Chapter 429: Complete

The moment Yang Xuan was defeated, the tide of the Blazing Marrow Vein dispute dramatically turned.

The disciples dispatched by the Sacred Palace and the Cangxuan Sect were quite evenly matched, with Yang Xuan being the sole exception who disrupted the balance. However, no one anticipated that while Yang Xuan was an anomaly, he was not the only one.

Zhou Yuan, who had been overlooked from the start, proved to be an even greater anomaly.

With Yang Xuan defeated, Zhou Yuan led Bai Li, Qin Hai, and the other Cangxuan Sect disciples in a charge against the remaining Sacred Palace members. The Sacred Palace disciples instantly collapsed, their morale plummeting, and they were forced into a steady retreat.

All the territories they had previously seized were now lost, reclaimed one by one by Zhou Yuan and his team.

Ultimately, the Cangxuan Sect secured a vast 800-li area within the core region of the Blazing Marrow Vein as their spoils. The defeated Sacred Palace disciples were left with only 300-li of less fertile ground.

It was a devastating defeat for them.

Witnessing this, the two Sacred Palace Saint Sons, Wang Li and Cao Jinzhu, were enraged, their eyes blazing and faces ashen as they fiercely engaged Li Qingchan and Zhao Zhu in battle.

The battle between the Saint Sons was far more intense than the previous clash between Zhou Yuan and Yang Xuan. Streaks of Genesis Qi, resembling enraged dragons, surged through the void, causing the world to tremble slightly.

Yet, this battle was destined to be inconclusive. Neither side was committed to a fight to the death, and their strengths were too evenly matched, resulting in a prolonged stalemate.

Nevertheless, it was clear to everyone that the Sacred Palace had gravely miscalculated in this Blazing Marrow Vein dispute.

In the distant sky, Feng Ying, the Saint Son of the Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace, and the Saint Son of the Northern Sea Suppressing Dragon Hall observed the illuminated areas far away. They exchanged glances, both visibly surprised.

The turn of events had similarly exceeded their expectations.

"This Zhou Yuan is quite interesting indeed..." Feng Ying murmured. She had always regarded him as just a novice disciple seeking experience, vaguely remembering him only because of his friendship with Zuoqiu Qingyu.

Yet, she never imagined that Zhou Yuan, who had been completely inconspicuous within the Cangxuan Sect's contingent, would ultimately reverse a dire situation through his own sheer power.

Such strength and courage were truly astonishing.

"It seems the Boundless Continent has indeed produced some remarkable individuals this time," Feng Ying sighed. Besides Zhou Yuan, even Zuoqiu Qingyu and Lv Luo had shown exceptional talent after joining the Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace, and in due course, they were sure to become top disciples.

"Yes, our Northern Sea Suppressing Dragon Hall has a disciple named Ning Zhan, also from the Boundless Continent. His talent is extraordinary; several elders within the hall even vied fiercely to take him as a disciple," the Saint Son of the Northern Sea Suppressing Dragon Hall added.

Feng Ying was somewhat surprised. In previous years, remote continents like the Boundless Continent rarely produced any talent, yet this time, a surge of exceptional individuals had emerged.

"It seems the Boundless Continent has truly received a touch of good fortune this time."

She sighed, then slowly withdrew her gaze from the distant conflict. By this point, the outcome was largely decided: the Cangxuan Sect had secured 800-li of the most valuable rich veins, making them the biggest winners of this Blazing Marrow Vein dispute.

Conversely, the Sacred Palace, which had arrived with such overwhelming momentum, had suffered a significant setback. They were squeezed by the Cangxuan Sect into a mere 300-li, resulting in a considerable loss of face.

What surprised Feng Ying most was that the one who truly shone in this Blazing Marrow Vein dispute was not a Saint Son from one of the major sects, but rather an obscure, ordinary disciple from the Cangxuan Sect.

"It seems it's time to conclude," she said lazily, clapping her hands together.

As Feng Ying had predicted, once Zhou Yuan led Bai Li, Qin Hai, and the other Cangxuan Sect disciples to each secure a hundred-li area, ultimately reaching a total of 800-li, the Blazing Marrow Vein dispute reached its definitive conclusion.

With the two Sacred Palace Saint Sons firmly tied down by Li Qingchan and Zhao Zhu, unable to break away, the remaining Sacred Palace disciples found themselves with little power to resist Zhou Yuan's group. They could only retreat steadily, relinquishing the territories they had previously claimed.

