Global Lords: My Species Can Mutate

Chapter 444 - 439: Stepping Forward

In this barren land at the duchy’s border, Tier Seven is already considered the top level of combat power.

The representatives of the major factions are basically at this level.

It goes without saying.

These youths, mostly only at Tier One or Two, just stepping onto the path of cultivation, are incredibly excited at the sight of these influential figures.

Each of them hopes to perform excellently in this hunting competition and get noticed by the representatives of these major factions.

By doing so, they can join these major factions, soar to great heights, and even change their lives because of it.

So every one of them is secretly gathering strength, ready to stand out and win in the upcoming hunting competition.

Some with a solitary nature, standing alone in the corner, also have glimmers of determination in their eyes.

At this moment.

In front of the teams of major faction representatives.

Those Tier Seven representatives gathered together, whispering among themselves.

"I heard this competition is hosted by Yellow Sand City’s lord, I wonder if that esteemed individual will make an appearance."

"It would be great to catch a glimpse of him."

"That might be difficult; yesterday, when I brought a gift, I saw several Tier Eights waiting outside."

"Indeed, if even Tier Eights can’t see him, what chance do small factions like ours have?"

These Tier Seven representatives mostly come from the more top-tier factions, or they themselves are city lords.

In this region at the duchy’s border, they are considered influential figures.

And behind them, numerous smaller factions are spread out, all hoping to recruit some good prospects in this competition to strengthen themselves.

This is the origin of the Demon Hunting Competition.

So every year at this time, youths from surrounding lord cities and indigenous people’s cities who meet the requirements come, accompanied by their elders.

The goal is to join a desired faction and truly embark on the path of cultivation.

A glance reveals that the number is at least tens of thousands, and it’s continuously increasing, gathered on the Gobi Desert beyond the forest range of Yellow Sand City.

"They’re coming!"

Suddenly, a shout interrupted the discussion of the crowd.

The representatives of the major factions jolted awake, all turning their heads towards the direction of Yellow Sand City.

In that lush forest above, a grand flying mount team appeared, rapidly approaching this way.

At the forefront of the team was an enormous, majestic Plant Giant Dragon, accompanied by several other Giant Dragons.

Wherever they passed, fierce winds rose.

Along with them came a terrorizing pressure.

"It’s that esteemed individual’s mount!"

The eyes of the faction representatives widened as they hurriedly went up to greet him, waiting by the side.

Their extremely respectful demeanor stunned the youths watching from afar.

Are these still the important figures they know?

Before they could think further, the massive flying mount team had already landed with a howling wind.

Landing right before the teams of the major factions.

"Welcome, esteemed one!"

"Greetings, exalted one!"

The representatives called out in unison, their faces full of excitement.

Unexpectedly, this influential figure actually came in person.

To think, he is someone even Tier Eight strongholds might not be able to meet, the true controller of the entire duchy border!

"No need for formalities."

Sitting on the back of the Demon Emperor Dragon, Lin You glanced around at the people below, secretly amazed.

He hadn’t anticipated that this Demon Hunting Competition would gather so many factions.

It seems that all the notable factions around have arrived.

No wonder he felt that this journey was much livelier than usual.

Looking at the youthful faces watching from afar, Lin You was filled with emotion.

These.

Are probably the future pillars of the duchy’s border.

Not wasting any time, he gracefully dismounted, accompanied by Wei Gang and a team of guards, and slowly approached the major factions’ representatives.

"Greetings, Lord Lin."

At this moment, a familiar face stepped forward from the team, bowing to him respectfully.

"Meng Qing’an?"

Lin You looked at the person, his expression blank — wasn’t this his neighbor, the lord of Shuangye City?

"I didn’t expect you’ve reached Tier Seven, how have you been lately?"

Speaking of which, Meng Qing’an arrived around the same time he did, only a few days later.

Unexpectedly, while other city lords constantly changed, this guy remained alive, and even advanced to Tier Seven.

"Thanks to your care, everything is going well now," Meng Qing’an bowed slightly again.

His friendly conversation with Lin You made other lords and faction representatives envious, but they dared not speak up.

Meanwhile, the guardians accompanying their children in the distance had finally found out about Lin You’s identity and became excited.

"Dad, who is that man?" a distinguished-looking youth curiously asked.

"That’s the lord of Yellow Sand City, Lin You!" the father said, his voice trembling tremendously, urgently advising: "Tian’er, remember, do your utmost to perform, if that esteemed one chooses you, our Zhou Family could instantly become a top-tier family!"

"Top-tier family!?"

The young man looked at his father in shock, then glanced again at Lin You in the distance, unable to believe it.

And similar conversations were happening in every corner of the field.

