Shen Taiyuan withdrew his gaze, looking towards Zhou Tai, Zhang Yan and Zhou Yuan as a voice wrapped in Genesis Qi was transmitted into their ears, “Lu Hong’s side has an absolute advantage in this chief disciple selection, it will be very difficult for a single faction to take them on alone.”
Zhou Tai was taken aback. He soon asked, “What is teacher Shen trying to say?”
Shen Taiyuan indifferently replied, “Elder Lu Song and I have discussed this matter. After entering the chief disciple peak, Zhou Tai and Zhang Yan, the two of you will join forces with Lu Yan to snipe Yuan Hong. You must defeat him first.”
Zhou Tai and Zhang Yan looked at each other, clearly not expecting that they would join hands with the other faction. After all, they were in a manner of speaking also competitors.
Even so, they ultimately nodded, because none of them had any confidence in facing Yuan Hong alone. The best possible scenario was indeed working together to defeat and disqualify the strongest Yuan Hong at the start.
“If the three of us are joining forces to deal with Yuan Hong, what about the other participants from Lu Hong’s side?” Inquired Zhang Yan.
Shen Taiyuan looked towards Zhou Yuan. “Zhou Yuan, you and the two other disciples from elder Lu Song’s side will obstruct Lu Hong’s five other disciples. Due to your disadvantage in numbers, you guys will definitely be under substantial pressure. As such, there is no need for your group to face the other party with your full power, but instead focus on delaying them as long as you can. If the situation turns dire, you may admit defeat and withdraw from the selection.”
“You guys only need to endure until the other group manages to defeat Yuan Hong, and it will be considered a success.”
Shen Taiyuan clearly felt that the main force this time was still Zhou Tai and Zhang Yan. Hence, he did not have high hopes for Zhou Yuan, and only wished that he would be able to delay for time.”
In Shen Taiyuan’s eyes, allowing Zhou Yuan to participate was mostly to give him some experience in preparation for the chief disciple selection next year.
Zhou Yuan was silent, but did not raise any objections. Instead, he only asked, “What happens if senior brother Zhou Tai and the rest succeed in defeating Yuan Hong?”
“Once Lu Hong’s side is dealt with, who ultimately takes the chief disciple position will depend on one’s capability.” Declared Shen Taiyuan.
Zhou Yuan nodded, no further questions. It was good as long as he was not forbidden from vieing for the chief disciple seat.
“Okay, I understand.”
...
“If Zhou Tai, Zhang Yan and I join hands, it will not be too difficult for us to deal with Yuan Hong.” On the other side, Lu Yan had found out about the plan from elder Lu Song.
“However…” Her eyes swept towards Zhou Yuan’s figure as she frowned. “Are you certain that Zhou Yuan and the other two from our side will be able to delay the five participants on Lu Hong’s side long enough?”
She shook her head, evidently a little unsatisfied with the plan as she continued, “I feel that it will not work out… this is a little unbecoming of elder Shen. He could have chosen any other time to give his disciple the chance to gain some experience. Can’t believe he permitted that disciple of his to participate when the stakes are so high.”
Lu Song smiled helplessly and said, “It’s useless to say anything at this juncture. As long as you, Zhou Tai and Zhang Yan succeed in defeating Yuan Hong as fast as possible, the situation will fall under our control.”
Lu Yan mumbled to herself, “I hope that he will not become a burden at the most critical point”
“Otherwise, I will not let him off.”
Chapter 458 The Ten Chosens
While the seven chief disciple peaks began to boil with excitement, vast Genesis Qi churned high up in the sky above the Cangxuan Sect. Countless disciples raised their heads, and saw the gathering Genesis Qi transform into six giant glowing Genesis Qi lotuses.
Six figures were seated upon the lotuses, spreading their overwhelming and immeasurable presences. They seemed to exude limitless power, causing respect to instinctively rise in everyone’s hearts.
They were naturally sect master Qing Yang and the other five peak masters.
When these six hegemons of the sect appeared, every disciple and elder in the Cangxuan Sect bowed their bodies as their voices echoed in every corner.
“We respectfully greet sect master and the peak masters!”
