Chapter 1048: Swallow

The rune orb, under the converging gaze of countless eyes, drifted out lightly. Its speed wasn't fast, but the terrifying power it contained made anyone dare not underestimate it.

As the rune orb shot forth, countless people from the Tianyuan Region sighed and shook their heads. They felt that the opponent's move left no opportunity whatsoever. However, they still believed that even a draw would not result in any significant material loss for the Tianyuan Region.

Meanwhile, Xi Jing and others, who knew that even a draw would mean losing the fight, had grim expressions, their fingers tightly clasped. At such a moment, even powerful Law Domain experts like themselves were helpless.

If Zhou Yuan were also forced to a draw, Grand Elder Wan Zu's floating decree would likely descend, forcibly seizing the rare artifact from the tower's summit.

The Tianyuan Region would suffer a complete defeat.

Qin Lian bit her lip so hard that a trace of blood appeared. Watching the scene, her heart swelled with profound unwillingness.

They had lost this fight in such a humiliating way.

If it had been a fair fight based on their respective strengths, and she was ultimately defeated, she would have no complaints. Yet, despite her clear absolute advantage, she was forcibly driven to a draw by the opponent.

Qin Lian understood that talking about fairness in such a situation was too naive, but her strong sense of indignation was difficult to dispel.

Mu Youlan sensed Qin Lian's mood and reached out a cool small hand to take hers, letting out a soft sigh.

Behind them, Yi Qiushui, Ye Bingling, and others had pale faces, their eyes closed, not daring to watch the unfolding scene.

All factions secretly lamented, seemingly concluding that in the game between the two Grand Elders, Grand Elder Wan Zu had ultimately gained the upper hand.

On the highly anticipated azure jade battle stage.

Zhou Yuan's gaze was fixed intently on the emerging "rune orb." The power it contained made him sense an intense aura of danger.

His eyes flickered frantically.

A few breaths later, a ruthless glint flashed in Zhou Yuan's eyes.

Then, his figure suddenly shot towards the "rune orb."

Upon seeing this, Lu Qing's lips curled into a cruel smile. "He's courting death!"

The power within the rune orb was something that cultivators at the Heavenly Sun Stage simply could not withstand. If its primary purpose hadn't been to destroy the iron tower's light barrier, anyone caught inside would have been instantly annihilated.

Zhou Yuan actively rushing forward meant he would undoubtedly suffer greater impact, possibly being directly killed on the spot.

Zhou Yuan's actions also astonished everyone outside. No one expected him to dare to advance proactively when facing such an irresistible force.

"He's truly insane!"

Everyone secretly shook their heads.

Not only were others surprised, but even Xi Jing's expression couldn't help but change. She also had no idea what Zhou Yuan was thinking, and with the iron tower separating them, even they couldn't directly intervene to save him!

"What is he doing? Does he really want to throw his life away?" Xuan Kun exclaimed angrily.

Zhou Yuan was a direct disciple of a Grand Elder. If anything truly happened to him here, the Tianyuan Region's situation would undoubtedly worsen significantly today.

The other three elders also had solemn expressions.

Amidst the shock of all parties, Zhou Yuan's figure had already appeared beside the "rune orb." The orb glowed, and the terrifying power within was about to erupt.

Zhou Yuan took a deep breath. The next moment, he did something that utterly horrified everyone.

He directly opened his mouth, took a sharp inhale, and actually swallowed the rune orb whole into his body.

"Insane! Absolutely insane!"

Countless people felt their scalps tingle. They were all too aware of the terrifying power contained within the rune orb; even Origin Infant stage experts couldn't withstand it. Not only did Zhou Yuan not dodge, but he swallowed it. Was he eager to die faster?

However, Zhou Yuan paid no heed to the widespread horror outside. This was because he hadn't truly swallowed the "rune orb"; in that instant, he had directly transferred it into his Divine Dwelling.

Within his Divine Dwelling, the rune orb descended, its terrifying power causing the dwelling to violently churn.

Zhou Yuan appeared within his Divine Dwelling. He gazed at the "rune orb," which was about to explode, and with a thought, he directly propelled it towards a cluster of light not far away.

That was the Sacred Rune Orb!

"Big brother, lend a hand!" he roared, as if pleading for help.

This Sacred Rune Orb was formed from four sacred runes and possessed spirituality. More impressively, it also contained a fragment of the "Cangxuan Sacred Seal" within it, making its spiritual essence astonishing.

This was Zhou Yuan's gamble!

Although he lacked the power to resist the "rune orb," the "Sacred Rune Orb" within his Divine Dwelling might just possess that ability!

Four sacred runes combined with a fragment of the Cangxuan Sacred Seal represented an equally extraordinary existence!

They resided within Zhou Yuan's Divine Dwelling, which provided them sanctuary. Otherwise, if exposed, both the sacred runes and the Cangxuan Sacred Seal fragment would undoubtedly attract countless covetous gazes.

Zhou Yuan believed that if a fatal crisis arose, they would likely offer assistance.

Therefore, when the rune orb shot forth, Zhou Yuan's gaze was fixed intently on the Sacred Rune Orb suspended within his Divine Dwelling.

Only a few breaths passed, yet for Zhou Yuan, it felt like an agonizing eternity.

But just as his heart pounded frantically, the Sacred Rune Orb within his Divine Dwelling finally stirred. The four sacred runes on its surface began to spin rapidly. In the next instant, the Sacred Rune Orb instantly appeared before the "rune orb," as if teleporting.

Cracks spread across the surface of the Sacred Rune Orb, as if forming a mouth, and it swallowed the rune orb in a single gulp.

Immediately afterward, the cracks rapidly healed, sealing the rune orb securely.

It was at this moment that the "rune orb" exploded.

Incredibly brilliant light erupted from within the Sacred Rune Orb, resembling a miniature sun.

The entire Divine Dwelling vibrated wildly.

Zhou Yuan's senses were overwhelmed; his heart pounded like a drum. He knew this was an immense risk. If the Sacred Rune Orb couldn't suppress the power of the "rune orb," he would very likely face a dire outcome. Yet, he ultimately did not fear, for he knew that some things in this world were never guaranteed. To become the ultimate winner, courage was indispensable.

At the point where the brilliant light erupted, four sacred runes could be seen continuously rotating, constantly neutralizing the terrifying power.

However, the neutralization speed was somewhat slow.

Just then, the fragment within the Sacred Rune Orb finally pulsed. Boundless suction seemed to erupt from it, swiftly devouring the explosive power of the rune orb.

With the cooperation of the sacred runes and the fragment, Zhou Yuan observed that the dazzling light of the explosion was finally contained, gradually beginning to dim.

After more than ten breaths, the light completely vanished.

Zhou Yuan stared blankly at the Sacred Rune Orb spinning nearby. Mysterious light flowed over the Cangxuan Sacred Seal fragment within it, while the "rune orb" had completely disappeared.

Although the Sacred Rune Orb had become much dimmer, the explosion of the rune orb seemed to have been successfully resisted.

"Suc—successful?"

Watching this scene, even Zhou Yuan's emotions surged like a tide. A feeling of ecstasy filled his heart, bringing with it a trembling thrill throughout his body.

He had won his gamble!

The Sacred Rune Orb had not let him down; it had ultimately neutralized the power of the rune orb!

He had broken the opponent's biggest card!