Chapter 295: Preparation

Deep within the cave dwelling, a continuous stream of pure Genesis Qi surged out from a spring pool, transforming into a faint mist that swirled within. On a rock beside the spring, Zhou Yuan sat in quiet meditation. Faint dragon-like roars could be heard from within him, followed by a powerful suction that emanated from his nostrils. The swirling Genesis Qi transformed into white smoke, which Zhou Yuan inhaled in one breath, swallowing it into his abdomen. After several such cycles, the abundant Genesis Qi in the cave dwelling became noticeably thinner.

Zhou Yuan gradually concluded his cultivation, opening his eyes and looking at his right palm. His brows furrowed slightly as he saw a terrifying crimson mass coiled there, like a dragon's shadow, exuding a hint of ferocity. It was the Resentful Dragon Poison. Ever since Zhou Yuan reclaimed most of the Sacred Dragon Qi from Wu Huang that day, the Resentful Dragon Poison within him had undoubtedly grown stronger. Zhou Yuan could now faintly sense that the poison was more domineering and potent than before.

"The Resentful Dragon Poison erupts every three years... and now, that three-year mark is drawing near," Zhou Yuan mused with a sigh. Unbeknownst to him, almost three years had passed. When the Resentful Dragon Poison last erupted, Zhou Yuan hadn't even opened his eight meridians. Yet now, he had stepped into the Alpha-Origin Stage, a level of power that would make him a formidable expert capable of deterring an entire region in their Great Zhou Dynasty. However, as he grew, the Resentful Dragon Poison within him had clearly also become much stronger. Until he could completely control it, this thing remained a significant hidden danger.

"It seems I need to find a way to fully harness this Resentful Dragon Poison for my own use," Zhou Yuan murmured, stroking his palm. The Resentful Dragon Poison contained Sacred Dragon Qi. If Zhou Yuan couldn't completely subdue it, he wouldn't be able to unleash its profound mysteries. Therefore, if he succeeded, it would undoubtedly become a powerful weapon in his arsenal. After a moment of contemplation, Zhou Yuan set aside his thoughts on the poison. He knew he still had some time regarding the Resentful Dragon Poison; the most important matter at hand was his upcoming confrontation with Cao Shi. Cao Shi, after all, was a seasoned gold-belt disciple, a true fifth-layer Alpha-Origin Stage practitioner. His strength was clearly far superior to Lu Feng's. Individuals who reached this level were certainly not to be underestimated. However, since he stood in Zhou Yuan's way, Zhou Yuan could only step over him. Still, Cao Shi was an elite among fifth-layer Alpha-Origin Stage practitioners, possessing formidable combat strength, so Zhou Yuan could not afford to underestimate him.

Zhou Yuan pondered briefly, then clasped his hands together. A glow emerged from his palms, and within the orb of light, an ancient scroll appeared. It seemed like a rising crimson sun, emitting an intensely hot aura. This was precisely Zhou Yuan's reward for coming first in the Selection Ceremony: a low-grade Heaven Genesis Art, the 'Heavenly Sun Divine Record'. Zhou Yuan sensed the ancient scroll, and after a long while, he finally opened his eyes again. "As expected of a true Heaven Genesis Art, it's incredibly complex and troublesome to cultivate," Zhou Yuan muttered, frowning. While the 'Heavenly Sun Divine Record' indeed possessed terrifying power far beyond any minor Heaven Genesis Art, its cultivation requirements were also far more stringent. To master the 'Heavenly Sun Divine Record', numerous external materials were needed, such as Nine-Yang Crystals, Heavenly Fire Marrow, and other extremely rare items. Gathering them would likely take some time. Thus, Zhou Yuan mused for a moment before putting it away again. With the battle against Cao Shi imminent, he clearly had no time to study the 'Heavenly Sun Divine Record'.

"It's a pity that the 'Genesis Marrow Baptism' needs two months to be ready before it can be activated. Otherwise, I could have used it to make further progress," Zhou Yuan said, shaking his head regretfully. Another benefit of his first-place finish in the Selection Ceremony was the 'Genesis Marrow Baptism', but as the time for it hadn't arrived, he couldn't experience it yet.

