The only sound in the sect was Zhou Yuan’s echoing voice while everything else was completely silent.
This silence lasted for a long time before a torrential uproar washed it away. It was as if the entire Cangxuan Sect had been overturned.
“My god, what did I just hear?!”
“Chosen Zhou Yuan wants to invoke the Chosen challenge! And it’s even against all six peaks!”
“This takes tremendous charisma and courage!”
“Even senior brother Chu Qing didn’t manage to triumph over all six peaks in one fell swoop in the past!”
“Let alone senior brother Chu Qing, I don’t think a single disciple in the Cangxuan Sect has ever achieved such a feat!”
“Yeah, the Chosen challenge is far too difficult. The Chosen of each peak will receive support from the Genesis Qi of their home peak, causing their strength to soar. As fellow Chosen, how could it possibly be easy to defeat another Chosen?”
“But if Chosen Zhou Yuan succeeds, it will be a grand occasion for our Cangxuan Sect. It will definitely be a rare eye-opening experience.”
“......”
A frenzied atmosphere enveloped the entire sect as countless disciples discussed excitedly. After all, such a grand event was very rare.
Before the main discussion hall, the expressions of Chu Qing, Li Qingchan, Kong Sheng and the others turned solemn. The Chosen challenge was a very serious event in the Cangxuan Sect.
According to the rules, the Chosen of the various peaks were not allowed to reject any challengers.
The crowd of Chosen exchanged a look as they nodded and said, “Since Chosen Zhou Yuan has such courage, there is naturally no reason for us to decline. All of the peaks will welcome you with our full power.”
Zhou Yuan cupped his fists together again. He was already at the peak of the ninth layer of the Alpha-Origin stage, and would soon depart for the Great Zhou empire. He needed to experience tough battles in order to push his battle power to the limit.
Besides the Omega Saint Spirit Art, the rank of his other Genesis techniques were rather low. Take the Ethereal Form for example, it was a technique he had learnt in the outer mountains, and its effect was no longer as stunning as it had been back then.
This was mainly because he was encountering more and more powerful foes. The Genesis techniques of his enemies had likewise grown in rank, making lower ranking techniques like the Ethereal Form appear weaker in comparison.
Hence, Zhou Yuan needed higher ranking Genesis techniques.
The seven Cangxuan arts were the most famous techniques in the Cangxuan Sect, and Zhou Yuan had been eyeing them since long ago. However, his strength had been insufficient in the past, making it impossible for him to win them through the Chosen challenge. Hence, he had been patiently waiting till this very moment...
After Zhou Yuan stepped into the peak ninth layer, amongst all the Cangxuan Sect Chosen, even Chu Qing was no longer his match in a one-on-one fight.
But he now had the qualifications.
By the side, sect master Qing Yang made no move to stop this and said, “Zhou Yuan, the Chosen challenge will not be easy, because your opponents will have the homeground advantage and it will amplify their power.”
“Your disciple understands and will do his best,” replied Zhou Yuan.
Sect master Qing Yang looked towards Chu Qing and the others. “Return to your respective peaks to prepare. Zhou Yuan will go to your peaks to take you guys on one by one tomorrow.”
Chu Qing and the rest acknowledged his orders, complicated expressions in their eyes as they cast one final glance at Zhou Yuan before leaving.
Zhou Yuan bowed towards sect master Qing Yang before also leaving. He would return to Saint Genesis Peak to make his own preparations.
At the sight of their leaving figures, sect master Qing Yang sighed and smiled. “My Cangxuan Sect disciples are not weaker than the Sacred Palace’s.”
Peak master Lianyi said, “Are we really going to let Zhou Yuan challenge all six peaks?”
Sect master Qing Yang nodded. “Wu Huang’s appearance has caused a rapid rise in the Sacred Palace’s reputation. If Zhou Yuan succeeds in taking the techniques of the other six peaks, it will be the first time such a thing has happened in our Cangxuan Sect. News of this will also grow our reputation and let our disciples regain their confidence.
“The Sacred Palace may have Wu Huang, but my Cangxuan Sect has Zhou Yuan…
“It will definitely be a monumental occasion if he succeeds. However, I do hold some doubts on whether he will be able to defeat all six peaks in succession,” said peak master Ling Jun.
