Chapter 1392: Shocking the Four Sects

Inside the main hall, a sphere of sacred runes floated silently, emitting a gentle radiance. On its surface, four ancient and intricate runes slowly revolved, captivating everyone's gaze.

Even the four Sect Masters gazed at it with wide eyes. While fragments of the shattered Cangxuan Saint Seal had been common over the years since its destruction and dispersion across Cangxuan Heaven, these four specific sacred runes, which had previously appeared, had left no trace or clue. No one had anticipated that Zhou Yuan would be the one to bring them out of Cangxuan Heaven.

Moreover, the Saint Seal fragment contained within the sphere of sacred runes emitted a distinct fluctuation. From what the four Sect Masters understood about the numerous fragments, this particular one was likely among the core pieces.

Ordinarily, the appearance of such a fragment would spark a frantic scramble among various factions.

Now, however, after exchanging glances, the high-ranking sect members present recoiled, only daring to steal furtive glances.

Even the four Sect Masters appeared embarrassed.

Whoever took possession of these sacred runes and fragments would inevitably have to contend with Saint Yuan. Truth be told, if they genuinely believed they had a chance of victory, they wouldn't have hesitated for so many years, holding back from a counteroffensive against the Sacred Palace.

Consequently, an awkward silence descended upon the entire hall.

Zhou Yuan raised his hand, the sphere of sacred runes hovering in his palm. He gently nudged it with a finger and quietly remarked, "You all seem so attached to the Saint Seal fragments, yet perhaps you have no interest in these sacred runes?"

His gaze swept across the assembly, and wherever it landed, the high-ranking officials from each sect averted their eyes, unwilling to meet his gaze, as if fearing to be singled out by Zhou Yuan.

Liu Lianyi and the other peak masters of the Cangxuan Sect, witnessing this scene, couldn't help but sigh. Who would have imagined that the young man from back then could now, with just a few words, put the high-ranking officials of several major sacred sects in such an awkward position?

In mere decades, the 'new wave' from that time had grown into an irresistible force, its power now sufficient to dominate all of Cangxuan Heaven.

The awkward atmosphere lingered for a moment. Finally, Sect Master Qingyang broke the silence with a bitter smile, saying, "Zhou Yuan, our Cangxuan Sect has no issue fully supporting you. However, the other three sects might not be able to make a decision so quickly."

Zhou Yuan calmly replied, "Sect Master, you must be most familiar with Saint Yuan's power. Even I, in my current state, cannot guarantee absolute victory against him. This confrontation will undeniably be a battle of life and death, so I need to be thoroughly prepared."

"This battle concerns the very survival of our Cangxuan Heaven. Should we fail, every faction will face only two outcomes: annihilation, or pledging allegiance to the Sacred Palace and becoming mere pawns of the Sacred Race."

Upon hearing Zhou Yuan's stark words, the faces of many high-ranking officials present grew taut. Though Zhou Yuan spoke plainly, they could fully grasp the utter devastation that would ensue.

Moreover, if they harbored even the slightest desire to collude with the Sacred Race, they wouldn't have endured such a long and bitter struggle against the Sacred Palace.

Zhou Yuan's gaze sharpened as he addressed the assembly: "So, do you truly believe you have many choices? No, you only have two: first, hand over the Saint Seal fragments to me and hope I can defeat Saint Yuan; second... wait to suffer the same fate as the Celestial Ghost Mansion!"

As his words hung in the air, a profound silence enveloped the hall, and cold sweat imperceptibly beaded on the foreheads of the sect leaders.

After a prolonged silence, Tian Jianzun, Sect Master of the Ask Sword Sect, finally sighed softly, his voice hoarse. "Your Excellency Zhou Yuan's words are indeed sharp, but undeniably accurate. We have, it seems, been somewhat oblivious to the gravity of the situation."

He offered a self-deprecating chuckle. "Your Excellency Zhou Yuan could have lived freely and unburdened among the myriad heavens, yet you ultimately accepted this perilous mission, resolutely returning to the turmoil of Cangxuan Heaven. Now you must confront the most dangerous Saint Yuan, while we, meanwhile, are here making petty calculations for our own sects."

Tian Jianzun shakily rose to his feet, bowing deeply towards Zhou Yuan's position. "All Saint Seal fragments collected by my Ask Sword Sect will be entrusted to Your Excellency Zhou Yuan. We humbly request that Your Excellency slays Saint Yuan, thereby restoring peace and tranquility to our Cangxuan Heaven."

Upon seeing Tian Jianzun's decision, the high-ranking members of the Ask Sword Sect behind him exchanged glances, then likewise rose and bowed to Zhou Yuan.

"My Cangxuan Sect will do the same," said Sect Master Qingyang, rising and bowing towards Zhou Yuan.

Following suit, Liu Lianyi, Ling Jun, the White-Browed Elder, and Gu Tianhong rose, their expressions complex.

