Chapter 365: Selection Competition

As Arch-Sect Master Qing Yang’s majestic voice faded, the atmosphere throughout the entire area instantly ignited.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Under the fervent gazes of the many disciples, streaks of light suddenly shot up from the ground, soaring over the winding river and finally descending like a swarm of locusts into the mist-shrouded mountain range.

All disciples participating in the Purple Sash Selection began to move at this moment, and the atmosphere was electric.

Zhou Yuan gazed at this scene and took a deep breath, his blood faintly boiling under such an atmosphere.

“Go, Junior Brother (Senior Brother) Zhou Yuan!” The surrounding fellow disciples cheered for Zhou Yuan. After all, his participation represented the honor of their lineage. If Zhou Yuan could win, their lineage would surely become known to everyone in the Cangxuan Sect.

Zhou Yuan smiled and cupped his fist towards the crowd, then looked at Yaoyao, who gave him a faint smile. Her voice reached him: “Li Qingchan made a bet with me; don’t you dare make me lose face.”

Zhou Yuan’s mouth twitched, and he could only shake his head helplessly. Without saying more, he stomped his foot and shot into the sky, transforming into a streak of light that descended directly into the mist-shrouded mountain range.

On a distant peak, Lu Xuanyin watched Zhou Yuan’s figure disappear into the mountains, her eyes slightly cold. She let out a cold laugh, and the next instant, her delicate body moved, swiftly shooting forward as well.

And so, amidst the cheers that echoed throughout the mountains, all the disciples entered the arena.

Once the disciples had entered, Genesis Qi gathered in the sky, forming enormous Genesis Qi mirrors. Within these mirrors, figures from various parts of the mountain range were projected, allowing the disciples outside to observe the fierce battles of the Purple Sash Selection.

On one peak, Gu Hongyi’s pretty eyes gazed at the Genesis Qi mirrors, clearly searching for Zhou Yuan’s figure.

Several girls surrounded her, and seeing this, they all giggled and said, “Senior Sister Hongyi, are you looking for Zhou Yuan again? You’re too concerned about him, aren’t you? We’re all Cangxuan Peak disciples here; don’t you care about their feelings at all?”

Hearing their teasing, Gu Hongyi rolled her eyes, ignoring the chatterbox girls, and continued her search.

At this moment, a group of male disciples from Cangxuan Peak also approached. At the front was a blue-robed young man with slightly long, narrow eyes, who looked quite handsome.

Around his waist was a purple sash, revealing his status.

Seeing him approach, the girls beside Gu Hongyi’s eyes lit up, and they exclaimed, “Senior Brother Qin Lan!”

Qin Lan was clearly very well-known on Cangxuan Peak; even among Purple Sash disciples, he was an outstanding and exceptional talent. Moreover, everyone knew that he seemed to have an interest in Gu Hongyi.

“Junior Sister Hongyi.” Qin Lan gave them a slight smile, then looked at Gu Hongyi.

Gu Hongyi glanced at him, only nodding, and replied perfunctorily, “Oh, Senior Brother Qin Lan.”

Her gaze returned to the Genesis Qi mirrors, and after a moment, it finally paused as she spotted the familiar figure. A smile immediately appeared on her pretty face.

Qin Lan followed her gaze, his eyes narrowing slightly. He said, “This Junior Brother Zhou Yuan has caused quite a bit of trouble in this Purple Sash Selection. I’m afraid it will be difficult for him to even make it into the top ten.”

Gu Hongyi’s delicate eyebrows furrowed, and she said indifferently, “Senior Brother Qin Lan, that’s a bit too absolute.”

Qin Lan smiled noncommittally and said, “As far as I know, the disciples of Jianlai Peak will be led by Le Tian this time, and they will directly besiege Zhou Yuan with other disciples. Does Junior Sister Hongyi really believe that he will have any chance of winning against such a lineup?”

Gu Hongyi’s pretty face subtly changed. She only knew that Lu Xuanyin of Jianlai Peak seemed to be targeting Zhou Yuan, but she hadn’t expected Le Tian of Jianlai Peak to also make a move.

Did Lu Xuanyin command such respect?

Seeing Gu Hongyi’s somewhat changed expression, the smile on Qin Lan’s lips widened slightly, and his gaze mockingly shifted to the figure in the mirror. He said earnestly, “This Junior Brother Zhou Yuan is still too ostentatious in his actions. He’s clearly just a new disciple, yet he likes to show off without restraint. It’s good that he’s getting a lesson now. After all, fellow disciples within the sect will still show some mercy, lest he offends someone outside the sect in the future, in which case the price he pays won’t be just this much.”

