Chapter 939: Encounter

The oppressive feeling evoked by those three words immediately caused the faces of over three hundred Tianyuan Region team members in the mountains to turn pale, a chilling fear gripping their entire bodies. Some, with weaker nerves, couldn't help but tremble and cry out, "How could it be the Wanzu Region? How could it be Zhao Mu Shen?! It's impossible!"

The team led by Zhao Mu Shen was undoubtedly the strongest in the Wanzu Region. More critically, it included Zhao Mu Shen himself, the most powerful Divine Dwelling stage expert in Hunyuan Heaven! Everyone had assumed that their team might stand a chance against non-elite groups from the other eight regions. However, encountering an elite team would surely put them at a disadvantage, and this was Zhao Mu Shen's team! A confrontation would be nothing short of suicidal!

In the nearby sky, eight late-stage Divine Dwelling experts from the Wanzu Region hovered, their expressions mocking as they gazed at the three hundred trembling Tianyuan Region members. Despite their fewer numbers, their imposing aura somehow overshadowed the larger group.

Zhou Yuan's gaze also flickered, his expression subtly darkening. He sensed that this was likely a conspiracy. He absolutely refused to believe his luck was so terrible that he would encounter Zhao Mu Shen's team immediately upon arrival. Someone must have tampered with the situation. But who could have done this? Zhao Xianxun!

A cold glint flashed in Zhou Yuan's eyes. Only Zhao Xianxun, the Law Domain expert from the Wanzu Region, possessed such ability. Furthermore, Zhou Yuan had vaguely sensed Zhao Xianxun's malice towards him as early as the lot-drawing ceremony. How exactly did he manage it? It was that mark! Zhou Yuan touched a mark within his body—a mark imprinted on everyone before entering the Fallen Abyss. These marks were jointly refined by the Law Domain experts of the Nine Regions. Zhao Xianxun must have used special means to deceive Senior Sister Xi Jing and tamper with his mark! This explained everything.

Understanding this crucial point, a surge of anger welled up in Zhou Yuan's heart. Zhao Xianxun was truly shameless; for a dignified Law Domain expert to stoop to such vile and underhanded tactics was appalling! As the host of the Nine Regions Grand Assembly, he should have remained impartial, yet he seized the opportunity to cause trouble. His despicable character was evident.

"Zhao Xianxun, you hear me? Don't let me find an opportunity in the future, or I'll make you pay back everything from today!" Zhou Yuan swore fiercely to himself, mentally marking Zhao Xianxun's name. So what if he's a Law Domain expert? In Cangxuan Heaven, the Palace Master of the Sacred Palace was still a Half-Saint, and Zhou Yuan hadn't feared him!

As Zhou Yuan's thoughts raced, the leading late-stage Divine Dwelling expert nearby, assuming Zhou Yuan was intimidated by Zhao Mu Shen's name, immediately let a sneer form on his lips. He said indifferently, "Chief Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan, consider yourselves unlucky to have encountered us this time. All of you, just stay here quietly and wait for Senior Brother to arrive, then we'll decide how to handle you."

Zhou Yuan's gaze flickered, then he turned directly to Yi Qiushui and commanded, "Everyone, retreat immediately! Head back to the spatial rift we found earlier!" Yi Qiushui also nodded decisively and quickly turned to issue the command. Upon receiving the order, the over three hundred Tianyuan Region team members, though extremely reluctant, understood the gravity of the situation. They made quick preparations and began their swift retreat. Everyone understood that facing the Wanzu Region's most elite team, led by Zhao Mu Shen, they were utterly outmatched! Forcing a confrontation would only result in heavy losses or even complete annihilation!

In the nearby sky, the Wanzu Region's late-stage Divine Dwelling squad leader saw the Tianyuan Region forces beginning to move, and his face instantly darkened. "Chief Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan," he said, "are you not listening to me? Stay put quietly, don't cause trouble for yourselves!" Zhou Yuan, however, ignored them. The captain's expression grew even more grim. Staring at Zhou Yuan, he said, "Chief Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan, are you truly so uncooperative?"

Zhou Yuan still remained silent, but a sword pellet began to condense in his palm. The next instant, monstrous sword qi surged skyward, transforming into eight incredibly sharp, thousand-zhang sword beams that slashed fiercely towards the eight Wanzu Region experts. Seeing this, the eight late-stage Divine Dwelling experts from the Wanzu Region roared in anger, unleashing their Genesis Qi without reservation. While they knew Zhou Yuan was powerful, facing eight of them alone was an act of sheer arrogance! After all, these eight were somewhat renowned among the Divine Dwelling stage practitioners in the Wanzu Region!

