Chapter 382: Sword Peak's Punishment

The final purple-belt selection of the year concluded dramatically with the most unexpected result.

Although the selection had ended, its repercussions continued for quite some time, unsettling many disciples throughout the Cangxuan Sect.

Zhou Yuan's remarkable achievements in the selection even amazed the purple-belt disciples within the Cangxuan Sect.

Previously, whenever these purple-belt disciples occasionally heard about Zhou Yuan's achievements, they would still act somewhat condescendingly, inquiring from a superior stance. After all, Zhou Yuan's past accomplishments were only at the gold-belt disciple level, which they considered insignificant.

However, after this selection, they completely abandoned their condescending attitude and began to view Zhou Yuan as an equal. After all, regardless of the methods Zhou Yuan employed, he ultimately prevailed, while Xu Yan, in contrast, was left utterly disgraced by the outcome.

Consequently, word of mouth spread, making Zhou Yuan an instant celebrity within the Cangxuan Sect. Although he had just been promoted to a purple-belt disciple, in terms of reputation, even some veteran purple-belt disciples likely couldn't compare to him.

However, while all the disciples of the Cangxuan Sect were marveling at Zhou Yuan's performance in the purple-belt selection, the disciples of Sword Comity Peak appeared the most awkward and uncomfortable. After all, in a sense, Zhou Yuan's rise to fame was built upon Sword Comity Peak's significant loss of prestige.

Thus, under these circumstances, they naturally found it difficult to comment.

So when conversations centered around Zhou Yuan filled the Cangxuan Sect, the disciples of Sword Comity Peak remained silent.

It was also at this time that news emerged from Sword Comity Peak, stating that all disciples who participated in this purple-belt selection would be demoted from gold-belt disciples to black-belt disciples for one year.

This meant that gold-belt disciples such as Le Tian and Lu Xuanyin not only failed to be promoted to purple-belt disciples but couldn't even retain their gold-belt status, being demoted to the lowest rank of black-belt disciples.

The one-year term meant they could only regain their status after a year.

Furthermore, Xu Yan, a veteran purple-belt disciple, also received punishment, being demoted from a purple-belt disciple to a gold-belt disciple, also for one year.

In a sense, this punishment was undeniably severe; such a penalty had never been seen in previous purple-belt selections. Clearly, Peak Master Ling Jun of Sword Comity Peak was quite enraged by the disgraceful performance of his disciples this time.

The spread of this news drew sighs of astonishment from disciples of other peaks within the Cangxuan Sect, who, for a moment, even felt some sympathy for Le Tian and the others. However, since this punishment was decreed by Peak Master Ling Jun, the head of Sword Comity Peak, it could not be altered unless Grand Elder Qingyang issued an order in the Sect Master's name.

Within the Cangxuan Sect, the seven peaks largely operated autonomously, and as peak masters, they held full authority over their respective peaks; thus, even Grand Elder Qingyang rarely intervened directly.

Therefore, Le Tian, Lu Xuanyin, Xu Yan, and the others this time could only endure this punishment for one year.

Sword Comity Peak.

Recently, the atmosphere at Sword Comity Peak had been somewhat oppressive.

Due to Peak Master Ling Jun's foul mood, even some elders were treading carefully, not daring to provoke him. If the elders were so cautious, the disciples below were even more timid, not daring to cause any trouble at this time; after all, they had witnessed the punishments of Le Tian, Xu Yan, and Lu Xuanyin.

On one of Sword Comity Peak's highest points.

In a stone pavilion.

Two young men sat opposite each other. One, dressed in white, possessed an extraordinary bearing; he was Kong Sheng of Sword Comity Peak.

Opposite him sat a sharp-eyed young man with a slender build, radiating an aura of keenness. Throughout Sword Comity Peak, the only disciple qualified to sit opposite Kong Sheng, apart from the second Holy Son, Zhao Zhu, was no one else.

"The disciples of Sword Comity Peak ganging up on Zhou Yuan during the purple-belt selection this time—I suspect you were behind it, weren't you?" Kong Sheng glanced at Zhao Zhu and said.

