Gathering of the Ten Thousand Beasts

The most important event in the Northwest Region of the Douqi Continent was the once-in-a-decade Ten Thousand Beasts Assembly. It was a competition that determined the ownership of the Northwest Region, as well as a grand event where countless gifted youths first made their names.

Although the top ten were often monopolized by the major factions, the Ten Thousand Beasts Assembly held a deadly attraction for ordinary cultivators from small clans and sects. The reason was simple. It contained the inheritances of nearly every native Dou Zun in the Northwest Region. As long as one's luck was sufficient, quite a few people had soared to greatness in a single leap through the Ten Thousand Beasts Assembly.

Many figures who now wielded tremendous influence in the Northwest Region had also emerged from the Ten Thousand Beasts Assembly. It was said that Slayer Hand He Kui had ventured into it alone in his youth and, by a fortunate coincidence, obtained the inheritance of a venerable expert, thus beginning his legendary life.

There were also rumors that Xu Chengzze of the Echo Sect had slaughtered his companions at the Ten Thousand Beasts Assembly before ascending to the position of sect master. It was said that the leader of the Heroes Alliance and Lu Huangtian of the Mystic Pattern Sect had once been close friends, but fell out over a venerable expert's inheritance at the Ten Thousand Beasts Assembly.

All manner of tales circulated. Although the major factions had personally stepped forward to declare them nothing more than rumors, the stories only grew more extravagant, adding several layers of mystery to the Ten Thousand Beasts Assembly and stirring people's blood even further. Even with the rule that those over thirty were forbidden from entering, countless young people still rushed inside every time.

Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain, where the Ten Thousand Beasts Space was located, had already become a sea of people. Though it was called Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain, there were actually hardly any magical beasts there. The reason was that the Ten Thousand Beasts Assembly was simply too eye-catching, drawing hopeful people to the mountain in search of opportunities, hoping to pick up something left behind from the Ten Thousand Beasts Space.

Most powerful magical beasts were casually dealt with by the major factions when they attended the assembly, so the so-called Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain had become a rather peculiar attraction.

At that moment, though dense crowds stood all over the mountain, there was a circular clearing at the summit, clearly divided into six areas. No matter how anxious those around them were, no one dared enter that space, because it belonged exclusively to the true overlords of the Northwest Region—the six great superpowers: one alliance, two sects, and three beast clans.

Xiao Yan and his group followed the Heavenly Snake Mansion to the summit, but they were not the earliest arrivals. Two groups had already taken their positions before the Heavenly Snake Mansion arrived.

The members of one group nearly all had crimson-red hair, and the aura they gave off carried a bloody stench. The leader had flamboyant red hair, and at nearly two and a half meters tall, his muscular body made him resemble a humanoid lion.

The most murderous of the six great factions—the Lion Underworld Sect. Its leader was none other than the Lion Underworld Sect's sect master, Shi Tian.

The other side had a great number of people, with quite a few even gathered in the air. Everyone wore an emblem on their chest, depicting two tightly clasped fists.

The loosest of the six great factions, yet also the most influential—the Heroes Alliance. Its leader was also the Heroes Alliance's leader—Wan Baishan.

After landing in the Heavenly Snake Mansion's area, Wan Baishan clasped his fists toward Yang Yue, who returned the gesture politely. As rival factions, the six great powers did not have particularly good relations, but Wan Baishan was a rather tactful man. The major factions and the Heroes Alliance maintained cordial appearances.

As for Shi Tian, when he saw Yang Yue arrive, he merely looked down on him. The Lion Underworld Sect had originally been the last to join the six great factions, and it had always regarded the Heavenly Snake Mansion as its target to surpass. It had now largely achieved that goal, and friction during the process had been unavoidable. Naturally, Yang Yue did not have a pleasant expression for him either.

Yang Yue said to Xiao Yan and the others behind him, "The young man behind Shi Tian is the Lion Underworld Sect's main force for this assembly, Shi Han. If you get the chance, target him."

