Chapter 934: Passing the Test

The fragments, drawn together as if by invisible threads, eventually converged completely in Zhou Yuan's palm. Only then could Zhou Yuan clearly examine them. The fragments were made of an unknown material, inscribed with ancient, incomplete patterns, and emanated an inexplicably powerful aura.

As Zhou Yuan stared at the fragments, his pupils suddenly constricted. He recognized them: these appeared to be pieces of a Saint Treasure! No wonder he had sensed a perilous aura from them. He wondered where Lu Hai and the others had acquired them. Moreover, these incomplete Saint Treasure fragments had clearly undergone an extremely powerful and mystical refinement; otherwise, it would have been impossible for Lu Hai's group alone to manifest that suppressing light tower.

"Zhou Yuan, how dare you take our treasure!" At that moment, Lu Hai and the other four's expressions dramatically shifted. They roared, "Return it at once, or our five top factions will demand an explanation from your Tianyuan Region!" Their Genesis Qi began to surge within them.

Zhou Yuan, however, remained expressionless. The sword-light hovering behind Lu Hai and the other three immediately thrust forward half an inch without hesitation, piercing into the back of their heads, causing blood to trickle down. A sharp pain from the back of their heads caused fear to flash in the eyes of Lu Hai and the others. They hastily ceased their Genesis Qi circulation, no longer daring to move.

"Do you truly believe I won't kill you?" Zhou Yuan said coolly.

Yet, it was this very indifference that made Lu Hai and the others' hearts tremor. Finally, Lu Hai managed to say, "Zhou Yuan, you've already won; why must you be so ungracious?" They knew these were Saint Treasure fragments, refined by a mighty cultivator. Crucially, this item truly didn't belong to their five factions. Losing it here would make it incredibly difficult for them to account for it.

Zhou Yuan's gaze remained fixed on the fragments suspended in his palm. He ignored Lu Hai, pondered for a moment, then suddenly flicked his finger. The sword-light suddenly flared, directly piercing into their heads, to the utter horror of Lu Hai and the others.

"Argh!" They screamed in agony. However, the next moment, they didn't sense the approach of death. They quickly inspected themselves internally, only to find a fierce sword qi rampaging within their minds, causing agonizing pain and simultaneously destabilizing their internal Genesis Qi. For a moment, they were utterly paralyzed, able only to desperately circulate their Genesis Qi to expel the sword qi from their minds.

Zhou Yuan walked past the four, his expression unreadable. Lu Hai could sense this, but he dared not be distracted. He knew their mission was a complete failure; not only had they failed, but they had suffered an even greater loss. Even the Saint Treasure fragments that had been bestowed upon them were seized by Zhou Yuan. That item, even as fragments, was truly beyond the means of mere Divine Dwelling stage juniors like themselves. Thus, as Lu Hai desperately expelled the raging sword qi from his mind, he could only watch Zhou Yuan's retreating figure with a heart wrenching in agony.

As they watched, Zhou Yuan did not immediately rush for the flag. Instead, his figure flickered, appearing at the distant, collapsed mountain peak. He waved his sleeve, and his Genesis Qi swept forth, pushing aside the massive boulders. Soon, he found the super dark horse from Dragon Gu Palace, whom he had struck unconscious.

Zhou Yuan lifted the dozen or so Saint Treasure fragments in his hand, letting them hover above the Dragon Gu Palace dark horse's body. Immediately, he felt a disturbance within himself, and the next moment, several more fragments shot forth from his own body. Seeing this, Zhou Yuan smiled contentedly. Indeed, each of these five individuals possessed several Saint Treasure fragments, which clearly originated from the same Saint Treasure. Moreover, they must have been refined by an exceptionally powerful being; otherwise, it would be utterly fantastical for a few Divine Dwelling stage cultivators to unleash even a fraction of a Saint Treasure's might.

This was precisely what captivated Zhou Yuan. If these Saint Treasure fragments were used effectively, they would undoubtedly provide him with a potent killing tool. With the Nine Regions Grand Assembly fast approaching and a great battle inevitable, having an extra advantage was always beneficial.

