At the center of Great Wasteland City, the ground stretched out flat.
Here, the earth was not shattered like in other parts of the city. Instead, it remained remarkably intact. This was clearly due to the presence of the central area, where a mottled, ancient stone tower stood silently.
"This is the Ancient Body Refining Tower?"
Liu Bai looked at the stone tower before him.
The tower was dark gray, its surface etched with extremely ancient patterns that seemed naturally formed. It rose there, not particularly majestic, yet when Liu Bai gazed upon it, his breath caught. A terrifying pressure swept over him, causing a faint pain in his body, as if it might shatter.
Liu Bai narrowed his eyes, and a glint of fanatic intensity flashed in his gaze.
Ever since cultivating the Dragon-Phoenix Body, Liu Bai's combat style had undergone a transformation. Close-quarters combat, once avoided, was no longer his weakness. He had even come to relish the visceral, bloody thrill of strike upon strike.
This Ancient Body Refining Tower presented the perfect opportunity to further enhance his physical constitution.
"Be careful. This Ancient Body Refining Tower is not simple. Even Lesser Earth Sovereigns would not dare to force their way in," Jiu You warned, sensing Liu Bai's emotional shift.
"Heh, don't worry. I am not the reckless type," Liu Bai replied with a faint smile.
As they spoke, those originally around the tower turned their gaze toward the four of them.
Liu Bai's eyes swept across, landing on a particular direction.
There, four massive figures, towering like iron towers, stood upright.
These four were clad in black armor, exuding a dense killing intent. Their eyes glowed slightly red, and atop their foreheads grew a single dark horn each. The horns curved slightly, sharp enough to pierce the void.
"Those are members of the Rhino Clan. I did not expect them to appear. This clan specializes in body refinement, with strength to uproot mountains. In combat, they are like berserk demons and extremely difficult to deal with," Jiu You said, her beautiful eyes glancing toward them.
Liu Bai nodded. All who reached this place were prodigies of the spiritual beast races. Their bloodlines had already reached Divine Beast rank, and those with innate racial talents could fight beyond the level of humans.
Thus, even though Liu Bai was a Ninth-Grade Sovereign, at most he could make these people cautious. If they outnumbered him, they might even take the initiative to attack.
After all, the arrogance of the beast clans was well known, and nothing Liu Bai saw surprised him.
Besides the Rhino Clan, Liu Bai and his companions also spotted the Flame Crane Clan, Dragon Ape Clan, and Devouring Sky Crocodile Clan.
These were top-tier clans among the spiritual beast races, rivaling even the Nine Nether Sparrow Clan.
Adding the previously encountered Tianpeng Clan, there were already six major clans present here.
Time slowly passed.
As everyone waited quietly, more spiritual beast clans arrived. Soon, the area was teeming with beings, yet the place remained eerily silent. Liu Bai, however, sensed a brewing aura of bloodlust in the surroundings.
Then, at one moment, a shaft of sunlight pierced the sky like a roaring flame, striking the tip of the mottled stone tower.
At that instant, the strongest members of all the spiritual beast clans opened their eyes, and a powerful surge of spiritual energy erupted from them.
Intense gazes converged on the Ancient Body Refining Tower.
The tower itself emitted a deep, resonant sound. Suddenly, the ground around it began to crack, and ten ancient stone platforms rose from beneath the earth.
These platforms were covered with obscure runes, glowing faintly. Subtle rays of light extended from them, seemingly linking to the tower.
The appearance of these ten platforms caused a wave of astonished exclamations among the gathered strong figures. Jiu You furrowed her brows and said, "This time, the Ancient Body Refining Tower has appeared with only ten reception platforms."
"Each platform can admit only one person. That means there are only ten spots available this time," Mo Feng said gravely.
At this moment, even the first-tier clans already outnumbered ten, and each clan had at least four members. These ten spots were certain to trigger fierce competition.
Just as Mo Feng felt his blood stirring, Liu Bai spoke calmly, "Ten reception platforms. Our Nine Nether Sparrow Clan will take four. Who agrees, who opposes?"
