This situation was truly akin to a dog bullying an injured tiger!
The Tianyuan Region refused to back down or compromise. Hence, the conflicts between both sides grew increasingly intense over the years, deepening the enmity between them.
This time, the Tri-Mountain Alliance began stirring things after the announcement of the nine regions tournament. Their goal was obvious: they were after the qualifications to participate in the nine regions tournament because, according to the rules, only the nine regions were allowed to participate.
But other factions were not without any chances. If they could defeat the Divine Dwelling stage representative of any of the nine regions, they would win the right to participate from that region.
This rule was originally set to motivate the nine regions. If one’s right to participate was lost, it would be a massive loss of face.
However, having the right to participate snatched away had never happened before. After all, no faction would willingly offend the nine regions. Hence, even if a super genius appeared, they would rather keep their heads low than challenge the dignity of the nine regions.
But this time, the Tri-Mountain Alliance had no such intention.
As such, they sent a challenge letter to the Tianyuan Region not long after the tournament’s announcement.
Countless copies were dispersed all over the Tianyuan Region and even to the other regions. For a time, this matter became the hottest topic in the Tianyuan Region and the neighboring lands.
The challenge letter was sent by the Divine Dwelling List’s rank-nine expert, the super dark horse Chen Xuandong, whose reputation had soared recently in Hunyuan Heaven.
The contents of the challenge letter were simple and direct and filled with confidence and aggressiveness.
“Chen Xuandong of the Tri-Mountain Alliance requests chief pavilion master Zhou Yuan of the Tianyuan Region to yield his position!”
Chapter 905 Accept
A single challenge letter created giant ripples in the Tianyuan Region and the neighboring lands.
Countless people were shocked because they knew the significance behind the challenge. Previously, the Tri-Mountain Alliance had only provoked the Tianyuan Region on small issues, but this challenge letter was a borderline declaration of war.
Although the battle participants were merely the most outstanding Divine Dwelling stage practitioners of both camps, it was evident that the Tri-Mountain Alliance no longer feared offending the Tianyuan Region, which was once its big brother.
Since there was no chance of reconciliation, the subsequent clashes would only become increasingly intense.
This drew countless gazes. After all, a top-tier faction challenging one of the nine regions was very rarely seen in Hunyuan Heaven’s long history.
At the same time, it also made countless people sigh deeply. The Tianyuan Region had truly fallen in recent years. Otherwise, even if the Tri-Mountain Alliance was a top-tier faction, how could they possibly dare to stroke a tiger’s whiskers?
The Tri-Mountain Alliance had three Law Domain stage experts, whereas the Tianyuan Region had five.
There wasn’t a huge gap in strength between the apex forces on both sides. In addition, the Tri-Mountain Alliance had been experiencing rapid growth over the past few years, and even though their foundations still could not match the Tianyuan Region, they were not that much weaker than the Tianyuan Region as a whole.
If war were to break out between them, the Tianyuan Region would likely pay a terrible price even if they won.
More importantly, once the Tianyuan Region became weaker because of it, other top-tier factions in Hunyuan Heaven might begin to have ideas of challenging them. If that happened, what would the Tianyuan Region do?
Without a supreme sovereign, the Tianyuan Region had already lost its former transcendent status.
Hence, many knew that the Tri-Mountain Alliance was trying to feel out the Tianyuan Region this time, hoping to find out exactly how much of the region’s former might was left.
...
The entire Tianyuan Region was filled with anger.
The Tri-Mountain Alliance’s challenge angered countless people. After all, as members of the Tianyuan Region, they still had the pride of being one of the nine regions. Many years ago, before the Tri-Mountain Alliance had formed, those three first-class factions were merely subjects that bowed to the Tianyuan Region!
But now, the once little brother had turned on them. How could the people of the Tianyuan Region possibly endure such an outrage?
For a time, countless voices were directed towards the Tianyuan Utopia, wanting the higher-ups to display a power that would put the Tri-Mountain Alliance in their place.
However, an unconcealable worry was within these numerous angry voices. The challenge letter issued by the Tri-Mountain Alliance was from Chen Xuandong, and it was directed at the chief pavilion master of the four pavilions, Zhou Yuan.
