Chapter 259: If You Don't Come Soon, I Can't Keep Acting!

After seeing Lin Zi and Wang Zhaozhao off, Zhao Xing immediately received two notifications.

【You eliminated the Tier 4 Beast Tamer 'Wang Zhaozhao' and her battle beast, gaining 20,000 base points, plus an additional half of her points: 450,000 points】

【You eliminated the Tier 4 Beast Tamer 'Lin Zi' and her battle beast, gaining 20,000 base points, plus an additional half of her points: 540,000 points】

"Yo-ho, not bad, actually that many points."

"Fei She, you worked hard."

"Two elites, you also worked hard."

Zhao Xing couldn't help but smile.

Truly the elite Beast Tamers under the old witch's command, actually giving so many points.

"Woof?" The Cang Ni Dog cast a puzzled look, wondering why its master eliminated these two.

"If I don't take their points, they can't survive anyway; rather than splitting them among everyone in the East District, better to give me a hand. After all, I'm on the Princess's side too."

"I also prevented their battle beasts from dying out; divine beast bloodline battle pets aren't easy to raise. They'll receive the best treatment immediately upon going out. Tell me, am I not doing a good deed?"

"Woof!" Xiao Tian Dog, Huan Tian Sheep, and Ao Tian Cat all nodded obediently.

Seeing his education had taken hold, Zhao Xing nodded in satisfaction.

He checked his own points.

【Name: Zhao Xing】

【Stage: Grand Arena (Day 58)】

【Points: 4.25 million】

【Rank: 578】

"Entered the top six hundred."

In this Grand Arena stage, the further along one gets, the more points the people encountered possess.

Early on, there were basically no fights; sometimes a month would pass without meeting anyone, but now battles are everywhere.

"I estimate this stage will eliminate eighty percent of the people."

Zhao Xing pressed the ground mirror, because for those ranked beyond ten thousand, points had basically stopped moving.

In such an intense battlefield environment, if points aren't moving, it's highly likely they have already been eliminated.

Among the top ten thousand, the most frequent changes occur within the top one thousand.

This group, possessing formidable strength, is rapidly harvesting the points of the weak in these final days.

"In a short while, I dropped to six hundred twenty-fifth; truly intense."

"However, I cannot launch active attacks anymore; just holding the top one thousand rank is enough," Zhao Xing thought inwardly.

His strength was great, but he still feared capsizing.

If he kept running around and launching active attacks at this time, encountering experts like Fei She could bring him trouble.

Victory was still within his grasp, but fighting a battle would consume much of his vitality, and he might even get injured.

If a few more 'old sixes' of Fei She's caliber were nearby, he would face the risk of elimination.

Now, staying beside the dilapidated palace with numerous setups could maximize the prevention of ambushes.

"Adro's formation, Cloud-Swallowing Domain, Boundless Underground Palace, Mist-Hiding Stealth, Straw Man Ambush, three battle beasts on alert... staying in the dilapidated palace makes my combat power far stronger than launching active attacks."

"Only two and a half days remain; just waiting here for the rabbit to hit the post is enough."

Zhao Xing made up his mind to endure until the very end.

With his setup, any expert would think Zhao Xing was a difficult opponent after just one look.

That time spent testing and engaging in a struggle would be better spent eliminating someone else.

If they couldn't see his strength, that would be even better!

Outside the Cang Hai Cave Heaven, inside a luxurious mansion on Bai Yun Island.

"Quick, quick, quick, Ling'er, help me check, what rank is my brother Zhao Xing?" Long Xiao burst into Bai Feng's side room in a rush.

Bai Feng was Bai Mingchuan's daughter and also Bai Yunwu's direct granddaughter; Ling'er was her nickname.

At this moment, Bai Feng's belly was slightly protruding; sitting before her dressing table, seeing Long Xiao burst in, she couldn't help but pout: "What's there to see? You just returned from duty, and the first thing you ask is about your brother?"

Long Xiao froze, then placed his helmet aside and lifted the food box in his hand: "I just bought you some delicious food to bring back."

"Hmph." Bai Ling'er still had her back turned to Long Xiao.

"You..."

"What about me?" Bai Ling'er furrowed her brows.

This woman is truly unreasonable; getting jealous over this? You've really been spoiled!

Long Xiao thought this in his heart, but the words that came out of his mouth were: "You're right, I was wrong."

Long Xiao ran over to her side and squatted down, one arm around her waist, the other patting her belly: "Don't be angry, it's my fault."

"Where was I wrong?"

"I was wrong... wrong everywhere," Long Xiao recalled what Chen Shijie had taught him.

