Chapter 433: Participating in the Chief Contest

The next day, after a night's rest, Zhou Yuan had fully recovered his energy.

Early that morning, he departed from his cave abode and headed straight for the "Hall of Seeking Dao" on Saint Genesis Peak. He had returned from his mission and needed to report to Shen Taiyuan, as well as resume his cultivation classes.

Outside the Hall of Seeking Dao, numerous fellow disciples from the same lineage were already arriving. When Zhou Yuan appeared, he instantly drew everyone's gaze, which was filled with astonishment.

Zhou Yuan was somewhat puzzled by their stares, clearly unaware that the full details of their Heaven-tier mission had been revealed.

"Haha, Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, your mission this time has truly gained our lineage considerable prestige within the sect!" As Zhou Yuan pondered, a hearty laugh resounded, and he saw Zhou Tai striding quickly towards him.

Hearing this, Zhou Yuan suddenly understood; his performance in Black Flame Province had circulated.

"It was just good luck," Zhou Yuan said with a casual smile.

Zhou Tai, however, clapped him hard on the shoulder, looking exceptionally excited. "You're too modest, kid! You're only at the Fourth Heaven tier, yet even Yang Xuan of the Sacred Palace couldn't defeat you. I think with your current strength, you're probably qualified to participate in our Saint Genesis Peak's Chief competition in two months!"

"Hmph."

No sooner had Zhou Tai finished speaking than a sneer came from the side. Zhou Yuan glanced over to see a group of people approaching, and the person leading them was none other than Zhang Yan.

Senior Brother Zhang Yan's prestige within their faction was second only to Zhou Tai's. His talent was indeed remarkable; although he had joined a little later than Zhou Tai, he was now gradually catching up to him.

Back when Zhou Yuan had first come under Shen Taiyuan's tutelage, Cao Shi and the others, feeling resentful because Master Shen valued him so highly, had tried to trouble him. In truth, Zhang Yan had been behind them, lending his support.

Consequently, Zhou Yuan's relationship with Zhang Yan and his followers had been rather strained ever since.

Zhang Yan, leading his group, approached. He glanced at Zhou Tai and Zhou Yuan, then said indifferently, "Although Junior Brother Zhou Yuan performed well this time, that's a separate matter. If he wishes to participate in the Chief competition now, I fear he still lacks the necessary prowess."

"After all, the Yang Xuan he defeated wasn't a true Eighth Heaven Grand Initial stage expert. Furthermore, Junior Brother Zhou Yuan's victory was simply due to the advantage of his Heaven Origin Weapon. Without a Heaven Origin Weapon in hand, Junior Brother Zhou Yuan's true strength would probably only allow him to barely contend at the Seventh Heaven tier."

He paused, then glanced at Zhou Yuan with a slight smile. "I'm just speaking frankly. Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, I hope you won't be displeased by it."

Zhou Tai frowned, about to speak, but Zhou Yuan shook his head with a smile. He looked at Zhang Yan and said, "Senior Brother Zhang Yan, you certainly have a point... However, isn't there still two months until the Chief competition?"

"What the circumstances will be like after two months, I suppose Senior Brother Zhang Yan can't say for certain, can you?"

Hearing this, a sneer curled at the corner of Zhang Yan's mouth. Two months—what could that change?

"Then I hope Junior Brother Zhou Yuan's ambitious aspirations can be realized."

With that, he shook his head, ceased speaking to Zhou Yuan, and brushed past them, leading his group into the Hall of Seeking Dao.

"Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, don't pay him any mind. If you want to participate in the Chief competition, I'll support you. The outcome doesn't ultimately matter; just consider it a chance to get accustomed." Zhou Tai said, comforting him.

However, it was clear that even Zhou Tai wasn't particularly confident. His words suggested he only intended for Zhou Yuan to try the Chief competition, to gain more experience for the future.

Zhou Yuan nodded with a smile, without saying much more, then entered the Hall of Seeking Dao with Zhou Tai.

Inside the great hall, people milled about. On the elevated platform, Shen Taiyuan was already seated, his eyes slightly closed. Only when Zhou Yuan stepped into the hall did Shen Taiyuan open them a fraction, a slight smile appearing on his face as he watched Zhou Yuan.

Zhou Yuan approached his seat, bowed with cupped fists to Shen Taiyuan, and said, "Greetings, Master Shen."

