Chapter 1041: Qualification

Northern border of the Tianyuan Region.Fengyu City.

Fengyu City, named for its proximity to Fengyu Lake, was previously unremarkable in the Tianyuan Region. However, with the advent of the Twin Tower Battle, it has become a central hub, attracting the attention of countless factions from across the Hunyuan Heaven.

The swirling currents of events here certainly live up to the city's name, Fengyu (Wind and Rain).

The Tianyuan Region also dispatched heavy troops to maintain order.

While the various factions present have largely been orderly, it is internal disputes within the Tianyuan Region itself that have caused several commotions and arguments in Fengyu City recently, much to the amusement of external observers.

The core of these disputes stemmed from Zhou Yuan's eligibility for the battle.

Most of these individuals were seasoned Heavenly Sun Stage experts from the Tianyuan Region, significantly more experienced than the new generation represented by Zhou Yuan. Consequently, they adopted a somewhat superior attitude. Despite Zhou Yuan's astonishing performance on the Chiyun Continent battlefield, some Heavenly Sun Stage practitioners who had not witnessed it remained skeptical. They often attributed his success to mere luck and the leverage of the Heavenly Fire Tree King's power.

They insisted that Zhou Yuan's early Heavenly Sun Stage strength was insufficient for such a crucial responsibility.

Ultimately, their pride prevented them from acknowledging that Zhou Yuan, having only recently advanced to the Heavenly Sun Stage, could already surpass them and emerge as a leading figure within their ranks.

Thus, various objections arose, leading to numerous incidents and much ridicule over the past month.

Within a manor located in the northern part of Fengyu City, the din from one of the great halls was almost deafening.

The hall was packed with people, a dense throng. Yet, what was truly striking was the Genesis Qi radiating from each individual; every single person present was a Heavenly Sun Stage cultivator, representing the Tianyuan Region's elite.

At the very top of the hall were three Nascent Source Stage experts. However, at this moment, they appeared somewhat helpless in the face of the agitated crowd below.

This issue had stirred significant unrest among the Tianyuan Region's Heavenly Sun Stage cultivators. Even the five Grand Elders were reluctant to suppress it directly, fearing it would sow discontent, so they delegated the matter to these three. But what could the three do?

In truth, they also harbored doubts about the reliability of Zhou Yuan being the fifth participant. However, Zhou Yuan's status was too special, so they knew that even if they voiced their opinions, it would likely change nothing.

The three Nascent Source Stage elders exchanged glances, silently lamenting their predicament. The Heavenly Sun Pagoda Battle was just two days away. If these turbulences didn't settle, and matters escalated, the Tianyuan Region would surely lose face under the watchful eyes of numerous factions. Moreover, they would be perceived as ineffective by the five Grand Elders.

“Three elders, the Heavenly Sun Pagoda Battle is in two days. After our discussion, we recommend Senior Brother Wang Ping and Senior Sister Lu Ping for the fifth slot, to represent our Tianyuan Region's Heavenly Sun Stage cultivators in battle!” A middle-aged Heavenly Sun Stage man stood up and declared loudly.

As soon as he spoke, numerous voices echoed in agreement.

The three Nascent Source Stage experts looked towards the front of the crowd, where a man and a woman stood. Both possessed extraordinary auras, and judging by the Genesis Qi fluctuations emanating from them, they were clearly top-tier experts in the late Heavenly Sun Stage.

These two were indeed the most formidable Heavenly Sun Stage cultivators in the Tianyuan Region, surpassed only by Qin Lian and three others. Both boasted a Genesis Qi foundation of 1.3 billion.

Originally, the fifth slot was supposed to be chosen from one of them.

However, such decisions rest solely with the five Grand Elders. What use is their recommendation?

As the three Nascent Source Stage experts internally grumbled, Qin Lian, seated below, suddenly slammed her hand on the table. The sound echoed through the hall, instantly silencing the commotion. Numerous gazes of awe turned towards her, clearly indicating Qin Lian's considerable prestige among the Heavenly Sun Stage cultivators of the Tianyuan Region.

The Heavenly Sun Stage cultivators' trust in her even surpassed that of the three Nascent Source Stage elders.

“The five Grand Elders naturally have their reasons for choosing the participants for this Heavenly Sun Pagoda Battle in this manner. You’ve been making a fuss for long enough; isn’t it time you quieted down?” Qin Lian’s sharp gaze swept across the hall, and anyone who met her eyes quickly looked away.

A slight silence fell over the hall.

“Haha, I don’t think we can blame them for causing a stir. After all, they’re doing it for the good of our Tianyuan Region.” Just then, a laugh suddenly broke the silence.

Qin Lian looked over, her brow instantly furrowing, because the speaker was Bai Yu, whose prestige among the Tianyuan Region's Heavenly Sun Stage cultivators was second only to hers.

