Chapter 286: Cao Shi

"Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, this Golden Source Cave Dwelling will be your temporary residence from now on," Zhou Tai said, standing on the mountainside and smiling as he pointed to a cave dwelling nestled among the lush greenery nearby.

Zhou Yuan looked up and saw a cave dwelling carved into the mountainside. Sunlight streamed through, and a waterfall cascaded down the cliffs like a silver river. Stone pavilions and terraces had also been built into the precipice, giving the place an exceptionally serene and grand feel.

This residence was many times better than the small building he had in the outer mountains.

Most importantly, Zhou Yuan could sense pure World Source Qi lingering within the cave dwelling. Living here for an extended period would undoubtedly be highly beneficial for cultivation.

"Heh heh, Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, Master Shen truly values you. You know, a Golden Source Cave Dwelling would attract countless Golden Sash disciples vying for it. The fact that you've just entered and already received one is enough to make others extremely envious," Zhou Tai exclaimed.

However, Zhou Tai's character was evidently quite magnanimous, showing no signs of imbalance. After all, as Master Shen Taiyuan's senior disciple, he already possessed a Purple Source Cave Dwelling and had no reason to be jealous.

Zhou Yuan nodded, smiling wryly, "Master Shen's high regard for me actually makes me a little uneasy."

He hadn't expected Shen Taiyuan to value him so highly, which indeed made him feel somewhat uneasy.

Zhou Tai shook his head and said, "Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, you don't know the situation at our Saint Genesis Peak. In the past, any outstanding disciples who joined were basically snatched away by the other six peaks. Those left for Saint Genesis Peak, honestly speaking... couldn't be called top-tier, but they were merely ordinary."

"Under these circumstances, it's naturally impossible for our Saint Genesis Peak to compete with the other six peaks. To this day, among the Ten Saint Sons, our Saint Genesis Peak doesn't even have a single representative."

"Elder Lu Song wasn't always so lackadaisical, but after repeated failures, he lost his fighting spirit, started to just muddle through, and completely abandoned any ambition to revitalize Saint Genesis Peak."

"Master Shen's personality is somewhat stubborn; he gritted his teeth and refused to give up. However, the current forceful intervention of the Lu Hong lineage into Saint Genesis Peak has put immense pressure on Master Shen."

"After all, if the Lu Hong lineage truly takes the chief disciple position of Saint Genesis Peak and reclaims the Peak Master Seal, then the disciples of our two lineages will truly be unable to hold their heads high in the Cangxuan Sect."

Zhou Tai also smiled wryly and said, "Master Shen values you so much, partly because he has no other choice. He can only take a gamble on you. After all, you were at least first in the Mountain Selection Ceremony. Who knows, perhaps you could be the second Chu Qing?"

At the mention of Chu Qing's name, even Zhou Tai's eyes flashed with admiration.

But he also knew how low the probability of a second Chu Qing appearing was. That individual had astonished the entire Cangxuan Sect and firmly held the top position among the Ten Saint Sons.

Although Zhou Yuan was also first in the ceremony, many have achieved first place in the ceremony over the years, but only one Chu Qing has emerged.

Zhou Yuan nodded silently.

Behind him, Yaoyao's bright eyes gazed at the Golden Source Cave Dwelling with considerable satisfaction. Ignoring Zhou Tai, she slowly walked in, carrying Tun Tun, clearly treating the place as her own territory.

Seeing this, Zhou Tai's eyelids twitched. He was well aware of Yaoyao's unique identity, but he hadn't realized their relationship was so close that they would live in the same cave dwelling.

So, he grinned at Zhou Yuan and said, "Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, you certainly have good fortune with women."

Zhou Yuan saw his 'men understand' expression and knew he had misunderstood, but he couldn't explain. After all, his relationship with Yaoyao was indeed quite special.

Yaoyao's personality was too aloof; it was an indifference to everything, as if she were a transcendent being, coldly observing all living things.

Previously, she might have only considered Master Cang Yuan as family. After years of being together, Zhou Yuan could also be counted as family, but he felt his status was only comparable to Tun Tun's...

Therefore, Zhou Yuan thought that if he truly tried to develop something romantic with Yaoyao now, he might be directly beaten to death by her using Genesis Runes...

So, facing Zhou Tai's teasing, he could only offer a helpless smile.

