55: restricted area

Inside the Forbidden Zone, the stacked thunderclouds were like giant beasts about to pounce from above, the sky and earth frighteningly dark, illuminated only by the occasional surging lightning.

Ahead of Qin Jin,

stood a several-meter-tall Thunder Lion, its body flickering with electric arcs, blocking their path.

That was an energy construct!

However, unlike the ordinary lightning balls that roamed the wilderness, it had already taken on a form, and the power it contained had increased.

This Forbidden Zone was filled with such constructs; if not for the Star God’s birth, which reclaimed a large amount of overflowing power, they would be even more terrifying.

But now...

They were still not to be underestimated.

As Qin Jin and his two companions stopped, the Thunder Lion sensed their presence, its body surging forward, its lightning-formed limbs stepping directly into the air, charging towards them.

Being an energy creation, it inherently possessed the ability to tread on air.

“Spread out.”

Qin Jin’s gaze sharpened. While making a gesture with his right hand, he clenched both fists, his knuckle blades already on, and his life energy surged. He actively moved to meet the Thunder Lion.

At the same time,

Yu Sheng and Jiang Panxia, one on the left and one on the right, drew their blades. Jiang Panxia pulled and flicked a piece of brocade, her long spear swaying, soaring in front of her, which she grasped firmly, charging forward from both sides.

It seemed the three intended to form a pincer attack against the Thunder Lion.

Just as the three charged forward, closing the distance,

sounds of air being torn echoed from both sides.

Two figures, who had been ambushed there at some unknown time, launched a surprise attack, taking advantage of the moment Qin Jin and his two companions were fighting the Thunder Lion.

As the two figures charged, a mental attack was launched.

Qin Jin and his two companions’ vision went black, as a giant Thunder-Horned Rhinoceros, its head shaking, lightning roaring, appeared.

This was a mental attack method achieved after successful engraving.

But...

This scene lasted less than half a second.

The Thunder-Horned Rhinoceros shattered with a loud bang the moment it appeared, and at the same time... in the distance, a falling sound echoed.

That was the mental attack suffering an unparalleled counter, causing the caster to lose consciousness.

At this moment, Yu Sheng and Jiang Panxia seemed to have been prepared, turning their bodies to meet the attacking enemies.

Jiang Panxia thrust her long spear forward, and at the instant their weapons clashed, her life energy erupted. She exerted force, lifting the enemy’s weapon directly from their hand. The next instant, the spearhead struck the opponent’s chest, piercing through.

Because of Qin Jin’s presence, Chu Tianyi did not participate in the competition for “top Heavenly Selection,” but to be able to enter the base and become the undisputed first, apart from Qin Jin, how could he be easy to deal with?

Jiang Panxia pulled out her spear, her expression fluctuating slightly before finally returning to calm. She immediately turned back to join Yu Sheng’s battle.

When they chose to stay at the base and participate in this final competition, they had already prepared for a life-and-death struggle.

Facing ambushing enemies, they naturally would not, and could not, hold back.

The words Heavenly Selection sounded somewhat dreamlike, but they represented a bloody struggle.

On the other side, Yu Sheng was also engaged with the attacking enemy.

At the same time,

at the very center of the battlefield, in front of Qin Jin, was the Thunder Lion.

The mental attack had been broken by him. Facing the charging Thunder Lion, Qin Jin did not dodge or evade. His life energy surged, and on his knuckle blades, brilliant light bloomed!

Then...

He and the Thunder Lion clashed head-on!

Everything seemed to fall silent.

A moment later,

energy erupted, and the Thunder Lion’s body exploded with a roar, turning into bursting lightning that spread out.

Qin Jin stood in place, unharmed.

Suddenly,

Qin Jin perceived that within the exploding energy construct, faint traces of core power had merged into him, into his life energy.

This power was extremely faint and very subtle; if not for his astonishing perception, he likely would have missed it.

