Chapter 294: Two Veins Reacting

In the Hall of Seeking Dao, each of the three lineages occupies one day.

So, when the Lü Song lineage began their morning lessons on the second day, all the disciples noticed the changes on the Primordial Wall. Consequently, everyone, including Elder Lü Song himself, stared blankly for a long time.

“Six thousand seven hundred forty-three breaths…”Elder Lü Song shook his head in amazement. This disciple, Zhou Yuan, really knew how to stir things up. It was only the first day, and he had already created a major sensation.

Seated in the first position on the purple cushion below was Lü Yan. As she gazed at the Primordial Wall, her cold, proud face was also filled with surprise. She couldn't help but say, “This fellow really has some skill.”

A disciple nearby chuckled, “I heard Zhou Yuan volunteered to be one of the three participants in the upcoming Cave Examination next month.”

Lü Yan paused, then immediately pursed her red lips dismissively. “Just now, I thought he had some skill. How did he suddenly get so carried away, completely ignorant of his own limits?”

Zhou Yuan's six thousand-plus breaths were indeed impressive, but what did that really prove? At most, it suggested that Zhou Yuan's cultivation speed in the Primordial Realm might be faster. However, there were many treasures that could accelerate cultivation. While others might not match him in this aspect, they could potentially compensate in other areas.

Therefore, the amount of Primordial Qi he absorbed only indicated that Zhou Yuan was indeed not an ordinary person. Yet, this was not enough for him to become conceited.

In Lü Yan’s opinion, Zhou Yuan was currently a bit too pleased with himself.

After all, no matter how much Primordial Qi he absorbed, he was only at the second layer of the Primordial Realm. Who were the participants in the Cave Examination? They were the most outstanding Gold-Band disciples from both lineages, the elite among those at the fifth layer of the Primordial Realm.

Zhou Yuan, however, was only at the second layer of the Primordial Realm. Even though he had defeated Lu Feng, a fourth-layer expert, during the Selection Ceremony, one should know that even Lu Feng, after entering the inner mountain, would likely not dare to intervene in such a contest for a long time.

Therefore, in Lü Yan’s view, Zhou Yuan’s actions were excessively arrogant.

“Indeed.” The disciple nodded in agreement, saying, “It’s said that many senior disciples from Elder Shen’s lineage are also unhappy about this, especially Cao Shi, whose spot Zhou Yuan is replacing.”

“Cao Shi? I’ve heard of him; he has some skill,” Lü Yan said.

“In the end, Zhou Yuan insisted, so he made an agreement with Cao Shi for a match in four days. Whoever wins will take the spot in the examination.”

“I believe the dispute is over the final ownership of the Purple Origin Cave Dwelling. Even though Elder Shen favors Zhou Yuan, this has drawn significant opposition from many disciples. So, Zhou Yuan had no choice but to step forward, because according to the rules, only those who participate in the examination are eligible to be allocated the Purple Origin Cave Dwelling.”

Lü Yan said, “Elder Shen’s lineage already has low odds of winning this Cave Examination, and now Zhou Yuan is coming out to be a hindrance. How can they still hope for the Purple Origin Cave Dwelling like this?”

The disciple beside her chuckled, “Perhaps he’s holding onto a slim hope. After all, there are still two others leading the charge. If they win, then even if Zhou Yuan loses, it would still count as a victory.”

Lü Yan’s willow-like brows furrowed. “If that’s the case, then this guy is truly shameless…”

She shook her head, the astonishment she had felt earlier regarding Zhou Yuan’s six thousand-plus breaths completely dissipating.

“It seems pushing Zhou Yuan to Elder Shen’s lineage was a good thing. Otherwise, we would be the ones attracting all the attention and ridicule now…”“Oh well, it’s their lineage that will lose face anyway. Let them mess around as they please.”

As she spoke, she patted her ample chest in relief, causing a slight sway.

On the third day, it was the turn of the Lu Hong lineage to come to the Hall of Seeking Dao for morning lessons.

Lu Hong merely glanced at the Primordial Wall before withdrawing his gaze, his expression unchanging and devoid of emotion. The other disciples also quietly took a look but didn't discuss it much, clearly already aware of the situation.

Below Lu Hong, in the first position among the Purple-Band disciples, was a man named Yuan Hong. His physique was tall and robust, subtly exuding a mountain-like oppressive presence.

Lu Hong’s gaze swept over those below him. He said indifferently, “Wei Youxuan, Feng Yu, Cheng Ying.”From the foremost positions on the golden cushions below, the three young men immediately responded respectfully, “We are here, Master.”

“You three will participate in this Cave Examination. Do you have confidence?” Lu Hong asked calmly.

At the head of the Gold-Band disciples, Wei Youxuan, dressed in dark robes, smiled slightly and said, “Master Lu, rest assured. The Gold-Band disciples from Elder Shen’s lineage are not worth fearing.”

He paused, then added, “However, as for Zhou Yuan, I heard he’s vying with Cao Shi for the final participation spot. We’re not very familiar with this person.”

“He’s merely a clown. There’s no need to pay him much mind. If Shen Taiyuan and his people want to disgrace themselves, then let them do so thoroughly,” Lu Hong said flatly.

Wei Youxuan nodded.

After speaking, Lu Hong no longer paid much attention to the matter. His gaze turned to Yuan Hong, his expression softening slightly. He said, “Yuan Hong, the contest for the chief disciple of Saint Genesis Peak will be at the end of the year. You must not fail.”

Yuan Hong opened his eyes, a sharp gleam surging within them, as if containing sword light. He nodded slightly and said, “Master Lu, rest assured. The other two lineages merely have Zhou Tai and Lü Yan. Although they possess some strength, they are no match for me. When the time comes, the position of chief disciple will undoubtedly be mine.”

His words were calm, yet they conveyed an undeniable confidence.

Lu Hong smiled in satisfaction. “That’s good. Once you become the chief disciple, you’ll be qualified to cultivate one of the Seven Arts, the ‘Grand Profound Saint Spirit Art.’ In the future, you might even be eligible to compete for a spot among the Ten Great Saint Sons.”

At the mention of the Ten Great Saint Sons, the light in Yuan Hong’s eyes brightened, as if flames were burning within them. In his view, the position of chief disciple of Saint Genesis Peak was something he could easily obtain, presenting little pressure. This was because the other two lineages were simply too incompetent, and their disciples were mediocre.

The only ones who could barely be considered capable were Lü Yan and Zhou Tai, but they posed no significant threat to him.

He had been willing to follow Lu Hong to Saint Genesis Peak precisely to become its chief disciple, as this would grant him the qualification to cultivate the ‘Grand Profound Saint Spirit Art,’ one of the Seven Arts.

Among the disciples of the various lineages at Swordfall Peak, he could only rank third. Not to mention Kong Sheng, who was first, even the second-ranked disciple was slightly stronger than him, always keeping him suppressed.

In the future, even if Kong Sheng stepped down from his position among the Ten Great Saint Sons, it would likely be the second-ranked disciple who took his place. More importantly, Peak Master Ling Jun valued that person more.

Yuan Hong’s gaze lowered slightly, a hint of unwillingness flashing in his eyes.

“When I become the chief disciple of Saint Genesis Peak, cultivate the Grand Profound Saint Spirit Art, and ascend to a position among the Ten Great Saint Sons, Peak Master Ling Jun, you will all know that I, Yuan Hong, am no weaker than anyone!”