Chapter 100: The Great Battle Approaches

Qi Yuan’s voice echoed throughout every corner of Great Zhou City, causing widespread fear and unease. The oppressive aura of seven Genesis Stage experts was simply too overwhelming. They were powerful enough to breach the city gates, allowing King Qi’s army to surge in unchecked. On such a battlefield, the deterrent and destructive power possessed by Genesis Stage experts was truly immense. Therefore, countless people across the city began to panic.

In the council hall on the city wall, Zhou Qing’s expression was grim, Wei Canglan’s brows were tightly furrowed, and Black Poison King’s face was particularly grim. He had initially thought it would be a simple numbers game with decent odds, but unexpectedly, Qi Yuan’s side had gained six more Genesis Stage experts in an instant. This sudden shift put them at a disadvantage. In his view, if things went wrong today, they might truly perish here. Even the three Genesis Stage experts felt this way, not to mention the other generals, who were filled with dread. Their previously high morale plummeted, and the atmosphere in the council hall became oppressive.

“Everyone, there’s no need to worry. Although the enemy has seven Genesis Stage experts, our Great Zhou is not necessarily much weaker,” Zhou Yuan said calmly.

Many gazes turned to him. Seven against three was not a situation that could be dismissed as “not much weaker.” Zhou Yuan saw their expressions and knew he needed to boost morale. He immediately nodded slightly to Yao Yao, who, seeing this, gently patted Tun Tun in her arms. Tun Tun lazily stretched, and an astonishing aura slowly emanated from its small body.

“A Genesis Stage Source Beast?!” In the council hall, the generals’ eyes lit up. They stared at Tun Tun in amazement, clearly never expecting such an adorable small beast to possess Genesis Stage power.

Zhou Yuan smiled faintly and pointed at Yao Yao, saying, “This senior sister of mine has reached the fourth rank in Origin Pattern mastery, which is enough to contend with one Genesis Stage expert.”

Many eyes turned to Yao Yao again. As whispers spread, the atmosphere became much livelier. If what Zhou Yuan said was true, then their side would also have the combat power of five Genesis Stage experts. While they still wouldn’t have the upper hand in a direct fight, they would at least be formidable.

“All you need to do is hold your positions. Someone will naturally block the Genesis Stage experts,” Zhou Yuan said in a deep voice, his gaze sweeping over the generals.

“Yes, sir!”

Seeing Zhou Yuan’s gaze, the generals present did not dare to underestimate him due to his age, and all responded respectfully. Seeing their morale somewhat restored, Zhou Qing’s expression finally eased slightly. He comforted everyone again before dismissing the others.

After the others had left, Zhou Qing looked at Zhou Yuan with concern and sighed, “Even so, we can only block five Genesis Stage experts. There are still two that we can’t contain.” If those two Genesis Stage experts were allowed to breach the city gates and wreak havoc, it would clearly cause immense damage to Great Zhou City and even lead to a collapse in the army’s morale.

Zhou Yuan’s eyes flickered. “Father, there’s no need to worry. I will find a way to deal with those two Genesis Stage enemies.”

“You?” Zhou Qing was stunned, his eyes filled with doubt. After all, Zhou Yuan had even brought Yao Yao and Tun Tun into play, and his own strength was only at the early Qi Cultivation stage. What could he possibly do against Genesis Stage experts? Although he was doubtful, Zhou Qing didn’t say much, only nodded.

After discussing for a while longer, Zhou Yuan and Yao Yao walked out. “How will you stop a Genesis Stage expert?” Once outside, Yao Yao suddenly asked. She knew Zhou Yuan’s strength well; he currently had virtually no ability to deal with Genesis Stage experts. Yao Yao stared at Zhou Yuan, her bright eyes flickering. “If you’re planning to use the power of ‘Silver Shadow,’ your current Spirit cultivation is simply insufficient to activate it.” Clearly, being intelligent, she quickly thought of the battle puppet that Zhou Yuan had named “Silver Shadow.”

Zhou Yuan scratched his head and chuckled, “Sister Yao Yao is still the clever one.”

Yao Yao shook her head. “You can’t activate it. Don’t push yourself.”

