Chapter Ninety-Nine: The Storm Approaches

The next day, Mo You woke Ye Zihan very early. Although awakened abruptly, Ye Zihan had no complaints, as it was indeed time to rise. For cultivators like them, long hours of sleep were not always necessary, since their cultivation also served as rest.

“Big Brother Ye Zihan, shall we set off now? Many people in Nameless City have already started forming teams to leave. They say they’re heading somewhere to participate in the Nameless City Battle Royale. I wonder what exciting things might appear there?” Mo You's mind was filled with thoughts of fun and adventure, typical of a little fellow not even three years old yet, brimming with curiosity.

Ye Zihan smiled and said, “It’s dangerous there. You should rest safely in my arms. Unless it’s absolutely necessary for you to come out, it’s better not to stir up trouble. I want you to appear only when I need your help to defeat powerful enemies.” At this point, Ye Zihan regarded Mo You as a hidden weapon, whose role had become quite clear, especially since Mo You had already helped him significantly.

Whenever Ye Zihan was in danger, Mo You would promptly jump out from his embrace and deliver powerful strikes to their foes. Even if Mo You couldn’t kill them outright, he would at least severely wound them, greatly alleviating Ye Zihan’s burden.

When Ye Zihan’s opponents were injured, his pressure lessened considerably. Mo You had become Ye Zihan’s trump card—the ultimate secret weapon.

Even when facing assassins, Mo You consistently assisted Ye Zihan, injuring the enemy each time. Though unable to kill them, Mo You’s efforts still reduced Ye Zihan’s stress. This was Mo You’s greatest contribution to Ye Zihan.

Mo You scratched his little dragon head and said, “Big Brother Ye Zihan, Chen Yiyan and the others are up now. We should get going. We can’t be the last to arrive at the challenge site.” Mo You was more impatient than Ye Zihan, eager to help him and, ideally, secure control over Nameless City.

Ye Zihan glanced at Mo You and smiled. “Let’s go now. Chen Yiyan and the others are already leaving. We definitely won’t be the last to arrive. It’s time to set off.” With that, Ye Zihan placed Mo You back in his arms and slowly stepped out the door. At the same moment, Chen Yiyan and Yan Chen emerged as well.

“Brother Yan Chen, good morning. Let’s get going, or those rascals will leave us far behind,” Ye Zihan said as he stepped out of the inn room. It was time to depart, especially since all the cultivators had set off; they could not afford to be late.

Yan Chen smiled. “Yes, Brother Ye Zihan is right. It’s time to move. Brother Chen Yiyan, Brother Lin Dong, let’s go. I believe the Lord of Black Tortoise City has already arrived at Nameless Hill. Their top ten forces are monitoring this battle for dominance.” Yan Chen was well-informed about everything in the Illusory Divine Continent, which was a land full of hidden talents. Despite this, Yan Chen remained humble.

Chen Yiyan laughed. “Haha, yes, let’s go. Yesterday we fought fiercely against those assassins. I’m looking forward to what we’ll experience in this Nameless City Battle Royale.”

Lin Dong nodded and followed Ye Zihan and the others toward the outskirts of Nameless City. The battleground was outside the city, in a vast forest teeming with countless beasts and magical creatures—deadly to ordinary people, but trivial to cultivators.

Soon, Ye Zihan and the others reached the city’s outskirts, where cultivators were everywhere. A casual look around revealed a large number of participants, some not even reaching the Four Symbols Realm in strength, but their courage was commendable.

“Welcome to the Nameless City Battle Royale challenge. The requirements are simple. Ahead lie perilous trials based on the five elements. If luck isn’t on your side, don’t blame anyone but yourself,” an elder of Nameless City announced, describing the participants as men already halfway in their graves.

“Brother Ye Zihan, we’re about to enter dangerous territory. You must be cautious,” Chen Yiyan said carefully, evidently trusting Ye Zihan deeply.

Ye Zihan smiled. “Isn’t it just the elemental dangers set by Nameless City’s strong? Why should I worry? They must have their reasons.”

Hearing this, Chen Yiyan also smiled and quickly took the lead, for he understood the Beast Domain better than Ye Zihan and the others. As a disciple of the Black Flame Continent in the Beast Domain, Chen Yiyan felt a sense of ownership.

“Let’s go,” Yan Chen said, following Chen Yiyan forward. He not only faced enemy attacks but also the possibility of a full-on assault from Nameless City itself.

Chen Yiyan and Ye Zihan were the most powerful youths present, and this Battle Royale might elevate them to the pinnacle realms—a truly unprecedented event.

They soon arrived at a place resembling a martial training ground, but now it was a ruin with standing buildings and a plaza, suggesting a long history. Yet, they had no time to explore the ruins’ origins.

Meanwhile, the ten city lords of the Beast Domain had taken their seats. The youth battle was about to begin. None of the ten powerful factions wished another to gain control over Nameless City, as that would upset the balance of power in the Beast Domain. Thus, they were determined to prevent such an outcome.

Through the announcements, Ye Zihan and his companions learned that the ten city lords had pledged not to send disciples to this year’s Battle Royale, acknowledging the near-impossibility of success against the combined forces of the nine great powers. This was a relief, lessening the competition and pressure for many.

Had the ten city lords joined the fray, the contest would have been fierce. But they had tacitly agreed to abstain this year, a decision widely supported.

Even if Nameless City fell to outsiders or unknown figures, it would not affect the balance among the Beast Domain’s ten powers, which was paramount.

Now, Lin Lei and the other city lords sat solemnly on the observation platform, while below, the cultivators grew restless, eager to claim the spoils of victory. Everyone desired to make Nameless City their stronghold. Even other factions in the Beast Domain shared this wish but had given up, unwilling to pit one city lord against nine others—a truly harsh contest.

Lin Lei nodded at Ye Zihan and the others before resuming his supervisory role. The once-in-a-century Nameless City Battle Royale was about to commence. For first-time challengers, it was a perilous endeavor, facing not only the city’s dangers but also permitted assassinations by rivals.

“I am the Grand Elder of Nameless City. I hereby declare the once-in-a-century Battle Royale open!” The elder’s sonorous voice filled the arena, even surpassing the presence of city lords like Lin Lei.

Suddenly, the ground rumbled loudly. An ancient wooden door appeared amid the endless ruins ahead, swinging open. Various forces surged forward like souls reborn, eager to enter.

The ground beneath the observation platform began to sink, revealing streets and human skeletons—a grim sight that frightened many. Yet, in the face of greater temptation, fear was forgotten, replaced by greed.

The first trial was a perilous zone tied to the fire element, inhabited by many fierce beasts. Most were formidable magical beasts at the Four Symbols or Five Elements realms, underscoring the immense danger facing the cultivators.

A sudden roar echoed—a gigantic magical beast appeared: a Wind Wolf, its strength at the Four Symbols Realm. In the past, Ye Zihan would have fled, but now, as a powerhouse of the pinnacle realm, retreat was unnecessary.

Soon, a carefree cultivator was torn apart and swallowed whole by the Wind Wolf. Such was the harsh reality, made clearer by the numerous skulls and bones on the ground—previous challengers who had perished at this first stage.

Ye Zihan observed the cultivators before him. Some were at the Four Symbols Realm, but none had reached the Five Elements Realm. They could not slay the Wind Wolf immediately but were determined to persist until they did.

The Wind Wolf was surrounded and battered, yet it fought desperately—this was its only means of survival.

“Roar! You little bastards want to kill me? Let me tell you, I’m not in a good mood today. None of you will pass here!” Suddenly, the Wind Wolf spoke human words, surprising Ye Zihan and the others with its adorable fierceness.