I transmigrated to a chaotic world and became the sole player.

Dead silence.

The entire arena, including the third arena and the surrounding area, seemed to be frozen in time. All sounds and movements were still.

Yin Jiuyou is dead.

Yin Jiuyou, a Foundation Establishment Ninth Level cultivator, Qin Wuyai's top strategist and henchman, and a notorious figure even within the inner sect, couldn't withstand a single move from Lu Zhao's Annihilation Sword Finger before his brow was pierced and his soul was annihilated!

The entire process was lightning fast, clean and efficient, with a chilling simplicity and ruthlessness.

Below the stage, Zhao Yan and Li Yue stared wide-eyed, mouths agape, as if seeing Lu Zhao for the first time. Ye Qingyi covered her lips with her hand, her beautiful eyes filled with lingering shock. She knew Lu Zhao was powerful, but she hadn't expected him to be this powerful! He had annihilated Yin Jiuyou, a ninth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator, with a single finger, and this was under the combined attack of Qin Wuyai! This wasn't just a matter of strength; it was the ultimate display of combat awareness, timing, and decisive action!

On the high platform, the gray-robed elder, who had been resting with his eyes closed, had opened them at some point, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his cloudy old eyes. Elder Yan nodded slightly, stroking his beard, a look of admiration on his face. Elder Chisong raised an eyebrow and muttered to himself, "Good lad, this sword intent... is not simple." Lei Wanjun, the Hall Master of Enforcement, remained expressionless, but a hint of surprise flickered deep in his eyes. This young man is indeed extraordinary.

The battles on the other arenas seemed to pause briefly due to this turn of events. Countless gazes, filled with shock, horror, and disbelief, focused on the third arena, on the young figure in a fluttering blue robe with a calm expression.

"Lu Zhao..."

"He...he killed Yin Jiuyou?!"

"One finger! Just one finger! Yin Jiuyou even used his life-saving magic weapon, but it still couldn't stop him!"

"What kind of finger technique is that? Such terrifying sword intent! I feel my very soul trembling!"

"Is he really at the eighth level of Foundation Establishment? No, he's broken through to the ninth level! And his strength... is definitely far beyond that of an ordinary ninth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator!"

"A monster! He's a monster!"

After a brief silence, an even more turbulent uproar erupted! Everyone was stunned by Lu Zhao's earth-shattering finger strike! If some might have suspected a trick or a sneak attack when he crippled the Xiong Clan's three villains with a single punch, now, under the watchful eyes of everyone, amidst Qin Wuyai's combined assault, he cleanly and decisively killed Yin Jiuyou with a single finger strike—his strength was undeniable! Lu Zhao, in the most direct and brutal way, declared to everyone—he was qualified to stand here and compete for those twenty spots! Anyone who dared to underestimate him or provoke him would pay a bloody price!

Qin Wuyai's face instantly turned ashen, his eyes blazing with murderous intent! He stared intently at Lu Zhao, the veins bulging on his sword-wielding hand. Yin Jiuyou was his right-hand man, the executor of many of his shady dealings, and yet he had died right before his eyes! And by Lu Zhao in public! This was not only a slap in the face to his strength, but also a blatant trampling of his authority!

"Lu Zhao!!! You're courting death!!!" Qin Wuyai roared in extreme rage, his body radiating golden light and crackling with lightning. His powerful aura, born from the perfect Foundation Establishment stage, erupted without restraint, like a volcanic eruption, forcing several nearby disciples to retreat! His golden lightning sword hummed, its tip crackling with lightning, pointing at Lu Zhao. Each word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth: "Today, I will kill you! To avenge Junior Brother Yin!"

Lu Zhao slowly withdrew his finger, the gray light at its tip disappearing silently. He turned and calmly looked at the enraged Qin Wuyai, his eyes cold and without the slightest fear: "In a duel on the arena, life and death are preordained. If he wants to kill me, I can naturally kill him. If Senior Brother Qin wants to avenge him, I, Lu, will accompany him to the end."

The voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly throughout the entire venue, carrying an undeniable resolve.

"Fine! Fine! Fine!" Qin Wuyai laughed in fury, repeating "fine" three times. "Since you're so eager to die, I'll grant your wish!"

Before he finished speaking, the golden lightning sword in his hand suddenly burst forth with dazzling lightning, and runes lit up on the blade, spreading out a violent and destructive aura.

"It's Senior Brother Qin's 'Golden Light Thunder Sword'! A masterpiece among top-grade magic weapons, imbued with the power of heavenly thunder!"

"Senior Brother Qin is truly enraged! He's about to use his ultimate move!"

"Lu Zhao is in danger! Senior Brother Qin has reached the peak of Foundation Establishment, far surpassing Yin Jiuyou!"

The crowd below held their breath once more, watching the arena with bated breath. On one side was Qin Wuyai, a long-established figure with a powerful background and a cultivation level reaching the peak of Foundation Establishment; on the other was Lu Zhao, a rising star known for his decisive actions and unfathomable strength. This clash between the two would undoubtedly be the most captivating spectacle of the third arena, and indeed, the entire event!

