521: Challenge

"Hiss!"

"Yuan Danzi, the contemporary Senior Brother of Cen Ling Dao Palace, has challenged Xi Hong, the First Holy Son of Xiwu Divine Hall, to a match in the Sea of Annihilation two years from now."

"Saint Xi Hong has already accepted the challenge."

"This is going to be a good show!"

"These two are both geniuses of extraordinary talent. I wonder who will win this time..."

"..."

Zhou Yunxing and Zhou Yunqi, who had just returned to Luoying Island, paused as undisguised voices of discussion drifted into their ears from the market.

"This is..."

The news contained within these discussions startled the two, whose minds were slightly preoccupied.

"Let's go take a look."

Zhou Yunxing told Zhou Yunqi, temporarily suppressing the grief and worry in his heart.

If this news were true, it would definitely be a major event capable of influencing the entire situation in the Chaotic Sea.

Yuan Danzi and Xi Hong were not just ordinary Disciples of Cen Ling Dao Palace and Xiwu Divine Hall.

They were the true representative figures of their respective organizations.

If Yuan Danzi won, Cen Ling Dao Palace, which already had a flourishing Aura, would surely rise to a higher level.

Xiwu Divine Hall, however, would inevitably decline and fall behind Cen Ling Dao Palace in the next era.

If this continued, Xiwu Divine Hall might never have a chance to recover.

The consequences were widespread and would inevitably drag the entire Thousand Island Alliance into the conflict indirectly.

"Fellow Daoist, is what you just said true, and where did this news come from?"

Zhou Yunxing blended into the market crowd and asked curiously, like a common Cultivator.

"How could this be false? In these past few days, perhaps the entire Chaotic Sea knows about it."

"Yuan Danzi, the Senior Brother of Cen Ling Dao Palace, openly issued a challenge. The news has already spread throughout the entire Chaotic Sea, known by everyone."

The verbose Loose Cultivator surrounded by the crowd replied casually without thinking.

Since the matter was widely circulated, there was naturally no need to conceal it.

"An open challenge... In this way, Xi Hong, the First Holy Son, had no choice but to accept the challenge..."

"Cen Ling Dao Palace's momentum is currently flourishing... What cunning... What tactics..."

Hearing the man's reply, Zhou Yunxing's heart tightened, and he felt a slight disdain for Yuan Danzi, the Great Master who only existed in rumors.

It was originally a competition between Geniuses, yet he still needed to borrow the force of circumstance.

However, it was not his place to comment on this matter; with his current cultivation, he probably didn't even qualify as a spectator.

The clash between two Genius Nascent Soul Venerables—even the aftershocks might be unbearable for a Nascent Soul True Lord, let alone him.

"Let's go, we'll return to the clan and report this matter."

Zhou Yunxing did not hesitate, turning away from the crowd and speaking to Zhou Yunqi beside him.

"For such a major event, the clan must already know about it."

Although Zhou Yunqi said this, her form remained unchanged. She followed Zhou Yunxing and activated her escape light, heading towards Gui Zhou Island.

"Since First Holy Son Xi Hong broke through and emerged from seclusion, he has never been defeated. I heard from the clan elders that this is to cultivate momentum, challenging the world, remaining victorious, and fostering an invincible Aura, which is the only way to ensure continuous progress."

"According to Elder Beihai, if this momentum is not broken, Xi Hong will definitely be able to break through at an extremely fast speed and achieve the status of Void Refining Divine Venerable."

"If Xi Hong loses to Yuan Danzi this time, all his efforts would likely end up benefitting Yuan Danzi."

Above the sea, two streams of light flashed past. Zhou Yunqi guessed Yuan Danzi's objective and spoke thoughtfully to Zhou Yunxing.

"It's more than that. The struggle between Geniuses might be more dangerous than we imagine."

"If one loses, they could potentially ruin their entire Dao path."

Zhou Yunxing nodded.

"Alas, it is an eventful time."

