276: The hunt begins, and we part ways.

The Ice Absolute Heavenly Queen left, but everyone could tell that she didn't seem to have given up.

Elder Wen obviously knew her situation, but that wasn't a reason for him to abandon such an excellent successor. In the future, his student would only become a high-ranking member of the Star Council, not some Bingjue Palace Master.

"Little fellow, you must be careful. That girl is a workaholic and will never willingly witness the decline of the power she built with her own hands. She'll probably come looking for you again." Elder Wen stroked his beard, extremely adept at understanding human nature.

Tang Ping helplessly asked, "Then what should I do?"

Being targeted by a powerful Heavenly Queen, he had no power to resist.

Elder Wen squinted his eyes and chuckled, "Actually, becoming her disciple isn't bad either."

"Huh???" Tang Ping was dumbfounded. Did this old man Wen have some kind of dual personality?

The matter of the Ice Absolute Heavenly Queen naturally attracted many gazes, but Elder Wen isolated them. The others weren't privy to the conversation between the three, only seeing the Ice Absolute Heavenly Queen leave with a look of regret, as if she had lost something dear.

"What's wrong with that old hag, Ice Absolute? Why does she look like her ice bird got sterilized?"

"I don't know. That crazy woman talked to Elder Wen about something, and then she became like this."

"Could it be that the Ice Absolute Heavenly Queen is Elder Wen's long-lost daughter, and she wanted to reunite but Elder Wen refused?"

"No, is your head filled with shit?"

"What exactly happened? It's making me itch like a cat. Lei Xiao, go ask."

"Why don't you go?"

"I'm afraid of getting beaten!"

"..."

At this moment, in the Boundless Sea Region faction, Ice Absolute Palace territory.

"Palace Master, what's wrong?" A woman in a white dress asked curiously.

The Ice Absolute Heavenly Queen's face returned to its emotionless state, and she spoke faintly, "Instruct the disciples of the Ice Absolute Palace that after entering the Forbidden Zone North Ridge, they must protect this person. Upon seeing this person, they must try their best to befriend him and absolutely not conflict with him."

The woman in the white dress curiously took the recording orb and saw the appearance of a young man. She thought to herself, "Who is this? Could he be the Palace Master's illegitimate son? No wonder his temperament is so similar to the Palace Master's."

After Tang Ping obtained the S-rank Talent Extreme Ice, his body underwent a baptism, and his temperament was influenced by the Talent, making him appear cool and detached, naturally very similar to the Ice Absolute Heavenly Queen's temperament.

Coupled with the Ice Soul Pupil, the resemblance was even stronger.

Of course, this was only due to his Talent, but it caused a huge misunderstanding within the Ice Absolute Palace. As the image spread, rumors already circulated that he was the Palace Master's illegitimate son who had been living outside, and the Ice Absolute Heavenly Queen did not come out to explain, which further solidified the illegitimate son rumor among the disciples of the Ice Absolute Palace.

Several hours quickly passed, and the appointed time had arrived.

A figure appeared in the sky.

It was Yuguang Heavenly Queen Ye Zhixia, one of the three current Seventh Seats of the Star Council from Xingyao Safe Zone, as well as Titan Heavenly King Wu Zhenhai from Spark Safe Zone, and Yunlan Heavenly King Bai Zifu from Taohai Safe Zone.

"Welcome everyone to the Forbidden Zone Hunt hosted jointly by our Star Council, Holy Heaven Mansion, and Evergreen Heaven!

This hunting event is of extraordinary significance. It is not only a test of strength for the prodigies of various major forces but also an excellent opportunity to showcase and surpass oneself!

This is not only the first joint hunting Tournament we have held together in the Forbidden Zone but also represents the tremendous changes that have taken place in the strength of our humanity!

In the past, the Forbidden Zone was a place full of unknowns and fears for us, hiding countless dangers and calamities. However, today we are able to hold such a grand event here, which is enough to prove that we have overcome many difficulties and made great progress!

...The Tournament is divided into three stages.

The first stage, lasting one month, requires all participants to hunt Pollution Beasts as much as possible to earn points. After one month, the top five thousand in points will advance to the second stage!

