Chapter 98: Qi Wang Besieges the City

The entire courtyard vibrated with rumbling sounds. Dark golden Genesis Qi coiled around Zhou Yuan’s body, within which a faint golden python could be seen roaring towards the sky. A terrifying sense of pressure swept out from Zhou Yuan’s body. *Crack!* The stone pavilion where he stood gradually cracked under the immense pressure of the dark golden Genesis Qi.

The roaring of the dark golden Genesis Qi continued for a long while before gradually subsiding. Zhou Yuan slowly lowered his head, staring blankly at his palms. At this moment, he could feel a powerful surge of energy coursing through his body—a strength far beyond anything he had possessed before.

With a thought, he observed his Qi Manor. The pure Genesis Qi that originally surged within it had now completely transformed into dark golden Genesis Qi. As it flowed, a faint golden python shadow could be seen within. The crimson Qi Manor also emitted a glow, continuously refining the dark golden Genesis Qi under its illumination.

"Is this the Sky Connecting Profound Python Qi?" Zhou Yuan lowered his head, watching the dark golden Genesis Qi surge on his palms. He could feel that the power of this Genesis Qi was many times stronger than before he had successfully cultivated the technique.

Zhou Yuan now felt confident. If he were to fight Qi Hao again, he could easily subdue him even without relying on the Heavenly Yuan Brush. "Within the Qi Nurturing stage, I am unrivaled," Zhou Yuan murmured, a powerful sense of self-assurance radiating from him.

Yao Yao approached, holding Tun Tun. Her ethereal, clear eyes gazed at Zhou Yuan. After a moment, she slowly said, "From now on, you are a true cultivator of the Ancestral Dragon Scripture." Now that the first layer of the Ancestral Dragon Scripture had been successfully cultivated, reversing it would be nearly impossible.

Zhou Yuan nodded solemnly and asked, "Sister Yao Yao, when can I cultivate the second layer of the Ancestral Dragon Scripture?" The first layer, Sky Connecting Profound Python Qi, was a fifth-grade Genesis Qi. While this might be considered top-tier in the Great Zhou Dynasty, its advantages might not be as apparent when viewed from a broader perspective. However, if Zhou Yuan could cultivate the second layer of the Ancestral Dragon Scripture, reaching the seventh-grade World Suppressing Heavenly Flood Dragon Qi, then he would truly possess the power to stand tall in the world. Seventh-grade Genesis Qi would undoubtedly be considered top-tier in this world.

Yao Yao gently stroked Tun Tun with her fair hand, her red lips slightly parted as she said, "Cultivating the Ancestral Dragon Scripture isn't as easy as you think. The first layer is merely the simplest. To cultivate the second layer, the difficulty will likely increase by several tens of times." Zhou Yuan's heart tightened. He had already gone through considerable trouble to achieve the "Sky Connecting Profound Python Qi," so the second layer would be even harder, and he wondered when he would succeed.

"The Ancestral Dragon Scripture has four layers. Throughout history, only one person has ever cultivated the third layer." Zhou Yuan's eyes grew serious. The third layer of the Ancestral Dragon Scripture was the ninth-grade "Heaven and Earth Sacred Dragon Qi." Ninth-grade... He truly wondered what kind of peerless genius had managed to cultivate it. Such a person must have astonished the entire world.

"I don't know when the Ancestral Dragon Scripture can advance. It doesn't seem to be solely related to one's personal strength," Yao Yao mused, then slowly added, "I think it might require some sort of catalyst."

"What catalyst?"

Yao Yao was silent for a moment before saying, "The day you reclaim your Sacred Dragon Qi Fate." She looked at Zhou Yuan, stating, "This, perhaps, is the path you must walk again—your very own Sacred Dragon Path!"

A surge of emotions swelled within Zhou Yuan as he slowly clenched his fingers. He took a deep breath and nodded softly. "I understand," he said, suppressing his feelings. "It seems what I lost, I will ultimately have to retrieve myself!" He raised his head, gazing into the distance, his eyes seemingly ablaze with fire.

