Chapter 376: The Struggle for the Leader

When Zhou Yuan reached the summit and met Xu Yan of Sword Cometh Peak, outside the mountain range, many disciples also witnessed this scene through their Genesis Qi light mirrors. Immediately, as expected, a clamor erupted.

"It's Senior Brother Xu Yan from Sword Cometh Peak..."

"The method for this chief disciple competition actually involves deploying veteran purple-belt disciples of such caliber?"

"The other nine contestants also encountered blockers. All of them are veteran gold-belt disciples from various peaks, and their strength is formidable..."

"Could it be that this chief disciple competition will depend on who can defeat these veteran gold-belt disciples?"

"That's unlikely. Senior Brother Xu Yan and the others have all reached the seventh layer of the Alpha Origin Stage. Moreover, as purple-belt disciples, they cultivate sixth-grade Genesis arts, which means sixth-grade Genesis Qi. In contrast, although Su Wan and the others are the top gold-belt disciples of their respective peaks, their cultivated Genesis Qi is only fifth-grade. Coupled with the disparity in Genesis Qi mastery, it's simply impossible for them to win."

"That's right. This chief disciple competition shouldn't require defeating Senior Brother Xu Yan and the others..."

Numerous whispers echoed. Clearly, the method for this chief disciple competition was somewhat unexpected by everyone.

On a mountain peak, Yao Yao and Li Qingchan were also gazing into the Genesis Qi light mirror.

"Xu Yan of Sword Cometh Peak..." A hint of surprise flashed across Li Qingchan's cold, exquisite face. She said, "It seems Zhou Yuan and Sword Cometh Peak truly clash; he could randomly pick any path and still run into them."

Then she said thoughtfully, "The sect master and the others actually sent out veteran purple-belt disciples. I think this chief disciple competition isn't about Zhou Yuan and the others defeating their opponents, but rather about seeing who can last longer against these veteran disciples."

Li Qingchan looked at Yao Yao and said, "But in that case, Zhou Yuan is in trouble. Disciples from other peaks might show some consideration for those they encounter, but this Xu Yan will likely show Zhou Yuan no mercy at all."

"Therefore, Zhou Yuan's ambition to contend for the chief disciple position will probably be thwarted."

At this point, she felt a bit of pity. After all, she had witnessed Zhou Yuan break through all the way, but unexpectedly, at this final checkpoint, he encountered a powerful enemy blocking his path.

Yao Yao gently stroked Tun Tun's head with her delicate hand. Her ethereal eyes were fixed on the two confronting figures in the Genesis Qi light mirror. She slowly said, "As the saying goes, until the very end, the outcome is hard to predict."

Li Qingchan said, a little exasperated, "Isn't your confidence in Zhou Yuan a bit too blind? He was able to wipe out Le Tian and the others before because they didn't know his trump card; he lured them into the valley and used the opportunity to set up a barrier. But now, Xu Yan has probably learned the news and won't give Zhou Yuan another chance to set up a barrier."

"Without a barrier, relying solely on his own strength, Zhou Yuan might not even be able to defeat Le Tian, let alone Xu Yan, who is at the seventh layer?"

Li Qingchan was a very rational person. Therefore, she always found Yao Yao's way of thinking a bit incomprehensible.

She didn't deny Zhou Yuan's excellence, but there were limits. Currently, he was only at the third layer of the Alpha Origin Stage. If he could contend with Xu Yan in a Genesis Qi confrontation, it would be severely underestimating the four-layer difference between them.

Yao Yao remained silent. She also knew that facing such a powerful enemy indeed put immense pressure on Zhou Yuan at this moment.

However, she actually believed that such pressure would be quite beneficial for Zhou Yuan.

As for the outcome, it wasn't truly important.

As the clamor continued outside the mountain range, on the rubble square at the peak, Zhou Yuan was staring intently at Xu Yan, his expression slightly grave. The faint Genesis Qi fluctuations emanating from Xu Yan made him feel significant pressure.

Alpha Origin Stage, seventh layer.

This was a whole level stronger than Le Tian and the others.

Xu Yan looked at Zhou Yuan indifferently and said unhurriedly, "When we met last time, I gave you a way out. I suggested you apologize to Junior Sister Xuanyin, and the animosity could be resolved. But Junior Brother Zhou Yuan was too arrogant and directly rejected my good intentions."