Jiu You, Mo Feng, and Mo Ling were momentarily speechless.
Indeed, the Nine Nether Sparrow Clan did not have the confidence to provoke so many clans…
Yet after Liu Bai spoke, a dead silence fell over the crowd.
Those who had seen Liu Bai fight before remained silent. The Tianpeng Clan members, though pale, kept their mouths tightly shut.
Next to Liu Qing, Zong Teng in a cyan robe maintained a cold expression.
"So this is the human Ninth-Grade Sovereign you were talking about?"
Liu Qing nodded repeatedly. "Yes! An arrogant and reckless one!"
Zong Teng glanced at her lightly before saying coldly, "Arrogance is justified if one has the ability. But for the Nine Nether Sparrow Clan to claim four spots by themselves will not be easy."
No one spoke, but this did not mean the clans were afraid. They simply did not want to be the first to challenge.
Once the four of them truly stepped onto the platforms, the situation could change…
As he finished speaking, Zong Teng's eyes suddenly widened.
He saw the four members of the Nine Nether Sparrow Clan actually stepping onto the platforms, one per platform.
"These guys are really bold…" Zong Teng concealed his surprise and smirked coldly.
In this world, the first to die is not always the weak, but definitely those without caution.
"That little girl is only a Sixth-Grade Sovereign and dares to take a platform? Truly reckless!"
"The Nine Nether Sparrow Clan has really gotten arrogant, ignoring us completely!"
"A mere human Ninth-Grade Sovereign, thinking they are invincible…"
The prodigies of the first-tier clans all stared dangerously, their spiritual senses intersecting in the void, conspiring silently.
"Big Brother Liu, these guys are plotting something evil!" Mo Ling said from her platform, frowning adorably.
Liu Bai smiled faintly. He snapped his fingers, and a golden array suddenly appeared, enveloping the platform Mo Ling stood on.
"Eh?" Mo Ling looked at the array above, her eyes filled with curiosity but without fear. She trusted Liu Bai would not harm her.
Liu Bai ignored her reaction and looked toward the other spiritual beast prodigies. He said calmly, "I know you are dissatisfied. You may try. If anyone can break this array, the platform is yours."
"Of course, you may also challenge me or any of the other members of our Nine Nether Sparrow Clan…"
With Jiu You and Mo Feng's strength, one-on-one, they feared no one present.
"What? Big Brother Liu, you don't believe in my strength?" Mo Ling finally realized Liu Bai's intention and frowned in dissatisfaction.
Liu Bai simply smiled, bluntly saying, "Isn't it obvious? Little girl, look at us four. Who has the lowest cultivation?"
"Ugh…" Mo Ling whimpered like a little beast, looking helpless and unable to speak.
The standoff in the arena froze once again. Gazing at the golden array hovering in the sky, none of them could discern its full structure, yet the mere fact that Liu Bai dared to display it suggested it was no ordinary array.
Judging from the aura spilling from it alone, this array was undoubtedly of Heaven grade.
"Since none of you want to make the first move, the Rhino Clan will take the initiative!"
A fierce and sharp voice rang out. All eyes turned to see a massive figure in black armor stepping forward. The dark horn on his forehead marked his clan identity.
"Han Shan of the Rhino Clan. This guy is not simple. Though only at mid Seventh-Grade Sovereign, his incredibly powerful physique allows him to fight with the strength of an Eighth-Grade. If he unleashed his Divine Beast true form, he might even win!"
Many who recognized Han Shan's identity were thrilled, as it seemed a fierce battle was about to erupt, promising a spectacular show.
As Han Shan finished speaking, his figure shot forward, landing heavily on one of the reception platforms. His fierce gaze swept across the surroundings, and his killing intent erupted, resembling an ancient rampaging feral rhino.
"This platform is mine! Anyone who disagrees, come and fight!" he declared coldly, standing with his hands behind his back, exuding an imposing aura.
The other prodigies' faces turned pale.
