Dragon Prince Yuan c1-1251

by Translator: Yeow

  Zhou Yuan chuckled, an unconcealable look of satisfaction in his eyes. The Heavenly Yuan Brush was nothing like before. Its near-endless transformations would greatly boost his arsenal of attacks.

  With a wave of his sleeve, the Heavenly Yuan Brush appeared again, silently hovering in front of him.

  Zhou Yuan’s gaze swept across the ancient runes along its body, ultimately stopping on the seventh rune. The previously dim rune he had long yearned for now gave off a dazzling light...

  Seventh rune, Promotion.

  Chapter 1043 Qualification

  The Tianyuan Region’s northern border.

  Wind Rain City.

  The city had derived its name from the nearby Wind Rain Lake. Though it was not well-known in the past, it had recently become the focus of countless Hunyuan Heaven factions due to the twin tower battle.

  The city’s name was quite apt for the storm that was brewing over it.

  The Tianyuan Region had dispatched a massive military force to maintain order in Wind Rain City.

  The various outside factions were surprisingly obedient and did not cause many problems. In contrast, several disputes had broken out internally, making the Tianyuan Region look like a laughing stock to these outside factions.

  The reason for these disputes was undoubtedly Zhou Yuan’s participation.

  The majority of the veteran Tianyuan Region Heavenly Sun experts felt much more experienced than a new generation Heavenly Sun practitioner like Zhou Yuan. As a result, they could not help but feel a sense of superiority over him. Although Zhou Yuan had achieved astonishing feats on the Chiyun Prefecture battlefield, many of the Heavenly Sun experts who had not participated in the fight were still skeptical of his abilities. It was a popular belief that Zhou Yuan had merely gotten lucky and had managed to borrow the Heavenly Fire Tree King’s power.

  They insisted that Zhou Yuan’s initial Heavenly Sun stage cultivation was not enough for him to take on such a heavy responsibility.

  At the end of the day, it was their ego that made them unable to acknowledge or accept that a new Heavenly Sun expert was able to surpass them and become a core pillar of the Heavenly Sun stage.

  The many squabbles that arose due to this were nothing but entertainment to the outside parties.

  ...

  Wind Rain City, a manor in the northern sector.

  A large hall stood amidst the manor, the boiling clamor within nearly popping off the roof. The place was overflowing with people. When one took a closer look, one would discover that the Genesis Qi spreading from every individual had reached the Heavenly Sun level. Everyone in the entire group was basically considered an elite in the Tianyuan Region.

  On a stage at the front of the hall were three Nascent Source experts. They were currently feeling somewhat helpless as they gazed at the angry crowd below.

  The matter this time had created big waves among the Tianyuan Region’s Heavenly Sun stage, and even the five grand elders did not wish to forcibly suppress the opposition in fear of creating more unrest among the people. Hence, this matter had been thrown to the three of them to deal with, but what could they do?

  Honestly speaking, they also felt that Zhou Yuan would not be a reliable fifth participant. However, they also understood that expressing their opinions would not change anything due to his special status.

  The three Nascent Source elders exchanged a look as they complained inwardly. There were only two days left till the Heavenly Sun Tower Battle. If the disputes were not quelled before then and a ruckus broke out during the tower battle, the Tianyuan Region would surely lose all face. Moreover, it would give the five grand elders the impression that they were incapable.

  A middle-aged Heavenly Sun stage man stood up and said in a loud and clear voice, “Elders, the Heavenly Sun Tower Battle will start in two days. After some discussion, we have decided to recommend senior brother Wang Ping and senior sister Lu Ping for the fifth participant slot. We want them to represent our Tianyuan Region’s Heavenly Sun stage experts!”

  His words immediately drew numerous approving voices.

  The three Nascent Source experts looked over and found a man and a woman standing in front of the group. Both of them gave off extraordinary presences. From the Genesis Qi rippling off their bodies, they were clearly peak experts of the advanced Heavenly Sun stage.

  Among the Tianyuan Region’s Heavenly Sun experts, these two individuals were second only to Qin Lian and the other three participants. Their Genesis Qi foundations had reached the astonishing level of 1.3 billion!

  The fifth participant slot should have originally gone to either of them.