"What brother? I shouldn't have asked; who cares what rank he is? Who is more important than you?!"

"Making my Ling'er angry; tomorrow I'll cut my robe and sever ties with him!"

"What nonsense are you talking?" Bai Ling was amused by him, "I'm clearly angry with you; what does Yuan Rang Hou have to do with it?"

"It sounds like I'm an unreasonable jealous woman, even jealous of your brother; in your eyes, am I that kind of person?"

"My mouth was clumsy, I said the wrong thing." Long Xiao slapped his own mouth, "Ling'er is the most understanding; there is no one better than you in the world!"

"That's more like it." Bai Ling'er was finally coaxed into happiness by Long Xiao.

She wiped the mirror on the dressing table, and immediately, scenes from within the Cang Hai Cave Heaven appeared on the mirror.

The surveillance footage inside the Grand Arena is not something ordinary people can see.

However, Bai Ling'er naturally had the authority.

As for Long Xiao?

He currently served under Bai Mingchuan as a mere minor Fenglong Guard; when not on duty, even his Earth Mirror would be confiscated.

"See?"

"See what?" Long Xiao was somewhat puzzled. "Where is he?"

The screen displayed only a stretch of ruins, silent and still.

"He's hiding," Bai Ling'er laughed. "Your brother is truly amusing."

"I've watched him for over ten days; he's either burrowing underground or hiding in the mist."

"The moment he strikes, he resolves the battle in an extremely short time, then shrinks back into hiding."

Bai Ling'er actually paid attention to Zhao Xing as well; as the good brother Long Xiao constantly mentioned, she had heard so much about him that her ears had calloused, so how could she not pay attention?

It was just that watching was somewhat boring, because Zhao Xing truly revealed himself very rarely.

When fighting, he mostly hid within the Mist Concealment Art.

If one absolutely had to say what could be discerned, then there were only two words: cautious!

"Oh? Is he unharmed? Also, he has a cat; is it injured? Can you have the warship guards zoom the view in a bit?"

"What's the rush?" Bai Ling'er said. "Even if my father said he'd chop you to death, you weren't this anxious."

"It's the last day; the circle is shrinking smaller and smaller; he must reveal himself eventually."

"You and I see each other from time to time, but I haven't seen him in several years," Long Xiao said. "And Aotian, that was a name I chose! I raised him for many years."

Seeing his beloved mutter so earnestly, truly very attentive, Bai Ling'er took out the Earth Mirror again and issued an order to the Canghai Cave Heaven.

In a short while, the image on the Earth Mirror became clearer; there were ten screens, all focused on Zhao Xing, almost becoming his exclusive live broadcast lenses.

"There, adjusted. As long as he comes out, you will definitely see him. I'm tired; I'll go catch some sleep first."

"Oh, oh, you go... I'll help you over there." Long Xiao realized and immediately stood up.

After finally attending to Bai Ling'er properly, Long Xiao wiped a layer of sweat from his brow, ran to the Earth Mirror, and sat cross-legged.

"Little brother, you must delay your wedding; serving a Lady is much harder than fighting..." Long Xiao stared at the screen, taking out a pot of wine to drink.

He glanced at the ranking on the leaderboard:

Six hundred and twelfth place: Zhao Xing.

"So fast; yesterday I saw him at one thousandth place, and today he's nearly at five hundredth." Long Xiao was astonished.

Regarding Zhao Xing's performance in the Ten Thousand Beasts Arena, he had already overestimated it enough, yet he still underestimated it somewhat.

After waiting two quarters of an hour, Long Xiao's expression suddenly trembled.

"Hmm? He's out!"

Long Xiao hurriedly put down the wine pot; he had taken the day off today and must watch carefully.

"Boom!"

Golden Light suddenly erupted in waves around Gabriel's body.

A sharp golden energy flow rapidly enveloped his entire body; he himself seemed like a bronze statue, plated with a layer of gold, quickly extinguishing the burning flame energy flowing over him.

Gabriel, a Rank Four Late Stage Beast Tamer ranked within the top two hundred, and also a 'Martial Arts Close-Combat Style' among Beast Tamers.

The battle beasts he raised were likewise focused on strength, speed, and defense, providing corresponding bonuses.

"Get out!" Gabriel angrily glared at the surrounding mist, waving the Beast-Head Great Ring Blade in his hand.

Gabriel was currently in a fused state; his whole body was furry, his muscles extremely developed, resembling a great ape.

What he had fused with was a Rank Four battle beast, the Golden-Backed Demon Ape.

