Chapter 209: Disciple Third Rank

In the room, as Mu Wuji's earlier words fell silent, the atmosphere immediately grew much heavier. Even the most distinguished talents, like Xiao Tianxuan, had taut faces and somewhat uneasy eyes.

While they were indeed considered top talents among the younger generation in the Cangmang Continent, their future competitors would be elites from other continents, and even more so, the most outstanding young individuals native to the Shengzhou Continent.

Mu Wuji had already mentioned that of the ten parts of the world's Qi Luck, Shengzhou Continent alone possessed six. It was easy to imagine that the younger generation there would undoubtedly be far more formidable.

As they left the Cangmang Continent for their longed-for cultivation holy land, their families held high expectations for them. Failing to even become official disciples would undoubtedly be a huge blow to their self-esteem.

Mu Wuji glanced at everyone but offered no words of comfort. The selection process for disciples at Cangxuan Sect was extremely rigorous; not everyone would ultimately become an official disciple. Naturally, some would succeed, while others would fail.

"Once you arrive at Cangxuan Sect," Mu Wuji continued, "all new disciples will be categorized into tiers: First-class, Second-class, and Third-class."

"Is there a difference?" Zhou Yuan asked.

"Of course there's a difference," Mu Wuji replied with a smile. "First-class disciples not only receive independent residences, but their living quarters are also inscribed with Genesis Rune barriers, making the Genesis Qi abundant—far surpassing that of other disciples. Residing there day and night naturally offers numerous benefits."

"Furthermore, First-class disciples receive a bag of 'Heaven Heart Body Tempering Grain,' a fifth-grade Genesis Food, from the sect every week. Daily consumption of this food will temper your physical body and accelerate your Genesis Qi cultivation speed. Other cultivation resources provided to them also significantly exceed those given to ordinary disciples."

"Fifth-grade Genesis Food?!"

Hearing those words, even Zhou Yuan couldn't help but exclaim, his breathing growing fervent.

One had to understand that the "Fire Spirit Rice" Zhou Yuan had painstakingly acquired for Great Zhou in the Black Abyss was merely a fourth-grade Genesis Food, and the "Mystic Crystal Rice" he usually consumed in Great Zhou was only second-grade.

Yet, even those had brought him considerable benefits. While his innate talent and diligent efforts were the primary reasons for his rapid progress to his current level in just two years, the external cultivation resources also played an indispensable role.

Therefore, upon hearing that one could consume fifth-grade Genesis Food in Cangxuan Sect, he was understandably shocked.

He simply couldn't imagine the immense benefits of long-term consumption of "Heaven Heart Body Tempering Grain."

Mu Wuji smiled, surveying the group, his gaze finally resting on Yaoyao's exquisite face. "Among you, I'm afraid only Yaoyao will likely be rated as a First-class disciple."

Although Yaoyao possessed no Genesis Qi, Mu Wuji could sense the formidable power of her Spirit, which had clearly reached at least the mid-stage of the Manifestation Realm.

"As for you..." Mu Wuji looked at Zhou Yuan playfully, saying, "Judging by superficial rank, you probably wouldn't even qualify as a Third-class disciple..."

However, Mu Wuji also knew that Zhou Yuan's combat power was immense. If it came to a real fight, he might not necessarily lose to those prodigies who had reached the second or even third layer of the Alpha Origin Stage. After all, he had already defeated Wu Huang, who was at the first layer of the Alpha Origin Stage, when Zhou Yuan himself was only at the mid-stage of the Heavenly Passage Stage.

Zhou Yuan smiled helplessly.

"Oh, right, take out the token that old gentleman gave you," Mu Wuji suddenly said.

Zhou Yuan paused, then realized he was referring to the old gentleman who had taken Su Youwei away.

Zhou Yuan retrieved the token from his Qiankun Bag and handed it to Mu Wuji, asking curiously, "What's this for?"

Mu Wuji took the token and chuckled, "With this token, even if you were completely useless, you'd directly enjoy the treatment of a First-class disciple."

At these words, Xiao Tianxuan and the others immediately looked at the token with fervent eyes, filled with envy.

Zhou Yuan was also somewhat surprised, not expecting that old gentleman to wield such influence.

"Uncle Mu, do you know the old gentleman's background? Is he also from Cangxuan Sect?" Zhou Yuan couldn't help but ask. Only after the old man had left that day did it dawn on him that the old fellow had talked in circles for a long time without even telling him where Su Youwei was taken!

Clearly, the old man had done it on purpose.

Mu Wuji shook his head. "That old gentleman is not from our Cangxuan Sect; he is from 'Hunyuan Heaven'."

"Hunyuan Heaven?" Zhou Yuan was stunned. He knew, of course, that Hunyuan Heaven was the most powerful among the Five Heavens.

"So, Youwei went to Hunyuan Heaven too?" Zhou Yuan sighed wistfully. This was truly a separation between two worlds; it was unknown when or where they would meet again.

