Chapter 234: Zhou Yuan's Counterattack

In the mountain stream, when Zhou Yuan finished speaking, everyone stared at him in a daze. The impact of his words was clearly more profound than his recent display of fighting a group by himself. They had never heard of an outer mountain disciple being able to instruct others in cultivating the Void Transformation Art. Moreover, no inner mountain disciple, while teaching the Void Transformation Art, had ever dared to promise that their students could master its first level within a month. Not even Zhu Yue possessed such capability.

So, when Zhou Yuan made his statement, even Qiao Xiu, who stood nearby, was somewhat moved. Although his chosen Origin Art was not the Void Transformation Art, he wouldn't mind changing his specialization if Zhou Yuan could truly help them achieve the first level within a month. After all, they all knew that cultivating minor Heaven Origin Arts was challenging and required significant effort; completing the first level in a month would be exceptionally fast.

Zhu Feng’s face paled, cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and his eyes were filled with alarm. He had not anticipated such a move from Zhou Yuan. Gritting his teeth, he immediately questioned, “Zhou Yuan, as an outer mountain disciple, what right do you have to instruct others?”

Zhou Yuan smiled. “Is there any rule in the Cangxuan Sect that forbids outer mountain disciples from instructing others?”

Zhu Feng froze, his expression fluctuating. He looked at the people beside him, who usually followed his elder brother in cultivating the Void Transformation Art. Their eyes now flickered, clearly showing signs of interest. After all, they were well aware that training under Zhu Yue was not only more costly but also unlikely to result in mastering the first level of the Void Transformation Art within a month. Compared to Zhu Yue, Zhou Yuan clearly offered a better value!

Panicked, Zhu Feng hastily warned, “Don't be swayed by him! Even if he himself can master the first level of the Void Transformation Art, that doesn't mean he can help others achieve it in a month. Gu Hongyi has exceptional talent; can any of you compare to her?” He knew perfectly well that guiding disciples in the outer mountain was a lucrative assignment his elder brother had gone to great lengths to secure, as it was an easy way to earn Origin Jade. If Zhou Yuan meddled, Zhu Yue’s efforts would likely be in vain.

Upon hearing Zhu Feng’s words, the disciples hesitated, as Zhu Yue’s status as an inner mountain disciple still seemed more dependable compared to Zhou Yuan’s. Seeing this, Zhu Feng didn’t dare linger, fearing they might be swayed. He immediately cast a frigid glance at Zhou Yuan and warned, “Zhou Yuan, it’s best to leave some room for retreat in everything. If you insist on teaching the Void Transformation Art, my elder brother will certainly not let this go.” His words were laced with both threat and warning.

Yet, Zhou Yuan’s expression remained unruffled as he calmly retorted, “When you conspired with other instructors to prevent me from learning Origin Arts, did you ever leave me any room for retreat?” Had he not possessed his own methods, Zhu Yue's actions might truly have overwhelmed him. For an ordinary person, such a move could have ruined their entire future. After all, competition within the Cangxuan Sect was extremely fierce; falling behind even a single step could make catching up feel impossible, leaving one’s future prospects bleak.

“Hmph, stubborn fool, then you can just wait for my elder brother’s wrath!” Zhu Feng said icily. “Let’s go!” With a flick of his sleeve, he turned and walked away first, his figure appearing somewhat disheveled. The other disciples hesitated briefly but ultimately decided to follow him.

Zhou Yuan felt no regret at their departure.

“Heh heh, Brother Yuan, are you truly planning to teach other disciples the Void Transformation Art? From what I know, there are at least hundreds of outer mountain disciples practicing it. If they all come to train with you, at three Origin Jades per day, you could earn hundreds of Origin Jades in a single day!” Shen Wanjin’s eyes sparkled, almost drooling. Calculating this, Zhou Yuan would become the wealthiest outer mountain disciple within a month.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuan’s heart skipped a beat. While his initial declaration was merely to retaliate against Zhu Yue, he now realized that this was an incredibly lucrative way to earn Origin Jade! Compared to this, collecting tasks daily from the Miscellaneous Affairs Pavilion seemed like arduous labor. Zhou Yuan’s eyes also subtly intensified with fervor. If just one-third of the disciples practicing the Void Transformation Art came to him for instruction, it would be enough to make him rich. With these Origin Jades, he could acquire the "Nine Dragons Scripture" and even obtain certain treasures he had previously admired in the Linlang Pavilion.

“You seem quite knowledgeable,” Zhou Yuan said, looking at Shen Wanjin with a smile. “Are you interested in helping me with this venture?”

