Chapter 337

Chapter 337: If You’re a Woman, Step Up to Fight

The atmosphere shifted dramatically.

Marquis Xia Houzun and Lu Hengkong, who had just shown interest upon seeing the Great Path Sacred Fruit, immediately withdrew their intentions when they heard Zhang Yang’s request. It was clearly a direct provocation.

Even Tiger Howl Wind stared at Zhang Yang, shocked and filled with questions.

The moon-returning dragon breathed heavily, overwhelmed with emotion. He hadn’t expected Zhang Yang to speak up for him. He looked over at Zhang Yang with genuine gratitude in his eyes.

Jin Liuli was momentarily surprised, but then burst out laughing. “How interesting! Someone from the Southern Region actually dares to provoke my Taixu Dynasty. I don’t know which sacred land you belong to, but I can assure you, not even someone from the Ghostly Divine Platform would dare to challenge the Taixu Dynasty so openly.”

Zhang Yang waved dismissively. “Spare me the boring boasts. As if your words could scare me into backing down. Enough talk. Do you dare or not? If not, step aside and stop acting like you’re above the rest.”

“How dare you insult me!” Jin Liuli snapped coldly.

Zhang Yang smirked. “If you’re too much of a coward to answer, just admit it. Or are you just a minor figure within the Taixu Dynasty—one who isn’t qualified to get involved in something like this? Just say so. No need to puff yourself up in front of me. Stay humble and low-key. Got it?”

Jin Liuli’s powerful aura surged, and her eyes glittered with fury.

“I’ll ask you one thing,” Zhang Yang said, his voice steady and sharp. “If you’re a woman, then fight me.”

A crowd of men stood stunned. What was even wrong with that sentence?

“Are you brave enough? Just one word!” Zhang Yang challenged.

He picked up the Great Path Sacred Fruit and set it down again. A soft, pleasant fragrance wafted from it, bringing an indescribable comfort to those nearby—almost as if a spark of enlightenment flickered in the air.

This was no ordinary treasure.

For those with limited potential, the Great Path Sacred Fruit was a chance to break through to saint level.

For those with immense potential, it helped them comprehend deeper truths, propelling them to greater heights.

No one could ignore such a treasure, especially not those who had yet to become saints.

Jin Liuli reached for a golden booklet and slammed it heavily onto the table.

That golden booklet, too, was a holy treasure.

“Unfortunately,” she said, “I do have a small part of the personnel list from the Cold Moon Dynasty right here, handled by my Hunters’ Guild. Recently, I even managed to secure a member of a prominent Cold Moon family who willingly became an insider for us.” Jin Liuli continued, “This list not only records their identities, but also details how they were bought off, along with solid evidence proving they are spies.”

Zhang Yang squinted. This woman truly was reckless, daring to bring something like that out so openly.

The golden booklet immediately drew the moon-returning dragon’s attention.

His breathing grew rapid.

Even Liu Yuewu and Gu Jianyun’s eyes reddened with envy.

Jin Liuli showed no interest in them whatsoever. She fixed her gaze coldly on Zhang Yang, her glassy eyes shimmering with a chilling light. “I don’t care what your relationship is with the moon-returning dragon. Since you dared to meddle, if I win in the end—I will kill you. Don’t think the holy place behind you is so powerful. Even the Ghostly Divine Platform won’t be able to protect you. If I want you dead, then you will die.”

That was Jin Liuli, unapologetically domineering and fiercely bloodthirsty, her hands stained with countless lives. She killed without hesitation, and no one she marked ever escaped her wrath.

Even the moon-returning dragon feared her, especially because of her backing from the Hunters’ Guild.

He secretly transmitted a message to Zhang Yang, urging him not to provoke Jin Liuli further given the current circumstances.

But Zhang Yang’s provocation wasn’t solely for the sake of the moon-returning dragon as a friend.

It was also because of the Supreme Emperor.

