Chapter 908: Battle with Chen Xuandong

The illumination of thirty million Genesis Qi stars in the void was a magnificent sight, yet it also exuded immense pressure. Countless spectators couldn't help but marvel, realizing that Chen Xuan-dong's ninth-place ranking on the Divine Dwelling List was truly a testament to his extraordinary and astonishing power.

While many factors determine victory in a battle, one's Genesis Qi foundation undoubtedly plays a significant role. Thus, when Chen Xuan-dong revealed his thirty-million Genesis Qi foundation, everyone knew that Zhou Yuan was now at an absolute disadvantage.

This was because, based on the strength Zhou Yuan had demonstrated in his battle with Lu Xiao two months prior, his Genesis Qi foundation was estimated to be only twenty-one million.

A full nine-million Genesis Qi difference! This was enough to create an absolute, overwhelming advantage, one that ordinary methods could hardly compensate for.

Across the hundreds of states in the Tianyuan Region, countless people watched the scene through light mirrors, their expressions somewhat grim.

Chen Xuan-dong stood proudly in the void. The Genesis Qi he cultivated was pitch black—a Grade 7 Genesis Qi known as Black Qilin Corrosive Qi. It possessed extremely terrifying corrosive power and was considered one of the top Genesis Qis within the Three Mountains Alliance.

He stared at Zhou Yuan with a half-smile, clearly possessing immense confidence in his own strength.

“Chief Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan,” Chen Xuan-dong chuckled, “you should just concede your qualification for the Tianyuan Region's Nine Regions Grand Meeting to me. Otherwise, with your current strength, you likely won't even pass the first three stages of the meeting, and the Tianyuan Region would lose face for nothing.”

Zhou Yuan's expression remained calm, showing no hint of anger at Chen Xuan-dong’s words. He knew the other party was deliberately trying to provoke him, and anger would affect his own condition. Chen Xuan-dong, despite appearing fierce and domineering, was in fact very cunning.

“Though thirty million Genesis Qi is powerful, it doesn't necessarily guarantee victory today,” Zhou Yuan said calmly. He stomped his foot in mid-air, and three rings of chaotic light appeared behind him. The next instant, the long cry of a Flood Dragon resonated through the void as vast Genesis Qi surged from his body, filling half the sky behind him, immense and cloud-like.

The Genesis Qi, reflecting in the void, revealed twenty-three million Genesis Qi stars. Over the past two months, although Zhou Yuan had dedicated most of his energy and time to the remaining two Genesis Runes, his own Genesis Qi had still progressed, with his Genesis Qi stars increasing by over two million. However, this was almost his limit; without breaking through to the eighth layer of the Divine Dwelling, the growth of his Genesis Qi foundation would be extremely slow.

Yet, there was still a seven-million difference compared to Chen Xuan-dong!

Chen Xuan-dong wore a faint smile, clearly not putting Zhou Yuan's foundation in his eyes. He shook his head and said, “Since Chief Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan is unwilling to concede, I'll just have to take it myself.”

He formed a hand seal with one hand. Behind him, the monstrous black Genesis Qi roared forth, transforming into a viscous black sea, and surged towards Zhou Yuan, engulfing him with overwhelming might.

Seeing this, Zhou Yuan narrowed his eyes. A sword pellet rose from his palm.

A sword hum echoed, and the sword pellet rapidly expanded against the wind, instantly transforming into a thousand-zhang sword light. It fiercely slashed down at the viscous black sea, its momentum ferocious.

The thousand-zhang sword light sliced into the black sea, instantly tearing it apart. However, the black sea seemed endless, with viscous black Qi continuously surging forth in waves of impact. Ultimately, it trapped the thousand-zhang sword light within itself, constantly eroding and grinding it down.

In just a few breaths, the thousand-zhang sword light had dwindled to about a hundred zhang, its brilliance dimming.

Seeing this, Zhou Yuan clasped his hands together, and a mysterious light shadow appeared on his body. “Grand Mystic Saint Spirit Art!” Zhou Yuan's aura surged dramatically. The next instant, he directly plunged into the black Genesis Qi sea, enveloped by vast Genesis Qi as if riding a green flood dragon. With a wave of his hand, the sword pellet returned to his grasp, and its light surged once more.

Swish! Swish! Countless sword lights slashed out, violently tearing apart the black Genesis Qi sea.

However, just as Zhou Yuan tore apart the black Genesis Qi sea, his expression suddenly tightened. Without hesitation, the sword light in his hand slashed towards the void on his right. There, a spear tip shot out, carrying incredibly terrifying power.

