Chapter 1247: Displaying Power

The huge cracks on the ground, resembling an abyss, caused many to flinch. Then, as their gaze shifted to the colossal beast standing in the void, intense awe welled up in their eyes. The might of a Primal Saint Beast was indeed highly effective for these Origin Beast races. Even beings of the same cultivation level, attempting to engage it, would feel a degree of suppression from this formidable pressure.

As for Jiang Ba, though he had consistently maintained a low profile, everyone knew he was the strongest member of the Black Dragon clan's contingent; even Jiang Hongying was a step below him, as Jiang Ba was in the Pseudo-Dharma Domain realm. Yet, in the preceding genuine clash, Jiang Ba had directly suffered a setback at Tun Tun's hands. Clearly, when it came to true combat power, Lord Tun Tun was likely still a cut above.

On the ground, the disheveled Jiang Ba's expression was grim, but his eyes held more apprehension. Previously, while he hadn't dared to outright underestimate Tun Tun, he had still believed his strength to be comparable. However, the recent clash had made him realize he had underestimated the power of a Primal Saint Beast. Even though Tun Tun was not yet fully awakened, its power remained unparalleled.

At this moment, the experts of the Black Dragon clan reacted, swiftly descending and positioning themselves behind Jiang Ba, their faces wary as they eyed Tun Tun. Jin Zhong and the others, seeing this, quickly advanced, standing behind Tun Tun and returning a menacing glare. Zhou Yuan's defeat of Jiang Hongying, followed by Tun Tun repelling Jiang Ba, undoubtedly greatly boosted their morale.

Below, Zhou Yuan observed the scene, his brow subtly arching. That prior move was likely Tun Tun's true display of power; such might was truly terrifying. In his estimation, the current Tun Tun, even among those in the Pseudo-Dharma Domain realm, should rank among the very best.

"Good job." He gave Tun Tun a thumbs-up, offering praise.

However, Tun Tun merely snorted white mist from its nostrils, lifting its head proudly. While Jiang Hongying had repeatedly provoked Zhou Yuan earlier, in Tun Tun's eyes, Zhou Yuan was capable of handling her, and their contest was fair, so it naturally wouldn't intervene. But now Jiang Ba had suddenly lashed out in anger due to Jiang Hongying's defeat. This clearly broke the rules. Did he truly think Lord Tun Tun was a pushover?

Zhou Yuan's gaze turned to the somewhat disheveled Jiang Ba, smiling, "It seems the Black Dragon clan doesn't quite understand what rules are." Though smiling, his eyes were somewhat cold. Had Tun Tun not intervened promptly earlier, he might genuinely have been caught off guard by this sudden assault.

Jiang Ba's expression stiffened. "Your attack was a bit too heavy!"

Zhou Yuan smiled slightly, "Are the fights in All-Beast Heaven not bloody? That's truly merciful and friendly." His words were laced with deep sarcasm.

The surrounding experts of various clans also shifted their gazes, casting strange looks at Jiang Ba. The martial spirit of All-Beast Heaven was renowned as the fiercest among all heavens; after all, the Origin Beast race was naturally extremely combative, and in such circumstances, it was common for battles to result not just in bloodshed, but even direct fatalities. Although Jiang Hongying had been struck by Zhou Yuan's sword several times, and her injuries appeared severe, given the robust physique of the Black Dragon clan, she would recover in due time. Therefore, Jiang Ba's excuse was truly laughable. A more likely reason was that Zhou Yuan's defeat of Jiang Hongying had caused Jiang Ba to feel that the Black Dragon clan's prestige had been damaged, thus he desired to strike with overwhelming force to suppress Zhou Yuan, effectively as a form of punishment.

Jiang Ba also noticed the mocking glances from all around, his face twitching. He knew he couldn't justify himself on this matter, so he could only remain silent, forcibly suppressing the irritation in his heart.

"Go retrieve Hongying," he commanded.

Several Black Dragon clan experts soared through the air and landed in the mountain range. They saw the dragon's body lying in a pool of blood and the four grotesque sword marks on its form, all shivered, then quickly circulated their Origin Qi, channeling it into the dragon's body. A burst of Origin Qi light erupted, and Jiang Hongying transformed back into her human form. However, her face was deathly pale at this moment, and blood continuously dripped from her body. Several Black Dragon clan experts helped her up and returned to Jiang Ba's side.

Jiang Ba saw Jiang Hongying's state, his eye twitching slightly as anger surged in his gaze. "How are you?" he asked worriedly.

Jiang Hongying bit her lip, shaking her head slightly. Her condition was extremely poor at this moment. Those four sword lights had not only wounded her, but the sharp sword qi continued to wreak havoc within her body, causing bone-piercing pain.

"Friends of the Black Dragon clan, shouldn't we discuss the next steps?" At that moment, Zhou Yuan's laughter suddenly rang out.

