Chapter 166: Battle with Zhu Ying

"Zhu Ying? Dong Xuan Continent?"

Zhou Yuan and Lv Luo's expressions subtly changed at that moment. Zhou Yuan stared at the red-haired woman named Zhu Ying, frowning, "It seems your Dong Xuan Continent has coveted our Cangmang Continent's Saint Remains Region for a long time." The timing they chose was incredibly precise; they stealthily infiltrated the moment the Saint Remains Region opened, which clearly indicated a long-planned scheme.

"Hmph, you rat from Dong Xuan Continent, why did you launch a sneak attack on me?" Lv Luo glared at Zhu Ying with an unfriendly expression.

"To leave my name on the Saint Tablet, of course," Zhu Ying said with a slight smile. "There aren't many top talents from your Cangmang Continent that are worth noting, so I had to ask for your help."

"Just you? Xiao Han, deal with her!" Lv Luo scoffed, clearly enraged by the sneak attack. She wasted no time with further words and gave a direct command.

Xiao Han flapped its wings, and instantly, icy Genesis Qi gathered, fierce and overbearing, causing even the air to turn into countless ice crystals. Xiao Han transformed into a streak of cold light, shooting towards Zhu Ying with astonishing speed.

Seeing Xiao Han charging, Zhu Ying curled her red lips, stomped her foot, and shot skyward. At the same time, a crimson light burst from her sleeve, coiling and writhing like a fiery python. The crimson light whistled down, directly coiling around Xiao Han. It was a fiery red long whip, blazing like flames, tightly binding Xiao Han so that it couldn't break free no matter how it struggled.

"Hehe, how do you like my Blazing Binding Beast Whip?" Zhu Ying chuckled.

"Xiao Han!" Lv Luo was greatly alarmed, clearly not expecting Zhu Ying to possess a method to restrain Genesis Beasts. With one move, she had bound the unsuspecting Xiao Han.

"Blazing Devil Seal!" Zhu Ying, however, was merciless. After trapping Xiao Han, she instantly appeared before Lv Luo, forming a seal with her hand and striking out fiercely. Crimson Genesis Qi roared forth, faintly forming a burning fist imprint, within which was a devilish roar. It carried an unparalleled violent power, smashing fiercely towards Lv Luo.

Lv Luo bit her lip, and her fair hand also struck out, robust Genesis Qi whistling and emitting a sharp cry. The two clashed with a heavy impact. Zhu Ying floated back, while Lv Luo's delicate body trembled, forcing her to retreat repeatedly. A flush of red surged onto her fair face, clearly indicating a disruption of her Qi and blood.

"Tsk tsk, without that Genesis Beast, your strength seems to be nothing special," Zhu Ying sneered.

Lv Luo's face turned ashen with anger. Many of her techniques were designed to be used in conjunction with her Genesis Beast to unleash their full power. However, due to her mistake, Xiao Han had been restrained by the opponent almost immediately.

"If these are all the methods you have, then today, your Cangmang Continent will lose one of its top talents," Zhu Ying sighed with feigned regret, but the smile on her lips was exceptionally cold. As her voice fell, her figure shot out again. Crimson Genesis Qi erupted from her body like a volcano, and as the waves of energy rolled, large trees spontaneously combusted. Her body was like a fiery shadow, rushing directly towards Lv Luo. Her fingertips gleamed with a cold light, incredibly hot.

"Do you think I'm afraid of you?!" Lv Luo, also provoked by Zhu Ying's aggressive behavior, clenched her teeth and was about to activate her Genesis Qi to fight this woman to the bitter end. However, just as she was about to act, she saw a figure block her path.

She looked and was momentarily stunned: "Zhou Yuan?" Then she quickly urged, "Get out of the way! This crazy woman is very difficult to deal with!" Although she knew Zhou Yuan had entered the Heavenly Gate Stage, he was still only in the early Heavenly Gate Stage. And this Zhu Ying, in front of them, should possess the strength of the Quasi-Taichu Stage, even stronger than Xiao Tianxuan. With Zhou Yuan's strength, it was clearly impossible for him to be her opponent.

Zhou Yuan waved his hand and said, "You go figure out a way to release Xiao Han. This woman... leave her to me." In Lv Luo's current state, without Xiao Han's assistance, many of her techniques couldn't be used. She likely wasn't a match for Zhu Ying.

"Hehe, are all people from your Cangmang Continent so ignorant of their own limitations? An early Heavenly Gate Stage cultivator dares to stand in my way," Zhu Ying remarked, seemingly amused by the scene, though the light in her eyes was full of mockery. "Since you want to play the hero, I'll grant your wish."

Zhu Ying scoffed, a crimson light swirling around her body, her red hair dancing. At this moment, she looked like a blazing demon. She clenched her slender hand and threw a punch. The air exploded, and the ground beneath her feet was directly torn open by the force of the punch, forming a deep crack. This single punch was powerful enough to penetrate a cultivator in the late Heavenly Gate Stage.

Zhou Yuan gazed at the fierce incoming attack, with no fear in his eyes. Instead, a fiery eagerness surged within him. "Quasi-Taichu Stage, huh... I'd like to see just how strong it is."

"Profound Python Scales!" Zhou Yuan's fingers also clenched tightly. Dark-gold Genesis Qi roared out from his Qi Manor, enveloping his body. Golden Profound Python Scales began to emerge on the surface of his fists. "Third-grade Genesis Rune, Black-Gold Palm Pattern!" As Zhou Yuan's low roar echoed in his mind, the surface of his fist, already covered by golden Profound Python Scales, gained another layer of black-gold color, making it seemingly indestructible.

Zhou Yuan's body tensed like a bow, and he shot forward suddenly, tearing through the air. His five fingers formed a fist, and he unleashed a punch without hesitation, clashing directly with Zhu Ying.

"You have a death wish!" Zhu Ying scoffed. This was the first time she had seen someone in the early Heavenly Gate Stage dare to confront her head-on.

"Zhou Yuan!" Lv Luo couldn't help but cover her eyes.

"Dragon Tablet Hand, Sky Shatter!" At the moment of impact, Zhou Yuan's fist seemed to slow and become heavy. A ripple of power spread out, causing space to undulate and the ground to directly collapse. This punch not only had a Genesis Qi amplification but also featured the golden Profound Python Scales and the third-grade Genesis Rune, Black-Gold Palm Pattern. The power was ferocious to the extreme.

The two fists, containing terrifying power, clashed heavily in the next instant. A low thud echoed, and space seemed to fall silent for a moment. Immediately after, an incredibly violent shockwave swept out. The surrounding ground crumbled inch by inch, rocks tore apart, and large trees burst apart with popping and cracking sounds, turning into a shower of wood splinters. The entire area was instantly a mess.

Lv Luo's eyes widened as she looked at the scene. She saw both Zhou Yuan and Zhu Ying retreating dozens of steps. However, Zhu Ying's face had turned extremely grim. Lv Luo's gaze swept over, and she saw a patch of bruising on Zhu Ying's palm, with drops of blood trickling down her fingertips. In contrast, many of the golden scales on Zhou Yuan's fist were shattered, but he showed no injury. Evidently, in the terrible clash, Zhou Yuan had actually gained a slight advantage.

Lv Luo's mouth dropped open in astonishment.

Zhou Yuan slowly unclenched his fingers, and the golden scales receded. He raised his eyes to look at Zhu Ying, whose face was ashen, and smiled faintly, saying, "Although you are Quasi-Taichu... in terms of toughness, you're not as tough as me."