Chapter 417: The Holy Palace Takes Action

The "Nullification" ability allows one to nullify all Genesis Qi. When confronted with any Genesis Qi attack, the Nullification Rune will demonstrate a unique power to counteract and destroy. In simple terms, any Genesis Qi will likely have its power significantly weakened when encountering Nullification.

This was precisely why Su Duan's full-strength attack appeared so feeble before Zhou Yuan. Empowered by the Nullification Rune, all of Su Duan's Genesis Qi attacks and defenses were rendered largely ineffective. This was the fifth rune of the Heavenly Yuan Brush: Nullification.

Naturally, this doesn't imply that all Genesis Qi attacks and defenses become completely ineffective against Zhou Yuan. The Nullification ability has its limits, which are dependent on Zhou Yuan's own strength. The stronger he becomes, the more potent the Nullification Rune will be. If he were to face an opponent whose power significantly surpassed his own, the Nullification Rune might only be capable of weakening the enemy's Genesis Qi. While this is remarkable in itself, it wouldn't achieve the devastating, overwhelming effect witnessed currently.

Aided by the Nullification Rune, the provocation from Su Duan and his companions swiftly concluded. The ultimate outcome was Su Duan and his few reckless friends making a hasty and embarrassing retreat from Zhou Yuan's territory. They left behind a scene of scattered beast corpses and general disarray.

Zhou Yuan didn't bother pursuing Su Duan. Although the latter had repeatedly tried to provoke him with petty tactics, truthfully, individuals of that caliber no longer warranted his attention. Even without the Heavenly Yuan Brush's evolution, he could have easily dealt with Su Duan. He was evidently quite tolerant of those who posed no genuine threat.

After Su Duan's departure, the Heavenly Yuan Brush in Zhou Yuan's hand transformed into a streak of light, entering his palm. It then quietly floated within his Qi Palace, absorbing Genesis Qi.

From behind, Zuoqiu Qingyu approached with light, graceful steps. Her beautiful, shimmering eyes fixed on Zhou Yuan with surprise as she remarked, "It seems my worries were unfounded. This Su Duan is clearly no match for you." She was evidently a little shocked. Although Su Duan had just advanced to the Seventh Heaven, Zhou Yuan was merely at the Fourth Layer of the Alpha Origin Stage. Yet, despite this, Su Duan was utterly unable to put up any resistance against Zhou Yuan. Just how formidable was Zhou Yuan's combat prowess?

She had previously been concerned that Zhou Yuan might become just another face after joining the Cangxuan Sect. After all, major sects like this harbored an abundance of geniuses. While Zhou Yuan had distinguished himself in their Boundless Continent, his achievements there might only be considered average within the Cangxuan Sect. However, it now appeared her worries had been entirely unnecessary. This individual, it seemed, always managed to stand out, no matter the environment.

Zhou Yuan smiled in response.

"Alright, now that your issue is resolved, I should go guard my own plot of land," Zuoqiu Qingyu said with a light clap of her hands and a cheerful smile.

"Thank you. If you encounter any problems, feel free to come find me," Zhou Yuan replied with a smile. Given their familiar relationship, he saw no need for excessive politeness.

"Hmph, you barbarian, always solving problems with fighting..." Zuoqiu Qingyu said, pouting her red lips slightly, then cupped her exquisite, jade-like face with her small hands and added proudly, "I'm so beautiful, in terms of influence, I'm far more potent than your Heavenly Yuan Weapon."

Zhou Yuan was left speechless, unable to retort. To many men, Zuoqiu Qingyu's beauty was indeed an irresistible charm, making it quite natural for them to fall under her spell and be completely captivated. From a certain perspective, she truly was a "weapon" unmatched by ordinary Heavenly Yuan Weapons.

"I'm off." Zuoqiu Qingyu waved her hand, and her slender figure shot forth, graceful and captivating like flowers dancing in a gentle breeze, yet elusive. In just a short moment, she vanished from Zhou Yuan's sight.

After watching Zuoqiu Qingyu depart, Zhou Yuan finally sat down cross-legged beneath the immense flag. With his Heavenly Yuan Weapon successfully evolved, he no longer needed to hunt Heavenly Flame Lizards. Furthermore, after Su Duan and his group's defeat, it was unlikely that other factions would dare to challenge his position. Therefore, for the foreseeable future, his area should remain exceptionally tranquil.

"In that case, I'll continue cultivating the Heavenly Sun God Record..." Zhou Yuan murmured to himself, then sat cross-legged. With a flick of his sleeve, crimson, blood-like streams of lava rose before him – precisely the Flame Marrow he had won at the stone gambling arena a few days prior. This Flame Marrow could enhance the power of fire-attribute cultivation techniques and Genesis Arts, including the Heavenly Sun God Record.

The "Heavenly Sun Fire" cultivated through the Heavenly Sun God Record was currently only at the Minor Accomplishment stage for Zhou Yuan. Upon reaching Major Accomplishment, the "Heavenly Sun Fire" would transform from white to a deep green hue. If he could cultivate it to perfection, the "Heavenly Sun Fire" would evolve from deep green to a dark golden color. At that point, a single burst of Heavenly Sun Fire would genuinely possess the power to incinerate mountains.

