Chapter 264: Grand Ceremony Arrives

The next day, as dawn approached, cool morning light poured down, gradually dispelling the darkness that enveloped the land.

The outer mountain, silent all night, seemed to awaken suddenly, erupting into a tremendous fervor, like cold water dropped into a hot oil pan. The clamor instantly shattered the tranquility.

A boiling fighting spirit permeated the entire outer mountain.

This was simply because today was the Mountain Selection Ceremony.

Many disciples had arrived from various continents within the Cangxuan Heaven. After three months of cultivation, they had gradually adapted to the Cangxuan Sect and begun to experience the cultivation resources available there. Here, they could see the path of cultivation laid out before them. If they could successfully enter the inner sect, they might, in the future, have the chance to stand proudly in this world, surpassing all others and becoming true dragons among men.

However, to gain entry, today's Mountain Selection Ceremony presented the biggest obstacle. Only by passing this event could they truly enter the inner mountain and access the grand path of cultivation. Therefore, for the past three months, all disciples had been cultivating diligently, doing everything to improve their strength, all for the sake of being able to display their abilities today and make a significant breakthrough. Thus, when the fighting spirit, suppressed for three months, finally erupted, the Genesis Qi throughout the outer mountain seemed to be stirred, becoming turbulent and surging.

The Mountain Selection Ceremony, awaited for three full months, had finally arrived.

"All disciples, heed my command! Prepare immediately and follow me to the Mountain Selection Ceremony grounds!"

A powerful voice, carried by surging Genesis Qi, resounded like a peal of thunder throughout every corner of the outer mountain.

Countless disciples streamed out. Looking up, they saw Chen Yuan standing on a cloud of Genesis Qi high in the sky. Behind him, two elderly figures stood with their hands behind their backs; one of them was Elder Zong Ming.

No sooner had Chen Yuan's voice fallen than countless streaks of light shot out from the outer mountain, creating a bustling spectacle.

From the small building in the mountains, Zhou Yuan and Yaoyao also emerged. Zhou Yuan gazed at the bustling world and felt his blood grow a little hot. He too had been looking forward to this Mountain Selection Ceremony for three months.

"Let's go." He glanced at Yaoyao, and Genesis Qi surged beneath his feet, carrying both of them as they rose into the sky.

As the two of them ascended, a cloud of Genesis Qi also rose not far away, upon which stood Gu Hongyi. She saw Zhou Yuan and Yaoyao, and her gaze lingered on Yaoyao for a moment.

"Regarding what happened last night, I heard Lu Xuanyin was quite furious," Gu Hongyi said, looking at Zhou Yuan. "At today's Mountain Selection Ceremony, Lu Feng likely won't let you off lightly."

It seemed she was already well aware of what had happened last night. She also knew that Yaoyao would not interfere in the fight between Zhou Yuan and Lu Feng. If that were the case, Lu Feng would certainly blame Zhou Yuan entirely for last night's events, and when they fought, he would undoubtedly be merciless.

Zhou Yuan detected the warning in Gu Hongyi's words and immediately smiled, nodding, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

"Then I'll look forward to seeing what you're capable of today." Gu Hongyi smiled with interest and said nothing more. She stomped her foot, and Genesis Qi surged, speeding her away first.

Yaoyao watched the fiery red figure depart, then glanced at Zhou Yuan and suddenly said, "You certainly know how to attract attention. You've only been here for three months, and someone's already concerned about you."

Hearing this, Zhou Yuan immediately looked embarrassed and said, "We're just friends!"

Yaoyao merely pursed her red lips noncommittally.

"Little Yuan Brother!"

Just then, a voice suddenly came from behind. Zhou Yuan turned his head and saw dozens of streaks of Genesis Qi rushing towards them, carrying Qiao Xiu, Zhao Kun, Song Wanxi, and others. At this moment, their faces showed slight excitement, and their eyes were filled with fervent fighting spirit. However, when they saw Yaoyao beside him, their excitement paused, and they respectfully cupped their fists in greeting to her. After last night, they all knew who the most terrifying person in the outer mountain was.

"Let's go together." Zhou Yuan smiled and said no more. With a wave of his sleeve, he stepped onto Genesis Qi and led the way. Behind him, Qiao Xiu and the others immediately followed, their Genesis Qi forming a vast, cloud-like expanse.

They had not gone far when, from the vast crowd, another group of people aggressively surged out, causing many disciples to clear the way. At the head of this group was naturally Lu Feng, clad in white robes and possessing an extraordinary demeanor. Behind him were many figures, all top cultivators among the outer mountain disciples. Gathered together in such a manner, their combined aura was naturally unstoppable. However, when Lu Feng and his group saw Yaoyao, their previously surging aura instantly weakened by a third. Their gazes darted away, not daring to provoke too much, and they merely shot unfriendly glances at Zhou Yuan and his group.

Zhou Yuan naturally paid them no mind. He simply led his group, stepping on Genesis Qi, following far behind Chen Yuan high in the sky.

Beneath them, mountain ranges continuously swept past. After about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Chen Yuan and the two outer mountain elders in front gradually slowed their pace. Zhou Yuan and the others' gazes also shot forward, and their expressions were all greatly shaken.

Above the towering giant peaks, endless light was radiating, seemingly forming an enormous pyramid standing between heaven and earth. However, if one looked closely, they would discover that numerous spacious stone platforms were suspended within that pyramid of light. There were nine thousand nine hundred and ninety stone platforms. These platforms, gathered together, formed a pyramid-like shape. The higher one went, the more spacious the platforms became. At the very top, there were nine stone platforms strikingly emitting silver light, as if cast from pure silver. Above the nine silver platforms was a single, universally eye-catching platform that shone brilliantly like gold. Clearly, that golden platform could only be ascended by the true first-place winner of the Mountain Selection Ceremony.

At this moment, high in the sky, Elder Zong Ming and the other elder suddenly looked up into the void. Their voices reverberated, "All disciples, welcome the Sect Master and the Peak Masters!"

Hearing this voice, all disciples' hearts trembled, and they looked up at the sky with reverence. Those who could command such deference from two outer mountain elders could naturally only be the Cangxuan Sect Master and the masters of the seven peaks.

As the many disciples watched with awe, they saw layers of Genesis Qi clouds suddenly appear between heaven and earth, carrying boundless pressure and sweeping overwhelmingly from the horizon. The Genesis Qi clouds churned the heavens and earth and, a few breaths later, appeared in this space. The clouds churned, as if billions of rays of light shot down, making the world transparent.

Many disciples gazed at the clouds and saw six figures seated among them. Where their gazes fell, even space seemed to tremble. They sat there like deities, possessing the power to shake heaven and earth.

Zhou Yuan also gazed at the six magnificent figures, his mind trembling. Although he had once seen Old Ancestor Cangxuan, that was merely an afterimage. However, the six figures before him made him genuinely feel a terrifying power. That kind of power seemed capable of destroying heaven and earth.

"Is this the strength of the Cangxuan Sect Master and the Peak Masters...?"