Chapter 277: Reward

Zhou Yuan ultimately chose Saint Genesis Peak, a decision that undoubtedly surprised everyone. Although Saint Genesis Peak boasted a grand origin, reputed as the secluded cultivation peak of Patriarch Cang Xuan, the founder of the Cangxuan Sect, Patriarch Cang Xuan had since fallen.

The main peak of Saint Genesis Peak was sealed by Patriarch Cang Xuan when he perished. Consequently, Saint Genesis Peak had not seen a new peak master for many years, with only three elders overseeing its affairs.

For these reasons, Saint Genesis Peak appeared increasingly desolate, and fewer and fewer disciples chose it. Currently, not a single one of the Cangxuan Sect's ten Sacred Sons came from Saint Genesis Peak, which clearly highlighted its dire situation.

Given these circumstances, Zhou Yuan's choice of Saint Genesis Peak naturally puzzled many.

Despite their confusion, many secretly rejoiced. With the capabilities Zhou Yuan had demonstrated, if he had joined any of the other six peaks, he would undoubtedly have soared, likely becoming the top new disciple in a few years. However, now that Zhou Yuan had foregone the six peaks for Saint Genesis Peak, his progress would undoubtedly be hindered, providing other disciples a chance to catch up or even surpass him.

Beside Peak Master Lingjun, Lu Xuanyin was momentarily stunned upon hearing Zhou Yuan's choice, then a flicker of immense joy crossed her eyes.

"Zhou Yuan, Zhou Yuan, I never thought you'd choose Saint Genesis Peak. It seems even heaven isn't on your side!"

Lu Xuanyin clenched her delicate hands, her eyes filled with satisfaction. This was because an elder from her Lu family had previously held a high position on Sword Cometh Peak. Recently, this very elder had been assigned by Peak Master Lingjun to Saint Genesis Peak. Thus, one of Saint Genesis Peak's three elders was now their family's senior.

And now, Zhou Yuan had chosen Saint Genesis Peak—wasn't he just walking into a trap?

"Zhou Yuan, you took Lu Feng's top spot in the grand ceremony. We'll certainly settle this score with you later!"

"What if you got first place? Offending my Lu family, you will regret it eventually." Lu Xuanyin sneered inwardly, finally letting out a bit of the pent-up frustration she had felt earlier.

On the Genesis Qi clouds, Master Qingyang looked at Zhou Yuan again and said, "As the top achiever in the grand ceremony, you have other rewards."

With a wave of his sleeve, a mysterious light descended from the sky, transforming into an ancient scroll. On the scroll, a blazing sun seemed to rise, emanating an intensely scorching aura that warped the surrounding space.

"This is the 'Heavenly Sun Divine Record,' a low-grade Heaven Genesis Art."

At these words, a fresh wave of uproar swept through the crowd, and countless eager eyes stared intently at the glowing ancient scroll floating before Zhou Yuan.

It was an actual Heaven Genesis Art! One must know that outside the Shengzhou Continent, a low-grade Heaven Genesis Art was enough to become a treasured heirloom for many factions, even sparking countless brutal conflicts.

Zhou Yuan's mouth felt dry, his eyes fixated on the ancient scroll, unable to look away. This was a true Heaven Genesis Art! He recalled that even in the Genesis Remains Realm, he hadn't acquired a Genesis Art of this caliber. Although he now practiced some Minor Heaven Genesis Arts, even the Nine Dragon Canon was far inferior to this "Heavenly Sun Divine Record."

It was said that Heaven Genesis Arts could be exchanged at the Scripture Pavilion within the inner mountains, but the required amount of Genesis Jade was enormous, possibly tens of thousands, which would clearly take many inner mountain disciples a long time and great effort to acquire.

"Thank you, Master."

Zhou Yuan bowed, then carefully took the ancient scroll and placed it into his Qiankun Bag, his face beaming with joy.

