Chapter 232: Diamond Indestructibility

Violent Genesis Qi surged from Zhou Yuan's body in the mountain stream, coiling around him like a golden whirlwind, as a formidable aura gradually rose.

Across from him, Zhu Feng and his companions were momentarily taken aback by Zhou Yuan's sudden intensity. However, after hearing his words, they were all provoked to anger.

"Heh, you're truly arrogant!" Zhu Feng sneered, his eyes filled with disdain. "One against a group? Who do you think you are?"

"Do you really believe that defeating Han Shan qualifies you to challenge true first-grade disciples like us?"

Zhu Feng and the others looked amused and scornful, evidently finding Zhou Yuan utterly ridiculous. After all, in their estimation, Zhou Yuan was merely at the first layer of the Alpha Origin Stage.

While Zhou Yuan's one-punch victory over Han Shan on Genesis Mountain had been somewhat impressive, to them, it meant little.

Han Shan was just a second-grade disciple, only at the second layer of the Alpha Origin Stage.

So, seeing Zhou Yuan dare to act this way in front of them, they found it utterly comical and ridiculous, as if observing a clown.

Zhu Feng laughed for a good while before finally stopping. However, he was secretly pleased that Zhou Yuan had proactively stepped forward, as he had indeed come to stir up trouble today.

Even if Zhou Yuan hadn't spoken, he wouldn't have let him off easily today.

"A group fighting just you? We're afraid it would be beneath us," Zhu Feng said, shaking his head and looking at Zhou Yuan with a hint of coldness. "Your smooth words mean nothing to me. I'll use my fists to expose your useless true self in front of Junior Sister Hong Yi!"

He took a step forward, and powerful Genesis Qi instantly burst forth, unmistakably revealing the might of a third-layer Alpha Origin Stage practitioner.

Shen Wanjin, standing nearby, was visibly shaken by Zhu Feng's Genesis Qi aura. His expression subtly changed, and anxiety flickered in his eyes, as Zhu Feng was by no means obscure, holding a considerable reputation among first-grade disciples.

Sensing a fight was imminent, Shen Wanjin kept glancing towards the outside of the mountain stream.

Just then, several swift sounds of movement broke the air, landing rapidly by the stream. A cold shout followed: "Zhu Feng, if you intend to harm Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, you'll have to get my permission first!"

Several figures landed, revealing themselves. The one at the forefront was, naturally, Qiao Xiu.

Evidently, he had heard the news and, concerned for Zhou Yuan, had rushed over with reinforcements.

Qiao Xiu's face was stern, powerful Genesis Qi surging around him. Over the past half-month, he had risen through the ranks among the outer mountain disciples, even earning the title of one of the top ten outer mountain disciples. Though only ranked tenth, as a disciple from an outer continent, his ability to break into the top ten amidst the absolute dominance of native Shengzhou disciples was a testament to his capabilities.

Upon seeing Qiao Xiu, Zhu Feng's brow furrowed, and a hint of apprehension appeared in his eyes. After all, Qiao Xiu was ranked tenth among the top ten outer mountain disciples, and was indeed slightly stronger than him.

Despite this, Zhu Feng's face showed no fear. He simply stated, "Qiao Xiu, this matter doesn't concern you. You'd best not meddle."

Qiao Xiu stated gravely, "Zhu Feng, don't be so aggressive. Junior Brother Zhou Yuan isn't a troublemaker, so why do you always pick on him?"

Zhu Feng's lips curled into a mocking smirk. "It's not us looking for trouble. Just now, he was boasting he'd take on all of us by himself."

The others also chuckled.

Qiao Xiu's expression darkened. "If you insist on causing trouble, then don't blame me."

Zhu Feng's eyes also turned cold. "Qiao Xiu, don't assume I'm afraid of you. I'm speaking to you politely out of respect. Aren't some of your people also learning the Art of Etherealization from my elder brother?"

The threatening implication in his words was unmistakable.

Qiao Xiu's expression shifted slightly; he clearly hadn't expected Zhu Feng to be so shameless as to use that as a threat.

However, he was not one to be easily deterred. Since he had shown up, he naturally wouldn't be frightened off by Zhu Feng. So, without further ado, his Genesis Qi surged, and he glared sharply at Zhu Feng.

Zhu Feng also hadn't anticipated Qiao Xiu's stubbornness, and his face soured.

"Heh, Qiao Xiu, you're always sticking your nose where it doesn't belong. Since you're so free, why don't you come and exchange a few moves with me?" Just as Zhu Feng's expression turned grim, a laugh suddenly echoed, and a figure darted into the mountain stream.

