The cultivators, eliminated from the competition, spread word of what had happened. All who listened to their description were astounded.

This level of accomplishment went beyond shocking.

It was like something out of legend, something that couldn't be true.

"How in the world did he do it? That's impossible!"

"What a frightening accomplishment..."

The crowds were shocked by Zhang Lie and his allies' strength.

Several representatives of the supreme forces frowned upon hearing the information. Their eyes seemed to encompass miniature galaxies of their own, sparking a healthy dose of fear in those around them.

"What force do they represent? They're being far too audacious."

Scarlet flames blazed around the head of the flamedemons. He treated what had happened as a challenge to his authority; there would be a reckoning for this.

All the flamedemon challengers present in the rock forest had been killed. The news was like a slap to his face.

This was an insult, one that would have to be repaid in kind.

A sword flashed, the strike forming a long river through the skies. The genetic energy burst in a shower of droplets that shone silver in the sunlight.

Yang Ze's battle had finished as Chang Sheng was eliminated.

The three hunters smiled as their gazes met.

"What are you doing here, Yang Ze?" Zhang Lie asked.

Yang Ze replied, "I was with Fang Yi, but we each encountered a foe and split up."

They had come to the rock forest intending to see whether there were any treasures to be found, not expecting to encounter enemies instead. One was an opponent from the qualifiers; the other was a member of the Stargods.

"There are quite a few Stargods here as well. They attack Fang Yi on sight. I wonder how he's doing?""Don't worry," Zhang Lie replied. "I'll be able to find Fang Yi with my beehive soulshard."

Yang Ze continued, "As for you, Xiaowu, what's with all the special effects?"

"The inheritance from this rock forest was particularly compatible with my framework. I just don't know where it's from..."

"How do you feel?" Zhang Lie asked.

Sun Xiaowu gave him a thumbs up. "Great. It's just that..."

"What is it?" Zhang Lie asked.

"There's a passageway leading into a deeper part of this world," Sun Xiaowu replied.

"Where?" Yang Ze pressed.

Sun Xiaowu shook his head. "It takes advantage of the teleportation apparatus built into the palace to do so. You'll have to perfectly comprehend the inheritance here to use it."

"Does it lead into the heart of the world?" Zhang Lie asked.

Sun Xiaowu shook his head. "I think there's far more to this world than Senior Bu Wentian told us about. I don't know about the specifics, either."

Zhang Lie nodded. "That's normal. After all, he didn't make it past the qualifiers, and likely is only aware of the knowledge common to all participants. The true mysteries of the competition proper—well, it's likely only the supreme forces of the fifth realm are aware of them all."

"Once we find Fang Yi, I'd like to attempt to make the crossing through the palace. I have the sense that it'll be particularly important to me."

Zhang Lie waved a hand. "There's no need. You should pass through right now while you still can. Fang Yi's not in much trouble, and the two of us can deal with it on our own."

Sun Xiaowu's eyes brightened. "Why don't we all head in once we find Fang Yi?"

Zhang Lie shook his head. "The runes in the palace aren't compatible with my framework. Although part of my framework shares many similarities to a gold attunement, it's only superficial. If I attempt to imbue the insight I've gleaned into my framework, it'll have a tremendous influence on my framework and future development. All the palace can impart to me is reference and perspective."

Yang Ze shrugged. "And I can't make heads or tails of it."

Sun Xiaowu sighed, but Zhang Lie waved a hand at him. "Don't worry about us. Go!"

Sun Xiaowu nodded. He stepped back into the palace, which glowed with light. Runes appeared in an ardent blaze. The entire palace rose into the sky. The holy mountain that supported it crumbled.

Zhang Lie understood what was going on now. Each palace represented a path forward. Perhaps Bu Wentian had been wrong about the victory condition of the tournament, too—"the final cultivators remaining will be the victors."

No. There were still plenty of secrets that they didn't know about this world."Where to next, Captain?" Yang Ze asked.

Zhang Lie suggested, "Let's follow the queen bee soulshard and find our nearest teammates."

Yang Ze nodded. "We'll have to hurry. I'm worried something will happen to Fang Yi sooner or later."

Zhang Lie shook his head. "Don't worry about it too much. Fang Yi's an incredible fighter, and he won't have a problem."

Zhang Lie and Yang Ze set off in the direction the queen bee soulshard led them toward. Suddenly, countless golden beetles in the air began to hum in collective resonance. The resulting noise was the ear-piercing screech of metal against metal. Golden light and lightning flared, striking the cultivators around them indiscriminately.

The swarm of golden beetles was like a tidal wave.

Yang Ze blanched. "Where did these beetles come from?"

Zhang Lie waved a hand. "According to the soulshard, Fang Yi's on the other side of this mess."

Yang Ze gulped. "Trapped within this sea of bugs?"

"I'm not sure yet. Regardless, we'll kill our way over."

Pale blue genetic energy rippled about Zhang Lie's arms. He flicked his wrists, causing a frightening aura to descend on the world. The sky began to darken, and a fish the size of a whale materialized in the air.

"[Fists of the Silent Sea: Soar]!"

A howling gale swept over the arena. As more and more genetic energy gathered around Zhang Lie's arms, it looked as though he were at the heart of a whirlpool.

Ripples of energy spread out from Zhang Lie, warping the space around him. The towering waves looked like enraged black dragons, flooding the area. A large swathe of golden beetles was swept away.

As a howling gale rose up, the golden beetles were torn to shreds. Their limbs exploded and scattered around them.

As the waves burst apart, the air filled with echoes of Zhang Lie's signature genetic energy, shattering space and swallowing up all life in its vicinity.

The ground quaked. The golden beetles before them were cleared away, revealing the cerulean blue sky once more.

Yang Ze smiled. "I'm glad I'm with you, Captain. I don't even have to make a move.""We'd better hurry over," Zhang Lie said.

The golden beetles swarmed toward Zhang Lie and Yang Ze as though they had gone mad.

"[The Boundless Blade: Ersatz Yawning Wave]!"

Yang Ze's blade left ripples in its wake, clearing away the golden beetles that had swarmed around them. He frowned. "What's going on? These beetles are going crazy!"

Zhang Lie frowned as well. "Perhaps we'll find out as we venture deeper within."