  However...this decision was made by the five grand elders. What use was there in recommending them to us?

  While the three Nascent Source experts were cursing inside, Qin Lian suddenly slammed her hand into the table. The noise echoed throughout the large hall, causing the place to fall silent as numerous people looked over with respectful gazes. Qin Lian was clearly very influential among the Tianyuan Region’s Heavenly Sun stage.

  The many Heavenly Sun practitioners had far more faith in her than the three Nascent Source elders.

  “The five grand elders naturally have their reason for making such a decision. After causing such a ruckus for so long, isn’t it time for you guys to stop?” Qin Lian’s sharp gaze swept across the crowd. Anyone who met her gaze quickly looked away.

  The hall went a little silent.

  Laughter suddenly rang out. “Hehe, I feel that we can’t blame them for kicking up a fuss. After all, they’re only concerned about our Tianyuan Region.”

  Qin Lian gazed over as she knit her brows together. The speaker was Bai Yu, who was second in influence only to her among the Tianyuan Region’s Heavenly Sun stage experts.

  Bai Yu displayed a faint smile as he continued, “The Great Five Alliance’s participant list is already out, and they’re all our old acquaintances. Although the odds are slightly in our favor, it will still be best to cover all corners. Allowing Zhou Yuan to take one of the slots will only put the rest of us under more pressure.

  “Moreover...Zhou Yuan is our esteemed little grand elder, and such life-or-death fights should be left to underlings like us. There’s no need for him to compete with us for war credits.”

  His tone was ordinary, but his words’ deeper meaning drew another wave of angry noises from the hall.

  The Great Five Alliance’s participant list had already been publicized. From their respective line-ups, the Tianyuan Region side had the advantage. Was their little grand elder being so proactive because he was already privy to this information long ago and was planning to get some easy honor and achievements?

  At the sight of the rowdy hall, Qin Lian said icily, “Everyone who was part of the Chiyun Prefecture battle has witnessed Zhou Yuan’s capabilities. Although his cultivation is at the initial Heavenly Sun stage, he cannot be compared to any ordinary initial Heavenly Sun expert!”

  Several of the Heavenly Sun experts in the hall gave slight nods of acknowledgment. They had participated in that battle, and Zhou Yuan’s feats had indeed been miraculous.

  Bai Yu nonchalantly said, “Although I was not present at the Chiyun Prefecture battle, I’ve heard that Zhou Yuan merely borrowed the Heavenly Fire Tree King’s power. I do not deny that it was a heroic effort, but the problem is that he cannot rely on such methods in the Heavenly Sun Tower Battle.

  “Qin Lian, do you dare to guarantee that he possesses sufficient strength to face the peak experts of the advanced Heavenly Sun stage in direct combat? If something unexpected happens and our Tianyuan Region ends up losing face, will you be able to bear the consequences?”

  His words were akin to exceptionally sharp daggers. Even Qin Lian was unable to respond for a time.

  She did not doubt that Zhou Yuan could put up a fight against intermediate Heavenly Sun experts, but if it were the advanced Heavenly Sun stage, she felt that he was still somewhat lacking.

  Qin L
ian originally felt that they only needed to win three fights for the battle to end. In that scenario, Zhou Yuan would not need to come out.

  However, this was the most optimistic situation. No one knew whether the Great Five Alliance had any tricks up their sleeves...

  While Qin Lian was silent, Bian Buji, who had not talked since the beginning, slowly said, “This matter is very important, and I do not wish for any burdens among the five participants. We’re not playing around here but representing the Tianyuan Region’s Heavenly Sun stage!”

  With even the usually neutral Bian Buji displaying his stance, the Heavenly Sun experts in the hall breathed a sigh of relief.

  Qin Lian did not say anything else because she knew that she did not have enough reason to convince the two.

  The three Nascent Source experts felt their heads begin to ache again.

  Creak!

  The sound of a door opening was heard at this moment.

  Numerous people gazed over with frowns and found a slim figure standing at the entrance.

  When they saw who it was, their eyes immediately widened.

  Zhou Yuan!

  To think that he had appeared!

  The hall fell silent once more. No Heavenly Sun expert dared to criticize Zhou Yuan in his face because his status put them under a substantial amount of pressure. However, this did not stop them from staring at him with cold eyes, using their silence to signify their opposition.

