Chapter 1001: Chapter 977: Another Forbidden Artifact? (2/3)
"I am Jin Haochen, nice to meet you, Brother Zhou!" The human-shaped black bear greeted Zhou Heng with a smile and a cupped hand gesture. Although he looked tall and burly, he spoke with great refinement.
Actually, if this guy didn’t have that layer of black fur all over him, he would be quite a handsome young man. After all, he is a prince, and his parents are surely attractive people. But as he stands now... Liu Shishi being next to him, they look just like Beauty and the Beast!
Zhou Heng’s heart stirred. Looking at Jin Haochen, it was clear he knew who Zhou was, instead of learning his name from the calls of Liu Shishi or Liu Yun’er. This prince’s thoughts were indeed contrary to his appearance, not rugged but quite sophisticated.
Before he reached the Daqin Empire, he had already done his homework, knowing who needed to be remembered.
Zhou Heng also cupped his hands in return, saying, "Brother Jin, you must have had a tiring journey!"
Jin Haochen sat down as well, casually recounting some interesting stories he encountered along his journey. With his eloquence, if it weren’t for the overly conspicuous black fur, he could absolutely become the dream lover in the hearts of most women.
Actually, for Jin Haochen, this black fur is a symbol of honor!
Because it is the best proof of his ancestral bloodline, as the Black Gold Bear is also one of the Divine Beasts. The more his blood returns to its roots, the greater his future achievements will be, potentially surpassing the Black Cave King to grow into a Black Cave Sovereign, or even a Black Cave Emperor!
In his eyes, this black fur is incredibly bold, capable of demonstrating a man’s fervor!
Liu Shishi and Liu Yun’er, the cousin sisters, sat next to each other, while Zhou Heng and Jin Haochen were separated by two seats, which was fine. If two big men were sitting too close together, even they would feel uncomfortable.
Actually, Jin Haochen himself is quite nice. Although his father is a king, even a grand Black Cave King, he is not at all arrogant, naturally amiable, far more approachable than Yuwen Hua or Lin Xianyang.
While talking to Jin Haochen, Zhou Heng sent glances to Liu Shishi, indicating that her husband was quite good. Maybe she should just marry him?
Liu Shishi firmly shook her head. No way—her delicate skin must not be ruined by a human-shaped wild bear!
As they spoke, more and more people arrived, taking their seats one by one. Their table was also completely filled. There were many people Zhou Heng did not recognize, and they all seemed unfamiliar; he had never met them at the Wuyang Academy.
Some people came from other planets, arriving with their family elders for the grand event, while others were heirs of the Daqin Empire who graduated from Wuyang Academy centuries ago, hence Zhou Heng had never met them.
Without exception, there was no one from the Comet Realm in this third area!
Once reaching this realm, you’ve ascended from the "heir" level to the Empire’s backbone, eligible to enter the second area. Of course, if the heir’s potential isn’t strong enough, even reaching the Comet Realm might only qualify them for the fourth or fifth area.
The celebration banquet finally commenced, but today’s main event was the arena contest. It was not only a stage for young geniuses within the Daqin Country but also a joint competition among talents from other countries, and winning such a contest would be an immense honor!
It could even be considered bringing glory to their country!
Hence, the youths were all raring to go, each eager for the start of the arena contest so they could show their skills.
Amidst this eager anticipation, the Great Demon Dragon Emperor finally stood up and announced the start of the arena contest.
In this world where martial arts are revered, the best celebration in the banquet is through high-quality duels.
All participants first drew lots to determine their opponent in the first round or simply got a bye.
With over seven hundred participants this time, many had a bye in the first round to directly enter the second. Zhou Heng was lucky, he got a bye in the first round while Liu Shishi and Jin Haochen had to enter the arena and fight.
Because there were a lot of people, the huge arena was divided into ten areas, allowing ten pairs to battle simultaneously.
The first round swiftly concluded, reducing the number of participants to 512. From now on, no one would get a bye, but at most they would have to fight nine matches. If one could win all nine, they would triumphantly seize first place.
Zhou Heng’s number was relatively late. Liu Shishi and Jin Haochen had already finished their matches, but he hadn’t yet entered the fray. Meanwhile, at the Wuyang Academy, those with the qualification of the Overlord of Martial Arts, those Milky Way Emperors like Lin Xianyang, Zhao Heqi, and Ding Quan had unsurprisingly emerged victorious.
After more than an hour, it was finally Zhou Heng’s turn. He was first asked to present the weapon he would use in the arena, strictly prohibiting the use of Forbidden Artifacts. Otherwise, he would not only be immediately judged to lose, but if someone was injured, he’d face further penalties.
Zhou Heng brought out a longsword he had prepared long ago, which wasn’t even classified as a Treasure Artifact, just a very ordinary longsword. After the inspection personnel checked it thoroughly, they returned it to him with a perplexed expression.
That’s expected, the arena contest only forbids Forbidden Artifacts, but doesn’t restrict the use of Treasure Artifacts. Using a sword made of ordinary material is too frugal, isn’t it?
