When Lin Hao followed Chen Qian to the Central Courtyard Plaza, many people had already soared into the air.

Even the disciples of the upper courtyard were no exception.

Among the upper courtyard disciples, there were many experts of the Soul Gathering Realm. They ascended using their physical bodies alone, hovering in mid-air.

Disciples whose cultivation had not reached the Soul Gathering Realm used the power of the ground to rise up.

Chen Qian stomped on the plaza, and a patch of ground flew up from under his feet, carrying him into the air.

Lin Hao followed suit and also rose into the air.

"Once you touched the Saint Institute’s Token and passed through its gates, you were acknowledged by the Saint Institute and granted the power of control," Chen Qian explained in mid-air.

Lin Hao nodded silently, but his heart was in turmoil.

’So this is the power of a supreme Martial Artist.’

He was still too weak. The more he was exposed to, the more he felt his own insignificance.

’I’ve only been cultivating for a few years. Give me time, and I will surpass all who came before me! Given the same amount of time, I will not be weaker than anyone!’

A sense of his own invincibility suddenly surged within Lin Hao, and he instantly cast aside his negative emotions.

Lifting his head abruptly, Lin Hao’s eyes shone with a divine light.

By now, there were countless figures in the air, all staring at the Saint Institute’s battlefield. No one was paying any attention to Lin Hao.

And Lin Hao, too, looked toward the battlefield.

Two youths stood there. One wore cyan armor, the other green, and neither looked very old.

The hair of the youth in the cyan armor was somewhat disheveled, and his armor was damaged in several places. He had clearly been through a series of intense battles.

But the youth in the green armor had bright, spirited eyes, and his essence, energy, and spirit were at their absolute peak. He had obviously come prepared.

At this moment, they stood facing each other, neither moving.

"The youth in the cyan armor is named Liu Tian. He is sixteen years old and ranked last among the top ten masters of the Holy Stele. If he can win again this time, he will earn the right to challenge the ninth-ranked master," Chen Qian’s voice sounded in Lin Hao’s ear.

Seeing Liu Tian, Lin Hao found him somewhat familiar.

Lin Hao then remembered. While searching for his external incarnation at the Sanqing Sect, he had encountered a youth named Liu Feng on Woniushan.

This Liu Tian bore some resemblance to Liu Feng; they were likely brothers.

Only sixteen years old and already a Soul Gathering Realm expert, and he was the last on the Holy Stele’s rankings. One could only imagine how terrifying the ones above him were.

"Didn’t you just say that the last-ranked person has to accept endless challenges?" Lin Hao asked. He had to understand the rules for challenging a Holy Stele master.

"That only applies to the first three days. If he withstands the challenges of the first three days, he earns the right to rest for three days. Those qualified to challenge the Holy Stele masters are the geniuses among geniuses; three days is more than enough time for them to recover to their peak and challenge the ninth-ranked master. Once he succeeds, he’ll be temporarily safe."

After hearing Chen Qian’s explanation, Lin Hao understood.

"This Liu Tian is incredible. Today is the third day, and he still hasn’t been defeated. It looks like the tenth spot is about to have a new master," Chen Qian sighed in admiration as he looked at Liu Tian.

"I have my doubts. Pan Yun’s strength is no weaker than Liu Tian’s. Besides, Liu Tian has been through a series of battles, while Pan Yun’s essence, energy, and spirit are at their peak." Next to Chen Qian, a Saint Institute disciple shook his head, favoring the green-armored youth, Pan Yun.

As this disciple spoke, several others immediately voiced their agreement.

Just then, Liu Tian made his move.

A phantom image flared to life behind Liu Tian. Then, with a flash of light, his entire body swelled to an incredible size. He twisted, sweeping toward Pan Yun like a Spiritual Snake whipping its tail.

"Liu Tian’s Divine Soul is a vine. Even though he’s only at the Soul Gathering Realm First Layer, he’s able to use it. He’s using his Divine Soul’s power right from the start; he wants to end this quickly," said Chen Qian.