He was not trying to make things difficult for Zhou Yuan, but merely stating his truthful opinion.
Although Zhou Yuan had grown tremendously, the other Chosen, especially the upper ranks like Chu Qing, Kong Sheng and Li Qingchan, would not be easy opponents when boosted by their peaks.
It was precisely this reason that had stopped Chu Qing in his tracks back then.
“Whether or not he succeeds will be clear to everyone tomorrow.”
Sect master Qing Yang chuckled as he gazed at the Cangxuan Sect, which now had an air of excitement. He said, “Truth be told, even I am a little excited. I’ve yet to see such a grand event ever since becoming sect master.”
The other peak masters faintly nodded in agreement. Challenging all six peaks in succession and gathering all seven Cangxuan arts was something that none of them had ever witnessed.
For the hundreds and thousands of years, many geniuses had arisen from their respective peaks. Even so, not a single person had managed to achieve such a feat. From this, one could see how difficult the Chosen challenge was. With regards to how Zhou Yuan would perform tomorrow, even existences like them felt somewhat curious for a time.
...
When Zhou Yuan returned to Saint Genesis Peak, he found that the disciples were practically crazy with excitement. Countless people flocked to the entrance of his cave dwelling, the deafening noise nearly causing a cave-in.
It lasted till Yaoyao could no longer take it and threw out Tuntun. With a roar, the excited disciples immediately scattered.
However, even though they had scattered, the entire Saint Genesis Peak was still covered in a frenzied atmosphere.
After all, the implications behind this matter were far too important to Saint Genesis Peak. Saint Genesis Peak had been in the decline for so many years. Who could have expected things to suddenly turn around; not only were their gates reopened but they had even produced a true Chosen.
If Zhou Yuan won the Chosen challenge tomorrow, from then on, every disciple of Saint Genesis Peak would feel a little prouder when they walked within the sect.
It would be the greatest glory unique only to their Saint Genesis Peak.
No one would be able to sleep in Saint Genesis Peak tonight.
Of course, Saint Genesis Peak was not the only one; the disciples of the other six peaks were likewise both nervous and excited. A grand event like this was truly rare, after all. If Zhou Yuan succeeded and won the six arts from their peaks, it would undoubtedly be a hit to their pride.
Various emotions churned within the numerous disciples, making it impossible for anyone to calmly cultivate.
The restless night quietly passed in this manner.
When dawn arrived the next day, the countless disciples of the Cangxuan Sect opened their red eyes and peered towards the distant Saint Genesis Peak.
Deep within a certain cave dwelling in Saint Genesis Peak, Zhou Yuan opened his eyes.
He smiled as he looked towards Yaoyao, who was standing in front of him, but did not say anything. He rose to his feet before walking forward. Strong confidence poured out of him as his clothes flapped around him.
Today, this generation of Cangxuan Sect disciples would watch him ascend the peak.
Two years ago when he first entered Saint Genesis Peak, he heard of the Chosen challenge from Shen Taiyuan. Back then, he had treated it
as a story because the Chosen within this story were existences he could only look up to in admiration.
Two years later, he had become the lead actor in this story. The Chosen he had once looked up to would now stand in his path and witness him achieve the highest honor in the hearts of the countless Cangxuan Sect disciples.
Chapter 673 First Choice
It was the winter month, and snowflakes were drifting across the land.
However, the atmosphere within the Cangxuan Sect was boiling like a cauldron, melting even the snowflakes that filled the sky.
Countless Cangxuan Sect disciples stood everywhere, figures present as far as the eye could see. With such a grand event happening today, every disciple had put aside their training in order to personally watch this event.
Countless excited gazes were cast towards the heart of the Cangxuan Sect.
Sect master Qing Yang, the peak masters and the many elders of the sect were gathered in the air, their gazes observing the entire sect.
Under these countless watching gazes, a Genesis Qi cloud rose from Saint Genesis Peak. Two slim figures stood atop the cloud, a male and a female, Zhou Yuan and Yaoyao.
