Chapter 266: The Ceremony Begins

The moment Sect Master Qing Yang’s voice fell, a fervent fighting spirit erupted among the countless outer disciples amidst the mountains. Their burning gazes turned towards the pyramid-like structure in the sky, formed by nine thousand nine hundred and ninety stone platforms.

These stone platforms represented the number of new inner disciples, totaling only nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine.

With tens of thousands of outer disciples, this meant that the vast majority would eventually be eliminated, making the competition incredibly fierce.

To secure a stone platform and claim a spot, one would inevitably have to endure a series of arduous battles to deter others from challenging them.

As the gazes of countless disciples met, sparks flew.

Suddenly, an eruption of Origin Qi served as a trigger, completely breaking the stalemate. In the next moment, countless figures shot forth, soaring skyward like a swarm of locusts, sweeping towards the suspended stone platforms.

The sight was truly spectacular.

"Let's go! Today is our time to show our might!"

Lu Feng watched the scene, letting out a cold laugh. His chilling gaze swept over Zhou Yuan, who was nearby. Then, with a forceful flick of his sleeve, potent Origin Qi erupted, and he shot skyward, leading the charge.

Behind him, Yang Xiu, Qin Zhen, and many other formidable native disciples from Shengzhou also shot forth, following closely. Their imposing aura deterred anyone from blocking their path.

"Everyone, let's go!"

Zhou Yuan watched the myriad figures darting across the sky and took a deep breath, a fervent fighting spirit rising in the depths of his eyes.

Zhao Kun, Song Wanxi, Qiao Xiu, and the others also had burning eyes and nodded firmly.

Three months of arduous training, all for today. It was time to prove themselves.

Origin Qi surged, and their figures shot forth at that moment. The dozens of figures grouped together, attracting considerable attention.

In just over ten breaths, many figures landed on the lowest stone platforms. However, most did not linger, using them as stepping stones to dart further upwards towards the higher platforms.

Everyone knew that occupying a higher platform demonstrated greater ability, led to a better ranking, and ensured more favorable treatment in the future.

Therefore, everyone aimed for a higher position on the pyramid, not the base.

Of course, not everyone possessed such ambition. Those content with merely securing an inner disciple spot remained on the lower platforms, standing in the very center to signify their determination to contend for that specific spot.

Anyone intending to contend would step onto the platform and engage in combat to claim ownership of it.

Thus, within just a few minutes, ferocious Origin Qi had already erupted on many of the stone platforms, and figures were directly engaging in fierce combat.

The entire area was filled with the sound of clashing Origin Qi.

From above the Origin Qi clouds, many gazes looked down, observing the platforms where Origin Qi clashed.

Sect Master Qing Yang looked at the five people beside him and smiled, "I wonder who will claim the title of Chief Disciple at this Mountain Selection Ceremony."

To his left, Peak Master Ling Jun of Sword-Come Peak, whose face was as fair as jade and who resembled a young man, smiled gently and said, "It is said that Lu Feng of the Lu family is currently the head of the top ten outer disciples. If nothing unexpected happens, he should be the strongest contender for Chief Disciple."

To Sect Master Qing Yang's left, Peak Master Liu Lianyi of Snow Lotus Peak swept her phoenix eyes over them and said meaningfully, "It is said that Peak Master Ling Jun took an early liking to this Lu Feng. After the Mountain Selection Ceremony, he will likely join Sword-Come Peak, won't he? Sword-Come Peak has indeed recruited quite a few promising talents in recent years."

Peak Master Ling Jun smiled slightly and said, "My Sword-Come Peak's foundation is, after all, still shallow, so I can only recruit more disciples. But compared to Cangxuan Peak, it still falls far short."

Sect Master Qing Yang chuckled faintly, "For Sword-Come Peak to achieve what it has today, Peak Master Ling Jun's contributions are indeed indispensable."

"Cangxuan Sect is, after all, Master's painstaking effort. Naturally, I also want to contribute to it," Peak Master Ling Jun said with a smile.

