Zhou Yuan gently nodded, but he knew that it wouldn’t be as simple and easy as Chi Jing said. It was just that a Divine Dwelling expert couldn’t do anything to affect the situation given the war’s scale. His priority should be to break through to the Heavenly Sun stage.
A Heavenly Sun stage expert was considered a top elite even in the entire Hunyuan Heaven.
And within the Cangxuan Sect, he would be considered an elder-level expert.
Since the top five forces had declared war on the Tianyuan Region, the Law Domain experts were naturally the top power, and both sides wouldn't act recklessly for the time being. Therefore, Nascent Source stage experts were the second strongest power. However, the main collision would be between Heavenly Sun experts!
The Heavenly Sun experts of both sides were bound to break out into an extremely fierce battle.
And, to end the war as soon as possible and return the Ancestral Dragon Lantern to its rightful owner, Zhou Yuan didn’t mind trying to scare the top five forces’ veteran Heavenly Sun experts.
Chapter 998 Third Official Disciple
Chi Jing sped through space with the Law Domain and returned to the Tianyuan Utopia at the fastest speed.
In the first moment of returning to Tianyuan Utopia, she released the Four Pavilions members from the Law Domain. Standing at a high height, she peered at the vast utopia, watching countless figures shuttling back and forth. It was a bustling scene.
“Close all teleportation points in Tianyuan Utopia! All experts of the Divine Dwelling stage, Heavenly Sun stage and Nascent Source stage, immediately come out of closed-door training and wait for my orders!” Chi Jing’s cold voice echoed throughout the world.
Boom!
An earthshaking commotion broke out in the Tianyuan Region, and countless people cast bewildered gazes towards Chi Jing in the void above. They had no idea what she intended to do. But Chi Jing didn't explain anything. After she gave the order, elders would take care of that task.
The entire Tianyuan Utopia turned chaotic for a moment.
After issuing the urgent order to prepare for battle, Chi Jing’s figure flashed and reappeared in a great hall, where four figures sat around a round table. They were the other four grand elders of the Tianyuan Region.
Sect master Xuan Kun of the Heavenly Spirit Sect was the first to question Chi Jing. “What’s going on? Why did the top five forces suddenly declare war on our Tianyuan Region?”
They had received a message from Chi Jing a moment earlier.
Clan leader Mu Ni from the Wood Clan, Patriarch Bai Ye from the White Clan and Patriarch Bian Chang from the Profound Crystal Clan all wore solemn expressions.
“Zhou Yuan defeated Zhao Mushen and won first place in the nine regions tournament,” Chi Jing said.
Sect master Xuan Kun and the others were stunned for a moment, and finally, they couldn't help exclaiming, “Zhou Yuan won first place?”
They found it unbelievable. Although they knew Zhou Yuan was extremely talented, they never thought he could defeat Zhao Mushen!
Chi Jing said, “But you should also know that this is only a minor factor that triggered this war. The real reason is that it’s the order of the Wanzu Region’s supreme sovereign. Only he could drive the top five forces to risk their lives to offend the Tianyuan Region.”
Sect master Xuan Kun and the others all darkened hearing this. They were naturally aware of supreme sovereign Wan Zu’s dislike of the Tianyuan Region. The main reason for the Tianyuan Region’s deterioration over the years was precisely supreme sovereign Wan Zu’s action.
Grand elder Mu Ni, who always had a good temper, couldn't help but hiss coldly, “He went too far this time!”
Sect master Xuan Kun scrunched his brows, saying, “But grand elder Chi Jing is too quick-tempered. The Tianyuan Region doesn't have a supreme sovereign, so we should tolerate it whenever possible. Why did you have to accept the war?”
He was a little discontented. He felt that Chi Jing was still too young and arrogant. If he were there instead of Chi Jing, he wouldn't have given Zhao Xiansun an excuse to create trouble for the Tianyuan Region.
Mu Ni said indifferently, “Sect master Xuan Kun, when you faced the hidden means of the Wanzu Region in the past, such as supporting the rise of the Tri-Mountain Alliance, you chose to stay quiet and kept the peace in the end. But was the Tri-Mountain Alliance ever grateful for that? Now that they have grown stronger, they didn't hesitate to bite at us.
