Chapter 349: Challenge Lingwen Peak

What happened at Spirit Rune Peak after Yaoyao left quickly spread throughout the Cangxuan Sect like wildfire, predictably causing a huge stir. Although Yaoyao had been quite low-profile since entering the Cangxuan Sect, her level of attention within the sect far surpassed even Zhou Yuan's. According to current rumors within the sect, even Li Qingchan's title as the Cangxuan Sect's most beautiful woman might be challenged by Yaoyao. This beautiful and mysterious girl, with just a fleeting glance at the Selection Ceremony, had left many disciples deeply impressed.

Moreover, Yaoyao was not just a pretty face; her Spirit Rune talent was highly valued by even Peak Master Baimei, who had even made the astonishing statement that she could potentially inherit the Peak Master position in the future. This was why, despite Yaoyao's usual low-key demeanor, her popularity within the Cangxuan Sect was no less than that of the Ten Great Saint Sons. Precisely because of this, when this incident became linked to Yaoyao, it spread throughout the Cangxuan Sect in an extremely short time.

"What's going on at Spirit Rune Peak? Didn't Peak Master Baimei say that Junior Sister Yaoyao could visit Spirit Rune Peak anytime?""Apparently, Peak Master Baimei's talk about the future Peak Master position upset many disciples, so they set up a Spirit Rune barrier to put Junior Sister Yaoyao in her place.""They say even Ye Ge showed up...""Tsk tsk, Ye Ge is one of the Ten Great Saint Sons! He's usually so elusive. I can't believe he actually appeared this time.""What was the outcome?""It seems Junior Sister Yaoyao didn't make it through today, but she declared she'd try again tomorrow.""This is truly a challenge to all the disciples of Spirit Rune Peak, by one person! If she actually gets through, the Spirit Rune Peak disciples will probably have to bow their heads to her whenever they see her!""Haha, interesting! I'm going to Spirit Rune Peak tomorrow too, to cheer on the fairy in my heart!"

In just half a day, the commotion spread throughout the Cangxuan Sect. The topic became so hot that it even overshadowed the ever-popular Purple Sash Selection, truly making people marvel at the influence of a beautiful woman.

At Snow Lotus Peak, when Li Qingchan heard the news, she was momentarily stunned. Her beautiful eyes flickered slightly, and she murmured, "Ye Ge, that guy usually dislikes being in the spotlight. Why would he actively show up to block Yaoyao this time? Is it because of the Origin Pond incident? He doesn't seem like someone who holds grudges." Her slender, fair fingers gently tapped, and after a moment of contemplation, she mused to herself, "It seems there might be an ulterior motive... Heh..."

Li Qingchan's red lips curved into an almost imperceptible smile. She raised her pretty face, looked towards Spirit Rune Peak, and said with a faint, knowing smile, "Ye Ge, your methods for pursuing girls might work on ordinary girls, but if you're trying them on Yaoyao, you're probably just overthinking it. It seems I'll have to go watch the fun tomorrow. Yaoyao's mastery of Spirit Runes is quite impressive. I didn't expect her first attempt to be unsuccessful. Ye Ge must have put some real effort into this..."

After leaving Spirit Rune Peak, Yaoyao headed straight back to the Purple Origin Cave. Tumult, who had been boredly lying at the cave entrance, saw Yaoyao's figure and his eyes immediately lit up. He was about to leap up and pounce on her. However, a cool, indifferent glance from Yaoyao instantly made Tumult shiver, his forward pounce freezing mid-air. He sensed that if he pounced, Yaoyao might simply swat him away. Yaoyao's mood seemed off, though no emotion was discernible on her exquisitely beautiful face. So, Tumult could only watch Yaoyao head into the depths of the cave, then hesitated before reluctantly trotting after her.

Deep within the cave, by the Origin Qi spring, Zhou Yuan sat cross-legged, his eyes slightly closed. In his palm was a golden heart, about the size of a fist, radiating intense heat and golden flames. This was the Golden Crow Heart. Origin Qi continuously surged from Zhou Yuan's palm, making contact with the golden heart. The two gradually merged, and then strands of the essence were absorbed into Zhou Yuan's body. Under this refinement, the golden heart was slowly shrinking in size. This cultivation continued for a long time until he finally slowly opened his eyes.

The moment he opened his eyes, he saw Yaoyao standing beside him, her clear, bright eyes fixed on him.