Finally, when eight banners were planted within the 800-li area, sending immense beams of light soaring skyward, the magnificent display inspired awe among the various factions from Black Flame Continent observing the Blazing Marrow Vein.

At this point, no one dared to challenge their claim over the 800-li area.

Consequently, as the allotted time for the dispute neared its end, the Saint Sons' battle in the distant sky also drew to a close, with both sides withdrawing.

Wang Li and Cao Jinzhu's expressions were grim. They had been certain of victory just moments before, but who could have predicted such a sudden reversal of fortune?

Their gazes, projecting from afar, locked onto Zhou Yuan, carrying a chilling intensity that seemed capable of freezing him solid.

Zhou Yuan, however, simply smiled indifferently at their stares.

"Very well, Li Qingchan, you were fortunate this time. But rest assured, our Sacred Palace will remember this!" Wang Li said coldly to Li Qingchan, his expression grim.

"The words of the defeated are of no consequence," Li Qingchan replied calmly.

Wang Li sneered, "Don't get ahead of yourself. This Blazing Marrow Vein dispute is just a minor skirmish. When the 'Profound Origin Heaven' opens again, I hope you'll still be able to smile."

Li Qingchan's beautiful eyes narrowed. "If we meet in the 'Profound Origin Heaven'," she retorted coldly, "it will likely be the end of you, Wang Li."

Wang Li gave a grim smile. "Too bad, over the years in the Profound Origin Heaven, it's always been the Saint Sons of your Cangxuan Sect who've met their demise more frequently!"

Intense killing intent burned in both their eyes. As they stared at each other, the very air seemed to grow cold.

Ultimately, both let out a cold snort. Wang Li swiftly withdrew, departing the area with Cao Jinzhu.

Li Qingchan and Zhao Zhu then descended towards the gathering point where Zhou Yuan, Bai Li, and the others were assembled.

Seeing the two Saint Sons arrive, Bai Li, Qin Hai, and the others quickly moved to greet them.

Li Qingchan's clear, cold eyes immediately turned to Zhou Yuan. A faint smile, surprisingly beautiful like a snow lotus blooming in an arctic land, appeared on her usually icy countenance.

"Zhou Yuan, we owe a great deal to you this time," Li Qingchan said, her beautiful eyes filled with admiration. "You deserve the primary credit for this mission."

Zhao Zhu, standing nearby, looked slightly awkward. His Sword Come Peak had not been particularly friendly with Zhou Yuan. He quickly interjected, "Senior Sister Li, the distribution of primary credit should be decided by Elder Wu."

In the past, primary credit for Heaven-tier missions was typically split between the two captains. If Li Qingchan made such a definitive statement, wouldn't it mean he would receive nothing?

Hearing this, Bai Li couldn't help but speak up: "If it hadn't been for Zhou Yuan earlier, our mission would have been a complete failure. What credit could anyone else possibly claim then?"

The other Sword Come Peak disciples also looked embarrassed. While they couldn't deny Zhou Yuan's earlier contribution, they were, after all, disciples of Sword Come Peak, making it difficult to comment.

Li Qingchan calmly stated, "I will report this matter to Elder Wu myself. Junior Brother Zhao need not concern himself."

Zhao Zhu fell silent, grumbling inwardly. From the other disciples' silence, he knew that Zhou Yuan had won over their hearts this time. Otherwise, in the past, even a mere ten percent of the credit, let alone primary credit, would have sparked controversy.

He cast a glance at Zhou Yuan, whose calm demeanor somewhat irritated him. He had initially believed Zhou Yuan's forced participation in the Heaven-tier mission would only lead to humiliation.

Yet, to his surprise, Zhou Yuan was now receiving primary credit.

He could only imagine the sensation this news would create back at the sect.

This Heaven-tier mission had, unexpectedly, made Zhou Yuan's name.

As Zhou Yuan and the others conversed, a clear bell suddenly chimed throughout the Blazing Marrow Vein. Hearing it, Zhou Yuan and the rest visibly relaxed.

The chime signaled the end of the Blazing Marrow Vein dispute.

And clearly...

Their Cangxuan Sect would emerge as the biggest winner within this Blazing Marrow Vein.

Their Heaven-tier mission was now truly and successfully complete.