"I’m not afraid of you, you man-stealing fairy!" Facing the queenly Seven-Colored Demon Empress, Mu Keqing showed no weakness and hurled another insult.

She knew she absolutely could not show fear at this moment. If she did, she would lose. Therefore, she was fearless. She had to snatch Ye Fan back.

Just as Ye Fan was about to speak, he was fiercely glared at by the two women, leaving him at a complete loss for words. Best to pretend I haven’t seen anything!

At that moment, the Seven-Colored Demon Empress said to Mu Keqing, "That’s right, I am a fairy who seduces other people’s men. So what? You should ask him whether he likes me or you!"

Mu Keqing immediately turned to ask Ye Fan, feeling indignant. In her view, Ye Fan had only lost his senses because he was bewitched by that fairy; in reality, he liked her.

Ye Fan was speechless. It was not his problem to begin with, but now he was stuck in a bind. This was one of those situations that clearly had nothing to do with him, yet somehow he got dragged into it. How was he supposed to answer?

From Ye Fan’s perspective, any answer would end badly. What can I do? I’m in utter despair!

He also hadn’t expected the Seven-Colored Demon Empress to actually argue with Mu Keqing. She’s a Main God Level expert, for crying out loud. Does she really need to stoop to this? And she claimed she didn’t care about me. As for Mu Keqing, does she really need to turn this into a contest? Isn’t the outcome obvious? At this point, I just want to knock myself out.

The glares from both women were terrifying. No matter how he responded, he would be the one hurt in the end.

Then, they both turned to Ye Fan at the same time. He realized there was no escaping this question.

Thankfully, the Red Sand Main God arrived just then, saving him from the awkward situation.

"Demon Empress!" the Red Sand Main God said immediately.

The Seven-Colored Demon Empress nodded. Mu Keqing felt deeply resentful, not having expected even her own father to bow his head. What can I do? I’m in utter despair! Then the Seven-Colored Demon Empress left.

"Father, she just bullied me, your daughter! Why didn’t you deal with her?" Mu Keqing said, feeling aggrieved.

She was upset and angry that the Red Sand Main God hadn’t defended her, but her anger seemed powerless to change anything.

The Red Sand Main God said, "Don’t be ridiculous. She is the leader of the Demon Clan. How could she possibly bully you!"

"Hmph! She did bully me," Mu Keqing retorted, deeply hurt.

"As an elder, it wouldn’t be out of line for her to discipline you. As a junior, you must not speak to your elders that way!" the Red Sand Main God instructed immediately.

Frustrated, Mu Keqing stomped her foot and stormed off.

The Red Sand Main God glanced at Ye Fan and then left as well.

All of this had been beyond Ye Fan’s expectations. However, he was still relieved. If the Red Sand Main God hadn’t arrived, he would have been in for a terrible time today. With the situation as it was, he could only take things one step at a time.

...

「The next day, the Genius Exchange began.」

It was held on an immense, circular platform, over 10,000 square meters in area. The arena was covered by an Array personally laid down by a Main God. Unless a Main God Warrior took action, not even a Divine General could dream of damaging this magnificent structure.

Atop the grand platform, the Great Wilderness Main God stepped forward to preside over the event.

Ten top-level experts from the Divine Domain were situated around the arena. These were the ten Main Gods. Originally, there were only nine, but since the Seven-Colored Demon Empress was also of the Main God Level, the total was brought to ten.

Mu Keqing watched the Seven-Colored Demon Empress with resentment. Because the Demon Empress had nearly stolen the man she loved most, the look she gave her was venomous.

At this time, the Great Wilderness Main God announced, "The Genius Exchange begins! Gathered here are the top geniuses of the Divine Domain. Although the rules stipulate that there must be no fatal duels between geniuses—this is, after all, an exchange!

"However, injuries on the battlefield are unavoidable, and no one can guarantee their opponent’s safety. Therefore, before stepping into the arena, you must sign a life-and-death agreement!"

These words made the key element clear: the life-and-death agreement. It was critical. Every genius who entered the arena had to sign it. Once the agreement was signed, the struggle between the two factions could truly begin, as fatal duels were permitted, and anyone could be killed on the platform.

"Alright, for the first duel, whoever wishes to enter may come forward and sign the life-and-death agreement! Once signed, even if you die in battle, you can blame no one else!

"Of course, you can also choose not to sign. But in that case, you will not be able to step into the arena!"

This old fox laid out all the rules with perfect clarity. The Evil Divine Lineage, from its Main Gods down to its geniuses, was incredibly smug. They had prepared for this battle for a full hundred years.

Meanwhile, the faces of those from the Righteous Divine Lineage were grim. A hundred years ago, not a single one of their geniuses had survived the arena. Now, the Evil Divine Lineage was using the same tactics again. Everyone knew that they would likely be the ones to profit this time as well.

"I’ll go first!" Bai Ya yelled as he shot into the sky. He transformed into a giant white eagle and swooped down, landing in the center of the arena. "Who dares to fight Laozi?"

His words were full of dominance, as his foundation was anything but weak.

He mockingly looked at Mu Chen Dong, Jue Wuqing, Wu Fa, and Ye Fan. Just as Ye Fan was about to step forward, Mu Chen Dong emerged from the crowd. This battle was his.

Ye Fan said to him, "Be careful. If you can’t win, just admit defeat and surrender!"

"I know!" Mu Chen Dong retorted disdainfully before rushing up to the platform.

The two signed the life-and-death agreement. As they did, almost all the geniuses—Ye Fan included—turned their attention to them. Ye Fan noticed, however, that Fu Hu and Huang Ji kept their eyes tightly closed, unconcerned with the life-or-death struggle on the stage. In their eyes, their own future battles were the only ones that truly mattered.

Mu Chen Dong declared, "I am Mu Chen Dong of the Righteous Divine Lineage, and I accept your challenge!"

"Just make your move!" Bai Ya retorted. "I have no time for pleasantries. Soon enough, my name will be your worst nightmare. Remember it: Bai Ya!"

Mu Chen Dong gave Bai Ya a cold glance, feeling the man was far too arrogant.

In response, he declared, "Then let this battle decide the victor!"

Mu Chen Dong instantly unleashed his elemental force. It shone with a vibrant, multicolored light—the Red Sand Power of the Red Sand Main God. The power enveloped his entire body, mobilizing an immense force.

The Red Sand Power was an advanced technique the Red Sand Main God had comprehended within the Red Sand Temple. Once unleashed, its might was destructive.

Mu Chen Dong had mastered some of the essence of the Red Sand Power, and now, he employed the technique he was most proud of. As this immense force surged forth, a massive Fire Phoenix, the totem of the Red Sand Temple, materialized behind him.

The Fire Phoenix soared toward the heavens, looking extraordinarily dazzling.

Bai Ya also made his move, executing the Eagle Strike. As this power was unleashed, the phantom of a white eagle appeared behind him.

In terms of individual might, the white eagle was in no way inferior to the Fire Phoenix, and its aura firmly suppressed the latter’s.

The Red Sand Main God’s expression soured.

BOOM!

With a deafening roar, the two majestic Divine Beast phantoms charged at each other at incredible speed. The force of their collision seemed powerful enough to plunge onlookers into despair.

After the explosion, both were sent flying backward, but Mu Chen Dong’s figure was unsteady. He was clearly at a disadvantage.