"This is a domain."
"The power of a domain."
"Only fourth and fifth-stage Evolvers can typically grasp this domain power," the host, Sun Bin, spoke with excitement.
The power of a domain, in theory, is something only fourth and fifth-stage Evolvers have hope to master.
But as with anything, there are exceptions—certain special evolution paths, coupled with an Evolver's unique encounters, could allow one to grasp domain power early.
Of course, these early grasped powers are in their initial state and can't compare to the true domain power of a fourth or fifth-stage Evolver.
But even so, among first, second, and third-stage Evolvers, having such power is akin to cheating.
Using a domain, one can perceive everything ahead of time, suppressing opponents at the same level effortlessly.
"Who would've thought that in this year's tournament in Eastern Peace City, there would be an Evolver who has mastered a domain," Sun Bin sighed with deep emotion.
His gaze fell upon Lin Yuan, who stood at the back, appearing as if he had never joined the battlefield.
It was now clear that this 'newcomer' Lin Yuan was the Evolver who mastered the domain.
Using a domain is very taxing, and the trio of Zong Bai and others were fully engrossed in their battle, making it almost impossible for them to utilize it.
Only Lin Yuan, who had stayed at the back all along, could have done it.
As the citizens watched the tournament, they too were stunned, and then erupted into cheers.
"So strong! Suppressing the four Evolvers from Purple Thorn City alone, forcing them only to show a fraction of their strength, it’s just..." one Evolver whispered in amazement, "Who is this 'newcomer', which big shot’s offspring from Eastern Peace City is he?"
"Yay yay, big brother is amazing!" Lin Yi shouted excitedly, not fully understanding but reacting to the host’s praise of Lin Yuan.
"A domain?"
"Could our son really have the power to defeat Purple Thorn City?" Lin Shoucheng muttered, surprised that his earlier flattery towards his wife was turning into reality.
On the battlefield, the fight raged on.
The four Evolvers from Purple Thorn City struggled bitterly under suppression.
They realized it all stemmed from Lin Yuan, yet found themselves helpless.
The all-encompassing Taiji Domain stifled every move.
A speed-specialized Evolver tried to close in on Lin Yuan, only to find the pressure growing the closer he got, nearly forcing him to his knees.
"What is going on?" the giant team captain gasped, sensing that the ubiquitous domain power could easily overwhelm them if its user so desired.
But why didn’t it finish them off? Was it toying with them? His heart was heavy with frustration and uncertainty.
Over time, more than half an hour passed.
Per the tournament’s rules, the ring began to shrink, a measure to prevent swift Evolvers from stalling the fight.
"It's about time," Lin Yuan thought, subtly increasing the Taiji Domain's pressure.
Instantly, the combined assault from Zong Bai and the others killed the four Evolvers from Purple Thorn City.
With Lin Yuan's strength, he could have crushed his opponents with a single thought through the Taiji Domain.
However, doing so wouldn't allow him to understand the evolution paths the others had trained in, hence the delay.
"This tournament participation was worth it," Lin Yuan sighed.
Observing the four Evolvers proved beneficial for Lin Yuan's Martial Evolution Path.
The Martial Evolution Path was a new path created by Lin Yuan, with him standing at its peak, facing a blank slate ahead—to be paved and created by himself.
In this process, Lin Yuan needed to absorb the strengths and weaknesses of numerous evolution paths, refining them with innovation.
This couldn't be accomplished by shutting himself in for training alone.
Of course, with his heaven-defying comprehension, even in isolation, he could gradually perfect it, though it would take far longer and lack the breadth of integrating thousands of evolution paths.
"We won?" Even though they foresaw it, Zong Bai and the others felt like they were dreaming.
They had really defeated opponents whom they once thought impossible to defeat.
After a brief respite, Zong Bai, Cao Rong, and Lu Xiguang approached Lin Yuan with respect.
They knew that the victory was solely due to him.
Without Lin Yuan, they would have been simple targets for that giant captain.
"For whatever ranks we achieve in this tournament, I'll give all rewards directly to Mr. Lin," Zong Bai said after some thought.
Being humble was important.
Given Lin Yuan’s displayed prowess, even making the top 3,000 or 2,000 seemed plausible.
The official rewards for the top 3,000 were undeserved, in Zong Bai's view, as he had contributed nothing.
Seeing eye to eye, Cao Rong and Lu Xiguang spoke in agreement.
The tournament continued over the following two months.
Apart from team battles, Lin Yuan also participated in individual matches, each ending in a narrow victory.
While he could easily end battles swiftly, that defeated the purpose of his participation—to absorb insights from each Evolver's path for enhancing his martial path.
Analyzing and integrating the strengths and refining the essence from each competitor was Lin Yuan’s goal.
The competing Evolvers were inherently skilled, with talent only heightening as the tournament progressed.
Among the top 500, most were second-stage extremes, with a handful of third stages.
Soon, the team from Eastern Peace City ranked among the top 100 on the Azure Wave Star, before losing to Central Continent's prosperous Blue Moon City.
That team consisted of three second-stage extremes and a third-stage, all with formidable evolution paths.
Particularly notable was the third-stage’s Dream Evolution Path, eliminating Zong Bai and the others in a blink, leaving Lin Yuan alone.
Nevertheless, Lin Yuan held his ground against the onslaught for a full half-hour using Taiji Dao, even as the ring shrank.
If not for the rule that concluded matches based on remaining Evolvers, Eastern Peace City might have triumphed.
Blue Moon City had four, while Eastern Peace City had only Lin Yuan, thus their victory.
“Who'd have thought Eastern Peace City could rank globally in the top 100,” Association President Liao said in disbelief, finding the outcome unimaginable.
Even past association presidents couldn’t foresee such a rise.
“It’s all because of Mr. Lin,” Zong Bai and others quickly responded.
If they were just in the top 3,000 or 2,000, they might have taken some credit, but top 100 was astounding.
Each ranked contender—assistive or not—could easily sweep through Eastern Peace City’s Evolvers.
Thus, even Zong Bai's thick skin wouldn't dare claim this glory.
“Yes, Mr. Lin indeed,” President Liao nodded with appreciation.
Not being foolish, he had watched the tournament himself, seeing firsthand Lin Yuan's heroic efforts, making Zong Bai and others mere accessories in comparison.
“How is Mr. Lin now?” President Liao inquired, as Lin Yuan had left the virtual universe after the match against Blue Moon City's potent Evolvers.
“Mr. Lin said he would retreat to cultivate for a while,” Zong Bai relayed truthfully, for Lin Yuan had indeed stated this before departing.
“Ah, Mr. Lin must be exhausted,” President Liao acknowledged.
The Blue Moon City opponent, with a rare Dream Evolution Path and third-stage strength, could in reality put a small city's million residents into slumber.
Facing such a formidable foe, draining one's strength seemed natural.
In Water Moon District, House 32, beneath the training room, Lin Yuan sat cross-legged.
Countless tournaments allowed him to witness countless Evolvers, and now numerous evolution paths swirled in his mind, merging with his unparalleled comprehension.
At an unknown moment, Lin Yuan's eyes snapped open.
The Taiji symbol of entwined yin and yang flashed deep in his pupils.
"Third Stage," Lin Yuan exhaled softly as his internal aura rapidly transformed.
The third stage of his Martial Evolution Path was finally realized.
(End of this chapter)