65: forbidden area

He kept running.

Just as Qin Jin, riding a Saber-toothed tiger, climbed the cliff ahead, the Saber-toothed tiger's steps suddenly halted, coming to an abrupt stop.

It looked forward, unable to help but let out a low growl.

From the emotions it emanated, Qin Jin sensed intense awe and fear.

"Is this as far as you can go?"

Seeing this, Qin Jin was not surprised.

As they traveled, the repulsive force continuously increased, and it was already beyond expectation that this Thunder tiger could bring him this far.

Now it seemed that the extraordinary creatures within the Star God Forbidden Zone were very likely not suppressed by the repulsive force.

But similarly…

They also could not approach the true core of this Star God Forbidden Zone.

With a leap, his palm pressing against the tiger's back, Qin Jin landed steadily and walked towards the edge of the cliff before him.

After he reached the edge…

Everything came into view.

Looking out, a Thunder God Tree, constructed of lightning, stood tall in the sky and earth ahead.

The rampant bolts of lightning, like veins, connected the planet, providing it with its final boost.

The entire Thunder God Tree seemed to be breathing, rising and falling, and with each rise and fall, the light it emitted became even more dazzling.

Just looking directly at this Thunder God Tree brought an immense pressure, but the special power obtained from the hunting construct within his physique continuously alleviated this pressure.

Qin Jin lowered his head and looked down.

Below the cliff was a special, vast basin-like terrain, and the Thunder God Tree was situated right in its center.

In this basin, besides the Thunder God Tree, there was also a Thunder Pool!

This was a Thunder Pool in the true textual sense.

Lightning transformed into pool water, constantly colliding and surging, stirring up monstrous waves that rolled in the pool. Amidst the convergence of lightning, countless energy constructs of different forms and strengths were bred here.

The entire Thunder Pool was formed around the Thunder God Tree.

This was a scene not visible from an aerial view.

Because, if viewed from above, this entire Thunder Pool would be obscured by the lightning veins extending from the top of the Thunder God Tree.

"This place is probably the origin of energy constructs."

"The energy constructs in the Mining Star's wilderness, and even within the Star God Forbidden Zone, probably emanated from here."

"It seems this is the final destination for all Heavenly Selection competitors on this journey."

Undoubtedly, before the Star God was born, no one could cross this Thunder Pool.

The terrifying power contained within it was enough to instantly annihilate any creature that stumbled into it, leaving no trace.

Qin Jin looked back.

Behind him.

The Saber-toothed tiger dared not take another step forward, but still wanted to get closer to Qin Jin, so it could only stealthily watch Qin Jin from a distance, its eyes filled with timidity.

Seeing this, Qin Jin waved his hand, not making things difficult for it.

"Go."

"Your mission is over."

The command was conveyed telepathically.

The Saber-toothed tiger glanced at Qin Jin, then leaped up and retreated a great distance, but did not leave directly. It found a small mound, obediently lay down, and observed the area from afar.

Qin Jin glanced at it, not caring.

He looked in the direction he came from, surveying the four sides of the Thunder Pool.

"Those who can reach here are the selected victors among the Heavenly Selections."

"Upon reaching here, they gain the opportunity to be chosen by the nascent Star God."

"However, I am the first to arrive here."

"In that case…"

Qin Jin's eyes lowered slightly, a sharp glint flashing in them as he made a decision: "I shall serve as the final hurdle for this Heavenly Selection selection."

"If you wish to face the divine and become a Heavenly Selection, then first defeat me, and only then can we discuss anything else."

Since he participated, he would go all out and strive for victory.

He wanted to rely on himself to resolve all unexpected situations.

This was Qin Jin's creed.

Behind him was the Thunder Pool, which no one could cross.

Qin Jin stood his ground, calming his mind and spirit. While operating his Breathing Method, his spiritual power sensed every rustle and movement around him.

The tempering in the Great Wilderness had long accustomed him to multitasking.

While operating his Breathing Method, Qin Jin made a discovery, and his heart stirred.

He clearly perceived that as the Thunder Beast Breathing Technique circulated, life energy surged, and the refining speed was far greater than before, while the refined life energy was also more potent.

"This is…"

"The influence of the surrounding environment."

Qin Jin was no longer a novice, and he instantly made a judgment.

"In the Great Wilderness, I advanced my Breathing Method through stimulation from completely different forces, leading to changes."

