Chapter 137: The Imperial Clan

"Only two from the imperial lineage are here, while many talents from royal families have come, around thirty in total. Below them, the number of talents from noble families is countless. However, for you, only the talents from the imperial lineage pose a threat.

When the Radiant Abyss erupts, if you come across innate radiance suitable for yourself, pursue it boldly. There's nothing to fear," he continued.

Upon hearing this, Heng Jin immediately asked, "Senior, is it really okay? The elders of those two imperial beings have also come. If I seize their opportunities and clash directly with the imperial descendants..."

Heng Jin wasn't truly afraid. He intentionally posed this question to test Gu Mo and the attitude of the War God Academy and the Luo Mo clan towards other imperial lineages.

"Haha, it's fine. The competition between young talents isn't about backgrounds or support, but about strength.

Even if you are unknown, as long as you have genuine capabilities, what does it matter if you seize an imperial peer's opportunity? No one will intervene to bully the weak, that's been the rule of our world, tacitly agreed upon by many immortal kings. Feel free to compete, without fear of their backgrounds," Gu Mo reassured, giving Heng Jin peace of mind.

"I see, thank you Senior for clarifying," Heng Jin responded with a bow, understanding now clear on his face.

Gu Mo nodded and further spoke about the importance of the Radiance.

"Throughout history, countless beings have been elevated by the Radiant Abyss, using innate radiance to reach immortality, or even to enter the realm of immortal kings.

Never underestimate the Swallowing Radiance realm, as each thread of innate radiance represents a fundamental path. Of course, they vary in levels, with higher levels providing greater benefits, and the future achievements after consuming them will be even higher.

Not only in our world, but other worlds also achieve kingly realms with the help of this innate light, such as the origin of the Immortal Domain..."

Heng Jin nodded repeatedly, then bid farewell to Gu Mo and walked towards the capturing zone, while the latter went to the waiting area.

An immortal king once left words in this secret realm, stating that only talents of the Fiery Blood realm could enter the capturing zone and rely on their own strength to capture the radiance. No others could intervene, thus creating the concept of the waiting area.

Elders like Gu Mo, who lead young talents here, can only stay in the waiting area and watch from afar. Even if their own talent's opportunity is seized by others, they cannot intervene.

Heng Jin, upon entering, did not hesitate and went straight to one area.

Even though there are many capturing zones, a few spots have been proven over generations to be the best for capturing radiance, with a much higher success rate than others.

The areas occupied by the young from the Devouring Heavenly Imperial lineage and the descendant of the Red King are two of the best capturing spots.

In addition, there are two other areas almost identical in quality.

These two areas are now occupied, all by immensely powerful royal talents.

The eruption of the Radiant Abyss was imminent. Heng Jin decided not to provoke a conflict with the youth of the Imperial Clan. He deemed the royal youth a more attainable target.

He strode forward, but before he could approach, a cold warning voice reached his ears.

"Human, halt. This place is already claimed."

Heng Jin remained unmoved, his steps unrelenting.

"Indeed, it is claimed. You can leave now," he retorted coldly, not missing a beat.

At Heng Jin's words, the royal youth could hardly believe his ears. If such words had come from the mouth of an Imperial Clan prodigy, he would have had nothing to say, swallowing his pride and stepping aside.

However, these words came from the mouth of a lowly human, leaving him utterly dumbfounded.

Not far away, other royal youths laughed, seemingly mocking him for being humiliated by a human.

"You'd better have a plausible reason, or be prepared to lose your pathetic, lowly life," he snapped, enraged that a mere human dared to challenge him.

"Such talk. It's a waste for someone of your inadequate strength to occupy such a prime spot," Heng Jin responded dominantly, then immediately launched an attack on the royal youth without further ado.

Blood boiled like steaming water, faintly echoing the cries of dragons and phoenixes.

Heng Jin stretched out a palm, striking forth. Ancient scripts roared and commanded a massive energy surge, unleashing an unparalleled might.

The royal youth was infuriated at the human's audacity to dare challenge him, a descendant of royalty. He struck back furiously.

Silently, the two hands collided in the void, immediately determining the winner.

After a scream, the royal youth's hand was crushed into a bloody mess, bones cracking and shattering continuously.

At this moment, he was utterly horrified. Although the human before him appeared unremarkable, his strength was terrifying, akin to facing an Imperial Clan prodigy.