"Whoosh Whoosh Whoosh~"

Waves of Golden Light shot into the mist; Gabriel attempted to force Zhao Xing out.

"Boom boom boom~" The surrounding ruined palaces were all blasted into gravel by his Geng Metal Blade Qi.

Light blazed from his body like a scorching sun, attempting to push back the mist.

"Gabriel." Zhao Xing's voice sounded from all directions. "You are ranked one hundred and something; why must you insist on making things difficult for me?"

"You stole my prey, and you ask me why?" Gabriel growled. "I worked so hard to injure 'Lier' severely, only for you to snatch the spoils at the end."

"Snatch the spoils from me? That is because your strength was inadequate; otherwise, how could he have escaped? Hmph, you brainless brute, you don't even understand this principle? I am right here; if you have the guts, come kill me!"

Zhao Xing's figure appeared in the mist ahead.

Gabriel knew full well that Zhao Xing was provoking him, yet he, boasting of peerless skill, still charged into the mist ahead.

"Hiss hiss hiss~"

The moment he rushed in, Gabriel felt a heaviness upon his body; the muscles on his body actually began to crack, appearing with fine wounds.

"Hmm? What kind of art is this? Even my Pure Yang Golden Body cannot withstand it?" Gabriel was startled in his heart.

He felt his physical body unraveling; every inch seemed to be pulled and torn apart by a force of heaven and earth.

This left Gabriel extremely surprised.

The Five Elements Qi were like threads; within his flesh and blood, it seemed as if vortices had formed, tearing and destroying at a microscopic level.

Originally, he thought his Pure Yang Golden Body was perfect enough; combined with the fusion of the Golden-Backed Demon Ape, no one at Rank Four could break his defense.

He never expected it would still be broken.

"Come out, coward!" Gabriel shouted angrily, his Beast-Head Illusion Blade sweeping wildly in his hand.

However, he had absolutely no idea where Zhao Xing was; or rather, in his perception, Zhao Xing's presence was everywhere—north, south, east, west, above, and below!

The real Zhao Xing was actually standing a thousand meters away from Gabriel.

Beneath his feet lay a shadow; the soil rotated like flowing water. At this moment, he had already unleashed the Twelfth Turn of the Earth Palace: 'Boundless Vortex'.

"Gabriel's physique is indeed formidable." Zhao Xing observed with his Heavenly Eye, "As a close-comptom Beast Tamer who has found a suitable battle beast to possess, he is far stronger than a normal Fourth-Rank Martial Artist."

"If it were merely a High-Grade Perfect Infinite Underground Palace, his defense truly could not be broken."

Pure Yang Golden Body; this is a high-level body-refining secret technique.

Overwhelming Metal-Path power radiated from every inch of his skin and flesh.

This secret art had been cultivated by Gabriel to perfection; had it been before, there was no doubt his defense would have been flawless.

Combined with the Geng Metal Dao, the Pure Yang Golden Body possessed not only strong defense but also formidable attack power.

However, perfection is relative.

At this moment, Gabriel's Golden Body appeared to Zhao Xing as nothing but flaws.

It was like a sheet of paper: up close it looked smooth and flat, but viewed through a magnifying glass, it became a rugged, uneven wasteland.

The Infinite Underground Palace technique, the Twelfth Transformation 'Infinite Vortex', was precisely dismantling Gabriel's Golden Body at the subtle level.

"Aaaahhh—"

Gabriel went mad; he found his attacks ineffective, unable to even land a hit on a person, and the mist could not be dispersed no matter what he did.

"Gabriel, stop!" Zhao Xing's voice echoed everywhere. "There are strong ones outside; if you continue to get injured, you will have trouble even if you break out."

Zhao Xing waved his hand, opening a passage in the Mist Concealment Art, signaling for Gabriel to leave.

Because more and more people from the East District were gathering, many auras, upon sensing Gabriel stepping into their territory, had noticed this area.

For Zhao Xing to deal with Gabriel would be very troublesome.

Taking the points of 'Lyle' was quite good enough.

After all, it required very little effort.

"You cannot harm me; eliminating you would also cost me effort. Get lost!" Zhao Xing shouted.

"You bastard!!" Gabriel hacked wildly again, as if venting his rage.

Lyle was a Fourth-Rank Beast Tamer ranked three hundredth; he had expended great effort to inflict heavy injuries, and was on the verge of obtaining Lyle's points, only to have Zhao Xing steal the kill.

"Just you wait!"

Gabriel roared in anger, then charged into the passage and left the range of the Mist Concealment.

