Chapter 921: Reencounter with Su Youwei

Xu Ming stood atop a large tree, his gaze indifferent as he looked down at Zhou Yuan.

When he spoke, the expressions of the Four Pavilions members from the Heavenly Abyss Territory present all changed, and anger surged in their eyes. This Xu Ming was indeed as arrogant as the rumors claimed.

Zhou Yuan was the chief pavilion master of the Heavenly Abyss Territory, holding an exceptionally high status, while Qiu Jiu was merely an unknown figure from the Demonic Puppet Territory. How could he possibly deserve an apology from Zhou Yuan?

Xu Ming's words were nothing short of an insult to their Heavenly Abyss Territory.

Zhou Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly. He stared at Xu Ming, clad in black, and said, "So you've finally decided to show yourself? Then perhaps we should discuss your unprovoked occupation of our Heavenly Abyss Territory?"

Xu Ming tilted his head slightly, his gaze sharp as he fixed on Zhou Yuan. "Are you deaf? I said, release them and apologize."

Zhou Yuan shook his head. "It seems you have no intention of resolving this issue."

"Strip them naked and hang them at the city gate," Zhou Yuan said, waving his hand with a faint tone.

Upon hearing this, the Heavenly Abyss Territory disciples who had captured Qiu Jiu and the others immediately began to strip their clothes. Qiu Jiu and his companions' faces drastically changed, and they frantically cried out for help. If they were truly stripped and displayed, their reputations would be utterly ruined.

A chilling light burst forth from Xu Ming's eyes. He said grimly, "You're asking for trouble. Get them back!"

At his command, the hundred or so figures behind him began to stir restlessly.

"Heavenly Abyss Territory members, heed my order! Form up! Anyone who dares to advance, kill them!" Zhou Yuan roared.

"Yes, sir!"

Upon hearing this, the two thousand Heavenly Abyss Territory forces immediately roared their assent. The next moment, vast and mighty Genesis Qi erupted, and they fixed their fierce gazes on the people from the Demonic Puppet Territory.

Stared down by two thousand people, the Demonic Puppet Territory forces were startled and somewhat hesitant to move. If the other side truly attacked, a two-thousand-man assault would be unstoppable even for Xu Ming, and they had only brought about a hundred people with them this time.

Within Fallen City, countless gasps of cold air could be heard.

No one had expected Zhou Yuan of the Heavenly Abyss Territory to be so fierce. Was he planning to start a direct war?

Xu Ming watched the scene, a fierce glint in his eyes. "It seems the Heavenly Abyss Territory intends to challenge my Demonic Puppet Territory before the Nine Domains Grand Assembly even begins, doesn't it? It's not that I look down on you, but with so few people, you're likely no match for my Demonic Puppet Territory!"

Their Demonic Puppet Territory had brought three thousand people this time, and their overall strength was superior to the Heavenly Abyss Territory's. If a fight truly broke out, they would certainly have the upper hand.

Zhou Yuan said indifferently, "It's fine. Don't worry about us. At worst, it will be a lose-lose situation. The Heavenly Abyss Territory ranked last in the previous Nine Domains Grand Assembly, so our performance can't get any worse."

"Therefore, if we can drag your Demonic Puppet Territory down with us, that would be considered a gain."

Countless people's eyelids twitched. The chief pavilion master of the Heavenly Abyss Territory certainly had quite a temper, but his words made some sense. After all, with the Heavenly Abyss Territory already in last place, how much worse could it get? This was truly a case of the barefoot not fearing the shod.

The Demonic Puppet Territory's strength was indeed superior, but if they truly fought the Heavenly Abyss Territory here, even if they won, the Demonic Puppet Territory would suffer heavy losses. They might even be unable to pass the next three trials...

That would only serve to benefit the top-tier factions.

Inside Fallen City, members of some top-tier factions had their eyes gleaming at this moment, silently urging, "Fight! Fight!"

Xu Ming's gaze on Zhou Yuan grew increasingly cold. He clearly hadn't expected Zhou Yuan to dare threaten him in such a way!

If he were alone, he would certainly deal with Zhou Yuan today, no matter what. However, he now carried a heavy responsibility. He didn't know if Zhou Yuan truly dared to engage in a bloody battle here, but he couldn't take the risk. If a large-scale conflict genuinely erupted, losses would be inevitable, and it would be impossible to stop once it started.

That would only allow others to reap the benefits.

However, backing down would make him appear weak. Who was Xu Ming? He was a top prodigy on the Hunyuan Heaven's Divine Dwelling Ranking, with an illustrious record. And Zhou Yuan? He had merely defeated a Chen Xuan Dong; how could he possibly compare to Xu Ming?

He had initially expected Zhou Yuan to adopt a humble stance once he appeared, but he hadn't anticipated that this newly ranked ninth on the Divine Dwelling Ranking would dare to be so unyielding in front of him. This filled Xu Ming with waves of irritation.

This disrespectful fool!

Xu Ming took a deep breath, raised his palm, and stopped the ready-to-act experts from the Demonic Puppet Territory behind him.

Seeing his action, sounds of regret immediately echoed through Fallen City. Xu Ming, in the end, had maintained his rationality and did not lose his temper with Zhou Yuan.

Xu Ming stared at Zhou Yuan, a hint of disdain curling his lips. "Zhou Yuan, we both carry heavy responsibilities. Don't try to scare people with this 'barefoot' attitude."

"If you truly have a temper, then let you and I have a match."

"If you lose, release the captives and apologize."

"If I lose, I will return Building No. 6 to your Heavenly Abyss Territory today."

"What do you say? Do you dare?!"

