Chapter 285: Cave Test

After Lu Hong’s faction departed, the atmosphere in the square relaxed, but Shen Taiyuan’s expression remained grim. He clearly hadn't expected Lu Hong to show him no respect, even after he had put himself out there by speaking up.

Elder Lü Song, standing nearby, stepped forward and sighed helplessly, "You knew perfectly well that he looks down on us, so why did you even bother speaking?"

He glanced at Zhou Yuan, understanding in his heart that Shen Taiyuan must value Zhou Yuan highly since taking him as a disciple, which was why he wanted to create the best cultivation conditions for him.

The Purple Origin Cave Dwelling was clearly essential for this.

Shen Taiyuan's face was gloomy as he said, "A petty person's triumph."

Lü Song shook his head and asked, "Are you confident about that Cave Trial?"

Hearing this, Shen Taiyuan's expression darkened.

Originally, the cave dwellings on Saint Origin Peak were exclusively occupied by his and Lü Song's factions. However, Saint Origin Peak had not known peace since Lu Hong's faction transferred from Sword-Coming Peak a year ago.

Because Lu Hong's faction also required cave dwellings, their ownership had to be recalculated.

This was how the Cave Trial came about.

The so-called Cave Trial involved each of the two competing factions sending three disciples to compete in martial arts. The victor would then gain ownership of the cave dwelling.

Over the past year, Lu Hong's faction had initiated numerous Cave Trials, mostly winning more than losing. After all, the quality of his disciples was indeed superior to those of Shen and Lü's factions.

Now, only one Purple Origin Cave Dwelling remained, and Lu Hong had been coveting it.

Shen Taiyuan naturally also coveted this last Purple Origin Cave Dwelling, but he knew that his faction was likely powerless to contend with Lu Hong's.

According to the rules, each disciple could only participate in one Cave Trial per year. Currently, powerful disciples under Shen Taiyuan, like Zhou Tai, had already competed during the most intense struggles. Therefore, for this Cave Trial, he could only send some Golden Sash disciples to contend.

Although Lu Hong's Purple Sash disciples had also already competed, Shen Taiyuan knew that Lu Hong had several exceptionally strong Golden Sash disciples, such as Wu Gang.

In comparison, his own Golden Sash disciples were slightly inferior.

Thus, Shen Taiyuan did not have much confidence for the Cave Trial a month later.

"Why not wait a bit longer?" Lü Song, understanding the situation, suggested in a low voice. "We can resume contention at the beginning of next year."

Shen Taiyuan's expression flickered, but he stubbornly shook his head in the end. "I'll find a way," he stated.

With that, he said no more, waved his hand at Lü Song, glanced at Zhou Yuan and the others, and then departed.

"Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, from now on, we are fellow disciples," Zhou Tai said, smiling at Zhou Yuan. He seemed to be a straightforward person.

Zhou Yuan also smiled and clasped his hands, saying, "Greetings, Senior Brother Zhou Tai."

Zhou Tai said, "Although Master Shen might seem unapproachable, he values you highly."

Zhou Yuan nodded lightly. Although he hadn't interacted with Shen Taiyuan for long, he had witnessed the elder's actions. The conflict with Lu Hong was clearly an attempt to help him secure the last Purple Origin Cave Dwelling, which would benefit his cultivation.

This touched him somewhat.

After all, a typical person would likely be unwilling to offend an elder of equal standing just for a single disciple.

"Senior Brother Zhou Tai, if this is difficult, perhaps you could persuade Master Shen not to pursue it," Zhou Yuan said. Although he wasn't entirely clear on the situation, he could sense Lu Hong's considerable disdain for Shen Taiyuan's desire to contend for that Purple Origin Cave Dwelling.

This was clearly because Lu Hong felt he had victory in his grasp.

Zhou Tai gave a wry smile and said, "Since Master Shen has made up his mind, it will likely be hard to dissuade him. His personality... no one can change his mind."

He then patted Zhou Yuan's shoulder, reassuring him, "Don't worry about this matter. If I hadn't already participated in a Cave Trial, I would have helped you seize that last Purple Origin Cave Dwelling myself."

Zhou Yuan nodded upon hearing this and said nothing more.

After bowing to Elder Lü Song, the many disciples followed Elder Shen Taiyuan into the distance.

Lü Song watched Shen Taiyuan and the others depart and sighed helplessly. "It seems this old man Shen truly values that young fellow Zhou Yuan. To help him secure the last Purple Origin Cave Dwelling, he's even willing to confront Lu Hong head-on."

Lü Yan walked over with long strides and asked, "Can Elder Shen win the contention?"

Although all three factions competed, their faction and Shen Taiyuan's had been together for many years. Lu Hong's faction, however, had parachuted in and used overly domineering methods. Emotionally, they naturally hoped Shen Taiyuan's faction would win.

Lü Song shook his head. "It's difficult. Lu Hong's disciples are indeed of good quality. Even though his Purple Sash disciples have already competed, some of his Golden Sash disciples are not to be underestimated. Take Wu Gang, for example; he's an outstanding talent even among those at the fifth layer of the Primordial Beginning Stage. It would be hard to find Golden Sash disciples from Old Man Shen's side who could contend with him."

"Zhou Yuan managed to become first in the Mountain Selection Ceremony, so he must have some ability, right? I wonder if he'll make a move?" a Purple Sash disciple nearby said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Lü Yan pouted her red lips slightly and said, "You're overestimating him. Being first in the Mountain Selection Ceremony only applies to the outer-mountain disciples. This is the inner mountain now; he has no right to show off here. He should honestly cultivate for a year or two first."

She wasn't being disdainful; it was simply the truth. Lu Feng, whom Zhou Yuan defeated with all his might at the ceremony, was only at the peak of the fourth layer of the Primordial Beginning Stage. Now, which Golden Sash disciple in the inner mountain isn't at that level of strength?

Some excellent Golden Sash disciples had even reached the fifth layer, and strong ones like Wu Gang were among the top-ranked Golden Sash disciples on Saint Origin Peak.

So, in her opinion, although Zhou Yuan's talent was not weak, having just entered the inner mountain, he probably didn't have the ability to interfere in the struggles among the Golden Sash disciples. For now, he should just focus on cultivating diligently.

The Purple Sash disciple smiled upon hearing this. What he had said earlier was mostly a joke, and seeing Lü Yan's rebuttal, he naturally nodded and said, "Junior Sister is right. It's not uncommon for past Mountain Selection Ceremony first-place winners to later become ordinary, blending into the crowd. After all, not everyone can be as extraordinary as Senior Brother Chu Qing."

Lü Yan rolled her eyes at him, somewhat displeased. "Please don't just casually compare people to Senior Brother Chu Qing, alright?"

"Back then, Senior Brother Chu Qing became a Purple Sash disciple in less than a year after entering the inner mountain. His promotion speed is unmatched."

She was clearly a devoted admirer of Chu Qing and naturally believed he was peerless.

"Haha, yes, yes, my apologies. I shouldn't compare Junior Sister's idol so carelessly. Although Zhou Yuan also ranked first in the Mountain Selection Ceremony, how could he possibly compare to Senior Brother Chu Qing?" the Purple Sash disciple said with a laugh, cupping his hands in apology.

Only then did Lü Yan nod in satisfaction.

Hearing their conversation, Elder Lü Song also smiled, said nothing more, waved his hand, and turned to leave.

"Let's go."

"I hope Old Man Shen doesn't lose too badly in the Cave Trial a month from now. Otherwise, we might not see him smile for half a year..."