487: The Battle of the Prodigies Begins

The seven-day period arrived in the blink of an eye.

As the first ray of dawn pierced through the gloom of the Southern Region, the eyes of the entire Xuanhuang Great World were focused on this former battlefield, now a giant martial arts arena.

Countless powerful Divine Thoughts descended across the Void Realm, and prodigies from all regions arrived one after another. The appearance of Qin Wuye, Wang Zhan, Lu Chenzhou, and other prodigies from Dao Zang Academy instantly drew the gaze of the entire audience.

Prodigies stood in clusters around the martial arts arena, like a galaxy of brilliant stars.

Magnificent flying boats and ancient war chariots from various factions floated in the air, with innumerable figures standing suspended in the void.

Major Holy Lands, Imperial Dynasties, and Ancient Families had all sent heavyweight figures to observe the ceremony.

This duel, which staked the ownership of the Southern Region and involved the Luck of both the Ancient and Current Eras, allowed for not a shred of negligence.

At this moment, atop the main peak of the distant Azure Profound Sect.

Xuan Yangzi's gaze fell upon the Southern Region, a place where winds and clouds gathered. After a moment of silence, he withdrew his gaze.

"The Second Ancestor, who has already become a Quasi-Emperor, has quietly headed there, carrying the Puppet given by Changge and wielding an Imperial Weapon."

"With Little Black there as well, Xiao Ruobai and the others shouldn't have much of a problem."

He mused in his heart, then looked toward the interior of the Sect.

The Disciples of the Azure Profound Sect were focused on their Cultivation, as if they were in a different world from the heaven-shaking slaughter about to erupt in the Southern Region.

"The Current Era Demon Clan has arrived!"

Following a loud cry, from the eastern horizon, the Yuan Tiangang, Yuan Tiangang, was the first to arrive by treading through the air. Behind him, ten figures had their auras linked, pressing down like mountains and instantly silencing the clamor.

The one leading them was none other than Xiao Ruobai!

Dressed in white, his aura was as deep as the sea, instantly drawing all eyes and making it impossible for anyone to look away.

To his left, Fang Hanyu's Sword Qi soared to the heavens, with the faint hum of a sword vibrating.

To his right, Ling Xi stood coldly. Wherever her gaze swept, even the air seemed to turn to frost.

Mo Yu was surrounded by the crimson-gold Qilin True Fire, and his Bloodline pressure caused Yao Race members of the same rank to feel secret alarm.

Little Fatty Qin Yuechen, who had just broken into the Saint Realm, radiated the profound charm of the Talisman Dao.

These five individuals, calm and composed, had already become the unquestionable absolute core of the Current Era Demon Clan side!

The other five were also top-tier combatants of the Current Era Demon Clan's younger generation.

Shi Kuang of the Golden Lion Clan was clad in golden armor, his mane burning like a fierce sun.

Jin Lie of the Golden-Eyed Tiger Clan had eyes filled with Evil Qi, his ferocity intimidating.

Bao Shan of the Giant Bear Clan was as burly as a mountain, his blood vitality as vast as a furnace.

Cang You of the Goshawk Clan had a sharp aura, his gaze locking onto enemies like lightning.

Wu Xuan of the Black Tortoise Clan was surrounded by earthen spiritual light, steady and heavy.

"The Ancient Demon Court arrives!"

Exclamations rose again from the other side. In the Demon Court camp, the Ancient Imperial Prince's golden robes shimmered, his pupils cold as he led ten figures out slowly, a terrifying Demonic Qi sweeping through heaven and earth.

What shocked everyone was that the figures of Qing Jiao and Ling Yue were absent from the camp; the Ancient Demon Court actually had even stronger experts holding the line, to the point that those two didn't even have the qualifications to fight!

These nine people had various forms and strangely powerful auras. The last three were shrouded in mist, their auras obscure and returning to simplicity, causing even the top experts present to feel a sense of alarm.

The ten walked out in unison, making the nearby prodigies' hair stand on end, as if they had returned to the desolate battlefields of the ancient era.

A desolate horn sounded from afar, drowning out all the noise.

Two Great Saints, one from the Current Era Demon Clan and one from the Ancient Demon Court, stepped into the arena. Their auras were like eternal mountains, and amidst the resonance of Law, they announced in deep voices:

"The Battle of Prodigies begins! Ten matches will determine the ownership of the Southern Region."

"We will take turns sending fighters out. The first match will be decided by drawing lots, and the order will rotate thereafter. All means are permitted, and life or death is a matter of fate! The side that wins more than half of the matches wins!"

As the voice fell, two streaks of light collided, and runes revealed: "First match, the Ancient Demon Court goes first!"

The Ancient Imperial Prince didn't even lift his eyelids as he spoke indifferently: "Xi Kui, go and crush them."

"Roar—!"

A roar like ancient war drums shook the entire arena. Xi Kui of the Ancient Rhino Clan stepped out; he had a human body with a bull's head, covered in rock armor.

Ancient runes flowed on the armor, triggering the rumbling of the earth's veins. The dark light on his single horn condensed the earthen Origin, and a sense of power flooded the stage like a tide, causing the Restriction light screen to tremble faintly.

"Who comes to seek death?"

His voice was like rolling thunder as his contemptuous gaze swept over the Current Era Demon Clan camp.

Yuan Tiangang's expression was grave as he said deeply: "Bao Shan! Steady your ground. Victory is the only option!"

"Don't worry!"