Zhou Yuan swept his sleeve, stowing away the fragments. Ignoring the unconscious Dragon Gu Palace dark horse, his figure flashed, finally arriving at the enormous flag, which he reached out and pulled down. Light shimmered around the flag. Zhou Yuan flicked his hand, and the light flowed downwards, ultimately forming a luminous scroll in his palm. This scroll was the token required to enter the Abyssal Remains.

Holding the scroll, Zhou Yuan turned to face the mountain range below, then raised his hand. The scroll in his grip burst forth with dazzling light. In the mountain range below, the two thousand members of the Tianyuan Region erupted into deafening cheers upon witnessing this sight.

"Our Grand Elder is mighty!""Our Grand Elder is invincible!"

The moment the token was in Zhou Yuan's hand, it signified that the Tianyuan Region had successfully cleared the "Slaying Nine Dragons" trial, earning the right to truly enter the Abyssal Remains and compete with the other eight regions! Everyone knew very well, however, just how crucial Zhou Yuan's role had been in this trial. Without his decisive action to behead the leaders and seize the flag, their side would have undoubtedly paid an extremely heavy price to overcome the enemy.

Lu Xiao watched the scene, his expression somewhat complex. Han Yuan, standing beside him, murmured, "I'm saying it's fortunate you're not the Grand Elder. Otherwise, our Tianyuan Region would probably have been finished this year." Lu Xiao's mouth twitched, but he offered no rebuttal. After encountering the super dark horses hidden within these top factions, he finally understood how narrow-minded and arrogant he had been. His own strength, at best, was on par with Lu Hai's group, but facing five enemies of similar power, he would have no chance of victory. Yet, Zhou Yuan had achieved it. This proved that Zhou Yuan's capabilities far surpassed his own.

In stark contrast to the Tianyuan Region's soaring morale, the members of the five top factions became utterly dejected. They had made so many preparations for this day, only to ultimately fail.

"Everyone, make way," Zhou Yuan said, looking coolly at the forces of the five top factions. Within the mountain range, thousands of figures exchanged glances, then dejectedly withdrew.

Zhou Yuan turned his gaze to the Tianyuan Region's forces and declared calmly, "People of the Tianyuan Region, follow me into the Abyssal Remains to test our might. Countless individuals now wish to see our Tianyuan Region fall from its throne, but I intend to show all of Hunyuan Heaven that, in the end, our Tianyuan Region remains one of the Nine Regions!"

Hearing this, the two thousand members of the Tianyuan Region were all visibly excited, their spirits surging, and a sense of heroic pride swelling within their hearts.

"We obey the Grand Elder's command!" A unified roar echoed through the mountain forest.

Zhou Yuan's figure moved. Holding the scroll, he was the first to turn and shoot toward the layered mountain ranges beyond.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Behind him, thousands of figures streaked through the air, like a swarm of locusts, their momentum astonishing.

Beyond the vast, layered mountain ranges.

The distant landscape appeared fractured, with myriad peculiar sights: rivers seemed to fall from the sky, and colossal mountains stood inverted, as if fundamental rules had been warped. It was a place teeming with mystery and the unknown. That was the Abyssal Remains, a place where many Law Domain experts had once met their demise.

At this time, on the outskirts of the Abyssal Remains, forces from the other eight regions stood distinctly separated. These were the contingents from the eight regions. Having cleared "Slaying Nine Dragons," they were the first to assemble outside the Abyssal Remains. Many among them now cast amused glances towards the vast mountain range behind. Could they have been defeated at this stage? If so, that would be truly intriguing. After all these years, would a Nine Regions faction finally be knocked down in the "Slaying Nine Dragons" trial?

Xu Ming wore a smile, his eyes glinting with mockery. Jiugong also secretly shook his head, thinking, *It seems the Tianyuan Region is truly in for some bad luck...* Zhao Mushen remained unconcerned. Wu Yao's expression was serene; she, too, did not look back. If Zhou Yuan truly stumbled here, it would be somewhat disappointing. However, deep down, she knew better than anyone that it was highly unlikely for a mere "Slaying Nine Dragons" trial to halt someone who had endured such desperate straits and ultimately turned the tide. Only Su Youwei's delicate hands were slightly clenched, a faint trace of worry etched upon her beautiful face.

Such were the varied reactions. And so, at that very moment, Zhou Yuan, leading the forces of the Tianyuan Region, tore through the mountain mists and majestically appeared before the many watchful eyes.