Chapter 434: Exchange of Heavenly Power

After a day of cultivation at the Seekers' Hall, Zhou Yuan parted ways with Zhou Tai. He stood amidst the clouds and mist in the mountain stream, a thoughtful expression on his face.

Although Shen Taiyuan had agreed to his participation in the Chief Disciple competition, Zhou Yuan knew it would be incredibly difficult. Without relying on the power of the Heavenly Yuan Brush, his current combat strength would, at best, only be comparable to that of Bai Li and Qin Hai.

In the Chief Disciple competition, even if eligible disciples didn't possess true Heavenly Origin Weapons, they would likely find ways to acquire quasi-Heavenly Origin Weapons.

This would significantly diminish the advantage of his Heavenly Yuan Brush.

Of course, most importantly, both Senior Brother Zhou Tai and Zhang Yan from their lineage had truly reached the Eighth Heaven, far beyond what a half-baked Eighth Heaven like Yang Xuan could achieve.

Therefore, if Zhou Yuan wanted to stand out in the Chief Disciple competition at the end of the year, he had to make the most of the remaining two months to improve himself as much as possible.

“First, I should return a Heavenly Merit to Elder Xuan,” Zhou Yuan mused for a moment, temporarily setting aside his other thoughts. Then, with a swift movement, he shot into the sky, soaring towards Saint Origin Peak, in the direction of the main peak.

About a quarter of an hour later.

His figure landed in front of the ancient hall at the foot of the mountain. On the bluestone plaza, a stooped, aged figure was still leisurely sweeping the withered leaves with a bamboo broom.

Hearing the sound of rushing wind, he shakily raised his head. His clouded eyes glanced at Zhou Yuan, and he seemed to smile, saying, “Little fellow, it seems you’re quite trustworthy.”

“I thought you were going to go back on your word. After all, an old man with one foot in the grave like me doesn't have much deterrence.”

Zhou Yuan pursed his lips. *He's just pretending,* he thought. *With his seniority in the Cangxuan Sect, if he merely spoke up, even Sect Master Qingyang probably couldn't refuse.*

“Here, the Heavenly Merit I promised you.” A jade token appeared in Zhou Yuan’s hand. He rubbed it, a look of extreme heartache appearing on his face. This jade token represented a Heavenly Merit, which he could exchange for a Heavenly Origin Art anytime he wished.

But there was no helping it; this was the price he paid for acquiring the "Azure Wood Imprint of Grand Unity" from here.

Though he didn't know if Elder Xuan would abolish the partially cultivated "Grand Unity Mark" if he didn't hand over this Heavenly Merit, Zhou Yuan clearly didn't want to take that risk.

Elder Xuan extended a withered hand, catching the jade token Zhou Yuan tossed to him. He glanced at it casually before slipping it into his sleeve. Then, he stole a look at Zhou Yuan, who stood beside him with a pained expression, muttering continuously. A hint of amusement flickered in his cloudy eyes.

Having handed over the jade token, Zhou Yuan didn't want to linger. He said gruffly, “Since the Heavenly Merit is yours, we're even. I'll take my leave.”

He turned, intending to leave quickly.

“You seem very eager to enter this sealed main peak? Are you very interested in this place?” Just as he was about to depart, Elder Xuan’s faint, aged chuckle drifted over.

Zhou Yuan paused, his expression unchanged. He replied, “Saint Origin Peak was once the cultivation ground of Ancestor Cangxuan, and the Ancestor was the strongest expert in Cangxuan Heaven at that time. I doubt there's anyone who wouldn't be interested in his cultivation place, right?”

Elder Xuan slowly sat down on the stone steps, placing his bamboo broom beside him. He said, “You want to participate in the Chief Disciple competition at the end of the year, don't you? Only the Chief Disciple of Saint Origin Peak is qualified to enter the sealed main peak.”

Zhou Yuan nodded, not denying it, as this news had already spread.

Elder Xuan tapped his knee, leisurely saying, “Although Saint Origin Peak has declined to only three lineages, given your current strength, little fellow, it will probably be quite difficult to contend for the Chief Disciple position.”

Zhou Yuan retorted indignantly, “Then you don't need to worry about it.”

Elder Xuan continued, “I heard you claimed the top merit in the Heavenly-tier mission this time? That means you still have one Heavenly Merit, right?”

Zhou Yuan immediately grew wary upon hearing this. He clutched the Qiankun pouch at his waist and stared at Elder Xuan warily, saying, “Don't even think about my last Heavenly Merit.”

He now knew how rare Heavenly-tier missions were. Even if one coincidentally appeared, he'd have to contend with many others for a spot. And even if he secured a spot, it didn't guarantee acquiring Heavenly Merit.