"So, to make you realize the situation, Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, I asked Junior Brother Le Tian and the others..."

"Haha, of course, Senior Brother Zhao Zhu also had a say in it."

Zhou Yuan frowned slightly. After all this, it turned out that Xu Yan himself had instigated Le Tian and the others to jointly attack him. And Zhao Zhu? He should be the second holy son of Sword Cometh Peak, right? Why would he also target him?

"Then I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint both senior brothers..." Zhou Yuan said coldly. Since the other party had made it clear they were targeting him, there was no need for him to maintain superficial politeness.

Xu Yan nodded and sighed, "It is a bit disappointing. I didn't expect Le Tian and the others to fall into your hands."

Even now, Xu Yan found that outcome difficult to accept. In his opinion, Le Tian's lineup was already quite impressive, but unexpectedly, Zhou Yuan had completely wiped them out in the end.

Xu Yan gripped his sword hilt with both hands, lightly tapping the scabbard on the ground. His eyes regained their indifference, and he said, "So, since you've come before me, don't think about passing this test."

"Sword Cometh Peak needs your utter defeat to regain some face."

"If you still have any sense, I suggest you surrender directly. Otherwise..." Xu Yan smiled slightly and said, "Then don't blame your senior brother for using his seniority to teach you how to abide by the rules."

Zhou Yuan lightly gripped his hand, and the Heavenly Yuan Brush appeared in it. He looked up at Xu Yan, his gaze unwavering, and said, "Tell me the rules. Is this final chief disciple competition about defeating you?"

Xu Yan froze for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh out loud. However, his gaze grew increasingly cold, and a hint of sarcasm curled at the corner of his mouth.

"Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, it seems your previous victories have truly made you lose your sense."

Xu Yan pointed to the large incense stick about a zhang (3.3 meters) behind him and said teasingly, "Now, all ten of you disciples who entered the top ten will encounter a veteran purple-belt disciple from the Seven Peaks. The upcoming chief disciple competition will then depend on which of you ten disciples can last longer."

"And when this large incense stick has completely burned down, whoever can still endure undefeated will be the chief disciple."

"So, Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, what you should be considering now isn't how to defeat me, but rather how long I'll let you last against me..."

"Actually, initially, out of respect for the various peaks, we, as the blockers, would have gone a bit easy on you, to let you last longer and save some face."

"However..."

Xu Yan shrugged, his gaze chilling as he stared at Zhou Yuan, and said, "I, on the other hand, intend for you to be the very first one eliminated."

At this point, it was clear that Xu Yan had indicated he would show no mercy whatsoever. As for going easy, that was even less likely.

Zhou Yuan's eyes grew solemn. The Heavenly Yuan Brush in his hand instantly expanded. Its snow-white, sharp tip pointed diagonally toward the ground. Golden Genesis Qi surged from the top of his head, resembling a golden wolf smoke signal.

Within the wolf smoke, the faint hiss of a colossal python could be heard.

"Then I'll have to experience Senior Brother's abilities." Zhou Yuan said slowly. In his eyes, there was no fear, but rather a surging, fervent fighting spirit.

The opponent was indeed strong. But Zhou Yuan never feared powerful enemies. In his view, any powerful enemy was a whetstone. He needed to hone himself through repeated battles.

Gazing at the high-spirited Zhou Yuan, Xu Yan's sneer at the corner of his mouth deepened.

"I truly hope you can maintain this fighting spirit after a while..."

The longsword in his hand suddenly swished diagonally behind him, and the air ripped with a tearing sound.

The large incense stick, about a zhang in length, behind him was suddenly ignited. Flames appeared, and a wisp of green smoke began to rise.

Xu Yan held his sword with one hand. His gaze suddenly became sharp and piercing at that instant. A dark green Genesis Qi, a full eight hundred zhang in length, surged skyward from the top of his head.

The Genesis Qi was like a colossal green sword, standing tall between heaven and earth.

A sharp oppressive aura swept across. The air was filled with the sound of sword cries.

"Zhou Yuan, you caused Sword Cometh Peak to lose immense face earlier. Next..."

"It's time for you to pay the price!"