Yuan Kun of the Yushou Region could not help but sigh as he stroked his fat cheeks. In the face of someone as fearsome as Zhao Mushen, even he had to be extremely cautious. If Zhao Mushen chose to attack Zhou Yuan, Yuan Kun would be unable to help. After all, he still needed to be responsible for the Yushou Region, and offending the Wanzu Region’s Zhao Mushen wouldn’t be wise.
Jiu Gong’s expression appeared a little regretful. She had already sensed Zhou Yuan’s potential from their previous encounter. If he could unblock his ninth Divine Dwelling, his battle prowess would likely rank among the top four. At that time, even Zhao Mushen would not have an easy time against him.
What a pity...it seems Zhao Mushen does not plan on giving Zhou Yuan the opportunity to continue growing. However, it is not shameful to lose to the likes of Zhao Mushen.
Even someone as proud as Jiu Gong admired Zhao Mushen’s overwhelming power.
Zhou Yuan may have the qualifications to vie with Zhao Mushen in the future but not now. However, by the time Zhou Yuan reached that step, Zhao Mushen might have already advanced to the Heavenly Sun stage. At that time, the gap between them would only grow larger.
This was the path of cultivation. Once you were a step behind, you would always be a step behind. Catching up was not easy.
Wu Yao was standing in the Wushen Region camp, wearing a bright red dress. Her arms were crossed, and she was giving off a dignified and powerful aura. She narrowed her eyes slightly, light flickering within them. No one could tell what she was thinking.
Lan Ting and Zhao Yunxiao stood a little behind her. Zhao Yunxiao’s complexion was still somewhat pale as he viciously glared at Zhou Yuan’s figure. Earlier, Zhou Yuan had nearly killed him in the mini domain.
However, there was a sliver of fear flowing in the depths of Zhao Yunxiao’s eyes. Zhou Yuan’s strength made him understand that both of them were no longer on the same level. The young man he had not given a second thought to in the Great Wu capital city had already far surpassed him. Although it was difficult for Zhao Yunxiao to accept, he had no choice but to acknowledge this cruel reality.
Lan Ting silently stood to one side. He was likewise aware of Zhao Yunxiao’s encounter with Zhou Yuan. Since Lan Ting was equal in strength to Zhao Yunxiao, Zhou Yuan could likely defeat him too.
The two that were brimming with confidence before the tournament no longer had much pride left within them.
Wu Yao covertly swept a glance at the two and inwardly shook her head. To think that a small loss was all it took to rob them of their drive... It was ironic that they had even looked down on Zhou Yuan previously. In comparison, Zhou Yuan far outclassed them in terms of character and tenacity.
If either of them had experienced the many setbacks he had, it was very likely that both of them would have crumbled, let alone claw their way back onto their feet as he had.
Despite this, if Zhao Mushen acted against Zhou Yuan now, it would still be a huge problem for Zhou Yuan.
In thought, Wu Yao lightly tapped her fingers, her gaze flickering. She did not wish to see Zhao Mushen eliminate Zhou Yuan here because the nine regions tournament was her best chance to retrieve the sacred dragon blessing in Zhou Yuan’s body.
Zhao Mushen was really good at ruining things.
Should she stop him?
Many were watching Zhao Mushen and Zhou Yuan in the starry space, hoping that they would soon see some excitement.
Under these gloating gazes, Zhou Yuan’s expression did not even twitch, though a ruthless look flitted past in the depths of his eyes. He remained expressionless as a silver liquid emerged on the hand in his sleeve and slowly covered his arm.
However, just as Genesis Qi began rushing through his body, another extremely powerful Genesis Qi pressure suddenly appeared in the starry space.
Countless people looked over in bewilderment and saw Su Youwei of the Zixiao Region take a step forward. Space faintly rippled around her, and her pressure was not the least bit weaker than Zhao Mushen’s. It had fully locked onto him.
She did not speak as Genesis Qi churned around her.
This was a warning.
She was warning Zhao Mushen that she would intervene the moment he did anything.
Uproar!
A thunderous uproar swept across the place like a wave.
The various experts were utterly shocked. They had never imagined that Su Youwei would step forward at this juncture and pit herself against Zhao Mushen for Zhou Yuan.
What was the relationship between these two?!
