Those of low status had no idea what the Nova Clan Prince was talking about. Why would those four core powers advertise the devastating losses of their greatest geniuses? In fact, the whole operation was kept a secret because the Soul Universe was a taboo topic struck from the history of their 99 Universes.

But, the four Heads knew exactly what Prince Nova was referring to. And, if the little prince was correct This was the worst-case scenario!

This young man defeated their heirs single handedly with absolute ease! In fact, according to Prince Nova's reports, it had been a child's game to him!

Prince Nova was never one to exaggerate or hide his failures. He very clearly reported the situation to his father, not leaving out a single detail. Everything from the disasters they faced as they traveled toward the Epistemic Tower, to their resounding defeat at the end of it all, they were aware of it all!

Dyon continued to leisurely recline upon the large bell's curve. It was as though the situation below had next to nothing to do with him.

Prince Nova gripped his fists. That defeat from back then, he had dreamed for years of payback. But, this sort of meeting wasn't at all like he had dreamt of. It felt like Dyon didn't even remember who he was. Such a thing made him feel incredibly uncomfortable in his heart, no matter how usually steady he was.

Of course, Dyon didn't forget Prince Nova. His memory was too good for that. It was just that Prince Nova was simply a blip on his radar. To Dyon, anyone he had already defeated once, would never have the chance to surpass him again. And, if you were currently ahead of him, it was in your best interest that you lower your head and practice hard, lest you be surpassed too quickly.

In this more than 30 years, Prince Nova and the other geniuses of that time managed to step into the Dao Realm at about 50 years old. This was quite impressive But their current selves still wouldn't last even half a move against Dyon.

"Aiya, can it be that you magnificent four powers have no geniuses amongst you?" Dyon mumbled to him. "What a wasted trip"

The disciples below were incredibly enraged. Just moments ago, they were preparing for the whole of the 99 universes to remember their names. How could they know that they'd so suddenly be humiliated without reservation? How could they stand for this?!

"If you're really so powerful, stop hiding in that turtle shell!" The 7th ranked core disciple roared.

When those words left his lips, Master Ores' face turned a deep shade of black.

'This fool!' He roared in his mind.

Calling your own Sect Treasure a turtle shell? Where would they put their faces in the future!?

"Oh." Dyon said unperturbed. "I was under the impression that the Profound Resonance Bell was a magnificent treasure that your Profound Earth Sect treated as its dignity. I wasn't aware that you core disciples looked down on your own Sect Treasure like so"

The 7th ranked core disciple felt his face turn green. He had obviously not meant it this way, but he was too hot blooded to think before he spoke.

"The truth, though, is that I don't actually need this turtle bell to defeat you."

"YOU!"

However, the moment he wanted to speak more, and overwhelming fear gripped his heart. He felt that his life was already forfeit, that these were truly his last moments.

Dyon smiled lightly. But this smile was akin to the reaper come to collect souls.

His finger stretched outward, his eyes swirling with golden gears.

"[Shrink] [Accelerate] [Raze]."

A pitch-black array was slowly etched into being before the seventh core disciple. Its creation almost seemed too slow But why was it that no one could react in time?

Their minds were sent in a murky purgatory, as though a liquid denser than quicksand had wrapped around their ankles, pulling them down with a force they couldn't resist.

All they saw was death. Endless death. Piles of black bones and corpses, dense oceans of flesh and blood, a deep resentment that tore into their hearts.

PUUU

By the time the disciples regained their bearings, their hearts trembled at the sight before them. As for the audience watching on, the sight was even more shocking for them. All they had seen was Dyon stretch out a finger and form an array just like that a disciple ranked in the top 100 of their younger generation died

The seventh core disciple's body still stood tall. But, a blood hole the three times the size of a baseball had torn its way through half of his face.

Before his body could even collapse, it began to disintegrate, turning into fine flecks of black-grey ash.

The Universe Tournament grounds were gripped by a frightening silence. In fact, the only sound that could be heard was the steam that left an adorable cauldron's lid as it followed Dyon who strolled out of the range of protection the Profound Resonance Bell provided.

Scratching the back of his head, Dyon looked down below with an awkward expression.

"My bad." He said with an innocent expression. "I meant to defeat him, not kill him, as I said. How could I know that a supposed genius even older than me couldn't take a single strike?"

Somehow, even though he had left the range of their supposed turtle bell, no one dared to attack him.

That illusion It was simply too fierce. Even though it had only reaped the life of one person, every single genius below had been dragged into it.

What if he had targeted them instead?

To make matters worse, it was only now they understood Dyon's true purpose.

It was difficult to tell the age of a cultivator unless you had keen senses. Someone capable of doing so was even rarer in a land where soul cultivation was effectively banned. If Dyon had strolled into the tournament and started killing people, many watching on from home might believe that he was an expert who retained his young looks thanks to his high cultivation. But now, because of the Challenge Bell's abilities They knew that this was wrong!