“Speaking of the Cauldron Contest, that’s truly a long story. Ah, why don’t we find a place to sit and chat slowly?”

Chen Tingyan, hearing there was an opportunity, suggested without hesitation.

Jian Chou was indeed not familiar enough with this Sea-Mountain Market. The current Chen Tingyan, although he had dealings with Xie Buchen, could not yet be considered a close friend—they could only be said to be acquainted.

Given this, chatting more with this person who bore her no ill will could hardly be considered a bad thing.

After brief contemplation, Jian Chou nodded: “Then I shall trouble you.”

“Excellent, let’s find a place to go!”

Taking this first step so easily was truly the charm of “meeting an old friend in a foreign land.”

Chen Tingyan happily led the way, and halfway through they encountered his few lackeys. The lackeys looked on eagerly, but Chen Tingyan directly told them to go play by themselves, heartlessly bringing Jian Chou into a bustling tall building by the street.

The Human Realm’s Isolated Island had tea houses and wine houses because worldly people enjoyed pleasures.

Actually, cultivators were no exception, but in the Nineteen Continents, in places like the Central Domain, only extremely prosperous areas had such establishments specializing in producing and selling spiritual wine and spiritual tea.

It was different again in the Extreme Domain. The ghost cultivators here were quite fond of enjoyment, so there was an entire street filled with the fragrance of wine, tea, and food.

Chen Tingyan brought her into the “Eight Treasures Tower.”

The first floor upstairs was already occupied by quite a few people, and some who saw Chen Tingyan actively greeted him while casting curious glances at Jian Chou.

Chen Tingyan returned the greetings one by one, appearing completely at ease and welcome everywhere.

However, he didn’t linger on the first floor, but went directly to the second floor.

A hunchbacked, pale-faced little ghost quickly approached and led them into a private room: “Fourth Master Chen, this young lady, what would you two like to order?”

“The usual will be fine.”

Whenever bringing a new friend to a decent place, saying “the usual” always leaves a striking impression in the friend’s mind.

However, for Jian Chou, such an effect was clearly greatly diminished.

Her facial expression barely changed; she simply followed Chen Tingyan’s steps naturally. Chen Tingyan, seeing this, immediately sighed inwardly, thinking that Jian Chou was indeed worthy of being Jian Chou.

The two sat down in the private room, where the décor had a somewhat elegant atmosphere.

Clearly, Chen Tingyan’s ability to choose this place still retained some of his young master’s refined habits.

“How about the Cauldron Contest?”

Upon sitting down, Jian Chou’s first words went straight to the point.

Chen Tingyan’s heart was struck again, his mouth corner twitching, feeling that Jian Chou was too direct, but since he had taken on this matter himself, he could only answer truthfully: “The Cauldron Contest is the greatest grand event in the Extreme Domain’s outer regions, it’s like…”

After thinking for a moment, Chen Tingyan gave an extremely accurate comparison that Jian Chou was also extremely familiar with—

“The imperial examinations.”

This matched Jian Chou’s initial expectations.

She became interested and continued listening to Chen Tingyan speak.

“The court selects scholars, while the Extreme Domain’s Ten Great Ghost Clans and the Eight Directions Cities select ghost cultivators.”

“The Cauldron Contest is divided into three rounds in total. The first round competes for participation qualifications, then screening takes place among all those who obtained qualifications. Those who are unqualified or not excellent enough will be directly eliminated. After these two rounds, only the remaining people are qualified to truly ‘compete’ in a match.”

“Throughout the entire process, the more excellent one is, the more likely they are to become famous and gain both reputation and profit.”

Concise and clear, Chen Tingyan summarized the Cauldron Contest in just a few sentences.

Previously, Jian Chou already had some understanding of the Cauldron Contest, but not in such detail. She hadn’t expected the Cauldron Contest to have three rounds, but the sequence of these three rounds seemed somewhat strange.

“Fourth Young Master just said that the first round competes for participation qualifications, and only after that comes the screening?”

“Correct.”

Chen Tingyan had guessed that Jian Chou would ask about this, and also knew she was seriously listening to his explanation, secretly speculating whether Jian Chou had developed great interest in the Cauldron Contest.

Logically, no one would want to miss such a grand event as the Cauldron Contest in the Extreme Domain.

He patiently began explaining to Jian Chou.