It was a thin man, resembling a monkey, with sunken eyes. Yet, the Genesis Qi fluctuations radiating from him were no weaker than Qiao Xiu's.

"It's Sun Jinglei," Shen Wanjin murmured in surprise upon seeing him.

Zhou Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly. He had heard that name; reportedly, he was ranked ninth among the top ten outer mountain disciples, one spot higher than Qiao Xiu.

Evidently, Zhu Feng had anticipated Qiao Xiu's potential interference and had brought in an expert for support.

Upon seeing the monkey-like young man, Qiao Xiu's gaze hardened, and he sighed inwardly. It seemed Zhu Feng was utterly determined not to back down today.

"Senior Brother Qiao Xiu, leave this to me," Zhou Yuan said, meeting Qiao Xiu's gaze with a slight smile.

He had taken note of Qiao Xiu's repeated protection and felt quite favorably towards him.

Qiao Xiu offered a wry smile and could only advise, "Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, be careful."

While he was optimistic about Zhou Yuan's future, Zhou Yuan was currently only at the first layer of the Alpha Origin Stage, whereas Zhu Feng was a skilled practitioner at the third layer. In a confrontation, Zhou Yuan would likely be at a disadvantage.

Zhou Yuan smiled nonchalantly, then looked up at Zhu Feng and asked, "This is my last time asking: are you sure you're not coming at me all at once?"

Zhu Feng's expression darkened, and he sneered, "Still mouthing off? Just you wait, I'll stomp that mouth of yours to a pulp!"

Without further hesitation, his Genesis Qi erupted, his eyes turned sharp, and he made the first move, darting towards Zhou Yuan like lightning.

He swept out with a horizontal palm, conjuring numerous palm shadows that carried the force of wind and thunder, aiming to engulf Zhou Yuan's vital points.

Zhu Feng's attack was exceptionally vicious, showing no quarter.

Seeing this, Qiao Xiu, Shen Wanjin, and the others all watched with tense expressions.

They noticed Zhou Yuan remained perfectly still, as if he had no intention of dodging.

"To be so overconfident in front of me? Do you think I'm Han Shan?"

Zhu Feng smiled sinisterly, finding Zhou Yuan utterly foolish. Far from holding back, he attacked with even greater ferocity, and all the palm shadows ultimately struck Zhou Yuan's body.

Thud, thud!

A series of dull thuds resounded, a fierce wind raged, and the ground around Zhou Yuan cracked open.

All eyes in the mountain stream were fixed intently on the scene.

"That Zhou Yuan is utterly arrogant! He didn't even dodge Senior Brother Zhu Feng's attack? Does he think he's invulnerable?" The people accompanying Zhu Feng scoffed.

The dust began to settle.

But the next moment, the mocking smiles on their faces slowly froze.

There stood Zhou Yuan, unmoving, his expression indifferent. Not a single injury marred his body; it was as if Zhu Feng's earlier onslaught had had absolutely no effect on him.

"How is that possible?!" gasps of disbelief erupted.

"Impossible!" Zhu Feng's pupils abruptly constricted. He hadn't held back earlier, and every single attack had landed on Zhou Yuan's body. Yet, why did each blow seem to vanish, like a stone dropped into the ocean, eliciting no reaction?

Zhou Yuan's expression remained undisturbed. He simply frowned at Zhu Feng and calmly asked, "Did you not eat?"

Zhu Feng's face flushed with shame and rage. With a furious roar, Genesis Qi furiously gathered in his palm. He clenched his fist tightly and unleashed a punch, the fist-wind rolling, accompanied by a muffled thunderous sound.

A punch powerful enough to pulverize rock landed squarely on Zhou Yuan's chest.

Beneath Zhou Yuan's clothes, his chest appeared significantly etherealized, yet simultaneously, purple-gold Profound Python Scales shimmered into view.

The Purple-Golden Profound Python Scales inherently possessed formidable defensive power, and with the Art of Etherealization dissipating a portion of the force, Zhu Feng's full-strength punch couldn't even penetrate Zhou Yuan's defenses.

Consequently, Zhou Yuan's body only swayed faintly before stabilizing.

He stared at Zhu Feng and said, "It seems you really haven't eaten; your strikes are so weak."

But everyone else was utterly dumbfounded...

"His defense is that strong?!" Even Qiao Xiu and Sun Jinglei's pupils contracted. They knew that even they likely couldn't withstand Zhu Feng's full-force attack with their bare bodies and remain completely unharmed.

Zhu Feng's face also registered profound shock. Gazing at Zhou Yuan's body, he suddenly noticed that the latter's chest had become significantly etherealized. He instantly seemed to understand something, and a sharp, horrified cry escaped him.

"You... you've mastered the first layer of the Art of Etherealization?!"