Chapter 1000: Battle Merits

On the floating island, countless eyes stared incredulously at the young figure behind them. Even the Origin Infant stage experts had expressions of shock, revealing the immense stir Xi Jing's words had caused in their hearts.

Everyone in the Tianyuan Region knew that Grand Elder Cang Yuan had only ever accepted two disciples in his lifetime: Zhuan Zhu and Xi Jing. Both of them were now renowned peak experts in the Hunyuan Heaven! But now, Xi Jing had suddenly announced that the Grand Elder had a third personal disciple – Zhou Yuan, who was only at the peak of the Divine Dwelling stage?!

Countless people found it unbelievable, a feeling of unreality washing over them.

In the silent expanse, Zhou Yuan said nothing more. With a grip of his hand, the Heavenly Yuan Brush materialized. Ancient and mysterious source patterns gleamed with an unusual light on its mottled body. Behind him, soul power emanated, vaguely revealing the phantom of the Chaos Divine Mill, bringing with it an ancient pressure.

"The Heavenly Yuan Brush!""The Chaos Divine Mill Contemplation Method?!"

The appearance of the Heavenly Yuan Brush and the phantom divine mill once again predictably caused a stir. The Origin Infant stage experts took deep breaths, their bodies trembling, for these two things could not be faked.

Xi Jing's calm voice resounded again: "Zhou Yuan comes from another heaven. He was favored by Master, who then instructed him to come to the Tianyuan Region."

Countless fervent gazes fixed on Zhou Yuan's figure. This time, the envy and jealousy in their eyes almost spilled over.

However, the Origin Infant stage experts' eyes flickered, as they grasped the deeper meaning in Xi Jing's words: the news that Grand Elder Cang Yuan was still safe and sound in the world. After all, Zhou Yuan was not old; if he had been accepted as a personal disciple by Grand Elder Cang Yuan, it must have happened in recent years. They quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Knowing that Grand Elder Cang Yuan was unharmed allowed them to straighten their backs, no longer needing to constantly fear the Wanzu Region.

These Origin Infant stage experts also looked at Zhou Yuan, and even with their disposition, they couldn't help but feel a touch of envy. This young man truly possessed immense fortune to be favored by the Grand Elder. If he was indeed the Grand Elder's personal disciple, then his astonishing achievements in less than two years were not surprising.

"He, he's actually the Grand Elder's third personal disciple..." Li Qingyue's face alternated between pale and green. Earlier, he had claimed that Zhou Yuan would lose his position as Chief Pavilion Master upon breaking through to the Heavenly Sun stage. But now, it seemed, why would someone like Zhou Yuan care about that title? According to the rules of the Tianyuan Region, a Grand Elder's personal disciple would directly obtain the position of Elder, which was enough to put him on equal footing with Sect Master Xuan Kun of their Tianling Sect! And he had previously suggested transferring Zhou Yuan under his command, to be at his beck and call. Thinking about it now, it was truly laughable.

Qin Lian, standing nearby, also had a complicated look in her eyes. A personal disciple of the Grand Elder... One had to know how many exceptionally talented prodigies in the Tianyuan Region had dreamed of and strived for this goal, yet now it had fallen upon Zhou Yuan.

"Honestly, I'm a little unconvinced..." Qin Lian murmured to herself. Zhou Yuan was indeed excellent, even achieving first place in the Nine Regions Tournament. Perhaps in the eyes of those at the Divine Dwelling stage, he was unrivaled. However, in the eyes of Qin Lian and many other Heavenly Sun stage experts, Zhou Yuan was still a bit too green. After all, which of them at the Heavenly Sun stage today hadn't been an outstanding talent in the Divine Dwelling stage back then? While they hadn't achieved the feat of winning first place in the Nine Regions Tournament, their own accomplishments were still significant. Furthermore, they had endured arduous cultivation, step by step reaching their current level, securing a place among the Heavenly Sun stage experts in Hunyuan Heaven. Their achievements were not necessarily inferior to Zhou Yuan's. Moreover, excelling in the Divine Dwelling stage didn't guarantee similar success upon reaching the Heavenly Sun stage. Just how brilliant Zhou Yuan's future would be remained to be seen.

Therefore, when Zhou Yuan's identity was revealed, even broad-minded individuals like Qin Lian felt a bit unconvinced and unwilling. What more could be said for other Heavenly Sun stage experts? Figures like Bai Yu and Bian Buji stared intently at Zhou Yuan, their eyes full of scrutiny. Presumably, if they hadn't known that Zhou Yuan's status was now vastly different, they might have even considered challenging him.

As for the countless shocked and scrutinizing gazes, Zhou Yuan remained calm. He had anticipated this scene; after all, the identity of the Grand Elder's third personal disciple was simply too shocking. The Origin Infant stage experts were one thing, but some of the relatively younger Heavenly Sun stage experts were likely less composed.

Beside him, Lu Xiao, Mu Liu, Yi Qiushui, and others stared at Zhou Yuan in shock, speechless for a long time.

