Chapter 216: Yuan Mountain

Amidst the continuous mountain ranges of the Outer Mountains, a colossal peak, ten thousand feet high, rose directly into the clouds.

This mountain was exceptionally conspicuous within the range, not only because of its grandeur but also due to its crater-like summit. Faintly visible on its slopes were countless Genesis Runes, shimmering indistinctly, seemingly forming immense Genesis Rune barriers.

These Genesis Rune barriers were inscribed on every part of the mountain.

The Genesis Qi of heaven and earth was continuously drawn, ceaselessly pouring into this colossal mountain, creating a truly magnificent spectacle.

When Zhou Yuan and his companions arrived, they too gazed at the towering peak with expressions of awe.

"What an immense undertaking," Zhou Yuan exclaimed in admiration. Through his Spirit perception, he could discern that the Genesis Runes within this colossal mountain were of no low grade, and the Genesis Rune barriers themselves were beyond the capabilities of ordinary individuals to construct.

Clearly, there were individuals within the Cangxuan Sect with extremely high Spirit attainment.

"What impressive methods."

Yao Yao's exquisite and beautiful face rarely showed such surprise as she said, "Inside this colossal mountain, there are likely over twenty Genesis Rune barriers... and each barrier is intricately interlinked, practically perfect."

"To achieve such a degree... I'm afraid the Spirit attainment of the person who created this must have reached at least the Great Perfection of the Transmutation Stage."

"Great Perfection of the Transmutation Stage..." Zhou Yuan secretly clicked his tongue. A Spirit at that level was considered superb; Genesis Runes could form with a mere wave of the hand, possessing unfathomable power.

"It seems this is the so-called 'Genesis Mountain'."

Zhou Yuan's gaze swept around, observing a continuous stream of Genesis Qi streaks rapidly approaching the area, eventually descending onto the colossal mountain.

These were the numerous new disciples.

Zhou Yuan and his companions hovered in mid-air, supported by Genesis Qi. At that moment, the new disciples arriving from all directions cast intrigued glances his way.

"These bastards are all just waiting for you to make a fool of yourself, Little Yuan," Shen Wanjin grumbled.

The other prodigies from the Cangmang Continent were also filled with righteous indignation. They already knew they had been branded with the mark of the Cangmang Continent, making Zhou Yuan and Yao Yao essentially their representatives.

Their fates were intertwined with Zhou Yuan's; if he prospered, they prospered, and if he suffered, they suffered. If Han Shan were to strip Zhou Yuan of his first-grade disciple status today, they would likely face exclusion as well.

Zhou Yuan merely smiled, showing little anger. It was normal for others to wish ill upon him; after all, he appeared to possess only the strength of the Quasi-Primordial Stage, yet he occupied a first-grade disciple slot.

His first-grade disciple status was currently akin to a precious treasure, making him a target of envy.

Such doubts could not be dispelled with words, nor would it be efficient. Therefore, Zhou Yuan preferred the most direct approach...

"Let's go, let's see how extraordinary this Genesis Mountain is."

Zhou Yuan said, and then, supported by Genesis Qi beneath his feet, he and Yao Yao ascended, landing directly within the colossal Genesis Mountain.

Genesis Mountain was incomparably grand. Upon reaching the mid-slope, Zhou Yuan and his companions saw numerous cultivation platforms, each several yards wide, extending from the mountainside all the way to the summit. A rough estimate suggested there were tens of thousands of them, a truly magnificent sight.

However, from bottom to top, the cultivation platforms seemed to widen the closer they were to the summit.

Each cultivation platform had a number, corresponding to a disciple's token, preventing arbitrary occupation.

Scattered throughout the mountain were many young attendants who called out, "First-grade disciples may enter the summit, second-grade disciples reside at the mid-slope, and third-grade disciples are at the lowest level."

Clearly, the Genesis Qi at the summit was the densest, so only first-grade disciples were privileged to enjoy the best location, with second- and third-grade disciples following in descending order.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuan and Yao Yao temporarily separated from Shen Wanjin and the others, ascending directly to the summit amidst envious gazes.

Near the summit, numerous bluestone cultivation platforms stood silently. Each platform was more spacious than those below, and faint traces of Genesis Runes were subtly visible on every bluestone.

Following the number on his disciple token, Zhou Yuan landed on his designated bluestone cultivation platform, where a meditation cushion was placed in the center.

A faint golden light emanated from the cushion, as if woven from countless golden threads, and subtle Genesis Qi fluctuations radiated from it, indicating it was clearly also a Genesis Treasure for cultivation.

Zhou Yuan sat cross-legged on the cushion, immediately feeling a cool sensation flow into his body, bringing clarity to his mind. He silently praised it, thinking that the cultivation conditions in the Cangxuan Sect were truly something one couldn't give up once experienced...

And to retain these cultivation resources and prevent others from taking them, one could only constantly move forward, continuously surpassing those alongside them...

Zhou Yuan sighed, then his gaze fell upon what was before him, the most important thing in the entire Genesis Mountain.

The Heaven Genesis Flower.

The Heaven Genesis Flower before Zhou Yuan was about ten feet tall and golden in color. It bore flowers the size of washbasins, resembling sunflowers. Though a flower, Zhou Yuan noticed that it seemed to be slowly breathing, and with each breath, the Genesis Qi of heaven and earth continuously poured into it, making the flower increasingly radiant.

"Is this the Heaven Genesis Flower?" Zhou Yuan asked, his face full of wonder.

It was said that the Heaven Genesis Flower was also a rare treasure; it could continuously absorb heaven and earth Genesis Qi, and the pollen it produced had the miraculous effect of refining Spirit, giving the Heaven Genesis Flower considerable value.