Zhou Tai didn't say much more. After giving some instructions, he said, "For these three days, you can explore Saint Genesis Peak and get accustomed to it. But don't be late for the morning lesson on 'Primordial Rock' three days from now. That's the biggest benefit we get after entering the inner mountain."

"'Primordial Rock'?"

Zhou Yuan was a little puzzled.

However, Zhou Tai didn't explain further, merely smiling mysteriously, "You'll know when the time comes."

He turned to leave, but then hesitated and said, "Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, you should be a bit more careful recently and try to keep a low profile..."

Zhou Yuan was taken aback: "What do you mean?"

Zhou Tai smiled helplessly and said, "Master Shen values you too highly. Other fellow disciples might feel a bit imbalanced. Even I'm a little envious of you, let alone others?"

Indeed, although Zhou Yuan was first in the Mountain Selection Ceremony, he had only just joined, his qualifications were shallow, and he had no achievements. Yet, Master Shen not only directly bestowed a Golden Source Cave Dwelling upon him but was also actively trying to secure a Purple Source Cave Dwelling for him. In the eyes of other disciples, this would easily cause resentment.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuan nodded silently.

Seeing this, Zhou Tai said no more. He stepped onto a cloud of Genesis Qi, ascended into the sky, and quickly disappeared into the distance.

Zhou Yuan stood rooted to the spot, watching Zhou Tai's receding figure, his brow furrowed slightly.

He naturally knew that Master Shen's high regard for him could easily provoke jealousy among other disciples. Ultimately, however, it was because those disciples felt he didn't deserve such attention and treatment.

His eyes narrowed slightly. He had come to the Cangxuan Sect to become stronger and gain the power to fight against King Wu. Now, that Purple Source Cave Dwelling would be greatly beneficial to him, and honestly, he was indeed tempted.

Therefore, he had no intention of voluntarily giving it up just because other disciples felt it was unfair.

His previous polite refusal was merely because he was unclear about the situation and didn't want to accept a favor undeservedly.

His gaze shifted, and after a moment of silence, he said nothing and simply turned and entered the cave dwelling.

However, regarding Zhou Tai's advice about keeping a low profile, he was noncommittal. He knew that in such matters, simply being low-key would likely be ineffective.

If others weren't convinced, he would simply beat them into submission.

Inside a cave dwelling, over a dozen figures sat cross-legged, and murmurs of dissatisfaction could be faintly heard.

"Master Shen is too unfair! Zhou Yuan is just a greenhorn. Even if he luckily got first place in the ceremony, he's only just entered the inner mountain, yet he was immediately awarded a Golden Source Cave Dwelling."

"Exactly! That Golden Source Cave Dwelling was clearly coveted by Senior Brother Cao Shi, and it was just snatched away like that."

"The key is the cave trial a month from now. From Master Shen's actions, he'll probably send us to participate, but what if we win? That Purple Source Cave Dwelling might end up in Zhou Yuan's hands instead."

"What gives that kid the right? Because he was first in the Mountain Selection Ceremony? We've seen plenty of those!"

Many disciples clinked their cups, all venting their dissatisfaction.

Among them, a long-haired young man's expression was particularly gloomy. He was the disciple named Cao Shi.

He had long coveted that Golden Source Cave Dwelling and had been saving Source Jade to acquire it. Now, however, Master Shen had casually awarded it to a newly admitted disciple. How could he tolerate that?

Cao Shi sneered, "A newly admitted disciple wants to ride on my head? It won't be that easy."

"What do you plan to do, Senior Brother Cao?"

Cao Shi narrowed his eyes and smiled faintly, "Among our lineage's Golden Sash disciples, not many are able to participate in the cave trial. If I'm not mistaken, I might be one of them."

"I'll unite with some of the senior brothers. They also think Master Shen's high regard for that kid is excessive. At that time, we can jointly propose that if we are to participate in the cave trial, an agreement must be made: the Purple Source Cave Dwelling cannot simply be given to that greenhorn."

As soon as he said this, everyone immediately agreed.

"Senior Brother Cao is right! Zhou Yuan might have some talent, but ultimately, he's just a beginner right now. He should first be taught what proper etiquette and hierarchy are. In front of us, he's just an entry-level disciple with no qualifications!"

"Exactly!"

Seeing everyone's indignant expressions, a smile appeared on Cao Shi's face. He raised his cup, drained it, then looked up towards the distance, a cold sneer flashing in his eyes.

"New kid, I'll make you realize that even if Master Shen values you highly as a beginner, you still need to understand what rules are!"