Chapter 353: Source Pattern Combat (Part 1)

The inevitable confrontation had arrived. As the two Source Qi mirrors projected the scenes from within the barrier, the many disciples in front of the Spirit Rune Hall exclaimed. At this stage, the barrier-breaking challenge had reached its most intense point. Consequently, their gazes grew fervent and expectant.

"This Zhou Xiaoyao is truly formidable..." Su Wan remarked from a corner of the Spirit Rune Hall, a look of astonishment crossing her beautiful face as she watched the mirror showing Yaoyao. Any one of the numerous obstacles Yaoyao had faced earlier, Su Wan felt she wouldn't have been able to overcome. Yet, for Yaoyao, they barely registered as a hindrance, demonstrating her exceptionally high mastery of Source Runes. Beside her, Gu Hongyi also nodded slightly; Yaoyao certainly exuded an unfathomable aura.

"However, formidable as she is, the true crucial point for breaking the barrier today lies with Zhou Yuan," Su Wan said slowly, her gaze shifting to another light mirror. She looked at the pure young woman with the ponytail in the mirror, feeling a sense of apprehension. This was because the girl, Xia Yu, was currently the top-ranked Gold Sash disciple of Spirit Rune Peak, and her profound mastery of Source Runes was undeniable.

"From Zhou Xiaoyao's previous performance, even if Senior Brother Jin Zhang can utilize eighty percent of the barrier's power, he may not be able to gain a steady advantage. However, the subtlety of this barrier lies in its two cores. To break the barrier, they need to occupy both cores simultaneously; only then will the barrier shatter."

"Therefore, if only Zhou Xiaoyao succeeds, and Zhou Yuan fails, the barrier will continuously draw Source Qi from the world to maintain itself, which will gradually cause Zhou Xiaoyao to fall into a stalemate as well."

Su Wan looked at Gu Hongyi beside her and said slowly, "But looking at the current situation, it will probably be very difficult for Zhou Yuan to break through Xia Yu's side."

"Xia Yu's spirit has already entered the mid-stage of the Manifestation Realm, and coupled with her ability to operate the barrier's power, Zhou Yuan has no chance of winning based solely on his Source Rune attainment."

Gu Hongyi's pretty face changed slightly, but in the end, she stubbornly bit her red lip and said, "The result isn't out yet; anything is possible." Su Wan smiled noncommittally, clearly just taking it as Gu Hongyi's last bit of stubbornness. But it was unlikely that this situation could be altered through sheer stubbornness alone.

Above a vast expanse of ocean, Yaoyao's exquisite face gazed serenely at the young man seated upon a pillar of water. He, in turn, smiled back at her, just as he was about to speak. However, Yaoyao's hand suddenly dropped, and ancient Source Runes seemed to flow from her fingertips, merging into the ocean surface.

A reddish color suddenly spread from beneath her feet. In the next moment, the sea surface was torn apart, and a gigantic flaming dragon, hundreds of feet long, suddenly roared forth. Its high temperature evaporated the seawater, creating astonishing fluctuations as it charged directly towards the young man named Jin Zhang. Without a single word, she launched her attack.

Seeing this, Jin Zhang's eyes narrowed slightly, and he clasped his hands together. The ocean surged, conjuring towering waves. From within these waves, a colossal water beast shrieked forth, colliding with the flaming dragon. A thunderous roar echoed, and violent shockwaves erupted, stirring up monstrous waves across the vast ocean.

"Junior Sister Yaoyao truly shows no mercy." As the waves raged, Jin Zhang sighed, but his eyes were full of solemnity. The brief exchange just now made him feel the opponent's terrifying power. Source Runes of such power were formed with astonishing ease. If he hadn't been able to utilize the barrier's strength today, he doubted he would truly be her match.

"However, I am the core, able to use the barrier's power. Junior Sister Yaoyao, it won't be as easy as you think to get past me!" Jin Zhang said slowly.

However, Yaoyao didn't speak to him at all. Her slender hand held a jade Source Rune brush, its tip glowing as it swept across the void, Source Rune traces rapidly forming, finally transforming into ancient Source Runes. The Source Qi from the heavens and earth surged forth. Boom! Massive black clouds formed above Yaoyao's head, violent lightning shuttled through them, the thunder roaring and shaking the heavens and earth, releasing astonishing pressure.

Jin Zhang watched this scene, his gaze growing even more solemn. Not daring to delay, he raised his palm. The vast ocean roared, and colossal waves slowly surged behind him, darkening the sky and projecting immense power.