Some exclamations arose from the surroundings. This Xu Ming was truly cunning, attempting to force Zhou Yuan to act. Although Zhou Yuan had previously defeated Chen Xuan Dong, no one genuinely believed he possessed the strength to contend with a top prodigy like Xu Ming from the Nine Domains.

Therefore, if the two truly clashed, Zhou Yuan would likely suffer a great loss.

Countless gazes turned towards Zhou Yuan, eager to see his response.

Under those watchful eyes, Zhou Yuan's expression remained unchanged. He simply said, "How do you want to play?"

Xu Ming's lips curved slightly. He took a string of white prayer beads from his wrist, flicked his finger, and five jade-like beads detached. Brilliant light burst forth from them, and the beads expanded rapidly in the wind, transforming in an instant into five white jade beasts, each approximately ten zhang tall.

The bodies of the white jade beasts were covered in intricate Genesis Runes, appearing extremely profound. Their claws and fangs were sharp, glinting with cold light, and an aura of ferocity and brutality emanated from them.

The white jade beasts roared, their sonic waves sweeping forth, causing the void to tremble slightly.

Countless gazes watched the white jade beasts, their eyes showing a mix of surprise and apprehension.

"These are the Demonic Puppet Territory's White Jade Puppets!" someone exclaimed in awe. "They are said to rival top-tier late-stage Divine Dwelling experts. Any Divine Dwelling realm cultivator with a Genesis Qi foundation below eighteen million might not even be able to defeat them!"

Xu Ming looked down at Zhou Yuan with an amused expression. "As long as you can defeat my five White Jade Puppets within half an incense stick's time, you win."

This declaration immediately caused a stir.

Mu Liu frowned tightly and whispered, "These White Jade Puppets are formidable. With five of them together, their combat power is even greater. I think even Chen Xuan Dong would have a tough time against these five White Jade Puppets."

Yi Qiushui said, "Zhou Yuan, the Demonic Puppet Territory's most powerful assets are their puppets. Don't fall for it!"

Zhou Yuan stared at the five lifelike white jade puppet beasts, whose animal eyes gleamed with ferocity. These puppets were indeed very strong; just as Mu Liu had said, Chen Xuan Dong would likely gain no advantage against five of them. However, Zhou Yuan was now immeasurably stronger than when he had fought Chen Xuan Dong.

Xu Ming was incredibly arrogant, not even wishing to personally engage him in battle, but rather intended to humiliate him with just five puppet beasts.

He truly was arrogant...

Xu Ming stared at Zhou Yuan and said blandly, "Well? Do you dare or not?"

Zhou Yuan's expression remained calm and undisturbed. He then took a step forward.

Seeing this, a cold smile immediately appeared on Xu Ming's lips. This fool, did he really think the conditions he proposed were that simple?

He could, of course, sense that Zhou Yuan seemed stronger than Chen Xuan Dong. If Zhou Yuan went all out, the five White Jade Puppet Beasts might not be able to stop him. However, the unfortunate truth was that these five puppet beasts had a "Dark Spiderweb Barrier" inscribed within them, which, once activated against an opponent, could drag them in and trap them for an extended period.

Therefore, these White Jade Puppet Beasts were not renowned for their combat power, but for their ability to trap others!

Although Zhou Yuan's strength was not weak, trapping him for half an incense stick's time would not be difficult.

Xu Ming's eyes held a sneer. This Zhou Yuan was also a fool, easily falling into his trap.

He formed a hand seal, and the five White Jade Puppet Beasts immediately shot forth.

Seeing this, vast Genesis Qi surged around Zhou Yuan's body.

However, just as he was about to make his move, his expression suddenly changed, as he felt an incredibly powerful surge of Genesis Qi abruptly erupt between heaven and earth.

A massive torrent of dark purple Genesis Qi descended with a roar, like a purple waterfall from the sky.

The Genesis Qi torrent was so powerful that even Zhou Yuan's pupils contracted slightly.

Boom!

However, that mighty Genesis Qi torrent, which had startled even Zhou Yuan, was not directed at him. Instead, it accurately struck the heads of the five White Jade Puppet Beasts that had shot forth. In just a few breaths, the five White Jade Puppet Beasts exploded with a crash...

Fragments flew everywhere.

This sudden development stunned everyone.

Five such powerful White Jade Puppet Beasts were instantly annihilated!

Even Zhou Yuan and Xu Ming, the main parties involved, were momentarily stunned. Then, Xu Ming's face turned ashen, and he demanded sharply, "Who?!"

The next instant, Zhou Yuan and Xu Ming's gazes simultaneously shot towards a nearby direction, and both were taken aback.

Because they saw, atop a tall green tree in the distance, a graceful figure in a purple dress stood elegantly. Her slender form, with her sleeves fluttering, seemed as if she might take flight on the wind. Her complexion was fair as jade, and she was so pure and enchanting that she could be called a peerless beauty.

Such beauty and temperament instantly captivated everyone.

Soon, countless people recognized the stunning figure, and numerous voices of disbelief immediately arose: "Is that... Su Youwei of the Violet Cloud Territory?!"

A commotion immediately spread through the city. It was well-known that Su Youwei's reputation in Hunyuan Heaven far surpassed Zhou Yuan's.

Amidst the countless astonished gazes, Su Youwei smiled faintly, then, with a hint of apology, said to Xu Ming, "Oh dear, I'm so sorry. My Genesis Qi suddenly went out of control earlier..."

Then, disregarding Xu Ming, whose expression was now uncertain, she turned her autumn-water-like eyes to Zhou Yuan. Her pearly teeth gently bit her red lips, and she remained silent, her beautiful eyes shimmering with what seemed like tears under the distant sunset.

She simply stood there, quietly watching him.

Just as she had, all those years ago, when they parted ways in Great Zhou City.