*Clap, clap!* At that moment, applause sounded from the side. Zhou Yuan looked up and saw Zhou Qing and Qin Yu standing by the stone gate, their faces filled with pleasant surprise as they gazed at him. Clearly, they had detected the commotion caused by Zhou Yuan's successful cultivation of Genesis Qi earlier and had rushed over.

"Father, Mother," Zhou Yuan said, reining in his emotions and smiling at them.

"Is this the fifth-grade Genesis Qi you cultivated? It is indeed extraordinary." Zhou Qing quickly approached, observing the dark golden Genesis Qi swirling around Zhou Yuan. He could faintly sense the sharpness and power of this Genesis Qi. It was clear that Zhou Yuan's Genesis Qi was stronger than their imperial family's "Blazing Thunder Qi."

"My Yuan'er is truly promising," Qin Yu said, gently stroking Zhou Yuan's head, her expression tender and proud. After returning to Great Zhou City, Zhou Yuan had given Qin Yu a Jade Infant Fruit to consume. As a result, her complexion had greatly improved; her cheeks were rosy, and her previously depleted lifespan was gradually being replenished. "Now that you've cultivated Genesis Qi, even if the Resentful Dragon Poison flares up again in the future, you'll be able to suppress it yourself. This finally puts our minds at ease," Qin Yu said, her eyes reddening slightly as she spoke. Zhou Yuan's Resentful Dragon Poison had been a worry plaguing them for over a decade. Fortunately, Zhou Yuan had now overcome the most difficult period.

Zhou Yuan held Qin Yu's hand and smiled reassuringly. "Father, what has King Qi been up to lately?" Zhou Yuan asked Zhou Qing, his expression becoming more serious. Although he yearned to immediately reclaim his Sacred Dragon Qi Fate, he understood that he had to take things one step at a time. The calamity from back then had put him significantly behind, so now his task was to constantly catch up and narrow the gap between them. Of course, if they couldn't even resolve the current King Qi rebellion, there might be no future to speak of.

Hearing this, Zhou Qing's brows furrowed. "There hasn't been much movement. King Qi is just continuously gathering his forces. It's likely that, as he declared, in two days, he will directly launch his army and march on Great Zhou City." King Qi daring to issue a challenge so openly, even knowing that they had more than three Alpha Origin stage experts present, made Zhou Qing feel that something was amiss.

"It seems the Great Wu has given King Qi substantial support. We must be cautious," Zhou Yuan slowly stated.

Zhou Qing nodded, his eyes flashing with a cold, sharp glint. "However, no matter how much support King Qi has received, we have no retreat." He had already experienced the fall of a kingdom once and did not wish to experience it again. Therefore, no matter the cost, he would not allow such an event to recur. If absolutely necessary, he would even prefer to perish with King Qi after ensuring Zhou Yuan's escape.

Zhou Yuan nodded lightly, a strong murderous intent also surfacing in his eyes. This time, they had to eliminate King Qi, this scourge, to restore peace to Great Zhou. Otherwise, a Great Zhou plagued by internal strife would never be able to contend with the Great Wu Dynasty. Therefore, no matter what, King Qi *must* die!

For the next two days, countless eyes across the Great Zhou were fixed on King Qi's movements. Amidst this widespread attention, on the ninth day, King Qi finally made his move. Just as stated in the challenge letter, King Qi launched no attacks on other areas; his vast army simply began to advance majestically towards Great Zhou City. In response, the Great Zhou forces concentrated their troops, fortifying Great Zhou City with strict defenses in preparation for the impending major battle.

Zhou Qing, Wei Canglan, and Black Venom King, the three Alpha Origin stage experts, personally took to the field to reassure the populace. Almost all eyes across the Great Zhou converged on Great Zhou City.

Under this widespread scrutiny, when the tenth day arrived, everyone felt the ground tremble faintly. Outside Great Zhou City, at the edge of their vision, a vast, dark army surged forward like a tide. An aura of battle enveloped the entire Great Zhou City. King Qi's attack had finally arrived as promised.