Chapter 930: Trap

Through the misty mountain forests, two thousand figures advanced swiftly, like apes in the wilderness. No obstacle could impede their progress.

The team maintained silence as they moved, with Zhou Yuan at the very front.

He could feel the heavy atmosphere pervading the group, as everyone surely knew the consequences for Tianyuan Region if they lost this time. Yet, they also felt a deep sense of helplessness. In recent years, things had not gone well for Tianyuan Region; its strength had indeed been steadily declining. These two thousand individuals now represented the elite of their Divine Palace generation.

The disappearance of Grand Elder Cang Yuan had a profound impact on Tianyuan Region. Or perhaps, more accurately, the weight of a Saint was simply too immense.

Grand Elder Cang Yuan accounted for over seventy percent of the reason Tianyuan Region had stood strong in Hunyuan Heaven for so many years. Now that Grand Elder Cang Yuan had been missing for years, everyone knew that if his lingering prestige hadn't remained, Tianyuan Region would likely be in an even worse state than it was now. It would be quite difficult for a few Law Domain experts to defend a territory of Tianyuan Region's caliber.

Zhou Yuan's figure swept rapidly through the forest, his eyes flickering before becoming sharp and resolute. No matter how difficult, he had to achieve the best results in this Nine Regions Tournament and secure the Ancestral Dragon Lantern! This was his primary objective in coming to Hunyuan Heaven!

With Genesis Qi surging beneath his feet, his figure shot upwards, taking the lead as he leaped onto a mountaintop. Then, his eyes narrowed slightly.

Suddenly, thousands of figures descended behind him, their expressions grim as they gazed forward. There, amidst the mountains, banners fluttered, and a dense mass of figures had formed a formidable defensive line, practically sealing off the path leading to the distance.

On a sword-like peak behind the defensive line, three figures stood with arms crossed, their eyes mockingly fixed on Zhou Yuan and his approaching group. Behind them, a massive crimson banner flapped in the wind, resembling a burning flame. Faint flickers of Genesis Qi light were visible on the banner. The crimson banner contained the sealed token required to enter the Abyss of Falling Stars. However, to obtain this token, they first had to break through this current obstacle.

"Haha, Chief Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan, I am Lu Hai of the Scarlet Cloud Sword Sect. You've certainly kept us waiting." At this moment, the laughter of a red-robed man echoed from the distant peak. A large crimson sword was strapped to his back.

He made no attempt to conceal his Genesis Qi fluctuations; crimson Genesis Qi surged around him like a raging sea of fire. Such profound power caused even Lu Xiao and the others to narrow their eyes, despite the considerable distance. This person was no weaker than Chen Xuandong.

"These top-tier factions certainly know how to hide their strength." Yi Qiushui gritted her teeth lightly. Clearly, these top-tier factions had been preparing for this day for years. And to cultivate Divine Palace stage prodigies of this caliber, they must have expended immense resources. In contrast, for their Tianyuan Region, had Zhou Yuan not suddenly appeared, relying solely on Lu Xiao would have been utterly embarrassing. From this alone, one could see how severe Tianyuan Region's internal and external troubles had been over the years. No wonder these top-tier factions now dared to brazenly challenge Tianyuan Region.

"Chief Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan, you won't be able to get through this path in the Nine Regions Tournament this time. If you don't wish for a major conflict, please just withdraw. As for the Nine Regions Tournament qualification, we'll enjoy it on your behalf." Lu Hai's laughter echoed again, filled with arrogance.

Hearing this, the two thousand Tianyuan Region troops were enraged, glaring at Lu Hai with fiery eyes.

Zhou Yuan's expression remained unchanged; he completely ignored Lu Hai's provocation. Instead, he glanced at the forest ahead, where thousands of Genesis Qi fluctuations indicated the enemy's readiness. "Proceed according to the plan I outlined earlier," Zhou Yuan told Lu Xiao and the others.

"Are we really doing this?" Lu Xiao asked in return.

"As long as you can hold off those four thousand Divine Palace experts, I'll handle the rest," Zhou Yuan replied.

Lu Xiao gave Zhou Yuan a deep look and said, "You are the Chief Pavilion Master, and we will follow your every command. However, if your decision leads to failure, you will bear the final responsibility."

Zhou Yuan smiled and nodded.

Seeing this, Lu Xiao said no more. With a wave of his hand, his figure shot forward, with members of the Fire Pavilion closely following behind him. Ye Bingling, Mu Liu, and Han Yuan also led the members of the other three pavilions at this moment, splitting into four routes, heading straight for the formidable defensive line.

Boom! Boom! Across the land, countless Genesis Qi fluctuations erupted.

Zhou Yuan gazed at the tumultuous battlefield, his eyes fixed on the three figures on the distant peak. The next instant, his figure shot through the air, heading directly for that mountaintop. Some Genesis Qi attacks erupted from the forest, attempting to block him, but he deftly dodged them all.

On the peak, Lu Hai burst into laughter upon seeing this. "Chief Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan wants to single-handedly decapitate us and seize the flag? Haha, what incredible audacity!" There was a hint of sarcasm in his laughter. "No matter, no matter. Once we capture you, Tianyuan Region will naturally crumble without a fight!"

Lu Hai waved his hand, and the figures attempting to rush out from the forest to stop Zhou Yuan halted.

About ten seconds later, under the gaze of countless eyes, Zhou Yuan landed directly on the mountaintop.

On the peak, Lu Hai and the two others stared at Zhou Yuan with smiles. "Chief Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan, venturing into danger alone, you are truly impressive."

Zhou Yuan's expression was calm. "Have you heard of Chen Xuandong's fate?"

Lu Hai smiled faintly. "Chief Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan, your recent fame is considerable, and your combat strength formidable; we are naturally aware of this. I know you wish to defeat the three of us alone to minimize your losses, but have you considered that we might also have the same intention?"

"Just the three of you?" Zhou Yuan said.

Lu Hai chuckled, "While I believe the three of us are quite sufficient, since Chief Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan is so audacious, what's the harm in having a few more?" As his voice faded, two more powerful and vast Genesis Qi presences suddenly surged into the sky from the peak, stirring the air.

Two long shouts rang out, as two figures appeared on a cliff behind Zhou Yuan.

"We dared not reveal ourselves earlier, fearing we might startle Chief Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan away. But it seems our caution was unnecessary." "Chief Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan's courage... is it true fearlessness, or foolishness?" The two figures blocked Zhou Yuan's retreat, their laughter filled with mockery.

At this moment, Lu Xiao and the others also noticed the commotion on the peak, and their expressions instantly changed. They hadn't expected the enemy to have secretly hidden two more powerful dark horses. Clearly, the enemy had prepared this trap long ago! They had been waiting for Zhou Yuan to step forward!

However, at this point, even if they wanted to provide support, it was too late, as the enemy's four thousand Divine Palace stage experts were already sweeping in from all directions. Lu Xiao took a deep breath, suppressing the chill in his heart. He glanced up at the peak. "Zhou Yuan, they came prepared. Everything rests on you now. I hope you can create another miracle this time!" He withdrew his gaze, his eyes sharpening. "Kill!" He roared, leading many figures directly into a collision with the forces charging from all directions.

Instantly, the sounds of battle echoed. Countless streams of Genesis Qi shook the mountain forest.