Bao Shan roared as he stepped out, his feet smashing the stage and creating cracks hundreds of feet long. A Giant Bear Dharma Image suddenly manifested, standing tall between heaven and earth, its fists carrying the weight of an immemorial divine mountain as it fearlessly met the opponent.

Xi Kui also roared at the sky, and an Ancient Dragon Rhino Dharma Image shattered the void. The vast power of the earth's veins turned into a torrent of rock mountains, crushing down like an immemorial divine mountain collapsing!

Boom—!!!

The moment the Dharma Images collided, a blinding white light erupted, and a shockwave swept out in all directions with the stage as the center.

The void collapsed inch by inch, and the energy storm tore at the Restrictions, which emitted a creaking wail.

Two figures were trapped in the heart of the storm. There were no fancy Divine Abilities, only the most primitive clash of Physical Bodies.

Bao Shan's fists smashed into Xi Kui's rock armor, his knuckles cracking loudly. Crimson blood vitality stained the rock armor, but he failed to break the opponent's defense.

Xi Kui swung his fists in counterattack, each strike triggering tremors in the earth's veins, beating Bao Shan back repeatedly.

The divine patterns on Xi Kui's rock armor were impervious to all techniques. Although Bao Shan's offensive was fierce, he could not break through for a long time.

His blood vitality, like a blazing sun, began to wane, and his punching speed slowed by a fraction. This momentary flaw was a fatal opportunity!

"It's over!"

The fierce light in Xi Kui's eyes surged. He actually tanked a heavy punch from Bao Shan; rock armor shattered and flew, and he ignored the shards embedding themselves into his flesh as he quickly closed the distance.

The dark light on the horn between his brows exploded, and the Divine Light of Extinction condensed into a thin line. Ignoring defense and distance, it instantly pierced through Bao Shan's chest!

Puchi—!

The power of annihilation exploded inside Bao Shan's body. His frame suddenly stiffened, his crimson blood vitality receded like a tide, and the hollow in his chest was shocking to behold.

His massive body crashed onto the stage, his blood vitality instantly withering.

Xi Kui propped himself up with his horn, covered in blood. Most of his rock armor was shattered, and cracks had opened on his single horn, yet he remained standing.

The Great Saint of the Ancient Demon Court announced deeply: "First battle, Xi Kui of the Ancient Demon Court wins!"

The Demon Court camp erupted in earth-shaking cheers and mockery, while the Current Era Demon Clan side was filled with a sense of oppression.

Losing the opening match so miserably was a heavy blow to morale.

"Second match, the Current Era Demon Clan goes first!"

The Great Saint's voice rose again, and the cold pressure completely submerged the Current Era Demon Clan camp.

After the crushing defeat at the start and the low morale, this second match could not be lost!

Yuan Tiangang's gaze swept across his camp, finally settling on the Young Lord of the Golden-Eyed Tiger Clan, who had eyes filled with Evil Qi and a fierce aura.

"Jin Lie! In this battle, be steady and sure!"

"Leave it to me!"

Jin Lie gave a low growl and stepped out. His Evil Qi soared to the sky, and a fierce light was revealed in his golden pupils as he locked onto the opponent's camp.

"Jin Lie, requesting battle!"

On the Ancient Demon Court's side, the Ancient Imperial Prince seemed to have anticipated this. The corners of his mouth curled slightly: "Huan Li, go and give him a good dream."

Huan Li, who had colorful butterfly wings on her back and an exquisite face, floated into the arena as if she had no weight.

Her eyes rippled with light, and she smiled before the battle even began. A decadent sound that made one's Divine Soul sway had already quietly begun to spread.

"Second match: Jin Lie of the Current Era Demon Clan versus Huan Li of the Ancient Demon Court!"

The battle erupted instantly!

Jin Lie knew well the strangeness of illusion techniques and sought a quick resolution!

He roared and directly manifested part of his true form, turning into a golden-eyed giant tiger with overwhelming Evil Qi, and pounced!

The tiger claws tore through the void, carrying Gengjin Evil Qi that could shatter the Divine Soul!

However, Huan Li's figure was like a reflection in water or a flower in a mirror, vanishing without a trace the moment Jin Lie pounced.

The next moment, she appeared at Jin Lie's side. Her butterfly wings flapped lightly, and colorful phosphorus powder fell like a galaxy. Carrying a fatal temptation, it ignored his protective Demonic Qi and merged directly into Jin Lie's Sea of Consciousness!

Jin Lie felt his vision blur, and the surrounding scene suddenly changed!

It was no longer the stage, but the Holy Land of his clan. Countless clansmen were cheering for him, and beneath his feet, he was stepping on the head of the Ancient Imperial Prince!

An endless sense of power and glory surged into his heart... "No! This is an illusion!" Jin Lie's mind shook violently, and his golden pupils shot out divine light, trying to break through the falsehood!

But in that instant when his mind wavered, Huan Li's true body had already approached like a ghost, her slender jade finger seemingly tapping gently on his brow.

"Sink into it..."

"Ah—!"

Jin Lie let out a shrill tiger roar. Blood seeped from his seven orifices simultaneously, and the light in his eyes instantly dimmed.

His massive tiger body crashed to the ground like a collapsing mountain. His Divine Soul had been heavily damaged, and he had fallen into an endless illusion!

From beginning to end, it had only been a few breaths of time!

Huan Li floated back to her position lightly, as if she had done something insignificant.

"Second match: Huan Li of the Ancient Demon Court wins!"

Two consecutive defeats!