Of the four great sacred sects, the Ask Sword Sect and the Cangxuan Sect had made their decisions. Venerable Gu Jing of the Beiyuan Dragon-Suppressing Hall remained silent for a moment, then spoke in a low voice, "My Beiyuan Dragon-Suppressing Hall reveres strength above all. While I do not covet those Saint Seal fragments, I hope Your Excellency Zhou Yuan can provide a reason that will fully convince everyone in my Beiyuan Dragon-Suppressing Hall."

His gaze, brimming with fervent battle intent, fixed upon Zhou Yuan. Mottled marks appeared on his body, and the sheer power of his physical form caused the void to tremble violently.

He was, astonishingly, challenging Zhou Yuan!

However, just as vast power surged within Venerable Gu Jing and his battle intent swelled, he suddenly felt the surrounding space transform. He gazed intently, only to see an endless purple-gold nine-clawed giant dragon coiling around him, its head lowered, its dragon eyes, filled with indifference yet boundless majesty, fixed upon him.

A terrifying pressure descended. Under its weight, Venerable Gu Jing was horrified to discover that his vaunted physical body was cracking, with streaks of blood appearing.

The next moment, the purple-gold sacred dragon swung its massive claw, bringing it down with immense force.

The dragon claw descended like nine golden streams of light, vast and boundless.

Venerable Gu Jing's face was filled with horror. The next moment, his body suddenly expanded, transforming as if into an ancient giant, attempting to withstand the descending dragon claw.

Yet, at the moment of impact, Venerable Gu Jing realized the extent of his naiveté. The sheer immensity of that power made him feel like a minuscule ant beneath a vast starry sky.

As the dragon claw descended, Venerable Gu Jing's physical body instantly shattered, and his vision abruptly went dark.

"Hall Master!"

Alarmed voices reached his ears, causing Venerable Gu Jing to snap his eyes open. He found himself slumped in his seat, covered in blood, while the elders of the Beiyuan Dragon-Suppressing Hall frantically rushed to support him.

Venerable Gu Jing waved a dismissive hand, his gaze fixed on Zhou Yuan with a hint of awe. "Your Excellency Zhou Yuan truly lives up to your reputation as the foremost beneath the Saints," he said.

The other three Sect Masters also had shocked expressions. They had clearly sensed that in that instant, Zhou Yuan had directly activated his Law Domain, enveloping Venerable Gu Jing.

Venerable Gu Jing had been drawn into Zhou Yuan's Law Domain, and within a mere few breaths, the outcome was decided.

This was clearly a complete and utter subjugation.

Disregarding the blood that covered him, Venerable Gu Jing rose to his feet, a trace of fervor on his rugged face. He clasped his hands towards Zhou Yuan and declared, "Alliance Leader Zhou Yuan, should there be any command in the future, my Beiyuan Dragon-Suppressing Hall will certainly exert its full strength."

The Beiyuan Dragon-Suppressing Hall revered strength, and clearly, the power Zhou Yuan had just displayed had utterly convinced Venerable Gu Jing.

Inside the main hall, the other three Sect Masters exhaled deeply. Their power was on par with Venerable Gu Jing's, and Zhou Yuan's ability to effortlessly subdue him meant they would face the same outcome if they were to confront him.

Meanwhile, the high-ranking officials of the various sects swallowed hard, and a growing sense of awe became evident in their eyes as they looked at Zhou Yuan.

After all, no matter how renowned Zhou Yuan had been previously, it never felt as real as a direct display of power. In the eyes of these high-ranking officials, Venerable Gu Jing was considered a top expert in Cangxuan Heaven, yet even he had been almost completely overwhelmed by Zhou Yuan.

What kind of power was this?!

Facing the numerous gazes of awe, Zhou Yuan clasped his hands towards Venerable Gu Jing, then turned his attention to the beautiful Palace Mistress of the Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace.

Noticing Zhou Yuan's gaze, the beautiful Palace Mistress, famed for her grace and charm throughout Cangxuan Heaven, offered a gentle smile and softly said, "My Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace has no objections..."

"However, this Palace Mistress has a proposition..."

Zhou Yuan replied, "Please, Palace Mistress, speak your mind."

Dan Qingzi smiled demurely. "I wonder, Your Excellency Zhou Yuan, are you perhaps married? I hear you've known Qing Yu for many years. If you wouldn't mind, why not forge a bond with my Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace?"

In that moment, Zhou Yuan, who had just commanded the awe of the entire hall, could no longer maintain his composure. He stared, utterly dumbfounded, at the beautiful Palace Mistress before him.

Seeing Zhou Yuan's stunned silence, the beautiful Palace Mistress continued, "If Qing Yu is unsuitable, then that little girl Lv Luo is also charming and lovely; she would certainly make a fine match."

Zhou Yuan promptly sank back into his seat. The man who had just displayed power sufficient to awe the four sacred provinces was, at this moment, completely defeated.