“Supreme sovereign Wan Zu has been plotting this for years, do you think he won’t let the knife fall just because you’re hiding like a turtle?”
Sect master Xuan Kun’s expression changed a little, and he finally kept quiet.
“We can’t really blame sect master Xuan Kun. Ultimately, the reason this happened is that the Tianyuan Region doesn't have a supreme sovereign standing guard,” patriarch Bai Ye said with a smile.
Patriarch Bian Chang from the Profound Crystal clan spoke in an indifferent tone, “But clan leader Mu Ni is right. This isn’t something we could have avoided. Since the top five forces want to act as swords for someone else, our Tianyuan Region can’t be afraid. Otherwise, we will become a joke of Hunyuan Heaven.”
Sect master Xuan Kun finally nodded. “Since the other side has declared war, we certainly can’t show any weakness. If they want to fight, our Tianyuan Region will fight to the end!”
Although the several grand elders often had quarrels and disagreements, they understood that in the face of a challenge from outsiders, benefit to any one of them meant benefit to all, whereas harm to one meant harm to all.
Chi Jing nodded expressionlessly. “The Elder Committee will discuss how to tackle the war. I have already issued an order to inform experts of the Divine Dwelling stage, Heavenly Sun stage and Nascent Source stage to prepare for battle.”
While they were speaking, the flames of war began to rise, and all Divine Dwelling experts, Heavenly Sun experts and Nascent Source stage experts were mobilized. The scale of the battle could be easily imagined.
This time, however, sect master Xuan Kun and the others no longer opposed the war because they understood that the top five forces had jointly declared war on the Tianyuan Region, and it wouldn't be a small battle. It would no doubt set off a storm of blood, and it was unknown how many people would lose their lives in the war.
Any war was incomparably tragic.
Chi Jing scanned the surroundings and said, “There’s another matter.”
She raised her hand into the air, and the Law Domain spread out behind her. Soon, sect master Xuan Kun and the others saw a young and slender figure stepping out. It was Zhou Yuan.
“Zhou Yuan?” Sect master Xuan Kun stared at him, frowning.
Sect master Xuan Kun evidently still had some prejudice against Zhou Yuan. After all, Zhou Yuan had ruined his plan before, as well as suppressed all the Divine Dwelling experts of the Heavenly Spirit Sect.
“Grand elder Chi Jing, this is a grand elder meeting that even great elders aren’t eligible to participate. Why did you bring him here? Are you ignoring the rules?” sect master Xuan Kun questioned in an imposing, deep voice.
Patriarch Bai Ye added, “Although Zhou Yuan won first place in the nine regions tournament and should be rewarded for his achievements, it still isn’t right for grand elder Chi Jing to bring him here.”
Grand elder Bian Chang didn’t say a word and just swept a glance over Zhou Yuan’s face and soon retracted his gaze. After all, the gap in status between them was far too great.
Chi Jing calmly answered, “I want to inform you of Zhou Yuan’s true identity.
“Zhou Yuan is qualified to come here because he is my master’s third official disciple.”
The air flowing in the great hall seemed to freeze in that instant.
Sect master Xuan Kun suddenly straightened his body and studied Zhou Yuan more closely, his expression changing constantly. “Supreme sovereign Cang Yuan’s third official disciple? Grand elder C
hi Jing, are you kidding?!”
Patriarch Bai Ye and Patriarch Bian Chang stared at Zhou Yuan, their eyes flashing with shock. They completely lost the calmness they had before.
Chi Jing cast a glance at Zhou Yuan, who nodded slightly at her before the spirit light in the center of his eyebrows began to glow. The next moment, the Primal Chaos Divine Grindstone seemed to rotate slowly, producing an ancient noise.
Sect master Xuan Kun’s and the others’ eyes shrank rapidly.
“Primal Chaos Divine Grindstone Visualization Method?!” sect master Xuan Kun said with difficulty. They knew it was the top spirit tempering method created by supreme sovereign Cang Yuan. In this world, only supreme sovereign Cang Yuan’s disciples could practice that technique.