However, just as Qin Wuyai's momentum reached its peak and he was about to make his move—

"In the midst of the chaos, private fights and revenge are forbidden, as they will disrupt the selection process." A calm and authoritative voice boomed in Qin Wuyai's ears like thunder. At the same time, a vast and abyss-like pressure silently descended upon him, forcefully suppressing his violent aura!

It was Lei Wanjun, the Lord of the Law Enforcement Hall! He did not get up, but only glanced at Qin Wuyai. But that one glance made Qin Wuyai feel as if he had fallen into an ice cave. His whole body stiffened, the boiling spiritual power in his body instantly froze, and the light of the thunder sword in his hand dimmed.

"The selection continues. Anyone who interferes with the selection or seeks revenge will be disqualified and expelled from the arena." Lei Wanjun's voice was devoid of emotion, yet it sent a chill down everyone's spine. Rules are rules; during the selection, no one is allowed to interfere with the process or engage in private duels or revenge for any reason. No matter how powerful Qin Wuyai's background was, he dared not act recklessly in front of a late-stage Golden Core cultivator and the Lord of the Law Enforcement Hall.

Qin Wuyai's face flushed crimson, veins throbbing on his forehead, his teeth clenched tightly, his eyes filled with humiliation and resentment. But he dared not disobey Lei Wanjun, and could only forcibly suppress the overwhelming killing intent and rage in his heart, glaring fiercely at Lu Zhao, his eyes like those of a venomous snake, wishing he could devour Lu Zhao alive.

"Lu Zhao, you're lucky! After the selection, I will definitely kill you!" Qin Wuyai transmitted his voice in a secret way, which could only be heard by the two of them. His voice contained a deep-seated hatred.

Lu Zhao remained unmoved, as if he hadn't heard. His gaze swept over the several terrified, pale-faced cultivators surrounding Qin Wuyai. Those cultivators, struck dumb by Lu Zhao's gaze, turned deathly pale and instinctively took a few steps back, distancing themselves from Qin Wuyai. They dared not harbor the slightest hostility towards Lu Zhao again. Even Yin Jiuyou had been killed with a single finger; wouldn't they be committing suicide by going up against him?

Seeing this, Qin Wuyai was so angry he almost vomited blood, but there was nothing he could do. His morale was dampened and his men were demoralized, while Lu Zhao's side was full of momentum and killing intent, making the difference in their strength immediately apparent.

"You want to try too?" Lu Zhao's gaze swept calmly over the other cultivators on the arena who had originally been eyeing him covetously, or who had been bribed by Qin Wuyai.

Those cultivators who met Lu Zhao's gaze, calm yet brimming with killing intent, all felt a chill run down their spines. They quickly averted their eyes, not daring to meet his gaze, and some even quietly retreated to the edge of the arena, fearing being targeted by this ruthless star. Even Qin Wuyai's threat was momentarily forgotten. After all, Qin Wuyai's revenge was a matter for the future, while Lu Zhao's killing move was immediate! No one wanted to die like Yin Jiuyou, with eyes wide open in disbelief.

Lu Zhao alone intimidated the entire audience!

After this brief interlude, the melee on the third arena seemed to have entered a delicate phase. Most people subconsciously moved away from the area where Lu Zhao and Qin Wuyai were, leaving the battlefield to them. The battles between the others also became more cautious and restrained, for fear of making too much noise and attracting the attention of these two formidable figures.

Qin Wuyai's face was so dark it could drip water, but he knew that attacking Lu Zhao now would not only anger Palace Master Lei but also put him in a passive position. He took a few deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down, a glint of resentment and calculation flashing in his eyes. Lu Zhao must die! But not now. There would be plenty of opportunities in the selection battle! He refused to believe that Lu Zhao could stay so lucky forever!

Lu Zhao, however, was happy to have some peace and quiet. He stood with his hands behind his back in a corner of the arena, the extinguishing dragon energy slowly circulating within him, repairing the slight depletion from the burst of power he had just unleashed. At the same time, he vigilantly observed his surroundings. He knew that Qin Wuyai would not let this go easily and would undoubtedly use any means necessary to deal with him in the subsequent matches. But so what? He would simply meet force with force and water with water. What did Lu Zhao have to fear?

After this battle, Lu Zhao had established his authority on the third arena. No one dared to provoke him easily anymore, and many even looked at him with awe. He used his strength and ruthlessness to carve out a quiet space for himself in this brutal melee.

In the other arenas, the battles continued fiercely. People were constantly being knocked off the stage or forced to concede defeat due to serious injuries. But everyone's attention, more or less, was drawn to the confrontation between Lu Zhao and Qin Wuyai in the third arena.

On the high platform, several elders were also exchanging ideas in secret.

"This young man is quite good. He is decisive in killing and has a strategic mind; he is a promising talent." Elder Yan stroked his beard and smiled, clearly quite satisfied with Lu Zhao.

