Chapter 448: Wu Hai

On a cultivation platform at the summit of Saint Genesis Peak, many figures were present, and more continued to arrive from all directions, settling around the area.

These arriving figures clearly divided into three distinct areas. The most formidable group consisted entirely of disciples from Lu Hong's lineage. They watched the front with mocking smiles, frequently bursting into laughter as they chatted among themselves, clearly disregarding the disciples from the other two lineages.

Their lineage, originating from Sword Cometh Peak, already held Saint Genesis Peak in some disdain due to its decline. With the upcoming Chief Disciple competition, if they succeeded, their lineage would become the main lineage of Saint Genesis Peak, elevating their status above the other two. Therefore, once the candidates for the Chief Disciple competition were announced, the arrogance of Lu Hong's disciples, emboldened by Lu Hong's indulgence, gradually became more pronounced.

Over the past month or so, most of the conflicts among Saint Genesis Peak disciples were initiated by Lu Hong's lineage, and most battles ended in their victory. Indeed, in terms of both numbers and quality, their lineage was the strongest at Saint Genesis Peak. This also led to Lu Hong's lineage becoming increasingly arrogant. Within just one month, a tense atmosphere permeated Saint Genesis Peak.

Standing in front of the many disciples of Lu Hong's lineage was a young man in blue, his hands clasped behind his back. A purple sash was wrapped around his waist. His face appeared stern, and his eyebrows, sharp as blades, exuded an air of cold arrogance. This person was Wu Hai, highly renowned within Lu Hong's lineage. He was even one of the six candidates for the Chief Disciple competition, which speaks volumes about his formidable strength.

Wu Hai casually glanced to the side. There, the plump Shen Wanjin was being held down by several disciples, his bruised and swollen face clearly showing he had endured considerable hardship.

"Shen Wanjin, it seems Zhou Yuan has no guts, daring not even to protect his own follower?" Wu Hai said with a sneer, a sarcastic smile playing on his lips.

Shen Wanjin, his face contorted in a grimace, pleaded humbly, "Oh, Senior Brother Wu Hai, why bother with a small fry like me, a person of your stature? I already apologized earlier; it was truly an accident that I bumped into your junior sister. How about I compensate you with some more Genesis Jade?"

Wu Hai smiled. "Compensate with Genesis Jade? Very well, how about a hundred thousand Genesis Jade?"

The surrounding disciples burst into laughter.

Shen Wanjin forced an awkward laugh. "Senior Brother Wu Hai, as a mere black-belt disciple, how could I possibly have that much Genesis Jade?"

Wu Hai's gaze gradually turned cold. "If you don't have it, then shut up. If Zhou Yuan doesn't come to get you personally today, I'll throw you off this platform at sunset." He added, "Don't worry, no one will die; at most, you'll break half your bones."

Shen Wanjin quickly opened his mouth, about to say more. However, Wu Hai's palm suddenly swung out, a gust of wind tearing through the air, directly striking Shen Wanjin's greasy face and leaving a bright red handprint.

"Shut up," Wu Hai said coldly.

Shen Wanjin clenched his fists, a flicker of anger in the depths of his eyes, but he eventually lowered his head slowly. Wu Hai was not someone he could afford to provoke.

Seeing this, Wu Hai sneered, crossing his arms over his chest. Today, he wanted to see if Zhou Yuan dared to show up. If he didn't, the news would spread, causing Zhou Yuan to lose face completely. After all, what ability could such an incompetent person possess if he couldn't even protect a follower?

Not far opposite, a large group of disciples from Shen Taiyuan's lineage had also gathered. They watched Shen Wanjin being beaten, their eyes filled with anger as they glared intently at Wu Hai. However, they dared not make any move, as Wu Hai was present; no ordinary disciple would dare to confront him.

"Quick, go find Senior Brother Zhou Tai or Senior Brother Zhang Yan..."

"They've already gone."

"What about Senior Brother Zhou Yuan?"

"No response yet... it seems he hasn't been found."

"Tsk, he wouldn't have heard about it and hidden, would he? Shen Wanjin usually runs all sorts of errands for him; is he just going to abandon him now that he's in trouble?"

"Even if he comes, it probably won't help much. Wu Hai is no easy opponent..."

These disciples whispered among themselves, appearing anxious. If Shen Wanjin were indeed thrown off the platform by Wu Hai today, it would be a severe blow to their lineage's reputation.

Elsewhere, not far away, many disciples from Elder Lu Song's lineage had also gathered. However, as this was a conflict between Lu Hong's lineage and Shen Taiyuan's lineage, they naturally did not intervene. Several streaks of light flashed and landed in front of the disciples from Elder Lu Song's lineage. A graceful figure emerged, with a slender body and long, straight legs. It was Lu Yan.

