160: Challenge rules confirmed!

"...branch master, are you sure this is the final decision after discussing with the Divine Son?"

Li Jingshuo stared intently at the branch master Xin Buxiu, his brow furrowed deeply,

his face filled with shock and suspicion, as if he were listening to a fairy tale.

A sense of absurdity rushed to his head.

He even subconsciously wondered if his cultivation at the Venerable King Realm had vanished into thin air?

Were those words just now really spoken by the branch master?

Could it be that he had suffered a Qi deviation during practice and was hallucinating?

What did he mean by saying any Genius Disciple in the Divine Ruins Realm could challenge him?

What did he mean by not banning Domain Power?

"branch master, are you sane?"

Standing to the side, Qin Shuoyang was equally dazed and shocked,

his gaze scanning Xin Buxiu back and forth, trying to find any trace of a joke.

He couldn't help but wonder to himself: What kind of provocation had the branch master suffered?

Even if he valued Zhang Yang's talent highly and placed great hopes on him,

these challenge conditions were simply frighteningly harsh, weren't they?

It was harsh to an unbelievable degree!

A Martial Artist in the Grotto-Heaven Realm actually dared to let all the geniuses of the Nourishing Heart Lineage in the Divine Ruins Realm challenge him?

And without even restricting the opponent's use of Domain Power!

On what grounds could an ordinary Martial Artist contend with an opponent who possessed a Domain?

The gap between them was like a vast chasm!

"branch master, you... you wouldn't be joking with us, would you?"

Qin Shuoyang took a deep breath, suppressing the turbulent waves in his heart,

and spoke cautiously, his voice filled with doubt.

"Exactly, branch master! Are you sure this is the result of your discussion?"

Beside Qin Shuoyang, Li Jingshuo asked at the same time.

Xin Buxiu looked at the ghost-stricken expressions of the two before him,

and while he maintained his unfathomable dignity as a branch master on the surface,

his fingers behind his back couldn't help but twist his sleeve,

while he secretly laughed in his heart.

"Cough! Naturally, I am sure!"

Xin Buxiu cleared his throat, suppressed his laughter, and declared again with a straight face and an unquestionable tone:

"Within the Nourishing Heart Lineage, any Genius Disciple in the Divine Ruins Realm may challenge Zhang Yang! Domain Power is not banned!"

"You may go and notify the many Disciples of the Nourishing Heart Lineage!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xin Buxiu's figure vanished from the spot like a bubble.

If he didn't leave now, he was afraid he would laugh out loud in front of them.

That would lose him the dignity of a powerhouse in the Dao Severing Realm!

And he couldn't help but laugh!

Just thinking about Zhang Yang's Prodigy-like talent, even though he had already left,

the corners of Xin Buxiu's mouth still uncontrollably curled upward.

Originally, he thought Zhang Yang would take at least half a year or even several years to break through to the Divine Ruins Realm,

but he didn't expect to be given such a surprise,

how long had it been?

Not only did he successfully break through his Realm, but he also entered the Divine Ruins with the Ninth Level of Laws!

Such Heaven-Defying Aptitude was simply unheard of!

After the branch master disappeared, only Li Jingshuo and Qin Shuoyang were left staring at each other,

a silence permeating the air.

After a long while, Li Jingshuo swallowed hard and whispered:

"Old Qin, do you think... the branch master is getting old and has lost his mind?"

"Or is it that the kid Zhang Yang from the Southern Region really has such terrifying strength?"

Even though these words came from the branch master's mouth, intense doubt still surged deep within Li Jingshuo's heart.

Can a person really be a Prodigy to such an extent?

To come from a remote corner like the Southern Region, and then in less than two months,

be able to go toe-to-toe with a true Genius at the Ninth Level of the Divine Ruins Realm from the top faction in the Central Continent, the Nourishing Heart Lineage?

This sounded even more absurd than myths and legends!

Qin Shuoyang's brow was tightly furrowed as he slowly shook his head, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness:

"I can't figure it out, I really can't figure it out."

"However, since the branch master has spoken and the rules are set, we will just follow orders and spread this decree throughout the Nourishing Heart Lineage."

"Once the challenge begins, everything will naturally become clear."

Qin Shuoyang said softly; although he didn't believe it either, it didn't matter,

since the rules were set, then when the time for the challenge came, everything would naturally be revealed!

Is Zhang Yang a Genius who surpasses the world, or an arrogant fool?

Everything will be revealed then.

"Fine! That makes sense!"

Li Jingshuo nodded heavily, putting this difficult problem aside for the moment.

"Then we will immediately issue the branch master's Order, making sure everyone in the Nourishing Heart Lineage—whether inner or outer sect, in seclusion or out adventuring—knows about this!"

He paused for a moment and then continued, "The challenge time will be set for three days from now!"

"This time is also enough for the Disciples still roaming the Martial Refining Tower to return!"

"Good!" Qin Shuoyang replied in a deep voice.

Meanwhile, elsewhere.

At the summit of Qingling Peak, clouds and mist swirled.

Zhang Yang had just returned when the image of his Revered Master, Xin Buxiu, appeared before him.

"Disciple, the time and rules for the challenge have been set."

"The time is in three days, and the rules are just as we discussed! All Divine Ruins Realm geniuses can challenge you!"

"Perform well then!" The phantom of Xin Buxiu looked at Zhang Yang and gave a smile.

"This Disciple understands, Revered Master."

Zhang Yang nodded slightly, his expression calm and undisturbed.

