Immortal of the Nine Realms

This deathmatch was different from the previous matches, as the surrender window overlapped with the final moments of the battle. Therefore, these foreign races were all prepared to retreat unscathed. They were merely here to broaden their horizons anyway. They were never meant to compete seriously with the rest of the geniuses. They never harbored any illusions about securing a high ranking in the Saint Tower Battle. Naturally, they were unwilling to throw away their lives for it.

At that moment, Fang Ximeng and the others deferred to Fang Chen as their leader. They looked at him and waited for his decision.

"Are you all willing to surrender when the surrender window starts?" asked Fang Chen, calmly looking at the surrounding foreign races.

The foreign experts exchanged glances. Soon, they all nodded, coming to a tacit understanding.

Fang Chen agreed, "Very well, then we shall wait."

The atmosphere on the field eased up once again.

Seeming to have thought of something, Fang Ximeng transmitted her voice softly, "Ancestor Chen, if they back out and refuse to surrender when the time comes, the rest of us will be forced to stay behind as well. At that point, we would have to trouble you to send us on our way. Wouldn't it be better to strike now and clear out as many obstacles as possible beforehand?"

Fang Chen knew exactly what Fang Ximeng was worried about. If they exceeded the surrender window, the situation would lapse into an awkward predicament. After all, only a single person could survive in a deathmatch zone. Otherwise, the surrounding golden glow would continuously contract until it wiped out every single living entity. Should that happen, Fang Chen would eventually have to send Fang Ximeng and the others on their way, which would certainly not be ideal.

"There is no need to worry. The moment the time is up, you all just surrender and leave."

Having said his piece, Fang Chen closed his eyes to rest, his immortal essence circulating slowly as if he were recovering his strength.

Fang Ximeng was momentarily stunned. She couldn't help but worry the foreign races would go back on their word and refuse to surrender while they themselves left. If that happened, Fang Chen would be left alone to fight a bitter fight. However, seeing that Fang Chen had no desire to discuss the topic further, she remained silent.

A few days later.

The golden thread on everyone's identity tokens finally connected head to tail. Seeing how close the golden glow of the deathmatch zone was creeping, someone immediately held up their identity token and shouted, "I concede!"

A golden flash appeared and snatched the contestant out of the Saint Tower Battle. Many people quickly followed suit, conceding one after the other.

"You all should leave as well," said Fang Chen.

Fang Chen swept his gaze over Fang Ximeng and the others.

"Then... Ancestor Chen, we shall take our leave first."

Fang Ximeng and her companions cupped their hands in a respectful bow, immediately conceding and departing. The same went for the few experts from the Wandao Alliance. They had long realized that Fang Chen possessed a divine ability that reigned supreme among sixth-transformation immortals. It was only natural for him to stay until the bitter end. Their only logical choice was to concede and leave.

As figure after figure departed, the deathmatch zone's circle continued to close. By the end, its diameter was less than a single mile. The golden light barrier kept pressing closer until it was before their very eyes, its presence pressing down with suffocating pressure.

At the same time, only three or four figures remained on the field, seemingly unwilling to give up. Their kin had already surrendered to avoid having to face one another in a death match.

"Since you are unwilling to leave, then stay."

Fang Chen did not waste words. With a flick of his sleeve, several sword intents shot out in unison. Giving these individuals no time to regret their choices, he instantly claimed their lives.

In the next moment, the golden Deathmatch Token transformed into a flash of gold that merged into Fang Chen, adding yet another faint halo behind his back. Seeing that the victor had been decided, the nearby Inner Domains dispersed one after another.

Over the next few years, Fang Chen noticed that the number of divine ability experts drawn into the deathmatch zones grew smaller. Some deathmatch zones would even only have four or five people. However, these few individuals would always be especially strong. Every single one of them had survived numerous deathmatchs. Their combat power was in no way inferior to Xie Aman's within the same realm. Placed within the Nine Realms, these people would shine among their peers, standing at the very peak. Despite that, there were many such examples within the Saint Tower Battle.

As for the human race, they seemed to have reached their limit. Aside from the divine ability experts who had perished in the Saint Tower Battle, the rest had chosen to retreat unscathed. Now eliminated, they had become spectators, watching from Inner Domains.