“What is this?”

Thoughts raced through his mind.

“Energy constructs are all formed from the overflowing power of the Star God.”

“Breaking constructs yields this kind of reward. Will this affect meeting the Star God in the end?”

“If this is also a crucial point, then I should actively hunt these energy constructs.”

These thoughts flashed in an instant.

To Qin Jin’s left,

Yu Sheng and Jiang Panxia, working together, had eliminated the last enemy.

“Captain.”

The two turned back.

“Good teamwork.”

Qin Jin praised.

During their time familiarizing themselves with the wilderness, they had also formulated many tactics.

“It’s all thanks to your keen perception, Jing Ge.”

Yu Sheng quickly said, “Shall we continue?”

“Wait a moment.”

Qin Jin shifted his gaze, looking towards the dim sky in the distance.

“Come out.”

After his words fell,

there was no response from the surroundings, only the roaring of thunder in the world.

But Yu Sheng and Jiang Panxia became alert, not relaxing in the slightest, gripping their weapons tightly, already prepared for battle.

They maintained absolute trust in Qin Jin.

Approximately several tens of seconds passed.

When Qin Jin and his two companions still made no move, footsteps sounded in the distance.

Three figures, two males and one female, one in front and two behind, walked out together.

Qin Jin’s gaze fell on the leader.

She was a woman, dressed in a special combat suit, with a thin veil covering her face.

“Such keen perception.”

Her voice was a little hoarse. After praising, she looked at Yu Sheng and his companion, who were still on alert, and chuckled, “I’m not here to fight.”

Her gaze focused on Qin Jin, “You, should be the captain of this small team, right?”

“I saw your battle process. You are very strong. We can cooperate.”

“Cooperate?”

Qin Jin’s tone showed no fluctuation.

“That’s right.”

The woman nodded, “Let me introduce myself, Wang Mingyan of the Wang family from Weaving Sound Star.”

Wang Mingyan’s voice contained a rich interest as she slowly said, “There are too many teams participating in this Heavenly Selection. If so many teams are allowed to enter the depths of the Star God Forbidden Zone, it’s inevitable that something unexpected will happen.”

“Presumably, many people have already chosen not to go deep, but to eliminate other teams and reduce competitors.”

“Your strength is not bad; you have the qualifications to cooperate with me.”

“How about it?”

“We can join forces and also look for other friends to eliminate some people first.”

“As for later, it will be up to each of us.”

“Of course.”

Wang Mingyan’s veil was lifted by the wind, her lips slightly curved, “If you are willing to help me in the end, once the Heavenly Selection is over, the Wang family’s reward will certainly not disappoint the three of you.”

Noble families.

Chu Tianyi had spoken about noble families, and his subordinates had also collected some intelligence on opponents before the Heavenly Selection began.

Qin Jin had not expected that someone would extend an olive branch to him so soon after the Heavenly Selection began.

His expression remained unchanged, his tone calm as he said, “I have no intention of cooperating with others.”

The smile on Wang Mingyan’s lips stiffened.

Her brows furrowed, “Your strength is good, and you seem like a smart person. Why refuse so quickly?”

“Is it because of the power behind you?”

“If you are concerned about them, there’s no need. If you can help me become the ultimate winner of this Heavenly Selection, the Wang family will naturally protect you. You will have an even brighter future.”

Her persuasive voice echoed in the wind.

However, she only saw Qin Jin, whose expression hadn’t changed in the slightest, and Yu Sheng and his companion, who remained alert without any relaxation.

She looked at her followers behind her, “Is my invitation so unappealing?”

The man’s voice carried a hint of flattery, “Miss, many powers have obtained tickets, and among those participating in the Heavenly Selection, there are too many bumpkins from this Mining Star. They probably don’t even know about the Wang family.”

Upon hearing this,

Wang Mingyan shook her head.

Her gaze gradually turned cold, her tone normal.

“What a pity...”