The eight launched their attacks, and fierce Genesis Qi clashed in the void. However, the moment their attacks collided, the eight's expressions drastically changed. The ferocity of those eight sword qis surpassed their wildest imagination. Their attacks were instantly shattered, and the remaining sword qi ruthlessly struck their bodies. All eight simultaneously spat blood, their bodies sent sprawling backward in disarray. The Wanzu Region captain's face was filled with shock and fear. He hadn't expected that even with eight of them working together, they couldn't block a single one of Zhou Yuan's sword strikes. The strength of his Genesis Qi was beyond their comprehension.

Meanwhile, inside the mountain, the retreating Tianyuan Region members, witnessing Zhou Yuan's display of immense power, burst into cheers, their previously low morale somewhat restored. Yi Qiushui continued to urge them on, and the over three hundred members swiftly ascended into the air, then rapidly flew towards the location signaled by Shang Xiaoling earlier.

Zhou Yuan stood in the void, gazing indifferently at the eight Wanzu Region Divine Dwelling experts in the distance. At this point, they no longer dared to approach, their eyes filled with a mix of anger and fear. Zhou Yuan subtly curled his lips. These Wanzu Region individuals were truly arrogant. A few nobodies dared to swagger before him. Did they really think his sword qi was merely for decoration?

"Zhao Mu Shen is indeed powerful, but unfortunately, a few of you aren't enough to suppress me." Zhou Yuan said calmly, "If you continue to pursue, don't blame me for being ruthless." With that, he turned and departed at a steady pace.

The Wanzu Region captain watched Zhou Yuan lead his large contingent away, grinding his teeth. "Go ahead and put on a show!" he muttered. "We've already sent word about this location to Senior Brother. When he catches up, we'll see you, Zhou Yuan, on your knees begging for mercy!" Despite his words, he dared not pursue. Zhou Yuan's earlier sword strike had truly terrified him.

Over three hundred figures pushed their speed to the limit, frantically soaring away. Along the route, scattered scouts continuously returned. Unlike their mood upon arrival, a hint of panic now resided deep within every Tianyuan Region team member. Evidently, the encounter with the Wanzu Region and Zhao Mu Shen had exerted immense pressure on them.

Zhou Yuan, at the very rear, maintained a calm expression. He offered no words of comfort, knowing they would have little effect. Zhou Yuan looked at the panicked expressions of the Tianyuan Region members, sighing inwardly. This man truly lived up to his reputation as the king among Hunyuan Heaven's Divine Dwelling experts; even before his arrival, his mere name was enough to strike fear and unease into so many.

However, Zhou Yuan also understood that, currently, his chances of winning against Zhao Mu Shen in a direct confrontation were extremely low. While he certainly possessed some trump cards, he didn't believe Zhao Mu Shen lacked them either. Unless he could break through the ninth layer of his Divine Dwelling. But breaking through the ninth layer of the Divine Dwelling was the most challenging task, and it was clearly unrealistic for Zhou Yuan to accomplish it in a short period. Therefore, his plan was to first avoid a direct confrontation. The Fallen Abyss contained numerous opportunities. He needed to use this time to break through the ninth layer of his Divine Dwelling; only then could he choose to confront Zhao Mu Shen head-on. Until then, Zhou Yuan didn't mind retreating every time he encountered Zhao Mu Shen. He didn't consider such a retreat shameful. Knowing he couldn't win and still stubbornly pushing forward like a hothead would simply be courting death.

Over four hundred people sped through the air. Half an hour later, a dozen figures emerged ahead, led by Shang Xiaoling. Not far away, the space showed signs of distortion, with a spatial crack, several zhang in size, pulsating. That was their escape route from this small pocket dimension. Zhou Yuan waved his hand, and hundreds of people silently and orderly surged towards the spatial crack.

Everyone felt somewhat dejected. After all, no one had anticipated their first foray would be so disastrous. Zhou Yuan stood in the void, watching the rapidly retreating team. This was a race against time, for once Zhao Mu Shen arrived, any action he took would inevitably lead to casualties among them. For now, they could only hope Zhao Mu Shen would be delayed.

However, just as that thought crossed Zhou Yuan's mind, his eye twitched. He expressionlessly raised his head, and in the distance, the void rippled as a tall, slender figure slowly materialized. An astonishing aura of suppression permeated the air. Within the retreating Tianyuan Region team, everyone gazed at that figure, deep fear welling up in their eyes. Zhao Mu Shen had finally arrived!