Zhao Xuan did not remain excited for long.
Very quickly, he forced the exhilaration and wild joy out of his mind.
Because he understood—
His time was limited.
Very limited.
Paper could never wrap fire.
What he had done inside the Life City Ruins would inevitably become known to the world.
In his view, it was entirely possible that at this very moment, furious high-rank ability users were already using some special Fruit abilities to lock onto his position and were rushing toward him.
He did not have much time left.
He had a very clear understanding of his current strength.
Yes, he could easily slaughter the thirty or forty people like Neps and the others.
He could even kill an Eighth-Rank Peak.
But—
Zhao Xuan was certain.
With his current strength, when facing an Eighth-Rank Apex, he would no longer be able to crush them the way he crushed Eighth-Rank Peak experts.
Not to mention—
In Zhao Xuan's view, among the people coming to hunt him this time, there would definitely be Ninth-Rank Emperors.
He didn't even have absolute confidence when facing an Eighth-Rank Apex, let alone a Ninth-Rank Emperor.
So—
His time was running out.
Right now, he had to treasure every second.
He had to raise his strength as much as possible before his enemies arrived.
Because only then could he kill every single one of them.
Yes.
Kill.
Zhao Xuan's goal was not to escape from them—
But to kill them.
Running had never crossed his mind.
Not only that—
He even intended to use the coming battle to temper his skills, gain proficiency, and raise his ability levels.
He calmed his breathing.
Sat cross-legged.
And began absorbing Life Energy from the Life Stones in huge gulps.
After absorbing the equivalent of 7,000 billion Life Energy, he began his first re-tempering.
Under the guidance of his spiritual power, vast torrents of Life Energy surged toward his skull.
Again.
Again.
And again.
Relentlessly washing over it.
His aura, which had dropped after forcibly stripping the Life Energy from his skull, began rising once more.
Zhao Xuan's guess had not been wrong.
At this very moment—
Within the Storm Belt of the Endless Sea—
A massive ship was cutting through the raging waves.
Onboard, the four Ninth-Rank Emperors from Life Island had sharp, glittering eyes.
"Toroy, are you certain? You're sure that the boy named Zhao Xuan hasn't moved from his position?" one of them asked.
"Yes," Toroy, the newly advanced Ninth-Rank Emperor of Life Island, nodded. "The divination result now is identical to what I obtained when we first departed Life Island. My Fruit ability feedback clearly shows that the boy hasn't moved at all."
"Five hundred square kilometers of sea…" another frowned. "It's not large, but it's not small either. If he's hiding inside a relic space, finding him won't be easy. Toroy, can't you be more precise?"
"Not yet," Toroy shook his head. "I've just broken through to Ninth Rank. My realm isn't stable yet. And this is the Storm Belt—the air itself is filled with chaotic mysterious forces that heavily interfere with my Fruit ability. Also, we're still too far from him."
"But…"
A flash of light crossed Toroy's eyes.
"Once we leave the Storm Belt and get closer to the sea region where he is, I should be able to pinpoint his location much more precisely."
"That will have to do."
"Let's hope so."
Meanwhile—
Across the Endless Sea—
All major forces had already learned what happened inside the Life City Ruins from their returning members.
The moment the news spread—
No matter who they were.
Rank Seven, Rank Eight, or Rank Nine.
Regardless of status, age, or gender—
Everyone was stunned.
Shock. Disbelief. Incredulity.
Their first reaction was refusal to believe it.
Because the news was simply too absurd.
Too outrageous.
Yet—
From the expressions of their own subordinates who reported it, they could see no trace of fabrication.
And just like that—
Zhao Xuan's fearsome name shook the entire Endless Sea.
The Endless Sea trembled.
After the shock came ecstasy.
Because everyone quickly realized—
Zhao Xuan held tens of trillions worth of Life Energy resources.
And—
He possessed a new passage into the Life City Ruins.
Greed flooded everyone's hearts.
"Quick! Quick! Quick!"
"Find him! Mobilize everyone! We must locate Zhao Xuan before any other force does!"
"A new entrance to the Life City Ruins! Hahaha!"
"We must get it! We must take it!"
"Search! Even if you have to flip the entire Endless Sea upside down, find that boy!"
In an instant—
The entire Endless Sea became restless.
Nations.
Organizations.
Factions.
All began to move.
Warships rapidly departed from harbors in every direction.
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