Chapter 945: 谈崩

"You've got nothing."

When Zhou Yuan spoke these words calmly, both Liu Qingshu and Zhao Yunxiao's expressions visibly changed.

Liu Qingshu, in particular, raised her delicate eyebrows, and a cold frost seemed to settle on her face. She was a prodigy of the Myriad Ancestors Domain, ranked in the top twenty of the Divine Palace Board. She was also considered a jewel of the Myriad Ancestors Domain, with countless admirers vying for her attention.

Even Zhao Mushen spoke to her with politeness and gentleness.

From the very beginning, she had approached Zhou Yuan with a condescending attitude, believing that her willingness to engage in peaceful discussion and negotiation with someone of his status was already a significant concession.

Yet, she never imagined that Zhou Yuan would dare to disrespect her so openly.

Or even utter such crude words in her presence.

It was an utter lack of gratitude.

Liu Qingshu's beautiful eyes fixed coldly on Zhou Yuan. "Grand Elder Zhou Yuan, you're quite audacious," she said. "To use such crude language against my Myriad Ancestors Domain—you are truly the first to do so in all these years!"

Liu Qingshu was clearly no pushover; although Zhou Yuan's words were aimed solely at her, she immediately twisted them to implicate the entire Myriad Ancestors Domain.

This way, if her version of events spread, everyone in the Myriad Ancestors Domain would become hostile towards Zhou Yuan.

She sneered, "If I encounter Senior Brother Zhao later, I will relay your words to him exactly as you said them."

This was clearly an attempt to exert pressure using Zhao Mushen's formidable reputation.

However, Zhou Yuan simply smiled at her words. "Zhao Mushen?" he said. "Don't worry, we already have a bone to pick with each other. I encountered him in the very first minor spatial realm, and he is indeed formidable."

At his words, both Liu Qingshu and Zhao Yunxiao were startled. Zhou Yuan had actually encountered Zhao Mushen in the first minor spatial realm?

Then how was he still here?

Had he managed to escape Zhao Mushen's grasp? Judging by the people he had brought, there seemed to be no significant losses.

Liu Qingshu pursed her lips. "What nonsense," she scoffed. "Is that how you managed to secure your position as Grand Elder? If you truly encountered Senior Brother, with your limited strength, how could you possibly escape his grasp?"

In her mind, Zhao Mushen was an invincible figure of their generation. As for Zhou Yuan? A year ago, no one in the entire Hunyuan Heaven had even heard his name.

Though outsiders called him a super dark horse, in Liu Qingshu's view, hadn't there been plenty of such "super dark horses" over the years? Yet, ultimately, all these so-called dark horses only served as stepping stones for monstrous talents like Zhao Mushen, further solidifying his already unassailable reputation.

So, Liu Qingshu didn't believe a single word of Zhou Yuan's claim that he had encountered Zhao Mushen and safely escaped his clutches.

Zhao Yunxiao, standing nearby, also chuckled, remarking playfully, "You certainly have many ploys. It's quite childish to try and glorify yourself with such tall tales."

Liu Qingshu shook her head, her tone turning slightly cold. "Zhou Yuan, I'm not interested in playing these games with you. Since you disagree with our proposed arrangement, then take your people and simply leave this minor spatial realm."

Zhou Yuan gazed at the two of them as if they were idiots. "Leave?" he scoffed. "Do you think you're Zhao Mushen?"

Recognizing the mockery in his tone, the cold frost on Liu Qingshu's face intensified. "Are you implying you intend to resort to force?" she asked.

Zhao Yunxiao also smiled faintly. "Although Grand Elder Zhou Yuan, you lead the elite forces of the Heaven Abyss Territory, if you're inclined to act recklessly, we'll have no choice but to unite and teach you a lesson about rules and conduct."

As he spoke, he swiftly moved behind Zhou Yuan, blocking his escape route.

Simultaneously, he and Liu Qingshu exchanged a glance and then subtly gestured.

As their gestures fell, the two teams behind them instantly erupted with vast Genesis Qi. In the next moment, thousands of figures shot forward, landing before the hill, effectively blocking the Heaven Abyss Territory's forces.

At the same time, Yi Qiushui also sensed the change. Her eyes sharpened instantly, and she quickly sent out a command. The Heaven Abyss Territory' contingent also unleashed surging Genesis Qi, confronting the two opposing teams.

"It seems the negotiations have broken down," Shang Xiaoling said with a serious expression.

Yi Qiushui nodded. "Everything according to plan," she affirmed.

Zhou Yuan had anticipated this situation during their journey, so they already had a countermeasure.

"Once battle begins, do we really have to unleash our Genesis Qi without restraint?" Shang Xiaoling asked with some hesitation. In the Fallen Abyss, Genesis Qi was difficult to replenish, so they typically conserved it. However, Zhou Yuan's previous plan called for them to use their Genesis Qi without holding back.

While this would undoubtedly boost their combat power, what about the expended Genesis Qi? If they had to stop and recover here, it would undoubtedly waste a lot of time.

Yi Qiushui pondered for a moment. "Let's just follow his instructions," she said. "We need to get through this moment to have any future."

Upon hearing this, Shang Xiaoling said no more and quickly relayed the command.

Thus, the three contingents confronted each other in the mountain range, Genesis Qi surging around them.

On the hill, Zhou Yuan also became aware of the standoff behind him. He tilted his head, glancing at Zhao Yunxiao, then at Liu Qingshu. "Are you planning a two-on-one?" he asked with a smile.

Liu Qingshu smiled faintly. "Grand Elder Zhou Yuan is, after all, a prominent figure in the Divine Palace stage of the Heaven Abyss Territory," she replied. "Isn't it only right that we extend such 'special' treatment?"

The woman was indeed cunning; despite feigning disdain for Zhou Yuan's status, she didn't hesitate to opt for numerical superiority when it came to a confrontation.

As for the mockery in Zhou Yuan's words, she completely ignored it.

Indeed, the more beautiful a woman, the more dangerous she proved to be.

Zhou Yuan's expression remained indifferent. "Is this your final choice?" he asked.

Zhao Yunxiao sneered. "Zhou Yuan, what are you still trying to prove at a time like this?" he scoffed. "Do you truly believe your ninth-place ranking holds any significant weight in our eyes?"

"I didn't kill you with a single strike back then, but today, I can certainly let you try again!"

Zhao Yunxiao's heart was already consumed by jealousy over Zhou Yuan's current standing. After all, regardless of the Heaven Abyss Territory's decline, it remained one of the Nine Domains, and Zhou Yuan, as its standard-bearer, possessed a status comparable to that of Wu Yao.

A position he had strived for years to achieve, all to no avail.

Yet, against all odds, this "country bumpkin" from Cangxuan Heaven, whom he had always scorned, had actually managed it!

The instant his words fell, a powerful, vast surge of Genesis Qi erupted from his body, illuminating the void and revealing countless Genesis Qi stars—a staggering thirty-three million in number!

This level of Genesis Qi foundation was even more formidable than that of Lu Hai and others previously, clearly indicating the immense power the prodigies of the Martial God Domain had been concealing in preparation for a stunning display at the Nine Domains Grand Assembly.

Feeling the immense Genesis Qi within his body, a powerful surge of confidence welled up in Zhao Yunxiao. His gaze became disdainful, and his voice boomed.

"Zhou Yuan, since you refuse to be sensible, then today I will make you understand that you are utterly unqualified to negotiate terms with us!"

"You were given a chance, and you threw it away. Don't blame me if I now grind your face into the dirt!"