How would the higher-ups of the Tianyuan Region respond?
Accept? But Chen Xuandong was ranked nine on the Divine Dwelling List and was currently the most dazzling super dark horse, his radiance far outclassing the new chief pavilion master’s. Since he dared to send a challenge letter so openly, he had to have unshakable confidence in himself.
If they accepted and Zhou Yuan lost, would the Tianyuan Region really have to give up their nine regions tournament participation rights?
If so, would the Tianyuan Region dare to show their face again?
But what if they refused?
One of the almighty nine regions refusing to acknowledge a challenge from a mere top-tier faction. What face would they have left?
Hence, a few of the more discerning individuals sighed inwardly. The challenge was a huge headache for the higher-ups of the Tianyuan Region.
...
Tianyuan Utopia, inside a conference hall.
Five figures were seated, each one maintaining their silence. However, a terrifying pressure was brewing in the hall.
These five figures were naturally the Tianyuan Region’s five grand elders.
The silence lasted for a long time before sect master Xuan Kun looked towards Chi Jing, pushing over the challenge letter in his hand as he indifferently asked, “How shall we deal with this matter? Do we accept or refuse?”
Chi Jing swept a glance at the challenge letter as a dangerous look surfaced on her fair face. “Since they dare to challenge us, why would we not dare to receive it?”
Sect master Xuan Kun lowered his eyelids and said, “Easy to say. Chen Xuandong is very strong, and the Tri-Mountain Alliance has poured countless resources into him. His talent is also exceptional. Do you think Zhou Yuan will be his match?”
Chi Jing let out an icy laugh. “Our Tianyuan Region cannot afford to lose face!”
“We can’t afford to lose the challenge either.” Sect master Xuan Kun slowly said, “I suggest we ignore this challenge and the Tri-Mountain Alliance’s provocations. In that way, they will not be able to achieve their goal.”
Chi Jing frostily said, “Cower like a turtle? If my master returns in the future, he might shatter the Tianyuan Region in anger.”
Clan leader Bai Ye of the White Clan smiled faintly and said, “It is best if grand elder Chi Jing has any information about supreme sovereign Cang Yuan. We’ll only need to release this information, and the Tri-Mountain Alliance will no longer have the guts to provoke us.”
Chi Jing expressionlessly replied, “If I knew, would some people have the balls to repeatedly bicker with me? However, I’m certain that nothing has happened to my master. Once there is a chance, he will naturally appear.”
Clan leader Bai Ye sighed softly. “But I heard that the sacred race had attacked supreme sovereign Cang Yuan and that he may have already fallen.”
Chi Jing’s face turned ice-cold as she glared at clan leader Bai Ye.
Clan leader Mu Ni’s gentle voice sounded, “If clan leader Bai Ye has such thoughts, you may leave the Tianyuan Region with y
our White Clan. I believe the others will not stop you.”
The corners of Bai Ye’s eyes twitched for a moment. Regardless of his thoughts, he would not dare to do anything before ascertaining supreme sovereign Cang Yuan’s situation. Otherwise, what would he do if supreme sovereign Cang Yuan appeared? The fury of a Saint was not something he could endure, even if he was a Law Domain stage expert.
Clan leader Bian Chang of the Profound Crystal Clan spoke up in a deep voice, “Let’s do away with such useless talk. The Tianyuan Region is one entity, and no one hopes that anything bad will happen to it.”
All five grand elders fell silent. They understood that bickering would not solve the problem.
Clan leader Bai Ye raised his eyelids as he said, “What’s chief pavilion master Zhou Yuan’s situation?”
Chi Jing indifferently said, “He’s in secluded cultivation.”
Clan leader Bai Ye’s white hair swayed gently as he leisurely said, “As the chief pavilion master, he’s the leader of the younger generation. Since this matter is directed at him, we should see his stance.”
Chi Jing nodded. Just as she was about to speak, her expression suddenly changed as she reached out and pointed towards a certain spot. A jade talisman appeared and landed in her hand.
“It’s from elder Yi. Zhou Yuan is already aware of this matter, he says…” Chi Jing’s eyes faintly flashed as she read the information in the jade talisman. “He says that the challenge can be accepted but hopes that it can be delayed a month.”
