Chapter 346: Xu Yan's Methods

Over the past ten-plus days, the stir caused by the cave examination on Saint Origin Peak had quietly subsided. With Zhou Yuan also adopting a low profile, the matter gradually cooled down, and few people mentioned it anymore.

After all, the vast Cangxuan Sect had too many exciting and interesting events happening within it. A cave examination from a declining peak naturally couldn't command attention for long, even if it had been somewhat impressive.

The most crucial point, of course, was that in less than two months, the Cangxuan Sect's truly significant event, the Purple Sash Selection, would take place.

This was the grand occasion every disciple in the Cangxuan Sect eagerly awaited. Becoming a Purple Sash disciple meant being recognized as a true elite of the sect, a role model many disciples admired and strived to emulate.

Once a Purple Sash disciple, one's status, position, and benefits would be entirely different from before.

However, the Cangxuan Sect's selection process for Purple Sash disciples was extremely rigorous. Held twice a year, each selection had limited spots. Only the most outstanding Gold Sash disciples had a chance to compete and exchange their gold sashes for purple ones.

Many disciples trained assiduously for years for this very reason, making every Purple Sash Selection exceptionally fierce.

As the Purple Sash Selection date drew nearer, the attention of all disciples throughout the Cangxuan Sect shifted to this event. Conversations in every corner revolved around the upcoming selection.

Naturally, the favored disciples for the Purple Sash Selection became a hot topic of discussion. Everyone speculated on who would successfully pass this time and "leap over the dragon gate" to achieve greater status.

It was at this very moment that news of Zhou Yuan's participation in the Purple Sash Selection quietly spread, predictably causing another sensation.

Zhou Yuan, a name that had cooled down, instantly became a hot topic once more.

"This Zhou Yuan is really arrogant. How long has he been in the inner sect? And he dares to participate in the Purple Sash Selection already?"

"Yeah, this must be a record, right? In our Cangxuan Sect, there's never been anyone who dared to join the Purple Sash Selection after only a little over a month in the inner sect. Even Senior Brother Chu Qing only participated after nearly half a year, and he won first place."

"Hmph, he just defeated Wei Youxuan and now he doesn't know his own limits. Even Wei Youxuan wouldn't dare claim he's guaranteed to pass the Purple Sash Selection."

"The disciples participating in the Purple Sash Selection are almost all top talents among the Gold Sash disciples from various peaks. Compared to Wei Youxuan, they are only stronger, not weaker. Where does Zhou Yuan get his courage?"

"He's truly a brash newcomer..."

"Good, let this kid hit a wall. It'll teach him to rein in his arrogance later, especially since there are so many experienced senior brothers and sisters above him."

In a private room of a restaurant on Sword Cometh Peak.

"Hmph, this Zhou Yuan is truly audacious. How long has it been, and he already dares to set his sights on the Purple Sash Selection? He really doesn't know his place!" In the private room, Lu Xuanyin's pretty face was slightly cold as she scoffed.

Evidently, she had also heard about Zhou Yuan being recommended to participate in this Purple Sash Selection.

Due to the matter with Lu Feng, she naturally harbored significant resentment towards Zhou Yuan. Originally, she hadn't even given him a second thought, but who could have imagined Zhou Yuan would rise so quickly in just over a month?

And now, he was even going to participate in the Purple Sash Selection!

She herself had only dared to participate in this selection after two or three years of arduous training.

Beside Lu Xuanyin, Xu Yan, with his fiery red hair, smiled slightly and poured wine for her from the pot. "There's nothing to be angry about," he said. "Originally, I was bothered because if he had just settled down quietly, I wouldn't have had any reason to cause him trouble. Now that he's thrown himself out there, it actually saves me some effort."

Xu Yan's expression was calm. In fact, he had previously held some admiration for Zhou Yuan and had even intended to mediate, suggesting Zhou Yuan apologize to Lu Xuanyin to resolve their grievances.

However, unexpectedly, Zhou Yuan seemed unwilling to grant him this respect and outright refused.

This left Xu Yan feeling rather displeased. His status on Sword Cometh Peak was not low; he was a Purple Sash disciple from the lineage of Peak Master Lingjun, and by all accounts, a prominent figure on Sword Cometh Peak.

