Chapter 261: Playing What

Time slipped away, and before they knew it, a month had almost passed. Only one day remained until the Grand Mountain Selection Ceremony.

The atmosphere in the Outer Mountain was extremely tense. Many disciples wore solemn expressions, their eyes betraying a hidden nervousness, for they all understood the immense importance of tomorrow's Grand Mountain Selection Ceremony. It was truly a make-or-break moment, a chance to become a dragon or remain a worm.

In the brief three months since arriving at the Cangxuan Sect's Outer Mountain, they had already profoundly experienced the sect's immensity. The cultivation resources available were vastly superior to anything their former dynasties or families could offer. If the Outer Mountain alone offered so much, what would it be like to become an Inner Mountain disciple? They all knew that only within these walls could they truly embark on the grand path of cultivation. The imminent Grand Mountain Selection Ceremony was their first major hurdle to truly entering the Cangxuan Sect. Only by passing this trial could they be considered to have genuinely "leapt over the Dragon Gate."

In the mountain valley, as the day's training concluded, Zhou Yuan's gaze swept over everyone. "Everyone," he announced, "tomorrow is the Grand Mountain Selection Ceremony. Our future hinges on this day."

Below him, Song Wanxi, Qiao Xiu, Zhao Kun, and many other disciples also looked solemn, their gazes at Zhou Yuan tinged with respect. Over the past month, Zhou Yuan had indeed fulfilled his promise, guiding them in Genesis Arts and significantly boosting their strength.

"Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, we will not lightly forget the guidance you've given us this past month," Song Wanxi said sincerely, looking at Zhou Yuan. "In the future, if you ever need anything, just say the word, and we will certainly do our utmost to help."

Even the normally arrogant Zhao Kun nodded seriously. "I, Zhao Kun, rarely respect anyone," he stated, "but you, Little Brother Yuan, are the first. If you enter the Inner Mountain later and ever need anything, I, Zhao Kun, will never hesitate."

The other disciples also voiced their appreciation, making it clear they were truly grateful to Zhou Yuan. After all, if he hadn't stepped forward, they likely wouldn't have dared to challenge the local Shengzhou disciples led by Lu Feng. Moreover, Zhou Yuan had dedicated a significant amount of time to guiding them, truly showing his dedication to their improvement.

Hearing this, Qiao Xiu laughed. "Little Brother Yuan, once you enter the Inner Mountain, your future will surely be boundless! It won't be long before you become a pillar of the sect. At that point, who knows, you might even take a seat on the 'Saint Son List.' What could any of you possibly do to help then?"

His somewhat irritating remarks immediately drew playful scolds and laughter, yet the atmosphere became much livelier.

Zhou Yuan waved his hand with a smile. "Helping you this time was also a strategic move to counter Lu Feng and his group at the Grand Mountain Selection Ceremony," he explained. "It's a mutually beneficial arrangement." Although he wasn't afraid of Lu Feng, the opposing side had strength in numbers. If they resorted to underhanded tactics, it could cause him significant trouble. That was why he had brought Song Wanxi, Zhao Kun, and the others together; he admitted it was for his own strategic reasons. However, Song Wanxi and the others simply smiled. Regardless of Zhou Yuan's initial intentions, they had, at the very least, benefited from him, and that was enough.

"Tomorrow is the Grand Mountain Selection Ceremony," Zhou Yuan said, rising with a smile. "After such long, arduous training, it's time to relax a bit. Come on, dinner at the Hundred Fragrances Pavilion is on me tonight!"

These words immediately sparked a chorus of cheers, and joy lit up the faces of many disciples. The Hundred Fragrances Pavilion was known to be expensive, and these disciples, unlike the local Shengzhou ones, didn't have deep pockets. Most could only gaze longingly from outside, their purses too empty to enter. They never expected Zhou Yuan to help them fulfill this long-held desire today.

So, a large group, creating quite a stir, exited the mountain valley and headed straight for the Hundred Fragrances Pavilion, making for a truly lively scene. However, the moment they stepped into the Hundred Fragrances Pavilion, the joy on their faces froze. They saw many figures already gathered inside; upon closer inspection, they recognized Lu Feng and numerous elite local disciples from Shengzhou among them.

At the same time, Lu Feng, Yang Xiu, Qin Zhen, and the others had already spotted them. Qin Zhen was the first to speak, a sneer in his voice. "Oh, look! You actually have the audacity to come to the Hundred Fragrances Pavilion?"

Hearing these taunts, Zhao Kun and the others immediately bristled with anger.

"If you can come, why can't we?" Zhou Yuan stepped forward, giving Qin Zhen an indifferent glance. That glance made Qin Zhen tremble slightly. Recalling the previous incident where Zhou Yuan had suppressed him, his face immediately darkened, but he dared not utter a word.

Zhou Yuan paid him no further mind, simply looking at Song Wanxi and the others. "Go on in," he instructed. Although the presence of these individuals made them uncomfortable, retreating now would only fuel the others' arrogant demeanor. So, led by Zhou Yuan, everyone streamed into the Hundred Fragrances Pavilion, found tables opposite Lu Feng and the other local Shengzhou disciples, and sat down.

