Chapter 274: Breakthrough

Potent and fierce Genesis Qi, like billowing wolf smoke, surged from Lu Feng's body, its powerful aura enveloping the entire golden stone platform.

Above the swirling Genesis Qi, Peak Master Lianyi of Snow Lotus Peak watched the scene, her arched brows furrowed. "He even resorted to the Blood Burning Secret Art," she murmured faintly. "This Lu Feng is truly persistent."

The Blood Burning Secret Art is a forbidden technique that temporarily amplifies one's power by consuming vital blood. However, it carries severe repercussions. Lu Feng's decision to use it indicated he was willing to go to any lengths.

Sect Master Qingyang, Old Man Baimei, and Gu Tianhong also frowned slightly. While the Selection Ceremony had no strict rules, it was ultimately a competition between disciples, and Lu Feng's tactics were truly unseemly.

"They are young, after all, proud and highly competitive. It's inevitable that they might lose their composure and act rashly," Peak Master Lingjun said with a smile.

While seemingly reprimanding Lu Feng, he subtly reframed Lu Feng's ruthless actions as merely a sign of strong competitiveness.

Peak Master Lianyi's red lips curled slightly, and a hint of sarcasm flickered in her eyes, clearly finding Peak Master Lingjun's explanation ridiculous. However, she did not argue further. Instead, she glanced at Zhou Yuan with a hint of regret in her phoenix-like eyes. *To be able to fight Lu Feng to such a degree with only the first layer of the Alpha-Origin Stage, this young man is truly quite remarkable,* she thought.

It was just a pity he lacked a bit of luck.

Peak Master Lingjun's gaze shifted to Lu Feng, and the smile on his face receded slightly. He then glanced at Lu Xuanyin beside him, a hint of subtle displeasure in his eyes.

Lu Xuanyin's beautiful face paled slightly, knowing Peak Master Lingjun was somewhat disappointed with Lu Feng's performance. After all, being forced to use the Blood Burning Secret Art by a mere first-layer Alpha-Origin Stage disciple meant that even a victory wouldn't reflect well on him.

Her delicate hands clenched tightly, and she dared not speak to Peak Master Lingjun. Her eyes, however, turned to Zhou Yuan, filled with intense hatred.

"Damn him!" she cursed inwardly. Originally, Lu Feng could have easily won first place in the Selection Ceremony, and upon entering Sword Comes Peak, he would have been highly valued and groomed by Peak Master Lingjun, destined to become a core figure in the Cangxuan Sect.

But who would have thought that a mere country bumpkin would completely ruin his prospects? Now, even if he won, it would be met with criticism.

"Lu Feng, you must cripple this country bumpkin and make him pay!"

Under the myriad of shocked gazes, Lu Feng stared savagely at Zhou Yuan. He knew full well that using such a secret technique meant that even a victory wouldn't be glorious, but he had no choice. He could not allow Zhou Yuan to snatch first place in the Selection Ceremony from him; otherwise, his reputation would be in tatters.

Therefore, even if this victory was tainted, he had to secure it today.

Facing his savage glare, Zhou Yuan's brows furrowed slightly. Then he said calmly, "If you want first place, then fight for it. Stop with these childish threats."

Lu Feng laughed in extreme rage. "Alright, alright," he snarled. "Since you're seeking death, I'll grant it to you!"

Potent Genesis Qi, without any further reservation, erupted from Lu Feng's body. The oppressive aura of that Genesis Qi immediately made Zhou Yuan's body feel heavy.

If Lu Feng were still only at the fourth layer of the Alpha-Origin Stage, Zhou Yuan might have been able to bridge the gap with various techniques. But at the fifth layer, the disparity would be truly enormous.

Lu Feng's figure slowly ascended, as if riding on a gale.

Behind him, Genesis Qi permeated the air, once again forming an azure starry sky.

"Star-Gathering Canon, Azure Star!"

Genesis Qi condensed wildly. Finally, a colossal azure star slowly rose behind Lu Feng, emanating an incredibly astonishing Genesis Qi fluctuation.

That azure star had directly gathered all of Lu Feng's Genesis Qi. Clearly, he was impatient with the protracted fight and wanted to end it with a single decisive blow.

Facing that enormous azure star, many disciples' expressions changed. Yang Xiu, Gu Hongyi, and others couldn't help but be moved; an attack of this magnitude was simply unstoppable for anyone below the fifth layer.

As the azure star slowly rose, Zhou Yuan naturally felt immense pressure, and his expression grew increasingly solemn.