  Zhou Yuan remained expressionless and composed under the many varying gazes as he walked to the center of the hall, stopping in front of Wang Ping and Lu Ping.

  He looked at the two individuals, and they fearlessly met his gaze. They were proud practitioners, after all.

  Zhou Yuan raised his gaze and indifferently said, “Useless people always believe that others are as useless as themselves.”

  His words instantly drew anger from the numerous Heavenly Sun experts. Zhou Yuan dared to call them useless?!

  However, before any of them could speak, they saw dazzling Genesis Qi light spread from behind Zhou Yuan as a grand glass sun slowly appeared. However, the sun was somewhat unique—faint glowing patterns adorned its surface.

  The shocking thing, however, was the terrifying Genesis Qi pressure that began to fill the hall.

  The eyes of numerous Heavenly Sun experts widened little by little as disbelief flooded their eyes.

  They seemed to see countless stars twinkling in the glass sun.

  The number had reached…

  1.5 billion!

  Qin Lian’s, Mu Youlan’s, Bai Yu’s and Bian Buji’s hearts shook as inconceivable looks emerged in their eyes.

  Amidst the shock and silence, Zhou Yuan’s indifferent voice rang out, “Is this enough?”

  Chapter 1044 Convincing the Masses

  Alarmingly powerful Genesis Qi pressure unfurled from Zhou Yuan’s body like a storm, causing the entire hall to fall silent.

  Shock colored everyone’s eyes, including the three Nascent Source experts, Qin Lian, Bai Yu and the other two...

  A Genesis Qi foundation of 1.5 billion!

  Naturally, the raw number alone wouldn’t make them lose their composure, but it became especially terrifying when the number was paired with Zhou Yuan, who had advanced to the Heavenly Sun stage only three to four months ago.

  One must know that even Mu Youlan, an advanced glass Heavenly Sun stage expert, only had a Genesis Qi foundation of 1.6 billion!

  It was this same 1.6 billion that qualified her for the Heavenly Sun List, making her one of the strongest among Hunyuan Heaven’s Heavenly Sun stage experts!

  It had taken years of hard work for Mu Youlan to accumulate such foundations. Even so, Zhou Yuan was now fast approaching her level. How frightening and insane was this?!

  Even these individuals were utterly shocked, let alone the other Heavenly Sun expert present.

  Stupefied, they stared at Zhou Yuan’s figure. At this moment, they felt as if they understood the saying ‘all men were equal, but some were more equal than others’. They were basically dirt compared to Zhou Yuan. Was this why he had gained the supreme sovereign’s favor?

  Many of the jealous Heavenly Sun experts could not help but feel rather dispirited.

  The silence in the hall continued as a stifling atmosphere filled the place.

  The Genesis Qi pressure gradually dissipated along with the glass sun behind Zhou Yuan. “Anyone who still has any complaints about my participation may voice them.”

  Complete silence.

  “If there’s none, go and do what you should be doing. I have no objections to any of you questioning my abilities, but those that can only talk are not welcomed in the Tianyuan Region.” The iciness in his voice made the hearts of several Heavenly Sun experts shiver.

  The crowd regained their calm as their jealousy and anger faded. Zhou Yuan’s current status was very special, and even the numerous elders did not dare to show any rudeness towards him. Offending him would not be a wise decision.

  Hence, rustling echoed in the hall as the numerous prideful and headstrong Heavenly Sun experts lowered their heads and began to leave, their backs looking a little pitiful.

  “What about the two of you?” Zhou Yuan’s gaze shifted towards Wang Ping and Lu Ping. “If you’re still unconvinced, I will give you guys a fair chance to challenge me.”

  Wang Ping and Lu Ping smiled bitterly as they exchanged a look. Their arrogance had long been shocked away by Zhou Yuan’s 1.5 billion Genesis Qi foundation. As such, they cupped their hands together and bowed before turning to leave.

  With the rowdy crowd of Heavenly Sun experts finally dispersing after nearly an entire month, the three Nascent Source experts breathed a sigh of relief. They faintly nodded at Zhou Yuan before their figures also disappeared.

