Chapter 328: Triple Heaven

When the Dragon Origin Marrow Crystal, measuring around half a zhang in length, appeared, a tremendous uproar erupted around the entire Origin Pond, and everyone's faces became incredibly animated. Even Saint Sons like Kong Sheng and Ye Ge couldn't help but be visibly moved.

They might not have cared about the Seven-Dragon Baptism, as it posed no difficulty for them, but the Dragon Origin Marrow Crystal Zhou Yuan had just produced clearly came from a thousand-zhang water beast! As Saint Sons, they knew all too well how incredibly difficult it was to find a thousand-zhang water beast. Once one possessed a Dragon Origin Marrow Crystal from a thousand-zhang water beast, it could be used as a catalyst to elevate the baptism level, enabling one to achieve the Eight-Dragon Baptism!

"How could he possibly have a Dragon Origin Marrow Crystal from a thousand-zhang water beast?!" Kong Sheng exclaimed involuntarily, unable to maintain the aloof expression on his handsome face. Disbelief was evident in his eyes. Beside him, Ye Ge also stood with his mouth agape, a peculiar look on his face.

For the past six months, they had painstakingly searched and only just managed to find traces of a thousand-zhang water beast, yet they had ultimately failed to capture it. Thus, when they saw a golden-sash disciple holding a Dragon Origin Marrow Crystal from a thousand-zhang water beast, their shock was immeasurable. Since when had thousand-zhang water beasts become so easy to find?

If even the two Saint Sons were so profoundly shocked, it was naturally easy to imagine the turbulent emotions churning in the hearts of the other disciples.

Under the myriad shocked gazes, Zhou Yuan took a deep breath, clapped his hands together, and the half-zhang-long Dragon Origin Marrow Crystal above his head suddenly shattered. Viscous and pure origin marrow flowed down, completely covering the ancient stone pillar before rapidly permeating it.

A buzzing sound filled the air! Immediately, myriad rays of light suddenly burst forth from the stone pillar. The origin qi of the entire world seemed to converge at that moment, forming majestic clouds and mist that swirled around Zhou Yuan. Simultaneously, another loud dragon roar echoed, and everyone watched as yet another dragon shadow slowly emerged from the stone pillar, circling around Zhou Yuan.

The eighth dragon shadow! An Eight-Dragon Baptism!

Gazing at the eight dragon shadows swirling around Zhou Yuan, all the disciples couldn't help but swallow hard. Although they had previously witnessed Li Qingchan's Eight-Dragon Baptism, it was clear that Zhou Yuan's was far more astonishing... After all, Li Qingchan was a Saint Son, so even her achieving the Eight-Dragon Baptism was largely expected by the disciples. But Zhou Yuan's... that was entirely unforeseen!

Earlier, they had anticipated that today would feature the lowest-ranked baptism in history. But in the blink of an eye, Zhou Yuan delivered a resounding "slap," leaving them utterly stunned and disoriented. That was an Eight-Dragon Baptism! Prior to today, only Senior Brother Chu Qing had ever achieved it. But now... Zhou Yuan had become the third disciple to receive this honor. What's more, the other eight Saint Sons had never even attempted it.

Moreover, Zhou Yuan had achieved the Eight-Dragon Baptism as a golden-sash disciple. This was unprecedented in the Cangxuan Sect, as even someone as powerful as Chu Qing had only reached the Eight-Dragon Baptism after becoming a Saint Son. While the timing itself might not hold great significance, the shock it generated was undeniably hard to overcome.

On a distant mountain peak, Lü Yan stared blankly at the eight dragon shadows surrounding Zhou Yuan, her beautiful face constantly shifting expressions. This scene, too, stirred immense turmoil within her. Beside her, some disciples couldn't help but sigh in admiration, saying, "This Zhou Yuan truly possesses some extraordinary ability. In the history of our Cangxuan Sect, no golden-sash disciple has ever achieved an Eight-Dragon Baptism."

