Strongest Replication

With the high platform at its center, a circle with a radius of 100 meters was drawn using special paint. According to the rules of the Hunting Contest, as long as one made it into the circle, they were no longer a part of the contest. It didn't mean they were out of the contest; it just meant that they have collected all the jade plates they could and were now waiting for the results.    

No one was allowed to make a move against the contestant(s) standing within the red circle. Otherwise, it would be considered a provocation to the dignity of the four big families, and the four big families would then hunt the reprehensible together.    

After Chu Zhongtian and the others passed, Liu Yongjun waved his hand with a gloomy expression. The disciples of the Liu Family surrounded the passageway once again. Then, Liu Yongjun walked to the front of the new crowd that had all the other families' participants. For the first time, he addressed them, "Listen up, all of you. If you want to enter the safe zone, you have to follow two simple rules."    

"First, hand over all your jade plate!"    

"Second, let us search you."    

When everyone heard the rules set by Liu Yongjun, their expressions changed. Actually, the disciples from the small families didn't really care about these rules. Since they had no jade plates or valuables, they weren't afraid of being frisked.    

However, the same couldn't be said about the participants from the second-rate and above families. Their expressions went through some truly drastic changes. After all, each of them had their own secrets, especially those with some background and strength. They all had some hidden wealth that they wanted to keep in the dark.    

They would fall into some deep trouble if their wealth or secrets were discovered during the body search.    

So no one was surprised when someone raised an objection pretty quickly. This person was Qi Yiloong, who had just become a Level-8 Qi Refiner.    

"Liu Yongjun, could it be that you're going to search me, the prince of the royal family?" Qi Yiloong asked with a gloomy expression.    

"That's right; you are no exception." Liu Yongjun still maintained a firm attitude.    

Liu Yongjun was being so overbearing was because Chu Zhongtian had truly irritated him. He had been the top genius of Qi Country ever since he was a toddler. Let alone forcing him into withdrawing without a fight, no one had even been able to stand toe-to-toe with him.    

For the first time in his life, Liu Yongjun was feeling humiliated. To wash away this insult, he had to win the contest. Then, he would enter the Hidden Dragon Pavilion, breakthrough, and show that Chu Zhongtian who the real genius was.    

How was he going to win the contest?    

Well, by snatching as many jade plates as he could. Also, in case someone decided to hide their jade plates, he made the rule about frisking everyone.    

What Liu Yongjun didn't know was that most of the plates were already in the Chu Family's hands. Even if he had collected all the remaining jade plates, he could only rank second at most.    

As the most valued prince of the royal family, Qi Yiloong was bound to become the future owner of the throne. Which monarch would let its subordinate frisk him wantonly? No matter what, Qi Yiloong could not let Liu Yongjun search his body. Otherwise, it would become an internal demon that could prevent him from breaking through to the Body Refining realm.    

"Liu Yongjun, since you aren't giving me any face, don't blame me for being ruthless." Seeing Liu Yongjun's callous attitude, Qi Yiloong roared furiously.    

After throwing out a threatening sentence, Qi Yiloong handed his sharp sword to the person behind him. Then, he pulled out a jian (a somewhat soft and flexible sword) from his sleeve.    

After seeing the sword, Liu Yongjun's expression became very ugly for the second time.    

In fact, not only did Liu Yongjun's face turn green, even Chu Zhongtian and Chu Zhongba, who had already entered the safe zone, were stunned.    

Looking at the jian in Qi Yiloong's hand, Chu Zhongba murdered with a trembling voice, "Spirit weapon!"    

Depending on their power, weapons could also be divided into different grades.    

Qi Refiners warriors used ten times refined weapons, Body Refiners used hundred refined (a hundred times refined) weapons, and those who broke through to the Qi Transformation realm used spirit weapons.    

A spirit weapon was a spiritual treasure that surpassed ordinary weapons. Ordinary weapons were only more known for their sharpness and hardness.    

As for the spirit weapons, besides being sharper and harder, they could also increase their owner's spiritual power and overall strength. Moreover, spirit weapons had an aura and pressure of their own.    

The four big families all had a single spirit weapon. However, each spirit weapon was their family's heirloom-like treasure.    

Let alone the family's younger generation, even their prominent elders couldn't wield it heedlessly. The spirit weapon in Qi Yiloong's hand was probably the greatest reward he had obtained from participating in the Hunting Contest this time.    

Liu Qongjun never expected Qi Yiloong to have a spirit weapon. Since Qi Yiloong was a mere Level-8 Qi Refiner, he couldn't unleash a spirit weapon's true power; even a tiny bit of its power could prove itself deadly to Liu Yongjun.    

After all, a spirit weapon was a Qi Transformation realm cultivator's weapon, so the power it could unleash was probably at close to a Body Refiner's full force attack.    

"Damn it!" Liu Yongjun couldn't help but curse after looking at the spirit weapon.    

But what use was being angry here? He was also wearing protective armor, but it could at most block a Level-9 Qi Refiner's attack. A spirit weapon could obliterate him and his armor.    

Now that his life was at stake, he had to give in.    

"Liu Yongjun, if you make an exception, things won't get nasty." Perhaps because Chu Zhongtian's tone was domineering, but Qi Yiloong had unintentionally imitated him just now.    

Qi Yiloong copied tone almost made Liu Yongjun erupt. Fortunately, his family members reminded him in time, allowing him to calm down in the end.    

Liu Yongjun stared at Qi Yiloong with red eyes. His tone was full of killing intent as he said, "I will give in!"    

Liu Yongjun looked like he was about to tear someone apart, and it depressed Qi Yiloong to no end.    

After all, when that guy from the Chu Family used the same tone, Liu Yongjun's attitude towards him was very peaceful. Why would Liu Yongjun have such a huge reaction when it was his turn?    

As Qi Yiloong walked through the passageway with a gloomy expression, Chu Zhongtian said with disdain, "Stupid!"    

Liu Yongjun's peaceful attitude towards Chu Zhongtian was because of his own strength. Qi Yiloong had only relied on the deterrence brought forth by the spirit weapon to make Liu Yongjun give in. How could Liu Yongjun be convinced?    

Furthermore, Chu Zhongtian's tough attitude just now had already made Liu Yongjun very unhappy. Qi Yiloong imitated his tone and attitude just now—it was like sprinkling salt on Liu Yongjun's wound. It was already good enough that he could hold back his anger.    

Now that he had been forced to retreat by Chu Zhongtian and Qi Yiloong, Liu Yongjun was on the verge of exploding. After he made an example out of some participants, the remaining contestants easily agreed to the frisking.    

As the number of un-frisked contestants dwindled, Liu Yongjun's expression became worse. Even after searching all those participants, he only had 17 jade plates in his hands. This was still far from his goal of 50.    

He was certain that the remaining participants didn't have much plates on them either.    

'Are many plates still hidden in the forest?"