Every accompanying parent or elder was sternly advising their offspring to perform to the best of their abilities.

Some even gritted their teeth, handing over their precious keepsakes.

Because they all knew the terrifying identity of that influential figure.

If chosen, it would immensely benefit them and their backing faction family, possibly leading to an overnight rise!

And while they were discussing.

Lin You had already chatted with the representatives of various factions and, accompanied by them, approached the entire contestant lineup.

"Let’s begin, I’ll just watch from the side."

As soon as the voice fell, the entire team began to move, majestically heading toward the depths of the Gobi Desert under the leadership of those in charge below.

Their competition venue this time was at a large cliff in the middle-front section of the Gobi.

Due to environmental reasons, there was a height difference of nearly a hundred meters there, and it was filled with demons below Tier Three.

Standing atop the cliff, one could see the vast expanse of the Gobi Desert, making it the perfect location for the competition.

Soon enough.

The entire team arrived at the top of the cliff.

With a glance for confirmation and a nod from Lin You, a Tier Seven Cultivator responsible for hosting the competition stepped forward and loudly addressed the young participants:

"You all should already know the rules, so I won’t repeat them unnecessarily."

"The first checkpoint is this hundred-meter cliff."

"What you need to do first is use your own abilities to cross this cliff and get down into the Gobi below."

"It doesn’t matter how you do it, as long as you get down. Otherwise, you will be disqualified. Understood?"

"Understood!!"

The thunderous shout echoed across the cliff top.

Many of the young participants were eager to try.

But some were visibly daunted.

This hundred-meter cliff was indeed a significant challenge for those at Tier Two or Tier One.

One wrong move, and they could fall to their deaths.

Moreover, the cliff sides were smooth with few footholds, making the challenge even greater.

"This checkpoint is interesting. Was it your idea, Wei Gang?"

Lin You smiled as he looked at the youths waiting by the cliff.

When he first came here, he was already at Tier Six.

So this cliff wasn’t a big challenge for him.

But for these young ones, it was different.

The power of Tier Two or Tier One was only a bit stronger than an average adult. Climbing down a hundred-meter vertical cliff would surely test them.

"My Lord, it was my underlings who came up with it. They wanted to use this checkpoint to filter out those lacking resolve and hoping for an easy way through," Wei Gang whispered respectfully from the side.

"Hmm, not bad. Reward them when we return. Let me see... each of them can have a set of Tier Eight equipment."

"Thank you, My Lord!"

Hearing this, Wei Gang’s face beamed with joy.

Not because of the reward itself, but because Lin You’s approval meant the world to him.

However.

The other representatives nearby nearly had their eyes pop out upon hearing Lin You’s words.

This... everyone gets a set of Tier Eight equipment?

They must’ve misheard.

After all.

Even these representatives typically only possessed one piece of Tier Eight equipment, treating it like a treasure.

And yet, these people got a full set for a simple task!

Those with weaker hearts felt their breath catch, envying immensely.

Meanwhile,

The host had finished speaking and now jogged over to Lin You, paying respectful homage.

"Sir, the rules are explained. Do you have anything to add?"

Hearing this, the other representatives and the young participants turned their gaze toward Lin You.

After thinking for a moment, Lin You smiled slightly and said, "Since it’s a competition, there ought to be prizes."

"How about this: the winner of this competition receives a piece of Tier Five equipment, the top ten a piece of Tier Four, and the top hundred a piece of Tier Three."

"They can use their rankings to commission custom pieces at my Dwarf Race Blacksmith Shop."

Tier Five!

Dwarven custom equipment!

It shook the other representatives to their core.

A full hundred pieces of equipment, all custom-made by the Dwarves.

This generosity was immense!

And needless to say for the young participants, their excitement was palpable.

Tier Five equipment was beyond their wildest dreams.

They set their minds on winning first place and securing this generous prize.

Seeing their fighting spirit ignited, the competition host quickly capitalized, loudly proclaiming, "You’ve heard the honorable lord! Finish in the top hundred and win great prizes. Enough talk, the competition starts now!"

"Charge!"

"The prize is mine!"

"I’m set on winning first place!"

With shouts, all the contestants surged toward the cliff like a tide, starting their descent.

A few even leaped straight down, using various means to glide downward.

"Such courage."

Lin You remarked softly, with a hint of astonishment in his eyes.

To leap down a hundred meters, one wrong move could cost a life.

Yet those young participants jumped without hesitation, truly commendable bravery, and it was clear they were exceptional.

"Should we keep an eye on them?" Wei Gang whispered.

"Yes, if their character proves worthy, consider recruiting them," Lin You nodded.

Immediately after,

Figures from the various factions appeared in the sky, riding flying mounts, surveying the contestants’ performance.

An imposing competition commenced.