Master Qingyang smiled and said, "As the first-place winner this time, there's also an additional reward: the 'Genesis Marrow Baptism.' This quota will be granted to you once you enter Saint Genesis Peak."

Zhou Yuan nodded, feeling both curious and expectant. After all, the "Genesis Marrow Baptism" was said to be a privilege reserved only for purple-band disciples, offering significant benefits for cultivation.

After making all arrangements for Zhou Yuan, Master Qingyang then looked at the other top ten disciples and said, "As members of the top ten, you are also eligible to choose a peak for your cultivation." This time, as Zhou Yuan had previously noted, six of the top ten, including himself, were not native disciples of the Shengzhou Continent.

Song Wanxi, Zhao Kun, and Qiao Xiu had all defeated their opponents. These top ten disciples clearly had their peak choices ready and immediately declared their selections. Gu Hongyi chose Cangxuan Peak, Song Wanxi entered Snow Lotus Peak, and Qiao Xiu and Zhao Kun both went to Hongya Peak. The remaining disciples dispersed among the peaks, with essentially all six peaks having new entrants.

However, when it was Yaoyao's turn, before she could speak, the white-browed elder from Spirit Pattern Peak was the first to speak. He said, "Little girl, your Genesis Pattern talent is the strongest I've seen in all my years. If you join my Spirit Pattern Peak, in the future... I might even pass on my position as Peak Master of Spirit Pattern Peak to you."

His words left all the disciples dumbfounded, and even Master Qingyang and the others looked at the white-browed elder with immense surprise. However, the white-browed elder paid no attention to their gazes. His eyes burned with an intense look as he stared at Yaoyao, an emotion he hadn't shown even when facing Zhou Yuan earlier.

In fact, the white-browed elder had been constantly observing Yaoyao since she stepped onto the stage. He had already learned about Yaoyao's Genesis Pattern talent from Zong Ming. Moreover, his previous secret observations revealed that when Yaoyao was setting up Genesis Patterns, she subtly displayed the demeanor of a grandmaster. This made the white-browed elder realize that her Genesis Pattern talent was undoubtedly terrifying. For someone like Yaoyao, as long as her Spirit cultivation caught up in the future, her achievements in Genesis Patterns would be boundless, potentially even surpassing his own.

"Peak Master Whitebrow... your actions are a little inappropriate," said Peak Master Lei Jun of Thunder Prison Peak slowly.

However, this time, facing Peak Master Lei Jun's words, the white-browed elder did not back down. Instead, he shook his head and stated firmly, "Peak Master Lei Jun, as the Peak Master of Spirit Pattern Peak, I have the right to decide my future successor."

Peak Master Lei Jun fell silent. He hadn't expected the white-browed elder to think so highly of this girl. Thus, he said no more, as the white-browed elder was correct: he had that right.

Master Qingyang and the others exchanged glances and said little. They could also see that this young girl named Zhou Xiaoyao possessed astonishing Genesis Pattern talent. However, for some unknown reason, there wasn't much Genesis Qi fluctuation within her. Therefore, if she could enter Spirit Pattern Peak, it would indeed be the best outcome.

Lu Xuanyin watched this scene, her eyes turning somewhat red with jealousy. The white-browed elder's regard for Yaoyao far surpassed that for Zhou Yuan, and such a promise was truly unprecedented. If Yaoyao truly chose Spirit Pattern Peak, wouldn't that mean she could even become the Peak Master of Spirit Pattern Peak in the future? What an esteemed position that would be! The thought of it almost consumed Lu Xuanyin with a burning flame of jealousy.

Yet, to everyone's surprise, facing the white-browed elder's irresistible promise, Yaoyao's exquisite, jade-like face remained perfectly serene. Finally, she shook her head, and with a slender, delicate finger, pointed at Zhou Yuan, saying, "I don't want to be separated from him, so I will also join Saint Genesis Peak."

The next instant, Zhou Yuan saw countless fiery gazes directed at him, as if they wished to burn him alive.