Not long after, Gabriel collided with another strong one, 'Yang Zhen', while simultaneously four attacks ambushed him from different directions.

Zhao Xing stood atop the palace, watching from afar, and slightly condensed the Cloud Art.

【136】 On the final day, almost every hour someone passed by his location; each possessed a powerful aura and was a Fourth-Rank of no small strength.

On the last day, almost every hour someone passed by his side, each one possessing a powerful aura and formidable strength, all Fourth-Rank cultivators.

Under such circumstances, a one-on-one duel was a luxury.

Even those ranked in the top ten would not dare to claim they definitely would not be eliminated.

Zhao Xing glanced at the rankings; the Fourth-Rank Beast Tamer 'Yao Yao Sifang', originally tenth on the list, suddenly lost half his points.

This person was the fourth-ranked Beast Tamer of the Princess's residence.

"Even Yao Yao Sifang has been eliminated."

Zhao Xing checked his own point ranking again.

"I am currently ranked five hundred and fifteenth."

"There are still three hours until the first stage ends."

Zhao Xing became even more cautious.

At this time, even the underground was not peaceful.

Many people were hiding underground attempting to save their lives, but with so many holding such thoughts, it became a disaster.

Zhao Xing's Ten Thousand Arts Avatars hidden beneath the ground had inexplicably lost four of their number.

They were entirely caught in the crossfire.

Time passed, second by second.

During the remaining three hours, Zhao Xing launched attacks nine more times.

However, only one yielded results, eliminating a mid-stage Fourth-Rank contestant.

The other eight times were fruitless, and even resulted in the destruction of one Ten Thousand Arts Avatar.

Day gradually turned to night; the Long City Ruins shook the earth and mountains without ceasing.

Battle beasts died continuously, and drivers were eliminated!

Until the time reached the Hour of the Rat on the sixty-first day.

"Cease hostilities!"

A majestic voice came from the sky.

A Second-Rank Ritual Cultivator, voice transmitting a hundred li, words becoming law.

Hearing this voice, everyone, including Zhao Xing, involuntarily stopped fighting and dispelled all spells.

The battle beasts also all fell silent.

"The first stage, the Grand Arena, is over!"

"Everyone, immediately fly to the Second Heaven."

"You have only one hour of rest time."

…………

Having spoken, the heavens and earth underwent a violent transformation.

At this moment, the Essence-Draining Underground Palaces all withdrew their effects.

The shrinking poison mist and miasma also vanished instantly.

The layer of violent wind above the sky disappeared, replaced by a new landmass, beneath which lay numerous pale blue vortex passages.

Those were the entrances to the second stage.

"My final ranking in the first stage is 503." Zhao Xing glanced at the panel. "Only three spots away from the top five hundred."

In fact, the gap between him and the five hundredth place was very small, differing by only tens of thousands of points.

Combat was now prohibited. Carrying the mountain cat, the Cang Ni, and the Spirit Illusion Goat, he chose an entrance and flew upward.

"Ranked first is Lei Ling, a Beast Tamer at the peak of the Fourth Rank." Zhao Xing looked at the rankings on the Earth Mirror.

"Second, peak Fourth Rank, Leng Yue."

"Third, peak Fourth Rank, Xuan Feng."

"Fourth..."

"..."

"Twelfth, Liu Zhenwu, peak Fourth Rank. He is also the fourteenth son of Liu Wanliang, the Prefect of the Princess's Mansion. He is famous for two battle beasts: the Purple Crystal Fox and the Ice Feather Divine Eagle."

"He is only in twelfth place."

Zhao Xing shook his head.

"I wonder how many people were eliminated in the first stage."

Outside the Cang Hai Cave Heaven, on the Gen Chuan Wave-Subduing Ship.

Meng Kun and Gu Changqing watched the rankings on the Earth Mirror.

"The first stage has ended. Only eight thousand three hundred and forty-five people remain; nearly ninety percent have been eliminated."

"Zhao Xing is actually close to the top five hundred." Gu Changqing, focusing on Zhao Xing's ranking, was quite surprised. "Among the top five hundred and two, there are only fourteen people at the Fifth Rank, and the other thirteen all possess Fourth Rank battle beasts; only he has a Fifth Rank battle beast."

"Although his battle beasts are only Fifth Rank, each possesses Fourth Rank combat power." Meng Kun said.

"Hmm, I wonder how they were cultivated." Gu Changqing said. "They are so strong, especially that mountain cat; it is simply excessively heroic."

In a previous battle, the mountain cat even defeated a Fourth Rank peak Two-Winged Fire Dragon; it was simply incredibly fierce.

