"If you wish to reclaim your divine essence, then fight Ye Aotian again. Why do you prostrate yourself before this seat?"
Tianlan Star Lord maintained an indifferent stance, leaving the powerful individual utterly despairing.
"You!"
The strongman gritted his teeth, but what else could he do?
Those from Xuánfēng Star Domain behind him contorted in rage. When had they ever suffered such humiliation, being so thoroughly bested by a mere Level 1 Great World? Where was their dignity?
"Moxuan, I want you to completely crush the people from Tianyu in the upcoming grand selection!"
He turned back to Moxuan and issued a kill order to Tianyu.
Moxuan bared his teeth and nodded at the strongman.
"Very well. All disciples must cooperate with Moxuan. Since the Star Lord does not uphold justice for us, we shall take it ourselves!"
"Yes, yes, yes!"
The participants from Xuánfēng Star Domain shouted, their aura ferocious.
"Xuánfēng Star Domain is a Level 7 Great World. Their disciples are all exceptionally powerful. Tianyu is likely finished this time."
"Although Ye Aotian of Tianyu is peerless in his might, his disciples might not be. Against the disciples of Xuánfēng Star Domain, they are bound to suffer."
"If all the disciples die here, won't Ye Aotian be even more heartbroken? It would be better to hand over the divine essence!"
As the saying goes, "every talent has its limitations," many cultivators displayed a look of pity. They believed Ye Yun's disciples might have to pay the price for their master's reckless actions.
Ye Yun merely shook his head. He knew the strength of his disciples intimately. Such as Moxuan and his ilk were mere imbeciles; they should simply spare them.
Now, he only regretted that the divine essence was too potent, and only when his disciples ascended to the hundredth rank of Heavenly God would they be qualified to use it. Otherwise, if he could directly bestow this divine essence upon his disciples now, the system's return would surely hold surprises!
"Master, rest assured, we will help you teach these arrogant fellows a lesson."
"Indeed, they dare to issue kill orders against us? Utterly preposterous!"
"Hmph, we sisters are ready to battle the heroes of all worlds."
The female disciples clustered around Ye Yun, their faces radiant with confidence.
"Heh heh, as your master, I naturally know your intentions. Then I wish you swift victory."
"Many thanks, Master!"
The disciples bowed in unison.
"Alright, with personal grievances settled, the All-World Grand Selection is about to begin."
The host stepped onto the stage, his sonorous voice resonating throughout the arena.
"Excellent, it's finally starting!"
"For the divine artifacts, we must strive!"
"Give it our all and seize the divine artifacts!"
A large number of cultivators ascended the battle stages, all aiming to obtain the divine artifact rewards of this All-World Grand Selection.
"I declare the No-Rules Preliminary Tournament officially open!"
As the host announced, all participants rushed towards their objectives.
Defeating an opponent meant seizing their resources. This No-Rules Preliminary Tournament was not a simple matter of victory or defeat; refusal to surrender meant death.
"Sisters, this is the perfect opportunity to use the latest profound techniques our master taught us, to show these higher-world fellows our power."
"Senior Sister, rest assured, we will work together!"
The sisters exchanged glances and nodded slightly.
"Heh heh, a group of young girls participating in the preliminaries? How interesting."
"Indeed, they are all so ravishingly beautiful. It makes one want to do something."
"Young ladies from Tianyu, why not join our ranks? We can protect you."
At this moment, a group of disciples from a Level 5 Great World approached, their eyes fixed greedily on Lin Xueyan and the other female disciples, clearly taken by their beauty.
"Scoundrels! This is the preliminary tournament, and you dare to be so shameless!"
Lin Xueyan glared at the rogue-like cultivators, her heart filled with contempt.
"Heh heh, little girl, what's your name?"
A cultivator stepped towards Lin Xueyan, his gaze lingering on her slender figure.
"Remember the one who kills you, and call me Lin Xueyan!"
Lin Xueyan was now a Star God level expert. The opponents, however, had no grasp of the situation. In their eyes, disciples from a Level 1 Great World couldn't even reach the Spirit God level, while they, as disciples of a Level 5 Great World, were often Tier 8 or above Spirit Gods. Dealing with them would be a piece of cake, wouldn't it?
After all, it was a no-rules preliminary tournament. If they really did something, no one would say anything, right?
As the saying goes, the victor is king, the vanquished is a bandit!
"Such arrogance! Let me show you the difference between a Level 1 Great World and our Level 5 Great World!"
The cultivator's eyes turned cold. He produced something resembling a fishing net and tossed it towards Lin Xueyan.
"Profound Sword Unrivaled – Ink Abyss Wild Tides!"
Lin Xueyan's eyes suddenly emitted black light. She extended her long sword forward, and an endless ink-colored tide surged through heaven and earth, instantly engulfing the thrown fishing net.
"What? It actually blocked my capture?"
The cultivator's face contorted in astonishment. Simultaneously, he sensed that Lin Xueyan's cultivation was highly unusual.
"What is your cultivation level?"
"Heh heh, you won't have the chance to know. Die!"
Lin Xueyan sneered twice. The surrounding space instantly plunged into the ink abyss. The cultivator felt as if the world was turned upside down, enveloped in darkness with no escape.
"No, I am a prodigy from a Level 5 Great World. How can I be inferior to a mere waste from a Level 1 Great World? Why?"
He cried out in the darkness of the abyss, but no one could hear him. In reality, he stood frozen, utterly consumed by the ink abyss sword energy.
"Wow, Senior Sister, after Master's teachings, your swordsmanship has become so powerful!"
"Amazing, Senior Sister!"
"This is the consequence of underestimating us Tianyu people!"
The female disciples displayed triumphant smiles. The others from the Level 5 Great World were bewildered by the sudden turn of events.
"What just happened? Why did Third Brother disappear so suddenly?"
"I don't know. Does this woman use dark magic?"
"Damn it, avenge Third Brother!"
The remaining cultivators displayed fierce expressions, intent on avenging their fallen comrade.
"You trash are not worthy of competing for our prey!"
Just as the disciples from the Level 5 Great World were about to act, a more ferocious voice suddenly came from behind them.
"What? People from Xuánfēng Star Domain! What do you intend to do?"
"This is our grievance with Tianyu, step aside!"
The disciples from the Level 5 Great World retreated several steps. They were keenly aware of the vast chasm between a Level 5 Great World and a Level 7 Great World.
"Useless vermin, dare to speak?"
"Ghostly Rite Curse – Body Rend!"
Suddenly, a cultivator from Xuánfēng Star Domain unleashed a curse. As it ascended, it evolved into countless incantations.
"Ah!"
Followed by ear-splitting screams. An entire team from a Level 5 Great World was annihilated, without even a chance to utter the word "surrender"!