Mu Wuji then looked at the others. "Therefore, don't assume that being chosen by me guarantees smooth entry into Cangxuan Sect. If you neglect your cultivation and are eliminated, you'll have no one but yourselves to blame."

Hearing Mu Wuji's warning, the various prodigies' hearts tightened. They realized they had been too relaxed recently, even slacking off in their cultivation. Immediately, they dared not be negligent and respectfully assented.

The bright moon hung high in the sky.

The massive ship glided steadily through the high altitudes. At its bow, several figures sat quietly around a wine table: Zhou Yuan, Yaoyao, Luluo, Zuoqiu Qingyu, and even Zhen Xu, Li Chunjun, and the less familiar Ning Zhan.

Originally, Zhou Yuan had only invited Luluo and Zuoqiu Qingyu for a gathering before they dispersed upon reaching Shengzhou Continent. Unexpectedly, Zhen Xu, Li Chunjun, and even Ning Zhan, whom he wasn't very familiar with, had also joined.

Clearly, regardless of their past reputations in the Cangmang Continent, they all understood that upon arriving at Shengzhou Continent, their former prestige would vanish.

The path ahead had to be forged by themselves, and whether they would reach the peak once more or settle into mediocrity, no one could say.

The three girls chuckled to the side. Zhou Yuan, meanwhile, raised his wine cup, smiled at Li Chunjun, and said, "I've wanted to thank you for a long time. On the Saint Stairs, if it hadn't been for your help, Wu Huang might have taken the lead."

During the final stretch of the Saint Stairs, Li Chunjun had unleashed his sword, lending Zhou Yuan a hand, helping him catch up to Wu Huang and reach the summit together.

Li Chunjun, his eyes covered by black cloth, "looked" at Zhou Yuan, also raised his cup, and drained it, his voice hoarse. "Because only you could do it. Wu Huang is strong; I couldn't sever his physical body."

"If you want to thank me, then when there's an opportunity in the future, let me properly test my sword on you..."

Zhou Yuan smiled, responding cheerfully, "Anytime."

Ning Zhan's eyes brightened at the words, and he couldn't help but say, "Then let's have a good fight when the time comes too!"

"Even now," Zhou Yuan chuckled.

Ning Zhan paused, then shook his head. "I'm afraid I can't beat you now. You're much stronger than when you fought Wu Huang."

Although he was a martial arts fanatic, he possessed an exceptionally keen perception. Thus, he knew that the current Zhou Yuan was more than just one level stronger than when he had fought Wu Huang.

Beside them, Zuoqiu Qingyu rested her chin on her hand, gazing at Zhou Yuan with a playful smile. "Zhou Yuan, I hear that on Shengzhou Continent, talented young heroes are as numerous as carp in a river. When you get there, don't become just another face in the crowd, so much so that I can't even hear your name."

"If you hear his name, will you tell others he's the husband you chose?" Luluo giggled mischievously.

Zuoqiu Qingyu's beautiful eyes sparkled, her manner alluring and bold. "If his name truly spreads throughout Shengzhou Continent, then it wouldn't be a loss for me to tell others he's the husband I favor."

"So, Zhou Yuan, you'd better work hard," Zuoqiu Qingyu said with a grin.

Zhou Yuan smiled. He knew that everyone had likely learned about the future challenges from the other envoys today, and thus felt a certain amount of pressure.

While Zuoqiu Qingyu was teasing him, deep down her words also held a meaning of encouragement.

Zhou Yuan raised his wine cup, looked at everyone, and after a brief silence, smiled. "My friends, who have fought alongside me, although our Cangmang Continent is considered a small place, when one day we stand at the apex of Shengzhou Continent's younger generation, they will realize just how remarkable this small Cangmang Continent truly is."

"Gentlemen, I hope to see you all again at that peak."

Moonlight poured down. The young man's gentle face held a composed smile, and in his eyes, an unyielding flame seemed to burn, moving all who saw it.

Zuoqiu Qingyu's eyes sparkled as she gazed at Zhou Yuan in that moment, finding this usually gentle young man surprisingly proud in a way that commanded attention.

Li Chunjun, Ning Zhan, and Zhen Xu also felt their blood subtly boil within them. They raised their wine cups and clinked them together with force.

"Haha, good! Let's see how many of us can make a name for ourselves on Shengzhou Continent in a few years!"

The youths' impassioned voices rang out, full of youthful arrogance.

On the top deck of the massive ship, Mu Wuji, the beautiful woman in palace attire, and the other envoys subtly glanced downwards, then exchanged looks, each letting out a soft chuckle.

"Ah, youth..."

Not far away, Zhao Pan's eyes were cold, and a sneer of derision and contempt played on his lips.

"A bunch of ignorant bumpkins. Once you reach Shengzhou Continent and witness those true Saint Seeds, you'll realize how laughable your agreement today is..."

"Zhou Yuan, rest assured... Once I return to the sect and report to the Sect Master, I imagine the Saint Seeds of my Sacred Palace will utterly crush your pathetic confidence into dust..."

"Heh, I'm truly looking forward to that day."