174: Zhou Huang’s terrifying strength!

After some arbitration, the higher-ups were divided in their opinions.

The rules stipulated that no lives should be harmed.

Although shattering a Golden Core did not take a life, for the person involved, their path of cultivation in this life would likely end there.

But the Era of Great Conflict was precisely like this.

The people of the Dark Crow Dynasty ultimately received no punishment.

Rules were merely the minimum requirements for human behavior.

If everyone only acted according to the minimum standards, then the situation's development would likely spiral out of control.

The competition continued.

A certain solemn and oppressive atmosphere began to spread throughout the venue, and for a time, everyone felt precarious.

Everyone worried that their opponent would suddenly attack, so they unanimously chose to strike first with lethal intent.

As long as they rendered the opponent powerless to retaliate, their own lives would naturally be safe.

The Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and Soul Transformation realms of the Dark Crow Dynasty each fought more viciously than the last.

The Nascent Soul cultivator shattered the opponent's Nascent Soul.

The Soul Transformation cultivator even bit off and devoured most of the opponent's soul.

Having secured three points, the Dark Crow Dynasty successfully advanced.

“Cicada, what do you think?”

Meng Yun asked Chen Jintong, who was beside him in the waiting area.

“Cicada…” Chen Jintong was momentarily speechless, choked for breath: “Feathered Spirit, you should be grateful that you and I are friends, not enemies.”

“What aspect are you referring to?” Meng Yun asked with a half-smile, hinting at something.

Chen Jintong, however, did not take the bait, only responding to the previous topic: “Their methods are too immature.”

Meng Yun: “…”

This kid isn't going to play with the Human Emperor Banner again, is he?!

The few of them once again cast their gazes over.

Although people felt pity for the injured losers, they did not pay them much attention.

The world of cultivation was inherently this cruel.

In the square, one match after another continued.

It eventually progressed to the point where anyone who felt they couldn't win would immediately admit defeat, surrender, and exit the arena themselves.

Such a scene was a first in the history of the Dynasty Ranking Wars.

Finally, it was the Shui Yue Dynasty's turn to compete.

Their Golden Core cultivator was a frail scholar; as soon as he stepped onto the stage, the opposing cultivator shook his head and smiled bitterly:

“I surrender.”

The scholar was stunned: “I'm very weak.”

“But the woman behind you is very strong,” the cultivator said: “I exchange my surrender for a little mercy from you all.”

The implication was that his teammates wanted to fight.

But they didn't want to die too miserably.

The scholar smiled helplessly: “Alright.”

The Shui Yue Dynasty successfully won the first round.

“Watch me beat them black and blue!” Lan Zhixi waved her small fists, excitedly stepping onto the stage.

“Don't forget their deal just now!” Lan Zhiqing looked helpless, unable to help but remind her.

“Oh, alright, alright, I promise I won't cripple him!”

Lan Zhixi flew over, standing steadily on the arena.

In the stands, Zhou Huang brazenly scrutinized Lan Zhixi, as if wanting to examine her from head to toe.

He liked sweet yet mischievous girls like her the most.

The only pity was, this Lan Zhixi, seemed to still be a virgin?

Meng Yun's gaze also followed; he, too, wanted to see what was so extraordinary about this dynasty contestant who had narrowly missed the third-place ranking!

In the arena.

The male cultivator opposite bowed to Lan Zhixi and smiled: “I am Sun Honglei, and I have admired Miss Lan for…”

“Less nonsense!”

Lan Zhixi had no patience to listen to his sentiments; pink spiritual energy erupted from her body, transforming into a massive feather fan.

The feather fan violently flapped, unleashing a monstrous storm at the male cultivator: “East Wind Break!”

Meng Yun: “My goodness, East Wind Break.”

The male cultivator was not to be outdone; he rapidly changed his hand seals, suddenly conjuring a defensive formation that instantly enveloped his entire body.

This guy was actually a formation master!

