Chapter 1423: Runaway Youth, Returning Deity

As Ancestor Cangxuan’s gentle and gratified voice resonated throughout the world, countless beings in Cangxuan Heaven simultaneously felt a profound connection. They all turned towards Zhou Yuan and bowed in reverence."Hail, Heaven Master!"

This silent homage caused all of Cangxuan Heaven to become invigorated. The Genesis Qi of the world began to surge and boil, endlessly flowing out in all directions, sweeping across the sky. The Genesis Qi was so dense that it transformed into a continuous fine rain, covering every corner of Cangxuan Heaven.

Countless cultivators were overjoyed, as they could clearly feel the pure Genesis Qi contained within this spring rain. Absorbing and refining it at this moment would greatly benefit their cultivation. This felt like a heaven-sent opportunity.

Just as an emperor’s ascension in the mortal world often brings a general amnesty, the new Heaven Master’s enthronement in Cangxuan Heaven naturally brought forth a gift from this domain. This gift would undoubtedly allow countless individuals to achieve breakthroughs and would also add to Cangxuan Heaven’s strength. Those who received these benefits would, of course, feel even more grateful and respectful towards the newly appointed Heaven Master.

Headmaster Qingyang and the others also gazed up at the fine Genesis Qi rain sweeping across the domain. They let the cool drizzle fall upon them, then turned their attention to the young figure in the distant sky, their expressions becoming extraordinarily complex. Who could have imagined that a millennium later, Cangxuan Heaven would produce another Heaven Master… and that this new Heaven Master would be someone they had previously not dared to even consider?

After all, just over a decade ago, this newly appointed Heaven Master was merely a new disciple of their Cangxuan Sect.

"Headmaster Qingyang, your Cangxuan Sect truly holds all the fortune of Cangxuan Heaven," Heavenly Sword Venerable sighed, his words filled with envy.

When Ancestor Cangxuan became the Heaven Master of Cangxuan Heaven, he single-handedly founded the Cangxuan Sect, which at the time was unrivaled and dominated Cangxuan Heaven for many years. Now, a millennium later, although Ancestor Cangxuan has fallen, this new Heaven Master still hails from the Cangxuan Sect. It is easy to imagine that in the years to come, the Cangxuan Sect will undoubtedly return to its peak, becoming the most transcendent force within Cangxuan Heaven.

Headmaster Qingyang’s face was wreathed in smiles, his eyes shining with an uncontrollable brilliance. He chuckled, "Brother Heavenly Sword, you can't blame me for this. Back at the Sacred Ruins, all your great Sacred Sects were present. Zhou Yuan ultimately chose my Cangxuan Sect; one can only say it was destiny."

The headmasters of the other great Sacred Sects all shook their heads with bitter smiles. Back then, the Sacred Ruins event was merely a minor test in their eyes, and given their status, they naturally didn't pay much attention to it. But who could have foreseen that a Heaven Master would ultimately emerge from that remote place? If time could be turned back, they would undoubtedly cast aside all dignity and forcefully bring the then-youthful Zhou Yuan into their own sects.

Meanwhile, Xi Jing, Su Youwei, Wu Yao, Zhao Mushen, and others gazed at Zhou Yuan, who exuded an unapproachable aura. Their expressions were somewhat dazed. Who could have imagined that Zhou Yuan would, in a single transformation, directly become the Heaven Master of Cangxuan Heaven? Such a turn of events truly felt like a dream.

Although Cangxuan Heaven is at the bottom among all the heavens and possesses many flaws, he is, regardless, a Heaven Master! The authority to control an entire domain is absolutely something countless people dream of.

Even though Zhou Yuan has not yet entered the Saint stage, if he were to meet a true Saint, the latter would treat him as an equal. In a sense, Zhou Yuan has already ascended to the pinnacle among all the heavens.

On a distant mountain peak, Zuoqiu Qingyu, Luluo, Li Chunjun, Ning Zhan, Zhen Xu, and others watched from afar. Their expressions were all complex, their eyes filled with a mixture of admiration and joy.

"It seems we'll have a powerful backer from now on. My good buddy is the Heaven Master of Cangxuan Heaven, who dares mess with me now?" Luluo declared proudly, her hands on her slender waist, a triumphant smile gracing her cute, delicate face.