Zhou Yuan was quite handsome, but when put next to the otherworldly beauty beside him, any points he had in looks and presence instantly plummeted. If he was not the main star today, countless gazes would have only looked towards Yaoyao, regardless of whether the gazes belonged to a guy or a girl.
Yaoyao currently had Tuntun in her arms, and she was gently stroking its soft fur. She naturally saw the innumerable figures that filled her vision. This was the first time she had seen such a grand line-up in her two years at the Cangxuan Sect.
Under the crowd’s attention, the Genesis Qi cloud came to a stop in the sky.
Zhou Yuan surveyed the area before him where six giant peaks towered over the land. As he took a closer look, six astonishing pillars of Genesis Qi light suddenly dashed into the sky from the top of each peak.
Bzz!
The Genesis Qi pillars reached straight into the clouds, stirring the wind and clouds.
Six powerful Genesis Qi undulations spread, accompanied by a Genesis Qi pressure that caused the expressions of the numerous disciples to change. The disciples could see six figures silently seated within each light pillar.
These were the six Chosen that were ready to meet Zhou Yuan in battle.
Cangxuan Peak, Chu Qing.
Sword Cometh Peak, Kong Sheng.
Snow Lotus Peak, Li Qingchan.
Hongya Peak, Shang Chunqiu.
Lightning Prison Peak, Lu Jingshen.
Spirit Rune Peak, Ye Ge.
The strength of these six Chosen had soared to extremely powerful levels with the Genesis Qi boosts from their respective peaks.
Zhou Yuan concentrated on the six figures seated within the glowing pillars. His eyes narrowed slightly as he said, “The homeground advantage is really quite substantial. No wonder even senior brother Chu Qing failed to complete the Chosen challenge.”
Every gaze was glued to Zhou Yuan. They wanted to see who his first choice would be.
Amidst these gazes, Zhou Yuan displayed little hesitation as he smiled at Yaoyao and said, “I’m getting off.”
Yaoyao looked at him, seemingly cocking her head in thought as she replied, “If you achieve a total victory, I’ll accompany you for a few cups tonight.”
Zhou Yuan’s eyes brightened as he could not help but say, “Will there be other services?”
Yaoyao was taken aback before frost began to gather in her clear-as-a-lake eyes. Her tone turned icy as she said, “It seems that your breakthrough has also made you more daring.”
In her arms, Tuntun also looked at him as if he were a dead man. It felt that if this fellow continued in this manner, Zhou Yuan would not die at someone else’s hands because Yaoyao would soon beat him to death.
Upon sensing the piercing iciness, Zhou Yuan shivered as his instincts shouted at him to leave.
He instantly leaped down from the sky, somersaulting in the air as he fell like a shooting star towards one of the giant peaks below.
Low gasps sounded from the numerous disciples when they saw the peak he had chosen. “His first battle is the Hongya Peak!”
This was surprising to the majority. After all, Ye Ge’s side clearly appeared to be the easiest amongst the six, while the Hongya Peak’s Chosen, Shang Chunqiu, was ranked fourth amongst the ten Chosen, which made him a much more difficult opponent in comparison.
On the tallest peak in Hongya Peak, Shang Chunqiu, with a grave expression, watched the figure descend from the sky and ultimately land standing up in front of him.
Light flowed on Shang Chunqiu’s skin, and blood was rushing within his body, churning with tremendous power.
With the Genesis Qi boost from Hongya Peak, he was more powerful than he had ever been. Despite this, Shang Chunqiu’s eyes were filled with wariness because Zhou Yuan’s seemingly thin body seemed to contain the might of a terrible primordial beast.
Shang Chunqiu slowly said, “I did not expect junior brother Zhou Yuan to select my Hongya Peak.”
Zhou Yuan grinned at Shang Chunqiu. If asked which of the other six Cangxuan arts interested him the most, there would only be one answer: the Mythic Saint Body!
The little Mythic Saint Body he practiced was a simplified version that originated from the Mythic Saint Body.
Hence, it could be said that he and Shang Chunqiu shared the same roots in external cultivation. Of course, it must be noted that the latter practiced the true Mythic Saint Body, which held far more wonders than his own little Mythic Saint Body.