Although they had witnessed Su Youwei force away Xu Ming for Zhou Yuan in the Fallen City, how could the likes of Xu Ming compare to Zhao Mushen?
Behind Su Youwei, Xue Jingtao’s expression changed. He had just told Su Youwei an embellished account of what Zhou Yuan had done to him. He would never have expected that she would display her stance at this moment, even pitting herself against Zhao Mushen!
Xue Jingtao sternly cried out, “Junior sister Youwei! What are you doing? How can you offend Zhao Mushen for a mere Zhou Yuan? Don’t forget your status!”
Su Youwei cast an indifferent glance at him and said, “You’re too short-sighted. Zhao Mushen is our greatest enemy. Having Zhou Yuan around will be a big threat towards Zhao Mushen.”
Xue Jingtao laughed in anger. What kind of joke was this? Zhou Yuan could threaten Zhao Mushen? Who the hell did he think he was?!
“I’m the leader of the Zixiao Region. If you refuse to comply, withdraw immediately from the nine regions tournament,” Su Youwei said icily. There was a never-before-heard frostiness in her tone.
Xue Jingtao tightly clenched his fists as his face distorted somewhat. In the end, he grudgingly backed down and said, “Fine, go ahead and do what you want. I’ll be waiting to see how you’ll explain things when we return!”
Zhao Mushen’s eyes widened slightly. He tilted his head, looked in Su Youwei’s direction and slowly said, “Su Youwei, are you declaring war against me?”
Su Youwei replied, “If that’s what you think.”
Zhao Mushen was silent for a moment before saying, “Do you know that this isn’t the best place or time for us to fight?”
Su Youwei indifferently answered, “That’s why I hope you’ll be a little more rational.”
Zhao Mushen was speechless. He then softly chuckled and raised his hands in surrender. The Genesis Qi pressure from his body slowly dissipated. “Fine, it shall be as you wish. But Su Youwei, you cannot protect him.”
Su Youwei was someone he had to be wary of. Moreover, he could faintly sense another person secretly targeting him. In such a situation, even Zhao Mushen had no choice but to take a step back.
Su Youwei shook her head. “When he unblocks his ninth Divine Dwelling, you’ll perhaps have to think about whether you’ll be able to protect yourself.”
Zhao Mushen smiled and said, “So optimistic about him? Then I’ll happily wait and see.”
He did not look down upon Zhou Yuan nor underestimate the potential of his ninth Divine Dwelling. Zhao Mushen merely had complete confidence in himself.
As the two individuals withdrew their Genesis Qi pressure, the hostile atmosphere in the starry sky began to fade. Numerous individuals shook their heads in regret. It was a pity that a fight had not broken out.
Xu Ming displayed a superficial smile. “Chief pavilion master Zhou Yuan is such a lucky guy.”
His tone was filled with mockery and sarcasm.
Several gazes looked towards Zhou Yuan in amusement, barely able to conceal their envy. It felt really unacceptable for Su Youwei to protect him so fiercely!
The silver liquid covering Zhou Yuan’s arm receded slowly. He lifted his head, looked towards Xu Ming and said, “I’ll be taking whichever of the nine statues you pick.”
Although Zhao Mushen could be put aside for the time being, he could bully Xu Ming to vent his frustration.
I’ll leave the lion for later and kill this dog now!
Xu Ming’s e
xpression turned sinisterly cold.
Uproar!
The originally dying buzz once again exploded. Zhou Yuan’s words were undoubtedly a declaration of war.
Chapter 967 Zhou Yuan VS Xu Ming
“Haha, what shameless boasting!” Xu Ming howled with laughter. Undisguised disdain was on his face as he fixed a dark gaze on Zhou Yuan. He had never imagined that Zhou Yuan would dare to target him.
He swept his gaze across the area, ultimately pausing on Zhao Mushen. “Zhao Mushen, how will these nine statues be allocated?”
Everyone knew that the nine ancient statues were the crux of the nine regions tournament. The bigger the statue, the more Spiritium and opportunity contained within! Hence, intense struggles would undoubtedly erupt over these nine statues.
