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Chapter 256: If They Don’t Come Soon, I’ll Lose the Act!
🕑 Added 2024-11-27 04:40:24 +0000 UTCAfter sending Lin Ziyue and Wang Zhaozhao off, Zhao Xing quickly received two notifications.
[Notification]: You have eliminated the fourth-rank Beast Tamer “Wang Zhaozhao” and her battle beasts. Gained 20,000 base points and an additional 450,000 points, which is half of her total points.
[Notification]: You have eliminated the fourth-rank Beast Tamer “Lin Ziyue” and her battle beasts. Gained 20,000 base points and an additional 540,000 points, which is half of her total points.
“Oh ho, not bad. That’s a lot of points.”
“Fei She, your hard work paid off.”
“And to you two elites, you’ve done well too.”
Zhao Xing couldn’t help but smile.
As expected of the elite Beast Tamers under the Old Witch’s command. They handed over such a generous sum of points.
“Woof?” The Blue Lion Hound tilted its head with a puzzled look, clearly questioning why its master had chosen to eliminate the two women.
“If I didn’t take their points, they wouldn’t survive anyway. Rather than let their points get split among everyone in the eastern sector, it’s better to help me out. Besides, I’m on the Princess’s side, aren’t I?”
“I also made sure their battle beasts didn’t die completely. Those divine bloodline beasts are hard to nurture. Once they’re sent out, they’ll immediately receive the best treatment. Don’t you think I’m being charitable?”
“Woof!” The Blue Lion Hound, Spirit Illusion Goat, and Mountain Cat all obediently nodded in agreement.
Seeing his logic sink in, Zhao Xing nodded in satisfaction. He glanced at his own score.
Name: Zhao Xing
Arena: Grand Arena (Day Fifty-Eight)
Points: 4.25 million
Ranking: 578
“I’m in the top six hundred now.”
The Grand Arena had become increasingly competitive as the days passed. Earlier stages saw little action, with some participants not encountering a single opponent for over a month. Now, battles were happening everywhere.
“I’d estimate this stage will eliminate 80% of the participants.”
Zhao Xing pressed his Earth Mirror, noting that those ranked outside the top ten thousand hadn’t seen any point movement for some time.
In such an intense battlefield, a lack of movement likely meant elimination.
The top ten thousand rankings shifted most frequently, especially within the top thousand. These individuals were incredibly strong and spent the final days rapidly harvesting points from weaker opponents.
“In just a short while, I dropped to 625th place. It’s intense.”
“However, I can’t afford to go on the offensive anymore. Securing a spot in the top thousand is enough,” Zhao Xing thought to himself.
Though his strength was formidable, he wasn’t invincible.
If he wandered around recklessly at this stage and encountered another expert like Fei She, it would spell trouble.
While he had confidence in his ability to win, each battle would consume a significant amount of energy, with the risk of sustaining injuries.
If a few more opportunists, with strength comparable to Fei She’s, decided to gang up on him, his chances of elimination would skyrocket.
Now, by staying near the crumbling palace and relying on the numerous setups he had prepared, Zhao Xing could minimize the risk of being ambushed.
“Yadaro’s formations, the Devouring Cloud Domain, the Boundless Earth Palace, Mist Concealment, hidden Straw Puppet traps, and my three vigilant battle beasts—staying here boosts my combat effectiveness far more than roaming around.”
“With only two and a half days left, I’ll stick to guarding my position.”
Zhao Xing made up his mind to lay low until the end.
His setups were formidable enough that any expert scouting his location would likely deem him too much trouble to deal with.
Why waste time probing and fighting when there were easier targets elsewhere?
And if an opponent couldn’t even detect his defensive measures, then all the better!
Beyond the Canghai Cave-Heaven, in a luxurious manor on White Cloud Island.
“Quick, quick, Ling’er! Check where my brother Zhao Xing ranks now!” Long Xiao barged into Bai Ling’er’s room, practically shouting.
Bai Ling’er, daughter of Bai Mingchuan and granddaughter of Bai Yunwu, was sitting at her vanity with a slightly rounded belly. She puffed her cheeks in irritation upon seeing Long Xiao storm in.
“What’s the rush? You finish your shift and the first thing you care about is your brother?”
Long Xiao froze, then sheepishly set his helmet aside and lifted a food box in his hand. “Didn’t I bring you something tasty?”
“Hmph.” Bai Ling’er turned her back on him.
“Come on…”
“What?” She raised an eyebrow.
This woman is so unreasonable. Jealous over this? Spoiled beyond belief! Long Xiao thought to himself but quickly said aloud, “You’re absolutely right. I was wrong.”