"While Xu Yan initiated it, his reputation alone wouldn't have been enough to make Le Tian and the others fully comply."

Zhao Zhu smiled somewhat helplessly and said, "These guys are truly incompetent; they can't even handle a small task properly."

Kong Sheng frowned slightly and said, "I told you there was no need to target Zhou Yuan. Your actions have only elevated him."

Zhao Zhu idly rubbed the white jade-like chess pieces in his palm and nonchalantly said, "I merely mentioned it casually to Le Tian..."

He paused, then continued, "But it was my oversight. I originally thought it was just a trivial matter, but unexpectedly... this Zhou Yuan truly has some skill."

He narrowed his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them.

He had indeed thought it was a trivial matter, and even after mentioning it to Le Tian that day, he had immediately forgotten about it.

Because in his view, merely his casual mention was already an honor for Zhou Yuan, but he hadn't expected that this seemingly insignificant matter would instead cause Sword Comity Peak to lose so much face this time.

Kong Sheng slowly said, "The Peak Master was quite enraged this time, originally intending to punish Le Tian and the others for three years, but I persuaded him to reduce it to one year."

He spoke lightly. At Sword Comity Peak, even some elders might not be able to make Peak Master Ling Jun change his mind, yet he could, which showed how highly Peak Master Ling Jun valued him.

Hearing this, even a hint of envy flashed in Zhao Zhu's eyes. Although they were both Holy Sons, he knew that in Peak Master Ling Jun's heart, Kong Sheng clearly held a higher position.

"I should thank you, Senior Brother, on behalf of Le Tian and the others." Zhao Zhu chuckled.

Kong Sheng waved his hand. He looked up slightly, gazing into the distance; his handsome, chiseled face showed no emotion, but his voice grew a fraction colder.

"But it's been a long time since our Sword Comity Peak has been so disgraced..."

"This Zhou Yuan truly is a newborn calf that fears no tiger, daring to tread on the face of our Sword Comity Peak to gain fame for himself... It seems he really thinks he's someone important."

Zhao Zhu smiled and said, "How about we find an opportunity to teach that kid a lesson?"

Kong Sheng said helplessly, "That kid is too low-level; it would be beneath us to specifically teach him a lesson."

"Moreover..."

He paused, then said, "That Zhou Xiaoyao by his side is somewhat unfathomable; I don't know her true origins..."

Zhao Zhu raised an eyebrow, saying dismissively, "I heard she's only skilled in Genesis Runes, with no Genesis Qi cultivation. She might have some ability, but to call her unfathomable, Senior Brother, you might be overestimating her."

"If I encounter her in the future, I'd like to test whether my sword is faster, or her speed in setting up Genesis Runes..."

Kong Sheng smiled and shook his head. Knowing Zhao Zhu's arrogance, he said no more, simply looking down the mountain and thoughtfully saying, "I heard Elder Lu Hong visited Sword Comity Peak today."

"Oh?" Zhao Zhu's eyes lifted.

"It's probably the Peak Master's intention..." Kong Sheng's lips curved slightly, and he said, "Our Peak Master is very concerned with prestige. Since Saint Genesis Peak made our Sword Comity Peak lose face this time, he's likely to make a move."

"And what move could be more decisive than having Elder Lu Hong's lineage, who originated from our Sword Comity Peak, seize the chief position of Saint Genesis Peak and thoroughly suppress the other two lineages of Saint Genesis Peak as a counterattack?"

"At that time, with Elder Lu Hong's lineage becoming the main lineage of Saint Genesis Peak, once the main lineage issues an order, even if Zhou Yuan were ordered to do menial tasks at our Sword Comity Peak, he would have to obey."

Zhao Zhu was startled for a moment, then couldn't help but burst into laughter, apparently imagining the amusing scene.

"Haha, it seems our Peak Master's scheme is on a higher level. Since Saint Genesis Peak made our Sword Comity Peak lose face, the Peak Master will simply make Saint Genesis Peak subservient to our Sword Comity Peak from now on..."

The two exchanged glances, both with smiles in their eyes and a shared admiration for their Peak Master's grand plan.

That day was certainly something to look forward to.