Chapter 303: Source Pool Opens

"Li Qingchan... she's actually here too..." On the peak, Zhou Tai, Zhang Yan, and others watched the graceful figure on a distant mountaintop, surprise appearing on their faces. The Ten Sacred Sons each had their own small, exclusive area within the Origin Pond, allowing them to enter at any time without waiting for the bi-monthly opening. So, it was unusual for them to join the crowd at this particular moment. Li Qingchan's appearance now was quite unexpected for them.

"It really is Li Qingchan," Zhou Yuan murmured, observing the elegant figure. As a man, he naturally felt a certain curiosity about Cangxuan Sect's foremost beauty. And indeed, her presence was strikingly ethereal. He then turned his head to glance at Yaoyao, who was holding Tun Tun, her face radiant and flawless, seemingly wanting to make a comparison. However, the moment his gaze shifted, Yaoyao's cool eyes fixed on him, causing Zhou Yuan to quickly retract his gaze with an awkward chuckle.

Zhou Yuan was clearly not the only one with such thoughts. Many other disciples nearby were also secretly sizing up the two stunning beauties of Cangxuan Sect, seemingly eager to determine who was superior.

Just as the numerous disciples were secretly observing, a whistling sound suddenly echoed from the distant sky. A dark green cloud of Origin Qi descended, landing on a mountaintop and drawing countless gazes. As the cloud dispersed, a slender figure was revealed: a young man in black. His dark hair flowed freely, his features were sculpted, and his eyes, in particular, were as black as ink, like dark stones, hinting at an unfathomable depth. His black sleeves swayed gently in the wind, revealing faint sword patterns. An indescribably sharp sword qi emanated from his body, and the entire world seemed to echo with the sound of a sword's hum. Standing there, he appeared less like a man and more like a drawn divine sword.

Throughout the area, countless female disciples' eyes lit up, gazing intently at the young man in black. Zhou Yuan also watched him, his expression growing serious. He found that merely looking at the young man caused a slight stinging sensation in his eyes, a result of the extreme sharpness of the Origin Qi within him. Within Cangxuan Sect, only the Origin Qi from Sword-Come Peak possessed such piercing sharpness. Thus, the identity of the young man in black was evident.

"Is he... Kong Sheng, the second-ranked of the Ten Sacred Sons?" Zhou Yuan whispered. Zhou Tai nodded gravely, saying, "That's right, he is Kong Sheng." Facing such a figure, even they, as Purple Ribbon disciples, felt immense pressure.

While they were still marveling at Kong Sheng's appearance, another cloud of Origin Qi descended from the sky. On the cloud stood a young man dressed in a Daoist robe, adorned with countless ancient patterns that flickered between bright and dim, emitting unusual fluctuations. This young man in the Daoist robe wore a gentle smile, and with his swaying attire, he was quite handsome.

"Ye Ge from Spirit-Pattern Peak..." Upon seeing the young man in the Daoist robe, Zhou Tai could no longer contain his surprise and exclaimed, "What in the world is going on today? How could three of the Ten Sacred Sons show up!" The other disciples exchanged bewildered glances. If it were just Li Qingchan, they could attribute it to coincidence. But with three of them arriving simultaneously, the situation was clearly more complex.

"Haven't you heard? You don't even know this news?" Just as they were wondering, a clear voice suddenly came from behind them. Zhou Tai and his group turned to see Lu Yan approaching with a group of disciples. "Heh heh, does Junior Sister Lu Yan know?" Zhou Tai asked with a chuckle. Lu Yan swept her gaze over them before slowly saying, "I heard this from my grandfather. Apparently, some time ago, traces of a thousand-zhang water beast appeared in the Origin Pond. Kong Sheng, Li Qingchan, and Ye Ge are likely here because of it."

"A thousand-zhang water beast..." Zhou Tai and the others showed expressions of shock. Thousand-zhang water beasts typically hid in the deepest parts of the Origin Pond, making them incredibly difficult to track. The fact that one had revealed itself this time explained why Kong Sheng, Li Qingchan, and Ye Ge had appeared. After all, if they successfully hunted the thousand-zhang water beast, they would be able to enjoy an Eight-Dragon Origin Marrow baptism.

"The other Sacred Sons are either in secluded cultivation or on external missions. Otherwise, even more Sacred Sons would likely be here," Lu Yan said with a smile. "Of course, if Senior Brother Chu Qing had also come, there wouldn't be much for the other Sacred Sons to do." She remained, as always, a fervent admirer of Chu Qing.

Zhou Tai chuckled, gazing at the three figures standing on the distant mountaintop. "It seems this Origin Marrow baptism will be quite a spectacle," he said with a smile. "An Eight-Dragon baptism is a grand event. Even if we can't participate, it'll be good to witness it." He glanced at Zhou Yuan, who was still staring at the three figures, and promptly patted his shoulder. "Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, there's no need to feel envious," he said. "In the future, you might also have the chance to experience an Eight-Dragon baptism."

His words were meant to be comforting, but Lu Yan, standing nearby, rolled her eyes. "Currently, in Cangxuan Sect, only Senior Brother Chu Qing has the ability to enjoy the Eight-Dragon baptism," she stated. "Even the other Sacred Sons haven't succeeded." Her implication was clear: if other Sacred Sons couldn't achieve it, a mere Gold Ribbon disciple like him had no such qualification. Zhou Tai felt a bit awkward; Lu Yan truly gave no one any face when she spoke. However, Zhou Yuan paid her no mind, merely smiling and nodding at Zhou Tai.

Just as they were speaking, a strange sound suddenly echoed through the world. Then, to the excited gazes of all the disciples, the massive light barrier enveloping the Origin Pond began to gradually become transparent.

"The Origin Pond is opening!" Zhou Tai exclaimed excitedly upon seeing this. "Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, the Origin Pond is filled with mist and divided by colossal peaks, so when it comes to searching for dragon origin marrow, you'll have to rely on yourself," he reminded Zhou Yuan, looking at him. Zhou Yuan smiled and nodded.

Under the excited gazes of the many disciples, the light barrier in the sky grew fainter and fainter, until it completely dissipated. The moment the barrier vanished, a vast, endless surge of pure Origin Qi poured forth, as if the entire world had been cleansed, becoming fresh and invigorating. However, even more disciples suddenly shot forward, their feet forming clouds of Origin Qi, resembling a swarm of locusts as they hurtled towards the vast, misty Origin Pond. On the mountaintops, Kong Sheng, Li Qingchan, and Ye Ge also transformed into streaks of light and sped away, disappearing into the mist within mere seconds.

"Let's go!" Zhou Tai smiled at Zhou Yuan and the others. The very next moment, they too rose into the sky on their Origin Qi, merging into the locust-like throng. Under the envious gazes of countless disciples behind them who lacked the qualification to enter the Origin Pond, they surged into the boundless Origin Pond.