Lin Hao’s gaze was intense as he stared at Liu Tian.

On the Celestial Yang Continent, Divine Souls were endlessly varied and bizarre. They could be plants, Devil Beasts, weapons, or even a rock.

Lin Hao wasn’t the least bit surprised that Liu Tian’s Divine Soul was a vine.

To be able to use one’s Divine Soul at the Soul Gathering Realm First Layer, even if it was just a small fraction of its power, was shocking enough.

Liu Tian’s body enveloped the entire Saint Institute battlefield, but Pan Yun stomped a foot and shot into the air.

Liu Tian had been through a series of battles and was greatly exhausted. Draining his combat strength was Pan Yun’s main objective.

However, it was clear that Liu Tian had anticipated Pan Yun’s move.

Just as Pan Yun leaped up, Liu Tian’s twisting body shuddered, instantly straightening out. He then transformed his body into a sword and slashed at Pan Yun in the air.

Below, even Lin Hao’s expression changed.

Liu Tian was too fast. Lin Hao had a feeling that if he were in Pan Yun’s place, he wouldn’t be able to dodge this attack even with his extreme speed.

But on the Saint Institute battlefield, Pan Yun impossibly twisted his body to the side, narrowly dodging the blow.

Although he avoided it, sparks flew.

A large piece had been sheared off the chest of Pan Yun’s armor.

The moment the piece of armor left his body, it was instantly sliced into countless fragments!

The Holy Land’s battlefield was suppressed by the power of great Martial Artists, so the fluctuations from within would not escape.

But for a piece of armor to turn to dust the moment it flew off showed that the fluctuations inside were absolutely monstrous and terrifying.

"Unifying the Divine Soul with the body, using the body as a weapon that can destroy anything! For Liu Tian to actually attempt this path... he’s no simple character," a disciple from the upper courtyard exclaimed in admiration.

"Pan Yun is about to go berserk!" someone exclaimed.

Sure enough, having a piece of his armor sheared off, Pan Yun flew into a rage and threw a punch.

A white tiger suddenly burst from his fist, charging toward Liu Tian.

Although the fluctuations from the battlefield couldn’t escape, the white tiger opened its massive, blood-red maw, exuding an aura that could swallow mountains and rivers, sending a chill down everyone’s spine.

Seeing this punch, Lin Hao was deeply shaken.

Because what Pan Yun had used was merely the Yellow Level Low Grade martial technique, Fierce Tiger Fist.

’This is the power of an expert.’

A Martial Artist in the Blood Coagulation Realm using Fierce Tiger Fist could only kick up some sand and dust, but when used by a Soul Gathering Realm expert, it could manifest a white tiger.

Facing this punch, Liu Tian simply swiped his hand.

The white tiger was instantly sliced in two, dissipating into the air.

The attack continued unabated toward Pan Yun. Pan Yun retreated explosively, a flush appearing on his face.

"This Liu Tian is so powerful! To still have this much combat strength after fighting for three days... incredible," someone marveled at Liu Tian’s might.

"Liu Tian is going to lose," someone else sighed.

The longer the battle dragged on, the more disadvantageous it was for Liu Tian. That’s why he must have used his strongest attacks right from the start. Pan Yun, on the other hand, hadn’t even used his Divine Soul; he was just trying to wear Liu Tian down.

"To be able to scheme like this while being suppressed by Liu Tian... Pan Yun is truly calculating," another disciple sneered.

Lin Hao nodded. If nothing unexpected happened, Liu Tian would lose.

Sure enough, Liu Tian’s attacks grew stronger and stronger, even making Pan Yun spit blood several times.

However, in the end, Pan Yun dealt Liu Tian a decisive blow.

At the last moment, Pan Yun struck with a world-shaking palm, shattering Liu Tian’s armor into dust.

Then, Pan Yun’s right hand formed a claw and hovered at Liu Tian’s neck. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

The battle came to a close. Immediately after, Pan Yun was challenged by someone from the upper courtyard.

