Chapter 379: Source Qi Clash

A crescent of cyan light descended from the sky. Wherever the cyan glow passed, it seemed to cleave even the heavens.

The descending crescent was terrifying.

Zhou Yuan also looked up, his expression extremely solemn as he watched the cyan crescent falling from the sky. He could vaguely discern a sword silhouette within the crescent. The crescent shape surrounding the sword silhouette was, in fact, formed by sword aura.

Facing this crescent attack, Zhou Yuan knew that if he were to resist it directly again, even with multiple layers of protection, he would likely be instantly bisected. Under this crescent, even many skilled practitioners at the seventh layer of the Alpha Origin stage would have to flee as far as possible.

Outside the entire mountain range, numerous exclamations of regret arose. When Xu Yan disregarded his reputation to unleash such an attack, it was clear the battle's outcome was already determined, for they simply could not fathom how Zhou Yuan could withstand such a terrifying assault.

Amidst the many sighs of regret, the disciples witnessed Zhou Yuan suddenly clasp his hands together within the radiant Qi mirror. A searing fluctuation seemed to emanate from his body, causing even the ground beneath his feet to begin melting at that very moment. A crimson aura rose from Zhou Yuan's body.

Zhou Yuan slowly spread his feet apart, and his cheeks abruptly puffed out. Everyone could see his face flush fiery red, like a burning ember. Even his pupils turned crimson. Zhou Yuan's hands swiftly formed seals, and the Genesis Qi within him surged like boiling water.

Observing Zhou Yuan's unusual movements, countless disciples' eyes flickered with surprise and uncertainty. However, a sharp-eyed disciple immediately recognized something, exclaiming, "Zhou Yuan is also using a Heavenly Origin Art!"

"This technique... if I'm not mistaken, it should be the 'Heavenly Sun Divine Record'!"

"It's said that when Zhou Yuan won first place in the Selection Mountain Ceremony, the sect did indeed reward him with a Low-Grade Heavenly Origin Art, which was precisely the 'Heavenly Sun Divine Record'!"

As those exclamations spread, countless disciples' expressions changed in shock. This meant that Zhou Yuan had actually mastered the 'Heavenly Sun Divine Record'?!

This guy is truly a monstrous talent!

Amidst the exclamations of disciples spread across the mountainside, at the peak, Zhou Yuan's cheeks puffed out to their extreme. The next instant, he abruptly opened his mouth, and a low roar seemed to erupt from within.

"Heavenly Sun Divine Record, Heavenly Sun Fire!"

Blaze!

Following the roar, a white fireball, several hundred feet in size, burst forth. As the fireball erupted, the very air in the surroundings seemed to ignite instantly, and the gravel square beneath his feet began to melt. This single breath of fire was powerful enough to melt an entire mountain. Overwhelmingly powerful!

Blaze!

The white flames surged skyward, and amidst countless stunned gazes, collided with the rapidly descending cyan crescent. Violent Genesis Qi raged outwards. Under the furious burning of the white flames, the cyan crescent visibly diminished in size. However, the cyan sword aura emanating from it was also eroding the white flames. The two furiously eroded each other.

After just a few dozen breaths, the several-hundred-foot-wide white flames were completely consumed, and the cyan crescent had also shrunk to only about ten feet in length...

The cyan crescent plunged down fiercely, its sharp edge pointing directly at Zhou Yuan below. Heavenly Python Scales emerged on Zhou Yuan's hands. He gripped the Heavenly Yuan Brush tightly, and with a low shout, the Heaven-Connecting Profound Python Qi surged, coiling around the brush like a massive python. He then brought it down heavily upon the rapidly approaching ten-foot crescent.

"Ten Thousand Whale Mark!"

The Heavenly Yuan Brush collided with the crescent, emitting a crisp sound, followed by a hundred-foot-wide shockwave that erupted. The entire ground of the peak seemed to be impacted at that moment, as if it had been forcefully ploughed. The ground was torn apart. Zhou Yuan's figure bore the brunt of the impact, skidding backward with his feet dragging along the ground, leaving deep gouges. The Heavenly Yuan Brush scraped forcefully across the ground, sending up scorching sparks.

As the dust settled, the ground was a mess. Countless gazes nervously fixed upon him. Zhou Yuan's figure was seen right at the edge of the peak's cliff, nearly knocked off. The Heavenly Yuan Brush was deeply embedded in the ground before him. Zhou Yuan's palms were bleeding profusely, and even the Heavenly Flood Dragon Scales had shattered. This was clearly the result of the direct clash with the cyan crescent earlier.

However, though somewhat disheveled, it was clear to everyone that Zhou Yuan had actually managed to withstand Xu Yan's terrifying attack head-on! No one had expected Zhou Yuan to counterattack with his own Heavenly Origin Art, depleting nearly eighty percent of the cyan crescent's power. Only then did he decisively strike, completely breaking the assault. Such seasoned combat experience was truly astonishing.

