Chapter 101: A Smooth Success

Chen Yiyan smiled and said, "Brother Yanchen, you are too polite. We are all in the same boat now; how can we treat each other as outsiders?" As he spoke, Chen Yiyan glanced at the other cultivators who had been abandoned by their companions, who were now forced to find other ways to overcome the obstacle.

Ye Zihan looked at Lin Dong and Yanchen. He hadn't expected Yanchen to be so courteous. In truth, he himself didn't mind; if he activated all five elements, no attribute would pose a problem, as Ye Zihan was certain he could find a solution.

"Haha, let's cross now. We cannot afford to waste any more time." With those words, Ye Zihan set off quickly. Since neither he nor Chen Yiyan feared the fire-attribute volcano, they faced no real danger, though it was a different story for Lin Dong and Yanchen.

Yanchen laughed, "Haha, you are right. Let us depart. I wonder what the next danger will be? Let's take the first step and see." Following closely behind Ye Zihan, Yanchen moved toward the raging volcanic fire. Protected by the volcanic keys they possessed, they felt almost nothing of the scorching heat that had troubled others moments before.

Chen Yiyan smiled and called out, "I didn't expect you two to be faster than me! Wait for me!" He quickly caught up to them, followed by Lin Dong. For Lin Dong, this competition for the Nameless Hill and Nameless City was his first time participating in such a battle, yet he found himself enjoying the thrill of it.

The group successfully cleared the first stage of the Nameless City competition and entered an endless forest. Scattered among the trees were numerous houses that looked ancient, yet they stood firm within the woods.

"This must be the wood-attribute stage, right? I just wonder how one is supposed to pass through it," Yanchen pondered. They were about to challenge the second stage, a vital part of the competition. The area was already crowded with cultivators from the Phantom God Continent who had successfully passed the first stage.

Although many had been eliminated, a large number remained—either because they were fire-attribute cultivators themselves, had found other ways to cross, or were part of cohesive teams like Ye Zihan’s.

Just then, Ye Zihan caught an unfriendly gaze. A sense of crisis pricked at his psychological defenses. For him, winning the Nameless City was an absolute must, as it was tied to the growth of the Heaven-Defying Pavilion.

He ignored the hostile looks. He did not fear his enemies, especially those who sought their own destruction. If they dared to act against him, Ye Zihan was no weakling; he understood the principle of an eye for an eye all too well.

Chen Yiyan looked at Yanchen and nodded. "This is indeed the wood-attribute stage, but we have nothing to worry about. It doesn't necessarily mean only wood-attribute cultivators can pass. The volcano was the same; as long as you have a standard method, you can get through." As a fire-attribute cultivator, Chen Yiyan feared nothing but water, though he was, in fact, the bane of the wood element.

Lin Dong smiled and said, "Look, they are preparing to cross." He noticed the other cultivators beginning to venture forward, testing the path. For Ye Zihan’s group, letting others lead the way was a welcome advantage.

Ye Zihan followed Lin Dong’s gaze as the cultivators moved deeper into the vast forest. While they seemed happy to have cleared this hurdle, Ye Zihan knew that passing these stages did not guarantee control over the Nameless City. The final decision rested with the guardians of the city.

These guardians had protected the city for centuries, never wavering. They would not easily surrender control, nor would they compromise with the cultivators from the Phantom God Continent; such was the arrogance of the Nameless City’s guardians.

Even the assassins who had targeted Ye Zihan’s group had been killed, proving that the people of the Nameless City were not afraid to offend others—a rare trait indeed.

"Roar!" As expected, each stage featured a fifth-rank demonic beast acting as a roadblock, turning cultivators into fodder. It was a cruel reality; in a world of survival of the fittest, if you lacked the strength, you were destined to be devoured.

It was a fire-attribute Bursting Tiger, a beast capable of devastating the forest. If it went into a frenzy, it could reduce the woods to ash, though water-attribute beasts would usually intervene to extinguish the flames.

"Brother Ye Zihan, I want to take on this Bursting Tiger! It’s a fifth-rank beast; its magic core must be much tastier than the Wind Wolf’s," Moyou said, looking at the beast with delight. He was eager to improve his cultivation and saw a perfect opportunity.

Ye Zihan patted Moyou’s head and smiled. He wouldn't use Moyou just yet; the little creature was his trump card, and he wouldn't act recklessly, especially while the situation remained unclear.

"Moyou, I will capture its core for you, but you must stay asleep for now. Do not emerge unless absolutely necessary. It’s only a fifth-rank beast; unless it reaches the seventh rank, I have nothing to fear." Ye Zihan was confident, yet he remained cautious, knowing the price of carelessness.

Though the beasts stood in their way, Ye Zihan knew their true enemies were the other cultivators. They might appear righteous and gentlemanly, but they were mere hypocrites who would kill at the first sign of profit.

Hearing this, Moyou drooped his head and curled up in Ye Zihan’s arms to sleep. He wouldn't wake up even if the world crumbled around them, unless Ye Zihan called him. Ye Zihan smiled, petting the small dragon’s head; Moyou was simply too adorable.

"Stay alert and prepare to move. The beast is not our main threat; we must keep an eye on those restless cultivators," Yanchen said. They entered the second stage; retreating now meant forfeiting their chance at the Nameless City and bowing out of the competition.

Ye Zihan’s resolve was firm. The Heaven-Defying Pavilion was just starting out, and without a stronghold like the Nameless City, they would be looked down upon by other powers in the Phantom God Continent. Their current base in the bandit-ridden Branch Mountain was insignificant and a source of embarrassment.

"Brother Yanchen is right. Our biggest enemies are those cultivators. Let’s go—I’ll take care of this Bursting Tiger," Ye Zihan said, launching himself at the beast. The competition had reached a fever pitch, and everyone was prepared to risk their lives.

"Roar!"
"Ah!"

With a thunderous roar followed by a scream, another cultivator was wiped out by the tiger. The remaining cultivators stared at the beast with lingering fear, but they dared not attack; their strength was simply too low.

"You cowards! If you fear death, get out! This is a battlefield for warriors, not for weaklings like you!" the fifth-rank tiger bellowed in human speech. Despite the taunt, the tiger prepared itself for the slaughter, as it was its duty to do so.

The beast was a sacrifice; its life was secondary to its role as a barrier. The guardians of the Nameless City had placed these beasts here for a reason—to ensure that only the truly capable could proceed.

Ye Zihan surveyed the crowd. There were several hundred cultivators present, mostly at the Four Symbols or Five Elements realms. There were virtually no experts at the Six Harmonies realm.

Ye Zihan’s own strength was comparable, but he had already reached the Six Harmonies realm, and Chen Yiyan was close behind. Seeing this, the other cultivators dared not provoke them, knowing they were not to be trifled with.

"Roar!" Provoked by the tiger's insults, the cultivators charged blindly, and the tiger descended upon them in a frenzy. It was the cruel law of the jungle; no one was spared, for they all had to face the challenge.