"Pan Yun, I hope you can last until the third day!" Liu Tian’s face was pale, but he exuded an unparalleled aura.

He landed on the ground, and someone immediately came to carry him away.

Although he had lost, no one dared to look down on him.

Another great battle erupted on the Saint Institute battlefield, and Lin Hao couldn’t help but clench his fists tightly.

This competition was simply too cruel, too difficult.

But Lin Hao was not afraid. He was confident that once he advanced to the Soul Gathering Realm, he could defeat any expert.

This time, Lin Hao did not choose to stay and watch, but instead descended back to the plaza.

He was only at the Seventh Layer of the Elemental Control Realm. Right now, the most important thing was to improve his cultivation.

Seeing him leave, Chen Qian also descended.

"Brother Lin, every disciple of the Saint Institute has their own private training chamber. If you need one now, I can take you," Chen Qian said. After witnessing the battle between the upper courtyard disciples, he knew exactly what Lin Hao needed most.

However, Lin Hao shook his head. "Thank you, Brother Chen, but not right now. If it’s all right, I’d like to rest first."

Chen Qian was taken aback, but then said, "I’ll take you."

"I’ve already troubled you too much. I won’t disturb you from observing the battles, especially since you’re on the verge of a breakthrough," Lin Hao said with a smile, declining before walking away.

Chen Qian was stunned for a moment, then a look of shock flashed in his eyes.

Watching Lin Hao’s retreating back, Chen Qian muttered, "He’s only at the Seventh Layer of the Elemental Control Realm. How did he know I’m about to have a breakthrough!"

"This guy... he’s full of secrets," Chen Qian finally mumbled to himself before soaring into the air again.

Just as Lin Hao had said, he was on the verge of a breakthrough, and observing these great battles was immensely beneficial.

After bidding farewell to Chen Qian, Lin Hao asked another Saint Institute disciple for directions and easily found the courtyard where new disciples lived.

However, just as Lin Hao reached the entrance, he sensed a murderous atmosphere.

Lin Hao frowned and leaped up into a large tree.

From there, Lin Hao could see clearly. In the courtyard, one person was facing a group, and the tension was thick enough to cut with a knife.

The person’s back was to Lin Hao, so he couldn’t see their face, but he recognized several people in the group opposite them. Among them were Ling Xiao and Yang Peng.

The two of them stood in the front row.

Just then, Lin Hao heard the person say to the two of them, "If I hadn’t given you the Tokens, do you think you could have entered the Saint Institute so smoothly with your abilities? Now I’m just asking for a few medicinal pills, and you actually refuse. You ungrateful bastards!"

"Senior Brother, we naturally know that you recruited us into the Saint Institute. It’s just that we’ve only just arrived; where would we get any medicinal pills?" Ling Xiao said with a pleasant expression.

"Hmph! Stop playing dumb! These two are from the Southern Border Prefecture just like you. Do you think they would lie?" The disciple with his back to Lin Hao pointed to two people beside him.

Lin Hao looked over and found them very familiar. After a moment’s thought, he remembered seeing them in Red Beauty City.

One of them was named Chang Bao, from the Sanqing Sect. The other was Ma Peng, from the Danling Sect.

"Senior Brother, although our Danling Sect is famous for alchemy in the Southern Border Prefecture, the Heaven-Stepping Sect has been providing our sect’s pills recently. This Ling Xiao is a personal disciple of the Heaven-Stepping Sect’s Sect Leader, so he definitely has high-quality pills on him. Who knows, if Senior Brother Liu Tian takes his pills, he might be able to get right back on the Saint Institute battlefield," Ma Peng stepped forward and said to the man with a fawning expression.

"That’s right, I can testify that what Brother Ma says is true. And I heard that Lin Hao’s status in the Heaven-Stepping Sect is extraordinary. The pills he has should be even more precious," Chang Bao also stepped forward.

"You’re courting death!" Yang Peng took a step forward, his killing intent flaring as he faced Chang Bao.