Zhou Yuan shook his hands, sending blood flying, but his expression remained unchanged. He merely muttered, "It's a pity. If I were at the fourth layer of the Alpha Origin stage right now, that 'Heavenly Sun Fire' would surely have been enough to completely incinerate that cyan crescent." Ultimately, his Genesis Qi reserves were not as abundant as his opponent's, so the Heavenly Sun Fire couldn't achieve its full effect. In the end, he still had to personally intervene, paying a small price to completely shatter the remaining power of the cyan crescent.

Outside the mountain range, countless disciples involuntarily erupted into cheers upon seeing this outcome, for Zhou Yuan's handling of the situation this time was truly impeccable. Despite being at a clear disadvantage, he remained calm in the face of danger, resolving the crisis with minimal cost. Such capability astonished even some veteran purple-belt disciples.

At the peak, Xu Yan looked at the disheveled Zhou Yuan, whose hands were covered in blood, and his lips twitched slightly. Zhou Yuan's tenacity even moved him. His previous attacks would have likely defeated even a seventh-layer disciple, yet Zhou Yuan gritted his teeth and stubbornly endured. With such willpower, it was no wonder he had risen to prominence within the Azure Mystic Sect, a place teeming with geniuses.

"This guy!" Xu Yan gritted his teeth, a hint of unwillingness in his eyes.

However, just as Xu Yan felt a surge of anger, Zhou Yuan's figure abruptly vanished.

"Hmph!" Xu Yan snorted coldly, immediately turning and striking backward with a palm. Although his Genesis Qi was somewhat depleted from using the Heavenly Origin Art earlier, dealing with Zhou Yuan was still no problem. As his palm wind struck out, a slender hand extended from the void, like an eagle's claw, directly clashing with Xu Yan's palm and then locking onto it.

Xu Yan sneered, and his other palm also struck out fiercely, surging with Genesis Qi and emanating sword aura. Zhou Yuan's other palm also struck, his fingertips clamping down and locking Xu Yan's hand. Thus, in mid-air, their palms were tightly interlocked, and as their eyes met, fierce glints appeared in both.

This was, astonishingly, a posture to use their bodies as a battlefield, desperately pitting whose Genesis Qi was more profound! Faced with this situation, even Xu Yan was slightly stunned, then a sinister grin appeared on his lips as he said, "You truly seek death. Do you think because I used a Heavenly Origin Art, you can challenge me in a Genesis Qi contest?"

"I'll let you experience just how much stronger the seventh layer of the Alpha Origin stage is than you!"

With a thought, the Genesis Qi stars within his Qi Mansion suddenly brightened. Surging Genesis Qi roared forth, then furiously eroded into Zhou Yuan's body through the point of contact with his palm. His Genesis Qi, sharp as a sword, was genuine Sixth-Grade Genesis Qi. The moment it entered Zhou Yuan's body, its emanating sword aura caused an intense, piercing pain throughout him. However, facing the severe pain within him, Zhou Yuan's eyes remained cold and resolute, unfazed. The Heaven-Connecting Profound Python Qi also roared and surged into Xu Yan's body.

The Genesis Qi of both individuals furiously clashed and eroded. Many disciples gasped upon witnessing this scene. No one had expected these two to choose such a brutal method of confrontation.

"This pure Genesis Qi clash clearly favors Xu Yan..."

"Indeed, I don't know why Zhou Yuan would force Xu Yan into a Genesis Qi clash..."

"Most likely, he was too badly suppressed by Xu Yan earlier and couldn't stomach it any longer..."

"This is quite reckless."

Under the watchful eyes of many, filled with surprise and doubt, Zhou Yuan and Xu Yan's figures at the peak suddenly trembled, then both shot backward. Their feet dug into the ground, leaving countless deep footprints.

Xu Yan looked coldly at Zhou Yuan, mocking, "Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, you're still too reckless."

"Now your arms have been injured by my Genesis Qi. For a short while, you likely won't be able to move them."

Countless gazes fell upon Zhou Yuan's arms, revealing numerous bloodstains, as if countless blades had slashed them. Blood continuously welled up, presenting a truly miserable sight. With his arms temporarily incapacitated, Zhou Yuan clearly had no more strength to fight. Evidently, in the preceding Genesis Qi clash, as everyone had predicted, Xu Yan had gained the upper hand.

Facing Xu Yan's mocking gaze, Zhou Yuan lowered his head to glance at his severely mangled arms. However, to everyone's surprise, there was no trace of panic on his face.

"Senior Brother Xu Yan..." He looked up at Xu Yan, who seemed to believe victory was assured, and a playful smile slowly spread across his lips.

"Has anyone ever told you... when fighting me, it's best not to engage in a Genesis Qi battle using your physical body as the arena?"

"Because if you do, the cost will far exceed your imagination."

Xu Yan's pupils slightly contracted. The next instant, he seemed to suddenly realize something, abruptly pulling up his sleeves. He then saw countless hideous bloodlines appearing on the skin of his arms. These bloodlines wriggled beneath his skin, and faintly, resentful dragon roars could be heard.