He knelt beside her, wrapping an arm around her waist and resting a hand on her belly. “Don’t be mad, okay? It’s my fault.”
“What exactly are you sorry for?”
“For… everything.” Long Xiao recalled Chen Shijie’s advice.
“I shouldn’t have mentioned my brother at all. What does his ranking matter compared to you?”
“If it upset my Ling’er, I’ll cut ties with him tomorrow!”
“What nonsense are you spouting?” Bai Ling’er giggled despite herself. “I’m mad at you, not Zhao Xing. Why drag him into this?”
“You make it sound like I’m a petty, jealous wife who even gets jealous of your brother. Is that really how you see me?”
“You’re right. I misspoke.” Long Xiao smacked his mouth. “Ling’er is the most understanding woman in the world. There’s no one better than you!”
“That’s more like it.” Bai Ling’er finally softened.
She swiped a hand over her mirror, and scenes from inside the Canghai Cave-Heaven appeared on its surface.
The surveillance feed from inside the Grand Arena wasn’t something just anyone could access. But Bai Ling’er had the privilege.
As for Long Xiao?
He was merely a small Fenglong Guard under Bai Mingchuan. When off-duty, even his Earth Mirror was confiscated.
“Here, take a look.”
“Look at what?” Long Xiao was confused. “Where is he?”
The screen displayed a desolate ruin, completely quiet.
“He’s hiding,” Bai Ling’er said with a chuckle. “Your brother is quite the character.”
“I’ve watched him for over ten days. If he’s not underground, he’s shrouded in mist.”
“When he fights, he ends it quickly and then vanishes again.”
Despite her initial disinterest, Bai Ling’er couldn’t help but pay attention to Zhao Xing. After all, Long Xiao constantly brought him up, and she had grown curious despite herself.
However, watching Zhao Xing proved somewhat dull. He rarely appeared openly, and most of his battles took place within layers of mist.
If there was one thing she could conclude about him, it was this: cautiousness.
“Oh? Is he okay? What about his cat—did it get hurt? Can the ship’s guards zoom in closer?” Long Xiao asked anxiously.
“What’s the rush?” Bai Ling’er teased. “Even when my father threatened to kill you, you weren’t this nervous.”
“It’s the last day. The arena’s shrinking fast. He’ll have to show himself eventually.”
“I see you every now and then, but I haven’t seen him in years,” Long Xiao explained. “And Aotian—that name is my creation! I raised that cat for years!”
Seeing how much this bothered him, Bai Ling’er sighed and adjusted the Earth Mirror’s settings. Soon, the screen displayed ten close-up views of Zhao Xing, essentially turning into his private live feed.
“Here. Now you can see him the moment he steps out. I’m tired. I’ll go take a nap.”
“Oh, right, let me help you—” Long Xiao quickly got up.
After ensuring Bai Ling’er was comfortable, he wiped the sweat from his brow and sat cross-legged in front of the Earth Mirror.
“Little brother, don’t get married too soon. Serving a wife is harder than going to war…” Long Xiao muttered, taking a sip from his wine flask as he stared at the screen.
His eyes drifted to the leaderboard:
Rank 612: Zhao Xing
“Fast climber. Just yesterday, he was in the thousands. Now he’s almost in the top five hundred,” Long Xiao remarked in amazement.
He had always held high expectations for Zhao Xing’s performance in the Beast Combat Arena. Yet, even he had underestimated his brother.
After waiting for two incense sticks’ time, Long Xiao’s eyes suddenly widened.
“Hmm? He’s out!”
Setting the flask aside, Long Xiao leaned closer, ready to watch closely.
“Boom!”
A burst of dazzling golden light erupted around Gaburi’s body.
A sharp golden aura rapidly enveloped his figure. His entire being appeared as if cast in bronze, coated with a shimmering golden layer that swiftly extinguished the fiery aura burning around him.
Gaburi, a late fourth-rank Beast Tamer ranked in the top 200, was a notable practitioner of the “Martial Combat Style” among Beast Tamers.
The beasts he nurtured emphasized strength, speed, and defense, boosting his combat capabilities accordingly.
“Get out here!” Gaburi roared angrily into the surrounding mist, brandishing his large beast-head ringed blade.
Currently in a Fusion State, Gaburi’s entire body appeared furry and muscular, resembling a massive gorilla.
His fusion beast was none other than a fourth-rank Golden-Backed Demon Ape.
“Whizz-whizz-whizz!”
Golden beams shot into the mist as Gaburi tried to force Zhao Xing out.
“Boom, boom, boom!” The surrounding crumbling palace was reduced to rubble by the Gengjin Blade Aura unleashed from his strikes.
