Chapter 344: Reward

Within a courtyard on Saint Genesis Peak, Shen Taiyuan, dressed in linen clothes, carefully tended to his meticulously cultivated Genesis materials in a flower patch with a small hoe. Nearby, Zhou Yuan stood by a stone pavilion, observing him.

After half a day of work, Shen Taiyuan finally stood up with a satisfied expression, brushed the dirt from his hands, and walked towards Zhou Yuan.

Zhou Yuan gazed at Shen Taiyuan, who at that moment resembled an old farmer, and sighed. Who would have thought that this seemingly ordinary old man was actually a Heaven Sun Stage expert?

A person of his caliber, in any other place, would be capable of founding a small sect and becoming its leader. Even on their Cangmang Continent, he would be an invincible force, with the prosperity of many dynasties resting on his every thought.

Yet, within the Cangxuan Sect, Shen Taiyuan was only an elder, with various Peak Masters and the Sect Master Qingyang above him. This clearly demonstrated the immense power and deep foundation of the Cangxuan Sect, which was once the strongest sect in Cangxuan Heaven.

Likewise, Zhou Yuan had come to understand more about Patriarch Cangxuan, the founder of the Cangxuan Sect, who wielded the Cangxuan Sacred Seal and became the Lord of Cangxuan Heaven. The handsome, youthful figure he encountered in the Saint Remains was once the most powerful being in this world.

“Been waiting long?” Shen Taiyuan smiled at Zhou Yuan. Ever since the cave trial concluded that day, all the disciples had observed that the usually rigid and stern Shen Taiyuan had been smiling more frequently.

Zhou Yuan smiled and shook his head. He felt a sense of gratitude towards Shen Taiyuan, as being so highly regarded and trusted was always a comforting experience. It was especially moving that he could still override dissenting opinions when others were not optimistic about Zhou Yuan.

Shen Taiyuan sat down on the stone stool and took a purple token from his sleeve.

“This is the token for the Purple Origin Cave Dwelling. From today onward, that dwelling is yours,” Shen Taiyuan said with a satisfied smile.

Zhou Yuan took the token, his eyes alight with joy. He knew well that the Purple Origin Cave Dwelling was an extremely important cultivation resource, and possessing it would greatly benefit his practice. His painstaking efforts to participate in the cave trial had been solely for this purpose.

“Thank you, Master Shen.” Zhou Yuan cupped his fist.

Shen Taiyuan waved his hand. “You earned this yourself,” he said. “No disciple should have any objections now.”

Although Shen Taiyuan had originally prepared the Purple Origin Cave Dwelling for Zhou Yuan, it had initially faced considerable opposition from other disciples. Many believed that as a Golden Sash disciple, Zhou Yuan was not yet qualified to receive such a valuable resource. However, after the cave trial a few days prior, no disciple objected anymore. Even Zhang Yan and others remained silent, clearly giving their tacit approval. After all, no one had expected Zhou Yuan to perform so brilliantly in that trial. He had truly turned the tide, completely reclaiming the honor that their lineage was on the verge of losing.

Shen Taiyuan looked at Zhou Yuan with a gentle smile, his eyes full of satisfaction. With a flick of his sleeve, several jade boxes appeared on the stone table.

“Little fellow, this time I owe it to you for saving my old face,” Shen Taiyuan chuckled. “So, consider these your extra rewards.”

Zhou Yuan was momentarily stunned. He opened one of the jade boxes and felt a wave of heat emanating from within.

“This is…Nine-Yang Crystal? Heavenfire Marrow, Golden Crow Heart?” Zhou Yuan exclaimed, looking at the items in the jade box. He was instantly overjoyed, as these were precisely the Genesis materials required to cultivate the Heaven Sun Divine Record. He had been struggling to cultivate the Heaven Sun Divine Record because he couldn't acquire all the necessary Genesis materials. He never expected Shen Taiyuan to have prepared everything for him.

“Heh heh, these items are quite rare. I had to call in a few favors with some old friends to get them,” Shen Taiyuan said. “I know these are what you desire most right now.”

Zhou Yuan was ecstatic. That day, during his fight with Wei Youxuan, he had already grasped the true power of Heaven Genesis Arts. He knew that Wei Youxuan’s ‘Great Black Demon’ was incomplete and not fully cultivated, its power likely less than a fifth of its complete form. Yet, even in that state, it had forced Zhou Yuan to use his perfected Nine Dragons Art to win, demonstrating just how formidable true Heaven Genesis Arts could be.

After witnessing such power, Zhou Yuan coveted the Heaven Sun Divine Record in his possession even more. In the past few days, he had tried every method to gather the necessary Genesis materials but had failed. Now, seeing that Shen Taiyuan had prepared them all, saving him immense trouble, he couldn't help but be overjoyed.

“Thank you, Master Shen!” Zhou Yuan cupped his fist again, speaking sincerely.