The two groups faced each other, and the atmosphere within the Hundred Fragrances Pavilion grew peculiar. Lu Feng's gaze chilled slightly, meeting Zhou Yuan's eyes, and sparks seemed to fly between them.

Just as the strange, tense atmosphere lingered, the sharp clink of a wine cup hitting a table suddenly broke the silence. Zhao Kun and the others looked in that direction, their expressions subtly shifting. Only then did they notice a woman in a dark dress sitting beside Lu Feng. She was pretty, but her eyes were filled with cold arrogance. Particularly striking was the exquisite golden sash wrapped around her slender waist.

Lu Xuanyin, an Inner Mountain Golden Sash Disciple.

"Since when can just anyone enter this Hundred Fragrances Pavilion?" Lu Xuanyin's pretty face remained expressionless, her eyes fixed on her wine cup. "It's truly ruining my appetite," her cold voice echoed through the pavilion.

Zhao Kun, Qiao Xiu, and the others flushed red upon hearing these clearly targeted words, their eyes blazing with anger. However, deterred by Lu Xuanyin's status as an Inner Mountain Golden Sash Disciple, they dared not retort for a moment.

"Since when can the rules of the Hundred Fragrances Pavilion be dictated by a Golden Sash Disciple?" Zhou Yuan asked calmly, his eyes unwavering.

Hearing Zhou Yuan dare to talk back, Lu Xuanyin's eyes turned frigid. "As expected of Outer Mountain disciples," she sneered, "utterly lacking in manners." She then looked at the manager in the hall. "Manager Liu," she stated, "I've reserved the Hundred Fragrances Pavilion for today. Please ask these eyesores to leave; I wouldn't want my mood to be spoiled."

Manager Liu, the middle-aged man, inwardly groaned. He knew Lu Xuanyin's identity and that she was highly favored on Sword Peak—not someone a mere Hundred Fragrances Pavilion manager could afford to offend. He could only turn his gaze apologetically toward Zhou Yuan and the others.

Zhou Yuan frowned slightly, staring at Manager Liu. "I wasn't aware the Hundred Fragrances Pavilion could just kick out other disciples," he stated.

Manager Liu could only offer a wry smile.

Lu Xuanyin suddenly stood up, crossing her arms over her chest. Her eyes glinted with mockery as she looked at Zhou Yuan and the others. "Don't say your Senior Sister is being unreasonable," she said playfully. "If you truly wish to stay, that's fine. As long as someone can withstand one of my sword strikes, I'll pay for all your expenses at the Hundred Fragrances Pavilion today. But if you don't have the guts," she added, her tone turning to a cold reprimand, "then get out now and don't ruin my appetite."

Zhao Kun and the others' faces all fell grim. Lu Xuanyin was an Inner Mountain Golden Sash Disciple, her strength far exceeding that of Outer Mountain disciples like them. Her single sword strike would likely be difficult to withstand even for someone at the Fourth Layer of the Genesis Realm. Lu Feng watched the scene with a smile, inwardly praising Lu Xuanyin. Her move was cunning: if they dared to accept, one sword strike would cripple them. If they didn't, it would be a significant blow to the morale of these "country bumpkin" disciples, making it difficult for them to perform at their best in tomorrow's Grand Mountain Selection Ceremony.

Zhou Yuan's eyes were also grim. This Lu Xuanyin was truly malicious; seeing that the Grand Mountain Selection Ceremony was tomorrow, she still went to such lengths to try and demoralize everyone. As for taking one of Lu Xuanyin's sword strikes, he might be able to withstand it, but he had no intention of taking that risk here, knowing she was likely setting a trap for him. However, Zhou Yuan's expression remained calm.

"Little Brother Yuan, what should we do?" Qiao Xiu whispered.

Zhou Yuan's face was impassive. "Wait," he said.

"Wait?" Qiao Xiu was momentarily stunned, completely at a loss.

"What's wrong?" Lu Xuanyin sneered, looking at everyone. "You were all so smug earlier; why are you acting like scared turtles now?" The local Shengzhou disciples immediately burst into laughter.

Zhao Kun and the others were on tenterhooks, their faces alternating between pale and flushed as they looked at Zhou Yuan. Just as they waited for Zhou Yuan's decision, a slightly lazy, indifferent whisper suddenly echoed from the main entrance of the Hundred Fragrances Pavilion.

"Is it you who wants to play?"

The Hundred Fragrances Pavilion fell silent. The next instant, all eyes converged on the main entrance. There, a stunning figure stood gracefully, a small beast cradled in her arms. Her dark hair cascaded down, and her clear eyes held an indifferent aloofness, as if uncaring of everything. Moonlight streamed down, making her appear like a fairy from the moon palace. Even Lu Xuanyin seemed to lose all her color in her presence.

She raised her clear eyes, looking at Lu Xuanyin, whose pretty face had slightly stiffened, and her indifferent voice echoed once more.

"Play what? I'll play with you instead."