating with ten people?”

“Can we challenge them after they board the ship?”

“They are not ten people.”

Meng Ning shook his head: “If the Star Dome Breaking Limit Cup were all senior students, it would be too disadvantageous for you first-year students to participate. How would you even advance to the second stage of individual combat?”

“In this Star Dome Breaking Limit Cup, three second-year students and one third-year student have been selected.”

“As for challenges—”

Meng Ning’s tone was somewhat playful: “As long as you can gain their consent, there’s no problem.”

“Of course, you’ll need to be prepared to get beaten.”

As soon as he finished speaking, laughter erupted.

“Free time.”

Meng Ning snapped his fingers.

The next instant, he suddenly vanished from his spot.

Qin Jin had been listening quietly.

Seeing Meng Ning disappear, he muttered to himself, “As expected, he is a Celestial.”

“And—”

He thought of the other party’s recent words: “He was one of the Celestial mentors who Candle Kite contacted before the start of the semester and who was interested in me.”

“I wonder what this Celestial’s title is. The other lead mentors accompanying us haven’t shown themselves. Are they also Celestials?”

Thoughts flashed through his mind.

Only in a place like Martial Abyss could one see such a number of Martial Artists at once.

Just then.

Beside him, Chi Wenwu’s voice rang out: “Three second-year students, one third-year student.”

“Everyone.”

“It seems their selection process is even more brutal than ours.”

“The third-year student, being close to graduation, is probably the strongest among the students currently cultivating in the academy, isn't he?”

Xie Wuhai spoke, with some anticipation in his tone: “Someone who can suppress everyone in his generation and stand out must be incredibly powerful. When the Star Dome Breaking Limit Cup begins, we’ll have a chance to see him in action.”

After his voice fell, Chi Wenwu seemed to have thought of something, his expression becoming more serious. His gaze swept over everyone present, and he raised his voice: “Everyone.”

Everyone looked at him.

“We can’t control or command those four seniors.”

“However, after I went back the day before yesterday, I reviewed the data from previous Star Dome Breaking Limit Cups. In some team combat modes, students can communicate and help each other.”

“Since we’re idle anyway, why don’t we set some markers, like secret codes or phrases? This might prove useful in the competition.”

“That’s right.”

Duan Yaobang was the first to agree: “I agree with this suggestion.”

Chi Wenwu looked at the others: “What do you all say?”

“Agreed.”

“We should indeed prepare in advance.”

Voices of agreement rang out.

Inside the starship, the students became busy, quickly adapting.

After approximately several hours of travel, Wen Wu Hao stopped in the star sea. A small starship approached, and their docking channels connected.

Four people entered together, one walking in front, with the other three following behind.

Qin Chi leaned against the bar in the starship’s main hall, his gaze shifting as he looked over.

As his gaze swept across, his brow slightly raised.

Among these four, there was indeed a somewhat familiar face.

Xu Chen.

A second-year student at the academy, a member of the Star-Picking Society student organization, who had once invited Qin Jin with others at the beginning of the semester.

Among the four, there were three males and one female. The three behind were second-year students, and the one leading the way was the only third-year student who had stood out.

He was a man with a sunny disposition, disheveled hair, and a handsome face.

Meeting the gazes of the students, his eyes shifted, landing squarely on Qin Jin.

Their gazes met.

A ripple of emotion, and a hint of regret, appeared in his eyes.

“Greetings, everyone. It’s our first meeting.”

The man’s voice rang out: “Third-year, Shi Luoshu.”

Behind him.

The three second-year students introduced themselves one by one.

Second-year, female, Hua Jieyu.

Second-year, male, Xu Chen.

Second-year, male, Shi Qidao.

After the three behind him had finished introducing themselves, Shi Luoshu smiled slightly and said: “For the team combat, we will need everyone to work together to bring glory to our Martial Abyss.”

His voice fell.

He stepped forward, and under everyone’s gaze, he arrived in front of Qin Jin.

“Student Qin Jin, I have long heard of you.”

His tone was gentle and comforting: “Meeting you today, you truly are extraordinary.”

“Would you like to reconsider?”

Qin Jin’s expression remained unchanged: “Reconsider what?”