Jiang Ba's expression stiffened. He naturally understood what Zhou Yuan meant by "the next steps"—it was, of course, the Ancestral Soul Fruit wager. But did he truly have to hand over the seven hard-won Ancestral Soul Fruits? Or perhaps they should simply flee with their people? Jiang Ba's eyes flickered.

"Forget it, just admit defeat," Jiang Hongying said, her voice a little hoarse as she bit her lip. After all, so many people were witnessing this wager; even if they fled, word would undoubtedly spread, making their Black Dragon clan a laughingstock, which would be far more detrimental.

Jiang Hongying raised her pale face, looking in Zhou Yuan's direction. She stared at him, her expression cold, but surprisingly, there was little hatred in her gaze. "I accept my defeat. Take them!"

With a flick of Jiang Hongying's hand, seven streaks of light shot forth. Zhou Yuan's spirit energy stirred, directly intercepting them, and upon seeing the seven Ancestral Soul Fruits, his eyebrows involuntarily rose. It was clearly quite unexpected for his opponent to be so straightforward. He had already mentally instructed Tun Tun to be ready to intervene at any moment, in case Jiang Ba and his group tried to renege on the bet and flee.

"I, Jiang Hongying, can afford to lose," she said coldly, observing his surprised expression.

Zhou Yuan nodded, remarking, "Truly a remarkable heroine... a bringer of wealth." The first half was acceptable, but the latter remark immediately turned Jiang Hongying's face ashen, making her bite her lip and her eyes spark with fury. But in the end, she said nothing more, simply turning her head away from Zhou Yuan.

Zhou Yuan was somewhat surprised by this reaction. Based on Jiang Hongying's previous demeanor, she should have exploded like a lit firecracker at this point. Unexpectedly, she had held back, seemingly having shed some of the arrogance she displayed when facing him before. He seemed to realize something... Had this woman been somewhat subdued by him? She certainly responded better to toughness than to gentleness. He secretly shook his head; previously, when he was polite, this woman would take liberties, but now, after being taught a lesson, she was compliant. Truly...

With Jiang Hongying handing over the Ancestral Soul Fruits, the Black Dragon clan group was clearly dejected. They seemed unwilling to linger, so they immediately turned and departed. Experts from other factions also sighed inwardly, who would have thought that the notoriously overbearing Black Dragon clan would suffer such a defeat at Zhou Yuan's hands today.

With the spectacle concluded, they began to disperse. Meng Chong of the Divine Tiger clan's gaze lingered on Zhou Yuan, and as Zhou Yuan looked back, he clasped his fists from a distance and smiled, signaling goodwill. Zhou Yuan, seeing this, returned the gesture. The Divine Tiger clan was also a major power, with experts aplenty; it was naturally good to make more friends. This was All-Beast Heaven, after all, and he didn't want to make enemies everywhere. After showing some goodwill, Meng Chong did not eagerly press forward to forge a closer relationship, but instead slowly withdrew with his people.

Tun Tun's body rapidly shrunk at this point, finally settling back onto Zhou Yuan's head, giving a light pat. Zhou Yuan understood its intention and immediately took out the seven Ancestral Soul Fruits; adding to the three they already possessed, they now had exactly ten.

"You all may proceed on your own now," Zhou Yuan then told Jin Zhong and the others, reminding them. Jin Zhong and the others all nodded. Although they didn't know what Zhou Yuan and Tun Tun planned, they could guess it was a special opportunity, which made them somewhat envious. But they also understood that they were not destined to partake in such a fortunate endeavor.

The ten Ancestral Soul Fruits hovered before Tun Tun. It slapped down with a paw, and the Ancestral Soul Fruits immediately shattered into mystical streams of light. Tun Tun extended a paw and stirred within the light, as if special fluctuations were being infused. The next moment, the streams of light surged forth, forming a luminous membrane that enveloped both Zhou Yuan and Tun Tun.

Zhou Yuan, understanding the intention at this moment, his figure moved, and enveloped by the luminous membrane, he transformed into a streak of light, directly slamming into the massive trunk of the Ancestral Soul Tree ahead. At the moment of impact, no ripple of energy was emitted; only ripples blossomed on the tree trunk, and the figures of the man and the beast strangely merged into it, disappearing from sight.

Outside, the remaining experts from various clans, who had not yet dispersed, erupted in commotion upon witnessing this scene. Some experts seemed to grasp what had happened, and envy immediately surfaced in their eyes. They knew from ancient texts that the bloodline of a Primal Saint Beast held many mysteries. Clearly, Tun Tun had activated some special opportunity. Regarding this, they could only sigh with envy, "This Zhou Yuan is truly fortunate!" Having finished sighing, everyone dispersed. The Dragon Spirit Grotto-Heaven had only just begun; since they had no affinity with the opportunity here, they could only seek their fortunes elsewhere.