Chapter 1362: Moving the Stone Dragon

The atmosphere on the battlefield was oppressive and quiet.

All the powerhouses from the Heavens looked at Zhou Yuan's calm expression, but couldn't help feeling a tinge of worry in their eyes. While Zhou Yuan's outburst was certainly satisfying as a release of emotion, acting like this in front of the Saints was truly reckless. If the Saints became enraged, even his master, Grand Elder Cang Yuan, might not be able to protect him.

The void outside was utterly silent, suggesting that the Saints were likely discussing the final outcome.

At this thought, everyone's worries intensified. Ultimately, today's events were initiated by Xu Beiyan himself. If he hadn't harbored such malicious intentions, Zhou Yuan wouldn't have erupted and killed him. Thus, more people felt sympathy and admiration for Zhou Yuan. Moreover, Zhou Yuan had previously turned the tide and pulled them back from despair. Naturally, they didn't want Zhou Yuan to be punished.

As everyone remained silent, Xi Jing took long strides and came directly to Zhou Yuan's side. Her short, wine-red hair gently swayed, and her expression was resolute, clearly showing her support for Zhou Yuan.

Su Youwei also stepped forward almost simultaneously, while Wu Yao hesitated for a moment before following her.

"Overdramatic," Zhao Mu Shen muttered, frowning. If the Saints genuinely decided not to punish Zhou Yuan, it would undoubtedly be due to high-level strategic considerations, not because of any sway from their Law Domain realm. Therefore, in his opinion, this action seemed rather childish.

Moreover, this Zhou Yuan was truly too impulsive.

Even if he wanted to kill Xu Beiyan, he shouldn't have done it here in front of the Saints. With so much time in the future, wouldn't there have been other opportunities?

Killing Xu Beiyan here also meant disregarding the Saints' authority. How would this situation resolve?

Zhao Mu Shen cursed inwardly, but he had to admit that Zhou Yuan's impulsive action had even touched someone like him. Although he was sometimes cold and selfish, no one wanted their friends to be the same; it made it difficult to trust. While Zhao Mu Shen didn't care about others' trust, he felt that Zhou Yuan possessed a unique charm.

He unconsciously inspired a reassuring trust; at the very least, you would never have to worry about him backstabbing you for any reason.

As emotions churned within him, Zhao Mu Shen found himself, unconsciously, standing behind Zhou Yuan, which made the corner of his mouth twitch slightly.

From the crowd, a team emerged, led by the graceful figure of Ai Tuanzi. The people behind her also belonged to the team Zhou Yuan had led.

This team, brought out by Zhou Yuan from All-Heavens City, comprised nearly a hundred people. The dozen or so who had been shattered by Tai Xuan's palm earlier were only a portion of them.

Ai Tuanzi and the others silently watched Zhou Yuan's back, their gazes exceptionally complex. Especially those team members without significant backgrounds; after hearing about Xu Beiyan's scheme, they had been furious, but felt more helplessness. After all, Xu Beiyan was an untouchable existence for them, both in terms of status and power.

They had never even imagined that someone would stand up for them, but Zhou Yuan had clearly subverted their understanding.

Under Ai Tuanzi's leadership, they all gathered behind Zhou Yuan. Although many of them were only at the Nascent Source stage, barely having the right to speak here, this did not prevent them from showing their courage to support Zhou Yuan.

What finally drew Zhou Yuan's gaze away from the shattered pit where Xu Beiyan had exploded was Tun Tun, who suddenly appeared on his head. The latter stretched out a paw and patted his head, seemingly in comfort.

Zhou Yuan turned around, looking at the crowd behind him with a touch of surprise. He then waved his hand and said, "Don't worry, it's fine."

His expression was remarkably calm, because he truly wasn't worried about the Saints' wrath. After all, even if Master Cang Yuan couldn't protect him... he still had Yaoyao!

"My reliance on her is so great it will make even you Saints tremble with unease!"

Just as Zhou Yuan's thoughts were swirling, the calm yet majestic voice of Ancient Venerable Jin Luo descended from the void.

"Xu Beiyan's treacherous plot came first, and his intentions were malicious; this outcome is self-inflicted. Zhou Yuan defied a Saint's decree, but his merits and demerits cancel each other out. After this Stone Dragon Secret Realm event, no further rewards will be given."

Hearing this voice, all the powerhouses from the Heavens exchanged glances. They couldn't fail to understand the meaning of this resolution: it was simply a gentle dismissal of the matter. After all, Zhou Yuan had already completed his breakthrough, effectively seizing the best opportunity. Any further rewards held little significance.

