Chapter 1241: Not Qualified

As figures imbued with a fierce aura advanced through the air, Jin Zhong and others behind Zhou Yuan roared, their bodies shimmering with golden light as if clad in golden armor, before they charged forward with full force to meet the assault.

The two forces collided, causing the earth and sky to tremble, and the void to ripple with the impact.

Jin Zhong and his companions were immediately besieged at the battle's outset. The enemy's sheer numbers, though individually weaker, allowed them to overwhelm Jin Zhong's group, effectively pinning them down.

Concurrently, several incredibly swift figures burst through the air, heading directly for the shaded area beneath the Ancestral Soul Tree, clearly intending to seize the Ancestral Soul Fruits.

Just then, a deafening roar echoed across the sky, and a vast shadow fell, engulfing those figures.

A terrifying pressure surged forth, akin to a towering mountain descending.

The Rank 7 experts looked up in horror to behold a colossal golden beast, radiating mysterious majesty, raising a paw and slamming it down. The force of its strike tore through the void, emitting a dreadful howling sound.

Enveloped by the ominous aura of death, the Rank 7 experts dared not hesitate. They roared, unleashing their full Genesis Qi, which transformed into torrents that crashed against the golden beast.

The golden beast, however, seemed to show a flicker of scorn in its eyes. A black light emerged beneath its paw, possessing a devouring power. The incoming torrents of Genesis Qi instantly vanished upon contact with this darkness.

The colossal paw descended!

Over a dozen Rank 7 experts instantly vomited blood and were sent sprawling backward, utterly disheveled.

The approaching reinforcements gasped in horror, momentarily paralyzed and unwilling to advance.

By then, the special pressure had allowed them to identify the beast: it was clearly the Golden Ni Clan's Primal Sacred Beast. Although currently only at Rank 7, it was undoubtedly at the pinnacle of that rank.

"Attack together! Some of you hold it back, then seize the fruits!" Though initially fearful, these were fierce individuals who quickly suppressed their apprehension. The Ancestral Soul Fruits hanging from the branches behind instilled immense courage in them.

Soon, more figures surged forward. Amidst a chorus of roars, everyone revealed their true forms. Instantly, a myriad of bizarre giant beasts emerged, treading the air and radiating a storm-like malevolent aura, truly a chaotic display of monstrous power.

Tun Tun observed the spectacle with lazy eyes, then extended a paw and subtly flexed it towards the monstrous beasts.

The many Rank 7 experts roared furiously, and in the next instant, their colossal forms surged forward.

While Tun Tun single-handedly engaged dozens of Rank 7 Genesis Beast experts, Zhou Yuan calmly regarded Liang Zheng, who had appeared before him, accompanied by two other experts from the White Jade Elephant Clan.

"Elder Zhou Yuan, your reputation precedes you. I trust you don't mind me bringing a little help?" Liang Zheng said, his smile resembling that of a benevolent Buddha.

Zhou Yuan smiled, acknowledging Liang Zheng as a truly pragmatic individual. On the surface, Zhou Yuan was only at the Great Genesis Infant stage, whereas Liang Zheng was a genuine peak Rank 7 expert, equivalent to a perfected Genesis Infant. From Liang Zheng's previous battles, Zhou Yuan knew his Genesis Qi reserves had reached at least ninety billion. While slightly less potent than Jin Lan of the Golden Ni Clan, this was still formidable among Rank 7 practitioners.

Despite his strength, Liang Zheng had still gone to great lengths to bring two additional helpers, a clear testament to his prudence.

Liang Zheng looked at Zhou Yuan's smile, yet felt a chill. He believed the Primal Sacred Beast was the most formidable member of the Golden Ni Clan's team, which was why he had allocated the most forces to contain it. However, he knew this containment was only temporary.

To break the stalemate, his only viable option was to capture Zhou Yuan as a hostage, which would likely allow him to acquire some Ancestral Soul Fruits. Otherwise, his plan for the day would almost certainly fail.

"While this Zhou Yuan is somewhat unusual, confronting him with the three of us should not be difficult."

Liang Zheng took a deep breath, a fierce glint appearing in his eyes. He then stepped forward, and in that instant, a tremendous surge of Genesis Qi erupted, churning the air. Behind him, a colossal white elephant indistinctly manifested in the void, seemingly breathing in and out the Genesis Qi of the heavens and earth.

His complete ninety billion Genesis Qi reserves were unequivocally displayed.

"Form the array!"

Liang Zheng unleashed his Genesis Qi but, instead of attacking directly, roared at the two other White Jade Elephant Clan experts.

The two White Jade Elephant Clan experts were equally prepared. Their hands rapidly formed seals, and Genesis Qi ascended from their heads, vaguely shaping into two massive elephant silhouettes crafted from white jade.

The elephant silhouette behind Liang Zheng suddenly extended its long trunk and forcefully drew in the two white jade elephant shadows.

The two elephant shadows dissolved into surging white mist, which was entirely absorbed by Liang Zheng's trunk.

The two White Jade Elephant Clan experts turned pale, their bodies rapidly falling as their Genesis Qi severely waned. In stark contrast, Liang Zheng let out a thunderous howl that reverberated through the heavens.

