Chapter 236: When Acting in Public

By the mountain stream, Gu Hongyi stood gracefully, her beautiful eyes fixed on its banks.

"Hongyi," a girl in pink beside her asked, "tell me honestly, did you get some rare treasure from your ancestor that allowed this kid to master the first level of the Illusory Void Technique so quickly?" The girl was beautiful, with watery eyes. Her pink attire accentuated the striking curves of her figure, drawing subtle, lingering glances from many male disciples around them, who covertly swallowed.

The girl, Han Qiushui, was also a first-rank disciple from the Saint State. She had a considerable reputation in the outer mountains, though she was still slightly overshadowed by Gu Hongyi.

She and Gu Hongyi were acquainted, so she spoke in a hushed tone.

"Do you believe such rumors?" Gu Hongyi asked, her delicate brows furrowing as she glanced at Han Qiushui.

Han Qiushui chuckled, "I actually think these so-called rumors are quite credible."

Her gaze swept over Zhou Yuan by the stream. While not overtly disdainful, it still carried a hint of the pride inherent to a native Saint State disciple.

Evidently, she, too, couldn't believe that a boy from a remote continent could achieve something even native Saint State disciples couldn't.

Gu Hongyi shook her head, too lazy to say more. "Just watch," she said.

Han Qiushui was somewhat surprised by Gu Hongyi's unwavering belief in Zhou Yuan. She knew how aloof and proud Gu Hongyi was; ordinary disciples rarely caught her attention. Even Lu Feng, despite his repeated attempts, had only ever received a cold, indifferent response.

It was unfathomable to her why Gu Hongyi, a favored daughter of heaven, would place so much trust in a boy from another continent.

"Hongyi," Han Qiushui whispered, "you've been quite close to this Zhou Yuan lately... I hear Lu Feng isn't very happy about it."

Gu Hongyi's brows slightly rose. "Who I'm close to is none of Lu Feng's business," she retorted.

Han Qiushui said, "Are you truly unaware of his intentions?"

Gu Hongyi cast her a sidelong glance. "Did he send you as a go-between?"

Han Qiushui gave an awkward laugh.

"Then tell him," Gu Hongyi said coldly, "he'd best stay out of my affairs, or he'll regret it."

Han Qiushui said helplessly, "I'm just the messenger, don't take it out on me."

Gu Hongyi snorted, then said no more, her gaze returning to the stream.

Han Qiushui grumbled and also looked towards the stream, saying testily, "Fine, fine, I'll see for myself what this braggart is truly capable of, to have even our proud Miss Hongyi so impressed."

"But I certainly hope he isn't all talk, otherwise, things could get ugly today."

"Let's begin."

The moment Zhou Yuan's words fell, countless gazes from both sides of the mountain stream turned towards them, filled with knowing amusement, as if watching a play about to unfold.

Qiao Xiu, Xiao Tianxuan, and others exchanged glances, then all sat down cross-legged by the stream.

"Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, what should we do next?" Qiao Xiu asked. Although he feigned ease, a hint of nervousness was visible in his eyes. If Zhou Yuan failed today, the consequences would be dire.

The scorn of the numerous disciples present alone would be enough to overwhelm him.

Moreover, Zhu Yue had already declared that if Zhou Yuan failed, he would report him to the Hall of Discipline to have him convicted.

This could lead to Zhou Yuan's expulsion from the outer mountains, a truly devastating price.

"Just circulate the Illusory Void Technique as usual," Zhou Yuan said casually, sitting cross-legged on a bluestone.

Upon hearing this, the others said no more, closing their eyes and beginning to circulate the Illusory Void Technique.

Under the gaze of countless eyes, Zhou Yuan drew the Heavenly Yuan Brush from his waist. With a grip of his hand, the brush expanded, its snow-white bristles shooting out and wrapping around the wrists of Qiao Xiu and the others in a dozen strands.

"I will use the bristles as a medium to sense within your bodies," Zhou Yuan's voice reached their ears. "At that time, you only need to release your control over your Genesis Qi, and I will guide it."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yu couldn't help but whisper, "Is this really going to work? What if he messes up and our Genesis Qi goes out of control, damaging our meridians?"

Qiao Xiu hesitated, then gritted his teeth and said, "Don't worry, Junior Brother Zhou Yuan isn't reckless; he knows what's at stake."

Qiao Xiu's reputation was good, so the others could only nod in agreement.

The others said no more, each controlling their Genesis Qi to follow the circulation path of the Illusory Void Technique.

The stream banks once again fell silent.

On both sides of the mountain stream, all eyes watched the scene without blinking.