"Shameless, truly shameless!"
The group who had been watching the Rhino Clan, previously bulky and appearing simple-minded, were completely deceived by Han Shan's cunning.
Jiu You and Mo Feng, who had been ready for a fight, could not help but let out a burst of exasperation.
"Hahaha, Han Shan is quite entertaining," Mo Ling laughed joyfully, jumping up and down. Protected by the array, she was the safest despite her low cultivation.
Liu Bai had no concern about whether Mo Ling could withstand the trials inside the tower.
Though not explicitly mentioned in the original account, the Mo Feng siblings were undoubtedly connected to the Phoenix Clan. Mo Ling had even awakened the Phoenix Flame, a fire rivaling the Undying Flame in power.
A little girl who had awakened the Phoenix Clan bloodline likely had a body stronger than ordinary Divine Beasts.
Han Shan's cunning move stunned everyone and provoked anger in many, yet he remained completely unbothered, looking around arrogantly.
With half of the ten reception platforms now taken, the remaining prodigies who had intended to observe could no longer resist and rushed toward the remaining platforms.
However, with only so many platforms, someone would inevitably lag behind, and fueled by the anger of being outpaced, the battle ignited instantly.
The first to act was a small giant, resembling a little mountain. His target was the audacious Han Shan.
"Han Shan, others fear your Rhino Clan, but the Demon Elephant Clan fears nothing. Let me test the strength you boast of in your body!"
Boom!
With a furious shout, the giant figure descended from the sky, landing on the platform Han Shan occupied, causing the ground to tremble violently.
All eyes turned to see the Demon Elephant Clan member clad in black, his body covered with strange patterns that glimmered faintly, radiating an almost world-shaking force.
He wielded a massive dark staff, and when it touched the ground, cracks spread across the surface, clearly no ordinary matter.
"It's Xu Kun, a prodigy of the Demon Elephant Clan! Reportedly, he has reached Seventh-Grade Sovereign and can uproot mountains. If these two clans truly clash, it will be a cataclysm."
Indeed, Liu Bai's mind conjured an image of a colossal black rhino fighting a massive long-haired elephant.
Besides the cunning Han Shan, the remaining five platforms were occupied by Zong Teng of the Tianpeng Clan, He Qing of the Flame Crane Clan, Chen Zhan of the Dragon Ape Clan, and Lu Jia of the Devouring Sky Crocodile Clan. The last platform was contested by two first-tier clans.
Standing firmly on these platforms required no ordinary skill, making it difficult for those who had not claimed a spot.
Liu Bai's actions had also stirred many ambitions. In the Tianpeng Clan, aside from Zong Teng, the other three members were formidable.
Covertly coordinating with several prodigies, the Tianpeng and Flame Crane Clans led multiple clans in a joint attempt to break Liu Bai's golden array.
Challenges also approached Mo Feng and Jiu You.
In the end, among the ten reception platforms, only Liu Bai's position remained silent, as if everyone instinctively ignored him. The ten platforms now seemed like nine in their eyes.
Amused, Liu Bai watched the intense battles at the other platforms, occasionally nodding in approval as some prodigies unleashed their ultimate techniques.
"Tsk tsk, the fight between Han Shan and Xu Kun is indeed the most intense and thrilling!"
After appreciating the close-quarters combat of the two giants, Liu Bai turned his attention to Mo Feng.
His opponent was a beautiful woman with a pair of cyan wings unfurled behind her. Countless radiant feathers whirled around her, releasing an unmatched sharp sword aura that tore the surrounding space into tatters.
....
Hi For access to additional chapters of
Director in Hollywood (40 chpaters)
Made In Hollywood (60 Chapters)
Pokemon:Bounty Hunter(30 Chapters)
Hollywood:From Razzie to Legend(40 Chapters)
The Great Ruler(30 Chapters)
Btth: Ascend to Pinnacle (30 Chapters)
Douluo Dalu: My Martial is Tyranitar (30 Chapters)
Join pateron.com/Translaterappu