Chapter 281: Sealed Main Peak

Zhou Yuan’s gaze withdrew from the mysterious main peak shrouded in mist. His brows furrowed as he sighed helplessly to himself.

He was now certain that the second Saint Rune was located on this main peak. The current challenge, however, was figuring out how to get inside.

After all, he couldn’t risk exposing the existence of the second Saint Rune. Doing so could bring him disaster, especially since he wasn’t sure if there were internal issues within the Cangxuan Sect.

The Saint Runes were connected to the "Cangxuan Saint Seal." Whoever possessed it could become the Lord of Cangxuan Heaven, superior to all other sects. Such a temptation was immense, and with Zhou Yuan’s current weak strength, it would be impossible for him to secure it.

Zhou Yuan pondered for a moment, then suddenly looked at the deacon named Fang Zheng. "Uncle Fang," he asked, "when will the main peak of Saint Genesis Peak be unsealed?"

Fang Zheng, being easygoing, smiled upon hearing the question. "Actually, unsealing it isn't difficult. The seal can be broken if the Saint Genesis Peak Master uses the Peak Master Seal."

"However, the problem now is that Saint Genesis Peak has no Peak Master. Furthermore, the Peak Master Seal was left inside the main peak by the old ancestor. This seal was personally set by the old ancestor; the stronger one's power, the more likely the seal is to retaliate upon entry."

"That's why even Master Qing Yang wouldn't dare to enter easily."

Zhou Yuan felt a headache coming on upon hearing this.

"Then, has Saint Genesis Peak never considered electing a Peak Master first?" Zhou Yuan asked again. If the Peak Master Seal couldn't be obtained for now, surely a Peak Master should be chosen?

Saint Genesis Peak was currently leaderless.

Fang Zheng smiled helplessly. "According to the rules of our Cangxuan Sect, the Peak Master Seal symbolizes identity. Without it, one's position is not legitimate. Moreover, the Peak Master Seals of the seven peaks were personally refined by the old ancestor back then. While symbolizing identity, they are also extremely powerful treasures, possessing infinite power, and can be considered the Cangxuan Sect's most valuable treasures."

"Therefore, if Saint Genesis Peak is to choose a Peak Master, that Peak Master must possess the Saint Genesis Peak Master Seal."

At this, not only was Zhou Yuan speechless, but the other disciples also exchanged awkward glances and forced smiles.

To choose a Peak Master, one needed the Peak Master Seal, but the Peak Master Seal was inside the sealed main peak, unattainable by anyone. This had clearly become a dead end.

"Haven't the Peak Master and the others thought of any solutions?" Zhou Yuan asked, appearing deeply concerned for Saint Genesis Peak.

Fang Zheng, taking Zhou Yuan's concern as a disciple's worry for the future of Saint Genesis Peak, immediately smiled and said, "We have indeed thought of solutions. The seal on the main peak seems to grow stronger with stronger opponents. So, even if Master Qing Yang and the others made a move, they might not succeed. After some attempts, the Peak Master and the others found that the success rate was actually higher if disciples made the attempt."

"Therefore, the Peak Master and the others discussed and agreed that the chief disciple of Saint Genesis Peak could take on this important task."

At this point, Fang Zheng shook his head with a bitter smile. "However, it still hasn't been successful these past few years."

"Why not?" a disciple couldn't help but ask.

A hint of embarrassment appeared on Fang Zheng's face, and he cleared his throat. "Compared to the other six peaks, Saint Genesis Peak certainly has some shortcomings. The chief disciples of the other six peaks are always among the top ten Saint Sons of our Cangxuan Sect, but the chief disciples of Saint Genesis Peak in recent years have never entered that ranks."

The expressions of many disciples immediately turned sour. After all that, it turned out that their Saint Genesis Peak's chief disciples had been too weak in recent years to shoulder the responsibility of entering the main peak and retrieving the Peak Master Seal.

Thinking of this, many disciples felt a chill in their hearts. Saint Genesis Peak was indeed miserable; it was not a good place at all.

Noticing the silent atmosphere, Fang Zheng quickly said, "But you don't need to worry; this problem should be resolved soon."

The disciples looked at him, puzzled.

Fang Zheng explained, "Master Qing Yang and the others are aware of the failures of Saint Genesis Peak's chief disciples over the years. So, after discussions this time, Peak Master Ling Jun proposed that their Sword Cometh Peak send Elder Lu Hong and his lineage of disciples to transfer to our Saint Genesis Peak. Elder Lu Hong's disciples are numerous and talented; his eldest disciple, Yuan Hong, is exceptionally gifted, capable of ranking among the top three even in the talent-rich Sword Cometh Peak."

"Although Yuan Hong is not among the top ten Saint Sons, he is very qualified to contend for a spot in the Saint Son ranks."

"So, if Yuan Hong can achieve the position of chief disciple of Saint Genesis Peak at the peak trials a year from now, he can enter the main peak and attempt to retrieve the Peak Master Seal."

"If he succeeds, our Saint Genesis Peak will finally be able to select a Peak Master."

Upon hearing this, the many disciples exchanged glances, their lips twitching slightly, feeling even colder at heart. This was originally Saint Genesis Peak's own affair, yet in the end, another peak had to send disciples over to take on the role of Saint Genesis Peak's chief disciple...

This seemed a bit embarrassing.

However, they also knew that it was because Saint Genesis Peak's own disciples were inadequate and couldn't bear such a heavy responsibility.

Many disciples' thoughts shifted. It seemed Elder Lu Hong was quite capable. Perhaps it would be better if they could join his lineage...

While these thoughts circulated among the disciples, Zhou Yuan and Yao Yao exchanged a glance, and Zhou Yuan subtly frowned. Was that Elder Lu Hong the same elder from the Lu family as Lu Feng and Lu Xuanyin?

Zhou Yuan's eyes flickered. If a disciple from Lu Hong's lineage truly retrieved the Peak Master Seal, would Lu Hong then potentially become the Peak Master of Saint Genesis Peak by virtue of this achievement?

Although he hadn't yet interacted with Lu Hong, Zhou Yuan had a feeling that if Lu Hong became the Peak Master of Saint Genesis Peak, his own life might not be easy.

And most importantly, Zhou Yuan didn't know if the new Peak Master of Saint Genesis Peak would detect the presence of the second Saint Rune.

Until he understood whether there were hidden dangers within the Cangxuan Sect, Zhou Yuan felt that no one should detect the second Saint Rune. Otherwise, not only might he fail to obtain the second Saint Rune, but it was even possible that his possession of the first Saint Rune would be sensed. For him, that would truly be a blessing or a curse.

"This is troublesome," he muttered.

Zhou Yuan couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

But for now, he had no better solution and could only take things one step at a time. After all, there was still about a year until the competition for Saint Genesis Peak's chief disciple position.

Fang Zheng clapped his hands at this moment and said, "Since the main peak worship is complete, let's continue. Next, I will take you to meet three elders, and then you can choose to join one of their lineages, officially becoming a disciple of our Saint Genesis Peak."

As he spoke, he waved his sleeve, and a cloud of Genesis Qi surged from beneath their feet, carrying everyone skyward once more.

As the Genesis Qi cloud ascended, the elderly man in coarse linen, holding a broom, paused slightly. He slowly raised his aged face and watched the departing disciples, a hint of subtle confusion seemingly flitting across his cloudy eyes.

"Why do I feel a sense of familiarity...?"

He murmured in a hoarse voice.