“This is quite normal. The first round is just obtaining qualifications.

“The Ten Great Ghost Clans and the Eight Directions Cities each have certain recommendation quotas, but besides these, there are also a large number of quotas distributed among the Extreme Domain’s seventy-two cities, including Wrongful Death City.”

“These quotas are mostly open, with competitions held in the cities, with rules determined by the Eight Directions Yama Halls. Cultivators who haven’t received quotas from the Eight Directions Cities and Ten Great Ghost Clans can obtain quotas through competitions in the seventy-two cities.”

Speaking of this, Chen Tingyan smiled and added a sentence.

“Speaking of which, the fellow we encountered today is one who was valued by the Wuchang Clan but, lacking sufficient background, couldn’t obtain a quota. He can only hope for a quota from Wrongful Death City in the near future.”

The fellow they encountered—wasn’t that Xing Wu, who had competed with her for the sword?

Jian Chou understood and nodded.

“The second round of screening is the most interesting part of the entire Extreme Domain.” Chen Tingyan continued, but at this moment, a proud yet strange smile appeared on his face. “Can you guess?”

“Guess?”

Jian Chou knew nothing about this, but seeing Chen Tingyan’s expression, the second round’s rules were quite interesting.

She pondered for a long time but still shook her head: “Screening in what aspect?”

“Hahaha, I knew you definitely couldn’t guess. Even I couldn’t guess when I first came here…” Chen Tingyan laughed, deliberately creating suspense.

Though the technique was old-fashioned, Jian Chou had to admit he had aroused her interest.

Helplessly shaking her head with a smile, Jian Chou said: “What exactly is it?”

“Of course it’s…” deliberately drawing out his voice, Chen Tingyan stared into Jian Chou’s eyes, and seeing that she was about to lose patience, quickly supplemented—

“Literary knowledge and policy essays!”

“…”

Jian Chou’s eyes widened immediately, and she almost couldn’t believe her ears.

As a character who frequently shocked others, Jian Chou’s reaction at this moment gave a sense of role reversal.

She hadn’t misheard, had she?

Literary knowledge and policy essays?!

“This…”

This was simply too incredible, wasn’t it?

In the cultivator’s world, strength was paramount, how could…

Jian Chou actually tasted a sense of absurdity.

Unexpectedly, Chen Tingyan became serious at this moment: “Actually, thinking about it, there’s nothing too extraordinary about it. After all, the Extreme Domain is now closely connected with the Human Realm’s Isolated Island, and many things are directly imitated from there.”

Moreover…

“Besides, how can people who can’t even read cultivate in the future? In the end, if one wants to comprehend very powerful techniques, one still needs a good mind. If one can’t even read, there’s no need for such a mind to be selected.”

“…”

Jian Chou frowned. Originally finding it absurd, but now with Chen Tingyan’s explanation, she actually felt it made some sense.

Especially, this made Jian Chou instantly think of someone she didn’t want to think about.

Xie Buchen.

When on the Human Realm’s Isolated Island, he was a favored son of heaven.

Even when fallen, his intelligence could make people look at him with new eyes. If not for the sudden incident with Kunwu later, Jian Chou had no doubt that even under such difficult circumstances, Xie Buchen could have made a comeback.

Many times, heaven is unfair to people.

Jian Chou thought this secretly.

Just as after Xie Buchen arrived in the Nineteen Continents, from Jian Chou’s limited contact with him, the experiences on the Human Realm’s Isolated Island had such a great impact on Xie Buchen that it could be seen in his accomplishments with array formations.

Similarly…

In her contemplation, Jian Chou’s gaze unconsciously moved to Chen Tingyan: “So you…”

“Do you think I’m doing so well for no reason?”

Chen Tingyan blinked, revealing a smug expression, as if his fox tail was about to stand up.

“Guess what I’m doing here?”

“Being a tutor?”

The causal connection of the conversation was good, and Jian Chou almost instantly guessed it.

Chen Tingyan immediately laughed: “Worthy of being Miss Jian Chou, this can’t escape your discerning eye.”

Indeed, Jian Chou had guessed correctly.

Chen Tingyan wasn’t exactly a tutor now, but for those who wanted to get ahead, having a good teacher to teach them how to deal with the second round of the Cauldron Contest’s “literary knowledge and policy essays” was truly urgently needed.

