Chapter 263: Shock

The air in the Fragrant Hundred Pavilion was thick with the scent of wine, yet the entire building was utterly silent.

Lu Feng, Yang Xiu, Qin Zhen, and the others watched in horror as Lu Xuanyin was bound before their eyes. Wine cups slowly slipped from their hands, shattering on the floor.

No one had expected Lu Xuanyin to lose!

"How is this possible?!" Lu Feng muttered in disbelief, his face paling.

The others stared at Yao Yao as if they had seen a ghost, filled with dread. Lu Xuanyin was an Inner Mountain Golden Belt disciple, possessing the strength of the Sixth Layer of the Taiyuan Realm!

Such power was enough to overwhelm any Outer Mountain disciple; even Lu Feng was far beneath her.

Yet, who could have imagined that Lu Xuanyin, a master of the Sixth Layer of the Taiyuan Realm, would be subdued so easily by Yao Yao?!

Just how unfathomable was Yao Yao's strength?

While Lu Feng's group was struck with awe and fear, Zhou Yuan's companions—Zhao Kun, Song Wanxi, and others—also had astonished expressions. Some even rubbed their eyes, thinking they were hallucinating.

"Junior Sister Yao Yao is truly terrifying..." Zhao Kun swallowed hard. After entering the Cangxuan Sect's Outer Mountain, Yao Yao had rarely taken action, so no one knew the extent of her power. But her display today was absolutely hair-raising.

As both groups were shaken by this outcome, Lu Xuanyin, bound in mid-air, was nearly overcome with shame and indignation. She struggled wildly, her Genesis Qi surging forth continuously, attempting to break free from the water snakes.

However, these water snakes, formed by Genesis Runes, were clearly extraordinary; they even had the ability to seal spiritual power. For a time, Lu Xuanyin was unable to break free.

"Do you admit defeat?" Yao Yao asked calmly, observing Lu Xuanyin's continued struggles.

Lu Xuanyin gritted her teeth, glaring intently at Yao Yao.

"If you don't admit defeat, then remain like this," Yao Yao said. "The Genesis Runes will dissipate on their own after three hours."

Lu Xuanyin's expression changed. If she were to remain suspended there for three hours, she would completely lose face. When the news reached the Inner Mountain, she would be a laughingstock.

She gritted her teeth, and finally, suppressing her shame and indignation, she said in a trembling voice, "I... I admit defeat!"

Yao Yao lightly flicked her slender, jade-like fingers, and the water snakes binding Lu Xuanyin's limbs immediately dissipated. Lu Xuanyin dropped down, landing somewhat unsteadily on the ground.

The moment she landed, a cold glint appeared in Lu Xuanyin's eyes. Her hand once again gripped her Qingfeng longsword, and a hint of murderous intent even emerged from her body.

However, when Yao Yao's cool gaze fell upon her, Lu Xuanyin's body trembled slightly, and she felt a trace of fear. In her perception, if she were to make another move, this unfathomable girl would likely show no more mercy.

"Who exactly are you?!" Lu Xuanyin gritted her teeth and demanded.

She truly couldn't imagine that with Yao Yao's Genesis Rune attainments, she would merely be an Outer Mountain disciple. Such strength would make her an outstanding talent even among the disciples of Spirit Rune Peak.

Yao Yao glanced at her and said, "What business does an Inner Mountain disciple have interfering in a dispute among Outer Mountain disciples?"

Lu Xuanyin said with an unpleasant expression, "Don't get too smug. I'll remember what happened today, and there will be a time for me to get my revenge!"

"Anytime," Yao Yao said casually. "Just remember, everything has a price. If you annoy me next time, it might not just be a brief suspension."

Lu Xuanyin's face flushed crimson with anger. Knowing she had lost all face and had no reason to stay, she stomped her foot, losing all appetite. Coldly, she told Lu Feng and the others, "Let's go!"

Lu Feng and the others rose in silence, their expressions grim.

Lu Feng, in particular, kept glancing at Yao Yao, his eyes clouded. The astonishing strength she displayed made him extremely awkward. He had previously thought Zhou Yuan was his opponent for the Selection Ceremony, but now it seemed that this Zhou Xiaoyao was the truly unfathomable one.