Xiao Yan looked over and saw a burly man behind Shi Tian who stood around two and a half meters tall. It was hard to believe that he was still under thirty; with that ferocious appearance, people would have believed he was fifty.

Naturally, Xiao Yan and the others nodded in agreement. Aside from strengthening themselves, the Ten Thousand Beasts Assembly was also an opportunity to hinder others.

Yang Yue handed five jade rings carved with profound patterns to Xiao Yan's group of five. "Location Jade. Within a certain range, they can sense each other and roughly detect each other's condition."

Xiao Yan turned the jade ring over in his hand a few times. Yang Yue had told them that upon entering the Ten Thousand Beasts Space, everyone's location would be completely random, and it would be impossible to sense directions inside. Many people might not even encounter one another after entering. Though this jade ring could not directly locate them, being able to function within a certain range was already quite good. It was probably quite expensive as well. Even Yang Yue had only managed to obtain five; twelve people from the Heavenly Snake Mansion were participating, yet the other seven did not receive such treatment.

They silently put them away. Xiao Yan said, "Sect Master Yang, rest assured. We will not disappoint you."

Zi Yan hurriedly added, "With me here, I'll protect you!"

After Zi Yan had sent Yang Lingyan flying with a single punch that day, Yang Lingyan had suffered no real injuries, but he never mentioned commanding them again. He had accepted the gap between himself and Zi Yan.

Xiao Yan pressed a hand onto Zi Yan's head. "You should worry about whether you can even get in."

At that, Yang Yue's expression changed slightly. He had witnessed Zi Yan's terrifying combat strength himself. He truly did not want to lose such a trump card.

Before Zi Yan could retort, two equally powerful groups arrived, setting Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain boiling once more.

"Elephant Rhino Mountain! It's Elephant Rhino Mountain!"

"Elephant Rhino Mountain's chief, Shi Ye! With that powerful body of his, he's probably invincible below the Dou Zun realm!"

"You're dreaming. Do you see the Echo Sect coming from the right? Xu Chengzze of the Echo Sect—if he unleashes his sonic Dou Technique, more than half the people on Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain would probably die or be injured."

"Keep boasting. Have you ever seen Xu Chengzze fight?"

"Then have you ever seen Shi Ye fight?"

The two groups descended at the same time. A figure darted out from the Echo Sect and rushed into the Heavenly Snake Mansion's ranks. Once the Heavenly Snake Mansion members recognized him, they did not stop him. He threw an arm around Xiao Yan's shoulders and said, "Little Martial Uncle, did you miss me?"

Xiao Yan was somewhat helpless when he saw Xu Yingwu. "Why would I miss you?"

"Hehehe, this time we need to work together inside. How about taking down Lu Zhi?"

"Sure, sure. Whether you can even run into me is another question." With that, he led Xu Yingwu back toward the Echo Sect's area.

Looking at Xu Chengzze and Su Zhang at the front, Xiao Yan saluted them. "Senior Brother, Uncle Xu!"

Xu Chengzze nodded with a smile. "With little friend Xiao Yan's help, the Heavenly Snake Mansion's luck is not bad."

Su Zhang silently pulled Xiao Yan aside and casually handed him a Storage Ring. Xiao Yan swept it with his soul power and found quite a few pills inside, all of considerable quality.

Xiao Yan had just been about to speak when Su Zhang immediately said, "Stop! Don't give me all that empty talk. I gave it to you, so keep it. Yang Yue should have told you everything else. The most important thing is to keep yourself safe. As long as you can come out, your senior brother will stand up for you."

Xiao Yan paused, warmth rising in his heart. Though there was something rather unearned about gaining this junior brother, Su Zhang had truly treated him extremely well.

While the Heavenly Snake Mansion and the Echo Sect interacted because of Xiao Yan, observant people continuously watched them, as if trying to discover something from it.

Amid the clamor of the crowd, the group with the most imposing aura appeared.

The foremost power of the Northwest Region—the Mystic Pattern Sect!