"This young man has also mastered the Nurturing-type Heavenly Transformation Method." Meng Kun said. "I heard that Qin Hongying from the Bi Shui Academy has been sending her students, and even teachers, to him these years. Many parts regarding the 'Bloodline Evolution' of battle beasts have been entrusted to Zhao Xing."

"Mastering what kind of what?" Gu Changqing asked in astonishment. "He has even mastered such an obscure Heavenly Transformation?"

"Yes." Meng Kun said helplessly. "I'm afraid it's not just us who will try to recruit him."

"Geng Shouchang and Heng Yuan probably won't give up on trying to win over Zhao Xing either." Gu Changqing said.

"Not just them." Meng Kun shook his head. "The Eastern Sea Army and the Tu Si Water Clan have already taken notice. Just now, I received news that Bai Mingchuan also intends to recruit him."

"Heavenly Timing, Earthly Advantage, and Self-Nature; this Zhao Chenan is actually proficient in all?" In the Bai family mansion, Bai Mingchuan, dressed in military uniform, looked at his daughter Bai Feng.

Beside her, Long Xiao was already hanging on the wall.

"Yes, General. Recruiting my brother will definitely not be a loss... Hiss." Hanging on the wall, Long Xiao still did not forget to promote Zhao Xing, but as Bai Mingchuan raised a hand, the phantom fist pressing on his chest grew three parts heavier.

"Dad." Bai Feng felt heartache and quickly grabbed her father's hands.

"Hmph." Bai Mingchung lowered his hand, and Long Xiao immediately fell from the wall.

He had come to visit his daughter, only to encounter Long Xiao and his daughter being affectionate again.

Since his daughter was already pregnant, he had originally ordered Long Xiao not to touch Bai Feng during this period.

Although the two had done nothing upon this encounter, Bai Mingchuan was simply displeased and pressed Long Xiao directly against the wall.

Bai Ling knew her father had misunderstood, so she could only mention Zhao Xing to divert her father's attention.

"Dad, look at Zhao Xing. He is proficient in three schools of spells. Where can you find such a Military Agricultural Officer?"

"Recruiting just one of him is equivalent to recruiting three!"

"More than three? My brother is worth three hundred Fifth Rank Military Agricultural Officers; that is not an exaggeration." Long Xiao began to flatter again.

However, seeing Bai Mingchuan glare at him, he sheepishly rubbed his chest and fell silent.

His superior was his future father-in-law, and having impregnated Bai Feng before marriage, he had no temper at all in front of Bai Mingchuan.

"Hearing you say that, he really is a talent." Hearing his daughter's introduction, Bai Mingchuan was also quite moved. "Among the Mid-Rank soldiers of our Green Dragon Army, there are few formidable Military Agricultural Officers. If he is willing to come, he can indeed make up for our army's shortcomings."

The Green Dragon Army was nominally controlled by Bai Yunwu, but the actual work was done by Bai Mingchuan.

The Green Dragon Army is a Tu Si Water Clan army, with Water Clan soldiers occupying the majority.

Talented Military Agricultural Officers rarely come to Tu Si armies.

Mainly because conditions at sea are harsh, and the promotion system for the Water Clan Tu Si is not like that of other armies.

Additionally, there is a chain of contempt here; Bai Mingchuan also has two dragon horns on his head.

In many people's hearts, they are still regarded as a foreign race, considered to be a slave army.

"Too talented, he might not be kept." After carefully checking Zhao Xing's files, Bai Mingchuan couldn't help but shake his head.

Even if he could offer a high price, the other party might not be willing to come.

"Father, isn't there a ready-made envoy right here?" Bai Feng nodded towards the corner of the wall.

Bai Mingchuan glanced at Long Xiao and nodded slightly. "Long Xiao, listen to my order!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

"I order you to contact Zhao Xing and recruit him to our Green Dragon Army."

"I obey!" Long Xiao stood up, then cautiously asked: "General, what position can you offer my brother?"

Bai Mingchuan smiled. "Fourth Rank Upper, and it is effective immediately upon arrival."

The promotion method of the Water Clan Tu Si Army is different from other places; how one is promoted is entirely up to Bai Yunwu.

Below Third Rank, Bai Yunwu, this Enfeoffed King, can promote anyone at will.

"Fourth Rank Upper?" Long Xiao silently whistled in surprise. Zhao Xing is currently only Fifth Rank Lower.

Promoting directly to a Fourth Rank Upper position is simply a leap.

"The second stage is about to begin. Go quickly to take your position."