These words caused the expressions of the other four grand elders to change a little.
Sect master Xuan Kun’s face was indifferent as he said, “He talks big for someone so young. It is not a simple matter that can be accepted so casually. This affair affects not only himself but also the reputation of our Tianyuan Region.”
Chi Jing replied, “If sect master Xuan Kun has another plan, feel free to share it. We will naturally support it if it is feasible.”
Sect master Xuan Kun chuckled before saying in a low voice, “This old man doesn’t have any plan. Since grand elder Chi Jing feels he can do it, go ahead and let him accept the challenge. If he fails, however, I hope that grand elder Chi Jing will be able to deal with the aftermath.”
His intention was for Chi Jing to bear the consequences if Zhou Yuan was defeated.
Indifference covered Chi Jing’s fair face. “Don’t worry. The Tianyuan Region is the property my master left behind. Even if I lose my life, I will not let the Tianyuan Region lose face.”
She rose to her feet with a determined expression.
“Reply to the Tri-Mountain Alliance. Our Tianyuan Region will accept this challenge, and the date will be set to a month later. Additionally, the Tri-Mountain Alliance is not allowed to issue such a challenge for free. Tell them that if they want to challenge us, prepare a hundred Divine Dwelling Immeasurable Fruits!
“And if they lose, the amount will be raised to three hundred!”
Divine Dwelling Immeasurable Fruits were a resource produced by the Tri-Mountain Alliance. When consumed, it would unlock one of one’s Divine Dwellings, so it was called a miracle medicine of the Divine Dwelling stage! It only worked on Divine Dwelling stage practitioners and was only effective once. It was considered one of the Tri-Mountain Alliance’s critical strategic resources.
Three hundred was almost several years of produce.
Evidently, Chi Jing intended to deal a ruthless blow to the Tri-Mountain Alliance!
Chapter 906 Challenge Letter
It was no surprise that news of accepting the challenge caused another uproar in the Tianyuan Region. The bordering lands cast over countless gazes, hoping to figure out a little more about this very meaningful challenge.
For the other factions, although the unyielding manner in which the Tianyuan Region accepted the challenge appeared quite impressive, some of the sharper individuals felt that it was a rash decision. After all, in a manner of speaking, their acceptance was equivalent to using one’s weakness to attack an opponent’s strong suit.
The Tri-Mountain Alliance was clearly prepared and confident in Chen Xuandong. His ranking on the Divine Dwelling List also surpassed Zhou Yuan’s. To be blunt, Lu Xiao likely did not have the qualifications to face Chen Xuandong, so even though Zhou Yuan had defeated Lu Xiao, Zhou Yuan likewise did not have the qualifications either.
Once Zhou Yuan lost the battle, the Tianyuan Region would lose a massive amount of face.
Placing the reputation of a region on a single Divine Dwelling stage practitioner was not very wise.
Moreover, chief pavilion master Zhou Yuan had delayed the fight by a month, which made him appear lacking in confidence. Was he hoping for some breakthrough at the final moment? It was said that the chief pavilion master had only unlocked seven Divine Dwellings so far. Although his potential would turn into true strength when he unlocked the final two Divine Dwellings and no longer needed to fear Chen Xuandong, time waited for no man.
Others would not foolishly wait for you to grow up before challenging you.
Of course, there were naturally some voices supporting the decision. They felt that the Tianyuan Region was confident since they had dared to accept the challenge. As for which new dark horse was stronger, one would only know the answer once Chen Xuandong and Zhou Yuan clashed!
However, the voices in support were the minority. After all, Zhou Yuan’s ranking on the Divine Dwelling List was lower than Chen Xuandong’s, and the Divine Dwelling List had always been very accurate.
When the Tianyuan Region’s conditions for accepting the challenge entered the Tri-Mountain Alliance’s ears, the super dark horse Chen Xuandong immediately responded with two simple words.
“Ready anytime.”
Simple and confident.
...
The four pavilions were likewise in an uproar due to the matter. However, in the face of an external threat, everyone, even the Heavenly Spirit Sect disciples, temporarily put aside their differences to stand against the common enemy. After all, everyone understood that Zhou Yuan was currently the leader of their generation of Divine Dwelling stage practitioners.
