Clang!
The iron lock rattled once.
The tall, lean young man sitting cross-legged on the ground slowly raised his head.
This person was none other than Mo Jiu!
A faint smile played on Murong Qinghong's lips.
This big fellow had been captured incidentally when they discovered Shangguan Qianqian, and his strength was truly remarkable.
Even the Blue Sword Scholar who made the move was injured and was still recuperating.
Murong Qinghong's eyes flickered.
Although this tall, thin young man before her was very strong, he still fell a bit short.
"How is Shangguan Qianqian?"
Mo Jiu asked in a muffled, deep voice.
Murong Qinghong's red lips parted slightly: "Heh, what is she to you? An object of your affection? Doesn't seem like it. Your master? That doesn't seem right either."
Mo Jiu remained silent, his cold gaze fixed on her, filled with killing intent.
"Don't look at me with those eyes!"
Murong Qinghong said coldly.
Shoop!
A water arrow shot forth, piercing through Mo Jiu's arm.
Blood dripped down!
Beads of cold sweat broke out on Mo Jiu's forehead from the pain, yet he didn't utter a sound.
This woman's strength was immense!
Before her, he didn't even have the ability to resist.
"Win this match, and I will naturally let Shangguan Qianqian go," Murong Qinghong said indifferently.
She needed to select a young, powerful body.
If he ended up being the victor, she would have to make do with him.
"I'll trust you one last time."
Mo Jiu said coldly, slowly rising to his feet. His tall frame exuded a sense of oppressive presence.
The chains clicked open.
Murong Qinghong, holding the key, smiled brightly: "If you win the competition, not only Shangguan Qianqian, but an even bigger surprise awaits you."
Mo Jiu couldn't be bothered to engage with her. Hoisting his large black axe, he slowly walked out of the dungeon.
It was noon, and the sunlight was dazzling.
The training ground echoed with shouts and roars.
Two martial artists fought fiercely on the platform, their energy fluctuations spreading everywhere!
A bare-chested martial artist with dark skin stepped forward and threw a punch, carrying a force reminiscent of a dragon's roar and a tiger's growl, landing heavily on his opponent's chest.
Visibly, the struck martial artist's chest bones shattered, caving in entirely. The clothes on his back burst open as he was sent flying backwards, landing heavily on the ground.
Thud!
By the time he hit the ground, the man was already lifeless.
"This..."
Tu Langlang frowned, seemingly still unaccustomed to such scenes.
"The strong prey on the weak. He died because he was weak!"
The dark-skinned martial artist said slowly, stepping over the dead man's head.
Crunch!
Blood splattered as the head exploded like a watermelon.
The martial artist turned back to look at Tu Langlang below the platform, baring his teeth in a cruel grin.
As people of the Flame Tribe, they lived for battle.
"More ruthless than I imagined."
An Yi remarked casually.
Originally twelve groups, yet only seven people had been eliminated in the end!
But still, it was good. Among the seven, they already held four spots: An Yi himself, Gu Changfeng, Hua Fengyu, and Tu Langlang.
The remaining three were Ma Duoke, Heixi, and finally, the disciple of the Recluse of Green Peak—a little-known but exceptionally talented genius swordsman!
"Draw lots!"
Xu Kang, not wanting to waste words, said directly.
The losers had left. Now, with only seven people remaining on the entire vast training ground, it felt rather empty.
Surrounding the platform were rows of golden-armored soldiers holding long halberds!
Tu Langlang asked curiously, "There are seven of us. How do we draw lots?"
"The last one will probably get a bye," Gu Changfeng pondered.
After they finished drawing lots, Ma Duoke grinned, revealing his teeth: "Got the bye, heh. Was hoping to kill someone to liven things up a bit."
"Your opponent is me."
A low voice sounded.
Ma Duoke turned to look, his gaze freezing.
The newcomer was a tall, lean young man carrying a large black axe.
His sharp, murderous aura felt almost tangible, making it hard to breathe.
"He looks really powerful."
Gu Changfeng said gravely, faintly feeling his arm tremble.
"Peak of the Xujing realm..."
"No, this guy is probably even stronger."
Tu Langlang beside him also adopted a serious expression.
An Yi's expression turned odd.
Mo Jiu! He was one of his own men!
However, Mo Jiu clearly didn't recognize An Yi disguised as the Minotaur, remaining stony-faced, unsmiling, and exuding killing intent.
An Yi noticed Murong Qinghong returning to the viewing area above and frowned slightly.
What was going on?
He could see the wounds on Mo Jiu's body.
There was still blood at his wrists and ankles, signs of having been bound.
First Arena (platform).
Gu Changfeng and Hua Fengyu stepped forward together, both momentarily stunned.
Gu Changfeng looked at the marker in his hand and raised an eyebrow: "My opponent is you?"
"I forfeit. Making it to the top eight counts as not losing face for the old man."
Hua Fengyu shrugged.
He was just here for fun!
Theoretically speaking, his father was considered the sect master's junior brother, so he had to call Murong Qinghong "aunt-master." This whole affair...
Just thinking about it was thrilling!
However, he wasn't about to throw his life away for a momentary thrill.
Xu Kang glanced at the two and announced directly: "Group one winner, Gu Changfeng!"
As soon as the words fell!
A figure was sent crashing down from another platform, vomiting large mouthfuls of blood.
This person was none other than that genius swordsman!
Hei Geng stood on the platform, his eyes deep as if looking at an ant.
A mere peak Xujing realm practitioner was indeed like an ant to him.
Xu Kang was also shocked. After a long pause, he slowly announced.
"Group three, winner, Heixi!"
At this moment, looking at Hei Geng's ugly face, his eyes narrowed. He had thought of something.
This guy... was the Demon Hall Master of the Hundred Ghosts Sect!
But wait, wasn't he already stirring up trouble a hundred years ago? Why was he still under thirty now?
Hei Geng slowly walked down, as composed and unhurried as when he first arrived.
He had come here originally with the simple intention of participating in the marriage contest.
But after encountering An Yi, he had another plan—he wanted to crush this guy!
The five great sects had all been slaughtered by him!
This grudge... was irreconcilable!
Another group.
It was An Yi and Tu Langlang.
"Boss, are we still fighting?" Tu Langlang asked timidly.
An Yi smiled: "What do you think?"
Tu Langlang sighed and raised his hand: "Um, I surrender..."
Xu Kang looked at the two speechlessly, suppressing his anger: "Group four winner! Minotaur Chen!"
Second group.
Ma Duoke and Mo Jiu were locked in intense combat!
Blazing fists of fire shot towards Mo Jiu like machine gun fire.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Mo Jiu blocked with his axe. Even when struck, his feet planted firmly on the ground, he didn't retreat an inch, his eyes fixed coldly on his opponent.
Ma Duoke's fists were bleeding.
Gritting his teeth, fiery cracks appeared all over his body. With a roar, his speed suddenly increased as he charged at Mo Jiu!
Boom!
The ground beneath Mo Jiu's feet cracked! Forming an earthen wall that blocked Ma Duoke's fist.
"Peak of the Duanti realm!"
Seeing this, even An Yi was stunned.
Mo Jiu, this guy, had actually cultivated his Earth Spirit Vein to the peak of the Duanti realm!