East Wind Break collided with the defensive formation, stirring up intense ripples.

Approximately one Kun second later, the formation shattered.

But this also successfully bought him time.

Using his own long hair as a medium, the male cultivator decisively activated a spiritual technique; his black hair instantly spread and extended like snow, entangling and freezing everything around him:

“Hair Like Snow!”

Meng Yun: “…”

East Wind Break impacted Hair Like Snow; the two competed, colliding and eroding each other, neither able to gain an inch.

Ultimately, they both annihilated.

But anyone with a discerning eye knew that in this exchange, Lan Zhixi, who had successively broken through two obstacles, had a slight advantage.

“You have some skill, I won't test you anymore, young lady!”

Lan Zhixi's face was as calm as water, her small face taut as she formed a hand seal.

A graceful chrysanthemum slowly bloomed from mid-air, with a golden pedestal beneath it.

Like a nation-guarding jade seal, it conveyed supreme power.

“Chrysanthemum Terrace!”

Meng Yun: “…”

Carrying a certain supreme aura, Chrysanthemum Terrace, with an irresistible momentum, pressed down firmly on the male cultivator!

“Fallen chrysanthemums, wounds all around, flowers fall, people heartbroken!!” The male cultivator muttered to himself, clearly familiar with the origin of this Chrysanthemum Terrace!

“I surrender, I surrender!!”

Gazing at the Chrysanthemum Terrace, which was close at hand and seemed capable of utterly suppressing him, the male cultivator was greatly alarmed!

“Hmph, how boring…” Lan Zhixi pouted, casually throwing her opponent, who had lost his will to fight, off the arena.

The massive chrysanthemum in the sky, after a sudden bloom, once again transformed into the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, completely vanishing.

The Shui Yue Dynasty won another round.

The outcome was decided.

There was no need to fight the third round.

“This Lan Zhixi is quite interesting,” Meng Yun couldn't help but comment.

“What, you're interested in her?” Nangong Jing looked vigilant: “Do you want me to play matchmaker for you?”

Meng Yun: “Always thinking about romance, aren't you vulgar!”

“Then why were you staring at her chest just now? Your eyeballs were practically falling out!” Nangong Jing was greatly displeased.

“How can a scholar's actions be called staring!” Meng Yun retorted.

“Pfft.” Chen Jintong couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.

Meng Yun and Nangong Jing: “What are you laughing at! Is this any of your business!”

“I remembered some happy things.” Chen Jintong's expression once again became indifferent.

Damn it.

Mixed doubles, rbqrbq.

…

Most of the subsequent battles were unremarkable; even the Soul Transformation realm battles, from Meng Yun's current perspective, seemed like child's play.

Finally, the preliminaries came to an end.

The Xia Ya Dynasty versus the Hamman Dynasty!

Both were powerful dynasties; who would emerge victorious from this battle?

First to appear were two Golden Core contestants. They fought a fierce battle, which even Meng Yun found entertaining to watch.

Ultimately, both exhausted their strength and drew.

Next to appear was the Xia Ya Dynasty's Nascent Soul Realm representative, Zhou Huang.

Opposite him was a burly, muscular Xiong Ling.

“Have you thought about how you'll die, Xiong Ling?” Zhou Huang's cold voice fell, sending shivers down one's spine.

“My name is Xiong Da, not Xiong Ling!” Xiong Da roared, his body suddenly transforming into a beast, his physique expanding to five meters tall.

A furry fist, a full meter in size, came smashing towards Zhou Huang.

Zhou Huang wore a mocking expression on his face, gently opening his right hand; his slender palm thus transformed into a wrap, enveloping the giant fist.

Crack.

A crisp sound of bones breaking rang out.

But Zhou Huang's expression remained as indifferent as ever.

A faint smile even curved at the corner of his mouth.

“Ah ah ah ah—!!” A piercing roar suddenly erupted from Xiong Da's mouth.

“Zhou Huang, I want you to die, I want you to die!!”