Chapter 276: Choosing the Peak

When Archmaster Qing Yang’s voice fell, all eyes in the heavens and earth undoubtedly converged on Zhou Yuan once more.

As the top performer in this grand ceremony, Zhou Yuan would undoubtedly receive special treatment regardless of which peak he chose to enter.

Archmaster Qing Yang looked at Zhou Yuan, a smile in his profound eyes. He said, “My Azure Mystic Peak is considered the foremost peak of the Azure Mystic Sect. If you are willing, you may join my peak.”

“Archmaster Brother, you’re being utterly unreasonable!” Upon hearing this, Peak Master Lianyin immediately shot Archmaster Qing Yang a glare and said, “Since Azure Mystic Peak is already the top peak, why do you still need to compete with us other peaks for disciples?”

She was clearly quite pleased with Zhou Yuan; he was refined and handsome, and his talent was astonishing. If he were to join Snow Lotus Peak, they would certainly have an exceptional disciple emerge from their ranks in the future.

At that time, Snow Lotus Peak might have another member among the Azure Mystic Sect’s Ten Saints, and Li Qingchan wouldn’t have to carry the peak’s reputation alone.

However, no sooner had Peak Master Lianyin finished speaking than Peak Master Gu Tianhong of Crimson Cliff Peak shook his head, his voice like muffled thunder. “This young man is suited for external cultivation techniques; he should join my Crimson Cliff Peak.”

He looked at Zhou Yuan and said, “Youngster, if you join my Crimson Cliff Peak, I guarantee you’ll be promoted to a Purple Sash Disciple within three years.”

His words immediately drew countless envious gazes towards Zhou Yuan. Becoming a Purple Sash Disciple within three years was an incredibly fast progression.

Zhou Yuan was somewhat taken aback, evidently not expecting to be fought over by several powerful figures. These grandmasters, who had previously appeared unfathomable, suddenly seemed like merchants hawking their wares.

“Gu Barbarian!” Peak Master Lianyin glared at Gu Tianhong with her phoenix eyes and scolded.

But no sooner had her scolding ended than the white-browed elder from Spirit Mark Peak stroked his drooping eyebrows and slowly said, “Old man here observes that your spirit cultivation is already nascent. If you cultivate Genesis Runes, your future will surely be extraordinary. And my Spirit Mark Peak is the foremost peak for Genesis Rune mastery within the Azure Mystic Sect.”

Peak Master Lianyin scoffed in exasperation. These scoundrels! She had been the most attentive to Zhou Yuan earlier, but now that he had claimed first place in the grand ceremony, they all rushed to snatch him up.

She turned her phoenix eyes to Zhou Yuan and said, “Zhou Yuan, if you join my Snow Lotus Peak, I will reward you with a Genesis Mountain.”

At these words, many disciples’ eyes immediately turned red with envy.

Zhou Yuan couldn’t help but lick his lips. A Genesis Mountain... One should know that their entire Outer Mountain only had one Genesis Mountain, which was used by tens of thousands of disciples for cultivation.

Yet now, Peak Master Lianyin was offering him a Genesis Mountain all to himself. Although its scale would certainly not compare to the Outer Mountain’s, if he were to enjoy it exclusively, the cultivation efficiency would undoubtedly be extraordinary.

It was said that having a Genesis Mountain exclusively to oneself was a privilege only enjoyed by truly exceptional disciples even within the Inner Mountain.

For Zhou Yuan to receive such an honor immediately upon entering the Inner Mountain showed the high regard Peak Master Lianyin held for him.

Just as numerous disciples’ eyes were red with envy, Peak Master Ling Jun of Sword Come Peak also smiled faintly, looking at Zhou Yuan with a meaningful gaze. He said, “Zhou Yuan, if you join my Sword Come Peak, your treatment will be the same as at Snow Lotus Peak.”

Beside him, Lu Xuanyin’s silver teeth couldn’t help but clench at these words. However, she dared not interject, only able to continuously cast resentful glances at Zhou Yuan.

Originally, all of this should have belonged to Lu Feng.

But now, it had been forcibly snatched away by this country bumpkin.

Zhou Yuan was slightly startled and glanced at Peak Master Ling Jun. He had heard that Lu Feng had a deep connection with Sword Come Peak, and now that he had defeated Lu Feng and claimed first place in the grand ceremony, in a sense, he had caused Peak Master Ling Jun to lose face.

Thus, he was somewhat surprised by Peak Master Ling Jun’s offer.

However, the current situation was giving him a bit of a headache.