Especially since Chen Tingyan had once been the son of a minister, and his father had also served as a chief examiner in Great Xia.

Therefore, Chen Tingyan was more familiar with these things.

Now, he was also somewhat of a notable figure in Wrongful Death City.

Chen Tingyan didn’t spare his saliva, showing off greatly in front of Jian Chou.

Jian Chou also had her eyes opened, partly feeling there was some reasoning she wasn’t sure was correct, and partly finding it very novel. The entire Extreme Domain had similarities to the Nineteen Continents, yet was unique enough to make people couldn’t help but admire it.

“What about the third round? Will it be like an arena tournament?”

Just like the Left Three Thousand Small Gathering in the Nineteen Continents.

Jian Chou naturally associated it with that.

Chen Tingyan thought for a moment, seemingly recalling what he had learned before, and finally shook his head: “It’s both like and unlike. The rules aren’t fixed each year. Sometimes it’s an arena tournament, sometimes they prefer to throw everyone into one place. Some years are bloody, some years are mild, all depending on the mood of the eight Yama Lords on the thrones in the Eight Directions Cities that year…”

…So it seemed the Extreme Domain was still somewhat more cruel than the Nineteen Continents.

At least, more cruel than most sects in the Nineteen Continents.

After all, there were still the chaotic Tomorrow Star Sea and the dark Southeastern Wasteland in the Nineteen Continents.

Jian Chou slowly nodded along with Chen Tingyan’s words.

“So this is a good opportunity to reach the sky in one step and become famous, everyone has to fight tooth and nail for it.”

“This can be said to some extent.” Chen Tingyan didn’t deny it, but soon smiled wickedly again, deliberately saying to Jian Chou, “But it’s not entirely like this. There are also many who end up ruined in reputation here.”

“Ruined in reputation?”

This was the first time she’d heard of this, and Jian Chou was curious again.

Chen Tingyan slowly placed his folding fan on the table, where the embroidered peach blossoms had a delicate, alluring color.

Jian Chou glanced at the fan and suddenly felt he might have something in common with Young Master Ruhua, or even with her interesting fourth junior brother Shen Jiu.

However, currently this was just a thought; she still had no idea how to leave the Extreme Domain.

Jian Chou’s gaze was quite subtle, but Chen Tingyan didn’t sense anything unusual at all.

He laid the folding fan flat, then curved his lips, looking leisurely and unhurried as he gazed toward the bustling street market outside the window, where quite a few people were still walking about.

“Before I entered this territory, I was also thinking about some overseas immortal mountain… But after arriving in the Extreme Domain, I realized it was all nonsense. Do you know why there’s a Cauldron Contest every so often?”

Chen Tingyan’s expression had obviously darkened, seeming somewhat distant from a wastrel.

There seemed to be something else hidden within the Cauldron Contest?

Jian Chou’s thoughts became more subtle, and she shook her head: “I don’t know.”

“Because each Cauldron Contest generates enormous profits.”

After all, his father had been a veteran in the officialdom, not to mention the formerly brilliant Xie Buchen whose methods and vision were both superior. Under the influence of both sides, Chen Tingyan was definitely not as simple and ordinary as he appeared on the surface.

The time he’d spent in the Extreme Domain was just a short period.

But having perused records about the Cauldron Contest and personally witnessed some related matters, Chen Tingyan keenly discovered some places hidden behind the Cauldron Contest that ordinary people wouldn’t think of.

“Each year’s Cauldron Contest, the first round of quota competition has nothing much to say. Starting from the second round, profits begin to be generated… Even a wastrel like me can benefit from it. Given Miss Jian Chou’s experience in the capital, if the essays and answer sheets of those who pass are published after each Cauldron Contest’s second round, what would happen?”

Chen Tingyan smiled.

At that instant, Jian Chou couldn’t help but feel that this Fourth Young Master Chen before her indeed had some capital for being arrogant and wasteful.

What he spoke of didn’t require Jian Chou to think carefully.

Because such publications of examination papers, and even many books for test preparation, had long existed in Great Xia, and many bookstores made their living from this.

“If it only went this far, it would still be acceptable.”

Chen Tingyan obviously understood quite a bit.

He extended his finger again, slowly closing the paper fan, while his gaze toward Jian Chou carried a hint of inquiry, though well-concealed.

