74: Rule Change - The Healing Power

“Boom—!!!”

Under the explosion of terrifying power, the defense Lan Ming had condensed shattered instantly,

immediately followed by the Steel Fortress;

cracks appeared first, and then it broke apart directly.

The remaining power slammed heavily into the three of them.

“Puh!”

Spitting out blood, the other two fainted instantly under the massive force, while Lan Ming's sternum collapsed and his aura withered, clearly possessing no more strength to resist.

He struggled to lift his head, looking at the slowly approaching Zhou Xing, fear finally surfacing in his eyes.

Only now did he understand the other's strength.

This was even with the other party holding back some power; otherwise, none of them would have survived this blow.

Zhou Xing walked up to Lan Ming, looking down at him with a cold voice: “Don't you like crippling people?”

“Buzz!”

Zhou Xing raised his hand; Ice-Fire Power condensed in his palm. Just as he was about to press it against Lan Ming's chest, a terrifying force suddenly imprisoned everything around them.

Immediately after, a figure appeared in front of Zhou Xing with a “swish.”

Seeing this person, Zhou Xing's expression changed. “Elder, what is the meaning of this?”

Zhou Xing recognized this person as one of the three Law Realm Dawn City Elders who had stood behind City Lord Wei Guangming on the square.

However, he didn't understand why the other party had stepped in to stop him.

“I simply don't want you to cripple him, that's all.”

The man looked to be about forty years old with a resolute face, staring solemnly at Zhou Xing.

“But they clearly intended to cripple the people from our Star City just now. I want to know, if I hadn't arrived, would you have stepped in to stop them as well?”

Zhou Xing didn't shrink back just because the other was in the Law Realm, as the other's intervention had already violated the rules of this trial.

“Naturally. Even if you hadn't come, those four would have been fine; at most, their points would have been transferred to Lan Ming and the others.”

The Elder offered a rare proactive explanation.

“Fine, I understand. Because he aimed to cripple them—in that situation, there were clearly other ways to detain the four, yet he chose the most extreme method.

And I am merely giving him a taste of his own medicine.”

Zhou Xing nodded and spoke directly.

As soon as these words were spoken, the surrounding air seemed to freeze.

Whether it was Lan Ming's group or Wen Jie's group nearby, everyone looked shocked.

Man, this is a Law Realm Elder; you're truly gutsy!

Meanwhile, in the observation hall of Dawn City, many Chiefs gasped.

At this moment, Bei Chen was breaking out in a cold sweat.

However, Wei Guangming had a smile on his face; truth be told, he quite admired Zhou Xing.

“Does everyone feel this rule is somewhat unreasonable? Since it was a temporary change, there are many areas that need refinement.”

Wei Guangming's voice rang out, “The point-stealing aspect has caused many people's mindsets to shift. They've become unscrupulous just to advance, even willing to cripple their opponents. This is very bad.”

Wei Guangming's voice was soft, but everyone present shuddered.

Especially the Chief of Sea City, who was now sweating profusely.

Because he had previously given secret instructions: as long as they could get points, anything goes as long as they didn't kill anyone.

“Speak your minds, everyone. Don't worry about my status. Our goal is a reasonable trial, not mutual slaughter.

It would be problematic if a single trial caused the Watcher geniuses of various major cities to become hostile toward each other.

These are all important future reserve forces for our Watchers; we cannot afford to lose them.”

Wei Guangming continued.

“City Lord, I believe this situation is also a first. We can intervene now and add a rule: no lethal blows.

The people from Sea City were in the wrong, but I think the people from Star City were also too stubborn.

Because they clearly couldn't hold out much longer, and the Sea City group obviously got carried away in their pursuit of points.

When this rule was introduced, it caused many people to stop thinking about hunting Mutated Beasts and instead focus on taking shortcuts.

How about we add a rule starting now? Stealing points from others only yields 10%.

Or simply make it so that from now on, points can only be gained by hunting Mutated Beasts.

Once this selection is over, we can pre-establish reasonable rules for the next selection in three years to avoid these risks and loopholes.”

At this moment, an Elder sitting next to Wei Guangming also voiced a suggestion.

With this Elder taking the lead, many other Chiefs expressed their own opinions and suggestions.

“Everyone.” Wei Guangming's voice wasn't heavy, yet it made everyone realize the gravity of the situation. “Seven days into the trial, the mutual injury rate among contestants has reached 63%, three times that of the previous session.”

“Adding the wilderness trial this time was an attempt at a new Special Training Camp selection rule for our Watchers. Many things aren't perfect, but if we continue like this, what difference is there between our trial and those of the Divine Gene side?”

After a moment of silence, Wei Guangming nodded. “From now on, the rules will change: no one is allowed to steal points from others. Points can only be obtained by hunting Mutated Beasts until the end of the tenth day.”

“As for the four from Sea City, they are disqualified immediately.”

Instantly, the Sea City Chief's face turned ashen, but he didn't dare to argue.

However, the outcome was actually predetermined. Even without this rule, the four from Sea City would have been eliminated by Zhou Xing. If the rule had been added earlier, the trial would have needed to restart.

In that case, it would be even more unfair to those who had scraped through until the seventh day.

As Wei Guangming's order was transmitted, all contestants still in the wilderness, including Zhou Xing, received the notification through their Tactical Bracelets.

“You are quite good.”

At this moment, the Elder looked at Zhou Xing and actually squeezed out a rare smile.

This left many in the observation hall in disbelief.

“Am I seeing things? Elder Tong Xuan actually smiled?”

Someone whispered.

Even Wei Guangming was stunned for a moment.

He had known this fellow since before the Global Mutation, and this was the first time he had seen him smile of his own accord.

“Since the rules were just announced, those four have been disqualified. Combined with the fact that you had already secured the victory, their points are temporarily transferred to you.

Meanwhile, the other four from your Star City are in very poor condition and are no longer fit for the rest of the trial. They must return for treatment as soon as possible, so they also have to be eliminated.”

Elder Tong Xuan said, looking at Zhou Xing.

“Elder, please wait a moment.”

After the points were transferred, Zhou Xing ran straight to Qin Yue and the others.

After a brief pause, he slowly raised his hands.

In the next moment, to everyone's shock, a soft emerald light emerged from his palms, forming a golden barrier that enveloped the four of them.

The soft light covered the four; their wounds healed at a speed visible to the naked eye, toxins were purified, and broken bones were reconnected.

In just a few minutes, Qin Yue and the others were restored to their Peak condition.

Zhou Xing then looked at Elder Tong Xuan with a smile: “Elder, do the four of them still need to be eliminated now?”