Shen Wanjin patted his chest, his eyes gleaming. “Brother Yuan, you’ve come to the right person. I excel at this kind of thing. I’ll help you spread the word, especially among disciples who are practicing the Void Transformation Art. With your guarantee of achieving the first level of the Void Transformation Art within a month, I imagine many disciples will be keen. Moreover, your own success, combined with the endorsement of the renowned Sister Hongyi, should gradually alleviate any concerns other disciples might have. If we proceed step by step, I guarantee that Zhu Yue will ultimately have no one left to teach!”

Hearing his detailed plans, Zhou Yuan chuckled; having Shen Wanjin’s help would save him considerable trouble.

“Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, can you truly enable other disciples to master the first level of the Void Transformation Art within a month?” Qiao Xiu asked, his eyes burning with eagerness.

Zhou Yuan thought for a moment. “Achieving it within a month shouldn't be a major issue, but I can only guarantee the first level. I can’t promise anything beyond that.” Sensing later acupoints becomes increasingly difficult, so Zhou Yuan had no intention of dedicating all his energy to helping others with this; if he did, he wouldn't have time for his own cultivation.

Qiao Xiu was astonished, then chuckled, “In that case, I’ll also go and acquire a Void Transformation Art later.” As a popular choice among outer mountain disciples when selecting Origin Arts, Qiao Xiu naturally understood the power of the Void Transformation Art. However, he also knew that sensing acupoints with this technique was extremely difficult, which was why he had temporarily abandoned it.

Zhou Yuan smiled. “You can all learn it for free when the time comes.” Qiao Xiu was a decent person, and Zhou Yuan liked him, so he naturally didn’t mind helping them. Hearing this, Qiao Xiu didn’t demur and simply smiled. “Thank you in advance, then.” Cultivating Origin Arts required a significant amount of Origin Jade, so he saw no reason to act ostentatiously; saving money whenever possible was prudent.

“However, once this news spreads, I suspect Junior Brother Zhou Yuan will become the most renowned figure among outer mountain disciples,” Qiao Xiu remarked. Indeed, such a development was unprecedented. “Also, Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, you should be wary of Zhu Yue. Your actions have cut off his income, and I doubt he’ll let it pass,” Qiao Xiu added, his expression turning serious as he thought of Zhu Yue. Regardless, Zhu Yue was an inner mountain disciple, holding higher status and power than any of them.

Zhou Yuan nodded with a smile. He wasn’t particularly concerned about Zhu Yue; if the man truly lost his temper and attacked him directly, Zhou Yuan would simply… unceremoniously unleash Tun Tun.

Qiao Xiu and Shen Wanjin chatted for a while longer before departing. As they left, their eyes sparkled with excitement, clearly anticipating the significant stir Zhou Yuan’s announcement to teach the Void Transformation Art would create in the outer mountain.

“Your ambition isn’t small… if you pull this off, I wonder how much Origin Jade you’ll acquire?” Gu Hongyi watched them leave, then raised her beautiful face and said to Zhou Yuan with a knowing smile.

“Who told them to constantly target me for no reason?” Zhou Yuan shrugged. He wouldn’t have been so drastic if Zhu Yue hadn’t been so aggressive.

“You’re only teaching the first level of the Void Transformation Art?” Gu Hongyi’s tone suddenly shifted.

Zhou Yuan smiled. “It becomes too difficult after that, and I can’t offer much assistance; they’ll have to rely on themselves.”

Gu Hongyi’s rosy lips curved slightly. “I don’t think it’s that you can’t do it; it’s that you don’t want to, isn’t it?”

Zhou Yuan raised an eyebrow. This woman’s intuition was frighteningly sharp. Seeing Zhou Yuan remain silent, Gu Hongyi’s smile deepened. She whispered, “It seems you’re conceding. In that case, teach me up to the second level as well!”

Zhou Yuan shook his head. “No.” The effort required for the second level was clearly far greater than for the first.

Seeing Zhou Yuan’s swift refusal, Gu Hongyi’s beautiful face seemed to grow more captivating. She leaned closer to him, her breath like orchids, whispering with a soft, tingling sensation near his ear. “Zhou Yuan, my ancestor is the Peak Master of Hongya Peak in the Cangxuan Sect, you know. If I tell him you bullied me, what do you think will happen?”

The smile on Zhou Yuan’s lips stiffened slightly. He hadn’t expected Gu Hongyi’s backing to be one of the Cangxuan Sect’s seven Peak Masters—that was an incredibly powerful connection! “Isn’t that a bit unreasonable?” Zhou Yuan chuckled dryly.

Gu Hongyi blinked her beautiful eyes. “Are you foolish, arguing with a girl?” she said softly.

Zhou Yuan asked, “Then, may I inquire what I would gain?”

Gu Hongyi tilted her head in thought, then smiled sweetly. “You would gain an increase in Gu Hongyi’s favor.”

Zhou Yuan was speechless.

Though he nearly spat blood, he ultimately gritted his teeth and declared bitterly, “You win!”