Chapter 215: Clannishness

Outer Mountain, inside a house.

Chen Yuan sat casually on a chair, sipping fragrant tea. In front of him stood a young man in blue robes, his face respectful. His features were ordinary, but his eyes held a hint of malevolence, like a wolf's.

“Master Chen,” the young man in blue began, his face drawn, “you promised me one of the First Grade disciple slots.”

Chen Yuan waved his hand. “I didn’t expect an unforeseen complication,” he said. “That Mu Wuji forcibly put his person in.”

“Heh heh, Han Shan,” Chen Yuan said casually, “consider this my mistake. I’ll return the things to you.”

The young man in blue, named Han Shan, quickly replied, “How could I take back a gift given to Master Chen?”

Chen Yuan nodded with an appreciative look. He tapped his fingers lightly on the table. “However, even though that Zhou Yuan became a First Grade disciple, you’re not entirely without a chance.”

“According to the rules, new disciples are meant to compete among themselves. You are currently at the second layer of the Alpha Origin Stage, while that Zhou Yuan is only a Quasi Alpha Origin. If you find an opportunity to challenge him and succeed, you can naturally take his First Grade disciple status.”

“Tomorrow would be a good day. That kid has already enjoyed a night in the pavilion, so even if he’s knocked back to his original status, he shouldn’t have any complaints.”

Han Shan’s eyes immediately lit up upon hearing this. “Master Chen, do you mean…?”

Chen Yuan glanced at him. “If you can defeat him publicly, I can directly strip him of his First Grade disciple status and transfer it to you.”

Han Shan was overjoyed. “Thank you for your guidance, Master Chen!”

In his view, as long as Chen Yuan nodded, Zhou Yuan was no problem at all. A Quasi Alpha Origin cultivator could be dealt with effortlessly by Han Shan.

Chen Yuan smiled and waved his hand.

Seeing this, Han Shan wisely withdrew.

Watching him leave, Chen Yuan played with his teacup and chuckled to himself. “That Zhou Yuan is truly ignorant. I waited half a day. If he had proactively offered a generous gift, I could have protected him. What a pity…”

“Too foolish.”

“While I wouldn’t directly trouble you, if you’re eliminated within the rules, even if the two elders above know about it, they won’t say anything.”

In this Outer Mountain, besides him as the steward, there were also two Outer Mountain elders. However, these elders mostly stayed out of such matters, allowing Chen Yuan to effectively rule unchallenged here.

As night fell, covering the mountain forest, the Outer Mountain area became even more lively.

With the announcement of disciple grades today, various undercurrents surged among the new disciples. After all, wherever there are people, there is competition, and the Cangxuan Sect was no different.

Most new disciples were fresh arrivals, and the quick-witted ones began calling friends and forming factions. In any place, forming a group clearly offered an advantage over going it alone.

Now, the emergence of First Grade disciples made them the core of various circles, their status significantly increasing.

Consequently, the pavilions nestled among the mountains became brightly lit and exceptionally lively.

Inside one such pavilion, the atmosphere was fervent. Dozens of people gathered there; even Luo Song was present.

In the very center, amidst the fawning crowd, sat two individuals. They looked calm, enjoying the flattery from those around them.

These two were, remarkably, both First Grade disciples.

One was named Wei Wu, and the other Xu Ao.

“Heh heh, from now on in the Cangxuan Sect, we’ll all follow Brother Wei and Brother Xu’s lead,” Luo Song said with a smile.

The others also nodded in agreement. Wei Wu and Xu Ao were certain to enter the Seven Peaks in the future, promising boundless prospects. Now was the opportune moment to curry favor.

Wei Wu smiled. “We all come from other continents, unlike the proud prodigies native to the Sacred Province Continent. We naturally need to stick together.”

“Those people from the Sacred Province Continent are too arrogant,” one person said with some anger. “Earlier, I mentioned Brother Wei’s name to invite a Second Grade disciple, but that fellow actually showed no respect.”

Wei Wu’s gaze darkened slightly upon hearing this, but he still waved his hand. “We just need to work hard,” he said. “Since those Sacred Province disciples are so arrogant, there’s no need to try to please them.”

Xu Ao also nodded.

“It seems there are also two First Grade disciples from the Boundless Continent. Should we try to win them over?” someone asked.

Luo Song scoffed. “Are you talking about that one who got in through connections?”

Wei Wu also shook his head. “Don’t bother with the people from the Boundless Continent. I’ve already heard that Han Shan will make a move against Zhou Yuan tomorrow.”

“Although Han Shan is a Second Grade disciple, he’s a native of the Sacred Province, with a strong background and many influential friends. With him making a move, that Zhou Yuan will be knocked back to his original status tomorrow.”

Upon hearing this, Luo Song’s eyes lit up, and he immediately chuckled. “It seems that guy is unlucky. After only enjoying his First Grade disciple status for one day, he’s about to hit rock bottom.”

The others also burst into laughter, and no one mentioned the matter again, clearly having already dismissed Zhou Yuan as a loser.

Similar situations occurred in many places.

Thus, throughout that night, almost everyone knew that by tomorrow, Zhou Yuan would become the shortest-reigning First Grade disciple in history…

The next day.

When the first ray of morning light broke through the clouds and shone upon the mountain forest, the Outer Mountain instantly became lively.

Zhou Yuan opened the door and stepped out of the pavilion simultaneously with Yaoyao.

Just as he exited the pavilion, he saw a group of people hurrying towards them—it was Shen Wanjin and others.

Upon looking up, Shen Wanjin and the others saw Zhou Yuan and Yaoyao stepping out together. Their mouths instantly dropped open, and then they all cast glances of immense admiration toward Zhou Yuan.

It was a look men understood.

They clearly hadn’t expected that Yaoyao, who was usually so indifferent and aloof, truly like a celestial maiden, could actually be 'subdued' by Zhou Yuan.

Not knowing the details, they had clearly misunderstood their simultaneous exit.

Zhou Yuan’s mouth twitched. He glanced at Yaoyao, but her beautiful face was even calmer than his, and she showed no intention of explaining. So, he could only sigh and refrained from saying more.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, looking at the anxious faces of the crowd.

Shen Wanjin then remembered the important matter. Sweat beaded on his plump face as he anxiously said, “Brother Yuan, this is bad! We heard someone is going to target you today to seize your First Grade disciple status!”

“So it’s finally happening?” Zhou Yuan’s expression remained unchanged upon hearing this. He knew this situation was bound to occur; after all, who looked easier to pick on than him?

“Do you know who it is?”

Shen Wanjin immediately replied, “His name is Han Shan, from the Sacred Province Continent. He’s a Second Grade disciple at the second layer of the Alpha Origin Stage.”

Zhou Yuan’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he nodded faintly.

In the distant mountains, a red figure swiftly streaked out—it was Gu Hongyi. She had also noticed the situation here. Her bright eyes swept over Zhou Yuan, and there seemed to be a hint of schadenfreude in them.

Clearly, even she was aware of this matter.

Zhou Yuan paid no attention to the gazes directed at him from all directions. He simply nodded at Shen Wanjin and stepped forward.

“Let’s go. To Origin Mountain.”