Zhou Heng didn’t mind at all; he smiled, took back the sword, and proceeded to calmly step onto the arena.
Now possessing thirty-two Milky Ways, if he were to unleash all his Spiritual Power in an instant, even a Treasure Artifact of the Milky Way Realm would shatter, and a Treasure Artifact of the Comet Realm would show cracks!
That would be too wasteful!
Since only one strike is needed, and there’s no intention to take a life, a common sword is enough. Use one for each fight, cost-effective for sure.
However, upon seeing Zhou Heng carrying a common longsword onto the stage, everyone chuckled!
Show-off!
Everyone had heard Zhou Heng’s story, "knowing" this guy was loaded with Forbidden Artifacts. He dominated Lin Xianyang in the hunting contest, rendering him incapable of living a normal life, eventually causing him to fall out of the top ten rankings!
—Despite Wuyang Academy’s firm statement that Zhou Heng didn’t use Forbidden Artifacts, who believes that!
A wealthy man now entered the stage with a sword so ordinary that it couldn’t be more ordinary. Isn’t this just showing off?
Indeed, this guy has always relied on forbidden artifacts to dominate. Now, with this tournament strictly prohibiting the use of forbidden artifacts, how can he stand out with the strength he’s just acquired from entering the Milky Way Realm?
Therefore, he might as well play the clown with an ordinary weapon!
Everyone thought this was the case, and displayed expressions of understanding, but out of respect for Hongyue, no one dared to laugh aloud.
Zhou Heng’s opponent was a high-tier Milky Way Emperor. He looked at the sword in Zhou Heng’s hand with uncontrollable anger, feeling utterly disrespected being faced with such a broken sword!
He vowed to defeat Zhou Heng harshly, making sure he never forgets his name!
"Begin!" The referee shouted, signaling Zhou Heng and his opponent to start their battle.
"Remember my name, it will be your eternal nightmare. I am Lu—" The high-tier Milky Way Emperor was about to boast when he saw Zhou Heng already charging forward with great strides, the sword swinging, tracing a trajectory inexplicable in its mystery.
His pupils suddenly dilated, and before he could comprehend the situation, the sword had already pierced his abdomen!
Bang!
No ordinary sword could withstand the entirety of Zhou Heng’s spiritual power unleashed in an instant. Just as the blade touched the high-tier Milky Way Emperor’s body, it shattered, but Zhou Heng’s spiritual power had already poured out, piercing through the abdomen like a sword strike, despite lacking a sharp blade!
Whoa, a large splash of blood erupted, leaving a huge hole in the high-tier Milky Way Emperor’s abdomen, his intestines blasted to bits.
His mouth hung open, but he couldn’t utter a single word, collapsing onto the stage with a faint twitch, indicating he hadn’t passed out completely.
Defeated with one sword!
How is this possible!
Everyone was astounded, with many standing up directly.
Even a high-tier Milky Way Emperor against another would not end a battle so swiftly, much less when Zhou Heng had just entered the Milky Way Realm!
But facts spoke louder than words; there the unfortunate one lay, bloodily sprawled!
It must be a forbidden artifact!
No doubt, unless a forbidden artifact was used, how could such an unbelievable situation occur?
"Cheating!"
"Unfair!"
"Wasn’t it agreed that forbidden artifacts aren’t allowed?"
Many were shouting insults; the world never lacks people who fear chaos.
Listening to their loud accusations, the referee was the first to be upset, saying, "No cheating whatsoever! That was definitely not a forbidden artifact, I can guarantee it!" He was naturally anxious; if it were indeed a forbidden artifact, it implied collusion between him and Zhou Heng!
That accusation was too severe—to be caught cheating in front of the emperors of seven countries would surely lead to being beaten to death!
"If it’s not a forbidden artifact, how could such a situation occur?" Many shouted that it was glaringly obvious!
"It’s not! Absolutely not a forbidden artifact!" The referee was internally conflicted, not believing that a Martial Artist who just entered the Milky Way Realm could seriously injure a high-tier Milky Way Emperor with just a mundane sword!
Moreover, the sword had shattered, making any investigation impossible!
But regardless, he could only persistently insist, otherwise, his fate would be incredibly miserable.
The crowd clamored, demanding severe punishment for Zhou Heng and the referee aiding in the cheating.
"Quiet!" A clear reprimand was heard, carrying no anger yet full of authority, instilling a sense of awe involuntarily in people and silencing the uproar instantly.
This was... the Great Demon Dragon Emperor!
A sacred decree was delivered!
Everyone held their breath, quietly listening to the Great Demon Dragon Emperor’s judgment.
After a pause, the Emperor continued, "Zhou Heng did not use a forbidden artifact!"
Immediately, exclamations erupted; not using a forbidden artifact? How could it be! But what kind of character is the Great Demon Dragon Emperor—he wouldn’t humiliate himself in front of such a crowd!
"Zhou Heng used a special cultivation technique that allows him to unleash at least ten thousand times the power in an instant, shattering the weapon in his hand and defeating the opponent with a single strike!" (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendations, monthly tickets on Qidian (); your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please read on .)