Furthermore, given his background, Xu Yan was naturally an arrogant individual. In his view, his proactive intervention had already shown Zhou Yuan respect, but Zhou Yuan had been too ungracious.

And since Zhou Yuan was ungracious, he couldn't be blamed for making things difficult for him.

Upon hearing Xu Yan's words, Lu Xuanyin's beautiful eyes lit up slightly, and she smiled, "What do you plan to do?"

Xu Yan took a sip of wine, then said, "They're here."

Just as he spoke, the private room door opened, and several figures entered. They were young men, but their auras were extraordinary, and their eyes held a sharp intensity.

"Senior Brother Xu Yan," the incoming youths greeted with clasped fists and smiles.

Xu Yan nodded with a smile, then looked at Lu Xuanyin and said, "You should know them, right?"

Lu Xuanyin gazed at the three figures at the forefront with surprise on her face. "Senior Brother Letian, Senior Brother Wu Qing, Senior Brother Luo Dao?" she uttered.

She naturally recognized them, as they were all top talents among the Gold Sash disciples from the various lineages of Sword Cometh Peak. Their strength was immense, and they were also participating in the Purple Sash Selection.

Although they all belonged to Sword Cometh Peak, they were disciples of different elders, making them somewhat competitive with each other. From the current situation, it was clear they had gathered here solely out of respect for Xu Yan.

"Senior Brother Xu Yan, you've called us here, may we ask what for?" asked the smiling young man named Letian.

Xu Yan invited them to sit, then toyed with his teacup and casually smiled, "It's actually a small matter. I just wanted to ask for a small favor from you all."

He gestured towards Lu Xuanyin beside him. "Junior Sister Xuanyin has some grievances with that Zhou Yuan. Coincidentally, both of them will be participating in this Purple Sash Selection. So, I was thinking that once the selection begins, everyone could lend Junior Sister Xuanyin a hand."

"Zhou Yuan?"

Letian and the others paused slightly upon hearing the name, then recalled. "The new disciple who defeated Wei Youxuan?"

Luo Dao chuckled faintly, "This person has certainly been gaining a lot of attention recently, and he's quite audacious. To dare to interfere in the Purple Sash Selection after only a little over a month in the inner sect, he truly doesn't seem to regard us older senior brothers highly."

Everyone present was a top talent among the Gold Sash disciples from various lineages of Sword Cometh Peak. While Zhou Yuan's victory over Wei Youxuan had greatly shocked other disciples, it had only slightly surprised them, as they were confident in their own ability to defeat Wei Youxuan as well.

Thus, upon hearing Xu Yan's request, they actually felt relieved.

They had been worried Xu Yan would ask them for help with a difficult matter that would be hard to refuse. They never expected such a significant gathering was just to deal with a single Zhou Yuan.

Xu Yan nodded with a smile.

Letian glanced at the others and smiled, "Senior Brother Xu Yan, you're making too much of this. To invite so many senior and junior brothers... is that kid even worth it?"

The group assembled here represented the pinnacle of strength among Sword Cometh Peak's Gold Sash disciples.

Xu Yan stood up and poured wine for everyone, saying with a smile, "That kid is a bit strange, and I don't like surprises when I do things. So, if we're making a move, we need to ensure he has no chance whatsoever."

Letian, Wu Qing, Luo Dao, and the others raised their wine cups, smiled at Xu Yan, and then drank them down.

"Since Senior Brother Xu Yan has spoken, we naturally must show respect. Senior Brother Xu Yan and Junior Sister Xuanyin, please rest assured. In the Purple Sash Selection, this Zhou Yuan will likely have no chance to stand out."

Xu Yan nodded, a mocking smirk playing on his lips as he toyed with his teacup.

An ungracious fool, does he truly believe no one can deal with him? To handle such a character, he doesn't even need to act personally; merely speaking a few words will naturally bring him despair.

Beside him, Lu Xuanyin's bright eyes also gleamed with excitement.

This time, she could finally vent her frustration.

Zhou Yuan, with all the senior brothers from Sword Cometh Peak's various lineages acting together this time, I refuse to believe you'll have any chance of turning the tables!