The second stage, lasting one month, requires all participants to compete for treasures guarded by powerful Pollution Beasts within the Forbidden Zone. This stage heavily tests teamwork ability. We will score based on your performance in the hunt, and the top one thousand will advance to the third stage.

In the third stage, you will face a beast tide! The longer you persist amidst the endless Pollution Beasts, the higher your ranking.

Finally, it is solemnly declared that infighting among the same race is not prohibited during the competition!

...Here, with immense excitement, I extend my sincerest blessings to our prodigies. May your future paths be smooth sailing, and no matter how many difficulties and challenges you encounter, may you always press forward with courage, showcasing your exceptional Talents and limitless potential.

You are the pride of our human race, our hope and future. Your efforts and achievements will bring endless glory and splendor to our human race. I believe that under your leadership, our human race will rise again and restore its former glory!

Finally, I once again wish our prodigies a bright future and smooth sailing! May your lives shine as brightly as the dazzling stars, creating more miracles and glory for our human race!

Now, the Forbidden Zone North Ridge Hunting Tournament!

Officially begins!"

At the venue, tens of thousands of figures leaped up and headed towards the Forbidden Zone. Everyone wore a cyan bracelet on their wrist.

That was the Star Council's highest technology, meticulously crafted by combining star crystal, the bark of the Azure Sky Vine, and barrier power.

That barrier power could even withstand a level seven Pollution Beast, and with the spatial power of the Azure Sky Vine, one could easily escape.

Elder Wen looked at the Forbidden Zone North Ridge with a solemn expression and admonished, "Tang Ping, although there are protective bracelets in this Forbidden Zone hunt, it’s not impossible to encounter life-threatening danger. This is, after all, a Forbidden Zone. Even though this hundreds of kilometers of outer Forbidden Zone area has been explored and developed by our Star Council for decades, we can't claim to be 100% familiar with it. So, if you encounter any unexpected situations, immediately activate your protective bracelet!"

"Understood, Elder Wen. Then we'll set off first." Tang Ping nodded and led the twenty-odd people behind him towards the Forbidden Zone.

Half an hour later.

Before the North Ridge Forbidden Zone.

Tang Ping stopped and looked at the twenty-two people following him: "Once inside the Forbidden Zone, if you want to follow me, then follow me. If not, act on your own. But if you follow me, you must obey my arrangements."

"Why should we listen to you? You've only awakened the SA Dual Talent in the last two months. I've been trained in a Sixth-Level Extraordinary Family since childhood. When it comes to knowledge, I'm light years ahead of you!" The richly dressed young man spoke arrogantly, "You're just someone who grew up in the slums. If you ask me, you should listen to my arrangements. I point where to attack, and you attack there. Only then can everyone get more points, and maybe even advance to the second stage!"

Tang Ping said calmly, without wasting more words, "Those who follow me must listen to me. Those who intend to follow me, come with me."

With that, Tang Ping entered the Forbidden Zone.

Another B-rank Talent User from class nine immediately followed him.

Yan Junqi surprisingly also caught up. His two younger brothers, seeing their boss follow, also all moved.

Another A-rank Talent User from class nine, Wen Qingyu, hesitated for a moment and also followed.

Han, the young man from class three, pondered for a moment and finally followed.

Seventh High School's first-year students only had six A-rank Talent Users in total, and three of them had already caught up.

Of the remaining three, two had already left on their own.

Finally, only the richly dressed young man remained, his face gloomy: "Hmph, he's just a Level Three, I'm a level four! I'll see how many Pollution Beasts you can hunt in the end. Don't go crying from fear."

"Let's go!"

After entering the Forbidden Zone North Ridge, the already dim sky, due to the gray mist, became even darker, almost like night.

And in this darkness, countless ferocious Pollution Beasts lurked.

Tang Ping stopped in place and saw how many people were following him. To his surprise, there were actually three A-rank Talent Users who had followed.

"Since you've decided to follow me, then from now on, you must obey my arrangements. Next, I'm going to assign you your first task." Tang Ping's gaze swept over the nine people in front of him, "Everyone, first state your respective Talents."