Chapter 368: Sword Lock Valley

As time went on, battles within the vast mountain range grew increasingly fierce. However, the disciples who survived these brutal contests became progressively more powerful. They were also gradually venturing deeper into the range.

Somewhere in the mountain range, three disciples walked together. Clearly from the same peak, they had gathered, their eyes scanning their surroundings cautiously. Their Genesis Qi pulsed around them, ready to respond to any sudden development.

Suddenly, the three looked sharply to their right. A smoke-like figure shot past, moving too quickly to be clearly seen, leaving only a faint tremor in the surrounding trees.

"Who's there?!" they roared, their Genesis Qi swirling around them as they prepared to strike.

Before their Genesis Qi could fully erupt, the smoke-like figure vanished from their sight.

The three stood dumbfounded, then exchanged glances, each wiping cold sweat from their brows. "Who was that guy?" one exclaimed. "He was incredibly fast! Like a rabbit!" They hadn't even caught a glimpse of the person before he disappeared.

"Never mind him," one said. "Someone that fast is probably not to be trifled with."

The other two nodded in agreement.

Just as they were about to change direction, they suddenly sensed sharp Genesis Qi fluctuations rapidly approaching them from all directions. The disturbance made their expressions change dramatically. The three quickly stood back-to-back, their Genesis Qi surging as they warily watched the directions from which the Genesis Qi fluctuations emanated.

Dozens of breaths later, as the trees swayed, seven or eight figures shot forth, landing atop the trees. Their sharp gazes fixed on the three disciples in the clearing.

"They're from Sword Come Peak!" the three exclaimed, their eyes narrowing.

"Sword Come Peak is hunting Zhou Yuan! This has nothing to do with bystanders!" the seven or eight Sword Come Peak disciples declared, glancing at the three from Hongya Peak.

With that, they ignored the trio and shot off again.

The three watched the Sword Come Peak disciples depart, their faces filled with astonishment. "Sword Come Peak actually sent out all their forces to hunt Zhou Yuan?" one of them finally managed to say.

"This is making too much of a fuss," another disciple scoffed, a hint of disdain in his voice. "Sword Come Peak is truly shameless. Zhou Yuan is just a junior disciple, yet they're ganging up on him like this."

The other two nodded, stating sympathetically, "That figure from earlier must have been Zhou Yuan. He's really unlucky to have provoked Sword Come Peak into mobilizing all their forces. This time, he's probably doomed. The Sword Come Peak disciples are clearly determined to prevent him from even becoming a Purple Sash disciple..."

This large-scale hunt and chase rapidly created a huge stir deep within the mountain range, quickly coming to the attention of many other disciples. They repeatedly lamented Sword Come Peak's audacity and Zhou Yuan's misfortune. Despite their laments, however, not many were inclined to intervene. After all, Zhou Yuan's foundation was too shallow, and Saint Genesis Peak was too in decline. It was simply not worth offending the currently flourishing Sword Come Peak just to help him.

This commotion, naturally, also caused an uproar outside the mountain range. Many disciples expressed strong reservations about Sword Come Peak's encirclement of Zhou Yuan, finding Sword Come Peak's bullying tactics entirely undignified. Their criticisms, however, clearly changed nothing, for there is no absolute fairness in this world. Zhou Yuan's growing prominence was bound to attract some targeted opposition.

The most enraged were the disciples from Elder Shen Taiyuan's lineage. Sword Come Peak's actions clearly demonstrated a complete disregard for their lineage, leading them to act without any restraint whatsoever. Elder Shen Taiyuan's aged face darkened slightly, and a flicker of anger burned in his eyes. Yet, he ultimately took a deep breath and suppressed it. The Purple Sash selection was inherently brutal, with few governing rules. Therefore, even if he were to complain to Sect Master Qing Yang, he would have no standing. All of this could only be handled by Zhou Yuan himself.

Not far away, the disciples from Elder Lü Song's lineage were also quite indignant. They, too, were considered disciples of Saint Genesis Peak, and Sword Come Peak's actions indicated a similar disregard for them. Confronted with this scene, even Lü Yan, who had previously harbored some resentment toward Zhou Yuan, furrowed her brows and grit her teeth, declaring, "Sword Come Peak is utterly shameless!" Yet, beyond her words, she had no other recourse. Even if the disciples from their lineage participating in the Purple Sash selection attempted to help Zhou Yuan, it would be as futile as a mantis trying to stop a chariot. The other disciples beside her fell silent.

