Invincible Beyond Heavens: Cultivating With A Broken EXP System - Chapter 341: First Battle!

Zhou Xiong Ying’s expression darkened instantly.

“A stray dog that came from nowhere dares to bark in front of me. You truly do not know the meaning of death.”

Fury surged within him. His eyes flashed with a fierce light as a powerful wave of Yuan energy erupted from his body. The force spread outward like a raging storm, pressing heavily against everything in its path and creating an overwhelming sense of oppression.

The surrounding crowd felt the pressure immediately.

“As expected of someone ranked eighteenth on the Hidden Dragon Ranking. His strength is truly terrifying.”

“With this level of power, his ranking will surely rise even further after this tournament.”

Whispers of shock spread through the spectators as they sensed the intensity of his aura.

Yet Li Yun remained completely unmoved.

He looked at Zhou Xiong Ying as though he were nothing more than a passing nuisance, and a faint mocking smile appeared on his face.

“You want to avenge your brother, do you not? Very well.”

He sat down calmly, his posture relaxed.

“I will remain here without moving. You may attack me as you wish. If I take even a single step to dodge, or even show the slightest change in expression, I will kneel and apologize to your brother.”

He paused briefly, then added with a hint of ridicule,

“That is, of course, if you actually dare to make a move.”

The moment those words fell, Zhou Xiong Ying’s face turned as dark as storm clouds.

The Hidden Dragon Tournament was the grandest event in the Southern Martial Domain, and its rules were strictly enforced. Any participant who attacked another outside of an official match would face severe punishment. At the very least, they would be stripped of their qualification to continue in the tournament.

Although Zhou Xiong Ying was known for his protective nature, he was not reckless enough to throw away such an opportunity just to vent his anger.

Seeing that he remained still, Li Yun let out a cold laugh.

“What is wrong? You do not dare to act?”

His gaze turned sharper as he spoke again.

“If you lack the courage, then leave. Do not stand here and make yourself an eyesore.”

“Damnable bastard!”

Zhou Xiong Ying’s fury erupted the moment those words left Li Yun’s mouth. As a genius ranked eighteenth on the Hidden Dragon Ranking, he had always been treated with respect and caution. Yet now, in front of countless eyes, he was being mocked, pointed at, and told to leave like a nobody. The humiliation burned within him, swelling in his chest until it felt as though it might burst.

Even so, he did not dare to act.

He could clearly sense the presence of the five Mortal Core Realm experts seated on the referee platform. Their soul senses blanketed the entire battlefield, watching every movement with unyielding scrutiny. The moment he made a move outside the rules, he would be discovered without fail. No matter how furious he was, he could not risk such consequences.

Yet standing there was just as unbearable.

If he turned and left after being insulted so openly, the disgrace would follow him wherever he went. His reputation within the Southern Martial Domain would be severely damaged, and the title he had built through strength would become a subject of ridicule.

For a moment, Zhou Xiong Ying stood frozen, his expression shifting repeatedly as he struggled between anger and restraint. Neither staying nor leaving offered him any relief, and he found himself trapped in an awkward and humiliating position.

Then, his gaze suddenly fell upon the golden light sphere in Li Yun’s hand.

A cold glint flashed in his eyes, and a sinister smile slowly spread across his face.

“Do not get too pleased with yourself,” he said, his tone dripping with malice. “I cannot touch you now because of the tournament rules, but that does not mean you will remain safe.”

His voice lowered, carrying a chilling intent.

“I happen to be in Group Five as well. You had better pray that you are eliminated before you face me in the competition. If you end up standing before me, I will make sure your defeat is as miserable as it can be.”

After delivering his threat, he turned without hesitation.

“Let’s go.”

With that, Zhou Xiong Ying left, his younger brother following close behind.

Once he was gone, a nearby participant stepped closer to Li Yun and spoke in a low voice, his expression serious.

“Brother, you should be careful. Zhou Xiong Ying is notorious for his ruthless methods. Although killing is forbidden in the Hidden Dragon Tournament, he often uses the excuse of an accident to cripple his opponents. In such situations, even the referees cannot easily intervene. If you encounter him, it would be wiser to concede early. Otherwise, the consequences could be severe.”

Li Yun listened quietly, then turned his gaze toward the direction Zhou Xiong Ying had left.

A faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips, calm and untroubled.

“It does not matter. Let him come.”

There was no trace of concern in his voice.

With his current strength, very few among the participants could truly threaten him. Aside from the three young titans, Su Fengyan, Li Hao, and Huang Chen, and perhaps a handful among the Seven Great Experts, no one posed a real danger.

As for Zhou Xiong Ying, who was only ranked eighteenth and stood at the fifth level of the Essence Qi Realm, Li Yun did not consider him worth worrying about at all.

“Sigh…”

Seeing Li Yun’s calm and indifferent attitude, the young Martial Artist found himself at a loss for words. He shook his head with a quiet sigh, convinced that Li Yun was being overly arrogant and would inevitably suffer for it. With that thought, he turned around and left without saying anything further.

Time passed quickly.

In what felt like the brief burning of a single incense stick, the Hidden Dragon Tournament officially began.

Li Yun rose to his feet and walked toward one of the dark golden arenas located in the Fifth Region. His steps were steady and unhurried. After stepping onto the arena, he stood quietly in place, waiting for his first opponent to appear.

Only a few breaths later, a powerful figure leaped onto the stage.

The man’s build was large and imposing, his presence carrying a heavy sense of strength. As he landed, his feet struck the surface of the arena with tremendous force, producing a deep, muffled sound that echoed across the surroundings. The impact caused the entire arena to tremble slightly, as though it could not fully withstand the weight behind that single step.

The burly Martial Artist straightened his posture and looked at Li Yun with a fierce grin.

“Kid, I had no grudge against you before, and I had no intention of going too far,” he said, his voice thick with hostility. “But you chose to act recklessly and offended my senior brother. Since that is the case, do not blame me for showing no mercy.”