Hearing this, Sect Master Qing Yang maintained a smile, while Peak Master Liu Lianyi of Snow Lotus Peak subtly narrowed her phoenix eyes.

"Reporting to Sect Master," a figure stepped out from behind Sect Master Qing Yang just then and said respectfully, "while Lu Feng indeed has a strong chance in this Mountain Selection Ceremony, there is one person who should also be able to contend with him."

Upon closer inspection, the person was none other than Mu Wuji, who had brought Zhou Yuan to Cangxuan Sect.

"Oh?" Sect Master Qing Yang smiled upon hearing this and said, "Could it be the one from Peak Master Hong Ya's family?"

Hearing Sect Master Qing Yang's words, Peak Master Gu Tianhong of Hong Ya Peak, whose body gleamed with dark gold, grinned, his voice as resonant as thunder: "That little girl's talent is quite good, but compared to Lu Feng, she's still a bit lacking. If they were to contend, her chances of winning wouldn't be high."

Mu Wuji also smiled and said, "Hong Yi's talent is astonishing. Given some time, she might be unrivaled in this Mountain Selection Ceremony. However, the person I'm referring to is not her, but... a young fellow named Zhou Yuan."

He extended a finger, pointing downwards. The various grand figures followed his gaze and saw Zhou Yuan leading a group of disciples, continuously moving past the stone platforms.

Not far in front of Zhou Yuan and his group were Lu Feng and his people.

It was evident that these two groups were the cream of the crop among the outer disciples of this generation.

"This young fellow is only at the first layer of the Genesis Stage, yet he can command so many people?" Peak Master Liu Lianyi of Snow Lotus Peak said with interest.

"His Spirit is not weak; it seems he has entered the Materialized Stage. No wonder." She quickly perceived Zhou Yuan's formidable Spirit.

The white-browed elder from Spirit Pattern Peak also looked down, a hint of interest appearing on his usually troubled face, and said, "His Spirit talent is good; he should have some accomplishments in Origin Patterns."

Mu Wuji said, "This Zhou Yuan comes from the Boundless Continent. He distinguished himself in the Sacred Remains Realm and received the Ancestor's Sacred Blood baptism."

As soon as these words were uttered, the eyes of the six grand figures narrowed, and they fell into a slight silence.

Sect Master Qing Yang slowly said, "Master transformed into myriad forms and fell in Cangxuan Heaven, forming numerous Sacred Remains Realms. However, those who can receive the Sacred Blood baptism are few. It seems this Zhou Yuan must possess some remarkable ability."

Peak Master Gu Hongtian of Hong Ya Peak clenched his five fingers tightly, and space shattered beneath his palm. His eyes were somber, filled with anger, and he said coldly, "Those scoundrels from the Sacred Palace!"

They naturally knew that the Sacred Palace was highly suspected in the fall of Ancestor Cangxuan back then.

However, the Sacred Palace was now powerful, and behind them was the terrifying Saint Race. So even Cangxuan Sect could only bury this hatred for their murdered master deep in their hearts.

The air around Liu Lianyi and the white-browed elder also grew significantly colder.

Finally, Sect Master Qing Yang waved his hand and said in a low voice, "The overall situation is more important."

"Hmph!"

A flash of anger crossed Liu Lianyi's phoenix eyes, and she let out a cold snort. She wanted to say something but ultimately held herself back, though her exquisite face was clearly covered in frost.

The white-browed elder lowered his gaze and remained silent.

Peak Master Ling Jun of Sword-Come Peak also let out a soft sigh.

The Peak Master of Thunder Prison Peak remained expressionless.

Sect Master Qing Yang smiled, offering a few comforting words to everyone, then cast his gaze down to the many stone platforms below. Among the countless figures, Zhou Yuan led dozens of others, continuously rushing towards the platforms at the pyramid's apex.

He gazed at the young figure and softly said, "Then let's see if this young fellow can bring us some surprises..."