Many restrictive regulations were slowly being refined. To avoid mutual blood feuds, to prevent further tragedies, and to curb the machinations of those pulling strings behind the scenes, another new rule was enacted: if conflicts arose between alliances, no more than three alliances could engage in a melee. Only when ten or more alliances consented could the two conflicting alliances resolve their differences through force. This circumvented the formation of coalition battles.
For personal disputes requiring combat to settle, the mandatory regulations were less stringent. As long as three alliances agreed, both parties could resort to violence. On the surface, limiting the growth of alliances seemed to prevent the emergence of an uncrowned king. However, the current situation was fraught with its own flaws. Conflicts would now erupt from time to time, and they had been legitimized.
At the end of the day, those who could enter Dragon Island were representatives of various powers—all outstanding young men and women, each filled with their own pride and arrogance. The emergence of such regulations suited them well. It restrained the larger factions while allowing them to display their own extraordinary abilities through legalized combat.
In just a few short days, undercurrents surged across Dragon Island. Dozens of alliances were swiftly formed, leaving few who remained unaffiliated. Of course, there were exceptions; rumors spoke of individuals with unfathomable power who had already ventured deep into the island.
Xiao Chen emerged from a secluded cliff and stepped into a spirit-laden valley where flowers bloomed in wild profusion. Exotic blossoms thrived, immortal grasses carpeted the ground, and emerald bamboo stood tall and verdant. Cascading waterfalls, jade-belt streams, and clear azure lakes painted a scene of breathtaking beauty.
A small, snow-white beast lay lazily among the grass, its expression one of helpless annoyance. For days, the little creature had been tormented, its mouth watering at the aroma of Xiao Chen’s roasting meat every day, yet it could not partake. It had drunk so much life nectar the last time that its tiny belly had swollen round, and a month later it had still not digested much. Confronted with delicious food, it could only sigh from a distance.
Watching it perpetually drool, Xiao Chen found it particularly amusing. During this period of cultivation, he had given the little creature a name: Keke. He had first considered 'Hehe,' because when it was happy, it would laugh without end, but in the end he settled on a name with a similar sound.
During this time, the three skeletons had made no small breakthrough. The reason lay in the life crystal the little beast had given them. Initially, Xiao Chen had worried when he saw them absorbing that crystal, given that they were dark creatures. He feared a clash due to conflicting energy natures. But through observation, he found there was no need for concern. They were not the undead souls of common imagination. Their soul-light was undying, indistinguishable from ordinary human souls—in fact, far more powerful than most!
A single life-nectar crystal, no larger than a finger joint, contained unimaginably pure primal energy, scarcely inferior to a dragon crystal. It was this crystal that had allowed the three skeletons to cross a heavenly chasm on their path of cultivation.
Originally, they had barely entered the Mortal-Shedding realm, and their state was unstable. After intense battles, they would sometimes fall back from this realm. But now they had directly advanced to the second heaven of Mortal-Shedding. Their white bones had become much smoother and glossier, taking on a jade-like luster.
More importantly, a strange transformation had occurred: on the forehead bones of each skeleton, a lotus-like imprint had appeared, capable of emitting brilliant divine light. Xiao Chen vaguely sensed that this imprint was immensely beneficial to the skeletons. The majority of the life-nectar crystal’s essence had likely been concentrated there. They had become true experts, now able to stand alongside Xiao Chen against powerful foes.
The outside world had changed in the past few days, but Xiao Chen was still unaware. He decided to go out and explore, though this time he would not bring the three skeletons—they were far too conspicuous.
Traveling alone through the dense primeval forest, he returned to familiar territory and quickly noticed many anomalies. Before long, he learned of recent events—the formation of alliances and the establishment of survival regulations. He keenly perceived both their advantages and drawbacks. On the surface, Dragon Island now had constraints, but conflicts had been fully legalized!
Though he tried to move stealthily, the area was dense with practitioners, and he was soon discovered. His likeness had been painted on beast-hide banners, and some had seen it. Even more had heard of him—he was the one who had burned half of Treant Valley with a merciless fire. Xiao Chen had become something of a celebrity.
Since he had already been spotted, Xiao Chen decided not to hide any longer. He began walking openly through the forest. With combat legalized, he could now freely fight without being accused of random provocation. He rather looked forward to Zhao Lin'er coming to him for a legal duel.
Soon, someone approached him—not Zhao Lin'er, but someone hoping to recruit him into an alliance. Xiao Chen politely declined. Afterward, others appeared, with several alliances extending olive branches. But each time, Xiao Chen refused courteously. He did not want to be tied down by any alliance.
He continued until he reached an area not far from where the Snake-Elephant Dragon was known to appear. There, he was forced to stop. Someone blocked his path with hostile intent: it was the young barbarian strongman, Kaiao.
“What a coincidence. We meet again,” Xiao Chen said with a faint smile.
Kaiao’s face was dark as a storm cloud. Their last battle had been a disgrace, and upon learning that Xiao Chen was in the area, he had come straight for him. Though he had suffered a crushing defeat in that fight, the ancient beast-soul within him was gradually fusing with his body. Despite his frustration and resentment, he was slowly regaining a powerful confidence. He burned with the desire to fight Xiao Chen again and wash away the shame.
Today was a rare opportunity!
“This time, I will tear you apart!” Kaiao growled in a low voice, his three-meter-tall body casting a terrifying silhouette among the trees.
“I hear combat has been legalized. Should we find witnesses?” Xiao Chen was fearless, his demeanor almost relaxed.
“Of course!” Though Kaiao possessed an innate bestial nature, he dared not act recklessly on his own. The various regulations had just been announced, and he did not wish to be the first to break them—someone might exploit it to bring about his death.
There were many practitioners in the area, and the news spread immediately. The founders of three alliances appeared on the scene, agreeing unanimously that this duel could proceed. However, the battlefield had to be moved elsewhere; they were too close to the Snake-Elephant Dragon’s territory. To avoid disturbing the ferocious beast, they needed to relocate.
The news spread swiftly. This was the first legal battle to occur since the emergence of alliances and the enactment of restrictive rules—it drew exceptional attention. In short order, over a hundred people gathered at the designated battleground, with more than a dozen alliances represented. And still, more were making their way there.
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