She was clearly aware of what was happening here. Her beautiful eyes glanced in Wu Hai's direction, and she frowned, asking, "Has Zhou Yuan appeared?"

A nearby disciple replied, "Not yet."

Lu Yan pursed her red lips. "His not appearing is probably sensible. Wu Hai is clearly targeting him; Shen Wanjin is just an excuse." If she wasn't mistaken, Wu Hai was likely sent to test Zhou Yuan's abilities. Lu Hong took the Chief Disciple competition very seriously, and even Zhou Yuan, despite being the candidate with the highest odds, was not overlooked. Lu Hong intended to fully ascertain his strength to avoid any surprises. So, Zhou Yuan's absence actually prevented Wu Hai from achieving his objective.

However, despite her words, Lu Yan still shook her head with a hint of disappointment. To be able to endure in such a situation, was Zhou Yuan too cunning or too heartless? Everyone present was young and impetuous; naturally, they viewed such forbearance as a sign of weakness.

"Senior Sister, should we intervene? Lu Hong's lineage is truly getting more arrogant," an indignant disciple asked.

Lu Yan pondered briefly. "Let's wait a little longer. Sunset is coming soon. If Zhou Yuan still doesn't appear at the last moment, I will step in and rescue Shen Wanjin." Their lineage and Shen Taiyuan's lineage were currently temporary allies, so having witnessed the situation, she would naturally not stand by and allow Lu Hong's lineage to become even more arrogant.

Under the standoff of the three factions, the sun began to set. Yet Zhou Yuan's figure still had not appeared.

Seeing this, Wu Hai shook his head, a sneer forming on his lips, and said to Shen Wanjin, "It seems you've been abandoned. What a pathetic worm." Then he waved his hand, his eyes indifferent. "Since Zhou Yuan is so heartless, there's no need for politeness. Throw him off the mountain."

The disciples holding Shen Wanjin grinned upon hearing this. Ignoring Shen Wanjin's frantic struggles, they simply picked him up and threw him over the edge of the cliff.

"Stop!" the disciples from Shen Taiyuan's lineage cried out in alarm, but no one heeded them.

Shen Wanjin's plump figure was thrown out, letting out a cry of despair.

Lu Yan watched the scene, shaking her head in disappointment. It seemed Zhou Yuan had also guessed Wu Hai and the others' intentions and had decided not to show up. "This Zhou Yuan really lacks backbone," she muttered. She said this plainly, then prepared to act, intending to intercept Shen Wanjin's falling figure.

However, just as she was about to make her move, a sudden whooshing sound echoed through the air. A streak of black light shot across the sky and then forcefully pierced into the mountain wall. Silvery-white brush hairs, transforming into a flowing ribbon, shot out, wrapped around Shen Wanjin's waist, and left him dangling precariously from the cliff. Countless gazes followed, revealing a black brush embedded in the mountain wall, with its silvery-white hairs extending from the tip, coiled around Shen Wanjin.

Upon seeing the familiar black brush, gasps of surprise immediately arose from all around.

"Couldn't hold back after all?" Wu Hai smirked. He then looked up and saw a streak of Genesis Qi tearing through the distant sky. Under the gaze of countless eyes, it finally landed on the cultivation platform. Standing atop the cloud of Genesis Qi, the tall, slender figure could only be Zhou Yuan.

"Senior Brother Zhou Yuan!" The disciples from Shen Taiyuan's lineage cried out in surprise and delight, their eyes then clouding with worry. If Zhou Yuan had shown up, it was likely their opponents would be even less willing to let the matter go.

"I thought you were a turtle," Wu Hai said with a grin, though his smile held little warmth and was laced with mockery. "Since you decided to show up, that's even better. Your friend injured my junior sister, and he can't afford a hundred thousand Genesis Jade, so you'll have to pay..." Wu Hai tilted his head, staring at Zhou Yuan, and grinned. "I presume you'll pay honestly, won't you?"

"Elder Lu Hong sent you to test me, didn't he?" Zhou Yuan said with a faint smile.

Wu Hai narrowed his eyes slightly. "Do you have the qualifications for that?"

Zhou Yuan shook his head, having no intention of speaking further with him. He simply held up two fingers.

"Twenty thousand? That's not enough," Wu Hai said with a smirk.

Zhou Yuan sighed, and then his voice echoed across the cultivation platform. "I mean, I'm giving you two choices..."

"You can jump off this platform now..."

"Or, I can break your legs and then throw you off."

"Which will you choose?"

The smile on Wu Hai's face gradually froze.