The sword light clashed with the spear's glow, and in just a few breaths, the sword light shattered.

A black figure flashed out, like a phantom. Thousands of spear glints seemed to transform into countless stars, enveloping Zhou Yuan's vital points with intense killing intent.

Chen Xuan-dong had finally made his move.

Zhou Yuan dared not be negligent. With one hand, he unleashed a sword light, while a lantern appeared in his other palm. “Soul Lantern Art!” From the lantern, vast soul flames roared forth, directly charging towards Chen Xuan-dong.

Clearly, Zhou Yuan had already prepared a killing move, waiting for Chen Xuan-dong to approach.

“Heh heh, Chief Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan, I already knew about your Soul Flame killing move.” Chen Xuan-dong showed no fear at the roaring soul flames, evidently having prepared for it. With a grasp of his hand, a black mud bowl appeared, seemingly filled with black liquid. He guided it with a fingertip, and the black liquid shot up, instantly forming a torrent of black water. Limitless cold Qi rose from the black water, capable of freezing even souls.

Sizzle! Sizzle! The soul flames collided with the black water, immediately erupting in sizzling sounds as both were extinguished.

At the same time, Chen Xuan-dong’s eyes turned cold. The black long spear in his hand transformed into a startling spear shadow, its momentum seemingly piercing the void as it appeared directly before Zhou Yuan. He thrust the spear towards Zhou Yuan’s glabella; the ferocity of that single thrust was enough to shatter even a soul.

Zhou Yuan’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he casually unleashed a vast sword light. However, upon collision, the sword light shattered instantly, and the sword pellet shot back.

In a flash, Zhou Yuan clenched his five fingers tightly. Black hairs surged from his pores, forming black gauntlets that covered his fists. Vast Genesis Qi surged layer upon layer, and he met the sharp spear tip with a punch.

Sparks flew, and the void trembled. Zhou Yuan’s body, however, was struck hard and flew backward violently. On his fist, the hairs retracted, but blood still dripped from between his fingers. He was clearly injured by Chen Xuan-dong’s terrifying power.

The exchange between the two seemed brief, but both were incomparably fierce.

However, it was clear to everyone that although Zhou Yuan tried to control the situation and repeatedly launched proactive attacks, Chen Xuan-dong easily nullified them all. Meanwhile, Chen Xuan-dong's sudden attacks repeatedly pushed Zhou Yuan back.

This situation undoubtedly showed Chen Xuan-dong holding the clear advantage.

However, no one was surprised by this. After all, Chen Xuan-dong’s Genesis Qi foundation held an absolute advantage, and Zhou Yuan’s attempts to clash head-on were akin to striking a rock with an egg.

Across the eight hundred states of the Tianyuan Region, countless voices of frustration and regret arose.

On the circular platform in the Tianyuan Grotto-Heaven, the members of the Four Pavilions were all silent, their expressions grim.

Above Boundless Stream, Chen Xuan-dong held his long spear diagonally, a smile on his face as he watched the retreating Zhou Yuan. “Chief Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan,” he said, “I’ve long heard about the outstanding Four Spirit Runes of the Tianyuan Region. If you don’t display them now, I’m afraid you won’t get another chance. I also want to see how many of the Four Spirit Runes you’ve completed.”

Zhou Yuan rubbed his fist; the bloody marks on it were rapidly healing. He pursed his lips, acknowledging that the opponent’s thirty-million Genesis Qi foundation was indeed formidable. He had consecutively used the Demon-Slaying Sword Pellet Art, Grand Mystic Saint Spirit Art, and Soul Lantern Art, yet had gained no advantage whatsoever.

Compared to Lu Xiao, Chen Xuan-dong was far more troublesome.

This was pure foundation suppression.

Zhou Yuan's expression remained unfazed. He didn't waste any more words, and the next instant, everyone saw two ancient Genesis Runes on the backs of his hands begin to glow.

And just as these two Genesis Runes appeared, another ancient Genesis Rune emerged between Zhou Yuan's brows.

The third one!

Low gasps of surprise rippled through the air.

However, when strange light also began to emanate from Zhou Yuan's chest, vaguely forming another ancient Genesis Rune, those gasps suddenly grew louder!

Four Genesis Runes!

With the appearance of the four Genesis Runes, the Genesis Qi fluctuations within Zhou Yuan's body also began to steadily climb.

Chen Xuan-dong, who had been nonchalant until now, suddenly narrowed his eyes, clearly somewhat surprised that Zhou Yuan had actually condensed all four Spirit Runes!

He licked his lips and muttered to himself.

“Now this is getting interesting…”