Dealing with some Genius Disciples who were also in the Divine Ruins Realm was nothing,

his earth element clone could crush these Genius Disciples without even using its full strength,

let alone now that he had cultivated to the Divine Ruins Realm himself and possessed an equivalent Domain.

Even top powerhouses in the Venerable King Realm might not be able to defeat him,

let alone these so-called Genius Disciples of the Divine Ruins Realm.

After Xin Buxiu's phantom dissipated, Zhang Yang shook his head slightly and thought no more of it.

His main body resumed cultivating body-refining cultivation techniques.

These three days

should be enough for Zhang Yang to Cultivate all the remaining body-refining cultivation techniques within the Nourishing Heart Lineage to Perfection.

Although he still couldn't break the Body Scripture through to heaven tier mid-grade,

with the accumulation of a sufficient number of these body-refining cultivation techniques,

Zhang Yang's Physical Body was becoming stronger and stronger!

Shortly after Zhang Yang began cultivating, Qingling Peak became lively!

Led by Qing Xuan, the people from the Qingfeng Dharma Lineage arrived in a hurry, their faces full of worry.

"Zhang Yang!"

Qing Xuan stepped forward quickly, his voice tinged with obvious anxiety,

"Word is spreading outside that you're going to accept challenges from all the Divine Ruins Realm geniuses of the Nourishing Heart Lineage?"

"And without restricting the opponent's use of a Domain? Is this true?"

He stared at Zhang Yang, his eyes filled with disbelief.

What level were those Divine Ruins Realm geniuses of the Nourishing Heart Lineage?

Qing Xuan knew it all too well!

Even when he faced those Divine Ruins Realm geniuses of the Nourishing Heart Lineage, he could only suffer a crushing defeat!

There was no way around it; those geniuses possessed Domains!

Within an opponent's Domain, even at the same Realm, one's strength would be greatly suppressed!

There was simply no ability to resist at all!

The crowd from the Qingfeng Dharma Lineage who gathered around also looked at Zhang Yang nervously, their eyes full of concern.

Although they had personally witnessed Zhang Yang defeat Meng Ci, who had just broken through to the Divine Ruins Realm,

Meng Ci was merely a newcomer who had just entered the Divine Ruins,

how could he be compared to the true geniuses of the Nourishing Heart Lineage who had been immersed in the Divine Ruins Realm for many years?

The difference between the two levels was like heaven and earth!

"There's no need for you Senior Brothers to worry."

Zhang Yang opened his eyes, looked at this group of people who truly cared for him,

and with a reassuring smile on his face, he said calmly:

"To tell you the truth, I set the rules for this challenge myself, so naturally, I have confidence!"

"Wha... what?! You set these rules yourself?!"

Hearing this, Qing Xuan's eyes instantly widened, and his mouth fell open involuntarily.

He had previously thought the upper echelons of the Nourishing Heart Lineage were intentionally making things difficult for Zhang Yang,

but he never expected that the initiator was actually Zhang Yang himself!

"It! It was actually Junior Brother Zhang Yang who requested these rules?"

"My god!"

The surrounding Disciples of the Qingfeng Dharma Lineage gasped even more,

their eyes nearly popping out in shock,

looking at Zhang Yang as if they were looking at a monster!

Qing Xuan tried his best to calm the turbulent waves in his heart,

his voice carrying a hint of imperceptible trembling, he couldn't help but ask:

"Junior Brother Zhang Yang, tell me honestly, just how far has your strength reached now?"

This really made no sense!

Any top Genius at the Ninth Level of the Divine Ruins Realm from the Nourishing Heart Lineage would be enough to sweep through their entire Qingfeng Dharma Lineage!

And Zhang Yang actually dared to set such rules voluntarily?

Then just how deep was the strength he was hiding?

Was what he had shown them in the past really just the tip of the iceberg?

Following Qing Xuan's question, the gazes of all the Qingfeng Dharma Lineage Disciples instantly focused on Zhang Yang,

filled with curiosity and an urgent desire to know the answer.

Meeting everyone's burning gazes, Zhang Yang only gave a faint smile,

not answering directly, but saying softly:

"In three days, when the challenge begins, you Senior Brothers can come to the Nourishing Heart Lineage to watch, and everything will become clear."

"Go to the Nourishing Heart Lineage to watch the battle?"

Hearing this, some Qingfeng Dharma Lineage Disciples immediately showed expressions of regret and difficulty,

"Do we... do we have the qualifications to enter? The Nourishing Heart Lineage has always had strict entry controls..."

The status of the Qingfeng Dharma Lineage in the Myriad Manifestations Pavilion was not high, and its strength was at the bottom.

Normally, except for a few like Qing Xuan who held official Disciple tokens of the Myriad Manifestations Pavilion,

the rest of the Qingfeng Dharma Lineage Disciples had no right to step into the mountain gates of the Nourishing Heart Lineage,

let alone watch a core-level challenge.

"Alas, although I have a token, my authority is limited; at most, I can only bring two or three people in."

Qing Xuan also sighed helplessly, his brow furrowed.

"No matter." Zhang Yang waved his hand lightly, his tone carrying a sense of composure,

"As the Divine Son of the Yangxin Faction, I still have this bit of privilege."

His status as the Divine Son of the Yangxin Faction granted him immense authority.

Not to mention bringing everyone from the Qingfeng Dharma Lineage in,

even bringing along his wife who was inside his Grotto-Heaven Magic Treasure would not be a problem at all.

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone from the Qingfeng Dharma Lineage began to look forward to it!

They truly wanted to know just how far Zhang Yang's strength had reached now!