“Each Cauldron Contest is jointly organized by the Ten Great Ghost Clans and the Eight Directions Cities, and relates to the direction of the entire Extreme Domain for a future period.”

For example, the champions of the Cauldron Contest were basically prominent figures for many years to come.

“So the entire Extreme Domain pays attention to this matter. But Miss Jian Chou might not guess that watching the Cauldron Contest is like going to the theater—if you want to know the specific details of the Cauldron Contest, you must pay a certain amount of Dark Jade. Because throughout the entire Extreme Domain, all the specific processes of the Cauldron Contest can only be seen in some special places through some special channels.”

Chen Tingyan, speaking to this point, no longer needed to explain.

He smiled at Jian Chou, observing her reaction.

As he expected, Jian Chou’s delicate eyebrows raised slightly, seeming somewhat astonished, but after understanding the implications, there was also a subtle gleam flashing in her eyes.

However, such emotions were almost instantly suppressed and not fully revealed to Chen Tingyan.

Without Chen Tingyan saying too much, Jian Chou could already imagine everything surrounding the “Cauldron Contest.”

A plan to select excellent ghost cultivators for their own use, while attracting the attention of everyone in the entire Extreme Domain, and being able to extract far too many profits from it.

The entire Extreme Domain was centered on the Eight Directions Cities, supplemented by the Ten Great Ghost Clans.

One could imagine that the “special places” and “special channels” Chen Tingyan spoke of would hardly escape these two types of power ranges.

If using the Left Three Thousand Small Gathering as an example, it would be like everyone having to pay spirit stones to watch their competitions, or even their situations in the Empty Sea.

It couldn’t be called absurd, but it carried a worldly smell of copper.

Yet Jian Chou couldn’t say it was wrong either.

After all, this appeared to be an extremely clever approach, especially since the Extreme Domain was truly too lacking in good things. This barren land was too impoverished, could support few ghost cultivators, and the resources it could provide were even less abundant.

“I hadn’t expected…”

Jian Chou, having figured out these things, slowly exhaled.

“It seems that participating in the Cauldron Contest in the Extreme Domain also means performing as a clown under everyone’s watchful eyes.”

Speaking of this, she suddenly paused and asked an extremely interesting question that Chen Tingyan had never thought of before: “If everyone hopes to profit from the Cauldron Contest, wouldn’t boring Cauldron Contest competitions have no audience? In this case, might there also be other forces that, in order to attract attention, would interfere…”

For example, in an unremarkable Cauldron Contest, forcibly inserting several very distinctive people.

Just like suddenly adding popular leading actors and actresses to an ordinary play, it would undoubtedly make the theater troupe earn big.

Jian Chou’s words were not hard to understand at all.

But Chen Tingyan still couldn’t help being surprised. He even used his paper fan to firmly slap his palm: “Right! Shouldn’t this situation happen very easily? Even gambling houses have cheating, and they can already make money from the Cauldron Contest—what’s the big deal about doing such things?”

Subsequently, Chen Tingyan’s eyes began to sparkle, becoming bright and lively.

His curious gaze immediately returned to Jian Chou: “I hadn’t thought of this point before, but I could look through case files in the future, perhaps I could research something. What about you?”

“Me?”

The topic jumped too quickly; Jian Chou’s thoughts were still on the Cauldron Contest.

Hearing Chen Tingyan’s sudden question, she was momentarily stunned.

Chen Tingyan put away his previous joking expression and became slightly cautious: “I came here because I was killed by a plaque that fell from above. You and Third Young Master Xie were doing fine, so this is…”

How did you end up in the Extreme Domain?

Ever since first meeting Jian Chou, this question had been troubling Chen Tingyan for a long time.

This time, he finally asked it.

But soon, Chen Tingyan’s heart sank, and he very easily realized he had asked the wrong question—

Because Jian Chou’s eyes, which had finally warmed up, instantly turned cold.

Right at the moment he mentioned “Third Young Master Xie.”

They had problems!

Almost the moment he clearly saw Jian Chou’s expression, Chen Tingyan cried out in his heart.

There was definitely no mistake!

But…

How could this be possible?

Chen Tingyan ultimately hadn’t been on the Human Realm’s Isolated Island, and his information was even more limited. There weren’t that many people from the Human Realm’s Isolated Island in Wrongful Death City. Even though he knew that a Zhang Tang had come some time ago, Chen Tingyan and Zhang Tang weren’t the same type of people and wouldn’t associate with each other, so he was even less clear about the series of events after the Xie family’s destruction.

