Chapter 336: The Power of One Punch

When Zhou Yuan's calm voice echoed through the cliffside, a profound silence fell over the entire area. All the disciples stared, their faces frozen in disbelief, at Feng Yu, who was embedded in the cliff face, covered in blood. Their minds buzzed, unable to process what had just happened.

Feng Yu... was defeated by a single punch from Zhou Yuan, without even being able to withstand it?!

Many disciples opened their mouths, but no words came out of their parched throats.

No one had anticipated such a scene.

Previously, they had all believed Zhou Yuan was intimidated by Wei Youxuan and therefore didn't dare continue the challenge. They thought he had opted for a weaker opponent, hoping to hold out longer and salvage some dignity.

But who would have thought that this young man, whom they had largely ignored, would employ such a thunderous method, defeating Feng Yu – a top practitioner at the Fifth Layer of the Alpha Origin Stage – with a single punch?

"How is that possible..." a disciple murmured, his voice hoarse.

"How is that possible!"

In the stone pavilion, a slightly sharp voice burst out. Lu Xuanyin stared wide-eyed at the stone platform, her beautiful face contorted with disbelief.

She had been waiting for Zhou Yuan to be knocked to the ground and humiliated, but his sudden explosive power shocked her deeply. She even wondered if Feng Yu had taken a bribe, as there was no other way he could have been so utterly defeated by a single punch.

After all, Feng Yu was a skilled practitioner at the Fifth Layer of the Alpha Origin Stage, while Zhou Yuan was only at the Third Layer!

How could a gap of two entire layers, and such a profound difference in Genesis Qi foundation, possibly be bridged?

Could Zhou Yuan have become this strong in just a month? Even Lu Xuanyin herself wasn't confident she could defeat Feng Yu with a single punch.

"It seems everyone has underestimated this boy," Xu Yan said slowly, his eyes narrowing slightly next to Lu Xuanyin.

"His Genesis Qi is incredibly profound, far surpassing that of an ordinary Fifth Layer practitioner. It's extraordinary for his Genesis Qi to be so potent at merely the Third Layer of the Alpha Origin Stage. It seems his foundation is exceptionally solid."

As a Purple Sash disciple, his discernment was superior to Lu Xuanyin's. Following Zhou Yuan's instantaneous burst of power, he could sense the profoundness of the latter's Genesis Qi, which was clearly beyond what a typical Third Layer disciple would possess.

To achieve such a profound level of Genesis Qi at the Third Layer would undoubtedly require numerous fortuitous encounters.

Lu Hong, seated in the stone pavilion, subtly lowered his gaze, his eyes, sharp as a hawk's, fixed on Zhou Yuan. Deep within his eyes, there was anger. His original intention for today's Cave Dwelling Selection was to completely suppress the Shen Taiyuan lineage. Just as he was about to achieve his goal, Zhou Yuan's sudden burst of power disrupted his entire plan.

Zhou Yuan's sudden, thunderous move also left the disciples of the Shen Taiyuan lineage gaping. They exchanged bewildered glances, rubbing their eyes, struggling to believe the reality before them.

They had already braced themselves for the worst possible outcome, only for events to take an unexpected turn.

The disciples' gazes shifted to Shen Taiyuan in the stone pavilion. A flicker of surprise crossed his previously expressionless face, which he quickly concealed.

Shen Taiyuan slowly reached for his teacup, took two sips, and then, looking at the stunned disciples, he snapped, "What are you dallying for? Hurry up and cheer for Zhou Yuan! Haven't you been ridiculed enough already?"

At Shen Taiyuan's cold reprimand, the disciples instinctively recoiled. The next moment, a chorus of excited cheers erupted, completely shattering the silence of the cliffside.

Their shouts also roused a stunned Lu Yan. Her pretty face registered a spectrum of emotions, and she felt a stinging sensation.

Earlier, she had considered Zhou Yuan to be merely intimidated, but no one could have imagined his true strength was so deeply hidden.