"His sword intent is pure, and his killing intent is heavy. I just don't know what his character is like. I hope he doesn't fall into the demonic path." An elder with a stern face frowned and said. He came from the Confucian school and valued moderation and peace. He disliked Lu Zhao's ruthless methods.

"His temperament still needs to be observed. However, the fact that this young man was able to calmly counterattack and defeat his enemy in one move under such an attack is truly rare in terms of combat talent and willpower," another elder commented prudently.

"Hmph, he's just relying on his special cultivation technique and strong physical body. The ninth level of Foundation Establishment is still just the ninth level of Foundation Establishment. There's a fundamental difference between him and the peak of Foundation Establishment. He might not fare well against Qin Wuyai," an elder who was on good terms with the Qin family sneered.

"Let's wait and see. The selection battle has only just begun," Lei Wanjun said calmly, his gaze unfathomable, revealing neither joy nor anger.

Time ticked by amidst the fierce battle. The number of people on the arena dwindled.

Finally, the time it takes for an incense stick to burn is up.

"Time's up!" Lei Wanjun's voice rang out again.

The battles on the ten arenas instantly ceased. A light curtain descended, enveloping the arenas. The disciples in charge of each arena quickly counted the number of participants.

On the third arena, of the original 370-plus participants, less than 150 remained—nearly two-thirds had been eliminated! This demonstrated the brutality of the melee. Lu Zhao, Qin Wuyai, and other powerful figures like Lin Dong and Su Wan'er naturally remained on the stage. Qin Wuyai had three or four trusted followers left, but their expressions were grim, clearly still shaken by the recent events. Of those who had attacked Lu Zhao, aside from the two crippled by Lu Zhao and the deceased Yin Jiuyou, the rest had also survived, but they kept their distance from Lu Zhao and Qin Wuyai, not daring to approach.

"Third arena, 148 people remain, advance!" the disciple announced loudly.

A murmur of discussion arose from the audience. The number of people advancing from the third arena was the fewest among the ten arenas, demonstrating the fierce competition. The conflict between Lu Zhao and Qin Wuyai, as well as Lu Zhao's formidable feat of annihilating Yin Jiuyou with a single finger, were undoubtedly the most eye-catching focus.

Lu Zhao walked calmly off the arena. As he passed, the crowd parted to make way for him, their gazes filled with a mixture of awe, apprehension, curiosity, and complex emotions. After this battle, Lu Zhao's name would resound throughout the inner sect, and no one would dare underestimate this newly joined disciple.

"Junior Brother Lu! Amazing!" Zhao Yan was the first to rush up, patting Lu Zhao's shoulder hard, his face full of excitement. "Killing Yin Jiuyou with one finger, that was so satisfying! Did you see Qin Wuyai's face? He looked like he'd swallowed a dead fly, hahaha!"

Li Yue also sincerely praised, "Junior Brother Lu's strength is unfathomable, I admire him."

Ye Qingyi stepped forward, her beautiful eyes sweeping over Lu Zhao, and said softly, "Fellow Daoist Lu, congratulations on your advancement. However, Qin Wuyai will certainly not let this go easily, so be careful in the upcoming battles."

Lu Zhao nodded to the three of them, "Thank you. I understand."

He knew the real test was just beginning. The free-for-all elimination was merely an appetizer. The subsequent arena battles would be the real showdown. And Qin Wuyai would not let any opportunity slip by.

"All disciples who have advanced, rest for one hour. After one hour, the second round will begin: arena battles!" Lei Wanjun's voice rang out.

Lu Zhao sat down cross-legged and began to regulate his breathing. Although the battle just now was brief, the sudden burst of dragon might and the use of the Annihilation Sword Finger had taken a toll. He needed to get himself into peak condition to face the tough battle ahead.

An hour passed quickly.

The thousand disciples who had advanced gathered again in the center of the training ground. A huge light screen rose up, displaying names randomly and pairing them with opponents.

Everyone's hearts were in their throats. No one wanted to encounter those top experts too soon, such as Qin Wuyai, Lu Zhao, or the other ruthless individuals who had also displayed terrifying strength on the arena.

Lu Zhao stared calmly at the light screen. Soon, his name appeared, paired with a disciple named "Sun Hu," a peak eighth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator who seemed to come from a small, unknown family.

"Thank goodness, it wasn't Qin Wuyai." Zhao Yan breathed a sigh of relief.

Lu Zhao remained noncommittal. Who his opponent was was unimportant. His goal was to reach the top twenty. Anyone who stood in his way would be swept away.

"Round Two, arena battles, now begin! First match, Lu Zhao in arena three, versus Sun Hu in arena nine! Step onto arena number three!"

Lu Zhao stood up and, under the watchful eyes of countless people, slowly walked towards the third arena.

His second round of selection battle has officially begun.

On the high platform, Qin Wuyai's gaze, like that of a venomous snake, was fixed on Lu Zhao's back, and a cold and cruel smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

"Lu Zhao... your good luck ends here."