Lü Yan watched the young figure continuously fleeing deeper into the mountain range through the Genesis Qi mirror, her silver teeth clenched. "Zhou Yuan," she murmured, "if you can surprise me one more time today... then I will truly believe that in the future, you might indeed be worthy of catching up to Senior Brother Chu Qing!"

The disciples beside her looked at her with a hint of shock. This fervent admirer of Senior Brother Chu Qing had never spoken such words before.

Lü Yan glared back, snapping, "What are you staring at? Do you think it's even possible for him?!"

Everyone was speechless, then shook their heads in silent resignation. Facing an encirclement by Sword Come Peak's most outstanding Gold Sash disciples, how could Zhou Yuan possibly turn the tide alone?!

In contrast to the indignation felt by the disciples from Elder Shen Taiyuan and Elder Lü Song's lineages, those from Elder Lu Hong's lineage seemed somewhat gleeful. They originated from Sword Come Peak and therefore didn't consider themselves disciples of Saint Genesis Peak. Zhou Yuan's current predicament, being hunted by Sword Come Peak, actually filled them with great satisfaction.

"Wasn't that brat so arrogant before? And now, isn't he just scurrying around like a stray dog?"

Under countless watchful eyes, the pursuing figures delved deeper into the mountain range. Eventually, through swirling clouds and mist, ten mountain peaks became faintly visible. They were nearing the end of their pursuit. At that moment, Zhou Yuan's figure darted into a low valley, where a faint mist swirled, obscuring him.

As Zhou Yuan's figure plunged into the valley, the sound of rushing wind filled the air. Streaks of Genesis Qi light descended from above, directly sealing off the entire area. Le Tian and Lu Xuanyin also descended from the sky, landing atop a large tree. They gazed at the valley below, exchanged glances, and a mocking smirk appeared on both their lips. After such a long pursuit, the frightened beast was finally exhausted.

In a wider circle just outside the valley, numerous disciples from other peaks also appeared. Sword Come Peak's actions had created too much of a disturbance, and since this area was already beyond the Ten Peaks, other disciples were naturally drawn to the scene.

Le Tian's gaze swept over the crowd. He clasped his hands and smiled faintly, saying, "This is a matter between my Sword Come Peak and Zhou Yuan. If it has caused any disturbance, I apologize now." His words were a clear warning to others not to interfere.

The disciples from various peaks who had arrived subtly exchanged glances but ultimately remained silent. They weren't particularly familiar with Zhou Yuan and naturally had no intention of offending Le Tian and his group for his sake. However, not everyone shared that sentiment.

"Hmph, Le Tian, your Sword Come Peak is utterly shameless! If you have any integrity, go fight Zhou Yuan one-on-one. A victory earned that way would at least be honorable. Why resort to this?" A clear voice rang out as a slender, graceful figure stepped forward, letting out a cold snort. That graceful figure was Su Wan from Azure Mystic Peak. She was, after all, acquainted with Gu Hongyi, who had entrusted her. Upon witnessing Zhou Yuan being treated so unfairly, she naturally couldn't hold back.

Le Tian's brow furrowed slightly as Su Wan stepped forward. But before Le Tian could speak, a voice interjected: "Su Wan, you still love to meddle so much. If you're that bored, why don't you fight me instead?" Many gazes turned to see a black-robed man step forward. Though his features were plain, the eyes of those around him narrowed sharply upon seeing him. It was Wang Chen from Thunder Prison Peak. He was also considered one of the favorites to win the championship this time.

"Wang Chen!" Su Wan's slender brows furrowed tightly as she said coldly, "What business is this of yours?"

Wang Chen, cloaked in black, remained expressionless and offered no further reply. However, his demeanor made it clear: if Su Wan attempted to intervene, he would stop her. Su Wan's delicate hands clenched in frustration.

Many disciples watching this scene secretly shook their heads. It seemed Le Tian was determined to make an example of Zhou Yuan here and had already prepared for anyone who might try to assist him. With even Su Wan now blocked, it seemed Zhou Yuan's fate was truly sealed.

Le Tian retracted his gaze as well, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at the sealed valley before him. A faint voice then broke the silence. "Move. Eliminate him."

The moment his words fell, the surrounding Sword Come Peak disciples abruptly shot into the valley. Lu Xuanyin stood atop the tree, her lips curling slightly as she watched the scene unfold.

"Zhou Yuan," she thought, "let's see how you'll turn things around this time!"