Chapter 331: The Movement of the Cave Test

The fervor ignited by Zhou Yuan’s Eight-Dragon Baptism gradually subsided on Saint Genesis Peak after several days. The new focus of attention became the upcoming Cave Exam between the Lu Hong faction and the Shen Taiyuan faction.

Currently, most areas of Saint Genesis Peak are sealed, leading to a scarcity of cultivation resources in its cave dwellings. As a result, every cave dwelling sparks fierce competition among disciples.

This time, the Cave Exam concerns the ownership of a Purple Origin Cave Dwelling.

This undoubtedly drew even more attention, as a cave dwelling of this caliber was a premium cultivation resource throughout the entire Cangxuan Sect, something ordinary disciples could only dream of acquiring.

Furthermore, many disciples understood that the Purple Origin Cave Dwelling was merely a superficial aspect of this struggle between the two factions. The deeper conflict was clearly about seizing influence within Saint Genesis Peak.

The Lu Hong faction, having descended from Sword Peak, arrived forcefully at Saint Genesis Peak. With an extremely overbearing demeanor, they seized many resources from the Shen Taiyuan and Lü Song factions, displaying a clear intent to dominate.

Confronted by the Lu Hong faction’s aggressiveness, Elder Lü Song chose to yield. However, the rigid Shen Taiyuan opted for a forceful confrontation, clearly unwilling to let an outsider strip them of their influence.

Otherwise, Saint Genesis Peak was already in decline. If Lu Hong were allowed to dominate it, their faction would likely become even more forgotten, and it would become increasingly difficult to secure cultivation resources for their disciples in the future.

The ultimate outcome would undoubtedly be the dispersal of his disciples, and he would be forced to retire, becoming a powerless elder within the Cangxuan Sect.

Prior to this Cave Exam, the Lu Hong faction had a higher probability of winning in many of the competitions among Saint Genesis Peak's three factions, which was the main reason for their strong position.

Therefore, to curb the Lu Hong faction's power, Shen Taiyuan could only hope to defeat them in this Cave Exam. Otherwise, if the Lu Hong faction continued to win, the blow to their faction's morale would be too severe.

Furthermore, if word spread from Saint Genesis Peak, other peaks would look down upon his faction, deeming them incompetent. Thus, even if they were replaced, it would not evoke any sympathy.

Therefore, Shen Taiyuan did not want to lose this Cave Exam.

Amidst this fervent atmosphere, several days passed, and finally, the day of the Cave Exam arrived.

On one of Saint Genesis Peak's mountains, there was a vast cave dwelling. However, shimmering light patterns at its entrance formed what appeared to be a barrier, sealing the dwelling.

But even so, extremely pure and potent Genesis Qi emanated from within the cave dwelling, causing the area around the entrance to be lush with greenery and thriving trees.

Clearly, this was a Purple Origin Cave Dwelling.

Outside the cave dwelling was a steep cliff. Several massive rocks on the mist-shrouded cliff face had been flattened, forming spacious stone platforms.

This Cave Exam was to be held here.

In the past, this place was rarely visited. However, today it had become the liveliest spot on all of Saint Genesis Peak.

Figures continuously streaked through the sky, propelled by Genesis Qi, landing everywhere and completely filling the entire mountain. The clamor shattered the usual tranquility.

Near the cave dwelling, close to the cliff, Elder Lü Song sat calmly in a stone pavilion. Behind him stood Lü Yan and several Purple Sash disciples from his faction.

Outside the pavilion were even more Golden Sash and Black Sash disciples, a considerable number indeed.

“Why are there so many people today?” Lü Song wondered, looking around with a hint of confusion while holding his teacup. Figures continued to arrive, propelled by Genesis Qi.

And those figures were clearly not disciples from Saint Genesis Peak.

This made him quite surprised. This type of Cave Exam usually only had an impact within their respective peaks, and disciples from other peaks usually showed little interest. But why were there so many people today? Since when could a Cave Exam at Saint Genesis Peak attract so many disciples from other peaks as spectators?

“Why else? Of course, they're all here to see Zhou Yuan,” Lü Yan said with a slight curl of her lips, a hint of schadenfreude in her tone.

Lü Song raised an eyebrow.

“A few days ago, Elder Miao from Snow Lotus Peak publicly stated that Zhou Yuan's future potential is boundless, and he might even be able to rival Senior Brother Chu Qing,” Lü Yan said with a smile. However, there was an undeniable trace of disdain in her voice.