“The Star-Picking Society.”

Shi Luoshu smiled: “I am the current president of the Star-Picking Society, and as I approach graduation, I am looking for the next successor.”

“With your talent and combat power, if you are willing to join the Star-Picking Society, you will be the next president.”

“No, thank you.”

Qin Jin’s tone was calm as he looked directly at him: “I truly have no interest in joining such student organizations.”

“What a pity.”

Shi Luoshu’s expression became even more regretful as he shook his head: “Everyone has their own ambitions, so I won’t force you.”

He said no more, turning and leaving. He appeared to be quite familiar with Wen Wu Hao, as if it wasn't his first time there.

The moment he left.

Xie Wuhai approached.

“Qin Jin, do you know him?”

“First time meeting him.”

Qin Jin replied, looking at Xie Wuhai: “Why? Do you have information about him in your little notebook?”

“Not really.”

Xie Wuhai shook his head: “However, I’ve heard about Shi Luoshu’s deeds. There shouldn’t be a coincidence of names; it must be him.”

“Oh?”

“What deeds?”

Xie Wuhai lowered his voice: “Like us this time, having gone through the mission period and now this selection, Duan Yaobang and Su Xiangwan will most likely be promoted to S-rank in their next evaluation.”

“Looking at the history of Martial Abyss, there are even more inspiring individuals who climbed from F-rank step by step, ultimately reaching S-rank.”

“Shi Luoshu.”

Xie Wuhai uttered the name: “He is one of those people.”

“However, he didn’t climb step by step over three years, but rather, he was F-rank upon enrollment.”

“But in his first re-evaluation, he went straight to S-rank!”

Once all personnel were present, the starship sailed to the jump zone, first performing multiple jumps, and then entering the stargate.

After leaving the stargate, the number of surrounding starships surged.

Looking out through the portholes, starships of varying sizes bore different academy insignias, and on a few, even dojo emblems could be seen.

Dojos, as the original places of inheritance for Martial Artists, have continued to this day and are also a goal many Martial Artists choose to join.

Participating in the Star Dome Breaking Limit Cup has an age limit, and the participants from dojos can also be considered as being in the same grade.

Wen Wu Hao traversed through this torrent of starships, following the queue. After leaving this area, the torrent dispersed, and the surroundings widened. On the star map displayed in real-time in the hall, in addition to the normally displayed planets, a special marker suddenly appeared.

A student noticed this, and following the direction on the star map, looked out through the porthole. His gaze suddenly sharpened, and he shouted, “Look!”

Qin Jin’s gaze, along with everyone else’s, was directed over.

At the end of their vision.

In the midst of the star sea, a gigantic structure hung suspended. From its appearance, it resembled a colossal arena standing in the star sea!

“It’s the Star Ascension Arena.”

The moment he clearly saw it, Xie Wuhai’s voice suddenly rang out: “This is a special venue, a gigantic structure built primarily by the Federation, with several large corporations contributing. It’s specifically for hosting various top-tier competitions. Even extremely rare Celestial battles have been held on the Star Ascension Arena!”

“Is our individual combat this time going to take place in the Star Ascension Arena?”

“Now we definitely have to advance.”

“Xie Wuhai, it’s just a venue, is there really a need to be so excited?”

Bai Huaiyu’s voice rang out.

“Sister Bai, you don’t understand.”

Xie Wuhai’s eyes burned: “This isn’t just a gigantic structure; it’s a transcendent gigantic structure!”

“Legend has it that the arenas within the Star Ascension Arena venue are divided into different levels. Depending on the combatants, different arenas can be summoned. If one can fight and win on a high-level arena, the victor can truly receive special rewards at a transcendent level!”

“Xie Wuhai is right.”

Chi Wenwu’s voice rang out. Hailing from the Chi Family, a clan with transcendent beings, his knowledge was clearly extensive. He added: “Everyone can view this Star Ascension Arena as a unique opportunity created by the Federation itself, specifically for Martial Artist victors.”

“Strive to advance.”

“Opportunities to fight here are rare.”

Under everyone’s attention.

Wen Wu Hao closed the distance with the Star Ascension Arena, then changed direction and entered a planet next to the Star Ascension Arena.

