Chapter 288: Please Volunteer

Zhou Yuan ignored the scrutinizing and questioning gazes, as well as the gloomy-faced Cao Shi. He walked directly forward and sat down on the golden cushion designated for the third seat.

Seeing Zhou Yuan's unceremonious behavior, some disciples frowned slightly, evidently finding the new arrival rather arrogant. Even if Master Shen highly regarded him, it was merely for his potential. In their eyes, Zhou Yuan, being only at the second level of the Genesis Establishment Stage, was simply not qualified to sit in that position. However, since it was Master Shen's arrangement, they endured their dissatisfaction, only casting cold glances at Zhou Yuan. Cao Shi also took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his heart, but his eyes, fixed on Zhou Yuan, grew increasingly dark.

Consequently, the atmosphere in the entire hall became oddly oppressive.

From his high seat, Shen Taiyuan naturally sensed the atmosphere and frowned slightly. He knew full well that his evident favoritism towards Zhou Yuan would cause resentment among some disciples. However, he had few options left. Saint Genesis Peak had not produced a first-place disciple in the Peak Selection Ceremony for many years. Now that he had finally encountered one, Shen Taiyuan felt compelled to try. He understood how difficult it was to find another prodigy like Chu Qing, but with no other recourse, he had no choice.

Shen Taiyuan quickly firmed his resolve. His gaze swept across the room as he declared in a deep voice, "In one month, we will have the Cave Examination against the Lu Hong lineage. This concerns the last Violet Origin Cave, so we cannot afford to lose. Since the purple-sash disciples have already competed, this time, we will send out golden-sash disciples. Tong Long, Pan Song, Cao Shi. I intend to send the three of you to represent us."

Shen Taiyuan's voice fell, but there was no immediate reply. Tong Long and Pan Song's eyes flickered slightly. Cao Shi cast a subtle glance at them, then took a deep breath and said, "Master Shen, we are willing to participate."

Shen Taiyuan's stern face softened a little. However, before he could speak, Cao Shi spoke again, "But if we are fortunate enough to win, how should this Violet Origin Cave be allocated?"

Shen Taiyuan frowned. Three days prior, his intention was already clear: that Violet Origin Cave was prepared for Zhou Yuan. Now, Cao Shi was deliberately asking a question he already knew the answer to. "I intend to bestow it upon Zhou Yuan," Shen Taiyuan said indifferently.

Cao Shi's eye twitched. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Though it may be disrespectful, Master Shen's action seems rather unfair. We will fight hard, so why should Zhou Yuan be the one to benefit? According to the rules, the Violet Origin Cave should be awarded to one of the three participants. How can an outsider simply reap the benefits?"

As soon as Cao Shi spoke, some disciples secretly nodded in agreement.

Shen Taiyuan's expression grew slightly grim. He said in a deep voice, "Are you questioning me?"

Cao Shi quickly clasped his hands and said, "This disciple wouldn't dare. It's just that we have also put in a lot of effort for Saint Genesis Peak. We understand Master Shen's pressure, so if someone can truly bear the heavy responsibility, we would naturally give our full support. However, some individuals might not be able to shoulder Master Shen's important task, thereby needlessly squandering the hopes of many fellow disciples." His tone was righteous, but he was subtly implying that Zhou Yuan did not possess the qualifications or ability to warrant such high regard from Master Shen.

Shen Taiyuan's expression grew increasingly somber. Just as he was about to reprimand Cao Shi, another voice suddenly spoke up, "Master Shen, please do not be angry. Although Junior Brother Cao Shi is impetuous and has offended Master Shen, he bears no ill will. While it is true that Junior Brother Zhou Yuan was first in the Peak Selection Ceremony, he is still somewhat inexperienced. If he waits another year or two, perhaps he will live up to Master Shen's expectations, and by then, no one will have any objections..."

Shen Taiyuan looked in the direction of the voice and saw a man with a sincere expression speaking from beside Zhou Tai. This man was Zhang Yan, the second-ranked purple-sash disciple, second only to Zhou Tai. Zhou Yuan calmly glanced at Zhang Yan. Although Zhang Yan's words were pleasant, the underlying meaning was clear: Zhou Yuan was not currently qualified to possess the Violet Origin Cave. He was undoubtedly supporting Cao Shi.