Since acquiring the Flame Marrow, Zhou Yuan had begun cultivating the Heavenly Sun God Record. His white Heavenly Sun Fire was now more potent and formidable than before, but clearly, reaching the Major Accomplishment stage still required considerable effort.

Zhou Yuan's gaze settled on the slowly flowing Flame Marrow. He inhaled gently, and wisps of blood-red fiery threads ascended, then flowed directly into his body through his nostrils. Instantly, a scorching heat permeated his body, making Zhou Yuan's skin intensely warm. Despite this, Zhou Yuan's expression remained serene. Enduring the burning sensation, he circulated the Heavenly Sun God Record, causing white flames to rise within his body. These flames steadily absorbed and refined the blood-red fiery threads... As the refinement continued, specks of green light began to emerge within the white flames.

On the crimson ground, Zhou Yuan sat quietly in a cross-legged position, the Flame Marrow flowing before him and radiating intense heat. Time flowed by, and soon, almost half a day had passed. The stream of Flame Marrow before Zhou Yuan gradually faded, clearly having been fully absorbed. It ultimately transformed into a wisp of flame and dispersed.

At that moment, Zhou Yuan slowly opened his tightly closed eyes. He sensed within his body that the green hue on the white flame had become significantly more vibrant... "Almost there." Zhou Yuan exhaled deeply. After consuming several streams of century-old Flame Marrow, his Heavenly Sun Fire was evidently approaching the Major Accomplishment realm.

"This expedition has proven quite fruitful," he mused. Zhou Yuan murmured to himself. Had he remained within the sect, he clearly wouldn't have acquired this Flame Marrow, and his Heavenly Sun Fire would have remained stalled at the Minor Accomplishment stage.

*Squeak!*

Just as Zhou Yuan was contemplating, a faint squeaking sound suddenly emanated from his ear. Hearing the sound, he paused, then recalled the "transmission stone" in his ear. There had been no previous transmissions, causing him to almost forget about it entirely.

"Senior Sister Li Qingchan, Senior Brother Zhao Zhu... An intruder, from the Sacred Palace, has entered my area!" A hurried voice, seemingly from a disciple of Sword-Coming Peak, echoed from the transmission stone.

A moment of silence followed in the transmission stone before Li Qingchan's voice came through: "Xu Bin, how many Sacred Palace disciples have infiltrated your position?"

"Just one," the disciple named Xu Bin quickly answered.

"Just hold your ground." Hearing it was only one individual, Li Qingchan visibly relaxed. In the Sacred Palace's contingent, apart from Wang Li and Cao Jinzhu, the strength of the others was comparable to their own. If it was just one person, they might not necessarily be able to overcome Xu Bin. The transmission stone then fell silent once more.

However, this silence lasted less than ten minutes before it was shattered again by a voice, both shocked and weak: "Senior Sister Li, my position has fallen! The opponent is very strong, far stronger than me!"

"I'm retreating towards Senior Brother Lü Liang's defended area, but they're still hot on my heels..."

Within the transmission stone, the others erupted in confused exclamations upon hearing this.

"How is that possible? The Sacred Palace members are generally comparable to us in strength. How could you be defeated so quickly?" That was Qin Hai's voice.

"Could it be Wang Li or Cao Jinzhu who attacked?" Baili also immediately inquired.

Zhao Zhu's deep voice also rang out: "Xu Bin, who is it?"

"It's not Wang Li or Cao Jinzhu..." Xu Bin's voice was extremely weak, clearly indicating severe injury. "It's Yang Xuan!"

"Yang Xuan?" Both Li Qingchan and Zhao Zhu's voices revealed a hint of confusion. Their primary concern was typically the Sacred Palace's Saint Sons, and Yang Xuan was clearly not among them.

"Xu Bin, retreat to Lü Liang's position and defend together," Li Qingchan quickly ordered.

"Understood," Xu Bin replied.

Afterward, the transmission stone fell silent once more.

Zhou Yuan frowned slightly. This Yang Xuan was clearly not to be underestimated. He wondered if Xu Bin and Lü Liang, even fighting together, would be able to hold their ground... He waited quietly for a long moment, and then, at last, a voice emerged from the transmission stone in his ear.

"Senior Sister Li, Senior Brother Zhao, Xu Bin and I, even fighting together, were defeated by Yang Xuan." The strained voice was likely Lü Liang's, but his words brought an immediate silence to the transmission stone. At this point, everyone knew something was seriously wrong.

Li Qingchan's voice grew solemn as she commanded, "Everyone, retreat immediately and regroup at Baili's location. This Yang Xuan must be the Sacred Palace's hidden trump card for this operation."

"First, you all gather, then seek an opportunity for a counterattack. Zhao Zhu and I will wait for our chance to strike." At this point, merely defending their territory was futile; they had to directly confront the Sacred Palace.

"Understood!"

Numerous voices responded from the transmission stone, which then fell silent once more.

Zhou Yuan's eyes flickered slightly, and his expression grew somewhat solemn. It appeared the Sacred Palace's true tactics were finally beginning to unfold...