Chapter 239: Zhu Yue's Tactics

For the next few days, the stream bank in the mountain gorge was exceptionally lively. Hundreds of disciples gathered there punctually every day, drawing many others who came to watch.

Zhou Yuan dedicated some time each day to help everyone open their apertures.

However, due to the large number of participants, even with the aid of his Obstruction-Breaking Sacred Rune, sensing the apertures became significantly more difficult, which naturally slowed down his efficiency.

Nevertheless, he was still able to help disciples open one or two apertures per day.

While Zhou Yuan was slightly dissatisfied with this pace, the disciples undergoing training were overjoyed and immensely satisfied, their faces beaming with excitement and enthusiasm.

After all, it would typically take them several days to open a single aperture during their usual cultivation. Now, with Zhou Yuan's guidance, their progress had dramatically accelerated.

At this rate, Zhou Yuan's promise of achieving a "Lesser Accomplishment" in the Void Transformation Art within a month was certain to be fulfilled.

Consequently, over these days, many disciples looked at Zhou Yuan with increasing fervor, even a growing sense of admiration. Zhou Yuan had, in essence, proven his capabilities to them.

With this newfound confidence, these disciples would, after their daily sessions, boast about their progress in the Void Transformation Art to those who hadn't secured a spot. This, in turn, fueled intense envy and deep regret among the excluded disciples.

If only they had trusted Zhou Yuan sooner, they wouldn't have missed out on securing a place.

At the current rate, it was highly probable that the disciples following Zhou Yuan would master the first level of the Void Transformation Art within a month. At that point, the disparity between them and others would likely become evident.

Some disciples who were previously on par with them might well be surpassed.

The thought of this made many disciples practicing the Void Transformation Art anxious. Coupled with the slow progress and considerable tuition fees at Zhu Yue's lessons, some disciples actually withdrew from his classes. They began saving Origin Jade, anticipating Zhou Yuan's next recruitment.

As a result, although the total number of outer mountain disciples practicing the Void Transformation Art far exceeded one hundred, Zhu Yue's student count dwindled daily. Eventually, only a sparse dozen or so remained, presenting a truly desolate sight.

Consequently, while many lecture halls in the back mountain buzzed with activity, Zhu Yue's remained empty and desolate.

Other inner mountain disciple instructors were secretly alarmed by this sight and committed Zhou Yuan's name to memory. Previously, when a conflict arose between Zhou Yuan and Zhu Yue, they had naturally dismissed an outer mountain disciple's capabilities. Thus, when Zhu Yue sought their assistance, they had unhesitatingly chosen to ostracize Zhou Yuan.

Now, however, that decision seemed rather foolish.

Zhou Yuan was clearly not to be underestimated. Without even a direct confrontation, he had cornered Zhu Yue into such a miserable situation.

As inner mountain disciples, they were well aware that teaching Genesis Arts in the outer mountain was a coveted assignment, one that many inner mountain disciples vied for. Zhu Yue himself had paid a considerable price to secure this position, yet who could have foreseen such an outcome?

"This Zhou Yuan is not someone to provoke..." Many inner mountain disciple instructors observed Zhu Yue's desolate situation and sighed inwardly.

Consequently, during their regular teaching, they would occasionally let slip positive remarks about Zhou Yuan's abilities. Such words, spreading among the disciples, were undoubtedly a gesture of goodwill towards Zhou Yuan, and their previous, so-called boycott quietly disappeared.

Clearly, Zhu Yue's fate had also unnerved them. After all, who knew if Zhou Yuan, besides teaching the Void Transformation Art, might also teach other Genesis Arts?

If they provoked him enough to start teaching the Genesis Arts in *their* areas, Zhu Yue's miserable state would serve as a stark warning.

Inside Zhu Yue's lecture hall.

Zhu Feng stared with an ashen face at the desolate hall. The dozen or so figures within appeared dazed, not at all engaged in cultivation, their minds clearly elsewhere.

"Brother, we can't continue like this, or no one will come here to cultivate," Zhu Feng urged, looking at Zhu Yue, who stood with his hands clasped behind his back.

