Chapter 268: Red-Clothed Assistance

Above a silver stone platform, Zhou Yuan stood suspended in mid-air, golden Genesis Qi forming clouds beneath his feet. He stared ahead, his expression unreadable.

There, Lu Feng and Yang Xiu stood with their hands behind their backs, their two powerful auras rising like towering mountains, obstructing Zhou Yuan's path to the final golden stone platform.

They were like two formidable obstacles.

"Zhou Yuan, this is as far as you go," Lu Feng said calmly, his gaze fixed on Zhou Yuan with indifference.

Without another word, he turned to Yang Xiu. "Brother Yang, he's all yours," he said. "Hold him for half an incense stick's time, and I'll be able to secure the chief's position."

Yang Xiu smiled faintly. "Alright," he replied. "But you must make good on your promise to me later."

Among the outer mountain disciples, Yang Xiu was slightly less powerful than Lu Feng. However, his Yang family was considered a prominent clan, so he naturally wouldn't submit to Lu Feng's authority. They were friends, and for Lu Feng to ask for his help now, he had undoubtedly paid a price.

"Don't worry," Lu Feng nodded. Then, with a cold glare at Zhou Yuan, a sneer played on his lips as he said, "Next, Brother Yang will have some fun with you. I told you, don't even dream about that chief's position."

As his voice fell, his figure shot up fiercely, heading directly for the golden stone platform at the highest position.

Zhou Yuan's brows furrowed at the sight, and he took a step forward.

A shocking wave of Genesis Qi suddenly erupted from Yang Xiu's body. Its formidable power had clearly reached the Fourth Layer of the Alpha Origin Realm.

This Yang Xiu was clearly not to be underestimated.

"Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, why are you so fixated on that position?" Yang Xiu said with a slight smile. "You should be satisfied with securing a spot in the top ten."

He slightly clenched both hands, and silver Genesis Qi, sparking with lightning and accompanied by a furious roar of thunder, surged from his palms, finally transforming into a massive lightning dragon.

The lightning dragon, formed from Genesis Qi, roared forth and charged directly at Zhou Yuan.

Zhou Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly. He didn't utter a single unnecessary word; since Yang Xiu intended to help Lu Feng block him, he would simply have to step over him.

Although it would be a bit troublesome, as long as he dealt with him within the time it takes for one incense stick to burn, he could still prevent Lu Feng from claiming first place.

Golden Genesis Qi surged from Zhou Yuan's body, vaguely forming the phantom of a giant python whose hissing reverberated through the heavens and earth.

However, just as Zhou Yuan was about to make his move, his expression shifted slightly. A red light suddenly descended from the sky, violently colliding with the Genesis Qi lightning dragon.

Violent Genesis Qi fluctuations surged outwards.

The red light shot back, transforming into a long red whip that landed in a jade-like hand.

Countless gazes across the sky were drawn to it, revealing a fiery red figure standing gracefully in the void, a red whip coiling like flames around her fair wrist.

It was Gu Hongyi.

"Hey, did you forget about me?" Gu Hongyi said with a light smile.

Yang Xiu was stunned, clearly not having expected Gu Hongyi to suddenly intervene. With her ability, she could easily secure a top-ten spot that no one would dare to contend for.

"Hongyi!"

Meanwhile, Lu Feng, who had been heading for the highest golden stone platform, also witnessed this scene. His expression immediately turned ugly as he angrily exclaimed, "Hongyi, what are you doing?! We are both disciples from Shengzhou; by doing this, what about our fellow disciples?"

Gu Hongyi gave him a cold glance. "In my eyes," she said, "there's no distinction between Shengzhou natives and those from other continents. Once inside the Cangxuan Sect, everyone is simply a Cangxuan Sect disciple."

"You!" Veins throbbed on Lu Feng's forehead; he was clearly enraged to the extreme.

Gu Hongyi ignored him, turning her bright eyes to Zhou Yuan. "You go claim that chief's position," she said. "I'll handle him."

Zhou Yuan was startled. Gu Hongyi's words clearly meant she intended to help him hold off Yang Xiu, but doing so meant she would give up her chance to compete for first place in the Peak Selection Ceremony.

"Don't be wishy-washy," Gu Hongyi said decisively, waving her hand. "You guided me in cultivating Genesis Arts; consider this my repayment."

She paused, then added, "However, I can only help you this much. Whether you can beat Lu Feng depends on your own ability."

Zhou Yuan looked at Gu Hongyi, chuckled lightly, and without another word, merely cupped his fist in salute.

"Then, thank you."

He took a deep breath, then stomped his foot. Golden Genesis Qi enveloped his body, transforming him into a golden streak that shot into the sky. A dozen breaths later, he was level with Lu Feng.

At this moment, Lu Feng's handsome face was utterly grim. He stared intently at Zhou Yuan, and it was a long while before he gradually suppressed the furious rage in his heart.

"You truly are a persistent pest," Lu Feng said coldly.

Zhou Yuan smiled, raising his head to look at the golden stone platform. "If you hadn't provoked me time and again," he said, "I actually didn't have much interest in that position to begin with."

Indeed, his original goal was merely to enter the top ten and gain the qualification to choose a peak. As for first place, he truly hadn't considered it.

But who would have thought that Lu Feng, being narrow-minded, would repeatedly target him? To hinder him, he even preemptively bought up all the Genesis Beast essence blood in the Jade Pavilion. This kind of behavior truly disgusted him.

Therefore, Zhou Yuan began to retaliate.

Lu Feng's expression had completely calmed down. He stared at Zhou Yuan, a hint of disdain on his lips, and said calmly, "Are you saying this to make me regret it?"

"Zhou Yuan, you overestimate yourself."

"Do you really think you can pose a threat to me? In my eyes, you're like a mud snake, filthy and disgusting, merely an eyesore. But if you truly provoke my anger, I'll simply crush you underfoot!"

A chilling glint flickered in Lu Feng's eyes.

"Fine, since you're so ignorant of your own limitations, then today, I will awaken you and make you realize that compared to us proud talents of Shengzhou, you are, after all, nothing but an uncultured country bumpkin!"

As his last word fell, powerful Genesis Qi erupted like a storm from Lu Feng's body. The Genesis Qi carried him, soaring directly skyward towards the golden stone platform.

And at the same time, Lu Feng's cold shout, filled with profound chill, resonated throughout the entire world.

"Zhou Yuan, get up here!"

"After today, I want you to never dare show your face before me, Lu Feng, again!"

Zhou Yuan looked at the awe-inspiring Lu Feng, who stood atop a storm of Genesis Qi. His eyes narrowed slightly, and the next instant, golden Genesis Qi formed the phantom of a giant python beneath his feet, shooting forth.

His figure, under the gaze of countless eyes, slowly descended onto the golden stone platform, the highest point in this world.

On that golden stone platform, two figures confronted each other.

Like a lion and tiger facing off in the mountains.