"As ordered!" Long Xiao clasped his fist and ran out excitedly.

Passing through the channel to the Second Heaven, Zhao Xing arrived at a grassland.

He checked the time, then immediately rested to restore his vitality while recalling the rules of the second trial.

"The second trial: Dragon's Guardian."

"The Second Heaven contains one hundred thousand half-dragons and sub-dragon breeds."

"They guard the entrance to the Third Heaven; passing through will not be easy."

Within this force, there are even three thousand Green Dragon Army soldiers.

Because Bai Yun Wu is himself a half-dragon, most of the Green Dragon Army are his clansmen.

They possess dragon bloodlines and human intelligence, have learned various human secret techniques, are skilled at using tools, and have undergone military training.

These three thousand Green Dragon Army soldiers are the true difficulty of the trial.

"Judging by the map, there are thirty cities in total leading to the entrance of the Third Heaven."

"To reach the third trial, one must pass through these cities, overcoming obstacles and defeating generals along the way."

"Points are calculated based on completion time; the faster one completes it, the higher the points." Zhao Xing pondered.

Completing it within thirty days grants 50,000 points.

Completing it within fifteen days grants 500,000 points.

Completing it within ten days grants 1,000,000 points.

Completing it within five days grants 5,000,000 points.

For every day shortened thereafter, an additional 1,000,000 points are awarded.

If one completes it on the very first day, it is directly 10,000,000 points!

"Thirty cities radiating across all territories; the strength of each city and the specialty of their main generals are unknown."

"Without intelligence, one cannot know whether a direct assault or stealth is more appropriate."

"However, this trial is still very advantageous for me," Zhao Xing thought silently. "I have the Myriad Manifestations Clone, giving me many opportunities to test and err."

After an hour of rest, Zhao Xing immediately set out to begin the trial!

The second trial, Dragon's Guardian, appears as a straight line on the map.

There are thirty cities along this straight line.

The route is already fixed.

So Zhao Xing had nothing more to think about; he simply charged forward.

In the second trial, participants are forbidden from killing each other.

Zhao Xing need not worry about participants ambushing him; he only needs to be careful not to be eliminated by the obstacles along the way.

"Whoosh Whoosh Whoosh~"

Streams of light flew up; everyone started from the same starting line.

Zhao Xing counted; there were at least eight thousand people remaining in the second trial.

"In terms of speed, without merging, I am still a bit lacking, merely at the mid-to-upper tier," Zhao Xing thought silently.

Beast Tamers riding flying battle beasts, or merging with flying battle beasts, naturally move very fast.

Zhao Xing, relying solely on his high-grade perfect Wind Art flight, was quickly overtaken by seven or eight hundred people.

"I cannot fall behind."

"Following the first wave to clear the trial has advantages," Zhao Xing thought silently.

Those flying ahead now must be the strongest group.

If this group clears the trial together, they might just coast through the earlier obstacles.

Of course, the premise is that one must be able to keep up.

"The distance from the starting line to the first city is fully a thousand li."

"This stretch of distance alone is enough to determine superiority."

"Fast movement techniques usually indicate strong strength."

Zhao Xing saw the first-ranked 'Lei Ling', the second-ranked Leng Yue, and the third-ranked Xuan Feng, all moving extremely fast.

They all possessed multiple battle beasts, and naturally cultivated ones specializing in speed.

Especially 'Xuan Feng', who ranked third in the first trial; he directly merged purely with a Wind Dragon, shaking off everyone in the blink of an eye.

The other two were riding mounts to fly, placing them in the second wave.

Zhao Xing also saw Gabriel and Fei She.

Their speeds were not slow either; they were in the second wave.

"Aotian, take us flying," Zhao Xing ordered.

"Meow!"

The mountain cat let out a cry; subsequently, green secret patterns appeared on its back, and a stronger vortex of wind dragged Zhao Xing, the Howling Heaven Dog, and the Spirit Illusion Goat to accelerate.

"The speed has noticeably increased, maintaining the first wave," Zhao Xing thought silently.

In terms of speed, the mountain cat is absolutely top-tier.

Having entered the Pure Origin Realm, its talents aligned with both the Wind and Thunder Dao.

"That's enough, do not accelerate anymore," Zhao Xing ordered. "Just maintain the current speed."

Zhao Xing did not want to be the target; he always kept one or two hundred people ahead of him.

This way, if there were benefits ahead, he could follow up quickly.

If there were dangers, people ahead would block them, giving him time to react.

"Whoosh Whoosh Whoosh~"

Now, the fourth-grade flying war beasts ridden by these beast tamers are comparable to sixth-grade tower ships.