Zhang Yan evidently held some prestige among the disciples of this lineage, so when he spoke, many other disciples immediately chimed in agreement, and the hall became quite lively for a moment. Especially since, in addition to Zhang Yan, two or three other purple-sash disciples also expressed their agreement, the wave of opposition grew even stronger.

At the back of the hall, newly admitted disciples like Shen Wanjin watched Zhou Yuan's figure from afar with some concern. They hadn't expected so many disciples to oppose him. If today's situation wasn't handled well, Zhou Yuan's reputation might be damaged. However, they also knew that in such a setting, as newly admitted disciples, they had no right to speak.

Not only them, but even Shen Taiyuan's brows furrowed tightly as he faced this scene. He could overpower the dissent, but the upcoming examination relied on Cao Shi and the other two. If their hearts weren't in it, there would be little chance of victory, and the Violet Origin Cave would be given away for nothing.

In the hall, Shen Taiyuan remained silent for a long moment, then slowly looked at Zhou Yuan and asked, "Zhou Yuan, what do you think?"

When Cao Shi heard this, an almost imperceptible smug smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. Clearly, Shen Taiyuan could not ignore the opposition of so many disciples, and his previous resolve was beginning to waver. So he glanced at Zhou Yuan out of the corner of his eye and scoffed inwardly. *This boy is still too naive. Does he really think that just because Master Shen values him, he can disregard the rules? It's merely a matter of flipping my hand to bring him down. All of this today was clearly orchestrated by my efforts.*

Under the convergence of numerous gazes, Zhou Yuan's expression remained quite calm. He had also keenly sensed Cao Shi's hostile stare. In truth, he was indeed somewhat interested in that Violet Origin Cave, but it wasn't to the extent that he absolutely had to have it. However, Cao Shi's targeting and hostility caused his brow to furrow slightly. He could guess that today's turn of events was mostly orchestrated by Cao Shi, aiming to suppress him, the dark horse who had just entered the inner mountains.

He turned his head and gave Cao Shi a rather cold look. Sensing his gaze, Cao Shi's lips curled into a faint sneer. He said indifferently, "Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, you must eat your rice one mouthful at a time, and walk your path one step at a time. Reaching the heavens in a single bound always carries too great a hidden risk. Listen to your Senior Brother. Cultivate diligently for another year or two, and then perhaps it will be easier to consider these matters."

Hearing Cao Shi's words, Zhou Yuan smiled noncommittally and said, "According to the rules, I am currently the third seat, and you are the fourth. In fact, you should be calling me Senior Brother."

Cao Shi's face twitched, and he let out a sarcastic sneer.

Zhou Yuan ignored him and looked up, saying, "Master Shen, I think it might be good to follow the rules."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yan immediately smiled and said, "It would be excellent if Junior Brother Zhou Yuan thinks that way."

Shen Taiyuan slowly asked, "So, you mean to give up this Violet Origin Cave?"

Cao Shi let out a scornful laugh. *This Zhou Yuan seems unable to withstand the pressure, realizing he's not yet qualified to access the Violet Origin Cave.*

However, Zhou Yuan smiled and shook his head, saying, "Didn't Junior Brother Cao Shi say earlier that, according to the rules, the Violet Origin Cave should be awarded to one of the three participants? In that case, I will volunteer myself and ask Master Shen to allow me to be one of the three participants in the Cave Examination." Since Cao Shi was being so aggressive, there was no need for Zhou Yuan to show him any more deference.

As Zhou Yuan's voice fell, the entire hall erupted in an uproar.

The smile on Cao Shi's face froze slightly, then the sneer at the corner of his mouth widened even further. He pointed a finger at Zhou Yuan, and his mocking voice rang out. "Zhou Yuan, oh Zhou Yuan, you truly are outrageously arrogant! Do you think the Cave Examination is like the Peak Selection Ceremony?" He shook his head, staring at Zhou Yuan with cold, sharp eyes. "To put it bluntly, you are not yet qualified to participate in that Cave Examination. If you want to make a fool of yourself, we certainly don't want to!"