nd fell into a coma while saving his younger sister from an out-of-control car. He became a vegetable. No one knew that his consciousness had crossed into a world of cultivation. Over the course of sixty years, he began as the lowest kind of mine slave, struggling to survive amid mountains of corpses and seas of blood. By sheer chance, he eventually obtained the complete memories of a fallen Immortal King. Alchemy, medicine, formations, feng shui, physiognomy, artifact forging… Every great inheritance of the cultivation world was now his. But when he opened his eyes again, he discovered that ten full years had passed in the modern world. To pay for his treatment, his father had sold the family’s shop and house, leaving himself covered in lasting injuries and illness. His mother had cared for him day and night, and more than half of her hair had already turned white. His younger sister, who had been only fifteen back then, was now twenty-five. To help repay the family’s debts, she had been forced to lower her head and put on a smiling face in places of glittering lights and endless revelry. Only then did Chen Xuan understand that what he had lost was not merely ten years. He had lost the life his entire family was meant to have. The good news was that he had brought back the memories of an Immortal King’s entire lifetime. The bad news was that his soul had returned alone—his cultivation had not come with him. Spiritual energy was scarce, resources were depleted, and the modern world still had firearms, surveillance, capital, and laws. If he wanted to protect his family, break free from everyone’s control, and become truly invincible beneath the heavens, he would have to start all over again.

lanned to earn money steadily and take life at a slower pace. But he never expected... his father's remarriage, and the stepmother bringing along a dependent, would completely disrupt his life's plans...

uld barely embark on the path to immortality. Just as he was on the verge of death, his golden finger awakened. No matter whether it was poison, drained blood and vital energy, diminished lifespan, or any other physical debuff caused by paying a price—once midnight passed, everything would be refreshed. From then on, whenever someone asked what kind of person Chu Ran was, the answer was simple: Forbidden arts that other cultivators dared not learn? Chu Ran would learn them. Prices that even demonic cultivators dared not pay? Chu Ran would pay them. Lifespan that even righteous cultivators dared not burn? Chu Ran would burn it. All the blood essence in his body? Take it. Want both his hands and feet? He would cut them off and send them to you. You say he’s finished? He wasn’t built to sit idle. You think he’s gone mad? No—he was simply waiting for midnight. From that day onward, Chu Ran would respect neither Heaven nor Earth, bow to neither gods nor ghosts. He had only one wish: For midnight to arrive a little sooner.

s + Rent Collection Wealth】 At the start, he inherited a rundown house in the urban village from his grandfather. The house had no tenants, but the moment he was diagnosed with a terminal illness, a self-proclaimed empress from the Tianxuan Continent arrived as his first tenant. Ye Chuan soon discovered that with every new tenant moving in, not only did he receive massive daily payments, but he also obtained unique items related to their backgrounds. 【Acquired Bai Qianshuang’s related item: Tiger Strength Pill—dramatically enhances physical power!】 【Acquired Bai Qianshuang’s related item: Deer Blood Pill—significantly boosts vitality!】 …… From that day on, all sorts of bizarre tenants began appearing in the house: the empress from Tianxuan Continent, an apocalyptic sorceress from the Magic Realm, a mysterious scientific girl who fell through a spacetime rift… Every single day, he received strange, powerful items and endless money. Then one day, he suddenly realized—he had become invincible. Enough, enough! Stop giving me more!