Chapter 1137: 万兽天来人

Zhou Yuan was filled with questions regarding the Beast Heaven's request to meet him. Fortunately, this uncertainty didn't last long. As Guan Qinglong had predicted, the Beast Heaven contingent arrived at the Hunyuan Heaven camp half a day later.

Throughout the massive camp, countless curious gazes turned towards the direction outside. Many people were quite curious about the Beast Heaven. It was said that in that heaven domain, the vast majority of living beings were Genesis Beasts, accounting for over seventy percent of all the heavens. Furthermore, the Beast Heaven had unique rules that made it easier for Genesis Beasts to gain sentience and cultivate faster than those in other heaven domains. Thus, for many sentient Genesis Beasts, the Beast Heaven was considered a longed-for holy land.

Outside the camp, the leaders of various Hunyuan Heaven factions, headed by Guan Qinglong, waited. Zhou Yuan was also among them. At that moment, their gazes were fixed on the distance. From that direction, a significant amount of unconcealed Genesis Qi fluctuations emanated. Following the sound of rushing wind, a great force violently tore through the thick mist, and streaks of light descended from the sky, landing in front of the grand camp.

Countless eyes watched as hundreds of figures appeared there. These figures resembled humans for the most part but also bore some characteristics of Genesis Beasts. They, too, were currently sizing up the Hunyuan Heaven side.

Guan Qinglong clasped his fist, offering a calm smile as he spoke, "Friends from the Beast Heaven who have traveled far, I am Guan Qinglong of the Martial God Domain in Hunyuan Heaven. I extend a warm welcome to you all."

"Ah, Captain Guan Qinglong. Your esteemed name precedes you."

From the Beast Heaven side, a voice imbued with a unique majesty rang out. A burly man with a handsome face and golden eyes slowly stepped forward. As he spoke, his words subtly echoed with a faint dragon's roar, causing the surrounding void to tremble slightly.

Guan Qinglong looked at the man and said, "Presumably, you are Captain Jiang Jinlin, the Chief Captain of the Beast Heaven and a member of the Black Dragon Clan?"

Zhou Yuan also stared at the golden-eyed man. The subtle, almost imperceptible pressure emanating from him was clearly draconic might. Furthermore, the man exuded a dangerous aura, suggesting his strength was not to be underestimated. As for the Black Dragon Clan, Zhou Yuan had done his research beforehand and was familiar with them. It was said that among the myriad types of Genesis Beasts in the Beast Heaven, seven major clans stood out as the strongest: the Black Dragon Clan, Spirit Phoenix Clan, Golden Qilin Clan, Mountain-Moving Ape Clan, Roaring Sky Lion Clan, Ancient Whale Clan, and Earth-Shaking Divine Tiger Clan. Among these, the Black Dragon Clan and Spirit Phoenix Clan were subtly considered the most powerful.

Jiang Jinlin offered a faint smile, his gaze carrying a hint of arrogance. As noble members of the Black Dragon Clan, they revered the Ancestral Dragon and considered themselves inherently superior, a pride deeply ingrained in their bloodline. In a sense, this mindset bore some resemblance to that of the Saint Clan, though it was not as extreme. His golden eyes nonchalantly swept over the leaders of the various Hunyuan Heaven factions. He chuckled casually, "Hunyuan Heaven's strength doesn't seem to be as impressive as I'd imagined. Among these Nine Domains captains, only Captain Guan Qinglong stands out; the others appear rather ordinary."

At his words, the previously calm atmosphere immediately stiffened. The captains from the other domains looked displeased; Jiang Jinlin was truly unapologetic. Was he indeed here to challenge Hunyuan Heaven this time?

Guan Qinglong replied unflustered, "Wang Xuanyang of my Hunyuan Heaven was actually quite strong, but unfortunately, he met with an accident and perished recently."

Jiang Jinlin chuckled, "To perish so swiftly, his capabilities must have been rather limited."

On the Ten Thousand Ancestors Domain side, many people immediately glared, furious at his venomous words. Guan Qinglong's expression also subtly hardened.

Fortunately, a clear and elegant voice then spoke up: "Friends from Hunyuan Heaven, please don't take offense. Captain Jiang Jinlin is always outspoken and unrestrained, but he means nothing by it." Many gazes followed the pleasant voice, and their eyes lit up with a hint of admiration. It was a slender woman with her dark hair styled into a phoenix bun, revealing her fair, delicate neck. She wore a luxurious golden gown that gracefully draped over her exquisite figure, exuding an aura of elegance and nobility. Meeting their gazes, she smiled slightly and said, "I am Ai Qing of the Spirit Phoenix Clan. It's a pleasure to meet the friends from Hunyuan Heaven."

Guan Qinglong's expression softened slightly as he said, "Ah, Captain Ai Qing of the Spirit Phoenix Clan." Zhou Yuan, however, merely glanced at Ai Qing before looking away. While she was elegantly beautiful, he had developed a significant resistance to such charm after being accustomed to the looks of Yaoyao and Su Youwei. In a way, Ai Qing bore some resemblance to Wu Yao, though one was graceful while the other was sharp and domineering.

Ai Qing clearly wished to avoid any immediate unpleasantness with Hunyuan Heaven upon their first meeting. She therefore took over from Jiang Jinlin, working to ease the atmosphere by introducing the captains from both sides. Jiang Jinlin, however, remained indifferent, his expression haughty. In his eyes, no one from Hunyuan Heaven, besides Guan Qinglong, warranted his attention. He believed that Hunyuan Heaven, despite claiming to be the strongest among the Five Heavens, was quite overrated.

"This is Gu Dali, Captain of the Ancient Whale Clan." Upon hearing Ai Qing's introduction, Zhou Yuan looked over with interest. He saw a stout, pale man who appeared simple and harmless, yet Zhou Yuan could sense the terrifying power contained within that plump physique. The Ancient Whale Clan was renowned for its strength; the "Ancient Whale" pattern on Zhou Yuan's Heavenly Yuan Brush was, in fact, derived from them.

"And these are Captain Jin Ling'er and Vice-Captain Jin Feng of the Golden Qilin Clan; they are siblings." Ai Qing pointed towards two figures standing together, one of whom was a particularly eye-catching woman. She possessed dazzling golden long hair that cascaded down to her shapely hips. Behind her, a golden tail extended, wrapping around her slender waist. Her figure was strikingly alluring and powerful. Dressed in tight black combat attire, her shapely curves were undeniable. Her face was also exquisitely delicate, though her eyes blazed with wildness. Compared to Ai Qing, she clearly possessed a completely different demeanor, yet in terms of charisma, she was no less captivating.

Her figure was so striking that Zhou Yuan couldn't help but glance at her twice. To his surprise, the woman named Jin Ling'er then took a few small steps forward, her wild eyes fixed directly on him. Those around them also watched, wondering why Jin Ling'er was approaching Zhou Yuan.

Under their curious and bewildered gazes, Jin Ling'er walked directly up to Zhou Yuan, scrutinized him from head to toe, and then pursed her red lips slightly, saying, "You're Zhou Yuan of the Heaven Abyss Region?"

Zhou Yuan's eyes flickered. "You're the ones who wanted to see me?" he asked.

Jin Ling'er neither confirmed nor denied. She then seemed somewhat disappointed as she said, "What? Only a mid-stage Heavenly Sun Realm cultivator? Our young master keeps telling us that Zhou Yuan of the Heaven Abyss Region is a heaven-blessed genius, unparalleled in the world, and that we can't even compare to a single strand of his hair... But from what I see now..." She shook her head. "Nothing particularly special, after all."