Chapter 69: Chapter 67: Not Worth It With his gaze retracing from the emblem, Qin Jin recalled the matters Chu Tianyi mentioned before their departure. The Dusk Society had prepared lavish gifts to repay those who ambushed the Crown Team. After entering the forbidden zone, Qin Jin did not specifically target the Crown Team but proceeded according to his predetermined plan. In his view, The ultimate winner of the Chosen One competition is more significant and precious than anything else. Now. The last person from the Crown Team voluntarily appeared in front of him. Under the hood, as Qin Jin scrutinized, a voice emerged. "They didn’t lie to me, after all." "In the core of this forbidden zone, someone is stationed here, intercepting and defeating all competitors." As he spoke, the hood was removed, revealing a somewhat ordinary face. Ding Que from the Crown Team! His eyes were filled with intense interest as he looked at Qin Jin: "Daring to think so and act on it is impressive." "It’s a pity I arrived a bit late, and I can only pick the scraps you’ve left; if I came earlier, I’d also like to experience the feeling of holding the line alone." Qin Jin’s expression was calm, his breathing steady, with his entire being in an extremely still state. The fact that the opponent could become the final competitor to reach here meant he had solved quite a few competitors for him along the way. Glancing back, Qin Jin looked at the Thunderbolt Divine Tree behind with increasing cracks and spoke up. "Come on." "I am in a hurry." "Oh?" Ding Que slightly raised an eyebrow before understanding: "True, you defeated and drove away all opponents to ensure no unexpected events occur in the Chosen One competition." "Now, it seems the Star God of the Mining Star is finally about to emerge." "But it’s alright." "I won’t affect the final outcome of the Chosen One." As he spoke, he grabbed his cloak and tossed it aside. The swirling wind lifted the cloak, and the Solar emblem shone in midair. Within Ding Que’s clothes was a noticeable degree of wear, exposing his robust muscles and skin with blood marks. "The Chosen One is also the God’s choice." "Although I have pursued the path of the Martial Arts Family and have never worshiped the Crown Master, being chosen by the Crown Sect to represent a chapel of Divine Spirits in this Chosen One competition, my chances of winning are slim." "Moreover, I did not come for the Chosen One." His voice gradually amplified as he continued: "The competition for the Chosen One sees countless Mining Star talents gather; I ventured into the forbidden zone just to meet and contend with martial arts geniuses." In his eyes, a deepening battle intent was evident. Ding Que clenched and opened his fists, flexing his fingers: "Between you and me, we need not be influenced by others; we can fight to our heart’s content." The moment his words fell. A sound like flames being ignited was heard, Life Energy spread, enveloping his body, transforming into hues of flame. Under the blaze’s reflection, Ding Que’s expression deepened, uttering the final words. "Deep Valley District, Ding Que." "Please!" He extended his hand in an ancient inviting gesture. "To meet martial arts geniuses, huh." Qin Jin remained composed. He wasn’t such a person but could understand and respect those who were. "Xinyang District, Qin Jin." "Please." The instant the response was given. Bang! Bang! Two explosive sounds were heard as both individuals simultaneously departed from their positions. In the next moment. Lightning encircled Qin Jin’s body, forming armor, and the Celestial Thunder Body was activated. The two figures stepped forward and clashed simultaneously. Thud! A dull sound echoed, and one of the figures was pushed back forcefully as if hit hard. Ding Que. In the initial collision, he fell at a disadvantage. However, his eyes showed no fear; instead, his excitement increased, and he lunged forward again with a thrust of his right leg. In the skies above, the vortex of thunderclouds expanded continuously, resembling an apocalyptic scene. Within the Thunder Pool, the surging thunder was attracted by the vortex, drawing bolts from below to above, descending back to the sky, forming a cage made of thunder. And at the Thunder Pool’s edge. Thunder and fire collided, engaging in constant battle. With yet another clash. Qin Jin clutched Ding Que by the throat, slamming him hard onto the ground. Bam! On the cliff, stones flew and scattered. From the corner of Ding Que’s mouth, blood oozed. He was strong, having been chosen by the Crown Sect, capable of defeating opponents in the forbidden zone, truly a talented individual. But the one he faced ... Was Qin Jin. In martial arts, there is no second place; among geniuses, there are also superior and inferior distinctions. Looking at Ding Que below, struggling to catch his breath, Qin Jin released his grip and rose to his feet. "You have already lost, leave now." After saying this, Qin Jin turned, heading towards the edge of the Thunder Pool Cliff. At the original spot. Ding Que faced the sky, unaffected by the breathtaking spectacle; in his labored breathing, he repeated Qin Jin’s words. "Lost, huh." "Qin Jin, for you to fend them off alone here, truly terrifyingly strong." Amid his murmurs, at a particular moment, a spark flickered in his eyes. Amid the flickering light. Around his physique, the dormant life energy surged once more after defeat, reigniting the flame. In this moment, it was as if real flames were swirling around him. What is noteworthy is... The flame formed by the life energy was dark red, appearing somewhat eerie. He stood up, his complexion a bit pale, and his voice rang out. "Qin Jin, this battle is not over yet." Qin Jin paused, then turned back. His gaze lingered, and with his spiritual perception, he discerned Ding Que’s current state. Of the