Chapter 347: Source Star Pill

Sacred Origin Peak, Seeking Dao Hall.

During today's morning lesson, many eyes were fixed on the figure seated on the first golden meditation mat. This was the spot for the top Golden Belt disciple, a position that originally belonged to Tong Long. However, ever since the Cave Exam, Zhou Yuan had taken his place. Therefore, Zhou Yuan was now undeniably the foremost Golden Belt disciple of the Shen Taiyuan lineage.

Even Tong Long had no objections to this, because if Zhou Yuan hadn't stepped forward and turned the tide during the Cave Exam, Tong Long would have lost all face. The strength Zhou Yuan displayed in the Cave Exam ultimately convinced the other disciples.

The whispers within the Seeking Dao Hall today were due to the news that Zhou Yuan would be participating in the Purple Belt selection.

"Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, although you performed excellently in the Cave Exam, it might be a bit too soon for you to participate in the Purple Belt selection now," Zhang Yan said with a half-smile, speaking earnestly. "The disciples participating in the Purple Belt selection are not to be trifled with; they are as strong as, if not stronger than, Wei Youxuan. If you act recklessly, you might ruin the reputation you worked so hard to earn in the Cave Exam."

Because he had turned the tide in the Cave Exam, Zhou Yuan's reputation had recently soared within the Shen Taiyuan lineage. Many other disciples had initially been somewhat displeased by Shen Taiyuan's excessive favoritism towards Zhou Yuan, but now, that dissatisfaction had almost completely vanished. After all, the strength and talent Zhou Yuan displayed were enough to silence others. So, even Zhang Yan had been relatively quiet lately, only finding an excuse today after learning that Zhou Yuan was going to participate in the Purple Belt selection. After all, the news of Zhou Yuan's participation in the Purple Belt selection had already spread throughout the Cangxuan Sect, sparking considerable discussion.

Other disciples, hearing this, nodded lightly, clearly also believing that Zhou Yuan was underestimating the Purple Belt selection.

Seeing this, Zhou Tai spoke up in Zhou Yuan's defense: "Junior Brother Zhou Yuan simply wants to experience the Purple Belt selection and prepare for the future. Even if he loses, no one can say anything, for who hasn't failed in the Purple Belt selection before?"

Zhang Yan chuckled, "I'm just afraid others won't see it that way."

Above the hall, Shen Taiyuan opened his eyes. He ignored the dispute between the two sides and simply looked at Zhou Yuan, saying, "Since you've already been recommended, there's no point in overthinking it. Just focus your energy on preparing for the Purple Belt selection two months from now. As for the outcome, don't worry about it; just consider it an opportunity to broaden your horizons." It was clear that Shen Taiyuan didn't have high expectations either; he mostly wanted Zhou Yuan to try it out, familiarize himself with the Purple Belt selection, so that he could make a full push next year.

Shen Taiyuan's voice paused, and he then offered a rare smile, saying, "I've heard that for this Purple Belt selection, the sect will award a Genesis Star Pill to the champion."

"A Genesis Star Pill?!" As soon as he spoke, a commotion instantly erupted in the hall. Many disciples couldn't help but swallow, their eyes filled with fervent desire. Even Purple Belt disciples like Zhou Tai and Zhang Yan showed signs of covetousness. Zhou Yuan was also slightly moved. The so-called Genesis Star Pill was an extremely precious elixir, incredibly difficult to refine. Its effect was simple and practical, just as its name suggested: it could increase the number of Genesis Qi stars within one's Qi Dwelling, thereby strengthening one's foundation.

Only one of these pills could be consumed within the Alpha Origin stage; any more would render it ineffective. However, consuming and refining this single pill would significantly enhance the foundation within one's Qi Dwelling. It's important to know that in the Alpha Origin stage, the Genesis Qi foundation is paramount, as it's essential for the future evolution into a Divine Dwelling. Only with a stronger foundation will the resulting Divine Dwelling be more powerful. Therefore, the Genesis Star Pill was also known as the Alpha Origin Divine Pill, meaning that for those in the Alpha Origin stage, this pill was truly miraculous. Within the Cangxuan Sect, it was said that only the Ten Great Saints had the privilege of consuming this pill. Other disciples could only dream of it. No one expected that this Purple Belt selection would offer a Genesis Star Pill as a reward. This kind of reward made several other Purple Belt disciples in the hall incredibly envious. When they had passed the Purple Belt selection, they also received rewards, but none were comparable to the Genesis Star Pill. Zhou Yuan licked his lips, his heart similarly burning with excitement. Clearly, the reward for this Purple Belt selection greatly tempted him. If he could obtain this pill, it would save him a significant amount of arduous cultivation. It would also give him a better chance in the competition for the Chief Disciple position at the end of the year.

In front, Zhang Yan glanced at him, saying with a hint of schadenfreude, "Junior Brother Zhou Yuan certainly has good luck. But unfortunately, this Purple Belt selection will be filled with experts." He continued, "Su Wan of Cangxuan Peak, Wu Yue of Hongya Peak, Mu Chunlei of Snow Lotus Peak, Le Tian of Sword Ascension Peak, Wang Chen of Thunder Prison Peak, Xia Yu of Spirit Rune Peak... These are the top Golden Belt disciples from each peak's main lineage. With the Genesis Star Pill as an incentive, I expect the champion will definitely come from among them." Each peak's main lineage refers to the direct line of the Peak Master, representing the strongest lineage within each peak. For instance, Le Tian of Sword Ascension Peak: when Lu Hong's lineage was still on Sword Ascension Peak, Wei Youxuan would likely have had to bow and call him senior brother upon seeing Le Tian. One can imagine how strong these individuals' foundations are.

In the hall, other disciples also looked at Zhou Yuan with some pity after hearing this, clearly thinking that with such formidable contenders, Zhou Yuan likely stood no chance.

Zhou Yuan's expression remained calm in response to Zhang Yan's gloating tone. From the information Shen Wanjin had helped him obtain, he already knew about these individuals. They were indeed the hot favorites to contend for the championship in this Purple Belt selection. However, while his opponents were formidable, Zhou Yuan's opponents throughout the years had never been simple. Even when he had yet to open his meridians for cultivation, Wu Huang was already famous throughout the Boundless Continent. Yet, in the end, it wasn't Wu Huang who stood victorious. If he could turn the tables even with such a vast disparity then, why not now?

On the high platform, Shen Taiyuan glanced at Zhang Yan. Seeing this, Zhang Yan sheepishly shut his mouth, though inwardly he remained dismissive, muttering to himself, "Even if this kid beat Wei Youxuan, he's still quite a bit behind these people. Is he really expecting a miracle?"

Shen Taiyuan said no more, simply reiterating his advice to Zhou Yuan: "The position of champion is quite difficult. You may aim for a lesser goal then; don't expect to be champion. As long as you can enter the top ten, you can be promoted to a Purple Belt."

Zhou Yuan nodded in agreement, but his slightly lowered eyes flickered. If it weren't for the Genesis Star Pill, he would have had no interest in the championship whatsoever. But now that the Genesis Star Pill had been mentioned, he felt a surge of eagerness; he too greatly coveted this Alpha Origin Divine Pill. This was an opportunity; if he could seize it, his foundation would be strengthened even further. And isn't the path of cultivation about whether one can seize the opportunities that arise? Zhou Yuan had made his way by doing exactly that all these years; otherwise, how could he have reached this point?

Zhou Yuan took a deep breath, the fire in the depths of his eyes gradually receding. He knew that for the next two months, he needed to cultivate diligently in seclusion, preparing for the Purple Belt selection two months later, an event that would draw the attention of the entire Cangxuan Sect.