Chapter 397: Determining the Quota

The square lay in ruins, its ground collapsed several feet deep, with massive cracks spreading out, tearing the plaza asunder. However, in the very center of the utterly devastated square, an area several feet in size remained perfectly intact, and Zhou Yuan, standing within it, was completely unharmed.

Around the square, everyone stared wide-eyed at this somewhat incredible sight.

"This..." Even Li Qingchan and Zhao Zhu on the steps were stunned; this outcome was clearly beyond their expectations as well.

Bai Li also paused, then her beautiful eyes fixed curiously on the golden bell around Zhou Yuan, formed by the golden python. "What kind of Genesis Art did he use?" she wondered aloud. "Why is its defense so terrifying?!"

They had all naturally seen that Zhou Yuan was able to withstand Wang Lei's fierce attack primarily because of the golden bell formed by the giant python. The defense of this art was unexpectedly formidable.

"It's certainly a hard turtle shell," Zhao Zhu said, his expression somewhat displeased. "But relying solely on a defensive Genesis Art isn't much of an ability."

Li Qingchan glanced at him, a hint of sarcasm curving her red lips. "Is Junior Brother Zhao Zhu planning to try another approach?" she asked.

Zhao Zhu faltered, his expression turning slightly cold, and he said no more. The previous one-move agreement was his and Wang Lei's idea, and despite their thorough preparations, they ended up with this result. If he were to go back on his word again, his reputation would be hard to maintain.

Under those astonished gazes, Zhou Yuan, in the arena, moved slightly, and golden light surged around him. The golden bell then dissipated, transforming into streams of golden Genesis Qi, which Zhou Yuan inhaled.

"What strong defense!" A hint of pleasant surprise also flashed in Zhou Yuan's eyes. He had only been testing it earlier, but the defensive power of this Genesis Art, derived from the Heaven-Penetrating Profound Python Qi, was unexpectedly strong.

According to Zhou Yuan's estimation, this art's defense was probably the strongest among all his abilities. The only regret was that this art could only be used for defense, and after each use, a period of time had to pass before it could be activated again. But regardless, with this art, Zhou Yuan had gained another life-saving ability.

He raised his head, looking at the dumbfounded Wang Lei in mid-air, and said with an unruffled expression, "Senior Brother Wang Lei, I accept your concession."

Wang Lei's face alternated between green and white, then a bloodshot look appeared in his eyes as he gnashed his teeth. "I don't believe it!" he seethed. "I can't break your turtle shell!"

Potent Genesis Qi once again burst forth from his body, but because he had previously used "Sword Thunder Palm," his Genesis Qi was clearly somewhat weakened at this moment.

Seeing this, Zhou Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly, a dangerous glint flashing within them. He had long run out of patience for Wang Lei. This scoundrel's so-called one-move agreement was nothing more than a trap. If he hadn't possessed this protective defensive art today, he might truly have been forced into a chaotic struggle. Now that this guy had lost but refused to admit it, Zhou Yuan was ready to genuinely confront him.

"Hmph!" Just as Zhou Yuan's Genesis Qi began to circulate and he prepared to truly fight Wang Lei, a cold hmph suddenly sounded, and everyone felt the temperature in the air suddenly drop.

In mid-air, Wang Lei was horrified to see the air around him beginning to freeze. A snowy-white Genesis Qi circulated around him; that white Genesis Qi was extremely cold, directly causing frost to spread over Wang Lei's body, his limbs instantly frozen.

Wang Lei turned his head with difficulty, only to see Li Qingchan on the steps staring at him with icy eyes. As her jade-like hand lifted, the extremely cold, snowy-white Genesis Qi surged from her palm.

"Are the people from Sword Cometh Peak such sore losers?" Li Qingchan said coldly.

Some disciples from Sword Cometh Peak in the arena showed expressions of shame.

Zhao Zhu's expression was also displeased; how could he not know Li Qingchan's words were directed at him? Immediately, he flicked his sleeve, and a rainbow-like stream of Genesis Qi swept out, directly rescuing Wang Lei, who had been trapped by Li Qingchan, and tossing him aside.