"A thousand li distance should take about half a double-hour to reach," Zhao Xing calculated.

Of course, humans and beasts are not tools; they get tired and cannot maintain a constant speed like a tower ship.

Covering a thousand li in one hour is already a sprinting speed; after one hour, the speed will drop due to exhaustion.

Fortunately, Ao Tian Miao had astonishing stamina and, carrying one human and two beasts, still maintained a constant speed.

"We've arrived!"

A city lay far in the distance ahead.

"Roar~~"

Countless dragon roars erupted as sub-dragons and strange dragons flooded out from the city, filling the sky and covering the earth.

"Boom~" The heavenly and earthly forces surrounding the city instantly became extremely chaotic; almost no one could borrow the momentum of heaven and earth, nor could they absorb the primordial qi of heaven and earth amidst such chaos.

"Ao Tian, do not linger in battle; follow and charge!"

The beast tamer team, led by Xuan Feng, successively cast spells to pass through.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh~"

"Swish swish swish~"

"Boom boom boom!"

Like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each displayed their own supernatural powers; some showcased astonishing movement techniques, weaving through the dragon swarm.

Others had their war beasts activate their second-stage transformation, charging straight through in a single line.

Zhao Xing let the mountain cat follow behind the first echelon; it took only the time to burn a stick of incense to burst through the first dragon city.

"We've made it over."

Zhao Xing glanced back.

He had already left the range of the first dragon city.

"The subsequent dragon cities are spaced at most five hundred li apart, and at least three hundred li apart."

"There are thirty dragon cities in total; breaking through them all within one day is very difficult to achieve," Zhao Xing thought silently.

Even without obstacles, allowing free flight, passing thirty dragon cities would be extremely, extremely difficult even with two days.

Because the further one goes, the slower the speed becomes, requiring time to recover stamina.

After the first dragon city, many fell behind, but the vast majority still followed.

Zhao Xing's strategy was very successful; following behind the first echelon, he passed fifteen dragon cities within ten hours.

During this period, thanks to the mountain cat's movement technique, he was not entangled by the dragon breeds.

However, the others did not have such good luck.

After passing fifteen dragon cities, only about five hundred people remained far behind Zhao Xing.

There were still nearly two hundred people ahead.

"Ao Tian, how are you? Can you still hold on?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Meow~" Ao Tian indicated that his meals were not eaten in vain; he could hold on!

"Good, good, good; you haven't eaten all that Lingxiu for nothing," Zhao Xing said, overjoyed.

According to the current situation, he could pass the second stage within the top two hundred.

If everything went smoothly, he could rise from five hundred and third place to within the top two hundred right at the second stage!

But obviously, things were not that smooth.

Starting from the twentieth city, the disparities among the contestants became apparent.

"Fifty people have already disappeared from my field of vision; they have probably gained a city's distance lead over me."

"Behind me, I can only see about fifty people."

As for those who could still keep up with him, only seventy or eighty remained.

Furthermore, the speed of clearing the stage was decreasing.

Because there were fewer people charging together, facing the dragon breed army emerging from the dragon cities to block them, the pressure had increased!

After passing the twenty-fifth city, Zhao Xing had no choice but to stop.

Because he and the mountain cat had taken turns flying, they had reached their limit and needed to stop to recover their primordial qi.

Otherwise, before the twenty-sixth city, they would have no strength to fly, let alone fight.

The Spirit Illusion Goat was not good at speed, and the Cang Ni Dog was the same; carrying people while flying was very slow.

"Stop, go down to recover primordial qi!"

Zhao Xing landed on the grass below, cast Pure Yuan Projection, and quickly took out a Yuan Crystal to absorb.

The mountain cat was eating Primordial Qi Fruits; as for the Cang Ni and the Spirit Illusion Goat, since they had been lying flat all the way and hadn't fought much, they stopped after eating only two recovery fruits.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh~"

Three streaks of light flew across the sky.

"One hundred and twenty-fourth."

Zhao Xing calculated silently in his heart.

One hundred and twenty-four people were already ahead of him.

Half an hour later, it was also the thirty-fifth double-hour after the second stage began.

There were already one hundred and seventy-nine people ahead of Zhao Xing.

"Only five cities remain ahead; it seems the Three Thousand Green Dragon Army is in the very last city," Zhao Xing said, looking at the map.

In the first twenty-five cities, they encountered Dragon Descendants with no command structure whatsoever, acting entirely on their own.