If Zhou Yuan managed to obtain the Mythic Saint Body, it would be a smooth transition from the little to the real deal because he had already accumulated plenty of comprehension and experience.
As for the other five arts, even if he obtained them, Zhou Yuan would have to invest a substantial amount of time and energy into studying them. In contrast, the Mythic Saint Body would be the quickest way to raise his battle power.
This was the reason he had selected the Hongya Peak first.
“Please guide me, senior brother Shang,” said Zhou Yuan.
Shang Chunqiu’s expression was solemn. He wasted no time talking. The sound of surging blood instantly rang out from his body, and the solid rock under his feet cracked open.
Jade light flowed on his skin, making it seem pure and clear like a crystal.
Under his skin, silver light blossomed from his bones, a faint hint of starlight surfacing within the silver.
The true Mythic Saint Body also had three stages; however, their names were different from the little Mythic Saint Body’s jade skin, silver bone and golden blood. Instead, they were known as mythic-jade skin, star-silver bone and molten-gold blood...
From these names alone, one could see that the Mythic Saint Body practiced by Shang Chunqiu was more refined and profound than Zhou Yuan’s little Mythic Saint Body.
Of course, not only the names were different. Their power was too.
Qi ripples that could be seen with the naked eyes exploded from Shang Chunqiu’s body like a tide. His current appearance was quite sinister, with power crazily churning within his body.
Although the power was already extremely overbearing, Shang Chunqiu knew that this was not enough!
Roar!
A beast-like roar suddenly erupted from his mouth. His body grew a size bigger as the rock beneath his feet crumbled to dust.
The countless gazing onlookers watched as the silver light deep within Shang Chunqiu’s body brightened to its limit and a ray of golden light emerged.
The golden light was laced with red, as if it were gold melting in fire!
Joy filled the faces of the Hongya Peak disciples when they saw this, and they involuntarily cried out, “Senior brother Shang’s Mythic Saint Body has reached the molten-gold blood stage!”
With the Genesis Qi boost from Hongya Peak, Shang Chunqiu had finally stepped out
from the realm he had long stagnated at and had stepped into the third stage of the Mythic Saint Body, the molten-gold blood stage!
Rumble!
Shang Chunqiu was currently akin to a giant that had bathed in golden blood. Molten gold flickered in his pupils as he locked his gaze on Zhou Yuan. A split second later, his foot slammed the ground, shattering it once more.
His figure turned into a flash of light, as he shot forth with torrential momentum.
“Junior brother Zhou Yuan, receive this punch of mine!”
Shang Chunqiu’s roar was akin to thunder as he swung his fist like a war god. The air before him was blasted away, and deep crevices were torn open in the ground below.
It was a punch that could split a mountain.
Zhou Yuan remained where he stood as the reflection of the glowing figure rapidly grew in his eyes. The raw, overwhelming force causing his hair to dance around him.
But he did not try to evade.
He took in a deep breath, his face completely calm and composed as a hundred and eighty thousand Genesis Qi stars surged within his Qi Dwelling. In the end, an unprecedented amount of boundless Genesis Qi began to circulate in his body.
The raw power within his body made even Zhou Yuan’s heart tremble.
Was this the power of a hundred and eighty thousand Genesis Qi stars?
Rumble!
Gazing at the rapidly approaching Shang Chunqiu, he clenched his fingers and punched.
Two fists brazenly collided amidst countless shocked gazes.
It was akin to an explosion of heavenly thunder and earthly fire.
Boom boom!
A shockwave that could be seen with the naked eye unfurled. The surrounding ground rapidly crumbled as enormous cracks instantly grew.
Every gaze was tightly glued to the two clashing figures.
Their bodies seemed to freeze in time for a split second.
Everyone turned pale as they watched the ferocious Shang Chunqiu’s body violently jerk. He vomited a mouthful of blood as the pores of his arms ruptured and spurted blood out like fountains.
Boom!
His body was flung backwards, his feet digging two long tracks in the ground. In the end, he was sent flying off the peak and crashing into a mountain some distance away.
Dragon Prince Yuan c1-1251 Page 357