Seeing Zhou Yuan’s joyous expression, Shen Taiyuan smiled. He looked at Zhou Yuan and slowly said, “Zhou Yuan, you came to the Cangxuan Sect to cultivate because you intend to return and confront the so-called Great Wu Dynasty, don’t you?”

Zhou Yuan was momentarily startled, then nodded. After all, Shen Taiyuan was an elder of the Cangxuan Sect; despite often enduring Lu Hong’s provocations, he was undoubtedly a formidable expert. Given the Cangxuan Sect’s vast resources, investigating Zhou Yuan’s background would be no challenge, though Zhou Yuan had nothing to hide anyway.

“The Martial King of Great Wu is a Divine Dwelling Stage expert, but that’s nothing. If I wished, I could easily suppress him with a mere flick of my hand,” Shen Taiyuan said, his understated words carrying a formidable air of dominance. “In the month since you joined my tutelage, I’ve thoroughly investigated the grievances between your Great Zhou Dynasty and the Great Wu Dynasty. To ensure you could cultivate in peace, I had intended to ask the sect to intervene and resolve the Great Wu issue.”

Zhou Yuan was astonished upon hearing this and stared at Shen Taiyuan.

Shen Taiyuan frowned. “However, the sect ultimately rejected this idea,” he said. “I believe it’s related to the Sacred Palace. Wu Huang, the Crown Prince of the Great Wu Dynasty, had his physical body destroyed by you in the Saint Remains, but his spirit was taken by the Sacred Palace. According to the latest intelligence I’ve gathered, for some unknown reason, the Palace Master of the Sacred Palace appears to greatly value Wu Huang. He personally accepted Wu Huang as a disciple and even rebuilt his physical body. Consequently, with the Sacred Palace now backing the Great Wu Dynasty, the Sect Master and the others did not approve my suggestion, as it would likely provoke opposition from the Sacred Palace.”

Zhou Yuan’s pupils contracted slightly. Wu Huang was truly like a centipede that doesn't stiffen even when dead; he hadn't expected that even after his physical body was destroyed and half of his Sacred Dragon Qi retrieved, Wu Huang could still make a comeback. His gaze flickered for a moment before slowly settling into calm. Back then, he had been so far behind Wu Huang, yet he had still managed to catch up step by step and slay him. He had never feared Wu Huang then, so why would he now? If he could slay Wu Huang once, he could slay him a second time... However, the first time he had made a mistake, leaving a loose end. If there were a second time, he would ensure Wu Huang had no chance of survival.

“Master Shen, if the Sacred Palace supports Wu Huang, will it be unfavorable to my Great Zhou Dynasty?” Zhou Yuan slowly asked. He had no fear of Wu Huang, but he was wary of the unfathomable Sacred Palace. This was the true behemoth of Cangxuan Heaven now.

Shen Taiyuan waved his hand. “Don’t worry about that,” he said gravely. “We don’t wish to break the rules, and the Sacred Palace likely wouldn’t dare to either. If they attempt anything, I assure you, our Cangxuan Sect is not made of mud. So, in the end, the grievances between your Great Zhou Dynasty and the Great Wu Dynasty will still need to be resolved by yourselves,” Shen Taiyuan said, looking at Zhou Yuan with a hint of apology. He had initially wanted to help Zhou Yuan eliminate these underlying threats, but ultimately had no choice but to back down.

Zhou Yuan solemnly bowed to Shen Taiyuan, deeply moved by the elder's actions.

“Master Shen, there’s no need,” Zhou Yuan said. “That Great Wu Dynasty is a blockage in my heart; I must resolve this myself. Otherwise, relying on others would bring no benefit to my own cultivation. One day, I will personally sever these ties of grievance!” His voice was low, but full of confidence.

Feeling the strong confidence in Zhou Yuan’s words, Shen Taiyuan grew even more satisfied. This disciple truly possessed top-tier character and talent.

“If there’s anything you need from this old man, just say it. I will fully support you,” Shen Taiyuan said.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuan pondered for a moment, then smiled. “There is indeed one matter I’d like to ask for Master Shen’s support on,” he said.

“Oh?” Shen Taiyuan smiled. “Go ahead and say it.”

Zhou Yuan pursed his lips, looked at Shen Taiyuan, and said seriously, “I want to participate in the Purple Sash selection and be promoted to a Purple Sash disciple.” His purpose in coming to the Cangxuan Sect was to enter the main peak of Saint Genesis Peak and search for the second Sacred Rune. According to the rules, only the chief disciple of Saint Genesis Peak was permitted to enter the main peak. To compete for the chief disciple position at the end of the year, he first needed to become a Purple Sash disciple. Therefore, Zhou Yuan had to pass the Purple Sash selection and be promoted to a Purple Sash disciple before then. Otherwise, he wouldn’t even qualify to compete for the chief disciple position.