A smile surfaced on Shen Taiyuan's face. "It's good that you're back."

His eyes held only satisfaction as he looked at Zhou Yuan.

"Zhou Yuan, you performed exceptionally well on this mission in Black Flame Province. Last night, the Headmaster even summoned me and commended you. If you hadn't ultimately salvaged the situation, our Cangxuan Sect's reputation would likely have suffered." Shen Taiyuan said with a gentle expression.

Inside the great hall, the other disciples, upon hearing this, directed envious glances at Zhou Yuan. They clearly hadn't expected that even Headmaster Qingyang knew about the matter; this was a truly rare occurrence.

Zhou Yuan was also somewhat surprised, not having expected the matter to reach the Headmaster's ears. He then smiled and said, "I am a disciple of the Cangxuan Sect; it's only natural that I fight for the sect's reputation."

Shen Taiyuan smiled. "You've performed a meritorious deed this time. If you desire any reward, you may ask for it."

Hearing this, Zhou Yuan's mind stirred. He bowed with cupped fists and said, "A reward isn't necessary, but if possible, I ask Master Shen to permit me to participate in Saint Genesis Peak's Chief competition."

These words immediately caused a small uproar. Numerous incredulous and astonished glances were cast from within the great hall; they clearly hadn't expected Zhou Yuan to actually intend to participate in the Chief competition.

His ambition was quite significant.

"Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, the Chief competition is no trivial matter. It represents the prestige of our lineage. Although your talent is commendable, wouldn't it be too soon for you to participate in the Chief competition?" Zhang Yan was the first to sneer.

The other disciples also nodded slightly. While Zhou Yuan's record over the past year or so had been impressive, if he were to participate in the Chief competition, he was clearly still not quite ready.

After all, the disciples capable of representing their respective lineages in the Chief competition were undoubtedly the top purple-robed disciples of their factions, whose strength was only stronger, never weaker, than that of Yang Xuan, whom Zhou Yuan had defeated in Black Flame Province.

Shen Taiyuan also wore a pensive look. He had more detailed knowledge of Zhou Yuan's performance in Black Flame Province. Zhou Yuan's ability to defeat Yang Xuan greatly owed to the Heaven Origin Weapon in his hand, the black brush. But even so, Zhou Yuan, in his current state, would still be somewhat inadequate if he were to participate in the Chief competition.

In their lineage, only Zhou Tai and Zhang Yan were qualified to participate in this Chief competition. Other veteran purple-robed disciples simply lacked the necessary prowess.

As for Zhou Yuan, he was not even a consideration.

Furthermore, if his performance in the Chief competition was too poor, it would inevitably cause their lineage to suffer a blow to its prestige.

If any other disciple had made such a request at this moment, Shen Taiyuan would naturally have dismissed it. But faced with Zhou Yuan, who had repeatedly created miracles, he found himself hesitating.

"Zhou Yuan, there's no need to rush. With your talent, if you were to wait another year, I'm certain the Chief position of Saint Genesis Peak would be yours for the taking," Shen Taiyuan said. "So, why not wait another year and see?"

Zhou Yuan was silent for a moment, then finally shook his head with determination. "I still hope Master Shen can agree to my request. I will do my utmost to ensure our lineage's prestige does not decline."

Seeing this, Shen Taiyuan sighed softly. He mused for a moment, then finally said gravely, "Since you are so insistent, I wouldn't want to dampen your fighting spirit. You may participate in this Chief competition."

After all, their lineage didn't have much prestige to begin with, so even if Zhou Yuan stumbled, it couldn't possibly get much worse.

Inside the great hall, a murmur of whispers arose. Zhang Yan and the others observed with cold indifference, ultimately quite put out, for Shen Taiyuan was indeed too partial and indulgent towards Zhou Yuan, even agreeing to such an unreasonable request.

"Very well, if you wish to bring disgrace upon yourself, then no one else can be blamed..."

Zhou Yuan ignored the others. After seeing Shen Taiyuan nod, he couldn't help but show his joy, then bowed solemnly.

As long as he succeeded in the Chief competition, he would be able to enter the sealed main peak and search for the second Saint Rune concealed within it... He had been waiting a long time for this day.

However, Zhou Yuan also knew that emerging as the chief in this competition would be no easy feat, so for the next two months, he would have to dedicate himself entirely to cultivation.