Chapter 446: Jade Skin Realm

Time continued to flow quietly, and before anyone realized it, over a month had passed.

The day of the Chief Competition was rapidly approaching. The Cangxuan Sect was abuzz with excitement as the grand day drew near. In almost every corner, the Chief Competition was the sole topic of conversation.

The announced candidates from each peak and lineage were meticulously scrutinized by numerous disciples, who used various methods to evaluate their chances of winning. Eventually, even affluent disciples set up betting pools, instantly drawing in countless participants. After extensive evaluations, clear favorites for the Chief Competition emerged within each peak.

Without a doubt, Yuan Hong, the chief disciple of Lu Hong's lineage, was the clear favorite for Saint Genesis Peak. As for the other two lineages of Saint Genesis Peak, both Zhou Tai and Lü Yan were far less popular than Yuan Hong. It was clear that the vast majority of Cangxuan Sect disciples favored Yuan Hong.

If Zhou Tai and Lü Yan were in this position, Zhou Yuan's standing was even more telling. He wasn't even considered among the favorites. In fact, most comically, his betting odds were the highest among all participants, breaking the Cangxuan Sect's long-standing record for Chief Competition payouts.

It was easy to imagine how dire his situation was. These odds quickly became a running joke within the sect. Some suggested that if one were to casually bet a thousand Source Jade, and Zhou Yuan somehow emerged victorious, wouldn't they become incredibly rich? However, few ultimately dared to make such a high-risk, high-reward wager, as most believed it would simply be a waste of Source Jade.

Torrents of water and fire Qi erupted from the massive stone dragon's mouth, surging mightily before converging at the stone platform. Where the extreme cold and intense heat met, steam immediately billowed upwards. On that very stone platform, a figure sat quietly cross-legged amidst the clashing elements.

This figure was, of course, Zhou Yuan. Unlike a month ago, when he would shriek in agony with every surge of water and fire Qi, a month of continuous tempering had gradually allowed Zhou Yuan to adapt to its rigorous effects. While still intensely painful, it had at least become bearable. The immense water and fire Qi relentlessly permeated his body, concentrating beneath his skin, continuously invading and refining it.

With his eyes closed, Zhou Yuan's bare upper body revealed distinct lines. Though not overtly muscular, a hidden, explosive power surged beneath his skin with every tremor. What was particularly striking was Zhou Yuan's skin, which now possessed a faint, flowing jade luster, smooth and translucent, giving an impression of extreme delicacy. Yet, only those with keen perception could discern the extraordinary toughness and resilience of this jade-like skin. A closer inspection, however, would reveal faint, mottled traces beneath Zhou Yuan's jade-like skin, indicating that the refinement was not yet fully complete.

The water and fire Qi continued to circulate and temper his skin, but the remaining mottled marks were stubborn impurities, proving difficult to completely refine and purge.

At this moment, Zhou Yuan's tightly closed eyes fluttered open. He glanced at his own skin, a slight frown creasing his brow. After more than a month of tempering, his "Lesser Xuan Saint Body" was on the verge of completing its first stage, the "Jade Skin Realm." However, these stubborn impurities seemed to have adapted to the water and fire Qi, making it difficult to fully dissolve them with the current intensity. Given more time, it wouldn't be a significant issue, but with the Chief Competition rapidly approaching, time was Zhou Yuan's most precious commodity.

"I must increase the intensity of the water and fire Qi..."

A determined glint flickered in Zhou Yuan's eyes. He then looked up at Elder Xuan by the cliff and called out loudly, "Senior, could you increase the water and fire Qi by one level?" On the stone dragon's head were eighteen stone scales; each one that lit up signified an increase in the water and fire Qi's intensity. Elder Xuan had previously mentioned that the Cangxuan Ancestor, in his time, always kept the water and fire Qi at its highest level. Furthermore, even the highest eighteenth level was likely only mildly comfortable for the Cangxuan Ancestor. Of course, that was relative to a being like the Cangxuan Ancestor. For Zhou Yuan, even the weakest first level had previously tormented him to the brink of collapse. Having only just begun to adapt to the current level, challenging a higher one would undeniably require immense courage.

Thus, when the indolent Elder Xuan by the cliff heard this, he paused, looking at Zhou Yuan's figure with surprise. "Little fellow, are you certain?" he asked. "The second level of water and fire Qi is many times more powerful than the first." The agony of being tempered by that level of water and fire Qi would be far more terrifying than before.

Zhou Yuan offered no verbal reply, but the unyielding determination in his eyes conveyed his answer to Elder Xuan. A flicker of admiration immediately crossed the elder's gaze. Such resilience and courage were truly exceptional.

"Since you possess such resolve, I shall naturally grant your request," Elder Xuan declared, sweeping his bamboo broom. A ripple of energy emanated, and then the second dormant stone scale on the dragon's head gradually began to glow.

*Rumble!*

The ground began to tremble. Zhou Yuan distinctly felt two immensely powerful Genesis Qi fluctuations emerging from the two massive peaks where the stone dragons were entwined.

"Be careful, it's coming! If you can't hold on, retreat immediately!" Elder Xuan warned.

Zhou Yuan took a deep breath, his body tensing, the jade glow on his skin flowing as he prepared himself. From the colossal mouths of the two stone dragons flanking him, bursts of water and fire erupted. The next moment, two immense torrents of water and flame surged forth. As the water and fire Qi manifested, half the space around him became scorching hot, while the other half filled with dense mist. The intensity was incomparable to before.

*Hiss! Hiss!*

The two streams of water and fire Qi roared forth, colliding on the Dragon Forging Platform moments later, enveloping Zhou Yuan's figure from both sides. An indescribable, intense pain surged over him, making Zhou Yuan gasp. His body felt as if one half were boiling and the other instantly freezing. Without a moment's hesitation, he immediately activated the cultivation method of the "Lesser Xuan Saint Body." The water and fire Qi intertwined, piercing through his flesh and blood, with most of it rushing towards his skin. Beneath Zhou Yuan's skin, the water and fire Qi swirled, corroding it as if to melt it away. From a distance, Zhou Yuan appeared as a figure engulfed by the two elements. Within the water and fire, the figure trembled violently.

Elder Xuan watched the scene with a solemn expression, poised to intervene should Zhou Yuan truly begin to melt under the intensity of the water and fire Qi. Fortunately, according to his senses, though the figure within the water and fire trembled violently, its vitality did not wane; rather, it began to flourish even more.

The intertwining of water and fire persisted for the duration of an incense stick. Then, at a certain moment, the Genesis Qi throughout the surroundings suddenly fluctuated violently, contracting like a tide. The epicenter of this contraction was none other than Zhou Yuan, seated on the stone platform. The water and fire swirling around Zhou Yuan gradually receded, revealing his bare torso. Meanwhile, the Genesis Qi from the world poured in frantically, ultimately being completely absorbed and devoured by Zhou Yuan's skin.

The entire world seemed to fall silent for a brief moment.

The next instant, Zhou Yuan's tightly closed eyes snapped open, and a brilliant jade glow radiated from his body. His entire skin now possessed a warm, translucent, jade-like hue. The faint mottled traces within the jade glow had now completely vanished. It was like a flawless piece of white jade.

Zhou Yuan lowered his gaze, observing his jade-like skin with a ripple of excitement in his eyes. He slowly clenched his hands; even without circulating Genesis Qi, a formidable power was consolidating within him.

After more than a month of arduous cultivation, Zhou Yuan had finally completed the Jade Skin Realm of the Lesser Xuan Saint Body.