Facing her, even someone as arrogant as Lu Feng had no confidence whatsoever.

With her present, how could they possibly compete in tomorrow's Selection Ceremony?

Lu Xuanyin also noticed his expression and could only helplessly say, "With her here, you can forget about competing for first place."

If even she was no match for Yao Yao, what chance did Lu Feng have?

Yao Yao's bright eyes swept over them, pausing on Lu Xuanyin, and she said calmly, "You don't need to provoke me. Rest assured, in tomorrow's Selection Ceremony, I will only take one of the top ten spots. I have no interest in the so-called first place."

"And I will not interfere in the struggle between Zhou Yuan and him."

"If he wins, that will be due to his own ability. And if Zhou Yuan loses, it will mean his ability is insufficient."

Yao Yao naturally knew about the conflict between Zhou Yuan and Lu Feng. However, she did not intend to interfere in any way, because she understood that the path of cultivation was inherently fraught with difficulties, and to reach the end, one must rely solely on one's own strength.

Lu Feng posed a threat to Zhou Yuan, but he would also stimulate Zhou Yuan's potential.

If she were to sweep away every danger for him, Zhou Yuan might ultimately become useless. Yao Yao was exceptionally intelligent and naturally would not do such a thing.

A young eagle that only knows how to cower under the protection of its nest will never become a ruler of the skies. Only by constantly battling strong enemies can it continuously unleash its potential and eventually soar through the nine heavens.

Yao Yao had taken action against Lu Xuanyin because the latter had not adhered to the rules.

But she would not intervene in the struggle between Zhou Yuan and Lu Feng to help clear this obstacle, because doing so would not benefit Zhou Yuan in the slightest.

As soon as Yao Yao spoke these words, both Lu Xuanyin and Lu Feng were stunned. Then, Lu Xuanyin's eyes widened with delight, and she asked, "Are you truly serious?!"

Yao Yao calmly glanced at them. Though she didn't speak, her meaning was clear.

Lu Xuanyin sneered, "Since you are so arrogant, very well. In tomorrow's Selection Ceremony, I will let you see with your own eyes how Lu Feng crushes him! Don't you dare regret it then."

"Lu Feng will settle today's score with him tomorrow!"

"Let's go."

After speaking, she did not linger and was the first to leave the Fragrant Hundred Pavilion.

Lu Xuanyin knew she couldn't defeat Yao Yao. Since that was the case, she would let Lu Feng get full revenge on Zhou Yuan tomorrow.

Lu Feng and the others quickly followed, but it was clear that his tense body had relaxed. As he left, his gaze towards Zhou Yuan carried a hint of amusement.

Evidently, his pressure drastically reduced after confirming that Yao Yao would not contend for first place in the Selection Ceremony.

Watching Lu Feng and the others leave, Zhao Kun, Song Wanxi, and the others felt a sense of regret. If Yao Yao were to intervene tomorrow, she would surely be able to completely suppress these local Shengzhou disciples.

However, Yao Yao paid no attention to their regrets. She simply turned her bright eyes to Zhou Yuan and asked, "Are you disappointed that I'm not helping you clear your troubles?"

Zhou Yuan heard this, and a smile appeared on his young face. He chuckled softly and said, "If you really did that, then this Selection Ceremony would be rather boring."

"Don't worry, I understand what you mean," he said. "What I want, I will obtain through my own efforts."

"And besides..."

"No one can take that first place from me."

Looking at Zhou Yuan, whose eyes shone with confidence, Yao Yao felt a slight sense of relief. At least Zhou Yuan understood her thoughtful intentions. Her rosy lips curved slightly, forming a faint arc.

That faint smile, stunning to behold, immediately caused many of the young people present to stare in a daze.

However, that smile was fleeting. Yao Yao stroked Tun Tun in her arms, her eyes gazing in the direction Lu Xuanyin and Lu Feng had left. For the first time, she felt a slight interest in the upcoming Selection Ceremony tomorrow.

"If you want to get your revenge from Zhou Yuan... it probably won't be as easy as you think..."