The world watched in stunned horror as all Pirates gasped, relieved they weren't in those nine cities.
After the initial shock, Jin Mo and the others sneered at the live footage from Taiyuan City, their faces alight with schadenfreude.
"Who knew the Giant would be this terrifying? Ye Yu is definitely dead this time," Jin Mo remarked.
Song Ling crossed her arms, her expression full of disdain. "What an idiot. He didn't have to take the challenge, but he did anyway. Does he really think he can win? Or is it just because Taiyuan City is his turf? If it's the latter, then he's choosing pride over survival. This Mystic Realm is impossible to clear. The Violet-Black Secret Realm isn't something a single person can conquer—not even someone like Ye Yu."
Wang Quanshi sighed, a trace of regret in his eyes. "What a shame. I was looking forward to reaching Level 30, inheriting an Ability User's strength, and challenging him one-on-one to claim the title of the world's strongest. Now, that chance is gone."
Meanwhile, Lin Muxue and her group were also watching the broadcast.
Seeing the overwhelming might of the Giant and the devastation in the nine cities, Lin Muxue exhaled softly, a smirk playing on her lips.
"Good. I was worried he might pull off another miracle, clearing the Mystic Realm and reaping the rewards. But now, it's clear—he stands no chance."
Li Cang nodded. "Just because he's pulled off the impossible before doesn't mean he can do it this time. That Giant is way too strong. Ye Yu can't win. He won't even last three hours. In just eight minutes, those nine cities are nearly wiped out. Ye Yu is strong, but he'll be dead within the hour."
The twenty slaves all shared the same malicious glee.
Over on the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew's ship, the atmosphere was tense.
The crew stared unblinkingly at the live feed, their faces etched with worry. They cursed inwardly at the Giant's overwhelming power, fists clenched so tightly their nails dug into their palms.
Xia Ling, sensing the oppressive mood, barked, "Have faith in the Captain! He promised he'd come back—he won't break that promise!"
The crew nodded firmly, their anxiety transforming into rallying cheers.
"Go, Captain! You promised us—we know you'll make it!"
Back in the safe zone of TY City, the crowd roared in support.
"Ye Yu, you can do it!"
"Use hit-and-run tactics! Don't fight head-on—there's still hope!"
"Yeah, Ye Yu's fast! If he keeps dodging, he might last three hours!"
...
Ye Yu was their only hope. Without him, they were doomed. They had to believe in him—even if deep down, they didn't think he could defeat the Giant. Their faith was in his ability to evade and endure, to last three hours. Even if he failed to clear the challenge, protecting Taiyuan City would be victory enough.
At this moment, the eyes of the entire world were fixed on Ye Yu.
Ye Yu stood at the shoreline, watching as the Giant emerged from the sea.
In the next instant—he charged straight at it.
This was his territory. Though the civilians had been evacuated to the safe zone, the Giant could still reach most of the city. The battle would take place here, on the vast coastal stretch outside the urban area.
The world gasped in shock.
"Ye Yu is charging in?!"
"Wait—"
"Shouldn't he be focusing on evasion?!"
...
Lin Muxue watched with a cold sneer, "Idiot, charging forward like that—planning to take him head-on?"
Li Cang gloated, "That's Ye Yu for you, true to his style. This way, he'll die even faster."
...
Jin Mo and the others also jeered, mocking Ye Yu for his foolishness.
The Giant had just come ashore when it spotted Ye Yu rushing toward it. Its blood-red eyes locked onto him, glinting with cold malice.
The fact that someone dared to challenge it felt like an insult, stoking its fury.
The Giant prepared to charge. If this fool wanted to protect this place, then it would destroy it all the more thoroughly.
But before it could even take a step, Ye Yu's lightning-fast figure suddenly closed the distance. Leaping into the air, he drew Black Blade Night from his back, its edge gleaming with a chilling light. Excitement flickered in Ye Yu's eyes—an expression reserved only for formidable opponents.
The Giant roared, deafening and furious, taking this as a direct provocation.
It threw a massive punch, but Ye Yu didn't dodge. Gripping Black Blade Night with both hands, he raised it high and slashed downward with tremendous force. A verdant slash erupted from the blade.
Sssshhh—!
The slash collided with the Giant's fist, forcing its hand back violently. A shallow but bloody gash split open on its knuckles, dripping crimson.
Plop!
Though just drops of blood, each was the size of a meter-wide sphere. Where they landed, the ground instantly turned into small pools of blood.
After all, this was a four-hundred-meter-tall Giant—even a single drop of its blood could drench a person entirely.
The Giant seethed, shocked that it had been injured. It no longer dared to underestimate its foe.
The sight electrified the people in the safe zone, who erupted into cheers.
"Ye Yu's insane!"
"He actually wounded the Giant in their first clash!"
"Even if it's just a scratch, that oppressive terror the Giant brought to the nine cities before is gone now!"
...
The Dominant Feather Pirate Crew's eyes gleamed with excitement—but in the next instant, their expressions twisted in horror.
The Giant's entire body suddenly turned pitch-black—Armament Haki!
A four-hundred-meter behemoth, fully clad in Armament Haki, transformed into an obsidian colossus—an utterly terrifying sight.
The safe zone crowd gasped.
"Th-this… is too horrifying!"
"It knows Armament Haki too?!"
"It was already tough-skinned and heavily armored, but now with Armament Haki? This is..."
...
Their shock quickly turned to dread as they realized one thing: the Pirates from the previous nine cities had never forced the Giant to go all out.
Lin Muxue clapped in delight. "Excellent, as expected of a solo Violet-Black Secret Realm."
Li Cang smirked. "I'm even more relieved now. Ye Yu is definitely finished."
After a brief moment of surprise, Ye Yu's fighting spirit surged.
The Giant stretched out both hands, intending to grab and crush Ye Yu.
But Ye Yu kicked off the air, darting through the sky with incredible speed, evading the grasp effortlessly. At the same time, Black Blade Night flashed repeatedly in his hands.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
A barrage of slashes rained down on the Giant, clanging against its body like metal striking metal, sparks flying like fireworks in the sky.
Ye Yu sighed lightly. "With Armament Haki, your defense is pretty solid. Fine by me—you're just a big slab of iron now. Might as well use you to practice forging sparks. Perfect for the New Year—let's give everyone a fireworks show."
The Giant trembled with rage at the insult—being treated like a tool for entertainment was beyond humiliating.
Its hands lashed out even faster. Despite its massive size, its movements were shockingly swift, leaving afterimages that made it seem like dozens of colossal arms were reaching for Ye Yu.
However, Ye Yu swiftly flickered, leaving behind a trail of afterimages around the Giant, as if dozens of Ye Yus were flashing around its body. No matter how hard the Giant tried or how precisely it attempted to capture him, it couldn't lay a finger on Ye Yu. Instead, Ye Yu continuously unleashed emerald Slashes. If one strike couldn't harm the Giant covered in Armament Haki, then multiple Slashes aimed at the same spot would eventually wear it down.
And indeed, the Giant's face twisted in pain, with bloody gashes already appearing in several places on its body. Ye Yu targeted these wounds with his Slashes, causing it to writhe in agony.
"Damn it! Die!"
The Giant roared in fury, and what happened next shook the world.