The potent auras emanating from Xuanyuan Jue and Dugu Bachen made everyone present distinctly uneasy. Even Bai Xiaodi of the Bai family wore a look of profound caution, his expression especially tightening upon observing Dugu Bachen’s gaunt frame.

Below them, the scores of younger cultivators stood in reverent silence. Whether it was the formidable Xuanyuan Jing, Gui Jianchou, Huangfu Buyue, or Dugu Qian, every single one was utterly respectful, their faces mirroring the devotion of devout worshippers beholding their very faith.

These were the disciples of the top ten powers of the current Jiuzhou continent: the Xuanyuan Family, the Dugu Family, the Zhuge Family, the Qinlong Sect, the Luosha Gate, the Baihua Sect, the Leng Family, the Gongsun Family, the Ximen Family, and the Nanyun Alliance.

Among these, only the Xuanyuan Family, the Qinlong Sect, the Luosha Gate, and the Baihua Sect remained from the top ten three centuries prior. As for the Dugu Family, they were an ancient lineage whose foundational depth far surpassed the others. The Leng Family, Gongsun Family, Ximen Family, and Nanyun Alliance, conversely, were powers that had recently risen through the ranks over the years.

Because of this hierarchy, even the strongest representatives of these sects appeared tense when facing Xuanyuan Jue and Dugu Bachen.

The only person in the entire assembly maintaining perfect composure was a diminutive figure, barely a meter tall, entirely covered in white fur, seated atop a colossal White Tiger that was lumbering northward.

This person was none other than the mysterious little figure Ye Jingyu had encountered back in the Tiangang Mountain Range.

When Xuanyuan Jue and Dugu Bachen turned their gaze toward the little figure, their eyes were filled with deference, akin to a student facing his revered teacher.

The little figure paid no mind to the gazes directed his way, merely closing his eyes slightly, as if completely detached from the proceedings.

After exchanging a glance with the little figure and confirming he had no intention to intervene, Xuanyuan Jue and Dugu Bachen finally turned to face each other.

“Three hundred years, Brother Dugu, I trust you have been well!” A faint smile touched the corner of Xuanyuan Jue’s lips, as if the man before him was not his long-standing nemesis but an old friend long unseen.

“Well, my foot! Can’t you see half my body is already in the coffin? Little brat Xuanyuan, cut the pleasantries. Since my disciple is absent, consider this your lucky break. Let’s get this Soul Battle Tournament started quickly!” Dugu Bachen felt deeply frustrated. Earlier, they had been away from the Jiuzhou Continent for a long time refining a spirit medicine that could advance cultivators to the Martial Venerable realm. Upon successfully forging it, they returned to prepare for the tournament, confident that his disciple’s skill would secure first place without a doubt. Who would have thought that Ye Jingyu would actually kill someone from the Fang family of the Guhua Continent, even drawing away the Fang family assassins alone to preserve the strength of the Nanyun Empire? Now, even Zhuge Yi Shi and the others were unaware of his whereabouts, meaning he had clearly missed this Soul Battle Tournament. How could this not vex him, considering he had finally found such a rare genius...

Hearing Dugu Bachen speak to their ancestor with such an insolent tone caused the younger descendants of the Xuanyuan Family to bristle with anger...

“Very well, then I shall proceed directly to the rules of this grand competition!” Xuanyuan Jue remained unperturbed, his placid smile unwavering.

He then proceeded to articulate the purpose and regulations of the Soul Battle Tournament.

The purpose of the Soul Battle Tournament was to maximally stimulate the potential of these elite masters, profoundly enhancing their strength. The ultimate victor would have the chance to ascend to the Martial Venerable realm.

The Martial Venerable realm was a state coveted by countless individuals. Even the powerful Bai Xiaodi was only at the peak of the Ninth Heaven of the Martial God realm, still a considerable distance from the Martial Venerable state.

Currently, on the entire Soul Battle Continent, only Dugu Bachen and Xuanyuan Jue had reached the Martial Venerable realm; naturally, the little figure’s strength was absolutely no less than theirs.

However, perhaps only those contemporaries of Xuanyuan Jue knew the true identity of the little figure. Many of the younger cultivators looked upon him with sheer curiosity; if they hadn't witnessed the profound respect shown by Dugu Bachen and Xuanyuan Jue, they might have already revealed looks of mockery.

This time, the rules for the Soul Battle Tournament would not involve direct slaughter as in previous years. Instead, all participants would travel together to the Demon Realm to hunt down a Demon Wolf King. Whoever returned first with the Demon Wolf King’s remains would claim the first prize.

The Demon Wolf King was a formidable entity comparable to an Eighth-Rank Desolate Beast. However, its greatest threat was not its inherent power, but the pack of Demon Wolves it commanded—a group of savagely vicious demonic beasts. Yet, the greatest difficulty lay elsewhere: the Demon Realm. For many of these youths, this was the very first time they had even heard the words "Demon Realm," let alone the prospect of entering it. It would be an alien world to them, and no one could truly gauge the extent of the dangers it held.

When Xuanyuan Jue finished speaking, he observed the astonished looks on the faces of the young cultivators below. Yet, no one expressed fear; on the contrary, they were all overwhelmingly excited. They were super-geniuses selected from ten thousand, and the thing they feared least was challenge. The opportunity to journey to the mysterious Demon Realm naturally thrilled them beyond measure.

Seeing their excitement, Xuanyuan Jue and Dugu Bachen simultaneously let out a sigh. It seemed these youngsters had no comprehension of the Demon Realm’s true terror. The thought of revealing matters beyond the Soul Battle Continent was momentarily shelved; it would be better to wait until they had weathered hardship before sharing such knowledge.

Just as Xuanyuan Jue was about to declare the commencement of the Soul Battle Tournament, a chilling laugh echoed through the void: “What, have you all forgotten about this old crone? How could such an exciting event proceed without me?”

Upon hearing that voice, Xuanyuan Jue’s expression remained faintly smiling, and Dugu Bachen held the same composure, though a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. The little figure, who had kept his eyes tightly shut, suddenly opened them, his gaze sweeping over Dugu Bachen with a slight smile. Meanwhile, Bai Xiaodi and Huangfu Yun also turned toward Dugu Bachen, their eyes filled with peculiar knowing looks.

At that moment, the air shimmered, and a silver-haired woman, her face veiled, stepped forth from the void. Following behind her was a stunningly beautiful woman dressed in white.

“Sister?” The moment the white-clad woman appeared, Zhuge Yi Shi, standing in the crowd below, gasped out the word.

But as the sound escaped him, he immediately realized his impropriety, his face changing hue instantly. The white-clad woman, however, looked toward him and offered a soft smile...

(This chapter took nearly two hours to write, deleting and rewriting repeatedly. I feared keeping everyone waiting too long, so I am uploading it now. I will continue writing and have another update later!)