Just then, a slightly stern voice suddenly rang out: “Archmaster, Peak Masters, while your appreciation for talent is commendable, do not break the rules. Resources within the sect are to be acquired through merit; arbitrary rewards will only disrupt order.”

The voice, laced with thunder, resounded throughout the heavens and earth.

Zhou Yuan looked over and saw that the speaker was none other than Peak Master Lei Jun of Thunder Prison Peak, who had remained silent throughout.

This Peak Master, in terms of seniority, was considered the foremost in the Azure Mystic Sect. So, when he spoke, even Archmaster Qing Yang nodded slightly and said, “Peak Master Lei Jun is absolutely right. Everything should proceed according to the rules.”

Seeing this, Peak Master Lianyin and the others no longer spoke further.

“Zhou Yuan, as the top performer in the grand ceremony, you have the right to choose. So, make your own decision,” Archmaster Qing Yang said slowly, looking at Zhou Yuan.

Zhou Yuan’s expression also became serious. He respectfully affirmed, then paused slightly, his gaze meeting Yaoyao’s on a distant stone platform.

Countless eyes across the sky converged on him.

Zhou Yuan took a deep breath, looked at Archmaster Qing Yang and the others, and said in a low voice, “This disciple wishes to join Saint Genesis Peak.”

He had originally come to the Azure Mystic Sect under the guidance of Ancestor Cang Xuan, intending to obtain the second Saint Rune hidden within Saint Genesis Peak.

As soon as Zhou Yuan’s voice was heard, everyone’s eyes widened.

Even Archmaster Qing Yang and Peak Master Lianyin were stunned, looking at Zhou Yuan with surprise, clearly finding his choice extremely unexpected.

Even Peak Master Lei Jun of Thunder Prison Peak, who spoke very little, raised his head and cast a stern glance.

Archmaster Qing Yang was silent for a moment, then slowly said, “Zhou Yuan, you must know that Saint Genesis Peak was where our master cultivated in seclusion. However, with master’s passing, most of Saint Genesis Peak has been sealed. Therefore, this peak has no peak master, only a few elders overseeing it. In recent years, very few disciples have chosen Saint Genesis Peak.”

“Furthermore, not a single one of the Azure Mystic Sect’s Ten Saints currently hails from Saint Genesis Peak.”

“So, why do you choose Saint Genesis Peak?”

Facing the gazes of the various powerful figures, Zhou Yuan cupped his fist and said, “This junior came to the Azure Mystic Sect because I received the Ancestor’s Sacred Blood baptism in the Sacred Ruins. This junior believes it is the Ancestor’s benevolence, and so I wish to join Saint Genesis Peak. While I dare not claim to expand the peak, I wish to do my utmost to prevent Saint Genesis Peak from declining, thereby repaying the Ancestor’s grace.”

His eyes lowered slightly. The secret of the Saint Rune was connected to the Azure Mystic Saint Seal, a true sacred artifact, and involved too much. Therefore, Ancestor Cang Xuan had previously cautioned him never to expose the secret of the Saint Rune.

Furthermore, and most importantly, Ancestor Cang Xuan had once suspected that his demise might be related to internal matters within the Azure Mystic Sect. In such circumstances, Zhou Yuan dared not expose himself easily. Otherwise, if the Ancestor’s suspicions proved true, with his current strength, he might not even be able to protect himself.

Therefore, to enter Saint Genesis Peak, he had to prepare an excellent excuse.

The moment Zhou Yuan spoke these words, the gazes of Archmaster Qing Yang, Peak Master Lianyin, and the others softened slightly. After all, Ancestor Cang Xuan was their master, and they held him in great reverence. Although Zhou Yuan’s words of gratitude seemed a bit naive to them, it was precisely that naivety which revealed the sincerity of his youthful heart.

Peak Master Lianyin’s phoenix eyes showed a hint of regret, but her gaze towards Zhou Yuan became even softer. She said, “Since you, young fellow, have such intentions, then so be it. If you have any questions in the future, you may come to my Snow Lotus Peak for guidance.”

Zhou Yuan hastily offered his respectful thanks. He could sense that Peak Master Lianyin held a great deal of goodwill towards him.

Archmaster Qing Yang also nodded, saying, “Since you have made this choice, I shall grant your wish. From this day forth, you shall enter Saint Genesis Peak to cultivate.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuan immediately felt a profound sense of relief deep within. He had finally succeeded in entering Saint Genesis Peak.

Once he arrived at Saint Genesis Peak, he could then look for an opportunity to find the second Saint Rune.