"Sister Yaoyao, weren't you going to Spirit Rune Peak today?" Zhou Yuan stretched, then asked with a smile. But as soon as he spoke, he felt Yaoyao's beautiful eyes narrow slightly, emitting a hint of danger. Zhou Yuan, whose survival instincts were very strong, instantly noticed Yaoyao's subtle change. He gave a dry laugh and carefully asked, "Did something happen?"

"Did some scoundrel upset you? Tell me, I'll go kill him!" Zhou Yuan patted his chest, speaking with righteous indignation.

Yaoyao's slightly narrowed beautiful eyes slowly returned to normal. She sat down beside him and said indifferently, "The Spirit Rune Peak disciples set up an Origin Rune barrier in front of the Spirit Rune Hall. I have to break through it to enter the hall."

Zhou Yuan was stunned and frowned. "What about Peak Master Baimei? Didn't he say you could go to Spirit Rune Peak anytime?"

Yaoyao calmly replied, "That Origin Rune barrier was likely set up under his guidance. Otherwise, even Ye Ge would probably find it difficult to arrange such an intricate barrier. I tried earlier, but couldn't get through."

"Even you couldn't get through, Sister Yaoyao?" Zhou Yuan was genuinely surprised. He knew very well Yaoyao's unfathomable mastery of Spirit Runes.

"This barrier is divided into two parts, upper and lower. Unless it's instantly broken by brute force, one person alone cannot pass through it under any circumstances. So, it requires two people to cooperate and break the core of the barrier at the same time to dismantle it." Yaoyao slowly added, "Ye Ge was hinting that he could cooperate with me to get through the barrier..."

"That guy, being so kind?" Zhou Yuan asked suspiciously. They had messed up Ye Ge's plans at the Origin Pond; could he really be offering help now?

Yaoyao's pretty face remained expressionless, but she glanced sideways at Zhou Yuan. Zhou Yuan's heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly understood. "That scoundrel is interested in you?!" His eyes widened, and he cursed, "That damn Ye Ge! He's like a toad trying to eat swan meat!"

Perhaps he deliberately set up this barrier, using it as a way to get closer to Yaoyao. That guy is truly cunning! And to cause such a stir at Spirit Rune Peak, Peak Master Baimei might even know about it, or even be secretly helping Ye Ge. "That old fox!" Zhou Yuan couldn't help but grit his teeth at the thought. "How dare they try to steal what's mine?!"

"Hmm?" Yaoyao's sharp eyes immediately shot over, carrying a dangerous aura in her half-smile. "What did you say?"

Cold sweat immediately broke out on Zhou Yuan's forehead. Zhou Yuan quickly said, "What I meant was, how dare they try to lure you away? If they did, who would teach me then?"

Yaoyao slowly retracted her gaze. She casually asked, "What level is your Spirit right now?"

"Initial Solid Realm," Zhou Yuan answered honestly.

Yaoyao's delicate brows furrowed, and she said with some dissatisfaction, "You haven't made much progress in the past few months?"

Zhou Yuan felt a bit awkward. He admitted that his main focus lately had been on Origin Qi cultivation, and his Spirit cultivation had indeed slowed down a bit. But he quickly added, "However, I feel like I've reached the peak of the Initial Solid Realm, and a breakthrough is just around the corner."

Yaoyao pondered for a moment, then finally looked at Zhou Yuan. She said indifferently, "Will you come with me to Spirit Rune Peak tomorrow to break that barrier, or not?"

Zhou Yuan's mouth twitched slightly. All the commotion he had caused before was just confined to Saint Origin Peak. But now, with Yaoyao's involvement, it was a direct confrontation with all the disciples of Spirit Rune Peak... He could only imagine how terrifying the scene would be if he went with Yaoyao tomorrow.

"What, you don't want to?" A faint smile seemed to appear on Yaoyao's pretty face. Her voice even softened.

Zhou Yuan's hairs stood on end. Then he said solemnly and righteously, "As long as Sister Yaoyao speaks, I'd go through a mountain of swords and a sea of fire! What's a mere Spirit Rune Peak? Tomorrow, we'll go finish them off!"

Although she knew he was just playing around, Yaoyao's red lips curved slightly. A hint of warmth flickered deep in her eyes. Then, her fair hand gently patted Zhou Yuan's shoulder, before she placed her hands behind her back and slowly walked away.

Although no emotion was still discernible, her steps seemed to become slightly lighter. Watching her graceful figure, Zhou Yuan rubbed his face and grimaced. It seemed tomorrow would involve a big commotion. However... these scoundrels, how dare they bully Yaoyao... Zhou Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly, and a fierce glint flashed deep within them. And they dared to try and steal what was his? Not even Peak Master Baimei could get away with that!