He knew that this attack, with his current first-layer strength, would likely be unstoppable.

If that was the case...

Zhou Yuan's eyes slightly closed at that moment.

Countless eyes watched on with confusion.

As their confusion mounted, someone suddenly perceived that the Genesis Qi around Zhou Yuan also began to fluctuate.

Initially, the fluctuations were faint, but after more than ten breaths, they suddenly intensified, vibrating violently like boiling water.

"What's going on?!" Many gazes were filled with doubt and surprise.

"His Genesis Qi is also increasing!" someone exclaimed.

They noticed that the Genesis Qi within Zhou Yuan's body was indeed gradually strengthening at that moment.

"Did he also use some secret art?"

"No, it's different. Zhou Yuan's Genesis Qi growth is extremely stable and remarkably smooth and natural, unlike Lu Feng's forced enhancement..."

Amidst the whispers, Zhou Yuan's robes billowed, and his Genesis Qi fluctuations grew increasingly powerful. Then, with a sudden tremor, they surged upwards!

Golden Genesis Qi erupted from Zhou Yuan's body, shooting straight into the sky. Within the golden light, the shadowy form of a colossal python took shape, letting out a long roar towards the heavens.

The roar was like thunder, akin to a dragon's cry.

That Genesis Qi fluctuation had, at this very moment, forcefully broken through to the second layer!

Throughout the arena, countless cries of astonishment rang out.

Faces were filled with shock. No one had expected Zhou Yuan to break through at this very moment, advancing from the first layer of the Alpha-Origin Stage to the second!

Zhou Yuan's slightly closed eyes slowly opened, golden light flickering within them.

Feeling the surging, potent Genesis Qi within his Qi Manor, he chuckled lightly. After three months of arduous training in the outer mountains, he had actually been capable of entering the second layer of the Alpha-Origin Stage for a while, but he had repeatedly suppressed it to solidify his foundation.

He had originally planned to break through only upon entering the inner mountains, but it seemed the time was now.

Golden Genesis Qi surged, and the oppressive feeling that had emanated from Lu Feng's body unconsciously lessened significantly. Clearly, as he stepped into the second layer of the Alpha-Origin Stage, Zhou Yuan's Genesis Qi cultivation had also greatly increased.

In mid-air, Lu Feng naturally noticed the changes in the Genesis Qi around Zhou Yuan, and his face couldn't help but twist in disbelief. He had never imagined that this "country bumpkin" in his eyes would surprise him again and again.

A thick wave of jealousy and rage surged within his heart.

"Damn him!"

"I am the pride of the Lu family! How could a mere country bumpkin like you compare to me?! Wouldn't it have been better if you had just let me step on you, becoming a stepping stone for my ascension?!"

"Why, why did you have to seek death?!"

"In that case, then die!"

Lu Feng's eyes were bloodshot, and he roared inwardly before letting out a sharp shriek. A mouthful of vital blood spurted out, landing directly on the gigantic azure star. Instantly, the Genesis Qi on the star became extremely violent.

A thunderous roar!

The colossal azure star, bringing with it shadow and destruction, howled downwards, directly targeting Zhou Yuan.

A terrifying oppressive feeling descended from the sky. Zhou Yuan also raised his head, his expression indifferent, and suddenly took a deep breath.

His hands came together, and his body slightly trembled. A few breaths later, everyone watched as a pillar of Genesis Qi suddenly shot up from the crown of his head.

Within the Genesis Qi, a deafening roar echoed.

Countless gazes were cast towards it, all witnessing a gigantic beastly shadow rapidly forming within the Genesis Qi. A terrifyingly fierce aura swept across the world.

That beastly shadow Genesis Qi far surpassed the previous three, reaching a full six hundred zhang!

Gu Hongyi stared at the beastly shadow Genesis Qi, taking a sharp intake of breath. She clearly recognized it as the Rank 5 Genesis Beast essence blood she had previously given to Zhou Yuan.

However, for some unknown reason, the fierce aura emanating from Zhou Yuan's beastly shadow Genesis Qi was surprisingly powerful!

"Nine Dragons Canon, Fourth Dragon!"

Under the countless shocked gazes, Zhou Yuan stomped his foot down heavily, and a low voice emanated from his mouth.

The six-hundred-zhang beastly shadow Genesis Qi let out a long roar like a dragon's cry, soaring upwards. Finally, with a resounding crash, it collided with the colossal azure star descending from the sky.

Everyone watched intently, knowing that the fate of the Selection Ceremony's first place would be decided at this very moment.