Chapter 401: Farewell, Qingyu

In the noisy pavilion, Zhou Yuan, who had been previously unnoticed, suddenly became the center of attention due to Zuoqiu Qingyu’s smiling gaze, drawing numerous eyes towards him.

“You two know each other?” Feng Ying was also surprised, and her gaze immediately fell on Zhou Yuan.

Earlier, she had assumed Zhou Yuan was like the other men around Zuoqiu Qingyu, trying to win her favor. However, judging by Zuoqiu Qingyu’s reaction, it was clear they were quite familiar with each other.

Zuoqiu Qingyu nodded her delicate chin and smiled, “Senior Sister Feng Ying, Zhou Yuan and I are from the same continent. Back then, he was the most outstanding person among the younger generation there. Even Luoluo and I couldn’t compare to him.”

Feng Ying looked at the smile on Zuoqiu Qingyu’s face and then glanced at Zhou Yuan with interest, saying, “It seems your Cangxuan Continent, though small, produces quite a lot of talent.”

Among the new disciples of their Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace this generation, Zuoqiu Qingyu and Luoluo were considered two extremely promising talents. Even many elders within the palace highly praised them, and both came from that remote continent called Cangxuan Continent.

She hadn’t expected Zhou Yuan, standing before her, to also be from the Cangxuan Continent.

“Heh heh, I have indeed heard of that Cangxuan Continent... but that level of selection isn't very significant. Ultimately, it all depends on what happens in the future. Many people occasionally show brilliance, but then they just fade into obscurity. Junior Sister Qingyu has exceptional talent, and she will surely become a renowned figure among the younger generation of our Shengzhou Continent in the future, so there's no need to be modest.”

Surrounding Zuoqiu Qingyu were several distinguished young men, proud scions from the top local powers in Black Flame Province, holding very high status within their region.

The moment they saw Zuoqiu Qingyu, they were captivated by her beauty and swarmed around her like bees drawn to nectar.

However, no matter how much they chatted and flattered her, Zuoqiu Qingyu only offered a faint smile, polite yet distant. This frustrated them somewhat, but it also made them even more eager to win her over.

Yet, when Zuoqiu Qingyu saw Zhou Yuan, the lively and joyful smile that appeared on her face made them uncomfortable. They immediately began speaking, their words containing subtle disdain.

Although Cangxuan Sect was a colossal sect, incomparable to their own, these young men present were not ordinary disciples within their respective sects. Therefore, even when facing Zhou Yuan, a disciple from Cangxuan Sect, they weren't particularly apprehensive. After all, Zhou Yuan was just a disciple, not a Saint Son like Li Qingchan.

Zuoqiu Qingyu listened to their words. Although her delicate face still held a smile, a hint of annoyance flickered deep in her eyes. These flies were truly bothersome.

Yang Xuan, who was sitting aside, did not participate in belittling Zhou Yuan. He simply maintained a gentle expression, as he didn't truly perceive Zhou Yuan as a threat.

Zhou Yuan merely smiled at their words and didn't feel any anger.

On the contrary, Li Qingchan swept a cold gaze over them, looking at those who had spoken mockingly. She said indifferently, “Zhou Yuan has only been in our Cangxuan Sect for half a year, yet he is already the youngest Purple Ribbon disciple. In the future, it’s not impossible for him to become a Saint Son of our Cangxuan Sect. His talent is evident and needs no questioning from others.”

Although Li Qingchan had some reservations about Zhou Yuan due to Yaoyao’s relationship with him, she believed that few, if any, of the proud scions from other factions present could compare to Zhou Yuan’s performance within Cangxuan Sect.

Hearing Li Qingchan’s words, the young men’s laughter faltered. They then looked at Zhou Yuan with a mix of surprise and uncertainty, finding it hard to believe that this inconspicuous person, standing at the back, possessed such abilities.

Zuoqiu Qingyu also gazed at Zhou Yuan with curious eyes, a faint smile playing on her rosy lips. This fellow, even in a place like Cangxuan Sect, certainly wasn’t one to settle down quietly.

Yang Xuan, however, raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze fixed on Zhou Yuan seeming to deepen a little.

Zhou Yuan also glanced at Li Qingchan with some surprise, apparently not expecting Li Qingchan, who had been cold towards him all this time, to speak up for him now.

This did surprise him, although he didn’t care about the opinions of these inconsequential people.

Feng Ying covered her red lips with her delicate hand and chuckled lightly, saying, “It seems I was right after all; the Cangxuan Continent has indeed produced quite a lot of talent recently.”

Li Qingchan said no more, and after a brief conversation with her, she prepared to leave.

“There will be an auction here tonight. If you’re free, you might want to take a look,” Feng Ying said with a smile upon seeing this. From her demeanor, she seemed more like someone out for leisure than on a mission.

Li Qingchan nodded casually and then turned to leave.

Zhou Yuan’s gaze met Zuoqiu Qingyu’s. He gave a slight nod and then followed Li Qingchan.

Watching them leave, a female disciple from the Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace beside Zuoqiu Qingyu turned to Feng Ying and asked, “Senior Sister Feng Ying, was what Li Qingchan said true or false? That young man named Zhou Yuan doesn’t seem to have the powerful Genesis Qi cultivation we imagined, does he?”

Feng Ying pondered for a moment, then glanced at Zuoqiu Qingyu, who was also looking at her with bright eyes. She said, “From my perception, Zhou Yuan is probably, at most, at the fourth layer of the Initial Qi stage.”

Hearing this, the other beautiful female disciples from the Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace immediately burst into snickers. Everyone there, except for Zuoqiu Qingyu who had just entered the sect, was at least at the sixth layer. For them, Zhou Yuan, at the fourth layer of the Initial Qi stage, was simply too weak.

The proud scions from the local powers in Black Flame Province also smiled, shook their heads, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. They had actually believed that young man was very capable; it turned out he was merely at the fourth layer of the Initial Qi stage...

With that level of strength, even if he was a disciple of Cangxuan Sect, he posed no threat to them.

Zuoqiu Qingyu’s delicate face, however, showed no change in expression, because she knew very well that Zhou Yuan’s true combat power could never be judged by his outward appearance.

Back then, in the Saint Remains Realm, no one had expected that Zhou Yuan, who seemed to be the weakest, would ultimately defeat even Wu Huang.

Feng Ying raised her beautiful eyes, looked at Zhou Yuan who was following behind Li Qingchan and the others, shook her head, and delivered her final verdict.

“Li Qingchan is usually so cold, but to defend her junior brother, she certainly talks a big game. I was almost convinced... But it’s not good to bluff. If they enter the Black Flame Mountain Range, it will be completely exposed...”