If he encountered an extremely difficult Heavenly-tier mission, he might end up with "no merit" at all, having wasted his efforts.

Therefore, Zhou Yuan treasured the remaining Heavenly Merit in his possession and dared not use it lightly.

Elder Xuan looked at Zhou Yuan’s expression, finding it somewhat amusing and exasperating. He shook his head, saying, “That thing is only precious to you disciples. In my eyes, it’s useless.”

“I'm only offering you guidance because I like the look of you, young man. Don't be so unappreciative.”

Only then did Zhou Yuan release his hand, staring at the sweeping old man before him with skepticism.

“What do you want to guide me on?”

Elder Xuan said indifferently, “That Heavenly Merit, if kept, is just a useless piece of jade. So, you’d best turn it into something useful for yourself, like exchanging it for a Heavenly Origin Art to improve your strength.”

“And I can also let you exchange it here.”

Zhou Yuan was startled. “You can exchange Heavenly Origin Arts here too?”

His eyes were suspicious, and he said hesitantly, “I think the sect's Scripture Pavilion is a bit more reliable...”

This old man before him was truly inscrutable; Zhou Yuan genuinely didn't dare risk his sole Heavenly Merit with him.

Elder Xuan was immediately amused and annoyed upon hearing this. He probably hadn't expected to offer this young man a good opportunity only for him to be so hesitant.

One should know that what he had here was coveted not just by ordinary disciples, but even by the sect elders!

“If you don't want it, then leave quickly,” Elder Xuan said, waving his hand.

Zhou Yuan pondered, and in the end, he didn't just leave. Instead, he gritted his teeth, walked forward, and took out the last jade token representing a Heavenly Merit.

“Alright, I'll trust you this once!” he said, gritting his teeth.

“Let me see what Heavenly Origin Arts you have?”

Elder Xuan slowly took the jade token representing the Heavenly Merit, then glanced at the nervous Zhou Yuan before reaching into his sleeve and rummaging.

Finally, he pulled out a jade slip. The jade slip glowed in his hand, forming a small wall of light on which some characters appeared.

“Minor Sacred Spirit Art?” Zhou Yuan stared at the characters, momentarily stunned, as for some reason, the name felt familiar.

“What's the connection between this Minor Sacred Spirit Art and the 'Profound Sacred Spirit Art' that only the Chief Disciple of our Saint Origin Peak is qualified to cultivate?” He quickly recalled something.

When he first joined Shen Taiyuan's lineage, he had heard the latter say that the Cangxuan Sect once possessed a Sacred Origin Art. However, that art was later divided into seven parts, each safeguarded by one of the seven peaks.

And one of those seven arts held by their Saint Origin Peak was the Profound Sacred Spirit Art, an Upper-Grade Heavenly Origin Art.

Elder Xuan glanced at Zhou Yuan in surprise, clearly not expecting him to be so perceptive. He immediately chuckled and said, “You have a good eye. This Minor Sacred Spirit Art is indeed related to the Profound Sacred Spirit Art...”

“Because this art was simplified by me from the 'Profound Sacred Spirit Art.' Although its grade has been lowered to a Middle-Grade Heavenly Origin Art, it's also simpler to cultivate.”

“And if you cultivate this Minor Sacred Spirit Art, should you later acquire the 'Profound Sacred Spirit Art,' your cultivation of it will yield twice the results with half the effort.”

Zhou Yuan was dumbfounded. Then, in the next instant, his eyes became intensely hot, staring fixedly at the jade slip before him, almost drooling.

He had never imagined that the Heavenly Origin Art Elder Xuan produced would be a simplified version of their Saint Origin Peak's strongest art, the "Profound Sacred Spirit Art"!

“Senior, you're amazing...” Zhou Yuan swallowed, saying.

Elder Xuan saw his reaction, a strange smile playing on his lips. Then, he raised his hand, and six more jade slips continuously flew out from his sleeve.

These six jade slips floated before them, radiating light.

“I have other options here. Do you want to see them?”

Zhou Yuan looked at them, and gradually became stunned, his breathing growing incredibly heavy, his eyes turning red.

“Minor Profound Sacred Body!”

“Minor Cangxuan Heaven Art!”

“Minor Lightning Prison Art!”

All six jade slips began with the character "Minor," and their names also gave Zhou Yuan a familiar feeling.

His voice trembled at this point, and he stammered, “Are these... all simplified versions of the Seven Cangxuan Arts?!”

Elder Xuan smiled and nodded.

Then, Zhou Yuan felt a warmth in his nose, and his nose began to bleed uncontrollably.

At this moment, he even felt the urge to snatch these jade slips and run.