Chapter 257

“You’re asking for it, Zhou Yuan!”

As Lu Feng’s chilling voice rang out, a terrifying surge of Genesis Qi erupted from his body like a storm. The ground beneath his feet cracked, lines spreading across it. Many disciples around them blanched, unable to withstand the pressure of the Genesis Qi, and instinctively retreated. Zhao Kun, Song Wanxi, Qiao Xiu, and others looked at Lu Feng with a trace of fear, clearly understanding the vast difference in their abilities. As the undisputed top disciple of the outer mountains, they held both awe and dread for Lu Feng.

The surrounding disciples all fell back. Only Zhou Yuan remained seated on the cultivation platform, his gaze, sharp as a blade, fixed on Lu Feng.

“What? Finally can’t sit still?” Zhou Yuan said coldly. Inside him, the Profound Serpent Genesis Qi hissed, rushing out from the top of his head and subtly forming a giant python that seemed to glare down at Lu Feng.

Lu Feng’s eyes were dark, filled with a hint of fury. Qin Zhen and his group targeting Zhou Yuan today was clearly at his instigation. His original intention was to suppress Zhou Yuan, causing him to lose all prestige among the non-Holy State disciples. However, he hadn’t expected Zhou Yuan’s actions to be so sharp and decisive. Furthermore, it was the first time he had witnessed Zhou Yuan display his Genesis Rune mastery. Although Zhou Yuan’s Genesis Qi cultivation was only at the first layer of the Alpha Origin Stage, he could engrave Grade 4 Genesis Runes, a level that even ordinary practitioners at the third layer of the Alpha Origin Stage would find difficult to resist. In general, with the aid of Genesis Runes, Zhou Yuan was already beyond the capability of most third-layer Alpha Origin Stage opponents. Now, Zhou Yuan’s lightning-fast strike, using Genesis Runes, caught Qin Zhen completely off guard, subduing him in an instant. This undoubtedly caused Lu Feng to lose face completely. Conversely, Zhou Yuan’s prestige soared. This outcome was the complete opposite of what Lu Feng had intended, so naturally, he could no longer contain himself.

“You arrogant fool, I had planned to save you for the Mountain Selection Ceremony, but since you’re so impatient to jump out now, I’ll let you know today that in my eyes, you’re nothing but a mere clown!” Lu Feng’s cold voice rang out. Inside him, his formidable Genesis Qi grew even more tempestuous, transforming into a raging gale that swirled around his body, forming countless azure wind blades. The blades hissed, tearing through even the air itself. The display was terrifying.

“I’ve also long wanted to see what gives you the right to be called the ‘number one outer mountain disciple’!” Zhou Yuan’s eyes were sharp, his robes rippled, and the Profound Serpent Genesis Qi let out a long roar. Both men’s auras were fierce, clashing against each other, instantly creating a tense, confrontational atmosphere on Genesis Mountain. All the disciples watching this scene were secretly astounded. No one had expected that even when facing someone like Lu Feng, Zhou Yuan would meet him head-on, refusing to back down an inch. Was it possible that today, the two most prominent figures in the outer mountains recently were about to clash directly here? Many disciples watched with wide eyes, a hint of curiosity and anticipation in their gazes.

However, just as Zhou Yuan and Lu Feng’s eyes grew colder, a sudden roar, like a peal of thunder, echoed through the air. It carried a vast amount of Genesis Qi, sweeping down and directly suppressing Zhou Yuan and Lu Feng’s auras. Countless disciples looked up to see a cloud of Genesis Qi approaching, with Chen Yuan standing atop it. Beside him stood a beautiful figure in red, none other than Gu Hongyi. Chen Yuan looked down, frowning as he stared at Zhou Yuan and Lu Feng. “The Mountain Selection Ceremony is approaching. Any grievances you have, resolve them there. Do not fight privately.” In truth, he had long known what would happen today, which was why he had deliberately not come to Genesis Mountain. After all, he didn’t like Zhou Yuan either, and was naturally pleased for Lu Feng to deal with him. However, he hadn’t expected Gu Hongyi to seek him out, forcing him to reluctantly make an appearance. After all, Gu Hongyi had a very influential background, and he didn’t want to offend her.

