"Five thousand Energy Crystal Stones, the City Lord is indeed generous." Elder Xiang's eyes gleamed as he listened from the crowd, "Let this old man give it a try then."

"Elder Xiang, you mustn't!" Xiong Yuedie quickly halted him, "These five thousand Energy Crystal Stones are enticing, but they are money offered by the City Lord in return for risking life."

"I am well aware of that." Elder Xiang chuckled nonchalantly, "This old man doesn't have many years left to live. If I can exchange my life for five thousand Energy Crystal Stones, it would be well worth it. With those five thousand stones, you could gain admission to Domain City. Once inside, you'll have a significant opportunity to take that step forward, and our Human Race will bask in the glory of having both you and Lin Qi."

"Elder Xiang, you are still a pillar of our race. If we, the Human Race, get driven out of Chasing Light City, we will still need you. Let me take on this trial instead." Wu Zhuoqun also advised, "I know my life's limit. If I can reach Elder Xiang's level, that's good enough for me, but I have no idea how long that will take. It might be more beneficial to convert it to resources now, which perhaps could even help Elder Xiang become a top-tier Bone Forging Realm master."

As Wu Zhuoqun spoke, several other middle-aged Bone Forging Realm experts from the Human Race also began to argue, all eager to seize this opportunity to exchange a life for the future of the younger generation.

And it wasn't only the Human Race caught with interest; experts from other races in attendance were all captivated as well.

Five thousand Energy Crystal Stones were resources that many Bone Forging Realm experts could not earn in a lifetime. Preserving them for the next generation or for the family was indeed a ticket to thrive.

"Five thousand each, it seems some of the elders could venture into this." An elegant and noblewoman of the Feather Race was clearly tempted, "With these Energy Crystal Stones, I definitely have the chance to learn Extraordinary Martial Techniques. Moving to another city and obtaining a Deputy City Lord position would then not be impossible."

"It looks like we have to sacrifice some people." The golden-haired middle-aged man of the Ape Race also displayed a hint of excitement.

As a top-tier Bone Forging Realm expert, albeit an influential figure in various cities, relocating with the tribe to live in other cities was tough. After all, each city, at least those not belonging to lesser races, would have someone at such a level. In a city with numerous races, developing under racial exclusion was impossible.

But having experts at the Vice City Lord Level was different. Even if they migrated to other cities, establishing themselves quickly was viable.

Meanwhile, more and more experts from all races were ready to register.

"Diroya, I really underestimated you." Hu Lei was surprised as he saw the Bone Forging Realm experts behind Diroya eagerly signing up, "You're so certain that your people, once they reach Domain City, will find external allies?"

Originally, he planned to use the competition to swiftly incapacitate the allies of various Chasing Light City races. Thus focusing solely on dealing with Diroya's Three-Eyed Race to fully take control of Chasing Light City with minimal costs.

But Diroya's unexpected commitment caught him off-guard, and if he didn't continue the contest, not only would it seem like a defeat, but it would make the various races in Chasing Light City even more receptive to Diroya.

"Hu Lei, even though you enlisted the Holy Blood Mercenary Corps, do you think my years as City Lord were in vain?" Diroya permitted himself a cold smile, "You probably don't know, but I invested in quite a few geniuses who entered Domain City back in the days. Although most investments went to waste, I still managed to uncover one over the years."

"Investing in geniuses entering Domain City?" Hu Lei seemed a bit confused.

He never expected Diroya to be doing something so thankless all these years, as if he had money to burn without a care.

Indeed, geniuses entering Domain City held exceptional potential, but those who could truly step into the Blood Coagulation Realm were as rare as dragons' teeth. Moreover, the city's battle restricted any Blood Coagulation Realm experts from intervening. Even if Diroya succeeded in bringing one, it wouldn't alter the battle; it would merely anger someone. But compared to a city's resources, offending a Domain City Blood Coagulation Realm expert meant nothing.

