Chapter 265: Six Major Giants

Clouds rolled, sweeping across the heavens and earth.

All the outer mountain disciples looked up with awe at the Origin Qi clouds. In the center of the clouds, a lotus seat formed from Origin Qi, and a figure was seated upon it.

The figure was clad in a green robe. He appeared to be middle-aged, yet his hair was completely white, and his eyes were as deep as the starry sky, conveying an unfathomable depth. An indescribable aura emanated from his body, like a profound abyss or a towering peak, inspiring profound respect. He merely sat on the lotus seat with a faint smile, yet the entire world seemed to subtly tremble with his every breath. Even though he had greatly reined in his immense power, the subtle wisps that still emanated caused the many outer mountain disciples present to feel an immense pressure. It felt as if they were facing an irresistible deity.

This person was none other than the current Sect Master of the Cangxuan Sect, Sect Master Qingyang. He was also the Eldest Disciple of Ancestor Cangxuan. But now, he was a supreme existence in Cangxuan Heaven, a true titan.

Zhou Yuan was amazed by Sect Master Qingyang's imposing presence. His gaze then shifted to Sect Master Qingyang's right, where surging Origin Qi had formed three slightly smaller lotus seats. Seated on those three lotus seats were also three majestic figures.

Zhou Yuan focused his gaze. The first to catch his eye was a slender, graceful figure, clad in a palace dress adorned with lotus patterns that accentuated her exquisite curves. Her face was exceptionally beautiful, and her dark hair was neatly pinned up, exuding a mature and elegant charm. This kind of charm was something even the perfectly beautiful Yaoyao did not possess, for it was a refinement born from the passage of time.

"Heh heh, Little Yuan Brother, that one should be Liu Lianyi, the Peak Master of Snow Lotus Peak, one of the Cangxuan Sect's Seven Peaks, known as Fairy Lianyi..." Shen Wanjin whispered beside Zhou Yuan. "I heard that when she was young, this Peak Master was a renowned beauty throughout Cangxuan Heaven. It seems the rumors are true."

"Snow Lotus Peak is also one of the popular choices in the Cangxuan Sect. The disciples there are handsome, and the female disciples are even more charming and beautiful. In terms of appearance, it's definitely the top place in the Cangxuan Sect." Shen Wanjin looked envious, then regretfully added, "But unfortunately, I can't get in."

"Why not?" Zhou Yuan chuckled.

Shen Wanjin rubbed his plump face and said somewhat dejectedly, "Our Peak Master of Snow Lotus Peak only likes good-looking people. When recruiting disciples, appearance comes first, talent second... With my looks, I'd probably be kicked out even if I made it onto Snow Lotus Peak."

Zhou Yuan looked astonished, finding it both amusing and baffling. He clearly hadn't expected this Peak Master to be so unconventional, prioritizing appearance in disciple recruitment.

He shook his head with a sigh, then his gaze moved to the other two lotus seats. Beside Peak Master Lianyi was a white-haired old man with long, white eyebrows that connected, giving his aged face a perpetual look of worry. Around the white-browed old man, aura continuously surged, subtly forming countless mysterious and ancient patterns. Each pattern was capable of making one's heart tremble.

"His mastery of Source Runes... is very strong. Among all the people I've seen over the years, his proficiency in Source Runes is probably the closest to Black Grandfather," Yaoyao stated, her beautiful face growing extremely solemn as a strong interest appeared in her eyes while she stared at the white-browed old man. In her perception, the white-browed old man's mastery of Source Runes was likely second only to Cang Yuan.

Zhou Yuan was startled by her words. He had a deep understanding of how unfathomably powerful Master Cang Yuan was, and he hadn't expected this white-browed old man to receive such high praise from Yaoyao.

"If I'm not mistaken, this should be the Peak Master of Spirit Rune Peak, Elder Tianshu," Zhou Yuan murmured. Within the entire Cangxuan Sect, when it came to mastery of Source Runes, this white-browed elder was undoubtedly the foremost.

"If there's a chance, I'd like to consult him about Source Runes," Yaoyao said with interest. She had few interests, and Source Runes were one of them. However, having followed Cang Yuan for many years, her standards for Source Runes were exceptionally high, and it was difficult for ordinary individuals to gain her serious attention.

Zhou Yuan gave a wry smile. Given the status of these Peak Masters, how could an ordinary disciple be qualified to directly seek their guidance?