Jian Chou still had no intention of explaining to Chen Tingyan. She was just grateful to Chen Tingyan for helping her so much. She put on an unreal faint smile and said: “I no longer have much relationship with Xie Wuming, and I ask Fourth Young Master Chen not to mention him again.”

“Alright…”

What else could he do?

Chen Tingyan wasn’t a fool. Having hit two walls in succession, how could he possibly seek death again?

But this way, even the other questions he wanted to ask couldn’t be voiced: for example, what happened to Jian Chou on the second floor of Pinzi Tower, and Elder Ginseng’s attitude toward her…

Sighing inwardly, Chen Tingyan still suppressed his strong doubts and instead turned to caring for Jian Chou.

“Though I’m not particularly familiar with Miss Jian Chou, once a stranger, twice an acquaintance—compared to other people in Wrongful Death City, it should still be much better. I see that you don’t know Xing Wu either, so I estimate you’re not familiar with Wrongful Death City. I wonder if you have a fixed residence in Wrongful Death City? If not, I can help you find one.”

You should know that not everyone could pay enough money at the registration office to arrange housing.

Chen Tingyan just wasn’t sure whether Jian Chou had it or not, so he left room in his words.

Unexpectedly, Jian Chou’s answer gave him a pleasant surprise: “I don’t have a residence yet, and I was just about to ask the Fourth Young Master—if I wanted to buy a mansion, where should I go?”

Buy…

Chen Tingyan’s eyebrows jumped fiercely, and his gaze toward Jian Chou immediately became somewhat different. He probed: “If you want to buy a mansion the size of a small courtyard in Wrongful Death City, I’m afraid it won’t be cheaper than the original price of that black sword of yours today…”

Buying a mansion would cost over a thousand spirit stones?

This was somewhat beyond Jian Chou’s expectations.

However…

Her current wealth was really embarrassingly abundant.

Thinking of the shopkeeper’s pained expression when finally settling that large sum of Dark Jade for her, Jian Chou felt a sense of guilt as if she had robbed eighteen generations of someone’s ancestors.

Cough.

But then again, wealth should not be revealed. Her conflict with Xing Wu was unavoidable, but when doing business with Pinzi Tower afterward, she had requested confidentiality.

After all, her current cultivation wasn’t high. Having only one black sword actually worth over a thousand Dark Jade in her hands wasn’t much, but if people learned she possessed great wealth, she might end up dying in the streets.

Jian Chou had only recently arrived in Wrongful Death City and didn’t want to die so miserably.

She still needed an extremely long time for secluded cultivation.

After brief contemplation, Jian Chou keenly concealed information related to wealth and shook her head: “So expensive… Then… can mansions in Wrongful Death City be rented?”

Chen Tingyan could no longer distinguish the truth from falsehood in Jian Chou’s words.

He didn’t believe Jian Chou had told him the truth, but his favorable impression of Jian Chou was genuinely there, and he couldn’t even sense any malice from Jian Chou toward him.

So, that kind of affection for a beauty once again gained the upper hand, making him ignore all of Jian Chou’s abnormalities in Pinzi Tower.

Chen Tingyan went along with her words: “They can be rented. For cultivators, it’s relatively cheaper, especially since most people in Wrongful Death City will eventually go to reincarnation. If you want to rent a small courtyard in the city, I can help you make some connections. I just don’t know when you need it?”

“Of course, the sooner the better, but this kind of thing can’t be rushed either.”

Jian Chou thought of Zhang Tang’s large mansion and, for the first time, became curious about the wealth possessed by this harsh official.

Chen Tingyan didn’t notice she had thought of that cruel official who disgusted him. He simply closed his folding fan and said: “I guess so too. It won’t do without a residence. How about this, Jian Chou—you sit here for a while. Among the Riyou Clan, I have someone who specifically handles this kind of business. Let me call him over.”

The Riyou Clan…

Jian Chou naturally remembered that they all said Chen Tingyan was quite formidable within the Riyou Clan too.

When he offered to help, she should have been polite according to reason, but before she could speak, Chen Tingyan had already waved his hand directly: “It’s settled then. I’ll go find someone first. Wait for me!”