As Zhou Yuan was contemplating, faint footsteps approached. He turned his head and saw Yao Yao, carrying Tun Tun, gracefully walking towards him. Several jade bottles hung from her slender, delicate fingers, clinking softly as they swayed. "You just go to a morning lesson, and you manage to stir up a whole heap of trouble," Yao Yao remarked, her red lips slightly parted, glancing at Zhou Yuan. Zhou Yuan smiled helplessly and sighed, "What can I do? New disciples have no prestige. If I want to gain benefits, no one will accept it easily. Since someone wants to step forward and let me make an example, I can only oblige." This was quite normal; newly admitted disciples would inevitably be suppressed by older disciples for a period. It was a kind of unspoken rule, but Zhou Yuan didn't have the time to adapt to such rules. Furthermore, if he wanted to comfortably claim the Purple Origin Cave Dwelling, he had to ensure that no other disciples could raise objections, otherwise, he would face more trouble later. To avoid these disputes, the most direct method was to display his strength and make the older disciples recognize reality. Therefore, even if Cao Shi hadn't provoked him, Zhou Yuan would probably have found an excuse to demonstrate his might.

"He's a fifth-layer Alpha-Origin practitioner, you know. Don't get yourself killed," Yao Yao teased. Despite her words, she flicked the five jade bottles hanging from her fingertips towards Zhou Yuan. "These were just delivered by Shen Wanjin," she said. Zhou Yuan took the bottles, flipped open their lids, and a rich, bloody scent immediately surged out, forming five spectral beast figures. Faint roars filled with a murderous aura emanated from them. They were precisely five bottles of Origin Beast essence blood, and their grade appeared to be quite high, likely all reaching fifth-grade. "As expected of the inner mountain—they can even procure five-grade dragon-type Origin Beast essence blood!" A hint of surprise flashed in Zhou Yuan's eyes, and he couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. He had previously instructed Shen Wanjin to wait at the Linlang Pavilion in the inner mountain, his purpose being to purchase dragon-type Origin Beast essence blood. He had originally thought that even if he could buy any, it would be at most one or two. He hadn't expected Shen Wanjin to acquire five bottles. With these five portions of Origin Beast essence blood, his Nine Dragons Canon should be able to advance further.

"You have quite the ambition. Be careful not to refine too much Origin Beast essence blood; if the ferocity becomes too strong, you might suffer a backlash," Yao Yao warned. Zhou Yuan rubbed his right palm and chuckled, "No matter how ferocious, can it be more ferocious than the Resentful Dragon Poison?" He shook his head and said no more, but his gaze suddenly settled on Tun Tun, who was lazily resting in Yao Yao's arms. A very gentle smile appeared on his face as he asked, "Good little Tun Tun, do you want to try what the Hundred Fragrance Pavilion in the inner mountain tastes like?" The originally sluggish Tun Tun immediately perked up its ears, its beast eyes gazing fervently at Zhou Yuan, its tongue hanging out. Seeing this, Yao Yao exasperatedly shook her head, picked Tun Tun up by its ear, and tossed it away, saying, "You never learn! You'll be sold off sooner or later." How could she not know that after enjoying a meal, it would be time to 'bleed' it dry?

Zhou Yuan smilingly hugged Tun Tun and said, "Sister Yao Yao, spread the word that I'll be going into secluded cultivation for the next few days and won't attend the next morning lesson." Yao Yao acknowledged him and then turned to leave.

Seeking Dao Hall. It was again the turn of the Shen Taiyuan lineage to cultivate here. When Cao Shi arrived, he immediately noticed Zhou Yuan's empty seat and smiled playfully. He had clearly already heard about Zhou Yuan's secluded cultivation. "Just a few days, and he's already trying to be mysterious," Cao Shi muttered, shaking his head, a cold sneer and contempt in his eyes. "Zhou Yuan, oh Zhou Yuan, when you fought Lu Feng, you exposed all your trump cards. If those are all the tricks you have, then don't blame your senior brother for bullying a junior..." Beside him, several gold-belt disciples who were familiar with him also chuckled. It seemed a good show was inevitable in a few days.