As he pondered, the great hand came again. The royal youth roared, his blood boiling and exuding an immortal aura, the epitome of royal blood pushed to its extreme, significantly enhancing his combat prowess.

However, the aura on Heng Jin's hand was even more terrifying, with phantoms of true dragons and true phoenixes coiling around it, immensely powerful to the extreme.

Even the distant heirs of the Imperial Clan were alerted, opening their eyes to look this way.

The other royal prodigies were dumbfounded, absolutely shocked at what had just unfolded.

They had expected a mere human, overestimating himself by challenging the nobility, to be swiftly dispatched. Who would have thought this human would be so formidable, even overpowering one of the strongest among the present royal descendants?

There were four prime hunting grounds, two of which were occupied by the imperial heirs. The remaining two could only be claimed by the elite among the royal prodigies.

Thus, the royal youth who had his bones broken by Heng Jin could scarcely be called weak. Among the young prodigies present, save for those from the imperial clan, his strength ranked near the top.

"What? That is... the unique radiance of the War God Academy's War God? This human is from the War God Academy!"

Someone noticed the brilliant glow slowly spreading from Heng Jin's hand.

It was a symbol of honor, bestowed by the immortal king Luomo, and would always appear with each strike, never fading, even if the aura was depleted.

"Pfft!" A crisp sound echoed.

The royal prodigy was sent flying, the immense force fracturing his bones countless times in an instant, his organs shaken, vomiting blood as he rolled across the ground numerous times.

Just as Heng Jin had declared, he rolled. Even after exerting every effort to resist, he was trampled by Heng Jin and severely injured. "Ah, you!"

To have been crushed like this, this human youth's strength nearly rivaled that of the imperial prodigies. Victory or defeat, what else was there to say?

Yet, being publicly crushed by a human was something he could hardly swallow.

Heng Jin said nothing, casting a cold glance down at him before turning away to gaze at the brilliant chasm beneath his feet.

"Look everyone, the brilliance emanating from that human's strike seems different from ordinary War God light.

This isn't just any War God; it's the legendary Unmatched War God. Throughout the War God Academy's history, only a few have ever existed."

A royal prodigy exclaimed in shock.

Typically, War Gods emerging from the War God Academy achieved this by passing the fifth layer of the War God Tower, thus receiving the War God radiance and moving among the world.

Someone like Heng Jin, who had cleared the sixth layer and become an Unmatched War God, was indeed rare, mostly seen among the prodigies of Luomo's lineage.

"No wonder he could so resoundingly crush a royal. It turns out he is the Unmatched War God."

The royal prodigies suddenly understood, their previous disdain for Heng Jin dissipating without a trace.

Indeed, he was human, and in a foreign domain like this, he would typically be despised and regarded as inferior, yet strength speaks louder than words, earning him respect.

Ignoring the awed gazes and whispers of the royal youths around him, Heng Jin's focus remained solely on the Glowing Abyss.

The ground beneath him was indeed one of the best capture zones, offering a wide view and an excellent position. Here, one had a natural advantage when it came to capturing the glow.

However, this was not the only prime capture zone; three others were just as favorable.

Heng Jin disregarded the area occupied by the royals, focusing his attention on the two youths from the imperial clans, both formidable opponents not to be underestimated.

Just then, Heng Jin suddenly felt a peculiar gaze upon him. Looking in its direction, he found it was from those same two imperial clan youths.

The first was a youth in black from the Heaven-Swallowing Clan, while the other was a descendant of the Red King, clad in gray.

Noticing Heng Jin's gaze, both nodded at him from across the distance.

Possessing unparalleled battle prowess that could crush the elite among the royals, these labels earned Heng Jin the recognition of the two young nobles, who regarded him as an equal.

The principle "don't hit a smiling face" applied here as Heng Jin nodded back, though his expression remained unchanged, still cold.

Acknowledging each other did not mean they would show mercy in the upcoming contest for the glow; clearly, both sides were prepared to remain indifferent.

"You seem unfamiliar, my friend. When did you join the War God Academy?" the Red King's descendant probingly asked.

"I am good friends with Luo Yi from the Luo Clan, and he often speaks of the War God Academy and the War God Tower, but I have never heard of such an exceptional human student there; the academy must truly be a hidden dragon, crouching tiger."

