Although Zhou Yuan could temporarily boost his Genesis Qi to the 1.5 billion mark, Bai Yu was right—it was not a reliable solution. Hence, it would be best if Qin Lian and the others could take three matches, allowing Zhou Yuan to sit this one back. After all, his status was too special, and there would be substantial repercussions if he lost.
Under Qin Lian’s nervous gaze, Zhou Yuan helplessly answered, “I already told you that I’m not participating for fame or glory. I’ll happily accept any arrangement, even a victory without having to lift a finger.”
He knew that Qin Lian was worried that he would be too prideful and refuse to be someone who did not contribute. But the truth was that he did not care. He was only participating because he did not wish to put his fate in someone else’s hands.
He would be more than happy to sit back and watch Qin Lian and the others obtain a smooth victory.
Although he did not know whether he would be able to bring about a comeback if Qin Lian and the others lost, he would do his best if the time came.
Qin Lian secretly breathed a sigh of relief as a smile appeared on her usually stern face.
“I hope that everything will go well,” she said as she extended her hand.
Mu Youlan giggled and placed her hand on Qin Lian’s.
Zhou Yuan hesitated slightly before also reaching out. “I wish you guys victory. Bring glory to our Tianyuan Region.”
Chapter 1045 The Battle Begins
Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
Wind Rain Lake.
The mountains in the lake’s vicinity were filled with people. Countless Genesis Qi clouds hovered in the air, carrying innumerable figures.
There were several powerful hidden presences even farther up in the sky. These were the Law Domain experts from the various factions.
Furthermore, vast, immeasurable presences hovered in places even Law Domain experts could not sense. The Saint experts were also observing.
After brewing for an entire month, the mystic creature battle had undoubtedly become the focal point of the innumerable Hunyuan Heaven factions. Everyone knew this was not merely a clash between the Tianyuan Region and the Great Five Alliance, but a battle of schemes and wits between two supreme sovereigns.
After this battle, Hunyuan Heaven’s landscape would definitely change. It would be a change that even the supreme sovereigns would not be able to ignore.
...
On a certain hill near the Wind Rain Lake.
This tightly guarded hill was the Tianyuan Region’s base camp. Chi Jing, Xuan Kun, Mu Ni and the other two grand elders were currently standing at the hill with their hands behind their backs. Their eyes contained a piercing iciness as they stared at a certain spot far away.
The mystic creature battle was split into two locations. Hence, only half of the crowd was at the Wind Rain Lake. The equally popular Golden Lightning Abyss was the venue of the Nascent Source battle.
The five grand elders had each sent a cultivation double to oversee the Golden Lightning Abyss, allowing them to rapidly move between locations.
Chi Jing turned to look behind her where the lead actors of today's battle were gathered: Qin Lian, Bai Yu, Bian Buji, Mu Youlan and Zhou Yuan.
“The Great Five Alliance’s participants have already been determined. The Crimson Cloud Sword Sect’s Zhang Chenfeng, the Venomous Dragon Palace’s Chen Le, the Thunder Mountain’s Ke Wen, the Spirit Swallower Pavilion’s Zhuang Ming and the Tri-Mountain Alliance’s Lu Qing.
“These are the core pillars among the Great Five Alliance’s Heavenly Sun stage. All of them have glass Heavenly Suns, and they are famous individuals. Do not underestimate them,” Chi Jing warned them.
Achieving the glass Heavenly Sun was extremely demanding on one’s talent and luck, and even the Tianyuan Region did not have many practitioners of this caliber. Even so, the Great Five Alliance had still been able to gather a few.
The five participants nodded. Zhou Yuan hesitated a little before saying, “Although our five opponents are quite extraordinary, we still have a clear advantage. Someone like supreme sovereign Wan Zu will definitely know this. Could he have dispatched Heavenly Sun experts from the Wanzu Region as replacements?”
Although their five opponents were strong, they were very likely to lose three matches against the Tianyuan Region’s line-up. Even he could see the difference in strength, let alone someone like supreme sovereign Wan Zu.
As such, it might be dangerous if the Wanzu Region substituted the participants.
