Chapter 248: 瓜分名额

As Lu Feng departed, the tense atmosphere on the mountain path dissipated, and the turbulent Genesis Qi gradually calmed.

Gu Hongyi glided to Zhou Yuan's side. Watching Lu Feng leave, she bit her red lips gently, her eyes turning to Zhou Yuan with a hint of apology. She knew full well that Lu Feng's actions against Zhou Yuan were entirely because of her. Had she not been cultivating the Art of Illusory Transformation with Zhou Yuan, Lu Feng wouldn't have harbored hostility towards him.

Zhou Yuan smiled at Gu Hongyi, waved his hand, and said, "His personality and mine simply don't get along. Even without you, conflicts would likely be inevitable between us in the future." Lu Feng was too arrogant, seemingly indifferent but in reality looking down on everyone, especially disciples from other continents. Many disciples would adopt a humble posture when encountering Lu Feng, something Zhou Yuan couldn't do. Although he didn't actively seek trouble, it was undeniable that Zhou Yuan possessed his own sharp edge. And once Zhou Yuan and Lu Feng had any interaction, they would clash like needle points, making each other uncomfortable. Therefore, in Zhou Yuan's view, even without Gu Hongyi, disputes between him and Lu Feng would easily arise.

Gu Hongyi, however, merely took it as Zhou Yuan comforting her. She said, "Don't worry, even though Lu Feng has some backing, if he dares to use it against you, I won't stand idly by."

Zhou Yuan chuckled, "He only said that to try and intimidate me. With his arrogant nature, resorting to using his connections just to deal with someone like me would be a humiliation to him."

Gu Hongyi nodded slightly. She hesitated for a moment before asking, "Then... can I still cultivate the Art of Illusory Transformation with you?" She didn't want to cause too much trouble for others, but without Zhou Yuan's help, it would clearly take her a significant amount of time to master the second stage of the Art of Illusory Transformation, which would consume much of her energy.

Zhou Yuan let out a light laugh. "I said just now, as long as you come, I will teach you. No one can change my mind." He indeed harbored thoughts of befriending Gu Hongyi, as when one is away from home, it's not good to only make enemies; friends are equally essential.

Gu Hongyi's eyes glowed with delight. Zhou Yuan continuing to teach her was undoubtedly a direct disregard of Lu Feng's pressure. From a certain perspective, it meant Zhou Yuan had chosen her over Lu Feng. However, she also couldn't let Zhou Yuan bear Lu Feng's pressure alone.

"Zhou Yuan, if Lu Feng tries to cause you trouble using any means, you can come to me, and I'll deal with him," Gu Hongyi said.

Zhou Yuan merely gave an noncommittal smile at her words. "As long as he doesn't shamelessly resort to pulling strings, I'll take whatever he throws at me. I also want to see just how capable our top outer mountain disciple truly is." Though his voice was calm, a faint chill lay deep within it, indicating that Lu Feng's actions today had indeed somewhat angered him.

Hearing the implied challenge in Zhou Yuan's words, Gu Hongyi immediately became anxious and quickly warned, "Don't underestimate him. Lu Feng is very strong, and his influence among the native disciples of Shengzhou is extremely high."

"Don't worry, I won't underestimate anyone. While Lu Feng isn't weak, if he thinks of me, Zhou Yuan, as a pushover, he might just break his teeth..." Zhou Yuan waved his hand, said no more, and leisurely walked down the mountain path.

Watching his retreating figure, Gu Hongyi bit her silver teeth and muttered, "At a time like this, why bother trying to look cool..." She then turned her head, looking in the direction Lu Feng had departed, a cold glint flashing in her eyes. "Lu Feng, don't push your luck too far. You know my temper, Gu Hongyi..."

Night enveloped the outer mountains.

Inside a small building, many figures were gathered, and among the crowd, the most conspicuous was Lu Feng, dressed in white. Lu Feng sat in the center, and the gazes directed at him from around were all tinged with reverence. As the unshakeable top disciple of the outer mountains, Lu Feng's prestige among the outer disciples was clearly immense. The dozens of disciples present were all first-rank disciples, and all of them were native to Shengzhou. They were considered the elite of this generation of outer mountain disciples, and when gathered, they formed the strongest force among them. Any outer mountain disciple team would have to give way to their power.

"Old Lu, it's rare for you to invite us out today; there must be something going on, right?" Yang Xiu said with a smile. He was the only one there who could address Lu Feng so familiarly. After all, although his talent was slightly inferior to Lu Feng's, it was by no means weak, and his family, the Yang clan, was not a minor power on the Shengzhou continent.