Domain City's rules state that as long as he doesn't reach the limits, they won't care. Besides, many times, those in the Blood Coagulation Realm in Domain City say little.

"Rest assured, it is not a Blood Coagulation Realm expert." Diroya, seemingly catching on to Hu Lei's disdain, chuckled, "He's a Bone Forging Realm Martial Artist, but not just any Bone Forger; he's one of the top twenty contestants from the last Four Domains Youth Tournament."

"Your luck is indeed impressive." Hearing this, Hu Lei's expression turned somber, "To think you had the foresight to rope in one of the top twenty from the Four Domains Youth Tournament. However, it takes quite some time for someone from Domain City to get here. Do you truly believe your people can hold out that long?"

The Four Domains Youth Tournament is something that the ordinary people of the Mist Mountain region, and even several high-ranking officials of various races, may have never heard of. However, as City Lords, they occasionally have opportunities to watch the tournament.

Forget about the top twenty, even the top fifty participants are like monsters, at least mastering one Extraordinary Martial Technique that can be listed in a sequence.

The top twenty of the Four Domains Youth Tournament were as formidable as those in the Blood Coagulation Realm, truly apex talents.

If one of such distinction were indeed coming to assist, then the plan to seize Chasing Light City would become significantly complicated, risking failure.

"We won't know until we try." Diroya glanced at the registered crowd.

Now he had no choice but to gamble, betting that the registrants could hold on till the arrival of that aide.

"Fine! Let's see how many you have; enough for us to eliminate!" Hu Lei eyed the registrants, then turned sharply to the Flame Horn Race youth in the fighting ring, "Captain Tu An! Hold nothing back against your opponents from now on; make it swift!"

"No holding back?" The Flame Horn Race youth echoed disinterestedly, "Alright, although it disrupts my aesthetic, but you're the employer."

For the Star Tower City engagement, he wasn't keen on coming here. After all, he was now contending for a deputy position. But having personal ties with Hu Lei and the leader forced him to face off against people in the city who knew nothing of true combat.

As soon as the second match commenced, an elder from the Crystal Race, who was in the middle tier of the Bone Forging Realm, walked to the platform. Announced by a robotic, cold voice, the battle began.

Boom!

Before anyone could comprehend what transpired, Tu An retracted his long spear, and a large hole appeared in the elder's chest, ending his life instantaneously.

"Did he die just like that?"

"So fast! How did he move so swiftly? I am a high-tier Bone Forging Realm expert, and I couldn't even detect his strike. Is he truly in the Bone Forging Realm?"

The Bone Forging Realm experts from various races, standing outside the ring and witnessing the Crystal Race elder's sudden demise, were all stunned.

Though aware of Tu An's prowess, which even surpassed Vice City Lord level experts, they never imagined it to be so formidable.

"Can we send in the next?"

Hu Lei surveyed the suddenly silent Bone Forging Realm experts from across the races, then smiled at Diroya.

Though Tu An served as a captain of the Holy Blood Mercenary Corps, he was also among the most promising young talents in the Corps, potentially succeeding as the new leader. His strength was unquestionable, possessing not just brute force but genuine talent.

Tu An alone had mastered three Extraordinary Martial Techniques.

Regardless of attack, defense, or step techniques, he possessed them all, leaving the top twenty contestants of the Four Domains Youth Tournament hard-pressed to surpass him.

At this moment, Diroya fell silent, unsure of whether to continue sending people into the fight.

It was just too fast!

Even knowing those sent would perish, dying this swiftly implied eliminating a hundred individuals wouldn't take long.

While Diroya was in distress, a voice still echoed through the now silent venue.

"City Lord, what reward would you offer if someone won the contest?"

As the unremarkable voice echoed across the crowd, everyone instinctively turned to the speaker.

The speaker was none other than Lin Qi, the new Deputy City Lord of Chasing Light City!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.