If he lost to Chen Xuandong, it would be a tremendous blow to their reputation.
Thus, even the Heavenly Spirit Sect disciples did not wish to see Zhou Yuan defeated.
All four pavilions were cheering for their chief pavilion master.
The chief pavilion building.
Yi Qiushui’s and Ye Bingling’s expressions were somewhat grave as they gazed at the crazy ruckus outside. After a long time, Ye Bingling asked in a low voice, “Where’s Zhou Yuan?”
“He’s been in secluded cultivation for the past two months.” Yi Qiushui sighed softly. She never imagined that Zhou Yuan would receive such a dangerous challenge so quickly after assuming the chief pavilion master position. Chen Xuandong was far more dangerous than Lu Xiao.
Ye Bingling gritted her teeth and said, “The Tri-Mountain Alliance is going more and more overboard.”
A top-tier faction challenging one of the nine regions was honestly very rare in Hunyuan Heaven. Hence, the members of the Tianyuan Region felt both offended and angered.
“What did Zhou Yuan say? I heard he accepted the challenge on his own accord?” Worry tinged Ye Bingling’s voice.
Although the Tri-Mountain Alliance was loathsome, their ploy was indeed too cunning. After all, if both sides were to fight, the Tianyuan Region would not fear the Tri-Mountain Alliance in terms of Law Domain stage or Nascent Source stage numbers. However, the Tri-Mountain Alliance just had to jab them in their weakness: the Divine Dwelling stage.
With regards to the Divine Dwelling stage, even members of the Tianyuan Region had no choice but to admit that they had not done well over the past few years.
Yi Qiushui gave a slight nod. She already found out everything from her grandfather. Zhou Yuan had indeed accepted the challenge letter.
Yi Qiushui slowly said, “Zhou Yuan is no fool. This
matter is very important, and he wouldn’t easily accept the challenge if he didn’t have a plan.”
Having known Zhou Yuan for so long, she knew that he was someone who could wait patiently for his chance. Since he dared to accept the challenge letter, he had to have some sort of plan.
Yi Bingling let out a bitter laugh. She could only hope this was true. After all, Chen Xuandong had already named Zhou Yuan, and if he did not accept, it would be a near-fatal blow to his reputation. The other party had clearly chosen the timing very well.
As for what would follow...
This battle would be far more dangerous than the one with Lu Xiao.
...
The Fire Pavilion.
Lu Xiao, Zuo Ya, Zhu Lian and the rest were currently gathered. Naturally, they were discussing the challenge letter from Chen Xuandong.
“Zhou Yuan is so arrogant. Does he really believe that becoming the chief pavilion master has made him invincible under the heavens?” said Zuo Ya in a resentful voice. In contrast to the faith Yi Qiushui, Ye Bingling and the others had in Zhou Yuan, she did not believe that he was Chen Xuandong’s match.
From what she could see, it was stupid of Zhou Yuan to recklessly accept the challenge.
If he was defeated, the Divine Dwelling stage younger generation of the Tianyuan Region would become a laughing stock in Hunyuan Heaven.
Zhu Lian looked towards the contemplating Lu Xiao. “Senior brother Lu Xiao, do you think Zhou Yuan has a chance?”
On this matter, they were in the same boat as Zhou Yuan: his glory would be their glory, his shame would be their shame. Hence, no matter how unwilling they felt, they could only support Zhou Yuan.
Lu Xiao was silent for a moment before answering, “It will be very difficult. If my estimate is correct, Chen Xuandong’s Genesis Qi foundations alone have likely reached almost 30 million Genesis stars.”
This terrifying number made Zuo Ya and Zhu Lain gasp involuntarily. Nearly 30 million?
What kind of notion was this? One must know that even Lu Xiao only had 23 million, but Chen Xuandong had nearly 30 million?
“It’s not unbelievable.” Lu Xiao indifferently said, “The top rankers on the Divine Dwelling List have been nicknamed ‘Little Heavenly Suns’. Although there is still a gap between Chen Xuandong and them, it is not impossible for his Genesis Qi foundations to have reached nearly 30 million.
Dragon Prince Yuan c1-1251 Page 474