Chi Jing nodded and said, “We’re also worried about this possibility. However, it is not so easy for the Wanzu Region to replace the participants. The metal tower was left behind by our master after all, and it will be able to make its own judgments. If the Wanzu Region tries to make a substitution, they might fail to even enter the tower.”
Evidently, Cang Yuan had also made his own preparations.
Zhou Yuan did not dwell on the topic. Since it was a clash between supreme sovereigns, even Chi Jing and the other Law Domain experts would not be able to interfere so easily, let alone a mere Heavenly Sun practitioner like himself.
Bzz!
Vast Genesis Qi suddenly surged in the distance. Space rippled as several figures walked out. An extremely astonishing pressure filled the area, drawing looks of reverence from the various experts present.
The Law Domain experts from the Great Five Alliance had arrived.
However, old demon Long Gu was not present. It appeared that he couldn’t even show himself after being gravely injured by Chi Jing.
The gazes of the Law Domain experts clashed, and the temperature seemed to plummet. Genesis Qi churned violently as if a volcano was about to erupt.
The experts from the various factions were greatly alarmed. If the Law Domain experts fought, they would be akin to unlucky fish caught in the storm.
Fortunately, both parties could restrain themselves, and the chilling eeriness in their eyes ultimately receded.
Crash!
Giant waves suddenly rose in the Wind Rain Lake. Countless onlookers watched as a black tower slowly rose from the lake. The black tower looked mottled as if it had weathered countless years. The two ancient words, Heavenly Sun, were carved onto the tower, and they gave off a mysterious power as if the words were some kind of rule. Anyone who violated their power would not be able to enter the tower.
When the black metal tower rose from the lake, everyone felt the atmosphere suddenly grow tense and fill with hostility.
Countless gazes converged on the two parties.
Chi Jing looked towards Qin Lian without wasting any time and said, “Qin Lian, take the first match.”
Qin Lian was the strongest Heavenly Sun expert in the Tianyuan Region, and she was ranked sixth on the Heavenly Sun List. Her level far surpassed any Heavenly Sun expert from the Great Five Alliance, and the Tianyuan Region clearly planned on starting the match with a decisive victory.
“Understood!” Qin Lian acknowledged, her pretty face filled with ice. The long ponytail behind her hung down to her feet. Her figure moved, appearing above the black metal tower.
“Sending out Qin Lian for the first match...looks like the Tianyuan Region is determined to clinch the first victory!”
“Qin Lian is number six on the Heavenly Sun List. Although the list is not absolute, everyone acknowledges her strength. No one among the Great Five Alliance’s Heavenly Sun experts is her match.”
“Hehe, it’s not just Qin Lian. The participants from the Great Five Alliance don’t match up to Bai Yu, Bian Buji and Mu Youlan either. I feel that the only match they’ll be able to take is the one against the Tianyuan Region’s little grand elder, Zhou Yuan…”
“Zhou Yuan is quite an interesting fellow. His cultivation is clearly at the initial Heavenly Sun stage, but he still insists on taking part.”
“It may be because of fame and accomplishment…”
“......”
Qin Lian’s appearance dr
ew whispers from the numerous factions. Overall, it seemed that the majority favored the Tianyuan Region. It was, after all, one of the nine regions, and although it had grown weaker in recent years, its foundations were still much stronger than the Great Five Alliance’s.
Qin Lian cast her chilly gaze towards the Great Five Alliance as she shouted coldly, “Who will fight?”
As her voice faded, a figure emerged from the Great Five Alliance camp and quickly appeared outside the black tower.
“The Crimson Cloud Sword Sect’s Zhang Chengfeng is here to seek pointers from you!” The speaker was a man in crimson robes. When he appeared, searing sword qi rippled outwards, vast and mighty like a crimson cloud.
“The Crimson Cloud Sword Sect’s Zhang Chengfeng…” Zhou Yuan narrowed his eyes as he observed the crimson-robed man. He could feel a dangerous sensation from the man’s body. He was clearly no ordinary individual.
Mu Youlan elaborated from beside Zhou Yuan, “Zhang Chengfeng is known as the Fire Swordsman within the Crimson Cloud Sword Sect. It's rumored that the sect’s Law Domain experts have high hopes and expectations for him. He has cultivated a glass Heavenly Sun, and his current Genesis Qi foundations have likely reached 1.9 billion.”
