"Too slow!"

Zhou Xiong smiled faintly.

Boom!

A saber strike, thunderous in momentum, slammed hard against Zhou Xiong's shoulder, sending sparks flying.

Xu Yang's eyes were wide with shock; he couldn't even catch in the corner of his eye when Zhou Xiong had moved, and the man actually dodged such a direct blow.

Even more astonishing, the saber had struck his shoulder yet didn't leave the slightest mark; just from the rebound force alone, Xu Yang's tiger mouth ruptured, blood streaming down.

Hiss!

Xu Yang sucked in a breath of cold air and hastily retreated explosively.

Zhou Xiong casually raised his sleeve with an effortless motion.

His speed was lightning-quick; his curved palm tapped the Asura Blood Saber.

Clang!

Xu Yang felt as if a mountain were collapsing or the seas erupting—a titanic force exploded upon him, leaving him unable to resist as he was sent flying in humiliation.

"Such terrifying power."

"And to think only his physical body remains, yet it's this frightening!"

Xu Yang scrambled up, as if facing a deadly enemy!

Zhou Xiong grinned, not taking Xu Yang seriously, but still quickly said, "Your Highness, I'll hold back a little more!"

Xu Yang narrowed his eyes and struck out again.

"Chaotic Void Celestial Saber."

Swoosh!

Boom!

Saber shadows filled the sky, chaotic as a surging tide, all sweeping at Zhou Xiong.

Zhou Xiong raised an eyebrow slightly: "This saber art is rather interesting."

He leapt up, bringing out both palms.

Though the Chaotic Void Celestial Saber was formidable, he still gave it no heed.

No matter how much he restrained himself, Xu Yang couldn't touch him in the slightest.

Boom!

The saber shadows shattered as if struck by lightning, pulped one after another.

The astonishing aura of chaos within them had no effect whatsoever on Zhou Xiong!

In the blink of an eye, Zhou Xiong smashed all the saber images, pressing straight up to Xu Yang. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"Careful, Your Highness."

He casually slapped out a palm toward Xu Yang.

Xu Yang blocked horizontally with his saber!

Bam!

The saber edge quivered violently, the impact immense.

Xu Yang let out a muffled grunt. Recklessly, he released his grip, spun around, and with lightning speed struck Zhou Xiong with a palm.

Zhou Xiong didn't care in the least.

But suddenly, his expression changed, his facial muscles twitching.

"What technique is this?"

His flesh and blood trembled uncontrollably; he twisted and retreated, shock filling his eyes.

The power within his physique had actually been thrown into disorder and backfired!

Although it was weak, it was nonetheless inconceivable!

Watching Zhou Xiong's reaction, Xu Yang couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Effective, but just barely!

But he didn't get discouraged.

After all, Zhou Xiong was a True Lord, and a terrifying one at that.

The power of his flesh and blood was unimaginable.

Just to affect him a bit was enough for pride.

"Again!"

Xu Yang shook his body, killing intent erupting like a tidal wave.

"Heavenly Radiance Divine Firmament!"

Countless marks condensed on his body; instantly, his aura soared!

Zhou Xiong's pupils contracted: "What a fearsome secret technique—this brat's power in the Myriad Phenomena Realm is already peak, and this secret method boosts him by yet another huge margin!"

"No wonder he's the Crown Prince of Daqian!"

Such a secret technique, ordinary men wouldn't dare even dream of!

He flicked his body, advancing on Xu Yang; because of Xu Yang's earlier odd move, he'd grown a touch more interested.

"Heaven Locking!"

Xu Yang locked his gaze and roared at Zhou Xiong.

Boom!

Heaven and earth trembled, countless phantom chains flashed and vanished—like a domain—pressing down with terrifying binding force!

"Power of Shackles."

Zhou Xiong's eyes flashed with surprise; this was exactly what he'd been longing for.

Instantly, his body shook, his physical strength erupting.

"Break!"

Rumble!

It was as if thunderclouds on the vault of the sky exploded, shaking the heavens with thunder.

Space twisted; countless hidden chains appeared from nowhere, all shattering in unison.

Fragments rained down like downpour.

Xu Yang's face didn't change, as if he'd expected this long ago, manipulating the chain fragments out of thin air and inundating Zhou Xiong like a storm.

"Eh?"

Zhou Xiong was astounded, never expecting Xu Yang to pull such a move; still, he didn't dodge, letting fragments scatter over him.

Next moment, his expression changed dramatically.

Hiss!