The Cangxuan Sect had clearly mastered the method of cultivating Heaven Genesis Flowers, which allowed them to possess such large quantities.

"To cultivate with the help of Heaven Genesis Flowers, the Cangxuan Sect truly has ingenious ideas."

As Zhou Yuan continued to marvel, more and more disciples arrived at Genesis Mountain, eventually landing on the cultivation platforms, each excitedly and curiously examining the Heaven Genesis Flowers before them.

Soon, however, their gazes subtly lifted, turning towards a certain direction on the summit—the very spot where Zhou Yuan was located.

A streak of light descended from the sky, landing above the summit. Chen Yuan, seated cross-legged on a cloud formed from Genesis Qi, gazed down at the many disciples.

His gaze seemed to pause briefly over Zhou Yuan's position, then a deep voice resonated, "Since everyone has arrived, prepare to activate Genesis Mountain and begin your cultivation."

"Please wait, Master Chen, I have something to say."

However, no sooner had Chen Yuan's voice faded than a sharp, cold voice rang out.

Gazes from all over the mountain turned to see a young man stand up, his eyes as fierce as a wolf's.

"It's Han Shan... As expected, he's targeting Zhou Yuan!" Seeing the young man, a flurry of whispers erupted, and numerous gleeful glances were directed at Zhou Yuan.

Zhou Yuan's expression, however, remained unruffled.

Chen Yuan looked at Han Shan, slowly saying, "What is it?"

Han Shan looked at Zhou Yuan with a sinister gaze, a hint of disdain playing on his lips. He cupped his fist and said, "This disciple wishes to challenge Senior Brother Zhou Yuan, because this disciple believes he is not worthy of being a first-grade disciple."

According to the rules of the Cangxuan Sect, disciples were ranked by grade regardless of age, and since Zhou Yuan was a first-grade disciple, Han Shan had to address him as Senior Brother.

Han Shan's words immediately caused another uproar.

"That kid is finished this time. From now on, he'll probably become a laughingstock in our Cangxuan Sect," Luo Song said with a touch of schadenfreude as he watched the scene.

Many who harbored jealousy towards Zhou Yuan also nodded in agreement.

Shen Wanjin and the other prodigies from the Cangmang Continent, however, had grim expressions, showing nervousness and anxiety.

In the direction closest to the summit, Lu Feng in his white robes and many other first-grade disciples merely watched the scene with indifference, their expressions betraying an undisguised air of superiority.

Gu Hongyi's beautiful eyes swept over Zhou Yuan. She felt a slight twinge of sympathy for him, as after today, Zhou Yuan would likely become the shortest-serving first-grade disciple from their Cangmang Continent in history...

In mid-air, Chen Yuan's face remained impassive as he calmly stated, "Challenges between disciples are voluntary. As long as Zhou Yuan agrees, it can naturally proceed."

He looked at Zhou Yuan and asked, "Are you willing to accept Han Shan's challenge? If you lose, your first-grade disciple status will be replaced."

All eyes across the mountain turned towards Zhou Yuan.

Zhou Yuan's expression remained unperturbed. He calmly asked, "So, I can refuse?"

At his words, a chorus of jeers immediately erupted. The gazes directed at Zhou Yuan seemed to turn scornful; a weak person who shied away from a fight was even more looked down upon.

Gu Hongyi also shook her head, her earlier sympathy instantly vanishing. One could be lacking in strength, but if one was so weak-willed, then they truly didn't deserve sympathy.

Chen Yuan gave a faint smile and said, "So, you intend to refuse?"

If Zhou Yuan truly refused, his reputation in the future would likely suffer.

Zhou Yuan smiled and said, "Master Chen misunderstands. I merely wanted to confirm that I have the right to refuse."

Chen Yuan frowned, not understanding Zhou Yuan's intentions.

Zhou Yuan ignored him, turning his gaze to Han Shan. He said, "You heard correctly, I have the right to refuse... However, I can give you a chance to challenge me, but on the condition that you pay thirty Origin Jade as the price."

The entire mountain fell silent, with stunned gazes fixed on Zhou Yuan. Clearly, no one had expected him to propose such a condition; this move caught everyone completely off guard!

Zhou Yuan, however, showed no reaction to their stares. If Han Shan challenged him and he lost, he would forfeit his first-grade disciple status, whereas if Han Shan lost, he would not incur significant tangible losses. This was clearly unfair.

Therefore, he had to make it clear to others that challenging him was acceptable, but only if it came with a price...

Otherwise, anyone with nothing better to do would challenge him; did they think he had too much free time?

Han Shan's face darkened, and he gritted his teeth, "Thirty Origin Jade? You must be insane!"

"Are you afraid to lose?" Zhou Yuan chuckled, "You should be clear about which is more valuable: the status of a first-grade disciple or thirty Origin Jade."

Han Shan's mouth twitched, but ultimately, a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes.

"Fine, I accept!"

Han Shan stared at Zhou Yuan with a sinister gaze, having already made up his mind: he would show no mercy in the upcoming fight. He intended to make sure this bumpkin from the Cangmang Continent would get the Origin Jade but not live to spend it!

Clearly, he did not believe that Zhou Yuan, a Quasi-Primordial Stage cultivator, had any chance of victory.

"Since you've paid the Origin Jade, of course I'll satisfy your request..."

Seeing Han Shan nod, Zhou Yuan's expression turned indifferent. He stood up, his eyes glinting coldly as he looked at the other man. Everyone felt an astonishing aura slowly emanate from his body.

"Come on."

A chilling voice emerged from his lips.