Zhao Mushen answered in a gentle voice, “If we allocated them according to the Divine Dwelling List rankings, I believe everyone will snort in disdain…”
The top heaven prides from the other nine regions did not comment. There was, of course, no way that any of them would acknowledge such a suggestion. If they went according to the rankings, Zhao Mushen would occupy the largest ancient statue.
This was something that Wu Yao and Su Youwei, ranked second and third, would never agree to.
Zhao Mushen softly chuckled, his sculpted face exuding an extraordinary charm. He knew what everyone was thinking and thus did not offend the majority. He understood that they were the apex heaven prides of their respective regions and were extremely prideful individuals. Reputation and presence alone were not enough to make them yield the largest statue. At the end of the day, a battle was unavoidable.
And he was not afraid of any of them challenging him.
“Since everyone feels that this won’t work, we’ll use a simpler approach,” Zhao Mushen casually said. “Whoever fancies any of these statues can step forward and move to that statue. The one who manages to triumph over all the other challengers will naturally end up the owner of that statue.”
The top heaven prides from the various regions nodded in agreement. At the end of the day, strength would determine everything.
Smiling, Xu Ming nodded before glancing at Zhou Yuan. Robust Genesis Qi erupted from Xu Ming’s body, rippling the space around him.
Swish!
His figure shot forward, zooming straight towards the nine ancient statues.
Countless gazes converged on his body.
Xu Ming flew past the first two statues and landed towards the third one.
When his figure stopped, a white jade bracelet suddenly dropped from his wrist. A white bead expanded, turning into a giant hundred-foot-long beast that howled at the heavens. Its giant fists pulsed with astonishing power as it ferociously punched the Genesis Qi barrier around the stone statue.
Boom!
A loud noise thundered as a devastating shockwave unfurled.
A crack was blasted open in the Genesis Qi barrier. Xu Ming’s figure took the opportunity to descend, landing on the giant statue’s head amidst countless amazed gasps.
Xu Ming had chosen the third statue, ranked seven in scale among the nine. It also happened to coincide with his ranking on the Divine Dwelling List.
Xu Ming was quite the smart one. He understood that the larger statues would surely be contested more heavily, and he was ninety percent certain of occupying this statue.
He planned to occupy the third statue first and then observe the situation before making his next move.
On the statue’s head, Xu Ming cast an icy glance at Zhou Yuan and said, “Want to seek your own humiliation? Here, I’ll give you a chance. I hope that you’ll be able to break the Genesis Qi barrier and not let your Tianyuan Region lose all face.”
Genesis Qi barriers were surrounding the ancient statues. Without sufficient power, it was impossible to break through them.
Xu Ming would be more than happy if Zhou Yuan challenged him. In his view, Zhou Yuan was the weakest among the nine and was the perfect person to kill as an example to the others.
With Xu Ming singling him out, numerous gazes turned towards Zhou Yuan.
It was time to see if Zhou Yuan would dare to accept the main event’s first challenge.
Behind Zhou Yuan, Ye Bingling, Yi Qiushui and the others wore grave expressions. Although they were extremely unhappy with Xu Ming’s arrogant mannerisms, they understood that he had the power to back it up.
Lu Xiao was silent for a moment before saying, “Shall I go and probe him first? You can step up after I’m defeated.”
As members of the same camp, they shared both glory and shame. If Zhou Yuan were the first to be defeated, it would be a huge blow to the Tianyuan Region’s dignity, and they would become a joke to everyone else.
Zhou Yuan stared at the third ancient stone statue while Xu Ming challengingly stared back from the statue’s head. He shook his head and said, “The position he has chosen is not bad. What I need is a stepping stone, and Xu Ming is the most appropriate one.”
Each stone statue contained tremendous amounts of Alpha Spiritium and pure Genesis Qi. If Zhou Yuan managed to occupy one, he would be able to borrow its power to attack the ninth Divine Dwelling.
Once the ninth Divine Dwelling was unlocked, his strength would soar to amazing heights. At that time, he would gain the qualifications to vie with Zhao Mushen for the top.
Hence, while Xu Ming hoped to slaughter Zhou Yuan as an example, Zhou Yuan also needed a stepping stone like Xu Ming.
Zhou Yuan cast aside all hesitation as he shot forth. Several breaths later, he appeared above the giant stone statue.