Zhou Yuan clenched one hand, and the mottled black brush flashed out, glowing with many ancient Genesis Runes.
The Heavenly Yuan Brush!
Patriarch Bai Ye’s and Bian Chang’s eyebrows were trembling.
It had to be true because no one could take both the Heavenly Yuan Brush and the Primal Chaos Divine Grindstone from Cang Yuan.
Sect master Xuan Kun and others exchanged glances with one another, their expressions somewhat complicated, especially so for sect master Xuan Kun. Who would have thought that the youngster who had repeatedly destroyed his plan and infuriated him would be an official disciple of supreme sovereign Cang Yuan!
According to the rules that supreme sovereign Cang Yuan had set, Zhou Yuan, who was only at the Divine Dwelling stage, could become the Tianyuan Region’s sixth grand elder and be on the same level as him!
Thinking of this, even someone with sect master Xuan Kun’s calmness would feel a little suffocated.
It was almost impossible to face the truth!
Chapter 999 Summoning Order
The atmosphere in the great hall was somewhat still, and for a moment, even sect master Xuan Kun, Bai Ye and Bian Chang were unable to say a word. Looking at Zhou Yuan’s face, they couldn't stop the corners of their mouths from twitching.
They had never thought that a youngster of the Divine Dwelling stage would be on an equal level with them.
So what kind of attitude should they face Zhou Yuan with?
A peer?
But how could they ignore Zhou Yuan's Divine Dwelling stage strength?
Sect master Xuan Kun could casually scold Zhou Yuan in the past, but what about now?
Therefore, facing such a situation, even three Law Domain experts felt extremely awkward. At the same time, they couldn't help but criticize supreme sovereign Cang Yuan’s decision back then...It was definitely too hasty.
While the three grand elders were conflicted and silent, Zhou Yuan said with a faint smile, “Grand elders, although my master has set the rules back then, I don't need the status of grand elder, so you don't have to announce there is a sixth grand elder to the Tianyuan Region.”
Yuan Kun’s and the others’ stiff faces visibly relaxed when they heard Zhou Yuan’s words. Evidently, their worries were alleviated.
“The reason why we want to announce this matter now is that the Tianyuan Region is about to face a huge war, and my appearance will reassure many people that supreme sovereign Cang Yuan hasn’t died. It’s just temporarily inconvenient for him to appear in Hunyuan Heaven.” Zhou Yuan slowly explained to the three, “This way, people with different intentions should be deterred, and they won’t dare to create trouble during this period of time.”
Xuan Kun and the others exchanged glances with one another and gently nodded in the end.
Clan leader Bai Ye smiled. “Zhou Yuan...little friend is right, this news can put the mind of many people at ease.”
Evidently, she was a little confused about how to address Zhou Yuan. After all, although Zhou Yuan was the chief pavilion master, she didn't attach much importance to him. But he was an official disciple of supreme sovereign Cang Yuan, which changed everything.
Strictly speaking, their status was equal.
If Zhou Yuan insisted on becoming the sixth grand elder, they didn't have much reason to stop him.
Sect master Xuan Kun cleared his throat and finally said with some difficulty, “It is no wonder that you’re so outstanding. It’s understandable that you could suppress the heaven prides of my Heavenly Spirit Sect. This is not shameful at all for them to lose.”
He had said it stiffly, but his attitude was evidently much better than before. He clearly wanted to protect his dignity. After all, even Law Domain experts had to accept harsh reality!
Patriarch Bian Chang also gradually accepted the truth. He then asked, “Little friend Zhou Yuan, when will the supreme sovereign return?”
Everybody looked hopefully at Zhou Yuan. As long as supreme sovereign Cang Yuan returned, all problems would be solved.
Zhou Yuan muttered, “My master can’t return for the time being. The matter he is occupied with involves a lot of things, but there is one thing that is certain—nothing has happened to my master.”
Sect master Xuan Kun and the others nodded. Although disappointed, the most important thing was that they received news that their supreme sovereign was fine.