Sect master Qing Yang and the other five peak masters would naturally not be missing from the grandest and most important yearly event of the Cangxuan Sect.
At the center of the group, sect master Qing Yang gave a slight nod of acknowledgement. His expression was gentle, and yet also like a bottomless pool or an immeasurable peak, giving off a sense of stability that ordinary people could never possess, as if he would not be alarm even when the heavens began to crumble.
“I hope that the disciples will give their all in this year’s chief disciple selection. Show us your ability, and become a model for the numerous disciples of our Cangxuan Sect.” Sect master Qing Yang’s gentle yet grand voice rang out in everyone’s ears.
“Yes!” The many disciples responded in unison.
Not long after the six hegemons revealed themselves, another ten mini glowing lotuses began to form some distance to their front, as ten figures swept across the air and seated themselves on the lotuses.
When the ten figures were revealed, cheering swiftly arose from the countless disciples as they looked over with fervent gazes.
Because these ten figures were the ten great Chosens of the Cangxuan Sect!
The ten Chosens were usually busy with their training or on missions, making it nearly impossible to see all ten of them gathered in one place. Only during a grand occasion like the chief disciple selection, would they all show up together.
In contrast to the untouchable, almighty and revered six hegemons, the numerous disciples undoubtedly felt much closer to the ten Chosens, many even treating the group as targets of worship in their hearts.
This was why the appearance of the ten Chosens resulted in such a scene.
“All ten Chosens present together…” Zhou Yuan was also quite amazed by this. After all, it had been nearly an entire year since he came to the Cangxuan Sect, but he had to even see half of the Chosens before this.
He stared at the ten glowing lotuses. At the center was the most eye-catching shiny bald head. Sunlight reflected off its glossy surface, making it dazzle brightly.
It was the leader of the Chosens, Chu Qing.
As he looked at Chu Qing, Zhou Yuan swept a glance at Lu Yan from Lu Song’s faction. Sure enough, he found a look of adoration on the latter’s face as she dazedly stared at Chu Qing, little stars even glittering in her eyes. The usually arrogant manner she displayed was now nowhere to be seen.
On the left and right of Chu Qing were Kong Sheng and Li Qingchan, followed by the rest of the Chosens. Every figure seemed to command the attention of the crowd.
After all, the fact that they could become Chosens was more than enough evidence of their talent. They were the cream of the crop even among the numerous elites of the Cangxuan Sect.
Chu Qing yawned atop his lotus, before turning his head to see Kong Sheng icily staring at him. The former immediately rubbed his shiny, bald head, displaying a dazzling smile as he said, “Ah, junior brother Kong Sheng, it’s been so long since we last met.”
Kong Sheng’s eyes stabbed at Chu Qing like swords, as he coldly responded, “Chu Qing, I sent you eighteen challenge letters. Why have you not responded at all?”
A shocked look appeared on Chu Qing’s face. “Eighteen challenge letters? Aiyyaa, why haven’t I seen a single one… I’m sure of it, someone must have secretly thrown them away. I’ll go back and find out exactly who has the gall to do such a thing.”
Kong Sheng icily chuckled. Fine, continue your acting.
With a wave of his sleeve, a chal
lenge letter appeared in his hand, before being tossed towards Chu Qing. “Regardless of whether you’ve seen them previously, I believe you won’t be able to avoid this one, right?”
The challenge letter whizzed through the air, heading straight for Chu Qing.
However, Chu Qing did not even move or cast a glance to the side, allowing the challenge letter to brush past his face, before floating away into the distance.
Kong Sheng, “......”
Li Qingchan, “......”
The corners of the other Chosens’ lips pulled outwards.
Veins could not help but pop out on Kong Sheng’s forehead, evidently not expecting that Chu Qing would be so thick skinned as to directly ignore the challenge letter right in his face. Just how cheeky could this person get?
Chu Qing looked towards Li Qingchan with a smile. “Junior sister Qingchan, let’s change places.”
Li Qingchan responded with an annoyed glance, completely ignoring his request.
Upon seeing that there would not be any response from her, Chu Qing helplessly shook his head and turned back to the now black faced Kong Sheng with a smile, “Don’t be so rash junior brother Kong Sheng. Sending out such a challenge letter with no warning will only hurt the relationship we have as fellow disciples.”