"How could he have done that..." Lu Yan murmured, biting her red lip.

At that moment, Lu Song also opened his slightly narrowed eyes. He stared at the young figure in the arena, his gaze somewhat complex. Finally, he exhaled a long breath and softly said, "You still underestimate people too much. Perhaps... Elder Miao's judgment is better than ours."

His words clearly indicated that he was beginning to agree with Elder Miao's assessment of Zhou Yuan.

Hearing this, Lu Yan couldn't help but say, "Grandfather, it's too soon to say that... Senior Brother Chu Qing isn't..."

This time, however, she was smart enough not to finish her sentence. Instead, she paused and then subtly implied, "His thunderous assault earlier caught even Feng Yu somewhat off guard."

Her implication was that Zhou Yuan had used a trick.

Lu Song shook his head, saying nothing more, but a newfound interest seemed to spark in his usually languid eyes as he intently watched the arena.

What was supposed to be a contest without suspense today finally seemed to be stirring up some ripples.

Wei Youxuan's steps halted at the edge of the stone platform. He slowly turned around to face the young figure behind him, his previous smile gradually vanishing, replaced by a gloomy expression.

"I never thought I'd make such a misjudgment," Wei Youxuan said, his voice somewhat chilling.

He had previously dealt with Tong Long and Pan Song, and everything had been under his control. He had believed he would completely crush the Shen Taiyuan lineage today. But who would have thought that in this final match, Zhou Yuan, whom he had completely disregarded, would give him such a "surprise"?

The imposing momentum he had built up from his two consecutive victories was instantly destroyed by Zhou Yuan's single punch.

Zhou Yuan slowly uncurled his fingers, his expression unwavering. He still paid no mind to Wei Youxuan, simply turning his gaze towards Cheng Ying.

"My rest is almost over. Shall I play with you?" Wei Youxuan's chilling voice echoed.

Zhou Yuan finally glanced at him, a faint smile on his face, and said, "Don't rush... your turn will come."

Then he turned back to Cheng Ying and asked, "Aren't you coming down?"

Around the cliff, the numerous disciples quietly watched this scene. They couldn't help but swallow hard. Zhou Yuan wasn't rushing to fight Wei Youxuan. If it had been half an hour ago, they might have thought he lacked the courage.

But now, it was clear Zhou Yuan wasn't afraid; he was simply giving them a taste of their own medicine!

Hadn't Wei Youxuan boasted earlier that he would single-handedly break through their lineage?

If so, Zhou Yuan would retaliate in the same manner!

It was hard to imagine the impact if Zhou Yuan truly fought one against three and completely turned the tide of the situation. His reputation would undoubtedly spread throughout the entire Cangxuan Sect.

With such a record, even the ardent admirers of Chu Qing would likely have to admit that Zhou Yuan indeed possessed astonishing talent and potential.

Wei Youxuan also understood Zhou Yuan's intention, which made his eyes grow even darker. A moment later, he laughed, infuriated. He extended a finger and gently pointed at Zhou Yuan.

"Good, good..." These two short words carried an unbounded chill.

He looked up and nodded to Cheng Ying.

Seeing this, Cheng Ying took a deep breath, floated down, and landed opposite Zhou Yuan. His face, however, was now grim, and his eyes were fixed intently on Zhou Yuan.

He cupped his hands together in a respectful salute.

"I've come to experience your skill."

Facing Zhou Yuan now, Cheng Ying no longer held the disdain and contempt he had shown just moments before. His eyes were now filled with deep apprehension.

He had no choice but to be wary, as Feng Yu, whose strength was comparable to his own, was still embedded in the cliff face behind them.

This time, however, he would go all out and ensure he wouldn't be caught off guard by Zhou Yuan's thunderous assault. Therefore, he was determined to personally test him.

He needed to find out if that astonishing Genesis Qi was merely a temporary burst from pushing his potential, or if Zhou Yuan was genuinely that strong!