"Indeed, even Senior Brother Chu Qing only did so after becoming a Saint Son..."

Hearing the voices beside her, Lü Yan couldn't help but retort coldly, "It's just an Eight-Dragon Baptism; it doesn't signify anything special. With his current strength, he absolutely could not have hunted a thousand-zhang water beast by himself. There must be another reason." A thousand-zhang water beast is comparable to a ninth-level expert of the Primordial Beginning Stage. Even purple-sash disciples like them would have to flee upon encountering one. How could Zhou Yuan, at only the second level of the Primordial Beginning Stage, possibly have hunted it down?

The other disciples, aware of her fervent admiration for Senior Brother Chu Qing, simply smiled and did not argue. However, inwardly, they reserved judgment. They believed that achieving the Eight-Dragon Baptism was a testament to one's own strength and good fortune. After all, even Chu Qing's ability to be the first to find a thousand-zhang water beast back then was also attributed to luck, wasn't it?

Observing their expressions, Lü Yan realized what they were thinking and couldn't help but feel a pang of annoyance. Knowing she couldn't persuade them, she suppressed her frustration and turned her gaze toward Zhou Yuan.

"This guy..." Lü Yan bit her lip, then pursed her lips in resignation. She had to admit that Zhou Yuan's achievement of an Eight-Dragon Baptism was truly astonishing.

"No wonder Master Shen holds Junior Brother Zhou Yuan in such high regard..." Zhou Tai exclaimed in admiration, his gaze fixed on the eight dragon shadows. Beside him, Zhang Yan and the others were still in a daze. Zhou Tai's earlier achievement of a Six-Dragon Baptism had already surpassed his expectations, but he hadn't anticipated that Zhou Yuan's subsequent display would be even more explosive... Gazing at the eight dragon shadows, even Zhang Yan found himself unable to argue with Zhou Tai for a moment and could only sheepishly avert his gaze.

Zhou Yuan paid no attention to the widespread shock. His eyes burned with fervor as he gazed at the swirling eight dragon shadows, a strong sense of anticipation clearly visible on his face.

"Eight-Dragon Baptism... Let me see just how potent you are."

With a thought, the swirling eight dragon shadows roared, then plunged downward, carrying immense and pure Heaven and Earth Origin Qi directly into the top of his head. The moment the first dragon shadow surged into his head, Zhou Yuan felt a resounding roar within his mind. The vast origin qi, like liquid mercury, poured down from his skull, washing over every inch of his flesh and blood. This origin qi was exceptionally pure, entering his body without causing any disturbance. With a single thought from Zhou Yuan, it began to circulate along his meridians like a surging flood.

One after another, the dragon shadows continuously surged into his body. Vast origin qi erupted within his body, even causing light to emanate from beneath his skin. The origin qi continuously merged into his flesh, blood, and bones, slowly refining out impurities. More origin qi surged into his Qi Dwelling, finally merging with the Boundless Profound Python Qi residing within. One by one, origin qi stars quietly condensed. The speed of this condensation far surpassed that of normal cultivation. As the origin qi surged within his Qi Dwelling, the origin qi pressure emanating from Zhou Yuan's body began to climb steadily...

Furthermore, as the dragon shadows integrated into his body, the golden Profound Python Scales on Zhou Yuan's skin began to operate automatically, uncontrollably, quietly absorbing the dragon qi contained within the origin marrow. The Profound Python Scales, having originated from the Boundless Profound Python Qi, seemed to share a subtle connection with the dragon qi derived from this Origin Dragon Vein.

As the golden Profound Python Scales subtly began to mutate, Zhou Yuan's tightly closed eyes suddenly snapped open. He could feel his Qi Dwelling vibrating with a humming sound. The origin qi pressure emanating from his body also seemed to have broken through a certain bottleneck.

A smile finally appeared on Zhou Yuan's face. Thanks to this Origin Marrow Baptism, he had finally achieved his goal.

"Primordial Beginning Stage, third level... I've finally reached it."