Chapter 409: Taiyi First Manifestation

As the third day dawned, Blackfire City was abuzz with activity. Countless forces from Blackflame Province had converged here, all clearly drawn by the Flame Marrow Vein.

Although the Flame Marrow Vein was rated only a sixth-grade ore vein by the Azure Mystic Sect, this was merely in the context of a major power like the Azure Mystic Sect. For top-tier forces within Blackflame Province, such as the Blazeforge Sect, this single ore vein could enrich them many times over.

Normally, if a major sect became involved with such a vein, ordinary forces like them would have no right to touch it. However, this time the situation was different. Since the Flame Marrow Vein fell outside the jurisdiction of any major sect, it was unclaimed. Furthermore, the four major sects, constrained by mutual checks and balances, each refused to let the others gain an advantage. This inadvertently benefited these ordinary forces; otherwise, under the dominion of the four major sects, they wouldn't get a single drop.

Nevertheless, even so, the richest areas of the Flame Marrow Vein had already been claimed by the four major sects.

But that was fine. They could settle for less; as long as they could secure some of the outer Flame Marrow Vein, it would still be an immense gain for them.

Thus, within just three days, almost ninety percent of the forces in Blackflame Province had dispatched their elite personnel to Blackfire City, awaiting the day the Flame Marrow Vein competition would begin.

Inside the room, Zhou Yuan sat cross-legged on the bed, his body motionless. In front of him, as his palms were clasped together, mottled and profound wooden beads slowly rotated. Strands of pure Yimu Qi were continuously drawn out and flowed into Zhou Yuan's body.

On Zhou Yuan's body, verdant green light spots flickered continuously. Upon closer inspection, these spots could be seen deep within his flesh, appearing quite mysterious.

Whisps of aura rose, brimming with vitality.

Crack! Suddenly, a faint cracking sound echoed. The wooden beads between Zhou Yuan's palms began to crack, their light rapidly dimmed, until they crumbled into powder, one by one.

This was because the Yimu Qi contained within them had been completely absorbed.

As the wooden beads turned to dust, Zhou Yuan's tightly shut eyes slowly opened.

He looked at the falling dust, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes. With the absorption of the Yimu Qi, this Genesis artifact was clearly rendered useless.

However, fortunately, it was not a loss in vain.

Zhou Yuan lowered his gaze, looking at his own body. On half of his body, green light spots flickered in and out of view. At this moment, these light spots resonated with each other, and as light spread, they connected completely.

Faintly discernible, it resembled an extremely ancient and obscure pattern.

However, it appeared incomplete.

"The Grand One Pattern, half completed..." Zhou Yuan felt both regret and pleasant surprise. He regretted that even after absorbing the rosary made from the thousand-year-old ancient wood, he still hadn't fully perfected the Grand One Pattern. But he was pleasantly surprised that even though it was only half complete, the "Grand One Green Wood Mark" seemed to be revealing its mysteries.

At this moment, Zhou Yuan could clearly feel the surging life essence within him. Under the influence of that essence, every part of his body pulsed with immense vitality.

Even the Genesis Qi within his body became more enduring.

Zhou Yuan slowly clenched his left hand, which was covered by half of the Grand One Pattern. His eyes flickered as he took out a sharp dagger, its cold glint slowly moving along the blade.

The cold light flashed, leaving a bloody mark.

A gruesome bloody gash immediately appeared on Zhou Yuan's arm, deep enough to reveal bone, with blood flowing out.

However, no sooner had the gash appeared than verdant green light spots flickered within Zhou Yuan's flesh. A rich life essence permeated the area, and Zhou Yuan watched as the bleeding stopped in an instant.

Moreover, the deep wound slowly wriggled as new flesh grew, and within just a few minutes, the entire wound was completely healed.

Zhou Yuan watched this scene, unable to conceal the joy in his eyes.

Even though the "Grand One Green Wood Mark" had not yet fully perfected the Grand One Pattern, its abilities were already beginning to manifest. At least for now, Zhou Yuan's physical recovery ability was likely no worse than that of external cultivators who specifically used Genesis Qi to nourish their bodies.

Once the Grand One Pattern was fully perfected, this recovery ability would surely surge once more.

Most terrifyingly, this was only the beginning... Only when the Grand One Pattern fully formed would Zhou Yuan be able to completely transform the absorbed Yimu Qi into the "Grand One Green Wood Mark."