He shook his head and looked at the third lotus seat. There, a figure like an iron tower was seated. It was a bare-chested old man, yet his body was not stooped like a typical elder's. His skin had a dark-gold hue, shimmering as if forged from metal, and subtle, mysterious patterns were faintly visible on its surface. His physique was also exceptionally robust; even the white-browed elder beside him was obscured by his shadow. He sat with arms crossed, and with every breath, the blood within him seemed to surge like a torrent. A continuous dull thunder echoed from his body, radiating a terrifying pressure. If he hadn't deliberately restrained himself, the mere roar of his blood and qi would have been enough to shake all the Alpha Origin Stage disciples present to death. This elder's aura was completely different from that of the white-browed elder; he appeared incredibly fierce, like a giant emerging from the primordial wilderness.

Zhou Yuan wiped a cold sweat. This one was probably the Peak Master of Hongya Peak. He's Gu Hongyi's ancestor, right? No wonder Gu Hongyi stubbornly refused to go to Hongya Peak...

"These three, along with Sect Master Qingyang, are the four disciples taken in by Ancestor Cangxuan..." Zhou Yuan's eyes flickered as he looked to Sect Master Qingyang's left, where surging Origin Qi had also formed two lotus seats.

On one lotus seat sat a figure in a hemp robe. Upon closer inspection, the figure had a face like that of a handsome youth, with skin glowing like jade and a gentle expression. A weathered stone sword lay flat across his knees, subtly emitting terrifying fluctuations. Around him, Origin Qi subtly vibrated, but within that Origin Qi, the sound of sword cries could be heard, as if an unfathomable ocean of sword qi was concealed around his body. Zhou Yuan merely glanced at the handsome youth for a moment before his eyes began to sting, prompting him to quickly look away.

"This person... is probably the Peak Master of Sword Cometh Peak." Zhou Yuan's eyes flickered. According to Gu Hongyi, this Peak Master of Sword Cometh Peak was once a young attendant under Ancestor Cangxuan. However, he clearly held an extremely high status within the Cangxuan Sect now.

"The last one should be the Peak Master of Thunder Prison Peak, the person with the highest seniority in the Cangxuan Sect." Zhou Yuan looked at the final figure. The sky above him appeared dim, with lightning flashing within the clouds, as if thunder dragons were traversing them. On the lotus seat, a black-robed elder sat expressionlessly. Lightning flickered within his eyes, and a terrifying oppressive aura slowly emanated from him, causing space itself to shatter. Within the black-robed elder's body, Zhou Yuan sensed a destructive power, faintly discernible.

"This Peak Master of Thunder Prison Peak is truly terrifying." Zhou Yuan's expression grew solemn. This Peak Master of Thunder Prison Peak was an old friend of Ancestor Cangxuan; they were equals. Therefore, even Sect Master Qingyang would show him great respect within the current Cangxuan Sect.

Zhou Yuan took a deep breath, gradually suppressing the emotions in his heart. The six figures before him were the current six titans of the Cangxuan Sect. Their strength was all unfathomable. It was no wonder that even after Ancestor Cangxuan's demise, the Cangxuan Sect could still be counted among the Six Sacred Sects of Cangxuan Heaven. Behind these six titans, many other powerful figures could be seen, clearly influential experts within the Cangxuan Sect. It seemed the sect itself placed great importance on the Mountain Selection Ceremony.

From the clouds, Sect Master Qingyang's gaze swept down, seemingly omnipresent, falling upon every disciple. His eyes seemed capable of piercing through the netherworld, discerning the true nature of all. Zhou Yuan and Yaoyao, however, felt that when Sect Master Qingyang's gaze passed over them, it seemed to pause slightly before moving on.

At the same time, Sect Master Qingyang's grand and resounding voice, like rolling thunder, echoed from high above, spreading throughout the heavens and earth.

"This time, for the Inner Mountain disciple recruitment, there will be nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine slots, one person per platform. I hope all disciples will display their utmost ability."

"The top ten participants in the Mountain Selection Ceremony will directly become Inner Mountain Golden Sash Disciples."

"Should one emerge as the champion, they shall be bestowed with a scroll of Heavenly Origin Art, and additionally, granted an 'Origin Marrow Baptism'."

As soon as these words were spoken, a clamor immediately rose from the many outer mountain disciples below. Their gazes abruptly ignited with fervent battle intent. Sect Master Qingyang smiled slightly as he looked at the surging excitement among the disciples, then his powerful voice resonated once more.

"Disciples, let the Mountain Selection Ceremony begin."