There were many of them, and their strength was not weak, but they formed no ranks; they could be described in eight characters: charging in a mob, scattering in a panic.

For a master, passing such a checkpoint was not difficult.

The difference was merely a matter of timing.

Of course, time also determined the points obtained.

"Two and a half days have already passed; I fear someone has already cleared the stage," Zhao Xing thought silently.

However, this time, he was truly mistaken.

…………

The thirtieth Dragon City was also the final city checkpoint of the second stage, 【Dragon's Guardian】.

Xuan Feng rode atop a Wind Dragon, frowning as he looked forward.

The vital energy within his body churned ceaselessly, and the Wind Dragon beneath him bore wounds, with many scales having fallen off.

Ahead, a sword cloud condensed from blood qi hovered, and beside the sword cloud, a golden dragon danced up and down.

Below were three thousand armored soldiers of the Azure Dragon Army; the leading soldier carried a massive golden sword on his back, with many swords dancing around him.

A Blood Qi Battle Formation, a seventh-level Blood Qi Battle Formation, blocked all his paths; he could only force his way through!

However, after three attempts, Xuan Feng found he could not pass!

Because although these three thousand Azure Dragon soldiers were merely fifth-rank, the leading general was a sword cultivator!

Three thousand fifth-rank soldiers, all led by him, formed a seventh-level Blood Qi Battle Formation that was truly like a heavenly chasm.

"Three attempts, three times failing to pass beneath that sword cultivator's hand, and I myself ended up injured."

Xuan Feng understood that he alone could not clear this final stage.

"Mainly that sword cultivator; his control over the battle formation reached the seventh level, and his own strength was formidable."

Xuan Feng understood where the trial of the second stage lay: it was teamwork.

Those sent by the Dazhou Sect into the Ancient Dragon Court had no rules while inside.

And those who obtained the spots came from different powers; naturally, the imperial court hoped they would set aside selfishness and cooperate hand in hand.

"The first twenty-nine Dragon Cities were merely to let people see the types of enemies and understand the enemies."

"The final city is so difficult to pass to make all participants understand that only cooperation leads to mutual victory."

Xuan Feng stopped agonizing, quietly recovering his injuries while waiting for the contestants behind him to arrive.

…………

Xuan Feng waited for a moment; not long after, Lei Ling and Leng Yue also arrived before the final city.

They glanced at Xuan Feng, then immediately launched their attempts to break through.

However, they did not last even three seconds before being defeated.

Whether human or beast, each bore injuries and fell outside the city to heal.

Time ticked away second by second.

More and more people arrived.

Soon, the top thirty from the previous stage had almost all gathered.

Under the organization of Xuan Feng, Lei Ling, and Leng Yue,

the top thirty launched an attack together.

This time they held out a bit longer; only after the burning of an incense stick were they crushed.

…………

Long Xiao stood on the city wall, not even looking at the team healing in the distance, merely gazing into the far distance.

The adjutant beside him, the Commander of the Azure Dragon Army and also Long Xiao's brother-in-law 'Bai Yang', asked in a low voice, "Brother-in-law, did you go a bit too hard?"

"Did I?" Long Xiao asked. "I don't think so."

"Not yet?" Bai Yang transmitted with his voice: "Brother-in-law, you even used the Shen Xiao Sword Art; the only thing missing was drawing the Seven-Star Divine Sword set your father gave me."

"The top thirty who came, every war beast was beaten into critical injury by you..."

Long Xiao smiled: "Your father sent me to guard the city; he just wanted me to show off my strength so the world would know the Bai family took in a good son-in-law."

"If I didn't use some strength, how could that work?"

"But you didn't need to critically injure everyone; after they retreated, you still added a few sword qi strikes."

"Brother-in-law, to be honest, do you want to..."

Long Xiao glanced at Bai Yang: "Stop talking nonsense. I am the main general; are you the main general? Are you teaching me how to do things, hm? Do you want to get a workout?"

"No, no." Bai Yang shook his head repeatedly. Joking? When he first met Long Xiao, it was because he couldn't beat him, so he called his sister to help; in the end, his sister couldn't beat him either and ended up losing herself to him.

Eight years ago, his sister could still exchange a few moves with Long Xiao.

Now, Bai Feng could not beat him at all; she could only force Long Xiao to yield by throwing tantrums.

"Go tell the brothers to perk up; don't let anyone pass!"

"Yes." Bai Yang obediently withdrew.

Long Xiao continued looking toward the distant city, muttering in his heart: "Little brother, why haven't you come yet? Even this kid Bai Yang is starting to suspect something; if you don't come soon, I can't keep up this act..."