Esoteric Buddhism sect, methods are numerous. Ding Que’s increasingly pale face, along with the more exuberant dark red flames around him, clearly indicated he was utilizing some secret technique that consumed the essence of life to unleash greater power. Gazing steadily, Qin Jin said in a calm voice, "Is it worth it?" "Of course, it is." Ding Que’s complexion grew whiter by a shade, smiling lightly, he said, "This might very well be my final battle of this life." "When I chose to delve into the forbidden zone, I was prepared for this." "Facing an opponent like you, as the finale of my brief martial arts journey, how could it not be worth it?" "Qin Jin, I can sense you haven’t used your full strength. Come on, fight with all you’ve got, let me see just how strong you are." A trace of contemplation flashed in Qin Jin’s eyes. Amid Ding Que’s increasingly intense battle intent, Qin Jin shook his head, his tone steady, "I think it’s not worth it." "Then it can’t be helped..." The words trailed off. Ding Que’s voice ceased. For suddenly, right before him, a pair of extremely cold pupils emerged. Alongside those pupils appeared the unparalleled massive Three-headed Exotic Python. But Ding Que could no longer see those, for at the instant he saw those pupils, his spirit was completely suppressed. His gaze locked onto the python’s pupils, and in the spiritual world, he was subjected to immense pressure, his thoughts frozen, a tremendous pressure pervading his body. Outside. Ding Que’s actions were frozen in place. The flames around him burned on. This secret technique, which consumed the essence of life, once activated, continued even though his spirit was suppressed, his physical body kept burning on. Qin Jin stepped closer, thought flickering through his eyes, and at this moment, the thunder ringing around him concealed itself, the life energy in turbulence transformed into another elemental form. That was... Ice Attribute. Nine Tribulations True Body——Profound Ice Body! After obtaining the Nine Tribulations True Body, he swiftly mastered the Celestial Thunder Body and began to study and research other True Bodies. With the profession panel, Heaven and Earth Spiritual Power, and the Martial Arts Crystal imbued with divine grace, combined with his own comprehension, he successfully mastered the second True Body before the Chosen One commenced. At this moment. Under the influence of the ice element, Qin Jin’s hair turned frosty white, emitting a cold aura, and it seemed as if a frigid current flowed through his palms. He reached out his hand, and upon contacting the dark red flames burning around Ding Que, the life energy collided, and the frigid current spread through Ding Que’s entire body. The flames struggled for an instant, then were ruthlessly suppressed! The extremely cold ice element extinguished the flames, freezing Ding Que’s body, halting the circulation of his life energy, and ceased all movements of his physical body, thereby astonishingly interrupting the operation of Ding Que’s secret skill. The Profound Ice Body was dispelled. Qin Jin returned to normal. The spiritual suppression lifted. Ding Que’s lifeless eyes returned to normal, yet while realizing his weakness, he found himself frozen by an unknown power, unable to move, even blinking was exceedingly difficult. Qin Jin looked at him, his voice sounded. "It seems your team did something for the Crown Sect in the forbidden zone, leading you to believe your life is at its end." With those words, Qin Jin said no more, his gaze redirecting to a distant point. There. Was the third creature present around the Thunder Pool at this moment. Saber-toothed Tiger. After bringing Qin Jin here, it dared not approach the Thunder Pool but hadn’t ventured far either—it kept observing from afar. Other competitors who arrived here wouldn’t waste strength dealing with an extraordinary creature that hadn’t attacked them. Thus. It had waited until now. Feeling Qin Jin’s gaze, the Saber-toothed Tiger shuddered and dashed madly toward him. The two’s battlefield had distanced somewhat from the Thunder Pool, allowing it to barely draw near. Qin Jin grabbed Ding Que’s arm and hurled him onto the Saber-toothed Tiger’s back. Simultaneously, through spiritual power, he issued a command. "Take him out of the forbidden zone alive, to our human base." "Tell them..." Using spiritual power to arrange, Qin Jin thought for a moment, then retrieved the Finger Tiger, letting it carry it along for identification. The frontline base presently was teeming with strong individuals, with numerous factions stationed. They naturally could use spiritual power to obtain the information Qin Jin wished to convey through the Saber-toothed Tiger. "Hurry." Issuing the final command, under Qin Jin’s gaze, the Saber-toothed Tiger carried Ding Que away at full speed. Qin Jin withdrew his gaze. The members of the Crown Team wouldn’t be chosen by the New Life Star God. Ding Que arrived slowly, even considering this could be his last battle. Combining these pieces of information, Qin Jin drew a conclusion. The Crown Sect didn’t participate in this Chosen One event for the sake of ultimate victory. "I don’t know what plan the Crown Sect formulated." "But soldiers take cover with shields, water with earth, and the Federation isn’t hosting its first Chosen One event. Participating in it inherently requires acquiring [tickets] from the Federation, which surely has all contingencies in place." Thoughts passed through his mind. Qin Jin stepped back to the edge of Thunder Pool Cliff. The Star Sea is vast, and everyone has their role. And what he needed to do now was to wait quietly for the birth of the Star God. Looking farther. The cracks on the Thunderbolt Divine Tree increased continuously, rapidly expanding, as if this divine tree standing between heaven and earth was splitting into two!