“1.9 billion.” Zhou Yuan’s eyes widened. These advanced glass Heavenly Sun experts were not to be underestimated. Even after borrowing the Heavenly Yuan Brush’s power, he could barely touch the 1.5 billion mark. Of course, it was mainly because the brush’s Promotion ability could not fully bring out his potential. Zhou Yuan had a feeling that 1.5 billion was not his limit at the intermediate Heavenly Sun stage.
Zhang Chengfeng should be the most powerful among the five participants. It appeared that the other side was not using the strategy of matching their strongest against the Tianyuan Region’s weakest. It was useless, anyway, since both sides could change their fighter at any time, rendering such tactics useless.
Strongest against strongest, may the better practitioner win.
Zhou Yuan frowned slightly as he continued to observe Zhang Chengfeng.
1.9 billion was indeed very strong. However, he knew that Qin Lian’s Genesis Qi foundation had reached 2.1 billion. A difference of 200 million was a huge advantage for Qin Lian.
No matter how he looked at it, Zhang Chengfeng did not have any chance of victory.
But he had still been sent out by the Great Five Alliance. Was this trying to smash an already broken vase?
What exactly were they thinking?
While various thoughts swirled in Zhou Yuan’s head, Qin Lian and Zhang Chengfeng turned into streaks of light and dashed into the black metal tower amidst countless watching gazes.
The mystic creature battle had officially begun.
Chapter 1046 Unexpected Outcome
When Qin Lian entered the black metal tower, she felt the scenery around her begin to change. By the time she came back to her senses, she found herself in an arena. The arena was extremely wide and made from azure jade. A faint glowing barrier rose from its borders, sealing it off from the outside.
She was evidently on one of the floors within the tower.
Qin Lian’s expression remained unchanged as fiercely stared at a certain spot in front of her. Space rippled faintly as a figure emerged.
It was the Crimson Cloud Sword Sect’s Zhang Chengfeng.
Zhang Chengfeng stared back at Qin Lian as he smiled and said, “I’ve long heard of miss Qin Lian’s overwhelming strength from junior brother Ji Hu. It seems that I’m going to be the unlucky one who experiences it today.”
However, Qin Lian had zero intention of answering him. With a grasp of her hand, a large scarlet blade appeared. The blade gleamed icily as the surrounding space rippled a little.
Rumble!
Astonishing Genesis Qi erupted from her body, and a Genesis Qi storm unfurled as a glass sun appeared behind her, accompanied by a terrifying pressure.
“A foundation of 2.1 billion…” Zhang Chengfeng’s pupils shrank a little. His opponent’s Genesis Qi foundation was 200 million greater than his own. This was not a small gap, and it would put him under a tremendous amount of pressure.
“Crossing hands with the sixth-ranker on the Heavenly Sun List will at least fulfill a wish of mine!” However, Zhang Chengfeng was no ordinary individual. Although the situation was somber, he showed no fear. He placed his hands together before slowly pulling them apart.
Scarlet-red Genesis Qi stretched from his palms and slowly took on the form of a burning three-foot-long sword. Numerous fiery runes decorated the blade. A searing heat spread, warping the surrounding space.
Bzz!
Scarlet-red Genesis Qi erupted as a glass Heavenly Sun also appeared behind him.
However, there was clearly a difference between them even though they were both glass Heavenly Suns. At the very least, Qin Lian’s Genesis Qi was clearly much stronger than Zhang Chengfeng’s.
Thump!
Qin Lian tightly grasped the scarlet sparrow blade. A split second later, Genesis Qi rumbled as her figure turned into a bolt of scarlet lightning. Cheng Feng only saw a flash of scarlet before a scarlet-red blade ruthlessly slashed down at him with the cry of a sparrow.
Blade light swept forth as space cracked and shattered.
Zhang Chengfeng did not dare to delay a single moment, and he immediately brought up his burning sword light to meet the attack.
Clang!
Blade and sword light collided as torrential fire spurted outwards, burning the air.