Only the crisp sound of the flowing stream could be heard by the banks.

Time quietly flowed by amidst the sound of the water. Soon, a full hour had passed... yet there was still no movement by the stream.

Han Qiushui yawned, saying somewhat bored, "Has this guy run out of ideas?"

Gu Hongyi pursed her red lips. "If you haven't cultivated the Illusory Void Technique, then don't talk so much, okay?" she retorted. "Sensing acupoints isn't easy, let alone sensing a dozen people simultaneously. How strong do you think one's spiritual perception needs to be for that?"

Rebuffed by Gu Hongyi, Han Qiushui could only pout in annoyance, glaring at Zhou Yuan. "Then I'll just wait and see how long he can keep up this act!"

Time continued to pass; soon, another hour had gone by.

Faint sounds of impatience began to emanate from both sides of the mountain stream, but only those disciples who had cultivated the Illusory Void Technique truly understood the difficulty involved and thus waited patiently.

Time flowed on, nearing the third hour.

Warm shafts of light descended from the sky, illuminating Zhou Yuan. At that moment, the young man seemed to glow, exceptionally radiant.

And in that very instant, Zhou Yuan's tightly closed eyes abruptly opened.

"Release your Genesis Qi guidance!"

Zhou Yuan's voice reached Qiao Xiu and the others, startling them. Involuntarily, they released their control over the Genesis Qi within their bodies.

In that same instant, they felt an external force guiding their internal Genesis Qi, flowing along their meridians. After about ten breaths, the Genesis Qi suddenly surged forth, fiercely striking specific locations within their bodies.

Boom! Boom!

The moment of impact sent a powerful vibration through Qiao Xiu, Zhou Yu, and the others. Then, to their astonishment, they felt as if something had been unblocked at the points where the Genesis Qi struck...

An acupoint appeared in their perception.

Threads of Genesis Qi began to flow into it.

It had actually been unblocked!

Qiao Xiu and the others all opened their eyes at this moment, their gazes filled with disbelief.

"Haha, it's open! The acupoint has appeared, it's unblocked!" The other disciples couldn't contain their excitement, laughing loudly and gesticulating wildly.

A hubbub erupted on both sides of the mountain stream, and all the disciples were dumbfounded.

"What?! Unblocked? He unblocked acupoints for more than ten people all at once?!" Some disciples who had cultivated the Illusory Void Technique jumped up, their faces aghast. "You've got to be kidding!"

They knew very well how troublesome it was to sense acupoints. Yet, Zhou Yuan had not only helped one person but more than ten people simultaneously. How strong must his perception be to succeed at this?

"No way?"

Han Qiushui's rosy lips parted, and she couldn't help but say, "Are these people just acting along with him?"

After saying it, even she herself found it hard to believe, as such an act would be too easily exposed.

But if it wasn't an act, then it must be real, right?

Han Qiushui gazed at Zhou Yuan, her beautiful eyes shining. She murmured, "This kid... he actually has this ability?!"

The clamor on both sides of the mountain stream was unstoppable. After a long moment of shock, everyone suddenly turned their fervent gazes towards Zhou Yuan.

Zhou Yuan, however, paid no mind to these gazes. He wearily rubbed his brow; sensing for over ten people at once was indeed very taxing on his spirit.

"Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, you're simply too amazing!" Qiao Xiu exclaimed, his face flushed with excitement.

Beside him, the girl named Zhou Yu's red lips moved slightly, the shock still not fully faded from her small face. Clearly, Zhou Yuan's display had stunned her.

Zhou Yuan waved his hand at them, then looked up, his expression calm as he gazed at the countless figures on both sides of the stream. His clear voice rang out.

"After this attempt, I've realized my abilities are still limited," Zhou Yuan announced. "Therefore, I've decided to cap the number of remaining participants at one hundred. Once the slots are full, I will no longer take on more."

The moment Zhou Yuan's words were spoken, silence immediately fell over the surroundings.

Many disciples blinked. Did this mean there were only one hundred slots?

The silence lasted for several breaths. The next moment, chaos erupted.

In the mountain stream, figures suddenly shot down like locusts, rushing towards the banks. At the same time, shouts rang out.

"Me! I'm signing up!"

"I want one too!"

"Brother, save a spot for me!"

Han Qiushui watched the pandemonium by the stream and swallowed. She then turned with a charming smile to Gu Hongyi beside her, cooing, "Hongyi, you're close with Zhou Yuan, can you help me get a spot?"

Gu Hongyi gave her a sidelong glance, then her beautiful eyes drifted downwards to the figure below, a faint smile gracing her red lips.

This guy... he's truly made a name for himself now.