In the future, when this art was truly mastered, Zhou Yuan would likely possess an... immortal body.

At that point, as long as he didn't encounter destructive attacks that pulverized his bones to dust, Zhou Yuan would gradually recover from any injury, no matter how severe.

This would undoubtedly give him a tremendous advantage in life-and-death battles.

Zhou Yuan nodded in satisfaction. These three days of secluded cultivation had indeed yielded results.

Knock, knock. Just then, a knock sounded at the door. Zhou Yuan quickly got off the bed and opened the door.

At the doorway, Li Qingchan stood gracefully. Her exquisite face was as cold as frost, as always. She glanced at Zhou Yuan, who had opened the door, and said indifferently, "If you don't come out soon, we're going to leave without you."

Although her tone was calm, it was not difficult to discern a hint of displeasure.

After all, ever since arriving in Blackfire City, Zhou Yuan had done nothing but gamble on stones, then immediately hid in his room. Such an attitude was truly uncommitted.

Zhou Yuan's spot this time had been secured by her strong advocacy. But now, even Elder Wu had voiced considerable reservations about it. If not for her status as a Saint Son, she herself might have been reprimanded.

Hearing this, Zhou Yuan felt a little embarrassed, and quickly apologized.

He knew that although he had claimed to be in secluded cultivation, others likely viewed it as nothing more than an excuse. After all, how much could one improve in just three days? It was probably just a last-minute effort.

He certainly couldn't reveal the "Grand One Green Wood Mark," so he simply apologized without offering further explanation.

Hearing Zhou Yuan's apology, Li Qingchan let out a barely perceptible sigh and shook her head. "Let's go," she said. "The Flame Marrow Vein competition is about to begin, and we need to depart."

"Additionally, although you've only been assigned to the area outside the core zone this time, don't harbor any resentment. Securing the area assigned to you will still be considered a merit," Li Qingchan advised.

The so-called core zone was naturally the richest area of the Flame Marrow Vein. The competition there was incredibly fierce, serving as the battleground for the four major sects.

However, Zhou Yuan had not been assigned to it; instead, Elder Wu had placed him outside the core zone. This outer area was where the forces from Blackflame Province would compete, and the intensity of the struggle was naturally less than within the core zone.

Of course, when merits were tallied at the end, his would naturally not compare to others'.

Zhou Yuan nodded slightly upon hearing this, his expression quite calm.

Seeing this, Li Qingchan said no more, and turned to leave.

Zhou Yuan followed closely behind.

On the top floor, when Zhou Yuan and Li Qingchan arrived, they saw Elder Wu, Zhao Zhu, Bai Li, and others already waiting there.

"Hehe, Junior Brother Zhou Yuan has been in secluded cultivation for three days; I suppose you've gained a lot, haven't you?" Qin Hai looked at Zhou Yuan with a teasing smile.

Zhou Yuan glanced at him but paid no attention.

Elder Wu's gaze lingered on Zhou Yuan for a moment, and he couldn't help but sigh. He probably found Zhou Yuan's presence a bit troublesome.

Because placing Zhou Yuan outside the core zone meant they had to give up an area within the core zone.

But there was no choice. With Zhou Yuan's current strength, he simply wasn't qualified to contend with others.

Elder Wu flicked his sleeve, and ten specks of light flew out, landing on Zhou Yuan and the others.

Zhou Yuan and the others caught them. They saw small, thumb-sized jade stones. The jade stones shimmered, with faint Genesis Runes flickering upon them.

"These are Sound Transmission Stones. They allow for brief transmissions within a thousand miles. Each of you should wear one. After entering the Flame Marrow Vein, you can use them to make brief contact and stay updated on each other's situations," Elder Wu instructed.

Li Qingchan, Zhao Zhu, and the others nodded, then placed the jade stones in their ears.

Seeing this, Elder Wu waved his sleeve. Genesis Qi emanated from beneath his feet, forming a cloud-like mass that encompassed Li Qingchan, Zhao Zhu, Zhou Yuan, and the others.

"Let's go." As his voice fell, the Genesis Qi cloud soared into the sky, carrying everyone with it.

At the same time, within the vast Blackfire City, countless streaks of Genesis Qi light shot into the sky. Like a swarm of locusts, they surged overwhelmingly towards the distant Blackflame Mountain Range.

This struggle for the Flame Marrow Vein, which affected the entire Blackflame Province, had finally begun.