Zhu Yue's teaching of Genesis Arts was a major source of income, from which he received a significant share. This allowed him to live quite comfortably in the outer mountain, always surrounded by flattering disciples.

Now, with Zhu Yue repeatedly suppressed by Zhou Yuan and his Origin Jade income sharply declining, Zhu Feng had found these past few days rather awkward.

Zhu Yue remained expressionless, showing no outward emotion, but in the depths of his eyes, a furious flame clearly burned. He gazed into the distance, over the mountains, as if envisioning the bustling scene in the gorge.

It was a stark contrast to the desolation around him.

Zhu Yue glanced at Zhu Feng and said blandly, "An outer mountain disciple dares to step on my head? It seems I need to teach him what it means to respect a senior brother and elder."

With that, he strode directly out of the lecture hall.

Zhu Yue descended the back mountain and eventually reached the highest peak of the outer mountain, where he paused before a courtyard located on its mountainside.

In the stone pavilion, Chen Yuan saw Zhu Yue, smiled, and remarked, "It seems you've finally lost your patience."

Zhu Yue bowed with clasped hands, then walked forward. Without a word, he directly produced a large box and placed it on the table. When opened, the box was revealed to be neatly filled with Origin Jade.

"Uncle Master Chen, these two thousand Origin Jade are for you. Please accept them," Zhu Yue said.

Chen Yuan reached out and touched the cool Origin Jade, chuckling, "You certainly know how to handle affairs."

He cast a glance in a certain direction, then shook his head. "These new arrivals are all young and hot-headed, completely oblivious to proper etiquette. They've received so many benefits for free, yet they don't even think to show a bit of respect."

A trace of sarcasm played on his lips.

Zhu Yue smiled. "These youngsters, new to the Cangxuan Sect, don't yet understand their place. They still imagine themselves back on some remote continent, basking in universal praise as prodigies. Naturally, they act without proper decorum."

Chen Yuan nodded, his eyes crinkling in a smile. "What do you propose? That boy, though arrogant, hasn't actually violated any sect rules."

A smile played on Zhu Yue's lips. "While the sect rules don't explicitly deny outer mountain disciples the right to teach, Uncle Master Chen, don't forget there's also a rule stating that only one instructor is needed in the outer mountain for teaching the same Genesis Art."

Chen Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly. "There is such a rule... but that boy is only an outer mountain disciple. Are you planning to use brute force to suppress him? If so, an inner mountain disciple bullying an outer mountain disciple would inevitably invite criticism."

Zhu Yue gave a faint laugh. "If I intended to deal with him that way, I would have crushed him long ago."

He looked at Chen Yuan. "Doesn't this boy boast about his mastery of the Void Transformation Art? I won't compete with him in anything else; only in the Void Transformation Art. Whoever's Void Transformation Art is superior will naturally be the most suitable instructor."

"What do you think, Uncle Master Chen?"

Hearing this, Chen Yuan couldn't help but smile. "Only competing in the Void Transformation Art? You are indeed shrewd."

While it was rumored that Zhou Yuan had achieved the first level of the Void Transformation Art, Zhu Yue had already been cultivating this Genesis Art for two years. Surely, no matter how talented Zhou Yuan was, he couldn't possibly surpass Zhu Yue in less than a month?

Furthermore, by choosing a Genesis Art competition rather than a Genesis Qi one, Zhu Yue avoided any accusations of bullying. Such a challenge would be widely accepted.

"Very well, have it your way," Chen Yuan nodded.

Chen Yuan was somewhat displeased with Zhou Yuan, who had repeatedly stirred up trouble in the outer mountain. More importantly, the young man completely lacked worldly wisdom and showed no deference, so Chen Yuan didn't mind letting him experience the harsh realities of the world.

"I will spread the word," Chen Yuan declared. "In five days, you two will compete in the Void Transformation Art. The victor will become the sole instructor of the Void Transformation Art in the outer mountain."

Upon hearing Chen Yuan's words, a hint of satisfaction finally flickered in Zhu Yue's eyes. He then raised his head, gazing in the direction of the mountain gorge, a cold, mocking glint deep within his gaze.

Zhou Yuan, Zhou Yuan, if you insist on contending with me, I have countless ways to finish you.