After speaking, as if afraid Jian Chou would refuse, Chen Tingyan ran off like a wisp of smoke.

Jian Chou had a “thank” stuck in her throat for a long time, and finally it just turned into a laugh: This Fourth Young Master Chen, although his motives for approaching her weren’t entirely pure, he couldn’t really be called frivolous either, and occasionally he even showed startling wisdom…

Indeed, among those who could make it to the top, which one was simple?

Jian Chou pondered in her heart for a while, then slowly suppressed her thoughts and began considering the relevant situation she had learned about.

But before she could figure out anything, noise immediately erupted outside the window.

“Look quickly! The Golden Decree is flying over!”

“The Golden Decree is flying over!”

“The Cauldron Contest’s Golden Decree has arrived!”

“So early this year!”

“Go, go, go! Let’s hurry and look!”

…

The street was right below the building, and that area of sound became cacophonous almost instantly.

Jian Chou’s attention was immediately drawn back. She looked up toward the window and was instantly captivated by the brilliant golden radiance in the gray, dark sky!

The Sea-Mountain Market floated in mirage vapor, hazy yet clear, illusory yet real.

The horizon was still a gray, dark color, but at this moment, it was as if golden waterfalls were falling from the sky, flying from inside the entire underworld’s layers toward the sky above Sea-Mountain Market!

The speed was too fast for human eyes to follow.

Even that scorching light seemed about to make everyone blind.

The top of the waterfall was extremely bright.

It seemed like a meteor, burning as it continuously fell!

It also looked like a decree.

That was a decree whose shape couldn’t be seen clearly in the intense golden light, yet it made everyone feel an enormous pressure, as if it were a command issued by heaven and earth to all living beings.

The Cauldron Contest had a history of six hundred years in the Extreme Domain and could be considered long-established.

Each year’s rules would be formulated by the Eight Directions Yama Halls and promulgated throughout the entire underworld.

Among them, the most iconic method was this moment—

The Golden Decree flies over!

The entire Sea-Mountain Market, the entire Wrongful Death City, even the entire Extreme Domain, all boiled over at this moment!

Even Jian Chou, located on the second floor, could feel that oncoming heat!

Upstairs instantly erupted in mountain-like cheers, downstairs immediately surged like a tsunami.

Jian Chou even clearly heard a childish voice calling out from the third floor and above: “Grandpa, Grandpa, the Golden Decree, it’s the Golden Decree!”

Jian Chou’s gaze locked tightly on that Golden Decree streaking across the sky.

It seemed to have reached a certain place, and that meteor-like Golden Decree suddenly stopped.

At that instant, it was as if the entire world had fallen silent with it.

Then…

“BOOM!”

An explosive sound completely beyond Jian Chou’s expectations!

That Golden Decree that had suddenly stopped actually exploded with a thunderous blast the moment after it stopped!

Golden light overflowed, golden clouds spread everywhere!

Just like a huge star exploding in the air, the terrifying momentum and pressure were immediately transmitted through this explosion.

The next moment, Jian Chou involuntarily held her breath.

Because after the Golden Decree exploded into golden clouds, those clouds didn’t immediately dissipate but condensed into a human-shaped phantom.

A tall crown, majestic robes.

One hand holding the Book of Life and Death, the other holding the Mirror of Karmic Sins in the Sea of Suffering…

Lord Qin Guang!

“This year it’s Lord Qin Guang presiding…”

“My goodness, how many years has it been!”

“That means this time’s champion can enter Lord Qin Guang’s hall!”

…

Below, there was another wave of discussion.

Jian Chou’s understanding of such details was still insufficient, but just listening to others talk, she had grasped the general situation.

It seemed that the Golden Decree’s arrival represented that the Cauldron Contest was about to begin, and it announced early on which hall the final victor would enter, unless something unexpected happened.

However, there was more than just this.

That towering phantom occupied nearly half the sky, but it only existed for a while before slowly dissipating.

The remaining golden light, like a light veil, slowly covered downward, condensing into ancient, simple characters.

They fell on the tallest building in Sea-Mountain Market, and also on the eighteen-story underground towers that existed in each of the underworld’s seventy-two cities!

“The rules!”

“The rules are out!”

“Quick, let’s go see!”

“Let’s go!”

“Come on, together!”