Chen Yuan’s appearance meant that the conflict between Zhou Yuan and Lu Feng would not have a conclusion. The two exchanged cold glances, then could only withdraw the surging Genesis Qi around them.

“Zhou Yuan, cherish this time well. On the day of the Mountain Selection Ceremony, I will personally cast you into the abyss. Then you will know that in my eyes, you are nothing at all.” Lu Feng stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze chillingly fixed on Zhou Yuan. Their initial animosity had stemmed from Gu Hongyi, but by now, even without her, he would likely consider Zhou Yuan an enemy. This was because Lu Feng had sensed that Zhou Yuan was beginning to pose a threat to his position. Previously, in his eyes, Zhou Yuan was merely an ant, not worth much attention. But later, Lu Feng noticed that Zhou Yuan was rising among the outer mountain disciples at an astonishing speed, his burgeoning talent becoming impossible to conceal. Lu Feng began to feel threatened. He could not tolerate a disciple from another continent challenging his status and authority. He was determined to be the leader of this generation of outer mountain disciples, as this would also determine his future prospects and standing within the Cangxuan Sect. Therefore, he had to crush Zhou Yuan.

Zhou Yuan felt the intense chill in Lu Feng’s eyes but paid it no mind. He smiled faintly and said, “I’ll return that sentiment to you. I hope you don’t lose too badly then, otherwise, it would be truly uninteresting.”

“You think you’re worthy?” Lu Feng’s face was devoid of expression, a hint of disdain playing on his lips.

Zhou Yuan, however, no longer paid him any attention. He looked up and smiled at Gu Hongyi, who stood beside Chen Yuan. He knew that Chen Yuan had likely been brought by Gu Hongyi, who probably also knew that Lu Feng and his group would cause trouble today. As for Chen Yuan, Zhou Yuan merely gave a perfunctory cupped-hand salute, his expression indifferent. Usually, Chen Yuan presided over cultivation sessions on Genesis Mountain, but today, this fellow had conveniently made an excuse not to come. This was clearly intentional; he might even have known about Qin Zhen’s group’s plans to cause trouble for Zhou Yuan today. So, according to Zhou Yuan’s guess, Chen Yuan had deliberately created an opportunity for Qin Zhen and his group. Given this, Zhou Yuan naturally didn’t show much warmth towards Chen Yuan. Chen Yuan also noticed Zhou Yuan’s perfunctory attitude and inwardly snorted, but he ultimately didn’t get angry. Elder Zong Ming’s sudden intervention to help Zhou Yuan last time had clearly made him wary, and he no longer dared to casually seek trouble with Zhou Yuan as before.

“Let’s go.” Zhou Yuan said to Song Wanxi, Zhao Kun, Qiao Xiu, and the others, then turned and headed towards the foot of the mountain. Song Wanxi, Zhao Kun, and the other disciples watched Zhou Yuan’s receding back, a hint of awe in their eyes. Today, Zhou Yuan had effortlessly suppressed Qin Zhen and directly confronted Lu Feng, clearly subduing these usually unruly disciples. Previously, they had not dared to contend with the Holy State native disciples simply because Lu Feng was suppressing them. But now, they also had a Zhou Yuan on their side. Consequently, their fear of Lu Feng diminished. Thinking of this, they exchanged glances, then one by one followed him, gathering behind Zhou Yuan. With them leading, more non-Holy State disciples surged forward like a tide, forming a vast crowd that descended the mountain in a dense mass. That powerful display made the faces of many Holy State native disciples look unnatural. It was clearly the first time they realized that these 'country bumpkin' disciples were not to be trifled with.

Lu Feng watched this formation, his lips twitching involuntarily, his eyes filled with anger. Zhou Yuan’s rising prestige, in a sense, was built upon their humiliation. He hadn’t expected that today, not only did he fail to crush Zhou Yuan, but he actually elevated him, providing these 'country bumpkin' disciples with a pillar of support. Lu Feng took a deep breath, slowly clenching his fingers. His eyes, fixed on Zhou Yuan’s retreating figure, were filled with a cold, piercing light.

“Go ahead and bask in your glory. At the Mountain Selection Ceremony, I will personally make my move and trample you down again! I will make you understand what it means to fall hard after climbing high!”