Chapter 153: Golden Mystic Python Scales

On the mountaintop, Zhou Yuan's robes fluttered, a cold glint in his eyes as he gazed towards Xiao Tianxuan in the distance.

That fellow had not only inexplicably swindled him at the auction, but now he was even using Zhou Yuan as a bounty, causing him a great deal of trouble. It was time to settle all these scores.

Xiao Tianxuan, however, paid no mind to Zhou Yuan's icy gaze. Instead, a sneer appeared on his face as he calmly said, "What a big talk. Do you really think breaking through to the Heavenly Pass Stage is something amazing? Everyone here is in the Heavenly Pass Stage. Furthermore, what if your Genesis Qi is over four hundred zhang? No matter what, you're still only at the early Heavenly Pass Stage."

He looked at the many restless individuals present and declared, "My previous bounty is still valid. Whoever takes his life will receive five million Genesis Crystals."

Those who remained were clearly there for the bounty. After all, five million Genesis Crystals was no small sum; it was enough to acquire any resources they needed for their cultivation. Thus, several malicious gazes began to turn towards Zhou Yuan.

As Xiao Tianxuan had stated, Zhou Yuan's Genesis Qi soaring over four hundred zhang was indeed impressive and indicative of his profound foundation. However, he was still only at the early Heavenly Pass Stage. Many experts in the late Heavenly Pass Stage present could also form a pillar of Genesis Qi soaring over four hundred zhang. Therefore, Zhou Yuan was currently just at the early Heavenly Pass Stage. While this was a step up from his previous Qi Cultivation Stage, it didn't seem to make much difference to some of the late Heavenly Pass Stage cultivators present.

Consequently, after a brief hesitation, a bald man stepped forward. His face was fierce, and his eyes gleamed with savagery. He grinned menacingly at Zhou Yuan and said, "I've killed many geniuses, but one like you is a first." Potent Genesis Qi erupted from his body, revealing him to be an expert who had also reached the late Heavenly Pass Stage.

He crouched slightly, then stomped his foot heavily on the ground, causing it to crack. His figure shot out like a cannonball, hurtling directly towards Zhou Yuan.

"Mid-grade Profound Genesis Art, Iron Fiend Head!" the bald man roared. His bald head became his weapon as Genesis Qi surged, turning it a black, iron-like color. The terrifying impact even caused the air to explode. It was incredibly fierce. The bald man appeared comical, but his ferocity made many present slightly change their expressions.

Zhou Yuan watched the incoming black blur, a hint of surprise in his eyes. Everyone had their preferred attack methods, and this man's most formidable weapon was clearly his bald head.

"If I hadn't broken through to the Heavenly Pass Stage, I would indeed have to be careful against this headbutt," Zhou Yuan chuckled faintly. He didn't dodge. Instead, he slowly curled his fingers into a fist, and fine scales, golden in color, appeared on the back of his hand. In just a few breaths, a layer of golden snake scales covered Zhou Yuan's hand. These were Profound Python Scales. As Zhou Yuan broke through to the Heavenly Pass Stage, the scales had also evolved, transforming from their initial cyan color to the second-tier golden. Their power had clearly grown stronger.

Zhou Yuan clenched his fist, took a forceful step forward, and punched heavily towards the whistling black headbutt. The moment of impact resonated with a loud metallic clang, followed by a visible Genesis Qi shockwave that burst outwards, cracking the ground beneath Zhou Yuan's feet.

However, just as the cracks appeared, everyone saw that with Zhou Yuan's punch, the previously aggressive bald man let out a miserable shriek and was sent flying backward at an even greater speed.

Thump! Thump!

The bald man's head was bleeding profusely as his body flew into the forest, violently breaking countless large trees before finally slowing to a halt, obscured by the fallen timber. It was unclear whether he was dead or alive.

The entire area fell silent. Everyone stared blankly at the scene, then swallowed. No one had expected the bald man's fierce headbutt to result in him being directly sent flying by a single punch from Zhou Yuan. Yet, the bald man had attacked with all his might, and he was even a late Heavenly Pass Stage cultivator. The power of his previous strike was such that even others at the same stage would have to temporarily avoid its sharpness. But... why was he directly blasted away by a single punch in front of Zhou Yuan?

Those gazes fixated strangely on Zhou Yuan. Evidently, though he had only just broken through to the Heavenly Pass Stage, the power he possessed was incredibly astonishing.

Amidst the many shocked stares, Zhou Yuan also lowered his gaze in surprise at his fist covered in golden snake scales. The power of that previous punch had also exceeded his expectations.

"It's the effect of these golden Profound Python Scales..." Zhou Yuan sensed slightly and understood, a look of awe flashing in his eyes. It turned out that these second-tier Profound Python Scales could not only form a defense to protect himself but also amplify his own strength. According to Zhou Yuan's estimation, wherever these golden scales appeared, the strength in that area of his body would increase by several tenths.

Zhou Yuan smiled, looking at those who had been intimidated by his punch. "Does anyone else want to claim the bounty? If so, hurry up."

The crowd exchanged glances, then shook their heads with bitter smiles, and began to retreat. Zhou Yuan's previous punch had already demonstrated his strength. Even the bald man, a late Heavenly Pass Stage cultivator, had been sent flying by one punch, his fate unknown. Their own strength was at most comparable to the bald man's. If they forced themselves forward, their outcome would likely be identical to his. Thus, while Genesis Crystals were valuable, they were not worth risking their lives for. The current situation was no longer something they could intervene in.

Seeing them retreat, Zhou Yuan nodded with satisfaction. He couldn't be bothered to contend with these people and waste his energy, so his gaze turned to Xiao Tianxuan. Xiao Tianxuan's expression at this moment was extremely grim. He clearly hadn't expected the bald man not only to fail to harm Zhou Yuan but also to be used as an example, deterring others from interfering further.

Xiao Tianxuan took a deep breath, his sullen expression gradually returning to a neutral one. He stared at Zhou Yuan, intense killing intent surging in his eyes. Slowly clenching his hand, the fiery red spear, seemingly flowing with magma, appeared in his grasp. Potent Genesis Qi fluctuations, like a storm, erupted from his body, shaking the void. A powerful oppressive aura spread out.

The many gazes from around them were filled with awe. Xiao Tianxuan's power was clearly a cut above that of ordinary late Heavenly Pass Stage cultivators. The long spear in Xiao Tianxuan's hand slowly rose, pointing distantly at Zhou Yuan. His indifferent voice echoed through the forest.

"I originally wanted to avoid more trouble, but it seems I have no choice but to act myself now. Well... it saves me five million Genesis Crystals."

Amidst the mountains, the many figures began to retreat one after another, but their gazes remained fervent as they watched. Was the Young City Lord of Saint Remains City finally going to make his true move?