Chapter 430: On Merits

The struggle for the Fire Marrow Vein, which affected the entire Black Flame State, finally concluded with the Cangxuan Sect emerging as the biggest winner.

The fierce battle between Zhou Yuan and Yang Xuan within the Fire Marrow Vein quickly spread, causing many forces in the Black Flame State to remember a Cangxuan Sect disciple named Zhou Yuan.

After all, at the beginning, no one expected that the Saint Palace, which was initially confident of victory, would ultimately be completely overturned and reversed by someone almost everyone had overlooked.

Zhou Yuan's performance in that battle against Yang Xuan astonished countless people.

Moreover, it instilled a deeper reverence for the colossal Cangxuan Sect. After all, their ability to cultivate such a low-key yet unfathomable disciple revealed the profound heritage of the Cangxuan Sect, once the foremost sect in the Cangxuan Heaven.

Although the Saint Palace was now ascendant in the Cangxuan Heaven, growing increasingly formidable, it was clear that the Cangxuan Sect, once the leading sect, was still not to be underestimated.

This caused some forces in the Black Flame State, who had initially considered allying with the Saint Palace, to waver. For a time, they hesitated to easily choose sides when faced with the Saint Palace's overtures.

While Zhou Yuan's victory over Yang Xuan allowed the Cangxuan Sect to secure the richest eight hundred miles of the Fire Marrow Vein, this was only part of the gain. In fact, a larger benefit was the disruption of the Saint Palace's attempts to establish a foothold and exert control in the Black Flame State.

After this battle, it would clearly require far more thought and effort for the Saint Palace to penetrate the Black Flame State.

Therefore, Zhou Yuan's victory this time had a much more profound impact than what appeared on the surface.

With the conclusion of the Fire Marrow Vein conflict, the various forces that had flocked there gradually withdrew. This caused Black Fire City, located on the edge of the Black Flame Mountain Range, to slowly become much quieter after its previous bustling activity.

Zhou Yuan and his group did not leave immediately. After a major battle, they needed a few days to rest.

Outside the pavilion in Black Fire City.

Zhou Yuan gazed at the enchanting Zuoqiu Qingyu before him. Not far away, Feng Ying and other female disciples from the Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace waited, their beautiful eyes occasionally glancing over.

Today was Zuoqiu Qingyu and her group's departure for the Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace, and Zhou Yuan had specifically come to see them off.

“I thought that after this period of cultivation, I would have closed the gap with you. I never imagined you’d still be as abnormal as ever, already able to fight against someone at the eighth layer,” Zuoqiu Qingyu sighed.

“He’s not truly at the eighth layer of the Alpha Origin Stage yet,” Zhou Yuan corrected with a smile.

Zuoqiu Qingyu rolled her eyes at him and huffed softly, “Don’t get too smug, though. Luluo and I are highly regarded in the Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace. We’ll definitely have a chance to catch up to you someday.”

Zhou Yuan nodded with a smile. Zuoqiu Qingyu’s talent was indeed exceptional, evident from her ability to participate in a task of this level so soon after entering the Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace.

It was clear that in the future, Zuoqiu Qingyu would certainly shine brightly in the Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace.

Zuoqiu Qingyu spoke with Zhou Yuan for a while longer, then whispered, “I sent a message to the Zuoqiu family earlier and told my father to pay more attention to your Great Zhou Dynasty. If possible, they will provide you with some assistance.”

She knew Zhou Yuan had come to the Cangxuan Sect to cultivate and grow stronger, specifically to counter the Great Wu Dynasty's covetous gaze on the Great Zhou. After all, since Wu Huang had entered the Saint Palace, the Cangxuan Sect was unlikely to directly intervene and help Zhou Yuan by breaking established rules.

The power struggle between these two sides might ultimately depend on their own development.

Currently, the Great Zhou Dynasty was still much weaker than the Great Wu. While her Zuoqiu family on the Boundless Continent did not fear the Great Wu, they couldn't openly target them. They could only secretly offer some help to the Great Zhou and subtly contain the Great Wu.

Zuoqiu Qingyu clearly understood that Zhou Yuan still needed some time.

Hearing this, Zhou Yuan felt a surge of emotion, but he didn't indulge in excessive politeness. He simply nodded earnestly and said, “Thank you. I won’t forget this favor.”

Indeed, he needed time now.

King Wu was a powerful practitioner of the Divine Dwelling Stage, a level Zhou Yuan could not contend with at present.

Furthermore, and most crucially, Wu Huang had entered the Saint Palace. This significantly reduced the amount of external support Zhou Yuan could leverage from the Cangxuan Sect.

After all, there were always certain rules between major powers, including those governing grudges between disciples, where sects would not directly intervene.

Sects would only provide cultivation resources and opportunities, ultimately allowing disciples to settle their own grievances through their own efforts. In a sense, this was also a form of training for the disciples.

Hearing this, Zuoqiu Qingyu said no more. She waved her small hand casually and turned to leave, her graceful figure slender and lithe, brimming with youthful vitality.

“Then this is where we part ways. Please give my regards to Yaoyao when you get back.”

The young woman walked away into the setting sun, joining the other female disciples from the Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace. Finally, amidst the lingering gazes of those around her, she ascended into the sky, riding on source qi.

