Chapter 905: All Parties Concerned

After Tianyuan Region received the challenge letter from the Sanshan Alliance, the excitement surrounding it surged at an astonishing rate as time passed. Various factions had already sent out their scouts, who converged at the border between Tianyuan Region and the Sanshan Alliance.

Although the challenge letter only involved a confrontation between two Divine Dwelling stage cultivators, everyone knew that this would be the first direct clash between the Sanshan Alliance, an emerging top power, and the declining established Nine Regions. The outcome would likely have a significant and far-reaching impact. Consequently, countless factions within Hunyuan Heaven were now fixated on this event.

***

**Profound Mystery Region.**

On the Star-Gazing Pavilion, Jiugong's beautiful eyes were fixed on the message delivered to her. After a long moment, she put it down and remarked, "This Sanshan Alliance certainly knows how to pick its moments."

"Senior Sister, who do you think will win?" a beautiful girl beside her asked curiously.

"If we go by the rankings, of course, Chen Xuandong will win." Jiugong couldn't help but smile. "After all," she said, "I created those rankings. If there's an upset, it would simply mean my judgment and information were flawed." Her voice paused, then she added, "But rankings don't truly represent strength. Otherwise, if people had grudges in the future, they would just need to show their rankings, and the lower-ranked person would simply have to concede."

"I previously ranked Zhou Yuan at fourteenth not because he was weak, but because I used Lu Xiao as a benchmark. This only shows that Lu Xiao was lacking, not Zhou Yuan."

Jiugong held a jade slip in each hand, both containing all the information about Zhou Yuan and Chen Xuandong. After reading for a moment, she whispered, "However, despite what I said, judging from the strength displayed by both parties previously, if Zhou Yuan's strength hasn't seen a shocking increase since his last confrontation with Lu Xiao, then this time, he will undoubtedly lose."

"Senior Sister, are you really that confident about Chen Xuandong?"

Jiugong casually tossed the jade slips onto the table, her tone indifferent. "It's not that I'm confident about him," she said, "but rather a judgment based on the information I've gathered." She shook her head, a sigh in her voice. "If Zhou Yuan truly loses, Tianyuan Region will likely suffer a complete loss of face this time. It's truly lamentable. If Grand Elder Cang Yuan were still here, who would dare provoke the mighty Tianyuan Region?"

After her sigh, she stopped dwelling on it. The Nine Regions Conference was set for three months later, and that was what truly concerned her. The Nine Regions Conference was where the top talents from various factions would truly shine. For now, both Chen Xuandong and Zhou Yuan were merely vying for the qualification to participate.

***

**Martial God Region.**

On a cloud platform, Wu Yao sat cross-legged before a stone table. Her slender figure, clad in a vibrant red dress, exuded a sharp, almost regal aura. At this moment, her narrow phoenix eyes were fixed on the jade slip in her hand, and an inscrutable curve played at the corner of her lips.

"This Sanshan Alliance is growing bolder and bolder," a man opposite Wu Yao said with a faint smile. "They intend to severely humiliate Tianyuan Region."

The man, Lanting, wore a white robe and exuded an extraordinary aura. Among the many disciples of the Martial God Region, his status was second only to Wu Yao. In terms of strength, he was also qualified to contend for a spot in the top ten of the Divine Dwelling rankings, though the Martial God Region had intentionally kept him off the list in preparation for the Nine Regions Conference. He and Wu Yao, one acting openly and the other subtly, formed the most formidable power among the Martial God Region's Divine Dwelling disciples.

Lanting gazed at the red-clad woman before him. Her sharp, queen-like countenance and temperament filled him with an indescribable fascination deep inside, but he concealed it very well, never daring to show the slightest hint in front of her.

"Junior Sister Wu Yao, who do you think will win?" Lanting asked with a smile.

Wu Yao put down the jade slip, her exquisite face betraying no emotion. She simply stated, "Tianyuan Region will win."

Lanting was momentarily stunned; this answer was clearly unexpected. However, Wu Yao had no intention of explaining. She simply stared at the jade slip in her hand, because the various pieces of information she had gathered recently had allowed her to confirm that the Zhou Yuan from Tianyuan Region...

It really was him! Zhou Yuan of the Great Zhou Dynasty from Cangxuan Heaven!

Wu Yao's translucent fingertips gently traced the jade slip. This guy... he actually came to Hunyuan Heaven! Moreover, in just about a year, he had become the leader among Tianyuan Region's Divine Dwelling stage cultivators. This speed of progress... truly befitted someone who once bore the Saint Dragon's Fortune!

She was well aware of his formidable nature. Back then, his fortune was completely plundered, leaving him almost crippled, yet he still climbed back up step by step, achieving an almost impossible comeback, even overthrowing Wuhuang and the Great Wu Dynasty. All of this proved his extraordinary capabilities, so Wu Yao did not believe that a mere Chen Xuandong could stop his progress.

"Zhou Yuan, have you come to reclaim the Saint Dragon Qi?" Wu Yao murmured to herself, but deep within her phoenix eyes, a nearly pathological madness surged.

"Then come!" she thought. "Let's see if you devour me, or if I devour you!"

***

**Purple Heavens Region.**

Inside a boudoir filled with a faint fragrance.

Su Youwei knelt on the bed, one small hand tightly covering her mouth. Her eyes, glistening with tears, gazed at the light emanating from the jade slip in her other hand. The lights intertwined, forming a phantom image. The phantom image was a male figure, and with that clear face, who else could it be but Zhou Yuan?

"Your Highness, it really is you..." Su Youwei covered her mouth, her eyes brimming with pitiable tears. If any other disciples of the Purple Heavens Region saw her in this state, they would be utterly astounded.

Su Youwei paid no mind to this. After making inquiries during this period, she finally obtained information about Chief Steward Zhou Yuan of Tianyuan Region. The image before her, that familiar face—she confirmed it with just one glance. Although many years had passed since they last met, and the image before her appeared more mature than the person in her memories, Su Youwei's deeply buried memories surged forth with profound clarity. So at this very moment, even with Su Youwei's resilient character, she felt an uncontrollable urge to cry.

Su Youwei's slender fingers trembled as she gently touched the image within reach. The emotions overwhelming her made her suddenly leap off the bed and run a few steps on her bare, jade-like feet. "I want to go to Tianyuan Region!" she exclaimed.

But just as her hand was about to push the door, she stopped, pouting her small mouth in a somewhat aggrieved manner. With the Nine Regions Conference approaching, she was probably unable to leave the Purple Heavens Region.

However, this emotion didn't last long, soon washed away by the joy of reuniting with an old friend. Su Youwei, standing on her tiptoes, lightly spun in a circle. Her skirt fluttered, revealing her fair, slender legs that dazzled the eye. No need to rush; he's already in Hunyuan Heaven anyway.

*Giggle.*

A girl's light, irrepressible laughter filled the room. She lay down on the soft bed, her small red lips gently curving upwards, and then slowly closed her pair of clear, glistening eyes. She was truly a beauty of unparalleled charm.

"Your Highness..."

"To be able to meet you again... it's truly wonderful."

And so, under the watchful eyes of all these factions, a month quietly passed.