Yaoyao looked at the astonishing momentum behind Jin Zhang, her eyelids slightly lowered. Then she looked in another direction and muttered to herself: "Zhou Yuan, I will try my best to draw the barrier's power here..."

"Your side, you'll have to rely on yourself."

The moment her voice fell, she dropped her brush tip. As the heavenly thunder boomed, gigantic, python-like lightning bolts crashed down, sweeping overwhelmingly towards Jin Zhang. Behind Jin Zhang, the towering waves transformed into a gigantic hand, colliding with the numerous lightning bolts. Instantly, a cacophony of colossal sounds erupted across the land.

At the peak of the mountain, Zhou Yuan looked up at the young woman standing on the high mountain. Although the young woman in front of him had somewhat shy eyes, there was no contempt in his gaze; instead, it was filled with solemnity. This was because he could feel faint traces of danger emanating from the young woman named Xia Yu. Although she called him 'Senior Brother,' it was merely out of courtesy. Zhou Yuan knew that if they were to truly rank by seniority, he should probably be calling her 'Junior Senior Sister' instead.

"The top Gold Sash disciple of Spirit Rune Peak, huh..." Zhou Yuan murmured to himself, slowly tightening his grip on the Heavenly Origin Brush. The opponent's spirit gave him a sense of pressure. Clearly, this Xia Yu should have already entered the mid-stage of the Manifestation Realm, one level stronger than him. Unfortunately, breaking this barrier primarily relies on Source Rune mastery. Otherwise, Zhou Yuan might not necessarily fear his opponent based on his own Source Qi cultivation.

"My apologies, Junior Senior Sister Xia Yu." Zhou Yuan took a deep breath, and his Heavenly Origin Brush suddenly shook, a Source Rune rapidly forming as Source Qi gathered.

"Light Eagle Rune!"

The Source Rune expanded, and as Source Qi surged, it transformed into a hundred-zhang long Light Eagle. The Light Eagle shrieked forth, its wings folded, like a streak of light, piercing towards Xia Yu with lightning speed.

"Swift Wind Rune!"

And as the Light Eagle shrieked, Zhou Yuan dropped another Source Rune. These Source Runes covered the Light Eagle's wings, making its already astonishing speed surge again.

"Blade Light Mountain Piercing Rune!"

Another Source Rune fell, and at the Light Eagle's sharp beak, a stream of light appeared, incredibly sharp, enough to pierce through mountains.

Xia Yu, standing on the mountain peak, saw this and her eyes lit up slightly. She whispered, "Senior Brother Zhou Yuan's Source Rune attainment is quite good; he can even stack Source Runes..." Achieving this requires extremely precise spirit control; otherwise, the Source Runes would collide and easily self-destruct. A ray of light shot forth. Such an offensive would not be underestimated even by ordinary Sixth Heaven disciples.

Xia Yu's jade-like foot lightly stomped, and the giant mountain beneath her suddenly vibrated. Rocks protruded, directly forming layers of incredibly thick mountain walls. Bang! Bang! Bang! The Light Eagle streaked through, piercing layer after layer of mountain walls, scattering rocks with fierce intensity. However, each time it penetrated a layer of mountain wall, the Source Qi around the Light Eagle dimmed. When the last layer of mountain wall shattered, the Light Eagle also suddenly transformed into countless light spots, gently fluttering onto Xia Yu's fair and tender face.

Zhou Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly. His previous move was not casual; it was one of his most formidable Source Rune attacking methods, but even so, it was easily defended by the opponent. Xia Yu gently touched her cheek, her bright eyes looking at Zhou Yuan, and said, "Senior Brother Zhou Yuan has good methods. If it weren't for the advantage of terrain, even I would have a headache from such an offensive."

"If it were ordinary times, I wouldn't want to take such an advantage, but today concerns the honor of many disciples of our Spirit Rune Peak, so please don't blame me, Senior Brother." Xia Yu's hand lowered slightly, a purple Source Rune brush fell into her hand, and then she slowly closed her grip. The moment the Source Rune brush fell into her hand, the shyness in the young woman's eyes completely disappeared, and a sharp confidence emerged. Her ponytail swayed gently, and the colossal peak beneath her feet seemed to rumble at that very moment.

"Senior Brother Zhou Yuan, next, it's my turn..."

In front of the Spirit Rune Hall, Ye Ge watched this scene, his lips slightly curving upwards.

Junior Senior Sister Xia Yu, she's finally getting serious.

Zhou Yuan, next, you will see just how troublesome our Junior Senior Sister from Spirit Rune Peak truly is...

I hope you don't lose too badly.