Light swirled on the glowing Genesis Qi barrier outside the statue, reflected in Zhou Yuan’s pupils. His expression remained calm as his body jerked. Boundless Genesis Qi erupted, 38 million Genesis Qi stars twinkling in the air as a powerful Genesis Qi pressure unfurled.
Rumble!
Zhou Yuan’s figure dived down, his five fingers clenching into a fist as he punched.
A giant torrent of Genesis Qi roared out like an angry dragon and blasted the Genesis Qi barrier.
Boom!
The sky seemed to ripple as a small tear emerged on the barrier and swiftly grew into a crack. Zhou Yuan slipped through in a flash before slowly descending towards the statue’s head. The top of the head was akin to a wide plaza.
Uproar!
Several gasps of surprise rang out as Zhou Yuan descended. His 38 million Genesis Qi stars had shaken quite a number of people.
Xu Ming’s eyes narrowed slightly. “No wonder you’re so arrogant. It turns out that you do have some ability.”
The Genesis Qi foundation Zhou Yuan displayed had clearly exceeded Xu Ming’s expectations.
Iciness overflowed from Xu Ming’s eyes as he fiddled with the white jade bracelet in his hand. Soon after, he broke the bracelet with a flick. Twelve white jade beads rapidly grew as they shot outwards, turning into twelve giant puppet beasts. They roared angrily.
The twelve giant beasts came in various shapes, but their savage auras were indistinguishable from true Genesis beasts.
Roar!
Twelve giant puppet beasts spread out behind Xu Ming. He cocked his head to the side, staring at Zhou Yuan as he said in an amused voice, “Zhou Yuan, this is the final chance I will give you. Get lost now, and you might preserve some of your dignity. Otherwise, don’t blame me for showing no mercy.”
He wanted to infuriate Zhou Yuan because anger would make one lose rationality.
Zhou Yuan raised his eyelids and nonchalantly said, “I’m hoping that these toys of yours will be able to make me a little serious.”
Having his prided puppets called toys made Xu Ming’s expression darken. An eerie smile appeared on his face. “I hope that your tongue will still be so sharp when my puppets tear you to pieces! Go rip him to shreds!”
Roar!
Twelve giant white jade beats suddenly roared. The surrounding Genesis Qi rippled violently as they shot forward, pouncing towards Zhou Yuan with
murderous intent.
Countless people from all around looked over in excitement. The main event had finally begun!
Chapter 968 Heavenly Genesis Puppet Booster Art
Roar!
Twelve giant white jade beasts bolted forward like lightning brimming with savagery as they pounced towards Zhou Yuan. Giant shadows soon enveloped his surroundings.
Murder churned in the air!
A fierce look arose in Zhou Yuan’s eyes as a sword orb rose from his hand.
Bzzbzz!
The piercing buzz of a sword rang out. With a jerk, sword light poured out of the sword orb. The deadly sword light sliced through the air, ripping open tears in the fabric of space as it passed.
Clang! Clang!
The torrent of sword light struck the twelve giant beasts. Blinding sparks exploded as the puppet beasts were pushed back.
However, the sword light only managed to leave cuts on their metal-like bodies, and they were basically nothing to the beasts. The beasts immediately pounced towards Zhou Yuan again.
However, their attempts were futile. The boundless sword light curved into the shape of a ball, enveloping Zhou Yuan’s body. The puppet beasts were unable to break through, no matter how frantically they attacked.
Boom boom!
The aftershocks from the clash washed over the stone statue’s head. Its surface, however, was unimaginably tough, and the powerful aftershocks did not even leave a mark.
Laughing, Xu Ming watched the twelve giant white jade beasts maniacally attack Zhou Yuan. “Zhou Yuan, is this all you have? You don’t live up to your words at all!”
Zhou Yuan’s expression remained impassive amidst the sword light as he stared at the twelve giant beasts. After the previous clash, he had discovered that each puppet beast possessed strength equivalent to nearly 30 million Genesis Qi stars.
As expected of the Yaogui Region. The puppets they create are a force to be reckoned with. Zhou Yuan sighed inwardly. Puppets with a foundation of 30 million Genesis Qi stars were comparable to peak advanced Divine Dwelling stage experts.
It was no wonder his sword light had failed to slice them to pieces.
Dragon Prince Yuan c1-1251 Page 504
