Chapter 919: Falling City

The Abyss of Fallen Stars is located in the southwest of the Primordial Heaven. In the Primordial Heaven, the Abyss of Fallen Stars is widely renowned as one of the famous forbidden lands, extremely dangerous. This place is an ancient battlefield where countless powerful figures fell, including many Law Domain experts.

When Law Domain experts fall, their Law Domains scatter into heaven and earth, causing spatial distortion and changes in rules. Therefore, under normal circumstances, the Abyss of Fallen Stars remains sealed. Only when the Nine Domains Grand Assembly approaches will the Law Domain experts from the Nine Domains collectively tear open a passage, allowing Divine Mansion Realm cultivators from the Nine Domains to enter and compete for opportunities.

On the outermost fringes of the Abyss of Fallen Stars, on a dark plain, stands a majestic city known as the City of Fallen Stars. Although multiple Law Domain experts must work together to tear open a passage to delve deep into the Abyss of Fallen Stars, it's possible to venture into its outermost areas if one is bold enough and willing to take the risk. If lucky, one might find source treasures and inheritances left behind from ancient battles, which would be a tremendous opportunity for many rogue cultivators. Therefore, the City of Fallen Stars serves as a base for countless treasure seekers.

Recently, with the Nine Domains Grand Assembly approaching, this place has become a focal point of attention in the Primordial Heaven, as countless factions converged, transforming what was once a somewhat desolate city into a bustling hub. It became a true melting pot of various individuals and groups. This atmosphere reached its peak when the main forces from the Nine Domains began arriving one after another at the City of Fallen Stars.

In the center of the City of Fallen Stars lies a vast estate, within which stand nine tall pavilions, the most striking landmarks in the entire city. These nine pavilions were built by the Nine Domains specifically for their disciples to reside in during the Nine Domains Grand Assembly. Other factions are not permitted entry, a testament to the Nine Domains' standing in the Primordial Heaven. The estate is also known as the Nine Domains Estate.

It was at this time that Zhou Yuan led two thousand members of the Four Pavilions from the Heaven Abyss Territory to the City of Fallen Stars. These two thousand individuals were the elite forces of the Four Pavilions, with four hundred in the late Divine Mansion stage and sixteen hundred in the mid Divine Mansion stage. A contingent of this size naturally attracted countless gazes within the City of Fallen Stars. When people realized they were from the Heaven Abyss Territory, their gazes grew more curious, especially since Zhou Yuan had recently caused quite a stir in the Primordial Heaven, thus increasing his fame. Of course, the members of some top factions regarded them with a hint of amusement. After all, for factions on the same level as the Three Mountains Alliance, if they wished to ascend further, they clearly had to start with the Heaven Abyss Territory, the weakest of the Nine Domains.

Under the countless gazes along their route, Zhou Yuan led his large contingent to the exterior of the grand estate in the city center. At the estate's main gate, a steward was present, who quickly came forward to greet them upon seeing them.

"Haha, you must be Chief Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan, I presume? It's an honor to finally meet you." The steward was plump and had a genial demeanor.

Zhou Yuan's expression was mild, and after a brief conversation, he learned that the steward's surname was Liu and he was in charge of managing the estate. Steward Liu's manner was deferential as he respectfully presented a silver plaque with both hands. Zhou Yuan glanced at it, seeing the character 'Nine' engraved on it, which indicated their designated lodging.

Zhou Yuan didn't understand the significance of this, but Lu Xiao and Yi Qiushui, standing nearby, frowned upon seeing it.

Lu Xiao calmly stated, "Steward Liu, isn't this incorrect? In previous Nine Domains Grand Assemblies, our Heaven Abyss Territory has always been assigned to Pavilion Number Six. Why has our location been changed without reason?"

Hearing the subtle displeasure in Lu Xiao's tone, Zhou Yuan felt a little curious. Mu Liu, who was nearby, leaned in and whispered, "There are nine pavilions in the Nine Domains Estate, one for each domain. Although it's not explicitly stated which domain gets which pavilion, there's an unwritten rule that whoever occupied a certain pavilion before, occupies it again. And for all these years, our Heaven Abyss Territory has always been in Pavilion Number Six. And Pavilion Number Nine... its location is the worst, and it's the lowest in height."

Zhou Yuan understood then; they had been effectively usurped from their usual lodging and assigned the worst spot. Normally, where one stayed wasn't a major issue, but now they represented the Heaven Abyss Territory, and any slight difference in treatment would easily be amplified. With countless factions gathered in the City of Fallen Stars, if this matter got out, it would inevitably invite unnecessary criticism. After all, for entities at the Nine Domains' level, matters of 'face' were sometimes more important than anything else.

Zhou Yuan frowned slightly and said, "Steward Liu, are you trying to target our Heaven Abyss Territory?"

Upon hearing this, Steward Liu's plump face immediately broke out in sweat. He said with a pained expression, "Chief Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan, how could I possibly dare to do such a thing? I am just a small steward."

"Who occupied Pavilion Number Six?" Zhou Yuan stared at Steward Liu for a moment, knowing that with his status, he indeed wouldn't dare to deliberately cause trouble over this, so he asked.

Steward Liu wiped away his sweat and hesitantly replied, "It's... the Demon Puppet Domain. They said Pavilion Number Nine was somewhat dilapidated and insisted on taking Pavilion Number Six. With my humble position, how could I possibly stop them?"