Perhaps it had been years since he felt genuine pain in real combat; though he'd endured a century of torment, at this moment, the slight pain all over his body made him involuntarily suck in a cold breath.

A Myriad Phenomena Middle Stage, able to let a True Lord feel such sensation—unbelievable!

"Unmatched beneath True Lords, Your Highness!"

Zhou Xiong couldn't help but marvel.

Though his words had a hint of flattery, at least seventy percent were sincere!

Which Myriad Phenomena Realm could achieve this?

"Unmatched beneath True Lords?"

A glint flashed in Xu Yang's eyes: "Only after killing Song Yuanhao can I call myself invincible!"

"Kill!"

He charged straight at Zhou Xiong, initiating close-quarters combat.

Zhou Xiong did not dodge, withholding most of his physical strength to brawl with Xu Yang.

Saber light was icy, sparks everywhere, muffled booms like thunder!

It was as if two human-shaped beasts—ferocious beyond words!

Xu Yang was forced back time and again, battered and battered, yet showed not a trace of fear.

Continuing to press forward against the impossible!

During this time,

He unleashed all he knew to the utmost!

Not to mention anything else—just the experience of fighting a True Lord gave him a huge leap.

Though Zhou Xiong didn't have essence or spiritual power, even physical strength is part of a True Lord's power; in some sense, it served as the substitute!

If he faces True Lords in the future with enough power, he'll never be at a loss!

After a long while,

Xu Yang was spent and collapsed to the ground.

His strength exhausted—body, essence, spiritual power—all drained!

Yet Zhou Xiong was untouched, full of vigor!

"Your Highness, don't belittle yourself. To possess such might—'unmatched beneath True Lords' is no lie!" This time, Zhou Xiong spoke from the heart.

After experiencing all of Xu Yang's methods, added with terrifying secret techniques and the Asura Blood Saber—who else below True Lord could stand against him?

Key point: he's only Myriad Phenomena Middle Stage!

Wait until Late Stage, and then Perfection...hiss!

Zhou Xiong couldn't help but shiver. If Xu Yang achieved Perfection, he might be able to rival True Lords.

Not impossible!

As a True Lord, he knew well how crucial foundations are.

Though Myriad Phenomena and True Lord are worlds apart, Xu Yang's foundation is monstrous!

Just by cultivation and combat power one can see a hint!

Break through to Late Stage, then Perfection—every step would be an immense leap!

Xu Yang's face unchanged, gasping for breath, weakly shoved a pill into his mouth.

After a long while,

He recovered somewhat, getting up quickly.

Zhou Xiong couldn't help but ask hopefully: "Your Highness, about that secret technique of yours, any chance..."

Xu Yang grinned: "You're dreaming, aren't you?"

"..."

Zhou Xiong's expression froze, stunned!

So after playing around with you for so long, it was all completely pointless?

From the very start, he never had any intention of teaching it to me!

"You little bastard, this lord is going to kill you!"

Zhou Xiong exploded in rage, roaring furiously, lunging at Xu Yang like a beast.

Buzz!

A spiritual imprint swept through the air, emitting terrifying might.

At the same time, the thunderclouds stagnating overhead boomed again!

Rumble rumble!!

"Ah~~~"

Amid a shrill agonized scream, Zhou Xiong was instantly engulfed by a tidal wave of thunder.

Xu Yang shook his head slightly—so naive; probably being locked up here too long made his brains rust.

He didn't even bother to consider—just who am I?

And why does this place exist?

How could he be so clueless?

Soon after,

Xu Yang sat down cross-legged, plunging once again into cultivation.

...

Qingzhou, now the territory of Great Hao!

When Great Hao established its dynasty, some people fled, and some did not!

Qingzhou now, as always, but of course, the dominating powers have shifted many times over.

The Zhang Family, Yunshan Clan and others left; the powers behind rose one by one to take their place!

Great Hao did not slaughter wantonly; rather, it treated the old powers with great gentleness—even the provincial governor of Qingzhou was still the same one as before.

"Seven days left; the court has already issued the announcement—the battleground is to be at Qingzhou Cloud Mountain Peak."

"Cloud Mountain Peak? Isn't that the old lair of the Yunshan Clan of Qingzhou?"

"Qingzhou now belongs to Great Hao..."

"Let's go, hurry up and grab a spot at Cloud Mountain. Great Hao also announced Qingzhou's defenses are now lifted!"

"Really?"

"Holy shit, what are you all waiting for? Go! If we're late there won't even be room to squeeze in."

...

Countless Martial Artists swarmed together, heading for Cloud Mountain en masse.