Gaburi radiated a dazzling brilliance, akin to a blazing sun, attempting to drive away the mist with his intensity.
“Gaburi,” Zhao Xing’s voice echoed from all directions, “you’re ranked 190-something. Why must you go against me?”
“You stole my prey and still have the gall to ask why?” Gaburi snarled. “I worked so hard to severely injure Lier, only for you to swoop in and steal the kill!”
“Stole your kill? That’s because your skills were lacking. Otherwise, how could you let him escape to me? Hmph, you’re just a brainless brute. You don’t even understand such simple logic? I’m right here—come and kill me if you dare!”
Zhao Xing’s figure appeared in the mist ahead.
Though Gaburi knew Zhao Xing was provoking him, his pride as an unrivaled fighter drove him to charge straight into the fog.
“Hiss, hiss, hiss…”
As soon as he stepped in, Gaburi felt a heavy pressure, and fine cracks began to appear on his muscular body.
“What? What kind of technique is this? Even my Pure Yang Golden Body can’t withstand it?” Gaburi was alarmed.
He felt as though his flesh was disintegrating. Every inch of his body seemed to be pulled and torn apart by an unseen force, unraveling his form at a microscopic level.
The unexpected situation left Gaburi stunned.
The energy of the Five Elements flowed like threads and strands, forming vortices in his flesh and wreaking havoc at a subtle level.
Gaburi had always considered his Pure Yang Golden Body flawless, especially when paired with his fusion with the Golden-Backed Demon Ape. He believed no fourth-rank combatant could penetrate his defenses.
Yet here he was, being broken apart.
“Come out, coward!” Gaburi roared in fury, wildly sweeping his Beast-Head Blade in all directions.
But he had no idea where Zhao Xing was. Or rather, Zhao Xing’s aura seemed to be coming from all directions—above, below, and on every side.
In truth, Zhao Xing stood a kilometer away, completely unharmed.
Beneath his feet, the soil swirled like flowing water, and the shadows danced in eerie patterns. He had already activated the twelfth rotation of the Boundless Earth Palace: Endless Whirlpool.
“Gaburi’s physique is indeed remarkable,” Zhao Xing muttered as he observed through his Heavenly Eye. “As a close-combat Beast Tamer with a perfectly matched fusion beast, he’s stronger than most ordinary fourth-rank martial artists.”
“If I only relied on the high-level perfected Boundless Earth Palace, it wouldn’t be enough to break his defenses.”
The Pure Yang Golden Body was a high-tier body refinement technique.
It emitted powerful golden energy from every inch of skin and flesh.
Gaburi had perfected this secret art. Before today, his defenses were undoubtedly impeccable.
Combined with his mastery of the Gengjin Path, his Pure Yang Golden Body not only provided formidable defense but also boosted his offensive power.
However, perfection was relative.
To Zhao Xing’s discerning eyes, Gaburi’s so-called flawless defenses were riddled with vulnerabilities.
It was like looking at a smooth sheet of paper. From a distance, it appeared pristine, but under a magnifying glass, it revealed countless tiny ridges and valleys.
The Endless Whirlpool technique of the Boundless Earth Palace worked precisely at this microscopic level to unravel Gaburi’s defenses.
“Aaaaargh!”
Gaburi went berserk. He realized his attacks were ineffective, unable to touch Zhao Xing, and the mist refused to dissipate no matter how much he tried.
“Gaburi, stop this!” Zhao Xing’s voice echoed. “The area is swarming with powerful contenders. If you keep getting injured, even if you make it out, you’ll be in trouble.”
Zhao Xing waved his hand, creating a path through the mist, signaling for Gaburi to leave.
More and more experts from the eastern sector were arriving. Many had already noticed Gaburi stepping into Zhao Xing’s territory, their auras probing curiously.
Taking down Gaburi would be more trouble than it was worth for Zhao Xing.
He had already profited from stealing Lier’s points without much effort.
“You can’t do anything to me, and eliminating you would cost me too much energy. Get lost!” Zhao Xing barked.
“Damn you!” Gaburi vented his frustration with a furious sweep of his blade, seemingly desperate to release his anger.
Lier, ranked 300th among fourth-rank Beast Tamers, had been Gaburi’s prey. It had taken Gaburi a monumental effort to gravely injure him, and just when he was about to claim victory, Zhao Xing swooped in for the kill.
“You just wait!” Gaburi roared before storming through the path and leaving the mist’s range.
Before long, Gaburi clashed with another strong contender, Yang Zhen, while simultaneously being ambushed by four attacks from different directions.
Zhao Xing stood on the palace ruins in the distance, watching the chaos unfold. He subtly reduced the range of his Mist Concealment technique.