Li Chunjun said earnestly, "Zhou Yuan's talent and potential mean that becoming a Saint is merely a matter of time. And in the future, he won't stop at just being an ordinary Saint. Yet, to protect the beings of Cangxuan Heaven, he is willing to assume the position of Heaven Master. This action…" A rare smile actually appeared on his perpetually impassive face: "Makes me greatly admire him."

The others nearby looked at him with a hint of surprise. Among their group, Zhou Yuan undeniably possessed the most astounding talent, followed closely by Li Chunjun. Li Chunjun typically showed indifference to everything except his sword practice, yet they all knew his profound inner pride. For him to utter such words now was clear proof of his deep approval and admiration for Zhou Yuan’s decision.

Nevertheless, Zuoqiu Qingyu and the others nodded in agreement. They, too, felt honored that their former companion could reach this stage and shoulder the hopes of countless beings in Cangxuan Heaven.

"Who would have thought that this junior brother, whom we once knew, would now inherit the Ancestor’s position…" In another direction, Chu Qing, Li Qingchan, Kong Sheng, and other elites of the Cangxuan Sect were also sighing in wonder.

Ye Ge smiled faintly and said, "Speaking of which, back in the Cangxuan Sect, it was Kong Sheng who often found him disagreeable and repeatedly provoked him."

Upon hearing this, Kong Sheng’s face instantly flushed red, and he glared at Ye Ge, "Are you still bringing up those old, stale matters? When did you, Ye Ge, start acting like a woman?"

"What's wrong with women?" Li Qingchan asked with a cool gaze, a hint of displeasure in her eyes.

Seeing this, Kong Sheng immediately fell silent, not daring to argue with Li Qingchan.

Chu Qing, however, patted his shoulder and consoled him, "It's nothing. I think this is a glorious past unique to you. In the future, when new disciples join Cangxuan Heaven, you can tell them, 'Do you know our current Heaven Master Zhou Yuan? Back when we were in the Cangxuan Sect, I used to bother him every single day.'"

A vein throbbed on Kong Sheng’s forehead, and he gritted his teeth, "Get lost!"

While the others were filled with shock and joy, Sheng Yuan, whose form was ethereal upon the altar, suddenly felt a profound chill permeate his entire being. Although he was now merely a Saint Soul on the verge of exhaustion, he still perceived a strong sense of malice and rejection. This malevolent rejection seemed to emanate from all of Cangxuan Heaven itself.

This entire domain was beginning to target him. He understood that this was because Cangxuan Heaven now had a controller once more, and under the controller’s will, even Saints would be affected. What’s more, he was currently just an eroded Saint Soul.

"How could this be…" Ever since Zhou Yuan endured the Heaven Heart Tribulation, Sheng Yuan’s heart had been sinking. He murmured to himself in a daze, and then his face suddenly twisted, becoming contorted and ferocious.

"How could you possibly have survived the Heaven Heart Tribulation?!" he shrieked abruptly.

That was clearly a trial only Saints could endure, yet Zhou Yuan was merely in the Law Domain stage. But now, he had unbelievably become the Heaven Master of Cangxuan Heaven! It was the very position he had schemed for years and poured his heart and soul into!

At this very moment, Sheng Yuan’s heart felt as though it were being gnawed by countless ants, causing him extreme agony. It was pure jealousy.

In the void above, Zhou Yuan beckoned, and the Genesis Qi of the world converged around him, forming a dark black robe. The garment was adorned with luxurious, exquisite golden threads that shimmered with an ethereal light, simultaneously forming ancient Genesis runes. Each of these runes was abstruse and primordial, possessing immense power. This was the Heaven Master's Robe!

Notably, a mysterious mark appeared on his brow, inspiring a sense of awe that made people afraid to look directly at it. This was the Mark of the Heaven Master!

At this very moment, Zhou Yuan, clad in the sacred robe with the heavenly mark on his brow, was bowed to by the world’s Genesis Qi and revered by all living beings. He was, truly, the focal point of heaven and earth.

With indifferent eyes, he slowly lowered his gaze towards Sheng Yuan. A profound killing intent flashed within his eyes.

"Sheng Yuan, it is time to definitively settle the grievances between us."