"Wang Lei, since you've lost, stop bothering him," Zhao Zhu said in a deep voice.

Wang Lei's face was grim, filled with extreme shame and anger. He knew his strength was slightly superior to Xu Yan's, and on that day, Zhou Yuan had been forced into such a sorry state by Xu Yan. Therefore, he had been sure that a move today would guarantee victory. But who would have thought that in just under a month, Zhou Yuan's strength would have increased so rapidly, and that he had also mastered a Genesis Art with such astonishing defensive power? This Genesis Art was clearly something Zhou Yuan hadn't possessed when he fought Xu Yan previously.

Around the square, many disciples looked at Zhou Yuan's figure with astonished eyes, clearly realizing that he was stronger now than when he had fought Xu Yan.

On the steps, Li Qingchan looked at Zhao Zhu and said indifferently, "Now that Wang Lei has lost, does Zhou Yuan qualify?"

Zhao Zhu held his long sword with both arms, his eyes slightly lowered. "If Senior Sister Li insists, then naturally we have no objection," he said. "However, I must advise Senior Sister: relying solely on a 'turtle shell' doesn't mean he won't be a burden."

"If the mission fails because of Zhou Yuan, I will accept the punishment myself, no need for your concern," Li Qingchan said coldly.

As her voice fell, she took a step forward, her beautiful eyes sweeping over the crowd. Her clear, cold voice spread across the square: "After final deliberation, Zhou Yuan will be the last chosen candidate for this Heaven-rank mission. Do any of you have any objections?"

Most of those gathered on the square were purple-sash disciples from various peaks, and their purpose there was actually because of Zhou Yuan's still-controversial spot. But the confrontation between Zhou Yuan and Wang Lei had revealed some of his strength. At the very least, none of the disciples present had much confidence in being able to break that defensive Genesis Art, which resembled a turtle shell. This made them realize that Zhou Yuan was clearly stronger now than when he had fought Xu Yan. Now, coupled with Li Qingchan's strong support, Zhou Yuan's spot was likely unshakable.

Understanding this, many disciples exchanged glances and could only sigh in disappointment.

On the square, no one responded.

Seeing this, Li Qingchan nodded slightly and calmly said, "Since that is the case, I hereby announce that the slots for this Heaven-rank mission are now full."

The other disciples on the square, seeing this, shook their heads and dispersed.

Zhao Zhu and the others had unpleasant expressions, and without lingering, they turned and left.

Li Qingchan paid them no mind. She walked down the steps and came before Zhou Yuan. "Not bad," she said. "At least you didn't make me lose face completely."

Beside Li Qingchan, Bai Li also stared curiously at Zhou Yuan, then clenched her small, jade-like fist. "Your 'turtle shell' is really hard," she said. "Can I punch it a few times?"

Zhou Yuan looked at her and grimaced. He knew that this girl, who appeared delicate and slender, was from Hongya Peak, a lineage of external cultivation, and a single punch from her would likely be even more terrifying than Wang Lei's earlier attack. So he didn't answer, but simply looked at Li Qingchan, cupped his fist, and said, "Thank you very much, Senior Sister, for this time." If Li Qingchan hadn't tried her best to protect him, he probably would have had no chance with this Heaven-rank mission. After all, Zhao Zhu was truly targeting him.

Li Qingchan glanced at him and said, "We will depart for Blackflame State tomorrow. Make your preparations. Also," she continued, "don't become complacent just because you've mastered a defensive Genesis Art. For this mission, I don't expect you to achieve much, but I hope you don't become a burden to everyone."

As her voice fell, she didn't linger. With a flick of her dark hair, she turned and left, leaving behind a graceful and beautiful figure.

Zhou Yuan watched her beautiful figure and shrugged. "She's truly an ice-cold senior sister..."

Immediately after, he smiled again, a hint of eagerness appearing in his eyes. "But a Heaven-rank mission... I'm actually looking forward to it."