On the final day of the round, powerful fourth-rank competitors passed through his territory almost every hour. Each of them exuded a fierce aura and was no pushover.
In such an environment, one-on-one battles were a luxury.
Even the top ten ranked participants couldn’t guarantee they wouldn’t be eliminated.
Zhao Xing glanced at the leaderboard. The tenth-ranked Yao Sifang, a fourth-rank Beast Tamer, suddenly lost half of his points.
Yao Sifang was the fourth-ranked Beast Tamer under the Princess’s banner.
“Even Yao Sifang got eliminated.”
Zhao Xing checked his own ranking again.
“I’m now ranked 515th.”
“Three hours left until the first round ends.”
Zhao Xing grew even more cautious.
Even the underground wasn’t safe anymore.
Many had taken to hiding underground to preserve their lives, but with so many using the same strategy, it had turned into a disaster.
Several of Zhao Xing’s Myriad Law Manifestations hidden beneath the surface had already been mysteriously destroyed—victims of the chaotic environment.
Time ticked by.
In the remaining three hours, Zhao Xing made nine more moves.
Only one yielded results, successfully eliminating a mid-fourth-rank competitor.
The other eight attempts ended in failure, costing him one Myriad Law Manifestation in the process.
As the day turned to night, the ruins of Dragon City quaked relentlessly.
The sounds of battle never ceased, with Beast Tamers being eliminated and their battle beasts perishing in droves.
Finally, as the sixty-first day reached midnight—
“Cease all combat!”
A majestic voice boomed from the heavens.
It belonged to a second-rank Grandmaster of Rites, whose voice carried for hundreds of miles, with his words invoking laws that none could defy.
Hearing the command, everyone, including Zhao Xing, instinctively stopped their actions and dispelled their techniques.
Even the battle beasts fell silent.
“The first stage of the Grand Arena is over!”
“All competitors must proceed immediately to the Second Heaven.”
“You have one hour to rest.”
With that, the world underwent a dramatic transformation.
The effects of the Earth Palace Foundation dissipated entirely.
The poisonous miasma and shrinking circle disappeared in an instant.
The storm winds in the sky gave way to a new landmass overhead, beneath which numerous faint blue whirlpool-like portals appeared.
These portals led to the second stage.
“My final rank in the first stage is 503rd,” Zhao Xing noted as he glanced at the panel. “Missed the top 500 by just three spots.”
The gap between him and the 500th rank was only a few tens of thousands of points.
With combat forbidden now, Zhao Xing gathered his Mountain Cat, Blue Lion Hound, and Spirit Illusion Goat and chose a portal to ascend.
"The first-ranked is Lei Ling, a fourth-rank Beast Tamer at the pinnacle of perfection," Zhao Xing muttered as he glanced at the leaderboard.
"Second, also a fourth-rank pinnacle, Leng Yue."
"Third, yet another fourth-rank pinnacle, Xuan Feng."
"Fourth is…"
"…"
"Twelfth is Liu Zhenwu, another fourth-rank pinnacle. He’s the fourteenth son of Liu Wanliang, the Deputy Minister of the Princess’s Manor. His two famous battle beasts are the Amethyst Fox and the Ice Feather Divine Eagle."
"And even he’s only twelfth." Zhao Xing shook his head slowly.
"It’s hard to say just how many were eliminated in the first stage."
Outside the Canghai Cave-Heaven, on the Genchuan Fubo Ship, Meng Kun and Gu Changqing examined the leaderboard closely.
"The first stage has concluded. Only 8,345 participants remain, meaning nearly 90% were eliminated," Meng Kun remarked.
"Zhao Xing is nearing the top 500," Gu Changqing commented, visibly intrigued. "At rank 503, there are only fourteen fifth-rank contestants left. Thirteen of those have fourth-rank battle beasts, but Zhao Xing's are all fifth-rank."
"His beasts might only be fifth-rank, but each has the combat power of a fourth-rank," Meng Kun noted.
"True, but how does he manage that?" Gu Changqing asked, puzzled. "Especially that Mountain Cat of his—it’s absurdly strong, almost unreasonably so."
In a previous encounter, the Mountain Cat had even defeated a Dual-Winged Fire Dragon, a fourth-rank pinnacle beast. Its ferocity was unmatched.
"This kid has mastered nurturing-type Transformation Arts as well," Meng Kun added. "I’ve heard that Qin Hongying from the Bishui Dao Academy has been sending students and even teachers to him for years. Many of their battle beasts' 'Bloodline Evolutions' are entrusted to Zhao Xing."
"A jack of all trades, huh?" Gu Changqing’s eyebrows rose. "He’s even mastered such a niche field of Heavenly Time Transformations?"
