Tian Lei stepped out of the inn and stretched as the morning light warmed the streets. Mist Leaf City was busier than ever. Banners for the Grand Competition hung from every corner, and the plaza ahead buzzed with cultivators showing off their strength or bragging about their sects.

He made his way toward the registration hall—a large stone building guarded by uniformed officials in black and silver robes. A long line had already formed outside, full of young talents from different clans, all eager to make a name for themselves.

Tian Lei joined the line quietly, hood up, keeping his presence low. His sharp aura was completely hidden under a simple concealing technique.

When it was finally his turn, the clerk behind the counter looked him over. "Name?"

"Tian Lei."

"Affiliation?"

"Independent."

The clerk raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. "Alright. The entry fee is five hundred spirit coins."

Tian Lei handed over the exact amount, his tone calm. "Here."

The clerk nodded, stamped a jade slip, and passed it to him. "You're registered. The qualifiers begin in three days at the eastern arena. Don't be late."

"Got it." Tian Lei pocketed the slip and turned to leave.

Outside, the noise of the city hit him again—hawkers shouting, swords clashing in mock duels, and rumors spreading faster than the wind. He caught a few passing words about sect prodigies, Heaven-ranked techniques, and powerful young masters who had arrived from other regions.

He smirked faintly. "Seems it'll be lively."

Then, without another word, he slipped through the crowd and returned to the inn. The next three days would be crucial. He needed to refine his mana control, rest his mind, and prepare a few trump cards.

As he entered his room again, the faint smell of scorched stone still hung in the air. He sat cross-legged, eyes closing as golden light flickered briefly around him.

"Three days," Tian Lei muttered. "Let's make it count."

Tian Lei exhaled slowly, settling into focus. The golden light around him dimmed as he shifted his attention inward, diving straight into the depths of his soul space. There, his three Arcane Soul Marks pulsed like steady embers—each one a reservoir of power, waiting to be shaped.

He began drawing mana from them, slow and deliberate, condensing the strands into a complex array of runes that rotated around his consciousness. "If I'm facing unknown opponents," he muttered, "I'll need more than raw power."

He opened the Magus King legacy again, flipping past combat spells and attack techniques until his senses locked onto something heavier—something that carried authority.

[Golden Dominion Field] — a Tier-3 domain-type spell designed to crush enemies under overwhelming pressure. Within the field, the caster could manipulate metallic essence freely, bending even weapons mid-air and sealing movements with sheer force.

Tian Lei smiled. "Perfect."

He started the process immediately. The spell wasn't just complex—it was brutal. Thousands of golden runes clashed and fused within his spiritual sense, forming a vast circular sigil that threatened to collapse if his control slipped for even a moment. Sweat formed on his brow, but his focus didn't waver.

Minutes turned to hours.

Then—boom.

A low hum spread through the room as the golden runes finally stabilized, locking into place around his soul. The pressure was immense. Even in containment, it distorted the air around him.

He clenched his fist, feeling the new power hum beneath his skin. "Domain active—Golden Dominion Field."

The air shimmered. A faint golden light spread from his feet, forming a ten-meter radius of shimmering metallic aura. Within it, loose coins and bits of iron from his gear floated mid-air, bending to his will.

He dispelled it instantly, before anyone nearby could sense it.

"Consumes a lot of mana," he murmured, taking a deep breath. "But it'll end fights fast."

He leaned back, eyes half-lidded, calculating silently. "A wide-range domain for group suppression, and my spells for precision strikes… that should cover most scenarios."

With the preparations done, Tian Lei finally allowed himself a short rest. The faint light of evening filtered through the window, glinting off the gold traces still swirling faintly around his hands.

"Let's see," he said with a quiet grin, "how many of them can stand when I decide to get serious."

Tian Lei had just closed his eyes when a light knock came at the door.

He sighed, straightened up, and opened it to find Su Liyue standing there, dressed simply, her usual elegance hidden beneath neutral tones. "You're actually eating for once," she teased lightly, noticing the tray of untouched food by his table.

"Trying to," he said dryly, moving aside to let her in. "You look better."

She smiled faintly and sat opposite him. "My meridians are almost stable. I can start proper training tomorrow." Her gaze drifted to him, sharp but curious. "You, on the other hand, have been locked in this room for three days. What exactly are you doing in here, Tian Lei?"

He met her stare calmly, expression unreadable. "Just cultivating," he said. "Getting ready for the competition."

Su Liyue tilted her head slightly, sensing that half-truth but letting it slide. She reached into her spatial pouch and pulled out a small crystalline orb sealed with runic lines. "By the way, I saw your registration token when the clerk was processing the lists. Thought you might need this."

Tian Lei blinked at the soft glow of the crystal orb in Su Liyue's palm. Within the translucent shell, faint golden threads spiraled like miniature storms, pulsing with contained might.

"A Star–rank beast core?" he asked, his voice calm but his gaze sharpening.

In this world, Moon Rank beasts were physical types.

Sun Rank beasts were elemental types.

And Star Rank beasts—the rarest of all—were hybrids of both physical and elemental natures.

"Mm." Su Liyue smiled lightly. "Fifth Stage, Spirit Rank. A Crimson Flame Python core. It'll aid in your cultivation."

Tian Lei accepted it with both hands, feeling the vibration against his palm—dense, ancient, and wild. "Appreciated," he said softly.

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