“If you really want to compete, we can do it in any way.”
“What way?” Kong Sheng was expressionless.
“Wuu…” Chu Qing blinked several times, before a bright smile emerged on his face. “We can bet on the chief disciple selection… hmm, let’s guess who the chief disciple of Saint Genesis Peak will be!”
“The loser will have to pay a hundred thousand Genesis jade!”
Kong Sheng’s eyes narrowed slightly. “And also accept a challenge letter!”
Chu Qing felt rather helpless and could only nod in agreement.
Only then did Kong Sheng let out an icy chuckle. “What’s there to guess, the chief disciple seat will definitely end up with Yuan Hong.”
Lu Hong’s faction was from Sword Cometh Peak, and Kong Sheng naturally had a clear understanding of Yuan Hong’s strength. There was no one from the other two factions who could put up a fight against him.
Chu Qing merely grinned and said, “I hold a different opinion.”
Kong Sheng laughed mockingly. “Oh? Are you supporting Zhou Tai, Zhang Yan or Lu Yan?”
Chu Qing pondered a little, before he said, “I feel that the chief disciple position might land in the hands of Zhou Yuan.”
These words not only elicited another chuckle from Kong Sheng, but also caused the other Chosens to look over. They had heard of this Zhou Yuan before, but no matter how amazing his achievements were over the past year, he was ultimately a new disciple.
When compared to Yuan Hong, the gap between them was quite huge.
So how could he possibly obtain the chief disciple seat of Saint Genesis Peak?
In fact, even Li Qingchan, who was more well acquainted with Zhou Yuan, frowned slightly, feeling that it was going to be quite impossible. Although Zhou Yuan had defeated Yang Xuan, none of the participants in the chief disciple selection would be weaker than Yang Xuan.
Let alone someone like Yuan Hong...
“I did not expect you to think so highly of him.” Remarked Kong Sheng.
Chu Qing sighed and said, “As the one who can make that monster Zhou Xiaoyao submit, Zhou Yuan is definitely no simple individual…”
The corners of everyone’s mouths twitched. So this was the reason? This was why he felt Zhou Yuan would obtain the chief disciple seat?
Upon seeing the strange looks on the faces of the other Chosens, Chu Qing immediately began explaining, “You guys have never tasted Zhou Xiaoyao’s methods. She’s definitely a heartless witch who can sell you away without even blinking. If Ye Ge did not keep insisting that she was a Cangxuan Sect disciple, I would have suspected that she was sent from the Sacred Palace to cause trouble!”
His voice was filled with resentment, clearly recalling the Heaven mission previously, where he had been forced by Zhou Xiaoyao to use his full power in battle. There had been no choice but to do so, just look at how Ye Ge had nearly been killed...
Over the years, this was the first time that Chu Qing had been forced into such a situation by someone else.
Kong Sheng let out an icy chuckle and said, “I don’t care what reason you have, but since you’ve chosen Zhou Yuan, let us get ready to watch how things will unfurl. I hope that you will obediently accept my challenge letter after you lose!”
After speaking, he withdrew his gaze and turned towards the distant Saint Genesis Peak. Disdain flitted across his eyes as his gaze swept across a certain young figure.
Was Zhou Yuan thinking of taking the chief disciple seat from Yuan Hong?
How delusional!
Chapter 459 Start of the Chief Disciple Selection
After the ten Chosens appeared, numerous elders began to arrive in the sky above. The scale of this gathering was very impressive, showing just how important the chief disciple selection was to the Cangxuan Sect.
As time passed, the sun rose high into the sky.
Sect master Qing Yang glanced towards the sky and nodded, before gently waving his sleeve.
Dong!
A loud ‘dong’ echoed across the land.
The atmosphere inside the Cangxuan Sect reached its peak at this moment. Everyone knew that the bell marked the beginning of the chief disciple selection.
“Let the chief disciple selection begin. Disciples, I hope that you will fully display the fruits of your labor over the past year!” Sect master Qing Yang’s powerful voice echoed by everyone’s ear.