From the outside, this planet appeared dim and unremarkable.

After the starship entered, the environment inside the planet came into view. In a large area below, layers of mist actually permeated, obscuring the specific situation there.

“Is that perhaps the location for the team combat?”

A guess rang out.

As the starship descended, more information came into view. In the area below, indeed, camps were already lined up. From a high-altitude view, the temporary buildings within the camps formed the clear symbols of academies and dojos.

Intertwined with each other, it was quite shocking.

The starship docked.

The moment the hatch opened, Mentor Meng Ning suddenly appeared.

As he lightly tapped, the entrance to a spatial storage device opened beside him, forming a portal.

His gaze swept over, and he looked at the students present with a smile: “From now on, please hand over all your weapons, equipment, and storage devices. They will be temporarily kept by the academy.”

“Have the rules for the team combat been announced?”

“Not yet.”

Meng Ning shook his head: “According to the information I’ve received, the specific rules will be given to you the moment you enter the arena.”

“Now, it’s preparation.”

“After handing these over, head to the camp and change into the exclusive attire for this competition.”

At this point.

His tone shifted slightly: “Everyone present is an outstanding student of our Martial Abyss. You understand the importance and strictness of the rules for such a large-scale competition.”

“I have only one thing to say.”

“I will not inspect you, because you have your own pride, and I am willing to trust you.”

“But you, too, must not bring shame to Martial Abyss over such a small matter.”

His voice fell.

Qin Jin walked to the very front. “Can’t I carry any equipment?”

As thoughts spun in his mind, he removed his Heavens Might bracelet, then took out the equipment carrying the azure lightning dark halberd, as well as his own storage equipment, and gently pushed them into the portal.

Meng Ning’s gaze swept over, lingering for a moment on the mecha storage equipment, his brows slightly raised.

Qin Jin stepped forward, leaving along the gangway.

“According to the history of the Star Dome Breaking Limit Cup, there have been quite a few instances where no equipment could be carried. Could it be some kind of survival competition mode?”

A thought flashed through his mind, and his eyes lowered slightly: “I have my Spiritual Void and shan he remnant piece, so this restriction is useless to me.”

“However—”

“In such a highly scrutinized major competition, attempting to cheat, whether discovered or not, is simply not worth it.”

“Moreover, I don’t need to now.”

He walked into the temporary camp and changed his clothes.

The specialized combat suit was entirely black. Upon receiving it, Qin Jin could confirm that the combat suit had no special effects. Although it looked like a combat suit, it was just slightly sturdier ordinary clothing.

The students’ movements in the camp were not restricted; they could cultivate, engage in activities, and entertain themselves.

From the sky, starships occasionally descended.

Three days passed in a flash.

During these three days, there were no disturbances in the camp on this planet, but outside, the enthusiasm for the Star Dome Breaking Limit Cup continued to rise, with preparations underway.

After the academy entrance examinations, this was undoubtedly one of the most eye-catching top-tier competitions.

This morning.

As a notification sound rang in his room, Qin Jin ended his semi-slumber cultivation and left his residence, arriving inside the camp.

Looking around.

All fourteen participants from Wu Yuan Academy, dressed in identical uniforms, looked at each other.

And in the center of the camp.

Special equipment was set up, forming a scanning area, with scanning beams descending from above. In front of the scanning area were fourteen teleportation gates, their interiors rippling, forming a teleportation zone, leading to unknown destinations.

“What a grand scene.”

Mentor Meng Ning stood to one side.

A staff member from the host venue, with a smile on his face, said: “Greetings, outstanding students of Martial Abyss.”

“Pass through the scan and enter the teleportation zone, and the team combat of this Star Dome Breaking Limit Cup will officially begin.”

“The specific rules will be known to you once you enter.”

Their gazes met.

Without any hesitation, everyone underwent the scan simultaneously, with no abnormalities detected.

Then Qin Jin arrived at the teleportation zone, stepped forward, and entered the portal.

A sensation of shuttling came from all around him.

His surroundings suddenly darkened, then brightened, and Qin Jin’s gaze looked forward.

At this moment, a light screen appeared, and at the very top, information was displayed word by word.

[Current Location]

[Unknown Civilization Ruins]