"Exactly." Meng Kun sighed. "It seems it’s not just us who want to recruit him."
"Yeng Shouchang and Hengyuan won’t give up so easily either," Gu Changqing speculated.
"It’s not just them," Meng Kun said, shaking his head. "The Eastern Sea Corps and the Waterborne Lords have taken notice too. I’ve just received word that Bai Mingchuan is considering extending an offer."
In the Bai Family Residence, Bai Mingchuan, dressed in military regalia, stared at his daughter Bai Ling’er with a contemplative expression.
"This Zhao Xing, skilled in Heaven, Earth, and Self, is a prodigy in every way?"
Beside Bai Ling’er, Long Xiao hung awkwardly against the wall, looking worse for wear.
"Yes, General. Recruiting him would bring nothing but benefits… Ow!" Long Xiao, still pinned to the wall, groaned as Bai Mingchuan intensified the pressure with a mere gesture of his hand.
"Father!" Bai Ling’er exclaimed, rushing forward to grab her father’s arm, pleading for mercy on Long Xiao’s behalf.
"Hmph." Bai Mingchuan relented, letting go. Long Xiao slumped to the ground with a dull thud.
Bai Mingchuan had originally come to check on his daughter but had stumbled upon her and Long Xiao in an intimate moment. Given that Bai Ling’er was already pregnant, Bai Mingchuan had issued strict orders forbidding Long Xiao from engaging in any impropriety with her. Even though the scene wasn’t particularly incriminating, his displeasure was evident.
To deflect her father’s ire, Bai Ling’er quickly shifted the topic to Zhao Xing.
"Father, Zhao Xing is proficient in techniques from three disciplines. Where else could you find a Military Shennong like him?"
"Recruiting him would be like gaining three experts in one!"
"Three? My brother Zhao Xing is worth three hundred fifth-rank Military Shennongs!" Long Xiao chimed in enthusiastically, only to fall silent as Bai Mingchuan glared at him.
Under the stern gaze of his prospective father-in-law, Long Xiao dared not utter another word. Having gotten Bai Ling’er pregnant before they were officially wed, he had no leverage to stand up to Bai Mingchuan.
"If what you say is true, he is indeed a rare talent," Bai Mingchuan admitted, his interest piqued. "Our Azure Dragon Corps lacks strong Military Shennongs among our mid-tier officers. If Zhao Xing joins, he could fill this critical gap."
The Azure Dragon Corps, nominally under the command of Bai Yunwu, was in truth managed by Bai Mingchuan. Being a naval force composed mainly of Waterborne Lords, it had few experts in Military Shennong techniques. Life at sea was harsh, and career progression within the Waterborne hierarchy differed significantly from other military branches.
Moreover, a certain prejudice lingered. Bai Mingchuan, with his twin dragon horns, was often regarded as an outsider, viewed by many as part of a lesser "slave army."
"Such a genius might be hard to retain," Bai Mingchuan said after reviewing Zhao Xing’s dossier in detail. "Even if we offer a high rank, there’s no guarantee he’ll accept."
"Father, isn’t there a ready-made envoy right here?" Bai Ling’er hinted, subtly motioning towards Long Xiao.
Bai Mingchuan glanced at Long Xiao and nodded slightly. "Long Xiao, step forward!"
"At your command!" Long Xiao straightened, wincing slightly from his earlier ordeal.
"I task you with reaching out to Zhao Xing. Recruit him into the Azure Dragon Corps."
"Understood!" Long Xiao replied enthusiastically, then hesitated. "General, what position can we offer him?"
"A primary fourth-rank officer," Bai Mingchuan said with a faint smile. "Effective immediately upon joining."
In the Waterborne Lords’ forces, promotions were handled differently. For ranks below the third, Bai Yunwu, as the reigning lord, could approve promotions at his discretion.
"A primary fourth rank?" Long Xiao marveled. Zhao Xing was currently only a secondary fifth-rank officer. This was a leap of several levels.
"The second stage is about to begin. Go and prepare," Bai Mingchuan instructed.
"Yes, sir!" Long Xiao saluted, his excitement evident as he rushed out.
Passing through the gateway into the Second Heaven, Zhao Xing found himself standing amidst a vast grassland. He glanced at the timer in his hand before sitting down immediately to recover his energy. Simultaneously, he went over the rules of the second stage in his mind.
"Second stage: Dragon's Guard."
"In the Second Heaven, there are one hundred thousand half-dragon people and sub-dragon species."
"They guard the entrance to the Third Heaven. Getting past them won't be easy."
Among them were even three thousand Azure Dragon Corps soldiers.
