Chapter 325: Mutual Assistance

Above the Origin Pond, clouds and mist gathered.

Within the swirling mist, a majestic flow of Genesis Qi from heaven and earth continuously converged. Resonant dragon roars echoed from within, stirring the wind and clouds, creating a truly magnificent sight.

Countless disciples gazed at the scene with expressions of awe and envy. The Eight Dragons Baptism… it was simply too distant a prospect for them.

"Is this the Eight Dragons Baptism? It's truly spectacular." Zhou Yuan also watched the scene with a look of surprise. He could feel the immense Genesis Qi of heaven and earth contained within the cloud mist.

Zhou Tai, standing beside him, nodded and sighed, "I heard Senior Sister Li Qingchan has already reached the Ninth Heaven of the Alpha Origin Stage. She's now accumulating strength for her future breakthrough to the Divine Dwelling Stage. Once this Eight Dragons Baptism is complete, I imagine her foundation will be further strengthened."

Zhou Yuan nodded slightly. He now knew that transitioning from the Alpha Origin Stage to the Divine Dwelling Stage required a substantial foundation. This was because the Divine Dwelling was an evolution of the Qi Dwelling, and just as Qi Dwellings were categorized into four grades (gold, purple, azure, and colorless), Divine Dwellings naturally also had varying grades.

The grade of a Divine Dwelling depended on one's foundation accumulated during the Alpha Origin Stage.

More directly, it depended on whose Qi Dwelling contained a greater number and higher quality of Genesis Qi stars, as this represented the richness and density of one's own Genesis Qi.

The richer and purer one's Genesis Qi, the higher the grade of the Divine Dwelling evolved from it.

Therefore, in the final analysis, one's own Genesis Qi was the most crucial factor.

The Origin Marrow Baptism, which tempered Genesis Qi and expanded the Qi Dwelling, was an indispensable means of strengthening one's foundation. This was why even Saints like Li Qingchan were extremely eager for the Origin Marrow Baptism.

Boom!

Under countless envious gazes, the cloud mist above the altar persisted for a full incense stick's worth of time before gradually dissipating.

As the mist cleared, everyone saw the slender figure standing proudly on the stone pillar. The aura emanating from her was noticeably stronger than before.

Clearly, she had gained considerable benefits from this Eight Dragons Baptism.

On the peak, Kong Sheng watched the scene, and a faint twitch appeared on his otherwise expressionless face.

"Congratulations, Senior Sister!"

Nearby disciples from Snow Lotus Peak offered their congratulations. Most were pretty young girls with clear voices, which immediately drew many other disciples to join in, making the atmosphere lively.

However, Li Qingchan maintained her usual icy demeanor, simply nodding slightly to the young female disciples and largely ignoring everyone else.

Elder Miao gazed at Li Qingchan with satisfaction. Li Qingchan was currently the pride of their Snow Lotus Peak; among the ten Saints, she was their only representative. The other excellent disciples still needed more time to mature, so Elder Miao was pleased to see Li Qingchan's foundation strengthen.

"Qingchan, now that the baptism is complete, you may leave," Elder Miao said, knowing Li Qingchan disliked being the center of attention.

Upon hearing this, Li Qingchan pondered for a moment. She first clasped her hands in respect to Elder Miao, then soared away. However, instead of leaving directly, she landed on a mountain peak where many Snow Lotus Peak disciples were gathered.

Elder Miao was somewhat surprised by this, as Li Qingchan usually left immediately after a baptism. Why was she staying today?

After a moment of doubt, Elder Miao quickly refocused, her gaze sweeping across the surroundings. "Next, disciples of the Purple Sash from each peak, prepare yourselves," she announced.

As soon as she spoke, the world erupted with excitement. After all, the Purple Sash disciples from each peak were the main force entering the Origin Pond. However, due to the rules, they had to wait until the Saint-level disciples had completed their baptisms before it was their turn.

And as for Zhou Yuan, his situation was even worse; he would have to wait until all the Purple Sash disciples had completed their baptisms before he was eligible to go up.

But he wasn't in a hurry; he decided to observe first.

So, as many disciples from the surrounding peaks soared towards the altar high above, he stood on the mountain, watching with keen interest.

"Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, we're going ahead. It will be your turn after waiting here a bit." Zhou Tai was also heading for the baptism, but he offered words of comfort to Zhou Yuan before leaving.

Zhou Yuan smiled and nodded. Zhou Tai, as the head disciple of Master Shen's lineage, was indeed generous and showed the demeanor of a senior brother.

"Senior Brother Zhou Tai, you're too much of a good guy... you should focus on yourself more. You fall behind me in every Origin Marrow Baptism. If this continues, it won't be long before someone else takes your position." Zhang Yan, standing nearby, couldn't stand Zhou Tai's care for Zhou Yuan. He chuckled faintly, his voice laced with sarcasm.

Several close disciples accompanying Zhang Yan also snickered maliciously, saying, "Senior Brother Zhang Yan is more suited for the position of head disciple."

Zhou Tai's expression showed a hint of anger. However, he had a good reputation among Master Shen's disciples, and immediately, other disciples who couldn't bear to see this spoke up to help him.

Zhang Yan, however, looked disdainful. He waved his hand, too lazy to say more, and then, with several disciples, he stepped on Genesis Qi and headed towards the baptism altar.

Zhou Tai watched his retreating figure. Although displeased, he still spoke to comfort the other disciples.

Zhou Yuan watched this scene and suddenly asked, "Senior Brother Zhou Tai, how many dragons do you think you'll get in this Origin Marrow Baptism?"

Zhou Tai heard him and gave a bitter smile, saying, "The same as always, a Four Dragons Baptism... Even after ten days of hard work in the Origin Pond, I only got a few dozen Dragon Origin Marrow Crystals."

He sighed and shook his head. He already knew that Zhang Yan would likely achieve a Five Dragons Baptism this time.

Zhou Yuan pondered for a moment, then pulled the bewildered Zhou Tai aside.

"Junior Brother Zhou Yuan?"

Zhou Yuan smiled and patted his Cosmos Bag. Immediately, large Dragon Origin Marrow Crystals appeared in his hand. He then handed them all to Zhou Tai, saying, "Senior Brother Zhou Tai, thank you for your care during this time. Please accept this as a small gift from your junior brother."

Zhou Tai stared, dumbfounded, at the bright, dazzling Dragon Origin Marrow Crystals. Each one was larger than those he possessed, clearly extracted from sizable aquatic beasts.

"This... this..."

Zhou Tai was quite shocked, momentarily dazzled by their brilliance. After a long moment, he regained his senses and quickly declined, saying, "Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, this is too valuable..."

He pushed them back towards Zhou Yuan, saying, "It's you, Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, who with these Dragon Origin Marrow Crystals will surely shine brightly in this baptism. Giving them to me would be a pure waste; my talent is far inferior to yours."

However, Zhou Yuan tossed them over without a word, saying, "If Senior Brother Zhou Tai doesn't want them, then just discard them."

Zhou Tai hastily fumbled to catch them, a bitter smile on his face, and finally had no choice but to put them away.

"Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, thank you," he said, his eyes filled with gratitude as he looked at Zhou Yuan.

His original care for Zhou Yuan stemmed from his duty as a head disciple, compounded by Master Shen's high regard for Zhou Yuan. This had led Zhou Tai to understand that Zhou Yuan might be the one to carry their lineage forward, hence his added attentiveness.

But he hadn't expected his care for Zhou Yuan to be repaid in such a way.

Zhou Yuan smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Senior Brother Zhou Tai, you should go now."

Zhou Tai nodded, then turned and called several disciples. They stepped on Genesis Qi and headed towards the baptism altar. This time, however, his face no longer showed dejection; instead, it was filled with anticipation.

Zhou Yuan watched his departing figure, then looked at Zhang Yan ahead, a faint cold smile appearing at the corner of his lips.

He couldn't help but notice Zhang Yan's repeated antagonism towards him, which he figured was nothing more than jealousy over Master Shen's high regard for him. Compared to Zhou Tai, the kind and honest head disciple, Zhang Yan clearly had little tolerance for others.

However, Zhou Yuan was not someone without a temper. If Zhang Yan wanted to target him, then he wouldn't mind making Zhang Yan uncomfortable in return.