Chapter 570 - 563: A Lesson
「One week later.」
「Forest Race Ancestral Land, the Combat Arena.」
This was a massive, birdcage-like structure formed by thick, entwined Green God Vines.
Beneath the soil of this land, a vast network of the Green God Root System was intricately woven together, providing extreme defensive capabilities. It was said that even if a terrifying nuclear explosion were to occur here, everything would remain completely unharmed.
At this moment, many spectators stood on the viewing platforms high above the Combat Arena.
They were not limited to just members of the Forest Race and experts from Donghua; there were also others with varied appearances and physiques.
One group had the distinct features of Caucasians from Hiloba. They were predominantly male, each tall and powerfully built, with faces that were either rugged or resolute. A blood-red, flame-like mark stretched across each of their faces, extending from the neck to the space between their eyebrows.
These people were from Hiloba’s strongest Spirit Guardian family, the Bloodthirsty Race.
Beside them were figures dressed like monks from the Silan Region. With brown skin, they resembled ascetics. None of them were particularly tall or sturdy, but their eyes shone with a brilliant spirit, making it difficult for others to meet their gaze directly.
The strongest Spirit Guardian family from the Silan Region, the Cultivator Race.
The final group also had distinct Donghua features. They wore white robes, and each person was remarkably handsome. Their robes were embroidered with gold thread, depicting a scene of a crescent moon gently rising over the Hidden Mist Valley.
They were none other than the members of Donghua’s number one great Spirit Guardian clan, the Moon Race.
In the seven days that had passed, the world’s most powerful Spirit Guardians had successively broken through. They had also immediately led their clansmen to the Forest Race’s territory to help stabilize the situation.
During these past few days, the Forest Race hadn’t been idle. After that farcical misunderstanding was over, Zhou Yuanjue voiced his suspicions. The Forest Race took the matter very seriously, launching a thorough investigation within the clan and on the Seal itself. However, the results concluded that everything was normal.
Thus, although Zhou Yuanjue was still suspicious, he could only let the matter drop for the time being.
Afterward, reinforcements from various regions arrived. Along with them came three Spirit Guardian experts who had broken through to King Level.
Spurred on by the boasting of the Forest Race’s Great Clan Elder—who had learned his lesson firsthand—these King Level beings became extremely curious about Zhou Yuanjue’s strength, which led to the scene today.
Inside the Combat Arena, three figures stood opposite Zhou Yuanjue.
One had white hair and a white beard, a rugged face, and a body of bulging muscles. The fiery, blood-red mark on his face covered half his visage.
The Patriarch of the Bloodthirsty Race, Leosis.
Another was short and frail, dressed in ancient cultivator attire, and wore a Monk’s Hat shaped like a small mound.
The Venerable of the Cultivator Race, Tun Na.
The final person was dressed in a loose white robe that completely obscured their figure. They wore a silver-white mask, exuding an aura of mystery.
The Great Clan Elder of the Moon Race, Yu Qiansui.
Everyone was waiting for the probing exchange to begin.
"A King Level from the ranks of ordinary people—that’s an unprecedented existence. I heard he repelled two Ancient True Kings right after breaking through. I wonder just how strong he really is..."
"But those three are King Level as well. As King Level Spirit Guardians, they wield the immense Celestial Gifted Power drawn from their Ancestral Power. They shouldn’t be that much weaker."
"A duel between those at the King Level is a once-in-a-millennium sight. We might be able to learn a lot from this."
"..."
The crowd in the stands was abuzz with discussion.
At that moment, among the members of the Moon Race, there was a figure familiar to Zhou Yuanjue.
She wore a white robe, her black hair cascading down to her waist. Her skin seemed to naturally emit a soft moonlight, and her delicate, perfect face made her look just like a Moon Fairy, attracting the gazes of many of the young male Spirit Guardians present.
Yu Yajie stared blankly at the figure in the Combat Arena, lost in thought.
’Once, he was her teacher, the object of her admiration. But she had never imagined that he was actually a peerless expert at the very pinnacle of humanity—an unprecedented existence.’
’Now, after a long period of training and propelled by the high concentration of her powerful Bloodline, she had successfully touched the threshold of the Celestial Level. She was no longer the clueless novice she once was.’
’A King Level—and one who emerged from the ranks of ordinary people without relying on any Bloodline Power. She knew exactly what that meant.’
"A bunch of old fools. They just won’t listen. If you all are looking for a beating, there’s nothing I can do about it."
As she was lost in her daze, she suddenly heard a mutter from beside her. She turned her head and saw it was the Great Clan Elder of the Forest Race.
’This man... he seems to be the Forest Race’s newly advanced King Level. Is his opinion of Teacher Zhou really that high?’
What she didn’t know was that in the days following that misunderstanding, the Great Clan Elder of the Forest Race had repeatedly sought out Zhou Yuanjue for private "spars," and Zhou Yuanjue had accepted every single time.
As a result, for the past few days, the Great Clan Elder of the Forest Race had felt like he was living through hell.
From his initial, brimming confidence, to his later refusal to accept reality, and finally to a Zen-like state of complete resignation—this entire transformation took less than three days.
He finally understood what kind of being Zhou Yuanjue truly was.
Those other old-timers were, at best, on par with him; there was absolutely no way they could contend with this monster.
"These are special times, and this is merely a spontaneous sparring session. It would be inappropriate for there to be any serious injuries. Therefore, we will each take a turn to exchange a single move with you, and that will conclude the match. What do you say?"
Beneath his mask, Yu Qiansui’s eyes held a complex emotion as he looked at Zhou Yuanjue.
’When I first met Zhou Yuanjue, he was merely a junior. But now, his power puts him on equal footing with me—or has perhaps even surpassed me. He has created a miracle of life.’
’Elder White Dragon Divides Water... he proved he was truly right all along.’
"Very well. Gentlemen, feel free to make your move. Use your full strength; there’s no need to worry about me. One of my specialties is my Recovery Power. Any ordinary injury will heal within the span of a single breath."
"I too would like to experience for myself what kind of strength the various Spirit Guardian clans possess."
Zhou Yuanjue said with a calm expression.
’Such arrogant words. He’s being polite on the surface, but he has absolute confidence in his own abilities.’
The three men in the arena narrowed their eyes slightly.
"In that case, I shall go first."
Among the three, Tun Na, the Venerable of the Cultivator Race, spoke first. He then abruptly clasped his hands together in front of his chest.
OMMM!!
A tri-colored Divine Soul Power of red, gold, and purple light erupted violently from his body. It was incredibly vast, completely enveloping Zhou Yuanjue.
FWOOSH!!
The next moment, a low chanting sound reached Zhou Yuanjue’s ears, like the recitations and prayers of religious devotees.
The reality of his surroundings began to distort. That tri-colored Divine Soul Power contained an extremely potent mix of Spirit, will, and fanatical energy.
BOOM!!
From infinitely high above, a special kind of power seemed to be stirred. It was a magnetic field coalesced from humanity’s most intense trust and reverence for certain objects, individuals, and ideas.
As that power spread, the surrounding environment changed.
A wondrous realm, unlike any in the mortal world, appeared around Zhou Yuanjue. Filled with the songs of birds and the fragrance of flowers, it seemed to stretch on infinitely.
At the three far ends of this wondrous realm, three colossal figures stood tall enough to connect heaven and earth, their presence overwhelming the world.
Their faces were hazy and their postures varied—one sat cross-legged, one stood upright, and one formed a hand seal. They seemed capable of evoking humanity’s most profound sense of obedience and reverence toward a higher power.
The Cultivator Race’s Secret Skill: Three True Wondrous Realms!