Chapter Sixty: The Golden-Furred Strange Beast!

As Zhou Tian’s drool was nearly dripping onto the table, Emperor Qin finally ceased his idle talk. With a gesture, golden runes appeared on the central carpet, converging and transforming until they formed a mirror-like surface, flickering with scenes.

Monks in robes, Daoists in traditional garb, warriors clad in ornate armor, assassins shrouded in white hoods—Zhou Zui, Liu Yan, and Zhou Xunchuan’s figures flashed by as well. Every participant in this elite competition appeared one by one.

There were nearly fifty contestants. The other provinces had contributed two or three participants each, while the rest belonged to the Heavenly Qin Empire.

“Let us witness the performance of these young talents!” Emperor Qin smiled, sending a golden tassel from his fingertip into the mirror.

As if triggered by a signal, each contestant was enveloped in silver runes and transported into a secret realm. Golden symbols rose from the mirror, floating above it—fifty in total, perfectly matching the number of names among the participants.

The secret realm unfolded: ancient divine mountains stood tall and perilous, like swords thrust into the heavens. Each ancient tree soared a thousand yards high, with vines as thick as fists winding around their trunks, covered in mottled golden spots. The canopies spread like umbrellas, allowing only sparse sunlight to filter through. The mountain forests were far from tranquil; wild beasts roared, shaking the earth and sky, making all the trees tremble and leaves fall in showers.

Among the endless peaks and valleys, beasts prowled, ancient remnants appeared, and terrifying sounds echoed, threatening to tear the world asunder.

A fierce wind swept by, and a black cloud crossed the sky, blotting out what little sunlight there was, plunging the forest into deeper darkness.

A savage bird’s cry echoed from above, piercing stone and gold—it came from that black cloud. Upon closer inspection, the cloud was a massive bird, vast enough to cover the sun, its feathers so black they reflected a metallic sheen in the sunlight.

Within the boundless woods, a gigantic silver serpent, hundreds of yards long and dozens thick, slithered through the mountains. It seemed forged from pure silver, each scale gleaming fiercely, hissing as it scraped against the rocks, sending sparks flying.

The scene shifted again: the earth trembled as a blurred figure approached from the distance. Its height rivaled the divine mountains.

A strange aura emanated. The mountain range fell silent as death; fierce birds and beasts lay hidden, not daring to make a sound.

This creature walked upright, humanoid but enormous, its body covered in radiant golden fur, eyes blazing like twin suns, face resembling an ape with a thunderous mouth. Each eye flashed with golden lightning, sharp and intimidating. In its right hand, it gripped a massive spiked club, as thick as its own thigh, riddled with cracks, its vitality like a sea—an entity both god and demon.

Zhou Tian, gnawing enthusiastically on a pork knuckle, nodded in approval. This was a true blockbuster—real scenes, no traces of digital editing. Honey dripped from the corner of his mouth; in the entire hall, he alone enjoyed his pork knuckle so vigorously.

This was a realm full of peril, dangers lurking everywhere, and Zhou Zui and his companions would spend three months here, battling to determine the victor.

Of course, they would not sit in the hall for three months. The secret realm was imbued with a time-accelerating formation; three months inside amounted to only a single afternoon outside. In other words, victory would be decided today, within this afternoon.

The scene flickered, and a figure appeared on screen, gender indeterminate, fully encased in armor about two meters tall, its body shimmering with obsidian-like brilliance. A blood-red crystal adorned the forehead of the mask, resembling a blood diamond, streaked with silver lines. A golden vortex, fist-sized, spun at the abdomen, glowing points swirling within, and golden veins extended throughout the armor, forming energy channels like blood vessels.

Though the mask concealed the face, Zhou Tian guessed the expression beneath must be grim, for the random transmission had placed this armored figure directly before the golden-haired beast.

Roar!

The beast let out a furious howl, shattering nearby ancient trees.

It raised its massive spiked club, swinging it at the black-armored “ant” before it.

Whoosh!

A sharp whistling sound tore the air. Despite its colossal size, the golden beast moved with astonishing speed, its club smashing through space.

The armored figure drew a short handle from its waist, gripping it with both hands. With a hiss, a three-meter-long violet energy blade sprang forth—a blade capable of slicing warships.

Zhou Tian nearly spat out his pork knuckle. Did Star Wars sponsor this blockbuster?

Clang!

The huge spiked club struck the energy blade; the armored figure was forced down dozens of yards before stabilizing.

A grinding sound echoed.

The golden vortex at the armor’s abdomen began to spin, cracks opened along its back and feet, and violent golden flames erupted, boosting its power.

Despite its minuscule size before the massive club, the armor unleashed unimaginable strength, pushing the club slowly upward.

Roar!

The golden beast roared again, muscles bulging, golden fur bristling, its vitality bursting forth, pressing the club down once more.

The armor’s elbows cracked open, jets of golden fire shot out, and the energy blade vibrated violently, though its amplitude was small.

Crack!

The armored figure surged forward, smashing through the spiked club, splitting it in two, and soared into the sky. With the energy blade in hand, it streaked toward the beast’s head, almost becoming a stream of light.

The beast reacted swiftly, raising its palm to shield its head.

Crunch!

Its pinky finger was sliced clean off, falling into the primeval forest, golden blood spurting from the wound.

The beast let out a howl of pain, eyes fierce, then swung its palm, knocking the armored figure away.

Boom!

The armor crashed through several mountain peaks, buried deep underground, then erupted skyward again, dodging the beast’s foot.

Click, click, click—a missile rack rose from the armor’s shoulder. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—dozens of missiles fired, trailing pale blue flames.

Boom, boom, boom!

The missiles struck the golden beast, exploding across its body, forcing it back several steps. When the dust settled, the impacted areas were charred, and its golden fur was gone.

“Roar, roar!”

Driven to fury, the beast roared at the heavens, its body glowing with gold. Runes erupted from every part of it, complex symbols flaring within its eyes, as if red flames ignited. All its runes gathered, and two golden beams shot from deep within its pupils!