It was quickly followed by a storm of cheering.
Go for it, senior brother Zheng Shi!”
“Senior sister Su Yun, you’ll definitely succeed!”
“……”
Countless disciples cheered for the participants they were supporting, creating quite an astonishing din.
The situation was the same on Saint Genesis Peak’s side. However, practically everyone from Shen Taiyuan’s faction was cheering for either Zhou Tai or Zhang Yan. These two were the main force after all.
“Go little Yuan bro, I bet two hundred thousand Genesis jade on you taking the chief disciple seat!” Someone suddenly yelled. The crowd looked over, only to discover that it was Shen Wanjin.
The declaration of his generous bet made quite a number of people jump in shock, as they could not help but say, “Are you crazy? You’ve actually bet two hundred thousand Genesis jade? You could have used that kind of money to treat us at the Hundred Fragrances House instead!”
Two hundred thousand Genesis jade was a fortune to even most purple sash disciples. Shen Wanjin had only been able to accumulate it because Zhou Yuan had extorted it from Wu Hai previously.
No one had expected that Shen Wanjin would wager all of it on Zhou Yuan.
In their eyes, this was undoubtedly the most foolish action anyone could take. You’ll at least get some nice splashes if you threw them all into the river, throwing them onto Zhou Yuan, on the other hand, won’t even net you a ripple!
Shen Wanjin did not mind the gazes that were looking at him as if he were a fool. In any case, Zhou Yuan was the one who had gotten him these Genesis jade, so it didn’t matter even if he lost them all.
His thought process was very simple. As Zhou Yuan’s most loyal fan, how could he possibly not give his support at such a time?!
Zhou Yuan was also rather alarmed by the huge wager, but was soon unable to hold back a chuckle as he shook his head. He did not say anything, only waving at Shen Wanjin.
Shen Taiyuan looked over and said to Zhou Yuan, Zhou Tai and Zhang Yan, “Get ready.”
The trio nodded with serious expressions.
Swish!
In the next instant, the trio dashed into the sky together, stepping on Genesis Qi as they descended towards the chief disciple peak.
At the same time, several fig
ures also rose from Lu Hong and Lu Song’s factions amidst thunderous cheers.
A total of twelve figures flew past in the sky, swiftly approaching the chief disciple peak.
When they were a certain distance from the chief disciple peak, Zhou Yuan felt a pressure spread from it. Under this pressure, the flow of Genesis Qi turned somewhat slower.
In addition, it seemed that the closer they got to the summit, the greater the pressure.
However, Zhou Yuan did not panic, because Shen Taiyuan had already talked about this previously. Genesis Runes had been carved into the chief disciples peak that made the surrounding Genesis Qi heavier. When one was within range of the runes, one would feel as if there was a heavy mountain on one’s back, and the closer one was to the summit, the greater the pressure one would feel.
In such an environment, one’s Genesis Qi would be consumed at a much faster rate in battle.
This was a test of sorts. Those without sufficient strength would not have the qualifications to even ascend the summit.
Mists swirled around the giant mountain. Stone platform after platform had been chiselled into the mountain, like giant stone steps that reached upwards all the way to the summit currently concealed by mist.
At a certain distance from the mountain, the onlookers saw the twelve figures suddenly begin to sink rapidly. Genesis Qi quickly rose from their bodies to stabilize them.
After steadying themselves, their figures descended towards the stone platforms, using them as steps to ascend the mountain.
Among the twelve figures, Yuan Hong was unsurprisingly in the lead. Right behind him, was Zhou Tai, Zhang Yan and Lu Yan, while Zhou Yuan and the rest were further behind.
Zhou Tai, Zhang Yan and Lu Yan gradually approached each other as they exchanged a look, before locking onto Yuan Hong’s figure at the very front and nodding faintly.
Swish!
Their speed rose sharply, as they attacked together a split second later. Three torrents of Genesis Qi surged out, blasting towards Yuan Hong’s figure.
*Uproar*!
Their actions immediately caused quite a stir outside the chief disciple peak. Almost no one had expected the two factions to join hands against Yuan Hong.
Dragon Prince Yuan c1-1251 Page 249