Qin Lian’s figure did not budge a single inch, but Zhang Chengfeng’s body was sent shooting backward. The flaming sword in his hand wailed, evidently unable to match Qin Lian’s ferocious attack.
The clash had clearly displayed the gap made from a difference of 200 million stars.
Swish!
Qin Lian had no intention of relenting after the successful attack. She bent her long slender legs as flames exploded from her body, and her figure disappeared like a ghost.
Bzz! Bzz! Bzz!
Glowing scarlet-red blades seemed to fill the entire sky as they descended, cutting off any possible path of escape for Zhang Chengfeng.
“Little Saint Art, Crimson Cloud Sword Light!”
Genesis Qi frantically erupted from Zhang Chengfeng’s body as a wave of sword light swept outwards. The sword light gathered together like layers of churning crimson clouds that loomed towards Qin Lian.
Crimson Cloud Sword Light was one of the signature Genesis techniques of the Crimson Cloud Sword Sect. When used, sword light would become akin to clouds, stacking layer upon layer. Anyone it caught would find themselves inside a devastating cage of heavenly fire that was near impossible to escape.
Zhang Chengfeng clearly had no intention of warming up. He was going all-out.
Qin Lian narrowed her eyes. The long ponytail behind her abruptly exploded, and her fine black hair turned scarlet red. Her long hair drifted around her, making her appear like a scarlet sparrow with outstretched wings.
A low cry rang out from her mouth. “Little Saint Art, Scarlet Sparrow Dance!”
Lii!
She gracefully walked through the air, and her slender body twirled. She ferociously slashed with the scarlet sparrow blade in her hand, and it gushed out scarlet-red Genesis Qi.
A dancing scarlet sparrow seemed to emerge from the slash as it ruthlessly sliced into the crimson clouds with torrential momentum.
Chla!
The ripping of space rang out as the dazzling blade fell. The endless crimson clouds were violently sliced apart, long cracks even appearing on the azure jade floor below. However, the jade seemed to possess some kind of repairing power. The cracks soon disappeared, returning the ground to its previous appearance.
Urgh!
However, Zhang Chengfeng did not have the same power. After chopping through the crimson clouds, the surplus force struck his chest. Blood sprayed from his mouth as his body skidded across the ground, traveling nearly a thousand feet.
Meanwhile, outside the metal tower, a commotion swept over the countless onlookers.
From what they had seen so far, the first match would undoubtedly end in Qin Lian’s victory.
The Tianyuan Region side also burst into cheers, the numerous Heavenly Sun experts looking proud.
“As expected of senior sister Qin Lian.” Mu Youlan breathed a sigh of relief. She was the weakest among the Tianyuan Region’s four Heavenly Sun pillars, and honestly, she did not have much of a chance against Zhang Chengfeng. Hence, Qin Lian achieving a clean victory greatly boosted their morale.
Zhou Yuan did not speak and instead glanced at the Great Five Alliance camp. They looked unruffled—no signs of any panic. It was as if they had already predicted this outcome.
He tightly furrowed his brows. What were they thinking? Could they have already accepted their fate?
...
Long scarlet-red hair danced around Qin Lian as she slowly descended. She brandished the scarlet sparrow blade as her cold eyes locked onto Zhang Chengfeng’s bloody figure. Nearly his entire chest had been chopped open.
“Cough, as expected of the sixth-ranker on the Heavenly Sun List. You’re truly formidable.” Zhang Chengfeng wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and grinned.
Qin Lian did not reply. She slowly walked forward as her blade dragged across the ground, leaving behind black scorch marks.
Zhang Chengfeng continued, “I know that none of the Great Five Alliance’s Heavenly Sun experts are your match, including myself. Perhaps all of you believe that you will achieve a clean and easy victory...hehe…” The smile on his lips turned strange.
An icy light abruptly blossomed in Qin Lian’s eyes as she suddenly sped forward, turning into a blur of scarlet. She intended to slay Zhang Chengfeng and end the match.
“But Qin Lian, you can’t beat me!” He smiled sinisterly. The flesh on his chest wiggled as something tunneled out from his body. It was a rune dyed in blood. When it emerged, it quickly twisted into itself, turning into a glowing ball.
Dragon Prince Yuan c1-1251 Page 541