“What status does Senior Brother Chu Qing hold in the hearts of our Cangxuan Sect disciples? So, when Elder Miao's words spread, they naturally piqued the curiosity and resentment of many disciples. Now that they've heard Zhou Yuan will be participating in the Cave Exam, they naturally want to see if he truly has three heads and six arms...”

Hearing what Lü Yan said, Lü Song then understood. It seemed these disciples from other peaks had come with ill intentions.

If Zhou Yuan didn't put on an impressive performance today, it wouldn't be long before this matter became widely known throughout the entire sect, and he would undoubtedly face much ridicule.

After all, Chu Qing was simply too outstanding. If Zhou Yuan's performance was merely average, it would only highlight his own inadequacy, even if that inadequacy was only in comparison to Chu Qing.

“That Elder Miao really has a big mouth. How could she say such things so casually?” Lü Song frowned. “Even if she genuinely thought highly of Zhou Yuan, she shouldn't have said it publicly.”

Now that such a stir had been caused, it would surely put immense pressure on Zhou Yuan.

Although Lü Song had chosen to yield in his conflict with Lu Hong, deep down, he clearly still favored Shen Taiyuan. After all, if Lu Hong won the Cave Exam again and suppressed Shen Taiyuan, it would bring no benefit to their own faction.

Lü Yan clearly lacked this realization. Crossing her arms, she said, “Zhou Yuan brought this upon himself. As a newly arrived inner mountain disciple, he's far too jumpy. Does he really think he's like Senior Brother Chu Qing?”

“A tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind. With little ability, it's wiser to stay quiet and inconspicuous.”

It was clear that as an ardent supporter of Chu Qing, Lü Yan found Elder Miao's assessment utterly contemptible. In her opinion, the two were on completely different levels; how could Zhou Yuan possibly compare to Senior Brother Chu Qing?

It was just an Eight-Dragon Baptism, and the true implications of it were still unknown. To claim based on that alone that Zhou Yuan could compare to Senior Brother Chu Qing was truly unconvincing.

Therefore, in Lü Yan's view, after today's Cave Exam, Elder Miao's evaluation of Zhou Yuan would likely become a source of mockery for all disciples, possibly even a crushing boulder that would prevent Zhou Yuan from ever raising his head again.

Lü Song glanced at her and said calmly, “If they lose, it will only strengthen the Lu Hong faction's influence. What benefit would that be to us?”

Lü Yan paused, then said somewhat resentfully, “Anyway, this Cave Exam isn't relying on him... He's only at the third layer of the Alpha Origin Stage; he'll probably just be there to make up the numbers.”

Lü Song sighed. He knew all too well that Shen Taiyuan's chances of winning this time were indeed slim.

As the two of them spoke, a sudden commotion arose on the mountain. Countless intrigued gazes turned towards that direction.

There, a large group of figures slowly approached.

Leading them was Shen Taiyuan himself. Behind him were Zhou Tai, Zhang Yan, Zhou Yuan, Yaoyao, and others.

There was a considerable number of them; clearly, all of Shen Taiyuan's disciples had come this time, if only to bolster their presence.

When Shen Taiyuan arrived, he also saw the dense crowd on the mountain and in the sky, and he was momentarily startled. He clearly hadn't expected this Cave Exam to attract so many people either.

He frowned but said nothing more. He stepped forward, nodded to Lü Song, and entered another stone pavilion by the cliff.

Zhou Yuan stood inside the stone pavilion, feeling the countless unfamiliar and mocking gazes. This made him realize that these disciples from other peaks must have come because of him.

“Looks like quite a crowd, doesn't it? You might become famous this time,” Yaoyao said playfully from beside him.

Zhou Yuan smiled helplessly. These people were probably all here to see him make a fool of himself.

However, he felt no anger about this. His eyes were calm, because no matter what these people's intentions were, he had only one goal today.

To win this Purple Origin Cave Dwelling.

Not long after Shen Taiyuan's faction arrived, another commotion spread through the area. A wave of figures surged in with an imposing aura, creating a remarkable presence that drew everyone's attention.

The leader, of course, was Lu Hong.

However, beside Lu Hong, Zhou Yuan saw a familiar figure.

Dressed in a black gown that accentuated her graceful curves, she had long, straight legs, a slender waist, and a pair of beautiful eyes filled with cold arrogance.

It was Lu Xuanyin.

The moment Lu Xuanyin appeared, her cold, arrogant eyes immediately fixed on Zhou Yuan. Instantly, a playful expression emerged on her pretty face.

At the same time, the hatred in her eyes also became palpable.

“Zhou Yuan, you stole Lu Feng's first place and ruined his reputation. Today, I will personally watch you lose all face!”