"It's natural that you haven't heard. I joined the War God Academy not long ago, and as for your friend Luo Yi from the Luo Clan, we have never met, so I wouldn't know of him."

"I see. I am Chi Long from the Chi Clan."

"Greetings, Chi Long. My name is Heng Jin."

"Ah, so it's Fellow Daoist Heng Jin. Heng Jin... your name resonates with the time law my clan cultivates; it seems our fates are intertwined." The young man in gray was quite talkative, continuing his conversation with Heng Jin.

At that moment, the other imperial youth spoke up.

Dressed entirely in black, he exuded an aura of consuming everything, both terrifying and mysterious.

"Greetings, Brother Heng Jin. I am Qing Wu from the Heaven-Swallowing Clan."

The prodigy of the imperial clan spoke, unable to ignore Heng Jin any longer, and thus, greeted him.

After some conversation, the three of them became much more familiar with each other. This was quite different from what Heng Jin had imagined; he had expected mockery and belittling from the youth of the imperial clan, followed by a great battle. Unexpectedly, as soon as he displayed strength comparable to the descendants of the imperial clan, the other party voluntarily expressed a desire to become friends.

However, upon careful thought, this actually made sense.

One must understand that the descendants of the imperial clan aspire to become immortal kings, but due to the shackles of their imperial bloodline, it is highly unlikely they will become kings in the future; reaching the quasi-immortal king realm is likely their limit.

Heng Jin, however, is different. As a member of the human race, his blood does not flow with the blood of kings. This means that his chances of achieving the immortal king realm are much greater than those of the imperial clan descendants. So, it is no wonder that these prodigies of the imperial clan place such importance on Heng Jin, frequently engaging him in conversation.

Suddenly, the colorful mist above the Sunset Abyss disappeared, reverting to its original gray and desolate appearance, as if the prosperity had faded, the flourishing era withered away.

This sudden change caused the young prodigies in the capture area to become excited, as experience dictated that following the disappearance of such phenomena, the Sunset Abyss was due for a major eruption.

Upon seeing this, Chi Long and Qing Wu immediately ended their conversation with Heng Jin, each leaving a parting remark that when the competition for the rays begins, everyone will rely on their skills. There will be no courtesy.

This was precisely in line with Heng Jin's thoughts, and he expressed the same sentiment.

Before long, the black-gray light beneath the Sunset Abyss fluctuated, akin to a volcano long accumulating magma, about to erupt.

"Boom!"

Finally, with a deafening roar, the Sunset Abyss erupted dramatically, countless rays of light shooting out from the depths like a flood bursting through a dam.

The otherworldly prodigies stationed in the capture area had long been impatient, jostling one another as they focused intently on the strands of rays shooting up from the abyss below.

Though these rays were all considered innate rays, the majority were mere scraps, lacking quality. Even if they contained some degree of the great Dao essence, they could not provide much assistance to cultivators.

They all, without exception, sought the top-tier innate rays mixed among the scraps. So-called top-tier innate rays also had levels, and with good fortune, acquiring a perfect ray could change one's fate and propel one skyward. Historical examples of such cases are not lacking, constantly encouraging people to pursue them.

At this moment, many princely youth had already identified their desirable targets; all were top-tier rays, each exceptionally vibrant, shining brilliantly in the black-gray abyss, breathtakingly beautiful, and many had already begun capturing them.

According to the rules here, a cultivator can only capture one ray they need, not multiple at once. Capturing en masse would lead to vicious cycles, so capturing a single ray means the cultivator will withdraw from the competition, no longer posing a threat to others.

Some were unwilling, seizing the rare event of a major eruption occurring once every ten thousand years, they naturally sought to grasp even more heaven-defying top-tier rays. Thus, even if a desirable ray passed by just nearby, they refrained from acting, keeping their gaze fixed below.

As for Heng Jin and the two youths from the imperial clan, they remained utterly unmoved. At their level, only perfect rays were worth capturing. Historical records indicate that each major eruption of the Sunset Abyss would always bring forth rays of this caliber, so they were not worried at all, each one preparing, ready to engage fiercely in the competition.

Don't be deceived by the convivial chatter among the three, as if they were lifelong friends reunited after years apart.

Once matters of the Great Dao arise, it's a battle to the death.

Nobody holds back or gives way even a single step.