Zhou Yuan watched her receding figure for a long time, unmoving.

It wasn't until a fragrant breeze wafted beside him, followed by a cool voice, that he heard, “You really are quite the flirt, with confidantes everywhere. Can Yaoyao truly tolerate that?”

Zhou Yuan turned to see Li Qingchan standing beside him. He immediately felt a little awkward and replied helplessly, “These are friends.”

Li Qingchan pursed her red lips noncommittally and said, “Let’s go. Elder Wu has summoned us. It’s probably time to assess our merits.”

With that, she turned and left.

Hearing this, Zhou Yuan’s spirits lifted. They had waited two days precisely for this moment. After all, Elder Wu was the elder in charge of this mission, and the allocation of everyone's merits was up to him.

Only by receiving Elder Wu’s merit assessment token could they return to the sect and hand over the mission.

Zhou Yuan quickly turned and followed Li Qingchan, hurrying to Elder Wu’s room.

Zhao Zhu, Bai Li, and others were already gathered there. As Zhou Yuan entered, many gazes fell upon him. It must be said that after Zhou Yuan turned the tide and defeated Yang Xuan, no one there treated him as if he were invisible anymore.

Even Zhao Zhu, though still scrutinizing him, had clearly reined in much of his former disdain and disregard.

Elder Wu sat at the head of the room. He smiled upon seeing Zhou Yuan and gestured for them to sit.

“This mission was a complete success, and much of it is thanks to all of you,” Elder Wu said, getting straight to the point.

“Now that the mission is complete, it's time to assess merits.”

Zhao Zhu and the others looked on with eager anticipation.

Zhou Yuan was naturally no exception. Completing a Heaven-tier mission would earn Heaven Merit, but Heaven Merits were also graded, usually into four categories.

These were: First Merit, High Merit, Lesser Merit, and the worst, No Merit.

First Merit was the most coveted, as achieving this rating meant receiving double rewards upon returning to the sect, equivalent to two Heaven Merits.

High Merit, on the other hand, was one Heaven Merit.

Lesser Merit was half a Heaven Merit.

As for No Merit... as the name suggested, it meant no contribution, effectively making the mission a wasted trip. If Zhou Yuan hadn't stepped forward in the end, and had instead hidden outside the core area, his final assessment would very likely have been at this lowest tier.

Elder Wu smiled slightly at their eager gazes and said, “This mission was a resounding success. Therefore, there will be no one receiving No Merit.”

At this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

“As for Lesser Merit recipients…” Bai Li, Qin Hai, and the others grew tense.

“There are none, either…” Elder Wu chuckled.

Bai Li, Qin Hai, and the other disciples couldn't help but cheer. Normally, they would have received Lesser Merit, but because this mission was exceptionally successful, they were elevated a tier.

This elevation meant the difference between half a Heaven Merit and one Heaven Merit.

“As for High Merit... there's Bai Li, Qin Hai…” One by one, names slowly emerged from Elder Wu’s mouth. After listing seven names, he paused and looked at Li Qingchan and Zhao Zhu.

“You two also receive High Merit this time.”

Li Qingchan’s exquisite face remained calm; she merely gave a slight nod. She didn't display the same joy as Bai Li and the others, because as a team leader, High Merit was guaranteed as long as the mission was completed.

Zhao Zhu, on the other hand, looked a little displeased. Normally, both team leaders would receive First Merit, but clearly, Elder Wu had not included him in that category.

Although he was unhappy, he rationally chose not to voice his objection, knowing it would be futile.

Both he and Li Qingchan had merely blocked the opposing Holy Children, which was expected of them. As for other contributions, they had little involvement, so Elder Wu granting them High Merit was reasonable.

Elder Wu’s final gaze fell upon Zhou Yuan, and a rare, benevolent smile couldn't help but appear on his usually stern face.

“Zhou Yuan, this time, deserves First Merit.”

He looked at the others and asked, “Does anyone have any objections?”

Li Qingchan shook her head.

Bai Li and the other disciples who were not from Sword Cometh Peak immediately shook their heads. Their eyes were filled with gratitude towards Zhou Yuan, for without him, the mission would not have been a complete success, and they would not all have received High Merit.

In fact, they had benefited from Zhou Yuan’s efforts, so naturally, they couldn't object now.

Zhao Zhu’s expression was somewhat uncertain. He wanted to speak, but seeing the flickering gazes of Qin Hai and the other Sword Cometh Peak disciples, he knew it would be too difficult to get them to object.

Qin Hai and his group had also received a favor from Zhou Yuan this time.

So, in the end, he could only remain silent. Zhou Yuan's performance this time was too flawless; there was simply nothing to criticize.

Seeing no one speak, Elder Wu nodded with satisfaction. Then, with a flick of his sleeve, ten rays of light shot out, landing before each person.

Within the light was a token.

However, the tokens differed in color. Li Qingchan and the others received silver tokens.

But the token in Zhou Yuan’s hand was gold, signifying First Merit.

Zhou Yuan gripped the golden token, a wave of relief washing over him. He had obtained Heaven Merit, and it was a First Merit at that. This meant that after giving one to Elder Xuan, he would still have one for himself.

Now, he could finally return to the sect with satisfaction.