Zhou Yunxing continued with a sigh.

Regardless of who wins or loses, a new round of turmoil is bound to follow.

In the northern part of the Chaotic Sea, on Gui Zhou Island.

Zhou Yunxing and Zhou Yunqi returned to their respective Immortal Caves.

When they reported the matter, the clan had indeed already known, so they didn't need to worry.

Inside the Zhou Family Main Hall.

Zhou Leyi looked at the streams of news regarding the challenge match between Yuan Danzi and Xi Hong contained in the Jade Slip in his hand, frowning deeply in thought.

In recent years, the Zhou Family, the Zhang Family, and several other families had given up some of their interests within the Alliance, keeping a low profile to avoid attention.

But as long as they remained here, they would naturally be drawn into the conflict.

If Yuan Danzi won this time, they would have to seriously consider their future path.

"Third Aunt and Big Brother are both in seclusion, so there's no need to disturb them about this matter."

Zhou Leyi thought this to himself, then summoned the Disciple from the Affairs Hall who was waiting outside and gave him some instructions.

This was out of fear that the clan Disciples, driven by excessive curiosity, might want to witness the struggle between these two peerless Prodigies firsthand and put themselves in danger... Just as this news was spreading like wildfire, attracting the attention of Cultivators throughout the entire Li Luan Sea Region.

A shadowy figure avoided all eyes and ears and quietly entered Xiwu Island.

Inside the Main Hall of Xiwu Divine Hall on Xiwu Island.

At the seat of honor, Great Expert Xi Mian, the Hall Master of Xiwu Divine Hall, whose face was stern and exuded a powerful sense of oppression, looked down at the shadowy figure below with emotionless eyes.

"A member of the Dark Moon Palace, you have great nerve."

Hall Master Xi Mian withdrew his gaze, a leisurely tone coming from his mouth.

"Heh heh, Hall Master, with your foresight, how could you possibly strike at a nobody like me?"

Below, a soft laugh came from the mouth of the shadowy figure.

"Speak, what do you seek me for?"

Hall Master Xi Mian neither confirmed nor denied anything, asking casually.

The Dark Moon Palace had been lurking in the Chaotic Sea for many years, doing unknown things, and was only discovered decades ago. Their strength was not to be underestimated, which was why he gave this visitor from the Dark Moon Palace a chance to meet him.

If it were just an ordinary nobody, how could they possibly meet him?

"Hall Master, I have come here to relieve the worries of both the Hall Master and the Dao Monarch."

Below the Main Hall, the shadowy figure bowed slightly.

"Hmph, what a joke."

"How dare you presumptuously claim to relieve the worries of the Dao Monarch?"

At the seat of honor, the Hall Master of Xiwu Divine Hall's expression turned cold, and the powerful Aura of a Void Refinement Late-stage Cultivator faintly emerged, pressing down upon the shadowy figure below.

However, as this Aura approached the figure below, it vanished as if a mud ox had entered the sea.

Seeing this, Hall Master Xi Mian was not surprised. Without some backing, how would they dare come here to meet him?

He didn't believe that the people of the Dark Moon Palace were all suicidal maniacs.

This was merely a test. If there truly was a reckless fool who dared to speak arrogantly here without any reliance, then they would be kept here forever.

"Hall Master, why the need to be angry? Please allow me to finish speaking."

"Currently in the Chaotic Sea, the Hall Master's prestige is no longer as flourishing as it once was. If this continues, whether anyone will still obey the Hall Master's decrees will become an unknown factor."

"Cen Ling Dao Palace is seizing power, abusing authority for private gain, and oppressing the Alliance members. The countless Cultivators of the Chaotic Sea are suffering immensely—truly provoking the wrath of both men and gods."

"Cen Ling Dao Palace is going too far in its bullying. Our Dark Moon Palace is willing to lend the Hall Master a hand, helping the Hall Master unify the Chaotic Sea and become the true Lord of Li Luan!"