"And now, it's like returning to its origin, and this Breathing Method naturally undergoes changes."

As the thought flashed through his mind, the professional panel appeared.

Qin Jin's gaze focused on one item.

[Thunder Beast Breathing Technique: Lv5 (7%)]

This Breathing Method had advanced again.

"An unexpected gain."

"After the Star God Chosen, I can begin to learn other Breathing Methods, and in the process of breaking through in cultivation, constantly refine, integrate, and combine them, until eventually, I create my own unique Breathing Method, refining the most potent life energy."

The thought flashed through his mind.

Behind him, the Thunder Pool rumbled continuously.

Qin Jin, however, had completely calmed down, leaning against the Thunder Pool, quietly awaiting his enemies.

...

The sky within the Star God Forbidden Zone was chaotic, with dense thunderclouds, making it impossible to distinguish day from night.

After approximately several hours, Qin Jin sensed something and opened his eyes.

At the end of his vision.

A male figure, cautiously looking around, approached quickly.

He carried no weapons, bare-handed, and seemed to have a rather sunny disposition.

After Qin Jin's gaze fell upon him, he turned his eyes and also discovered Qin Jin.

"Someone is even faster than me."

As the thought flashed through his mind, he quickened his pace, heading straight for Qin Jin, finally stopping about dozens of steps away.

His gaze fell on Qin Jin, and he loudly said, "My name is Song Niancheng. Excuse me, what's the procedure?"

"Should I also come over and wait here with you for the Star God to be born?"

Qin Jin said calmly, "Fight, or retreat."

"So direct?"

Song Niancheng responded, rubbing his hands, understanding Qin Jin's intention.

"How truly domineering."

"Come on, let's have a spar. Whoever loses will leave directly."

As his voice fell, the casualness in his eyes turned serious, his aura fluctuated, and he darted out.

At the same time.

Qin Jin also moved.

The two figures quickly converged. In the instant they approached, Song Niancheng threw his right fist, and life energy seemed to coil around his fist like a gauntlet, emitting a brilliant light as it struck horizontally.

The moment he threw his punch.

In his eyes, lightning surged around Qin Jin. In the next instant, Qin Jin's trace had already vanished from his sight.

"Such speed."

As the thought arose in his mind, pain shot through his abdomen. Qin Jin's punch landed on his abdomen, and with the burst of power, his body curled like a shrimp, sharply arching upwards.

Song Niancheng immediately tried to maintain his balance, but in that instant, he glimpsed the figure enveloped in lightning, who instantly caught up to him, then delivered a kick.

Lightning rippled.

A tremendous force struck, and in mid-air, his body changed direction, flying horizontally, finally falling to the ground.

Numbness and pain assailed his entire body.

Qin Jin landed.

He looked at the other party, his voice sounding.

"You have no killing intent, so I will not kill you."

"To be able to break through to here, you are considered a genius of this generation on the Mining Star. Leave."

Song Niancheng grimaced in pain, barely managing to straighten up. One hand clutched his stomach, and he looked at Qin Jin, extending his other hand with a thumbs-up: "No wonder you're so domineering, truly impressive!"

"Farewell."

With that, he turned and limped away, without the slightest hesitation.

The more talented a person, the more they can recognize the gap.

In two brief exchanges, he had already realized the difference between them.

Some people who arrive here might stake everything and choose to fight to the death, while others might cherish their lives even more, because they are already destined for a good future.

His figure receded into the distance.

Not long after, a second figure approached.

The newcomer had silver hair, a woman. Upon seeing Qin Jin standing alone by the cliff, her steps halted, and her expression subtly changed.

Qin Jin's gaze swept over, and he raised an eyebrow slightly.

"We've met before."

His voice was steady: "Want to try?"

"Defeat me, and you can stay here; otherwise, leave directly."

The newcomer was Bai Caihe.

Her twin teammate was nowhere to be seen, and she had arrived here alone.

Hearing Qin Jin's voice, she bit her silver teeth, clenched her fists, but ultimately released them dejectedly. Without a word, she turned and left.

She had witnessed Qin Jin's battle with her own eyes.

With her twin's protection, she didn't believe she was his match, let alone now.

This was only the beginning.

Qin Jin stood his ground, truly becoming the final hurdle within this Star God Forbidden Zone.

The Star God was about to be born.

All enemies would fight.

Qin Jin stood guard alone at the Thunder Pool.