Chapter 965: Zhou Yuan Battles Xu Ming

"Haha, what arrogant nonsense!" Xu Ming's wild laughter echoed through the starry sky. His eyes, shadowed with malice, fixed on Zhou Yuan, his contempt undisguised. He hadn't expected Zhou Yuan to dare to target him first!

He scanned the surroundings, finally turning to Zhao Mushen. "Zhao Mushen," he asked, "are there any rules for allocating these nine statues?"

Everyone knew these nine ancient statues were the main event of the Nine Regions Grand Meeting, and that larger statues contained more spiritual essence and opportunities. Consequently, intensely fierce battles were sure to erupt over these nine statues.

"If I were to suggest distributing them according to the Divine Palace Ranking," Zhao Mushen said gently, "I imagine everyone would scoff..." The top prodigies from the other eight regions offered no comment, as they naturally wouldn't agree to such a distribution. If it were based on ranking, Zhao Mushen would immediately claim the largest ancient statue. Even Wu Yao and Su Youwei, who ranked just behind him, likely wouldn't be pleased with this.

Zhao Mushen smiled faintly, the contours of his face appearing sculpted, exuding an extraordinary charm. He understood everyone's thoughts but wasn't offended or angered. He knew these individuals were the peak prodigies of their respective regions, exceptionally proud. To make them willingly surrender the greatest opportunity was clearly not something any amount of prestige could achieve; ultimately, it would come down to a contest. And he, for his part, did not fear the challenges of the powerful.

"Since you all find that method unacceptable," he continued, "then let's simply use the most straightforward approach..." Zhao Mushen stated casually, "Whoever fancies a particular statue should stand upon it. As long as you can withstand the challenges from others, it will naturally become yours."

At these words, the top prodigies from all regions nodded in agreement. Ultimately, strength would be the deciding factor.

Xu Ming also nodded, a smile on his face, then darted a glance at Zhou Yuan. The next moment, a formidable and powerful surge of Genesis Qi burst from his body, causing the void to ripple. He was the first to shoot forth, heading directly for the nine ancient statues deep within the starry sky. Countless eyes converged upon him.

Xu Ming was seen bypassing the first two ancient statues, making straight for the third one. As Xu Ming descended, a white jade bracelet suddenly fell from his wrist. The white jade beads swelled rapidly in the wind, transforming into a hundred-zhang white jade beast. Roaring skyward, its enormous fist, imbued with astonishing power, ferociously struck the Genesis Qi membrane enveloping the statue.

Boom!

A thunderous sound reverberated, and shockwaves surged outwards. The Genesis Qi membrane was forcibly cracked by the white jade beast's assault. Xu Ming's body then slipped through the opening, finally landing on the statue's enormous head amidst numerous gasps of astonishment.

Xu Ming had chosen the third ancient statue. In terms of size, it ranked seventh among the nine, a position that coincidentally matched his own ranking on the Divine Palace List. Xu Ming was quite astute, knowing that the competition for the even larger statues further back would be far more intense. By claiming this particular statue, his chances of success were almost guaranteed. He planned to secure this spot first, observe the situation for a while, and then strategize further.

Standing atop the statue, Xu Ming's chilling gaze fixed on Zhou Yuan. "Do you wish to humiliate yourself?" he sneered. "Then I'll give you the chance. But I hope you can actually breach this Genesis Qi membrane, lest you bring utter disgrace upon the Tianyuan Region."

A Genesis Qi membrane enveloped the ancient statue, impenetrable to anyone lacking sufficient strength. Xu Ming was quite pleased at the prospect of Zhou Yuan challenging him, as he considered Zhou Yuan the weakest among the nine, making him a perfect target to 'kill the chicken to warn the monkeys' and build up his own momentum.

As Xu Ming singled him out, many eyes across the starry sky shifted to Zhou Yuan. The inaugural battle of this Nine Regions Grand Meeting's main event now hinged on whether Zhou Yuan would accept the challenge...