This was the crux of the challenge. The Azure Dragon Corps was led by Bai Yunwu, a half-dragon himself. Most of the Azure Dragon Corps were his kinsmen, possessing both the strength of dragon bloodlines and the intelligence of humans. They were adept at human secret arts, proficient in using tools, and rigorously trained in military tactics.
These three thousand soldiers formed the most formidable barrier in the second stage.
"According to the map, there are thirty cities between here and the entrance to the Third Heaven."
"To reach the third stage, I must pass through these cities, conquering one checkpoint after another."
"Points are awarded based on the time taken to clear this stage—the faster you pass, the more points you earn." Zhao Xing pondered.
Clearing the stage within thirty days earned 50,000 points.
Clearing it within fifteen days earned 500,000 points.
Clearing it within ten days earned 1,000,000 points.
Clearing it within five days earned a massive 5,000,000 points.
For every day saved beyond that, an additional 1,000,000 points were awarded.
"If someone clears it on the first day, they'd instantly gain ten million points!"
"Thirty cities radiating influence over their respective territories, but their strength, the skills of their commanders, and the challenges inside each city remain unknown."
"Without intelligence, it's hard to decide whether brute force or stealth is the better option."
"However," Zhao Xing thought to himself with confidence, "this stage actually plays to my strengths. With my Myriad Law Manifestations, I have plenty of opportunities to experiment and correct errors."
After resting for an hour to fully recover his strength, Zhao Xing embarked on the challenge.
The second stage, Dragon’s Guard, was laid out in a straight line on the map.
The route passed through all thirty cities in succession.
Since the path was predetermined, Zhao Xing decided there was no point in overthinking. The only way forward was to charge ahead.
In this stage, participants were forbidden from attacking one another.
This removed Zhao Xing's concern about being ambushed by other competitors. His only focus was on avoiding elimination at the hands of the stage’s obstacles.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!" Streams of light shot into the sky as the remaining participants started together from the same starting line.
Zhao Xing estimated that about 8,000 competitors remained in the second stage.
"In terms of speed, without merging with a mount, I'm only in the mid-upper tier," Zhao Xing noted.
Beast Tamers flew astride their flying battle beasts or merged with them to greatly enhance their speed. By comparison, Zhao Xing's use of advanced pinnacle-level wind techniques allowed him to fly, but he was quickly overtaken by 700-800 competitors.
"I can't fall behind."
"Following the vanguard group provides certain advantages," Zhao Xing reasoned.
The competitors leading the way were undoubtedly the strongest. Staying close to them could allow him to coast through some of the earlier checkpoints by taking advantage of their efforts.
Of course, that depended on his ability to keep up.
"The distance from the starting line to the first city spans a thousand miles."
"This stretch alone is enough to differentiate the top-tier participants."
"Those with higher speed typically have stronger overall capabilities."
As Zhao Xing surveyed the competitors, he noticed the top-ranked contenders—Lei Ling, Leng Yue, and Xuan Feng—all demonstrating astonishing speed.
Each had multiple battle beasts, and some were specialized for speed.
In particular, Xuan Feng, who had ranked third in the first stage, had merged with a Wind Dragon, achieving pure-element fusion. In the blink of an eye, he left the others trailing far behind.
The remaining two competitors, Lei Ling and Leng Yue, rode atop their mounts, forming the second echelon.
Zhao Xing also spotted Gaburi and Fei She maintaining impressive speeds in the second echelon.
"Long Aotian, it’s time for you to take us forward," Zhao Xing commanded.
"Meow!" The Mountain Cat growled, and the green runes on its back began to glow. A fierce gale formed beneath it, propelling Zhao Xing, the Blue Lion Hound, and the Spirit Illusion Goat forward at an accelerated pace.
"Our speed has increased significantly. We're now keeping up with the first echelon," Zhao Xing observed.
The Mountain Cat, having reached the Pure Essence Realm, was exceptional in speed, perfectly attuned to both the wind and thunder principles.
"That's enough. Don’t push harder," Zhao Xing ordered. "Maintain this speed."
Zhao Xing avoided being the frontrunner, deliberately keeping 100-200 participants ahead of him.
This positioning allowed him to quickly seize any opportunities or rewards that emerged ahead while providing a buffer against potential dangers.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
The flying battle beasts under the Beast Tamers' command, particularly the fourth-rank ones, matched the speed of sixth-rank tower ships.
"A thousand miles should take about half an hour at this pace," Zhao Xing calculated.
However, people and beasts, unlike machines, would eventually tire. Unlike tower ships, they couldn't maintain a consistent speed indefinitely.
For a distance of a thousand miles, maintaining this current sprinting speed would only be feasible for about an hour before fatigue set in.