A dog of Eternal Night and a natural enemy, the Supreme Emperor had issued a bloodline order commanding all members of the Taixu Dynasty to kill Zhang Yang—above all else.

Zhang Yang understood clearly: he and Jin Liuli were destined to be mortal enemies. There was no point in hesitating anymore.

“You want to kill me?” Zhang Yang clapped his hands. “Muscle, get over here.”

Demon Sword Yi’s face turned green. Damn it! Could he stop calling him "muscle"? It sounded like he was some kind of servant.

Zhang Yang pointed at him and said, “You see this guy? He’s Demon Sword Yi from the Demon Sword Forbidden Area. Want to kill me? You’ll have to step over his corpse first.”

Demon Sword Yi wanted to curse him out. This con artist really had no limits.

“So, you’re from the Demon Sword Forbidden Area?” Jin Liuli said coldly. “Very well. I want to see just how powerful the Demon Sword Forbidden Area is to dare provoke my Taixu Dynasty.”

Demon Sword Yi was about to clarify Zhang Yang’s identity, but Zhang Yang’s voice suddenly rang softly in his ear with six simple words:

“Don’t forget the year.”

Demon Sword Yi swallowed his words.

He had agreed to act as Zhang Yang’s "muscle" for one year and now had no choice but to go along with this. He deeply regretted acting on impulse and digging his own grave.

Seeing him remain silent, Jin Liuli assumed he was frightened. She laughed coldly and said, “Since you dared to provoke us, then prepare to die. That’s the rule of the Taixu Dynasty and the law of my Hunters’ Guild.”

She turned to Tiger Howl Wind and said icily, “Tiger, think carefully about your next move. Know who you’re dealing with. If you let these lowly nobodies in…”

Tiger Howl Wind’s lips twitched. Zhang Yang really was troublesome. If he had revealed his true identity as Lord of the Sacred Forest from a Major Holy Place, not even Jin Liuli would’ve dared act this arrogantly. But he chose not to, setting a perfect trap—and now people were jumping in.

The problem was… Jin Liuli had already jumped in. So had Marquis Xia Houzun. And Lu Hengkong too.

Looked like he would have to jump in as well.

Just thinking about it made Tiger Howl Wind look at Zhang Yang with renewed respect.

Right then, shouting came from outside.

“Big Brother, I’m coming, Wind!”

“Mu Shan heard the call—I’m here too!”

Tiger Howl Wind’s brothers had arrived one after another. He quickly excused himself to go and welcome them.

Meanwhile, the tension inside the room remained thick.

No one spoke.

Even Tong Lieyang—usually loud and aggressive—fell silent, sensing the strange atmosphere. However, he continued to glare at Demon Sword Yi, the one who had slapped him twice. He held a deep grudge and was desperate for revenge.

Demon Sword Yi couldn’t be bothered to pay him any attention.

Only Jin Liuli maintained her prideful demeanor, looking down on everyone else. She refused to speak and barely glanced at the Great Path Sacred Fruit.

Not long after, Tiger Howl Wind returned—with his brothers.

There were a total of thirty-two people, each with an impressive presence. Their auras were sharp, their eyes clear and bright.

Among them, Chasing Wind and Mu Shan stood out the most. They were no weaker than Tiger Howl Wind himself, both of them already in the Small Boundless Realm.

This time, Tiger Howl Wind didn’t beat around the bush. He spoke openly:

“Everyone, we’ve lived in the Falling Star Mountain Range for twenty to thirty years, each with our own adventures and growth. In this turbulent era, we want to build something meaningful. So, we brothers have decided to choose wisely where we stand.”

He looked around and asked directly, “May I ask who among you is willing to take us in?”

It was a bold invitation.

All thirty-two were talented individuals. While a few might be slightly weaker, each one of them was exceptional.

Gathered together and supported by a Major Holy Place, they represented a formidable force with incredible potential.

Whoever secured these talents would also likely gain the holy treasures and holy weapons currently present.

Everyone’s heart stirred with anticipation.

A special competition was about to begin.