Patriarch Bian Chang’s crystal-like eyes lit up, causing the void to vibrate. “It’s really great to receive news about the supreme sovereign at this time. Grand elder Chi Jing, our Tianyuan Region has to fight with all our strength in this war. Since those dogs of the Wanzu Region dared to bite anyone, we should make them know what it feels like to have their muscles and bones broken!”
Murderous intent surged from him as he was speaking.
Sect master Xuan Kun said indifferently, “Speaking of this, it has been a while since a Law Domain expert of Hunyuan Heaven has fallen.”
His tone and words sounded a little domineering, and it felt as though he looked down on the Law Domain experts of the top five forces. But as a veteran Law Domain expert and someone who had received guidance from supreme sovereign Cang Yuan in the past, he indeed had the qualification to do so.
Patriarch Bai Ye nodded with a smile.
Clan leader Mu Ni nodded gracefully. “When Hong Jiuyuan was wounded back then, he begged me for treatment. If I knew about today, I would have only left him with his hands and feet.”
Zhou Yuan grinned inwardly, watching the several grand elders express their opinions. He could tell that they didn't seem to think highly of the Law Domain experts of the other top forces. At the very least, the five Law Domain experts present wouldn't fear them.
Chi Jing nodded, and they finally reached a conclusion.
“In the next few days, in addition to the prefecture lords and sect masters, all Divine Dwelling experts, Heavenly Sun experts and Nascent Source experts must gather in Tianyuan Utopia, ready for battle!”
...
Soon after Chi Jing returned to the Tianyuan Utopia, the news of the top five forces declaring war on the Tianyuan Region soon spread throughout the 900 prefectures.
The entire Tianyuan Region was shaken.
No one thought that someone would dare launch a war against one of the nine regions!
This made countless people in Tianyuan Region feel strong anger rise in them. After all, as citizens of the Tianyuan Region, they were proud of being part of the nine regions, and the top five forces’ action was undoubtedly similar to a wolf provoking a tiger!
However, there were a number of people worried. They were considered to have sharper senses, and they could feel that the sudden war felt like a conspiracy.
The top five forces were acting on behalf of the Wanzu Region!
The Wanzu Region had the protection of supreme sovereign Wan Zu, but supreme sovereign Cang Yuan had been missing for many years, and it was uncertain whether he was alive. Many people couldn't help but worry why the top five forces would want to provoke the Tianyuan Region. Could it be that they were certain that supreme sovereign Cang Yuan was unable to return?
Thus, in the tense atmosphere of the Tianyuan Region, while countless people were
infuriated at the top five forces’ provocation and were clamoring to take revenge, a lot of panic and uneasy emotions were secretly surging.
...
In just a few days, the Tianyuan Region’s defense grew much stronger, and all teleportation formations were temporarily closed. At the same time, a large number of Tianyuan Region’s shadow guards flew around within Tianyuan Utopia, removing the spies that the top five forces had placed in the city.
Chi Jing and the others were long aware of those spies’ existence. It was just that they weren’t a threat, so they allowed them to live during this peaceful period.
But a war was on the verge of breaking out, and the top five forces had directly made it onto Tianyuan Region’s enemy list. Therefore, they longer had to show mercy to those spies.
So for the next few days, violent Genesis Qi often erupted from various areas of the Tianyuan Utopia, but fortunately, it was very quickly suppressed.
The spies obviously didn't have the ability to escape in the Tianyuan Region’s headquarters.
In addition, during those days, more and more experts of the Divine Dwelling stage, Heavenly Sun stage and Nascent Source stage rushed to the Tianyuan Utopia from various places, causing Tianyuan Utopia to be overcrowded. The smell of war and fire filled the entire world.
On an empty island in the northwest of Tianyuan Utopia.
There was only a huge square on the island, where endless crowds filled the square from one side to the other. The aura this crowd emitted was so great that it numbed people’s scalps.
Moreover, powerful Genesis Qi was roaming around every single person. Everyone’s strength was at least of the Divine Dwelling stage or above!
Summoned by Chi Jing, the experts of all clans, sects and forces that fit the requirements were sent to Tianyuan Utopia.
In the southwest corner of the square.
Dragon Prince Yuan c1-1251 Page 519