The rain fell in sheets, weaving a dense curtain that shrouded the world in a hazy blur.
The freezing rain mixed with an intense, almost tangible killing intent, creating an oppressive atmosphere that made it hard to breathe.
Lin Qiye stood alone in the clearing, surrounded by two Ocean Realm experts with auras as deep as the abyss, along with several Old God Church members radiating River Realm fluctuations.
A deadly, chilling aura permeated the ruins of the village.
One of the Ocean Realm experts was a tall man—the former Night Watchman traitor, Han Shaoyun.
Beside him stood another Ocean Realm expert with an even more burly physique.
He stared at Lin Qiye with a sinister gaze. "Lin Qiye."
"In just over a year, you've grown from a brat who had just entered the Lamp Realm to the peak of the River Realm."
"Such potential is truly astonishing."
His tone suddenly shifted, carrying a hint of mockery.
"It's a pity that you will likely perish here today."
"Oh, right, I forgot to tell you."
The burly Ocean Realm expert seemed to recall something, and the smile on his face widened.
"Your supreme commander, Yuan Gang, should currently be suffering endlessly in Lord Whisper's dreamscape, unable to free himself."
"As for your cousin, Ian..."
He dragged out his words, playfully watching Lin Qiye's reaction.
"He is even 'luckier.' He is facing Lord Qianmo of our Old God Church all by himself."
"I imagine he's already met a grim fate by now."
On the other side, Han Shaoyun couldn't listen any longer. He took a step forward, his invisible coercion surging toward Lin Qiye like a tidal wave.
"Listen well, kid. I'm giving you one last chance right now."
"You only have one choice, and that is to join our great Old God Church and offer your loyalty. In return, you will gain unimaginable power and status."
"Refuse, and you die!"
That final word carried a bone-piercing chill.
Hearing this, Lin Qiye raised an eyebrow slightly.
*What? Lord Qianmo is fighting Brother Ian one-on-one?*
A bizarre thought flashed through his mind. He wondered just who this Lord Qianmo was to possess such "courage."
However, that strange feeling vanished in an instant.
He had absolute faith in Ian's strength.
Since Ian hadn't shown up, it meant he was tacitly allowing Lin Qiye to handle the trouble before him alone.
This was also the perfect opportunity to test his own strength and seek a breakthrough to the Ocean Realm.
Lin Qiye wasted no more words. His gaze became sharp and resolute.
Right in front of all the Old God Church members, he flipped his wrist.
A syringe gleaming with an eerie, dark light appeared in his palm.
It was the Ghost-God Trigger.
Without the slightest hesitation, Lin Qiye aimed the needle at his own arm and viciously stabbed it in.
The freezing liquid was instantly injected into his body.
"That's... the Ghost-God Trigger!"
Han Shaoyun's pupils shrank drastically as he cried out in shock.
The other Old God Church members also revealed expressions of horror. They clearly recognized the origins of this forbidden drug.
*This guy is actually so ruthless that he's risking his life right from the start!*
"Boom—!"
An indescribably terrifying power erupted completely within Lin Qiye's body like a volcano.
His aura skyrocketed at an inconceivable speed.
The barrier of the River Realm shattered under the impact of this violent force.
Ocean Realm!
A familiar yet vastly more majestic and powerful energy surged through his limbs and bones like a raging river.
"Power Mode, Unlocked." the system's unlocking voice echoed in Lin Qiye's mind.
A blindingly brilliant white light suddenly burst from Lin Qiye's eyes.
He slowly raised his head, his icy gaze sweeping over all the enemies before him.
"Now, it's your turn to choose, but you can only choose how you die!"
Feeling Lin Qiye's suddenly explosive aura, Han Shaoyun's expression changed drastically, a strong sense of unease rising in his heart.
Not daring to hold anything back, his hands rapidly formed seals.
"Great Wind Disaster!"
With a furious shout, fierce winds whipped up around him.
A terrifying, destructive hurricane formed out of thin air, sweeping up the sky full of rain and rubble. Like a giant beast opening its bloodthirsty maw, it wildly engulfed Lin Qiye.
At the same time, the other River Realm Old God Church members also reacted, each unleashing their strongest techniques.
One's muscles bulged as his strength instantly multiplied; the ground beneath his feet cracked as he charged forward like a cannonball.
Another's figure blurred into a series of afterimages, moving at extreme speeds to flank from tricky angles, the weapon in his hand flashing with a deadly cold light.
Facing this apocalyptic siege, Lin Qiye's expression remained calm.
With a mere thought.
*Clatter—*
A massive amount of Netherite Blocks surged out of thin air.
These blocks instantly condensed at the eye of the raging hurricane, forming an incredibly thick and indestructible giant wall.
The newly formed terrifying hurricane crashed into it as if hitting an insurmountable mountain, forcefully cut off.
The violent energy slammed against the alloy wall, emitting a deafening roar before completely dissipating.
Almost at the exact same moment.
Thick Netherite walls abruptly rose in front of the several Old God Church members who were charging in for close combat.
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
Aside from the speed-type River Realm member, whose bizarre footwork and incredibly fast reflexes allowed him to narrowly dodge just before hitting the wall.
The other melee members all slammed solidly and viciously into the incomparably hard alloy walls.
Among them, the member with bulging muscles and explosive strength let out a furious roar.
Instead of stopping, he was consumed by rage. He accelerated, using his supposedly tough body to violently ram into the Netherite wall before him.
"Thud—!"
An extremely muffled, heavy crash rang out.
The Netherite wall remained completely unscathed.
Meanwhile, that member let out a bloodcurdling scream. His entire body twisted grotesquely as shattered bones pierced through his flesh.
The corner of Lin Qiye's mouth twitched imperceptibly.
*Are the people from the Old God Church... all this brave?*
*First, there was that Qianmo fighting Ian one-on-one, and now some nameless River Realm guy is forcefully headbutting Netherite?*
A flash of terror crossed the eyes of the speed-type River Realm member who had luckily avoided the alloy wall.
But he didn't retreat. His figure blurred, transforming into an even swifter afterimage.
He bypassed the obstacles that had appeared out of thin air, the sharp blade in his hand glinting with a cold, dark light as he thrust toward Lin Qiye's blind spot at his back from an incredibly tricky angle.
This strike was fast, accurate, and ruthless.
Yet, Lin Qiye acted as if he had eyes in the back of his head, completely unhurried.
The ground beneath his feet suddenly emitted a series of soft *swish, swish, swish* sounds.
The earth was instantly covered by a peculiar pixelated texture.
Immediately after, countless block-shaped Netherite Blocks materialized out of thin air.
Centered around Lin Qiye, these blocks rapidly constructed an exceptionally complex, dynamic maze.
Constantly shifting paths, ever-moving walls, and obstacles appearing out of nowhere.
That speed-type River Realm member instantly lost his way within this bizarre block maze.
His proud speed was completely useless here.
No matter how he dodged and weaved, he couldn't get even a fraction closer to Lin Qiye. Instead, he was played for a fool by the ever-changing maze, running himself ragged.
Just as Han Shaoyun and his group of River Realm subordinates were repeatedly thwarted and forced into a passive state.
The other Ocean Realm Old God Church expert, who had not made a move until now, finally took a slow step forward.