Hearing this, Zhou Yuan smiled and nodded. “My current Spirit cultivation indeed isn’t enough to activate ‘Silver Shadow,’ but… don’t we still have that ring?”

Yao Yao paused, then realized that Zhou Yuan was referring to the silver ring he had obtained from the Jade Poppy Tree. That ring could significantly boost one’s spirit, but it had been damaged, and Yao Yao had been repairing it during this time.

“So that’s your plan,” Yao Yao said, her delicate brows slightly furrowed. “However, I don’t approve of your approach. While that ring can indeed amplify your Spirit, it would be an extreme overload for you. One careless mistake, and your spirit could be severely damaged.” Although Zhou Yuan could temporarily unleash Silver Shadow’s power by using the ring’s amplification, it would be very dangerous. After all, controlling that level of power was still too difficult for him.

Zhou Yuan smiled and calmly said, “If I can’t even overcome this hurdle, what difference does it make whether my spirit is severely damaged or not?” If Great Zhou City were breached, Qi Yuan would undoubtedly slaughter everyone. He might be able to escape in the chaos, but what about his father and mother? What about the citizens of the Great Zhou Dynasty? Zhou Yuan disliked the idea of his nation being destroyed, him fleeing alone, enduring humiliation while cultivating endlessly, and hoping for revenge one day. Rather than that, he preferred to fight with everything he had for a glimmer of hope.

Yao Yao was silent for a long moment before saying, “But even so, you’d only be able to deal with one Genesis Stage expert.”

“For the last Genesis Stage expert, I’ll ask Father to send some Heavenly Gate Stage masters to besiege them. Although it might come at a heavy cost, as long as they can buy some time, once any of us are free, we’ll be able to stabilize the situation,” Zhou Yuan said. He clearly had a plan for all of this.

Yao Yao sighed softly. “Your path as the Sacred Dragon is truly fraught with difficulties.” These numerous trials were like walking along a cliff edge; one misstep could lead to eternal damnation. Hearing this, Zhou Yuan smiled and said in a calm voice, “Perhaps this is a test, to see if I am truly the Sacred Dragon…”

Half a day brought countless fears to Great Zhou City. All sorts of rumors spread throughout the city, causing widespread unease and a tense atmosphere.

In a clean, bright courtyard house in the southern part of the city, a graceful and beautiful young girl with a slender figure quietly walked out and closed the door. At this moment, Su Youwei was dressed in blue and white clothes, appearing clean and pure. Her beautiful face and captivating features continuously drew gazes from those around her. She ignored the stares, simply raising her fair, jade-like face to look in the direction of the city wall. She had naturally heard the news circulating in the city and understood the great danger Great Zhou City was currently facing.

Many people were secretly preparing to flee, but she had no such intention. Although she knew the situation was difficult, for some reason, her mind always went back to the young man who sometimes smiled with a lazy calm. He always managed to instill a great deal of confidence in her out of nowhere. With him here, breaching the city wouldn’t be so easy.

Thinking this, Su Youwei moved with light steps, heading towards the city wall. As she turned a street corner, she suddenly noticed a hunched, elderly figure leaning against a wall. The old man’s breathing was weak, but passersby were already anxious and naturally paid him no mind. Su Youwei looked at him, reminded of her own grandfather. She stopped, thought for a moment, then took out a meat pastry wrapped in oiled paper from her pocket, knelt down, and gently placed it in front of the old man.

Seemingly noticing the movement, the old man opened his eyes slightly. His cloudy gaze surveyed the young girl before him, and he spoke in an old, weak voice, “Girl, at a time like this, aren’t you going to run?”

Su Youwei smiled, lightly pressing her red lips together. She didn’t reply, simply clenching her delicate hands slightly.

“Elder, please eat quickly and then leave,” Su Youwei stood up. A resolute expression appeared on her beautiful face as she turned and headed towards the city wall.

The old man watched Su Youwei’s departing figure and seemed to smile. He clutched the warm meat pastry in front of him, and a faint light flickered in his cloudy eyes as he murmured to himself, “I never expected to see a Yin-Yang Qi Dwelling in such a remote place… However, this little girl’s eyes hold a fierce resolve, as if she intends to rely on external objects. Ah, at such a young age, isn’t she afraid of harming herself…”