  Zhou Yuan turned towards the still present Qin Lian, Bai Yu and the others. “It’s been hard on you guys.”

  Qin Lian and Mu Youlan quickly walked over, their gazes filled with bewilderment as they looked Zhou Yuan up and down. “Your Genesis Qi?”

  They had discovered that his Genesis Qi had weakened.

  “It’s not from my own cultivation. I borrowed some external help and am unable to maintain the state for extended periods. However, it should be enough for the mystic creature battle.” Zhou Yuan chuckled. He did not hide anything. After all, it was very easy to find out.

  Qin Lian and Mu Youlan breathed a tiny sigh of relief, especially the latter. Her current foundation was only at the 1.6 billion mark after many years of hard training. If it were really so easy for Zhou Yuan to catch up, she would really begin to doubt her own talent.

  “Hehe, looks like the supreme sovereign has left many good things for little grand elder Zhou Yuan. But will the Genesis Qi obtained by relying on external methods be dependable?” Laughter sounded from behind him. It was Bai Yu.

  Zhou Yuan glanced at him. Bai Yu seemed to be smiling, but there was some sarcasm in his voice. Zhou Yuan was no stranger to such treatment ever since his identity as the supreme sovereign’s personal disciple was revealed. The negative feelings Bai Yu felt towards him were likely greater than the other Heavenly Sun experts. After all, Bai Yu was one of the Tianyuan Region’s most outstanding Heavenly Sun experts. If someone were to gain the supreme sovereign’s favor, he would be one of the most likely candidates.

  “There’s no need to explain to you whether or not it will be dependable. If you have any doubts, go find sect master Xuan Kun,” said Zhou Yuan in a friendly voice.

  The smile on Bai Yu’s face turned rigid. How could he not feel the sharpness under Zhou Yuan’s friendly demeanor? This made Bai Yu somewhat angry. If not for Zhou Yuan’s status, what right would he have to say such things to him?

  Bai Yu indifferently said, “Don’t be angry, little grand elder. I was merely thinking about our Tianyuan Region. The battle is a best of five. If an accident happens to you, the rest of us will be put under a lot of pressure.”

  Zhou Yuan nodded. “
How I perform is my business. You only need to maintain your own condition.”

  In the face of Zhou Yuan’s superior attitude, Bai Yu could not help but clench his fists tightly under his sleeves. He ultimately restrained himself and displayed a cold smile. “Then I’ll wait and see. I hope that the little grand elder will not bring shame to the supreme sovereign when the time comes.”

  As the final word rang out, he waved sleeves and left.

  Zhou Yuan then turned his gaze towards Bian Buji, but before Zhou Yuan could speak, Bian Buji slowly said, “I don’t care where your power comes from. I naturally have no complaints as long as you win and preserve the dignity of our Tianyuan Region. But if we end up losing because of you, I will send a formal complaint to the five grand elders regardless of your status.”

  He looked straight at Zhou Yuan without the slightest hint of avoidance, then also turned to leave.

  However, Zhou Yuan was not angered by his bluntness. Dealing with someone like this was far better than Bai Yu, who played all kinds of little tricks.

  Qin Lian said, “Bian Buji always speaks his mind. You shouldn’t find fault with him because of this.”

  “Bai Yu, on the other hand, has definitely been pissed off, and he’s not a forgiving person.” Mu Youlan chuckled. From the contact they had previously, she felt that Zhou Yuan was not someone who would purposely put on airs. It was likely that he had intentionally put up an act to piss off Bai Yu because he did not like him.

  Zhou Yuan nodded and asked, “Is the Great Five Alliance’s participant list for the Heavenly Sun Tower Battle already out?”

  Qin Lian nodded. “It’s out. Every participant is a core pillar among the Great Five Alliance’s Heavenly Sun stage, and they are extremely powerful. None of them have a Genesis Qi foundation smaller than 1.5 billion stars. The Great Five Alliance has sent forth their best personnel this time.”

  Zhou Yuan’s eyes widened slightly. The battles between the advanced Heavenly Sun stage was not going to be easy.

  Qin Lian said, “We’re putting you last in the mystical creature battle. This way, you won’t need to fight if we manage to take three matches. I hope that you’ll be able to accept this arrangement.”