From the mouth of the colossal white jade elephant silhouette, a beam of white jade light erupted. This light rapidly expanded against the wind, instantly growing to a thousand zhang, resembling a towering mountain.

It was a colossal white jade seal, intricately carved with countless elephant motifs appearing to bear its immense weight.

A terrifying fluctuation emanated from it, drawing the wary gazes of many top Rank 7 Genesis Beast experts present.

"Elder Zhou Yuan, this is my White Jade Elephant Clan's Heaven-Bearing Demon-Subduing Sacred Art! I invite you to experience it!" Liang Zheng laughed loudly, his voice brimming with confidence. This opening move was his most potent technique, empowered not by him alone, but by the combined might of three White Jade Elephant Clan experts, including himself.

Liang Zheng was confident that this move could even challenge the most renowned Rank 7 experts in the All-Beast Heaven. He believed it would certainly suffice to suppress Zhou Yuan.

The colossal white jade elephant seal hovered, its immense power causing even Jiang Hongying, Meng Chong, and others engaged in fierce combat to spare a glance.

Jiang Hongying's lips curled into a wry smile, finding the situation amusing. Liang Zheng certainly possessed some skill; she admitted she had underestimated him. An attack of this magnitude was indeed enough to threaten Zhou Yuan.

If Zhou Yuan were indeed captured by Liang Zheng here, it would be quite a spectacle.

"Elder Zhou Yuan, be careful!"

Jin Zhong shouted urgently, realizing Liang Zheng had not revealed his two companions earlier, but had hidden them for a surprise attack on Zhou Yuan. It was now clear to everyone that Liang Zheng intended to capture Zhou Yuan as a hostage to exchange for Ancestral Soul Fruits.

If Zhou Yuan were truly to fall, they would be caught in a difficult position, likely forced to concede defeat.

Such an outcome would undoubtedly make them a laughingstock.

Both Zhou Yuan and the Golden Ni Clan.

In contrast to their panic, Zhou Yuan's expression remained undisturbed. He sensed the immense pressure emanating from the white jade elephant seal, then stepped forward. In that instant, platinum Genesis Qi surged skyward like a torrent.

A formidable Genesis Qi pressure then permeated the air.

Liang Zheng's pupils constricted slightly. To his perception, Zhou Yuan's Genesis Qi reserves also measured ninety billion, and in terms of raw intensity, they even surpassed his own.

"Only at the Great Genesis Infant stage... yet possessing such reserves..." Liang Zheng's eye twitched. Fortunately, his cautious nature had prevented him from confronting Zhou Yuan alone; otherwise, a direct clash today would have surely left him at a disadvantage.

Thankfully, he had utilized the unique combined attack secret art of the White Jade Elephant Clan.

"Elder Zhou Yuan, do not blame me if I use you to rise today!"

A cold light surged in Liang Zheng's eyes. The next moment, the white jade elephant seal vibrated, emitting a sky-shattering elephant's roar before tearing through the air and plummeting directly towards Zhou Yuan.

"Heaven-Bearing Demon-Subduing Seal!"

As the colossal seal descended, the void was violently ripped apart. Its immense power, capable of shattering the heavens, drew horrified gazes from numerous experts.

As the colossal seal bore down, Zhou Yuan appeared on a nearby mountaintop. He gazed up at the shadow that encompassed his view, his expression serene, and lightly stomped his foot.

"Earth Saint Rune!"

Ripples surged through the earth, and an incredibly dense Earth Genesis Qi surged forth, forcefully entering his body.

Zhou Yuan's body began to glow with a sacred, glazed luster. His Saint Glazed Body enabled him to withstand the immense surge and impact of the Earth Genesis Qi.

Zhou Yuan's Genesis Qi reserves surged dramatically at that moment.

"Advance!"

As another whisper echoed in Zhou Yuan's mind, his Genesis Qi surged once more.

In mere moments, under the utterly astonished gazes of all present, Zhou Yuan's Genesis Qi broke through the one hundred billion mark.

With the terrifying Genesis Qi raging, the space around him constantly fractured, seemingly unable to withstand the immense power.

He stomped his foot, causing the mountain beneath him to crumble. His figure, however, shot skyward, directly charging towards the descending white elephant colossal seal.

In an instant, Zhou Yuan and the colossal seal were poised to collide.

He clenched his fingers into a fist. Snow-white hairs emerged from beneath his skin, transforming into armguards that covered his entire arm, before the pristine white shifted to a profound, deep black.

"Genesis Shatter!"

Though Zhou Yuan's figure was minuscule compared to the colossal seal, his gaze remained unwavering. His clenched fist shot forth in a straightforward strike, colliding directly with the descending seal.

At the very moment of impact, Zhou Yuan's voice resonated.

"Too many people seek to climb by stepping on me..."

"You are not worthy."

Liang Zheng's pupils abruptly constricted.

Before he could utter a sound, Zhou Yuan's fist struck the white elephant colossal seal. In that instant, an earth-shattering roar reverberated, shaking the ground violently.

Simultaneously with the resounding crash, stunned onlookers witnessed the white elephant colossal seal, which had concentrated the power of Liang Zheng and his two companions, explode into fragments.

It disintegrated into a myriad of dazzling jade shards.

As the jade light dispersed, it reflected the horror that spread across the faces beneath the Ancestral Soul Tree's canopy.