Chapter 31: Establishing Authority

In the lake, Genesis Qi surged around Zhou Yuan, streams of light seemingly flowing over his skin. Invisible fluctuations spread outwards, directly stirring the surrounding lake water so much that it couldn't settle.

On the shore, everyone stared dumbfounded at his figure. They were all familiar with this sight, as it was clearly what happened when one opened a meridian.

"Opening three meridians? How is that possible!" Liu Xi's pretty face alternated between green and pale, feeling a stinging sensation. She had just been mocking Zhou Yuan for overexerting himself, yet unexpectedly, not only was he unharmed, but he had also opened his third meridian on the spot!

Qi Yue's gaze also completely darkened at this moment. His five fingers clenched, and he stared at Zhou Yuan with cold, snake-like eyes, a surge of anger welling up inside him. He too had not expected such an outcome.

What he found even more unbelievable was how Zhou Yuan, with the physical conditioning of only two opened meridians, could possibly endure an hour in the Jade Spirit Waterfall?!

"How could this guy achieve this?!"

The other Class B students exchanged glances, silent, clearly stunned by the scene.

In the lake, Zhou Yuan's tightly shut eyes slowly opened, a sharp glint passing through them. He looked down at the streams of Genesis Qi coiling around his body and felt the third meridian completely opened within him. An uncontrollable surge of pleasant surprise also welled up in his heart.

He hadn't expected to open his third meridian directly at this moment.

Originally, he had estimated that he would need at least several more days of cultivation, but he seemed to have underestimated the jade marrow qi in the Jade Spirit Waterfall. After absorbing a large amount of it, his third meridian had been opened today.

"However, this must be my first time absorbing the jade marrow qi, which is why the effect is so potent. Once I get used to it, I won't achieve such immediate results," Zhou Yuan murmured to himself, his eyes alight with surprise.

Nevertheless, being able to open his third meridian brought Zhou Yuan immense joy, especially since it had only been a few days since he opened his second.

With a light chuckle, Zhou Yuan tipped his toes and swept onto the shore. Looking up, he saw everyone staring at him, and the area was silent.

"Clap! Clap!"

Suddenly, applause broke out. Chu Tianyang's usually stern, unsmiling face was now covered in a warm smile. His eyes were fervent as he stared at Zhou Yuan, clapping his hands.

Su Youwei, Yang Zai, Song Qiushui, and others also snapped back to reality and immediately clapped enthusiastically, their faces excited.

Earlier, they had been intimidated by Qi Yue's time, which had lowered their morale. But unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, Zhou Yuan had not only broken Qi Yue's record but also left it far behind.

To endure an hour in the Jade Spirit Waterfall with only two opened meridians was unprecedented in the Great Zhou Prefecture.

The applause of the crowd momentarily startled Zhou Yuan. He then smiled at them, before raising his head and directing his gaze towards Qi Yue and the other Class B students.

Seeing Zhou Yuan look their way, the Class B students all instinctively flinched, their faces feeling hot. After all, they had just been scoffing, but in mere moments, their taunts had backfired on them.

Liu Xi's pretty face was ashen and extremely unsightly. She couldn't utter a word, only gritting her teeth in frustration.

Qi Yue, however, had a gloomy expression, and a chilling voice seeped from between his teeth: "Good, good. Your Highness truly is full of surprises."

"If you want to watch, then just stand quietly on the side and watch. Don't add unnecessary drama; we're not interested," Zhou Yuan said with a faint smile, glancing at Qi Yue.

Qi Yue's eye twitched, but he ultimately took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his heart. However, his gaze towards Zhou Yuan became even more sinister.

"Everyone, let's continue. We don't have much time left," Zhou Yuan said, seeing his reaction. He didn't bother to pay any more attention to Qi Yue, turning to smile at Su Youwei, Yang Zai, Song Qiushui, and the others.

The three *shichen*, which is six hours, was already nearing its halfway point.

"Alright!"

Hearing Zhou Yuan's words, all the Class A students responded loudly. Their morale instantly soared, and their gazes towards Zhou Yuan changed considerably.

Previously, they still somewhat had the mindset of seniors looking down on juniors, but Zhou Yuan's actions now not only deterred Qi Yue and the others but also earned him a new level of respect from them.

Chu Tianyang stood to the side, secretly sighing in relief as he watched the revitalized Class A students. His gaze at Zhou Yuan grew increasingly satisfied.

Throughout this year, Qi Yue had been a massive weight on the minds of almost all Class A students, casting an insurmountable shadow over them. But today, Zhou Yuan had shown everyone that Qi Yue was not truly unbeatable.

There are always higher mountains beyond mountains, and more capable people beyond people. They had been unable to counterbalance Qi Yue simply because that more capable person hadn't appeared yet... But now...

Perhaps he had finally appeared, Chu Tianyang thought to himself, looking at Zhou Yuan.

Beneath the Jade Spirit Waterfall, the revitalized Class A students resumed their cultivation. The waterfall roared down, and the figures standing within it seemed to gain a new surge of strength.

In the time that followed, Zhou Yuan consistently maintained sessions of about an hour each. This astonished everyone, who couldn't understand how he managed it.

What was most surprising was that even after enduring an hour, Zhou Yuan remained energetic, with hardly any visible bruising. It was as if the waterfall's impact hadn't harmed him in the slightest.

Consequently, the gazes directed at Zhou Yuan became even more awed.

The three hours of cultivation soon concluded. Then, led by Zhou Yuan, the Class A students proudly walked past the Class B group.

Watching them depart, the many Class B students remained silent.

"What's there to be so smug about? He just lasted a bit longer! Does he really think opening three meridians will make him invincible?" Liu Xi retorted through gritted teeth, seething with hatred.

"Qi Yue, we can't let him continue acting so arrogantly!"

Qi Yue remained expressionless, stating indifferently, "What's the rush?"

He turned to look at the massive Jade Spirit Waterfall, a cold glint flickering in his eyes. A moment later, he sneered, "It seems this Jade Spirit Waterfall works very well for him..."

He looked at Liu Xi, his eyes slightly cold as he asked, "Don't you think Class A occupying the Jade Spirit Waterfall for three *shichen* is a bit too long?"

Liu Xi's eyes immediately brightened upon hearing this. "You mean?" she asked.

Qi Yue smiled, the gloom fading from his face. "I happened to hear Dean Xu mention that the time allocation for the Jade Spirit Waterfall isn't fair, and the other classes have quite a few complaints about it."

"If Class A had always been as dominant as before, then no one could complain about them enjoying such privileges. But now, does Class A still have that qualification?"

"After being suppressed by our Class B for two consecutive years, do they still have the nerve to consider themselves the head of all classes?"

Qi Yue looked in the direction Zhou Yuan and his group had left, the cold light in his eyes growing more intense, and the smile on his lips filled with sarcasm.

"So I think... the time allocation for the Jade Spirit Waterfall definitely needs to be changed."