Bai Yu, seeing Qin Lian looking at him, smiled faintly and said, “The five great alliances’ participant list has been released, and they’re all familiar faces. While we have some chances of winning, we must be prepared. Allowing Zhou Yuan to take a slot at this time will undoubtedly put us under greater pressure.”

“Furthermore, Zhou Yuan is already a revered junior Grand Elder. Such life-and-death matters should be handled by those of us below; there's no need for him to compete for these merits, is there?”

His tone was calm, but the underlying implication of his words once again stirred widespread indignation in the hall.

The list from the five great alliances had also been circulated, and judging by the names, the Tianyuan Region still held a greater chance of victory. So, was their junior Grand Elder acting so proactively because he had foreknowledge and sought to claim battle merits and glory for himself?

Qin Lian looked at the hall, which was growing restless again, and said coldly, “Everyone who participated in the war on the Chiyun Continent clearly saw Zhou Yuan’s performance. Although he is only at the early Heavenly Sun Stage, he is absolutely not comparable to an ordinary early-stage cultivator!”

Some Heavenly Sun Stage experts in the hall who had remained silent also nodded slightly. They had participated in that war, and Zhou Yuan's performance there was indeed miraculous.

Bai Yu said calmly, “Although I did not participate in the Chiyun Continent battlefield, it is said that Zhou Yuan’s success was due to him borrowing the power of the Heavenly Fire Tree King. I don't deny that it was a miracle, but the key is that in the Heavenly Sun Pagoda Battle, such methods cannot be relied upon anymore.”

“Qin Lian, can you truly guarantee that he possesses the strength to directly contend with these top-tier late Heavenly Sun Stage experts? If an accident occurs because of him, leading to significant losses for our Tianyuan Region, will you dare to bear that responsibility?”

His words were like daggers, exceptionally sharp, leaving even Qin Lian momentarily speechless.

Considering Zhou Yuan's current strength, Qin Lian might not doubt his ability to contend with mid-Heavenly Sun Stage cultivators. However, facing late-Heavenly Sun Stage experts would likely prove to be beyond his current capabilities.

Originally, Qin Lian thought that if they won three matches in the Heavenly Sun Pagoda Battle first, the conflict would naturally end, and Zhou Yuan might not even need to participate.

But this was the most ideal scenario, and no one knew what tactics the five great alliances might have prepared.

As Qin Lian remained momentarily silent, Bian Buji, who had been quiet until now, slowly spoke: “This matter is critical. I, too, do not wish for any of our five chosen participants to hold us back. This is no trivial game; it is a battle fought on behalf of the Tianyuan Region’s Heavenly Sun Stage cultivators!”

Hearing even the usually neutral Bian Buji express such a stance, the Heavenly Sun Stage experts in the hall immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Qin Lian said no more, knowing she had no sufficiently convincing arguments to sway those two.

The three Nascent Source Stage experts above felt a slight headache coming on, seeing that the hall was about to erupt into commotion again.

However, at that very moment, the sound of the hall doors opening echoed.

Many gazes turned, frowning, and then they saw a slender figure standing at the hall's entrance.

And once they clearly saw the figure, their eyes widened instantly.

Zhou Yuan!

He had actually appeared!

A profound silence descended upon the hall. No Heavenly Sun Stage expert dared to openly confront Zhou Yuan, given the significant pressure his identity imposed. Yet, this did not prevent them from casting cold, silent glares, a clear indication of their collective disapproval.

Zhou Yuan’s face remained expressionless as he met the various gazes filled with differing emotions. He walked step by step to the center of the hall, then paused in front of Wang Ping and Lu Ping.

He glanced at the two, who met his gaze without fear, displaying considerable arrogance.

Zhou Yuan raised his gaze, his voice indifferent: “The incompetent always assume others are as incompetent as themselves.”

Upon hearing this, many Heavenly Sun Stage cultivators immediately showed furious expressions. This Zhou Yuan, how dare he call them incompetent?!

However, before they could voice their indignation, a brilliant Genesis Qi radiance erupted from behind Zhou Yuan. A magnificent, glazed sun slowly materialized, appearing somewhat unique with faint ancient patterns shimmering upon its surface.

But what truly stunned everyone was that with the appearance of the glazed sun, an extremely terrifying Genesis Qi pressure began to sweep across the hall.

The eyes of many Heavenly Sun Stage experts widened incrementally, filled with disbelief.

Because they saw what looked like countless Genesis Qi stars twinkling within the glazed sun.

The sheer number...

One point five billion!

Behind him, Qin Lian, Mu Youran, Bai Yu, and Bian Buji were equally stunned, their eyes reflecting utter disbelief.

Amidst the hall’s stunned silence, Zhou Yuan’s expressionless face remained, and his indifferent voice rang out.

“Is this qualification enough?”