Behind Zhou Yuan, Ye Bingling, Yi Qiushui, and others wore solemn expressions. While they were utterly displeased by Xu Ming's arrogance, they also knew he indeed possessed the power to back it up. Lu Xiao paused, then suggested, "How about I try him first? If I fail, you can go after me?" They were now in the same camp, sharing both success and failure. If Zhou Yuan were truly defeated by Xu Ming as the first challenger, it would severely damage the Tianyuan Region's prestige. All of them would become a laughingstock.

Zhou Yuan gazed intently at the third ancient statue, where Xu Ming stood atop it, his eyes provocatively fixed on him. He shook his head. "He chose a good position," he said. "I currently need a stepping stone, and Xu Ming is the most suitable one."

These statues contained vast amounts of innate spiritual essence and incredibly pure and potent Heaven and Earth Genesis Qi. If Zhou Yuan could secure one, he would be able to truly attempt to break through to the ninth layer of the Divine Palace. Once all nine Divine Palaces were interconnected, his strength would surge dramatically, and only then would he be truly qualified to contend with Zhao Mushen. So, while Xu Ming intended to use him as a warning, wasn't Zhou Yuan equally in need of this very stepping stone to achieve his own ascent?

With those words, Zhou Yuan no longer hesitated. His figure moved, shooting forth, and within moments, he appeared directly above the massive statue where Xu Ming was positioned. The Genesis Qi membrane outside the statue shimmered with flowing light, its reflections dancing in Zhou Yuan's eyes. His expression remained calm. His body quivered, and a colossal surge of Genesis Qi erupted. Thirty-eight million Genesis Qi stars illuminated the void, and a formidable Genesis Qi pressure immediately swept outwards.

Zhou Yuan's figure plunged downwards, his fingers clenched into a fist, and he unleashed a punch. A torrent of Genesis Qi roared like an enraged dragon, forcefully slamming into the Genesis Qi membrane.

Boom! Boom!

The starry sky seemed to tremble as cracks appeared on the Genesis Qi membrane, which was then utterly torn apart by Zhou Yuan's single punch. Zhou Yuan's figure flickered, passing through the membrane, then slowly descended onto the statue's summit, a space as vast as a public square.

As Zhou Yuan landed, soft gasps of surprise rippled through this section of the starry sky. His foundation of thirty-eight million Genesis Qi stars caused a subtle stir among many observers.

Xu Ming's eyes narrowed slightly. "No wonder you're so arrogant," he remarked. "So you do have some substance to back it up." The Genesis Qi foundation Zhou Yuan had revealed clearly surpassed Xu Ming's expectations.

Xu Ming held the white jade bracelet, his fingers idly tracing its beads, his gaze cold. Then, with a flick of his finger, the bracelet suddenly shattered. Twelve white jade beads rapidly expanded in the wind, finally transforming into twelve colossal puppet beasts amidst a chorus of enraged roars. These twelve colossal beasts varied in appearance, yet their malevolent aura was indistinguishable from true Genesis Beasts.

The twelve colossal puppet beasts gathered behind Xu Ming. He tilted his head slightly, his eyes fixed on Zhou Yuan, and said mockingly, "Zhou Yuan, I'm offering you one final chance. Withdraw now, and perhaps you can still save some dignity... Otherwise, don't blame me for showing no mercy." He intended to provoke Zhou Yuan, as anger often leads to a loss of reason.

Zhou Yuan raised an eyebrow, remarking nonchalantly, "I only hope these 'toys' of yours can actually make me take this seriously."

Hearing Zhou Yuan dismiss his prized puppets as mere 'toys,' Xu Ming's eyes immediately darkened, and a sinister smile spread across his face. "I hope you're still so defiant when my puppets tear you to shreds!"

"Tear him apart!"

The twelve white jade beasts suddenly roared, shaking the Heaven and Earth Genesis Qi. Twelve streaks of light instantly shot forth, lunging at Zhou Yuan with palpable murderous intent!

In the starry sky, countless fervent gazes were cast upon the scene. The main event of the Nine Regions Grand Meeting had finally begun!