Chapter 1010: Team

In the days since Zhou Yuan arrived in Scarlet Flame City, news of his decision to select three mid-stage Violet Gold Heavenly Sun cultivators as his hunting targets in the War Merit Hall had spread throughout their own Heavenly Sun realm circles. Unsurprisingly, this once again drew much ridicule.

Most people believed that this "young elder" was overly arrogant, perhaps having just entered the Heavenly Sun realm and still unable to shed his invincible mentality from his Divine Dwelling King days. They expected that once he returned defeated from this endeavor, he would recognize the reality that no matter how formidable he was in the Divine Dwelling realm, he still needed to maintain a discreet profile during his initial period in the Heavenly Sun realm.

According to the war zone regulations, Heavenly Sun realm experts wishing to enter hunting areas must be accompanied by a team composed of Divine Dwelling realm cultivators. This team was not for direct combat but for deploying scout-origin pattern devices and assisting the Heavenly Sun expert in locating targets. Once a target was found, these auxiliary members would retreat, leaving the actual battle to the primary Heavenly Sun combatant.

This was the only way for Divine Dwelling realm cultivators to earn war merits in the war zone. Otherwise, a lone Divine Dwelling realm cultivator entering the battlefield would be like a rabbit straying into a wolf's den, with no chance of survival. Therefore, Divine Dwelling realm cultivators in the war zone also carefully selected suitable Heavenly Sun realm experts, as the strength of the latter would determine the risks they faced and the efficiency with which they could acquire war merits.

Although Zhou Yuan's reputation was currently formidable, the ferocity of his chosen hunting targets deterred many Divine Dwelling realm cultivators from joining him. The prevailing sentiment was that even though Zhou Yuan had broken through to the Heavenly Sun realm, he was still only in its initial stage. This level of power was still fraught with danger in the hunting areas; a single misstep could lead to the annihilation of the entire team. Thus, few Divine Dwelling realm cultivators dared to join Zhou Yuan's team, prioritizing their own lives. Consequently, it took Zhou Yuan's team a full three days to gather ten members.

"All familiar faces..."

In a courtyard in Scarlet Flame City, Zhou Yuan couldn't help but smile as he surveyed the team led by Yi Qiushui and Ye Bingling. Their faces were all exceptionally familiar. Besides Yi Qiushui, Ye Bingling, and Mu Liu, the group included Han Yuan, Shang Xiaoling, Ling Feng, and others—all well-known figures from the Four Pavilions.

"You can still smile?" Yi Qiushui said exasperatedly, "In this Scarlet Flame Province, they're the only ones brave enough to join our team. Everyone else, when they heard you were recruiting, ran faster than rabbits."

Zhou Yuan chuckled and looked at Han Yuan and the others, asking, "Then why did you still dare to come?"

Han Yuan grinned, "Pavilion Master, others might not know you, but we do! You're not a reckless person. Since you dared to take on this task, you must have some confidence. Following you, we're sure to earn a lot of war merits."

Han Yuan was genuinely convinced by Zhou Yuan's capabilities, having witnessed firsthand his gradual rise in the Four Pavilions and his eventual leadership in reaching the summit of the Nine Regions Grand Assembly, where powerful cultivators gathered. Therefore, Han Yuan, who had always preferred to play both sides and observe from the fence, immediately sought out Yi Qiushui and volunteered his services upon hearing that Zhou Yuan was recruiting team members.

Shang Xiaoling pursed her lips and said, "You're our leader. Although you're much stronger than us now, if you ever need help, just say the word."

Shang Xiaoling and others had previously been rogue cultivators, having endured many hardships until Zhou Yuan recruited them into the Wind Pavilion. In their eyes, Zhou Yuan had shown them great kindness. Although with his current status, they might not even qualify as his followers, they would never refuse any request from Zhou Yuan, no matter how difficult.

Looking at the serious faces of Shang Xiaoling, Ling Feng, and the others, Zhou Yuan was touched. He nodded slightly and said, "Don't worry. Since you're with me, I will naturally bring you back unharmed. We're going to earn war merits, not to die." Hearing Zhou Yuan's calm yet confident words, everyone felt a sense of relief.

Mu Liu grinned, "Zhou Yuan, tell me, did Elder Xi Jing give you some special method?" The others also looked thoughtful. If that were the case, it would explain Zhou Yuan's strong confidence.

Zhou Yuan gave him an exasperated look, too lazy to waste more words, and walked straight out of the courtyard. "Since everyone is ready, let's depart immediately."

At the city gate, Zhou Yuan led the group out. He then glanced at the massive city wall, where he saw two gazes fixed on him. They were Elder Yi Qianji and Qin Lian. Zhou Yuan nodded at them from a distance. With a movement, his figure transformed into a streak of light, soaring into the sky and heading towards the distant war zone. Behind him, Yi Qiushui, Ye Bingling, and the others quickly followed.

On the city wall, Yi Qianji watched them depart and sighed softly. He wondered what possessed his granddaughter to dare join such a dangerous undertaking. As a grandfather, he had wanted to dissuade her, but the girl was too clever; before he could even speak, she would put on a stern face, leaving him unable to utter a word.

Qin Lian's cool, unblemished face was expressionless as she said indifferently, "Elder Yi, I'll be leaving now too. I'll create a significant disturbance in the war zone. Some of the opposing late-stage Heavenly Sun cultivators should then focus their attention on me, which will make things safer for him."

"Thank you for your efforts." Yi Qianji nodded and said, "I will also make my move to pin down the Genesis Infant realm experts in the opposing war zone."

Qin Lian withdrew her gaze from the distance and said, "I hope our 'young elder,' after this setback, will stop being so reckless. Since he is a direct disciple of the Grand Sovereign, he should bear some responsibility instead of just causing trouble and expecting others to clean up his mess." Her words clearly conveyed dissatisfaction with Zhou Yuan's actions this time. As her voice faded, she bothered to say no more. Her figure moved, abruptly soaring into the sky. Her speed was like crashing thunder, and her momentum was immense. Wherever she passed, winds howled and thunder roared, making her extremely conspicuous.

Seeing her create such a grand display, Yi Qianji understood her intention. He then looked in the direction Zhou Yuan and his team had departed and murmured, "Zhou Yuan, oh Zhou Yuan, we have done everything we can. The rest is up to you..."

If this expedition succeeded, the previous rumors would undoubtedly collapse on their own. But if it failed, not only would Zhou Yuan lose much of the prestige he had earned at the Nine Regions Grand Assembly, but it would also implicate Grand Sovereign Cang Yuan, making him appear to have poor judgment in choosing disciples. Thus, Zhou Yuan's current undertaking was akin to walking on a knife's edge, exceedingly perilous.