"The Demon Puppet Domain?" Lu Xiao, Mu Liu, Han Yuan, and the others all frowned.

Zhou Yuan calmly said, "Changing pavilions is a minor matter. If they truly liked it, they could have waited for us to arrive and discussed it. Our Heaven Abyss Territory is not so petty. However... this act of forcibly occupying it without even asking is something our Heaven Abyss Territory cannot accept. Steward Liu, please notify Xu Ming of the Demon Puppet Domain to come and negotiate."

Zhou Yuan's expression was calm. As the Chief Pavilion Master of the Heaven Abyss Territory's Four Pavilions and the leader of its Divine Mansion Realm cultivators, he knew he had to convey a clear stance now. If the other party truly wanted it, it was possible, but only with the Heaven Abyss Territory's permission. He understood clearly in his heart that this wasn't just about a pavilion, but rather that the other party had shown no regard for the Heaven Abyss Territory's reputation.

Upon hearing this, Steward Liu's face looked slightly bitter, but after meeting Zhou Yuan's gaze, he knew further words were useless, so he could only agree and quickly turn to leave.

At the main gate of the Nine Domains Estate, Zhou Yuan and his contingent of over two thousand people gathered here, naturally creating an imposing sight, which drew countless gazes. Among them were many with keen intelligence, who, with a little inquiry, quickly understood the situation. Their attention immediately became highly interested. No one had expected that the Heaven Abyss Territory's contingent, having just arrived at the City of Fallen Stars, would seemingly already be in a dispute with the Demon Puppet Domain.

In a short while, the news spread, drawing more and more factions to cast their gaze upon the scene. At the estate's entrance, Zhou Yuan's face remained calm, while the two thousand Four Pavilion members behind him now understood what was happening and immediately felt indignant and resentful. The Demon Puppet Domain was truly going too far.

As time slowly passed, there was still no sign of anyone from the Demon Puppet Domain. Lu Xiao, Mu Liu, Han Yuan, and the others' expressions began to turn sour. The other party clearly knew they were waiting here, yet deliberately dragged their feet. Just as their expressions grew increasingly grim and impatient, several figures finally strolled out from within the estate. Accompanying these figures was the perpetually sweating Steward Liu, who seemed to want to walk faster but was playfully held back by a grinning young man, and could only reluctantly follow at a slow pace with a pained expression.

Under the slightly chilling gazes of the two thousand Heaven Abyss Territory members, the group finally reached the entrance.

"Heh heh, I am Qiu Jiu. May I know what matters the esteemed members of the Heaven Abyss Territory have?" The grinning young man casually swept his gaze over everyone and said somewhat lazily, "If there's anything, just tell me."

At the gate, the two thousand Heaven Abyss Territory members wore cold expressions, while Lu Xiao, Mu Liu, Yi Qiushui, Ye Bingling, and others had chilling glints in their eyes, their anger surging. These people from the Demon Puppet Domain truly had no regard for rules! Two thousand members of the Heaven Abyss Territory, including Zhou Yuan, their Chief Pavilion Master and the leader of their Divine Mansion Realm cultivators, had been waiting here. Yet, after dragging their feet for ages, the Demon Puppet Domain sent out a few nobodies whose names no one had even heard of! This was not only a slap in Zhou Yuan's face but also a blatant insult to all two thousand individuals present! Their actions clearly showed that they utterly disdained the Heaven Abyss Territory! This was simply an outright humiliation! Even if our Heaven Abyss Territory has declined somewhat in recent years, we are still one of the Nine Domains. By what right does your Demon Puppet Domain treat us so contemptuously?!

Lu Xiao said coldly, "I've long heard of Xu Ming's arrogance from the Demon Puppet Domain. Seeing it now, his reputation is certainly well-deserved."

Zhou Yuan glanced at Qiu Jiu, his expression still calm, and asked, "Where is Xu Ming?"

Qiu Jiu said with a grin, "Senior Brother Xu Ming is very busy. If you have anything to say, just tell me." His eyes held a hint of mockery. They, of course, knew what Zhou Yuan and the others wanted, but what could they do even if their place was taken? The Heaven Abyss Territory had become increasingly weak over the years and naturally deserved the worst lodging. This Zhou Yuan truly didn't know his place. Did he think that just because he ranked ninth, he was truly qualified to stand as an equal to Senior Brother Xu Ming? Did defeating a single Chen Xuanli give him such courage? Furthermore, they clearly didn't believe Zhou Yuan would dare to do anything to them. After all, with the strength of the Heaven Abyss Territory's younger generation, they weren't qualified to challenge their Demon Puppet Domain.

Behind Zhou Yuan, the two thousand Four Pavilion members saw Qiu Jiu's arrogance, and their eyes blazed with fury. However, they didn't dare to erupt immediately, because their Heaven Abyss Territory's strength was indeed the weakest. And countless mocking gazes from the surroundings were cast upon Zhou Yuan, seemingly curious to see how this Heaven Abyss Territory Divine Mansion Realm leader, who had recently risen to prominence in the Primordial Heaven, would respond.

Zhou Yuan glanced at Qiu Jiu and his companions, who were clearly acting with impunity. His expression showed no sign of emotion. He simply nodded slightly, then waved his hand.

"Seize them! Tell Xu Ming to come and claim his people. If he doesn't come, strip them naked and hang them at the city gate."