"How could you be the Grand Elder's third personal disciple?" Yi Qiushui asked with some difficulty. She was arguably the person who knew Zhou Yuan's background best; she was the first person he met when he arrived in Hunyuan Heaven. She had never imagined that the young man she had saved back then would possess such a formidable identity.

Zhou Yuan smiled at her and said, "It was Master who sent me into the Tianyuan Region back then. I just encountered a spatial storm and got injured."

Ye Bingling stammered, "No wonder you're so monstrous... So you were trained by the Grand Elder." After speaking, she quickly covered her mouth and gave an awkward smile.

The disciples of the surrounding Four Pavilions looked at Zhou Yuan with awe. It was evident that after Zhou Yuan's identity was revealed, they felt considerable pressure. Even the Wind Pavilion members, who had previously been quite close to Zhou Yuan, became somewhat reserved. After all, Zhou Yuan's status was no longer merely Chief Pavilion Master; it was comparable to that of the five Elders!

The silence on the entire floating island lasted for a long time before finally giving way to a buzzing murmur of whispers. However, after the initial shock, everyone processed the news that Grand Elder Cang Yuan was still alive. Instantly, the atmosphere became boisterous, and expressions of ecstatic joy arose on everyone's faces. Their demeanor suggested that as long as Grand Elder Cang Yuan was still in existence, the Tianyuan Region would forever have a steadfast pillar.

In the void, Xi Jing glanced at Zhou Yuan. Revealing Zhou Yuan's identity greatly boosted the morale of the entire Tianyuan Region, but it would also bring considerable pressure to Zhou Yuan, such as the scrutiny from the Heavenly Sun stage experts. While they dared not make any presumptuous moves due to Zhou Yuan's status, they would inevitably question whether Zhou Yuan was truly qualified to be the third personal disciple. However, Xi Jing was not overly concerned, for she believed in Zhou Yuan.

"Although Zhou Yuan is the Grand Elder's third personal disciple and is qualified to be an Elder, he has voluntarily declined this position. Therefore, for now, there are still only five Elders in the Tianyuan Region," Xi Jing's voice resonated again.

These words caused a stir. Countless people were astonished, clearly nobody had expected Zhou Yuan to voluntarily give up such authority. Some Origin Infant stage experts also showed surprise, then, as they looked at Zhou Yuan again, a spontaneous sense of goodwill appeared in their eyes. After all, they were considered second only to the five Elders in the Tianyuan Region. It would be quite difficult for them to suddenly bow respectfully to a junior in the Divine Dwelling stage.

After Zhou Yuan's identity was revealed, the atmosphere on the floating island gradually reached its climax.

Xi Jing's expression gradually grew serious. She flicked her finger, and the source qi of heaven and earth converged, forming a massive map in the void.

"According to the intelligence we've gathered, the experts from the Four Great Apex Factions – Three Mountains Alliance, Scarlet Cloud Sword Sect, Dragon Gu Palace, Soul Devouring Pavilion, and Thunder Peak Mountain – have all been dispatched..."

On the map, five territories lit up, representing these five apex factions. Geographically, these five apex factions were located around the Tianyuan Region's borders, though aside from the Three Mountains Alliance, the other four did not directly border the Tianyuan Region. It was truly a situation of wolves encircling a tiger.

Gazing at the massive map, countless people's expressions grew solemn. Only by looking at it could they truly sense the tense atmosphere of an approaching storm.

"Starting today, our Tianyuan Region will activate the Battle Merit Board. Anyone who slays an expert from the five apex factions will earn battle merits based on the strength of the enemy."

"Furthermore, the Tianyuan Region will open its treasury. As long as you have enough battle merits, you can exchange them for numerous Heavenly Source Qi Arts, Lesser Saint Arts, Source Qi Cultivation Methods above the sixth grade, Source Soldiers, Source Treasures, high-grade spirit pills, and heavenly materials and earthly treasures!"

"And if you accumulate enough battle merits, you can even exchange them for genuine Saint Origin Arts!"

When Xi Jing's clear voice reverberated, the entire Tianyuan Cave Heaven erupted in a fervent uproar. With each item Xi Jing announced, countless eyes grew redder, and breathing became heavier. Especially when the Saint Origin Arts were mentioned last, even Origin Infant stage experts showed covetous expressions.

"Fight!""Fight!"

Countless hysterical roars erupted. Faced with such tempting battle merit rewards, the Tianyuan Region's fighting spirit was completely ignited. At this moment, in their eyes, the invading experts from the five apex factions were synonymous with battle merits.

Xi Jing and the other four Elders nodded slightly, witnessing this fighting spirit.

On the floating island, Zhou Yuan also let out a soft breath. After today, the war would truly erupt, and he too needed to enter seclusion to break through to the Heavenly Sun stage. He understood that only by reaching the Heavenly Sun stage would he be qualified to participate in this war.

For the Ancestral Dragon Lantern!

A hint of crimson flashed in Zhou Yuan's eyes. If anyone dared to hinder him from awakening Yaoyao, he would not fear them in the slightest, even if they were a colossal entity like the Wanzu Region!