Chapter 927: Drawing Lots

As Zhao Xianxun's voice echoed between heaven and earth, he swept his sleeve. In the vast central plaza of Fallen City, the ground trembled and quickly began to bulge upwards.

The ground cracked, and within mere tens of breaths, a stone platform approximately a hundred zhang high suddenly emerged.

Within Fallen City, countless fervent gazes were cast upon the stone platform.

Zhao Xianxun flicked a finger, and on the stone platform, Genesis Qi light converged. The Genesis Qi, carrying soil, instantly transformed into a clay cylinder. Inside the cylinder were eight clay slips, radiating light that made them impossible to discern.

"The Myriad Ancestors Domain was the champion of the previous Nine Domains Grand Meeting. According to the rules, they are exempt from drawing lots and will be directly assigned to the First-Tier path," Zhao Xianxun announced.

Everyone was already aware of this, so they all nodded in agreement.

Furthermore, no one considered this unlucky for the Myriad Ancestors Domain. Even though the strongest elite factions would be blocking the First-Tier path, they posed little threat to the Myriad Ancestors Domain.

What's more, the Myriad Ancestors Domain had formidable individuals like Zhao Mushen.

With him leading, the experts from other elite factions were already three parts intimidated before even engaging in battle.

"I heard that six elite factions have joined forces on that First-Tier path this time. Too bad for them, they're facing the Myriad Ancestors Domain and Zhao Mushen..."

"Yes, the Myriad Ancestors Domain's power has grown steadily stronger over the years, even showing signs of becoming the leader of the Nine Domains. While those six elite factions are certainly exceptional, the gap between them and the Myriad Ancestors Domain is simply too vast."

"Haha, I bet the Myriad Ancestors Domain will clear the First-Tier path in less than an incense stick's time."

Throughout Fallen City, numerous voices whispered, but it was clear that no one perceived any danger whatsoever in the Myriad Ancestors Domain attempting the First-Tier path. After all, their strength was undeniable.

In the sky, Zhao Xianxun said with a faint smile, "Leaders of the other eight domains, please step forward."

The moment his voice fell, figures swiftly shot out from the high towers of the Nine Domains Stronghold, descending towards the towering stone platform.

As they appeared, bursts of cheers and applause erupted across the land.

"Chief Pavilion Master, I hope your luck is good. It would be best if we draw a number six or later; that would make passing the trial a bit easier," Han Yuan said, looking at Zhou Yuan with a smile.

"You're being too pessimistic. Even if we draw an earlier number, what does my Heaven Abyss Domain have to fear?" Mu Liu retorted, pouting slightly.

Han Yuan chuckled, "Our Heaven Abyss Domain only has two thousand people this year. If we get a path before number four, we'd be facing a combined force of three elite factions, which would mean more than double our numbers. Rumor has it those elite factions have been holding back their tricks, probably just waiting to ambush our Heaven Abyss Domain. By then, even people like Chen Xuandong might keep appearing."

Mu Liu frowned slightly but ultimately said nothing more. If they encountered someone with Chen Xuandong's strength, even he would struggle. At this point, the only ones capable of dealing with that level of opponent in their group were likely Zhou Yuan and Lu Xiao.

After all, Lu Xiao's strength had also improved significantly in the past two months.

Zhou Yuan listened to their conversation, smiled, and said, "Let's do our best and leave the rest to fate."

He then said no more, his figure moving as he stomped on Genesis Qi, rising into the sky, and finally landing on the stone platform.

At this moment, eight figures stood distinctly on the stone platform, drawing countless gazes from Fallen City.

As Zhou Yuan landed on the platform, he could feel the other seven present casting gazes filled with unidentifiable emotions upon him.

Among those gazes were hostility, curiosity, delight, and amusement.

Zhou Yuan remained unfazed. His gaze first met Su Youwei's, and a smile instantly bloomed on her exceptionally beautiful face, like the warm sun in winter, easing the tension in people's hearts.

Zhou Yuan nodded lightly to her, then his gaze swept past Wu Yao, who stood ten paces away. She was still in a vibrant crimson dress, her beauty unparalleled, and her aura as sharp and dominant as that of an empress.

However, at this moment, Wu Yao was not looking at Zhou Yuan, her phoenix eyes slightly lowered.

Not far from Wu Yao, Zhou Yuan saw a tall, upright young man. The youth's blood-red hair was incredibly striking, his face pale, and a harmless smile played on his lips. Yet, when Zhou Yuan saw him, he sensed an aura of danger. This was Wang Xi from the Blood Sea Domain.

At that moment, Wang Xi was also looking at Zhou Yuan, even offering him a smile, though his smile sent a chill down one's spine.

After Wang Xi was a man in white. He appeared elegant, his face exceptionally handsome, holding a folding fan like a scholar. This was Li Tongshen from the Sacred Mark Domain.

Zhou Yuan gave him an extra glance because the Sacred Mark Domain specialized in Genesis Runes among the Nine Domains. It was somewhat similar to the Spirit Rune Peak of the Cangxuan Sect, but clearly, the former's scale was incomparable to the latter. He presumed Li Tongshen's Spirit and Genesis Rune mastery were quite formidable.

Zhou Yuan suddenly felt someone staring at him. He immediately shifted his gaze and saw a beautiful woman. She wore a dark robe, but even its spaciousness couldn't conceal her impressively dominant and graceful figure. Her eyes seemed filled with scrutiny. This was Jiugong from the Mystic Machine Domain.

When Jiugong saw Zhou Yuan looking, she gave him a faint glance with her beautiful eyes before slowly turning away, avoiding any eye contact with him.

Zhou Yuan paid no mind to her attitude and continued observing.

He had already encountered Xu Ming from the Demonic Puppet Domain yesterday. As their eyes met now, hostility surged between them.

As for Yuan Kun from the Beast Taming Domain, he was a rather corpulent, pale fat man, his face oily, constantly wiping sweat from it with a handkerchief. His rotund body was like a ball. He looked at Zhou Yuan with an envious expression, then slyly glanced at Su Youwei and Wu Yao, who were not far away.

Zhou Yuan withdrew his gaze. Although it was just a fleeting glance, he could sense the dangerous auras of these seven individuals. None of them were simple. If he were to engage in battle, Zhou Yuan knew very well that he might struggle to win against half of them, even if he exerted his full strength.

Unless he broke through to the ninth level of his Divine Dwelling.

"Prepare to draw lots," Zhao Xianxun's voice rang out from the sky.

Consequently, the seven individuals present stepped forward one after another, extended their hands, and retrieved a clay slip from the cylinder. Within Fallen City, countless gazes watched intently, and for a moment, a hush fell.

Zhou Yuan likewise stared at the clay slip in his hand. The dense Genesis Qi light on it gradually dissipated, and a number on it began to become clear.

When the number fully appeared, Zhou Yuan's pupils contracted slightly.

On it, the number "two" was clearly visible.

To think he was so unlucky as to draw the slip for the path second only to the First-Tier in difficulty?!