Clearly, the Saints were not enraged by Zhou Yuan's recklessness; instead, they had condemned Xu Beiyan.

When news of this spread, Xu Beiyan would undoubtedly be met with widespread scorn.

The oppressive and tense atmosphere slowly dissipated, and many people visibly relaxed. This outcome was indeed a cause for joy.

Their gazes turned to Zhou Yuan, but they found his expression unperturbed, prompting them to praise him. Such composure, truly unflappable even if the sky fell.

Zhou Yuan, however, paid no mind to their gazes. This outcome was within his expectations; he just wondered whether it was his Master's influence or Yaoyao's that held sway...

He cupped his fists towards the void, his demeanor becoming much more humble. Then he turned to the crowd and smiled, "My apologies for the disturbance, let's get back to business."

All the powerhouses agreed, their attitude more respectful than before, and their genuine admiration for him was unconcealed.

Everyone quickly dispersed to set up the Dragon Suppressing Nails.

It was then that Zhou Yuan turned his gaze to Su Youwei and Wu Yao. His eyes lingered for a moment on Wu Yao's captivating face before he smiled and said, "It seems you two also gained quite a bit this time."

As soon as he spoke, he saw Wu Yao's willow-like eyebrows suddenly raise as she stared at him. His words truly made her uncomfortable.

"Uh..."

Zhou Yuan was stunned for a moment, then quickly said, "I didn't mean anything else by it."

Su Youwei, standing nearby, had a slight blush on her exquisitely beautiful face as she said, "This time, His Highness's recovery and breakthrough are truly thanks to Wu Yao."

Wu Yao said coolly, "I merely returned what wasn't mine. From now on, we are completely even."

Zhou Yuan nodded. With the Sacred Dragon Qi fully restored to him, the past grievances could indeed be considered largely resolved.

He walked towards Wu Yao.

Wu Yao watched him approach, her delicate, pale chin slightly lifted, her neck long and graceful like a swan's, displaying her pride. Her pair of narrow, phoenix-like eyes, glinting with sharpness, stared unflinchingly at Zhou Yuan.

Zhou Yuan stood before Wu Yao, clenched his fist, and extended it, saying, "Let's reintroduce ourselves... I'm Zhou Yuan."

Wu Yao was slightly taken aback; she clearly hadn't expected Zhou Yuan to do something like this. She looked into Zhou Yuan's eyes, which were gentle and full of kindness. This caused the sharpness in her phoenix eyes to recede slightly. After a long moment of silence, she finally extended her pure, jade-like hand, formed a fist, and tapped it against his.

"I am... Wu Yao."

Zhou Yuan felt the cool, delicate touch, then withdrew his fist and said, "From now on, we're friends."

Wu Yao found his childish gesture both annoying and amusing, commenting blandly, "Childish."

Yet, for some unknown reason, a faint warmth inexplicably spread through her usually solitary and cold heart.

Zhou Yuan, however, didn't mind Wu Yao's contradictory words. He turned and stood on high ground, his gaze sweeping across the Dragon Head battlefield. He could sense that as the Dragon Suppressing Nails continuously fell, the primordial qi of the entire Stone Dragon Secret Realm began to gradually boil.

Moreover, due to the Ancestral Dragon Scripture, he could even feel the colossal stone dragon beneath his feet subtly vibrating, and faintly, an ancient, long roar, like the first sound at the dawn of creation, seemed to pierce through space and time.

"The Stone Dragon Secret Realm... it belongs to our Heavens now."

Zhou Yuan felt a premonition. The next moment, he suddenly saw countless beams of light shooting up from within the Stone Dragon Secret Realm. These innumerable light beams marked the locations of the Dragon Suppressing Nails.

These light beams directly pierced through the void and ultimately merged into the Dragon Relocation Grand Formation outside the void.

Immediately after, a vast power swept through, causing the void to seemingly shift. Zhou Yuan and the others watched in astonishment as the colossal, star-like stone dragon was actually moved, slowly ascending towards the direction of the Heavens' Dragon Relocation Formation.

The powerhouses from the Heavens erupted in excited cheers.

Zhou Yuan's expression, however, remained unchanged. His gaze instead turned towards the Saint Race's side.

Although the Saint Race had failed in this contention, given their nature... would they truly sit by and watch the Heavens claim the Stone Dragon Secret Realm?

Probably not...

Zhou Yuan's mind became focused. Not only did he not relax in the slightest, but he became even more vigilant.

The struggle for the Stone Dragon Secret Realm was probably not truly over yet!