Fortunately, the Mountain Cat’s stamina was remarkable. Even while carrying Zhao Xing and two other beasts, it managed to maintain a steady pace.
"We've arrived!"
In the distance, a city appeared on the horizon.
"Roar!"
Deafening dragon roars erupted as countless sub-dragon species and variant dragons surged out from the city.
"Boom!" The surrounding energy of the heavens and earth became chaotic, preventing anyone from harnessing it. In this turbulence, it was impossible to absorb ambient energy.
"Long Aotian, no unnecessary fighting. Just charge through!"
The vanguard, led by Xuan Feng, began unleashing techniques to break through the blockade.
"Whoosh! Whoosh!"
"Slash! Slash!"
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Each competitor showcased their unique skills—some demonstrated dazzling agility, weaving through the dragon swarms, while others activated their beasts' second-stage transformations, smashing their way forward in a straight line.
Zhao Xing directed the Mountain Cat to follow closely behind the first echelon. Within the span of a single incense stick, he had passed through the first dragon city.
"We made it," Zhao Xing muttered, glancing back.
He had already left the first dragon city's territory.
"Beyond this city, the farthest gap between cities is 500 miles, and the shortest is 300 miles."
"With thirty cities in total, completing this in a single day would be nearly impossible," Zhao Xing thought.
Even without any obstructions, flying freely, clearing thirty dragon cities would take at least two days.
As participants advanced deeper into the stage, fatigue would only slow them further.
Zhao Xing maintained his pace after passing through the first dragon city, noting that a few participants had fallen behind. However, the majority still followed closely.
His strategy of trailing the first echelon was proving highly effective. Within ten hours, he had cleared fifteen dragon cities.
Thanks to the Mountain Cat’s exceptional agility, Zhao Xing managed to avoid being entangled by the dragon species that emerged from the cities. Unfortunately, other participants weren’t as lucky.
By the time they passed the fifteenth dragon city, only about 500 participants remained trailing Zhao Xing from a distance. Ahead of him were approximately 200 competitors.
“Long Aotian, how are you holding up? Can you keep going?” Zhao Xing asked.
“Meow~” Long Aotian replied confidently, indicating it was still full of energy and ready to go.
“Haha! Well done! Those spirit fruits weren’t wasted on you!” Zhao Xing exclaimed, delighted.
Based on the current situation, he estimated that he could finish this stage ranked within the top 200.
If everything went smoothly, he could rise from his initial 503rd place to a top 200 position by the end of this stage!
But things, as expected, didn’t remain smooth for long.
Starting from the 20th city, the gaps between competitors began to widen significantly.
“About fifty competitors have disappeared from my view. They must already be one city ahead,” Zhao Xing calculated.
Behind him, only fifty participants remained visible.
The number of competitors in his immediate group had dwindled to a mere 70 or 80.
The speed of clearing each city also began to slow down. With fewer participants attacking the dragon species simultaneously, the pressure to break through increased.
By the time Zhao Xing reached the 25th city, both he and Long Aotian were nearing their limits.
Sharing the burden of flight between himself and the Mountain Cat had pushed them both to exhaustion. Without rest and recovery, it would be impossible to reach the 26th city, let alone fight through it.
The Spirit Illusion Goat and the Blue Lion Hound weren’t built for speed, making their contributions in flying negligible. Carrying others slowed them down further.
“Stop! Land and recover energy!” Zhao Xing commanded.
Landing on a grassy plain below, Zhao Xing activated his Pure Essence Projection, quickly pulling out yuan crystals to absorb their energy.
Long Aotian munched on spirit fruits to replenish itself, while the Spirit Illusion Goat and the Blue Lion Hound, having done little during the journey, needed only two recovery fruits before resting quietly.
“Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!”
Three streaks of light streaked across the sky above them.
“One hundred and twenty-fourth,” Zhao Xing murmured, silently counting.
As of now, 124 competitors were ahead of him.
Half an hour later—thirty-five hours since the second stage began—179 competitors were now ahead.
“Only five cities remain before the final one. Judging by the map, the 3,000 Azure Dragon Corps soldiers are stationed in the last city,” Zhao Xing thought, studying the map closely.
In the earlier twenty-five cities, the dragon species they encountered had no organized leadership. They acted independently, swarming when provoked but scattering when pressured.
Although their numbers were vast and their strength formidable, the lack of coordination made them relatively easy to handle for skilled participants.
The difference in clearing these cities came down to time—those who were faster earned higher points.
“Two and a half days have passed. Someone has probably cleared the stage by now,” Zhao Xing speculated.
But in this case, he was wrong.