…

The already boiling Sea-Mountain Market reached a nearly terrifying level at this moment!

Standing by the window, Jian Chou saw that the crowd on the street below was rushing toward where the golden light had fallen at a terrifying speed. Absolutely magnificent!

Even this Eight Treasures Tower was empty in the blink of an eye. Except for Jian Chou, not a single person could be seen.

Jian Chou pondered for a moment, then walked out of the private room.

On the ground was only a mess of cups and plates. All along the way, wine cups were overturned, delicious food spilled about. What had been lively before was now ignored by everyone.

From this, one could see to what extent the Cauldron Contest’s charm had accumulated in the Extreme Domain.

Combined with what Chen Tingyan had said earlier, Jian Chou became increasingly curious.

She came down from the second floor and, following behind everyone else, walked onto the street. She watched from afar for a few glances, but obviously, unless she ran to the very front like those people, she couldn’t see the announced rules at all.

After brief consideration, Jian Chou gave up.

She had promised Chen Tingyan to wait there, and it wouldn’t be good to be absent now. What if he returned with someone?

So Jian Chou watched for a while, shook her head, and turned to walk back. After all, everyone would know the rules eventually—there was no rush.

Eight Treasures Tower was at the end of the street.

Jian Chou had already walked quite far, but there wasn’t a single person on the road. Even in the small alleys on both sides, not a single figure could be seen.

“A truly empty city…”

Jian Chou murmured and smiled. What a pity that she didn’t quite dare take risks, otherwise with her nature, she would have joined the excitement no matter what.

Walking at an unhurried pace, Jian Chou was getting closer to Eight Treasures Tower.

At this moment, she was very far from the bustling crowd behind her, and there was still considerable distance to cross before reaching Eight Treasures Tower ahead. She was in the quietest, most inconspicuous position along the entire street.

Quiet.

Only the sound of her footsteps in the quiet.

Behind her was the commotion that almost overturned the entire horizon, but ahead was a death-like silence. This intense and sharp contrast stimulated Jian Chou’s hearing and perception, and also made her stop in her tracks at that instant—

The wind in the air was like boiling water.

But the moment she stopped, it suddenly rolled!

Something unusual!

Killing intent!

Having walked the line between life and death several times, and having just regained control over wind in Pinzi Tower, how sensitive and swift were Jian Chou’s perception and reaction at this moment?

Without hesitation, she suddenly twisted her body sideways. In this eerie instant, Jian Chou’s entire body actually dodged a full two zhang to the right side!

“Bang!”

But even so, that deep and cold sharp aura still struck Jian Chou’s waist!

She was in mid-air and immediately lost her balance. When she landed, she was already in the deep alley on the right side. Quick-eyed and quick-handed, she forcefully slapped the wall of the deep alley to barely steady herself.

“Cough…”

A cold sensation almost instantly swept from her struck waist, making her immediately cough. A stream of cold white breath scattered out the moment she opened her mouth.

Ghost cultivators had no physical body, but just this single “breath” required extremely difficult cultivation.

Now, it was just exhaled like this…

Injured.

Even though she wasn’t familiar with the Extreme Domain, Jian Chou could immediately sense her own condition.

But she only thought this briefly.

She had no time, or rather, wouldn’t care about her injuries at this moment.

Jian Chou only tensed her body and, the moment she landed, looked ahead—

At some unknown time, in the middle of the street, at her original position, stood a white-clothed young man making hand seals. His pale face, eerily red lips, and eyes hiding hatred…

However, at this moment, those eyes also carried a bit of unexpected surprise.

“It’s you…”

The moment she recognized this person, Jian Chou’s pupils had already contracted.

Xing Wu slowly concealed the bit of surprise on his face.

That Jian Chou could avoid his carefully prepared “Cold Soul Sword” and wasn’t injured in a vital spot—her reaction speed and eerie body movement were truly beyond his expectations.

But it was probably just coincidence…

Xing Wu didn’t believe she had the ability to escape from his hands.

He glanced at the bustling crowd in the distance that wouldn’t notice this side at all, then looked at Jian Chou who had suddenly fallen into a miserable situation, and finally felt a heartfelt satisfaction.

His lips curved somewhat savagely, and Xing Wu’s face showed some bloody evil aura.

He said word by word: “I will let you know what happens when a mere Soul Orb realm offends a Jade Nirvana!”