The outcome of the clash between the humans and the winged came as a surprise to many; after all, most spectators hadn't looked favorably on the humans. However, the humans had come out decisively on top in the conflict, with the winged losing both Phoenix and the white-winged emperor, along with quite a fair bit of reputation.

After the affair, many races specifically warned their representatives in the Void Cup not to provoke the humans. The power of these limit fragments, along with the humans' strong backer, Martial Sage Hong Tianqi, had transformed a race once thought to be weak to one of the foremost races of the galaxy.

At least before these other races were able to acquire limit fragments of their own, no one would want to go against the human race.

Hong Yu left the humans' waiting room in turmoil. She knew that, despite paying a heavy price, all she had accomplished was to leave the winged and the humans on neutral terms; securing Zhang Lie's cooperation and goodwill would likely require significantly more investment.

The ramifications of the white-winged emperor's failed assassination attempt quickly made themselves known. 

Although Martial Sage Hong Tianqi was known to be an extremely strong hunter, few had thought him able to contend for a spot at the pinnacle. However, after the footage of his fight against the white-winged emperor began to spread, it became clear that Hong Tianqi really had reached the pinnacle of his path. 

Even the highest authority of the world federation were flabbergasted by what he had managed to accomplish. Given his understanding of Martial Sage Hong Tianqi, it wasn't unusual that Hong Tianqi would be able to advance, but Hong Tianqi had done so far more quickly than he had anticipated. As far as his predictions went, Hong Tianqi would have to train in the dimensional realm for at least another decade before making such a leap forward.

As a result, he grew much more interested in the limit fragments that these humans had professed to have developed. After all, as the highest authority in the world federation, he had learned of the trade between Zhang Lie and Hong Tianqi.

Instead of returning to the authorities' palace, Hong Tianqi brought the restrained white-winged emperor to one particular deep, chaotic recess of space. This was where the Milky Way's defenders fought against alien invaders that threatened to take over the entire galaxy, one of the most vicious battlefields in the region.

"You'll regret not killing me today, you bastard human!" the white-winged emperor cried out.

Those sent to this chaotic battlefield would only have the chance to return after twenty years—if they didn't perish by then.

"Regret? Do you think that you'll still be able to threaten me or that young lad after twenty years? Be grateful that I've allowed you to die honorably!" Hong Tianqi informed him.

Indeed, given Hong Tianqi's current strength, there was no conceivable means by which the white-winged emperor could catch up to him. On a battlefield like this, even fifty years wouldn't be sufficient. 

As for threatening Zhang Lie after twenty years, that was even less likely.  Just who was Zhang Lie? Using his past life's experience, it had taken him little more than three real-world months to advance from the lowest of the low to one of the most likely competitors to be crowned the champion in the galactic stage of the Void Cup.

Given the theory of limit fragments which he had brought back with him, he expected he would be able to trounce the white-winged emperor in little more than a year, let alone two.

"Just you wait—I'll make you pay for what you've done to me!" the white-winged emperor called out again. 

Hong Tianqi didn't deign to reply. He dragged him, like a little chick, over to the teleportation array and activated it.

After the disturbance that morning, the Void Cup resumed in the afternoon. Because of all that had happened in the morning, Li Feng decided to surrender immediately. After all, they would be able to spar against each other at any time; given how much attention was on them now, it would be better to keep a low profile.

The next match was between Fang Yi and Xing Hui. Even after the match commenced, however, the two competitors didn't start battling immediately.

"Fang Yi, after yesterday's banquet, I hope you'll consider us friends," Xing Hui began.

Fang Yi nodded. "Of course— but that doesn't mean I'll go easy on you!"

"Haha, that's exactly what I wanted to say, Fang Yi! Shall we fight with our full strength? Let's not let this impact the relationship between we starbeasts and you humans."

"Very well. Show me the extent of your strength, Xing Hui!"

Two frightening auras emerged from the two competitors, and Xing Hui transformed into his battle-ready form: from a white monkey the size of a dog to a five- or six-meter tall beast adorned with a purplish-black armor.

As they clashed head-on, Xing Hui took two massive steps back, while Fang Yi was forced back over a hundred meters from the extent of Xing Hui's blow.

"Impressive, impressive! Who would have expected a speed-oriented hunter like you to possess such strength? Again!" Xing Hui roared. With his right claw, he struck at Fang Yi, his attack boasting such strength that the tips of his claws were scraping at the fabric of the world.

"I'm not going to take that attack head-on!" Fang Yi shouted, activating his own techniques. He dashed forward, underneath one of Xing Hui's arms, and brandished his spear at Xing Hui's chest.

"Not bad! Come at me!" Xing Hui's reaction to Fang Yi's impending attack shocked the crowd— not only did he not back down, he even stuck his chest out, as if inviting the blow.

With a crisp metallic clink, Fang Yi's spear bent into the shape of a U, causing him and the spectators to gasp in amazement. Fang Yi's probing blow had failed to even make a dent in his opponent's defense!

Moments later, Fang Yi made use of the momentum from the failed attack to launch himself back.

"Do you think you can get away so easily?!" Xing Hui swatted him aside as though he were a mosquito, causing Fang Yi to smash against the protective shield surrounding the arena. The shield wavered and rippled; the strength of Xing Hui's attack was obvious.

Fang Yi spat out a mouthful of blood. "You really are strong. In that case, there's no way I can hold back!"

Fang Yi's expression turned serious as chitinous armor covered his body. A pair of wind- and lightning-laced wings sprouted from his back, then turned a sudden blood red. The entire arena flashed with red lightning, causing even Xing Hui's eyes to widen. "[Heaven's Judgment: Tribulation of Lightning]!"

Fang Yi launched his spear from his hands. Amidst a roar of thunder, the spear began rotating more and more quickly, summoning the power of wind and storm that suffused the arena. It shot toward Xing Hui like a tornado.

"You asked for it! Take this!" Xing Hui clenched his right fist, surrounding it with milky-white genetic energy, then punched forward. As he did so, his arm seemed to vanish; the surrounding space ruptured from the strength of his blow.

Fang Yi's spear crashed against Xing Hui's fist in a momentous explosion that shocked the spectators. In the aftermath of the blow, an obsidian spear windmilled into the distance, its momentum and energy drained.

It looked as though Xing Hui had punched it aside with his fearsome blow, but in truth, Xing Hui's right hand was charred and blackened. Blood slowly dripped down his clenched fist. Xing Hui slumped back with a defeated look on his face; he had lost.

If Fang Yi hadn't forcibly reclaimed much of the attack's genetic energy at the last minute, his right arm would have been completely paralyzed. Fang Yi's spear, launched with the full reserves of his genetic energy, had penetrated his defenses almost immediately.

"I admit defeat!  What a magnificent blow—I can't believe it!"

"I apologize, but you were so strong I could hardly risk close-ranged combat," Fang Yi replied, smiling.

Thunderous applause came from the stands. Although the match hadn't lasted a long time, the strength that both competitors showed was an immense shock. Xing Hui's brute strength and Fang Yi's piercing lightning had left a deep impression on their minds.