At the 30th dragon city, the final checkpoint of the second stage, Xuan Feng hovered on his Wind Dragon, frowning at the scene ahead.
His body trembled with residual energy surges, his blood essence still roiling. The Wind Dragon beneath him bore visible wounds, with many scales torn off.
Ahead, a cloud of sword energy formed a swirling vortex of blood-red mist. Beside it, a Golden Dragon weaved through the air, exuding terrifying pressure.
Below, 3,000 Azure Dragon Corps soldiers stood in gleaming armor. At their forefront was a commanding figure wielding a golden greatsword, surrounded by a host of floating swords that danced menacingly.
The Level 7 Blood-Essence Battle Formation formed by the soldiers completely blocked Xuan Feng’s path, leaving no choice but to charge head-on.
Yet, after three attempts, Xuan Feng found himself unable to break through.
The Azure Dragon Corps, though made up of fifth-rank soldiers, was led by a formidable sword cultivator.
Under his command, the 3,000 soldiers combined their power into a seamless battle formation, creating a defensive barrier akin to an insurmountable chasm.
“Three attempts, and I couldn’t break past that sword cultivator. Worse, I got injured each time,” Xuan Feng reflected grimly.
He realized that clearing this final stage was not a task he could accomplish alone.
“The main challenge here is that sword cultivator. His mastery over the battle formation is at an advanced level, and his personal strength is overwhelming.”
Xuan Feng now understood the underlying purpose of the second stage. It wasn’t just about individual strength—it was a test of teamwork and cooperation.
The Great Zhou Dynasty had sent participants from various factions into the Dragon Court’s ancient grounds with no rules or restrictions.
Those who secured spots in the competition came from diverse backgrounds, often competing against one another. The court’s intention was clear: to encourage them to set aside personal rivalries and work together for mutual success.
“The first twenty-nine cities were just a warm-up, a way to introduce the types of enemies we’d face.”
“This final city is deliberately difficult, designed to make everyone understand that collaboration leads to victory.”
Xuan Feng stopped attempting to charge through and focused on healing his injuries, waiting for others to arrive.
Soon after, Lei Ling and Leng Yue arrived at the final city.
They glanced at Xuan Feng before launching their own attempts to break through the blockade.
However, neither lasted more than three seconds before being forced back, both they and their mounts sustaining significant injuries.
They landed outside the city walls to recover, joining the growing number of competitors in similar circumstances.
As time passed, more and more participants reached the final city.
Soon, the top thirty competitors from the previous stage had all gathered.
Under Xuan Feng’s leadership, along with Lei Ling and Leng Yue, they organized a coordinated attack.
This time, their collective assault lasted longer, enduring for a full incense stick’s worth of time before being repelled.
On the city wall, Long Xiao, the commander of the Azure Dragon Corps, stood watching the distant competitors as they healed. His expression remained indifferent, his gaze fixed on the horizon.
Beside him, his deputy and brother-in-law, Bai Yang, leaned closer and whispered, “Brother-in-law, don’t you think you’re being too heavy-handed?”
“Really?” Long Xiao replied with feigned ignorance. “I don’t think so.”
“Oh, come on,” Bai Yang retorted. “You even used the Divine Firmament Sword Technique. If my father hadn’t explicitly told you not to, you’d have unsheathed that Seven-Star Divine Sword he gave you!”
“You’ve left every beast from the first thirty participants badly injured…”
Long Xiao chuckled. “Your father sent me here to guard this city and demonstrate my strength. How else will the world know the Bai family has taken in such a fine son-in-law?”
“If I didn’t give it my all, wouldn’t that be a waste?”
“You didn’t have to cripple their beasts, though. And you even followed up with a few extra sword slashes after they retreated.”
“Brother-in-law,” Bai Yang muttered, “are you trying to…”
Long Xiao shot him a warning glance. “Stop your nonsense. I’m the commander here, not you. Are you trying to teach me how to do my job? Hmm? Do you need a little sparring match to remind you of your place?”
“No, no!” Bai Yang quickly shook his head. He still remembered how he’d first met Long Xiao—after losing a fight and calling his sister for backup. In the end, not only had his sister lost, but she’d also ended up married to Long Xiao.
Eight years ago, his sister could still exchange a few moves with Long Xiao. Now, Bai Ling’er was completely outmatched, resorting to tantrums to keep Long Xiao in check.
“Go tell the men to stay sharp. Nobody gets past us!”
“Yes, sir.” Bai Yang obediently retreated.
Long Xiao continued gazing into the distance, muttering to himself, “Little brother, why haven’t you arrived yet? Even Bai Yang is starting to suspect me. If you don’t come soon, I won’t be able to keep up this act…”
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