"If Brother Lu needs anything, just say the word." On one side, a young man with somewhat fierce eyebrows smiled. This person, Qin Zhen, was also highly renowned among outer mountain disciples, reportedly ranking sixth among the top ten. If one were to scan the room, they would be surprised to find that nearly half of the top ten outer mountain disciples were present. The other disciples echoed their agreement upon hearing this.

Lu Feng smiled faintly, raising a hand to quiet the room. Silence immediately fell. He scanned the gathering and said, "There's just over a month left until the Mountain Selection Ceremony." Everyone's expressions subtly hardened. They clearly understood the immense importance of the Mountain Selection Ceremony, as it concerned their future within the Cangxuan Sect.

"I've heard that for this Mountain Selection Ceremony, the first-place winner will receive a reward from the sect: not only a Heaven Genesis Art but also an exceptional 'Essence Marrow Baptism' as an additional boon."

Upon hearing Lu Feng's words, the surroundings immediately erupted in an uproar, and everyone's eyes burned with eagerness. "An Essence Marrow Baptism?" Yang Xiu also exclaimed in admiration, saying, "It's said that this Essence Marrow Baptism is exclusive to purple-sash disciples; it's extremely precious." Upon hearing Yang Xiu's remark, the other disciples who weren't familiar with it couldn't help but lick their lips. Purple-sash disciples—those were the highest-ranking disciples in the inner mountains.

"But first place can only go to Brother Lu," someone lamented. Although they coveted the first-place reward, they all knew that with Lu Feng present, no one could possibly compete with him.

Lu Feng smiled and said, "Aside from the first place, simply making it into the top ten will grant you direct entry as an inner mountain golden-sash disciple. In time, as you become a purple-sash disciple, you'll also be able to experience that so-called Essence Marrow Baptism."

The young man named Qin Zhen stroked his chin and said, "However, competition for the top ten spots is fierce. This generation of outer mountain disciples has also produced some notable figures."

"Indeed, some of those bumpkins from other continents are quite strong," someone echoed.

Lu Feng said, "The reason I've gathered everyone today is precisely for this matter." He looked around at everyone and said, "The Mountain Selection Ceremony will be fiercely competitive, so I intend to finalize the top ten spots before the ceremony, to avoid chaotic infighting then."

Everyone exchanged glances, clearly not understanding his meaning. After all, what authority did they, as disciples, have to decide the top ten spots? "Are we qualified to determine the top ten spots?" someone asked uncertainly.

"Whoever has the strongest fist is qualified," Lu Feng said with a faint smile. "Out of the ten top-ten spots, we, the native disciples of Shengzhou, will take eight. The remaining two can be left for those from other continents to contend for."

Everyone's eyes lit up. If they, the native disciples of Shengzhou, could secure eight spots, it would undoubtedly be great news for them. However, eight seemed like quite a lot.

"Will the disciples from other continents agree?" Qin Zhen couldn't help but ask. It was true that disciples from other continents were more numerous; although their individual quality might not match theirs, it wouldn't be easy if so many of them had to compete for only two top-ten spots.

"If anyone disagrees, they can come tell me," Lu Feng said with a slight smile.

"Brother Lu is as domineering as ever!" The others enthusiastically gave thumbs up. It was clear that Lu Feng intended to forcefully secure eight spots for them, the native disciples of Shengzhou.

"Since an agreement has been reached, then during the Mountain Selection Ceremony, if anyone doesn't play by the rules, we'll simply have to expel them..." Lu Feng's eyes narrowed slightly as he spoke.

The many native Shengzhou disciples exchanged glances and all declared, "We will all follow Brother Lu's lead."

Lu Feng nodded lightly, then casually added, "Furthermore, if those disciples from other continents have any objections, let them know that all of this was provoked by Zhou Yuan." His move was undoubtedly intended to force the disciples from other continents to resent Zhou Yuan.

Only then did the many disciples realize, so it was Zhou Yuan who had provoked Brother Lu... "Don't worry, Brother Lu. That kid has been getting too much attention lately. It's time he learned who truly calls the shots in these outer mountains..."

Watching the indignant crowd, Lu Feng smiled, then raised his head, his eyes coldly fixed on the distant mountain gorge. "Zhou Yuan, oh Zhou Yuan, see? With just a few simple tricks, I can make you an enemy everywhere you turn..."

"I hear you want to enter the top ten of the Mountain Selection Ceremony?"

"Heh heh, if that's the case, then you'll only be able to compete for those two spots reserved for disciples from other continents. I hope you don't get drowned in criticism..."

"As for the other eight, if you dare to touch them, I won't even need to lift a finger. These Shengzhou disciples will beat you bloody..."