Gu Hongyi gave him a cold glance, not bothering to respond, and walked directly away.

Seeing this, Qin Lan didn’t mind. He simply gazed at Zhou Yuan’s figure in the Genesis Qi mirror, his eyes becoming a little deeper and more sullen.

“Le Tian… if you’re going to teach this guy a lesson, hit him hard.” He chuckled. “I heard Hongyi even asked Junior Sister Su Wan for help? Heh heh, it just so happens that Junior Brother Wang Chen of Leiyu Peak has some connection with me; I secretly asked him for a favor earlier…”

Zhou Yuan’s figure passed through the clouds and mist, landing in the vast mountain range. The mist somewhat obscured his vision, making the entire area hazy. However, he could clearly feel Genesis Qi fluctuations constantly appearing not far away.

“Disciples, the Ten Peaks are located deep within the mountain range. Stone gates block the path beneath them. To open these stone gates and ascend the peaks, you must use twenty marks as keys,” Arch-Sect Master Qing Yang’s majestic voice resonated once more throughout the area. “As for these marks, you will obtain one by defeating a single opponent. Therefore, to obtain the keys and reach the summit, continuously defeat others.”

“Twenty marks?” Zhou Yuan’s eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing this. Didn’t that mean he had to consecutively defeat twenty disciples to open the stone gate and ascend the peaks? This was truly harsh.

After all, few of those qualified to participate in the Purple Sash Selection were pushovers, and even obtaining one mark would likely require a bitter battle.

“As expected of the Purple Sash Selection, the difficulty is indeed considerable,” Zhou Yuan exclaimed.

However, there was no fear in his eyes, but rather an eagerness to try. This Purple Sash Selection could be precisely used to temper himself.

Just as he was lamenting, he already felt sudden bursts of violent Genesis Qi fluctuations erupting within the mountain range. It was clear that the fierce battles had already begun.

The rules set by Arch-Sect Master Qing Yang directly caused many disciples to view others as rivals, and fierce conflicts were on the verge of breaking out.

Sensing the intense Genesis Qi fluctuations, Zhou Yuan didn’t linger. He tapped his toes, and his figure swiftly shot towards the depths of the mountain range.

Zhou Yuan’s toes grazed a tree branch. Just as his figure moved, his eyes sharply narrowed.

Above his head, violent Genesis Qi suddenly erupted. A fierce shout echoed, and a figure whistled down, fierce Genesis Qi surging like a storm.

This person had clearly been hiding here, waiting for someone to come so they could launch a sneak attack.

The violent assault enveloped him. However, Zhou Yuan’s pupils remained calm. His five fingers suddenly clenched, pale green Sky Python Scales emerged, and his fist collided with the whistling figure above him.

The Genesis Qi impact exploded outwards, and surrounding tree trunks snapped in half.

Zhou Yuan’s figure remained motionless, the branch beneath his feet slightly swaying, while the sneak attacker above him grunted, shot backward, and immediately turned to flee without hesitation, clearly knowing they had encountered a tough opponent.

“Since you attacked, don’t leave!”

But Zhou Yuan had no intention of letting him go. His figure instantly blurred like a wisp of green smoke, and he instantly appeared behind the retreating figure.

“No, spare…” the figure cried out in terror.

However, Zhou Yuan’s face remained calm. Sky Python Scales covered his fist, Genesis Qi surged within him, and his fist, like a thunderbolt, ruthlessly slammed into the person’s back.

The figure was sent flying in a sorry state, skidding hundreds of meters across the ground and spitting out a mouthful of blood.

A ray of light descended from the sky, enveloping the figure and tossing them into the winding river outside the mountain range. They were clearly eliminated directly.

Zhou Yuan clenched his hand and saw that where the figure had been taken away, a thumb-sized light mark appeared. It then shot towards him and imprinted itself on the back of his hand.

One mark acquired.

Zhou Yuan gazed at the faintly glowing mark on the back of his hand, and the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

“Nineteen more…”

His figure slightly blurred, and the next instant, he transformed into a wisp of green smoke and shot forward.

At this moment, throughout the vast mountain range, fierce battles erupted everywhere, Genesis Qi swept across the area, making it exceptionally lively.

The Purple Sash Selection had officially begun, full of passion.