Behind Half Saint Zangling, one familiar figure after another materialized. There were all Fang Clan divine ability experts, as well as those from the Wandao Alliance.

Fang Qianxue tallied the numbers.

"Aside from Fang Chen and Fang Han, our Fang Clan has no other divine ability experts left inside the Saint Tower."

Finding that the number of deceased Fang Clan experts was still within an acceptable range, she let out a sigh of relief. As for herself, she knew that staying any longer would carry the risk of death, so she had chosen to retreat unscathed. She was pretty sure she hadn't entered the top 100,000.

Over on Qin Baichuan's side, he had also finished tallying his numbers. He ultimately discovered that the divine ability experts of the Wandao Alliance had been entirely eliminated. Some had retreated unscathed, while others had died within the Saint Tower Battle.

After he reported this matter, the Half Saint Zangling nodded. "In summary, out of all the people we brought this time, only two divine ability experts from the Fang Clan remain inside."

Half Saint Zangling suddenly recalled Fang Chen, and a flash of surprise flickered across her seemingly ink-painted eyes. She had not expected him to hold out for this long in the Saint Tower Battle. From the few battles she had observed, she could also discern that he was likely at the peak of sixth transformation. When he had claimed back then that there was nothing left for him to hone, it might not have been a lazy excuse after all.

Wang Chongsong, who had been eliminated long ago, stood among the crowd. He spoke with a face full of emotion, a trace of envy flickering in his eyes. "Old Fang really is a hidden dragon."

***

The Fang Clan's Inner Domain.

Fang Cangyou and the others were also calculating how many Fang Clan experts remained within the Saint Tower Battle. Upon reaching their conclusion, they were all overjoyed.

"Ancestor Chen and Fang Han both possess remarkable strength. Calculating the time, they might very well have entered the top one hundred thousand by now," said Fang Ding with a beaming smile.

The nearby divine ability experts of the Fang Clan also broke into envious smiles.

Breaking into the top 100,000 was an achievement worthy of pride, for them as humans or members of the Fang Clan. Additionally, it proved that one's innate talent was exceptionally high, ensuring that they would receive the best cultivation and resources moving forward.

Fang Lie stood within the Xie Zhi void. From his position, he could watch the scenes playing out in the Saint Tower Battle and also observe the other nine Inner Domain portals nearby. They belonged to the nine Saints of the human race.

"Saint Fang, as it stands, only two divine ability experts from your Fang Clan remain uneliminated among our human race. They have already entered the top one hundred thousand, which is not a single fraction inferior compared to the Flame Race's side. Truly a cause for congratulations," the congratulatory voice of Saint Jinyang echoed across the void.

Saint Wandao and the others also spoke up to offer their congratulations.

Fang Lie smiled faintly. "It is nothing. I knew from the very beginning that the talent of those two was by no means weak. For them to enter the top one hundred thousand is only within the realm of expectations."

"A pity, though, that your Fang Clan killed quite a few Vajra Race divine ability experts this time, and even slew Yan Haoran's grandnephew. He has openly declared that after the Saint Tower Battle, he will bring a contingent to your doorstep to exchange pointers," said Saint Jinyang with a faint, indifferent smile. "I happen to know quite a few people on the Flame Race's side. We have a good relationship. Would you like me to pull you a favor?"

"What favor is there to ask for? If they want to come, let them come. Since when has my Fang Clan been afraid of trouble? Since we cultivate sword divine ability, we must be prepared to make enemies of the entire world," countered Fang Lie unhurriedly, devoid of even a shred of worry.

Hearing that, Saint Jinyang merely let out a mocking sneer and stayed silent.

The Fang Clan's strength ultimately relied on Fang Lie alone. As for Fang Chen and Fang Han, they were mere sixth-transformation immortals. Even if either secured first place in the Saint Tower Battle, Saints still wouldn't give them the time of day. To them, they were still only juniors in the end. Only Limit Breaking experts were worthy of their attention, even if only slightly.

***

Bearing nine halos behind his back, Fang Chen finally encountered an opponent whom he deemed worthy of serious treatment.

Standing before him was an expert from the Asura Race. He was devilishly handsome.

Between the two of them floated a single Deathmatch Token. And within this massive zone, they were the only two remaining.