Chapter 454: Yaoyao's Fury

As the Chief Disciple competition drew near, the entire Cangxuan Sect was in a state of fervent excitement. Disciples from every peak and lineage were eagerly preparing, their eyes fixed on that coveted position. After all, that position not only symbolized being the foremost disciple of all peaks but was also a necessary step towards becoming a Saint Son.

From the moment they joined the sect, all Cangxuan Sect disciples had their sights set on becoming the Chief Disciple, striving for this goal for many years. Consequently, the annual year-end Chief Disciple competition was an event of grandeur far surpassing the previous Purple Sash selection. It was, truly, the grandest event of the year.

Yao Yao strolled through the mountain forest, her slender, graceful figure appearing as if it had stepped out of a painting, radiating an astonishing beauty. Tun Tun, with its short legs, trotted closely behind her. She followed some markings on the path, bypassing seals, until the forest ahead opened up, revealing a cliff and the Water-Fire Dragon Forging Platform.

Next, she saw a figure lying almost unconscious on the ground—it was Zhou Yuan. He looked utterly wretched, as if he had just been pulled from a steamer, his entire body covered in necrotic flesh, clearly indicating severe injuries. Seeing Zhou Yuan in this state, Yao Yao was initially startled, then her beautiful face turned icy cold. Her eyes, sharp as swords, fixed on Elder Xuan, who stood nearby puffing smoke.

She hadn't visited this place since her last conversation with Elder Xuan, and she was dismayed to find such a sight upon her return today.

"What did you do to him?" Yao Yao's voice was as cold as ice.

Tun Tun also let out a low growl, its beast eyes fixed on Elder Xuan. Black light appeared from its mouth, and its small body began to swell, exuding a fierce aura. Seeing their reaction, Elder Xuan said helplessly, "This has nothing to do with me. This boy insisted on increasing the Water-Fire Origin Qi to the third level these past few days."

Yao Yao snorted, quickly stepped forward, and brushed a slender finger beneath Zhou Yuan's nostrils. Feeling his faint breath, she finally let out a slight sigh of relief. Her gaze swept over Zhou Yuan's mostly bare body. Beneath the nearly necrotic flesh, faint emerald light flickered. Nourished by this light, black clotted blood began to ooze from Zhou Yuan's pores. As the clotted blood dissipated, his body gradually returned to normal. Even though he was unconscious, Zhou Yuan's body instinctively trembled slightly, a testament to the immense pain he had endured.

"He's truly reckless!"

Yao Yao's slender eyebrows furrowed. She had noticed Zhou Yuan returning to his cave dwelling later and later each day, and always in an extremely weakened state. It turned out he had been elevating the Water-Fire Origin Qi to the third level. And he hadn't told her about it.

She turned to Elder Xuan and said coldly, "He might not know his limits, but don't you? If the tempering is excessive, his physical body could be destroyed! If his body is ruined, can you compensate for that?"

Elder Xuan opened his mouth, clearly not expecting to be reprimanded. He was both amused and exasperated, yet deep down, he always felt an inexplicable apprehension towards Yao Yao. So, he could only offer an awkward smile and say, "It's not that serious. He cultivates the Taiyi Green Wood Mark, which allows even severe physical injuries to heal quickly. He's just endured a bit of hardship."

"You call this 'a bit of hardship'?" Yao Yao retorted.

Zhou Yuan possessed a resilient nature, but for him to be reduced to such a state, it was clear how terrifying the third level of Water-Fire Origin Qi truly was. Elder Xuan unhappily shook his smoking pipe. Knowing there was no reasoning with a woman, he wisely kept silent. He then dejectedly hugged his bamboo broom, squatted to the side, and puffed on his pipe.

Yao Yao snorted again and ignored Elder Xuan. She stood to the side, observing that while Zhou Yuan's physical injuries were severe, the Taiyi Green Wood Mark within him was rapidly mending his body. She stood there for the duration of an incense stick burning.

At that moment, Zhou Yuan's tightly closed eyes slowly opened, and a painful groan escaped his lips. Lying on his back, he felt the weakness coursing through him. The tempering by the third-level Water-Fire Origin Qi had severely depleted his physical body, a clear sign of his internal blood and qi being exhausted. Fortunately, the Taiyi Green Wood Mark within him began to emit blood and qi, replenishing his vitality.

As Zhou Yuan lay on the ground, unwilling to move, a dry cough sounded nearby—it was Elder Xuan.

"Just let me lie here a bit longer," Zhou Yuan said weakly.

"How much longer do you intend to lie there?" a voice as clear and cold as a mountain spring echoed.

Zhou Yuan was startled and quickly turned his head, then saw the slender figure beside him, graceful as a willow branch. He immediately sat up sharply. "Yao Yao?" He then offered an awkward smile. "What brings you here?"

Yao Yao's exquisite face was expressionless. "If I didn't come now, I wouldn't even know when you'd work yourself to death."

In the stone pavilion, Elder Xuan unhappily puffed on his pipe. In the Cangxuan Sect, receiving his guidance was an opportunity countless people vied for but rarely obtained, yet in Yao Yao's mouth, it sounded so worthless.

Zhou Yuan glanced at the dejected Elder Xuan and quickly said, "It's fine, I can handle these training sessions."

Yao Yao ignored him. "Get ready, and come back with me," she said.

Seeing Yao Yao's chilling expression, Zhou Yuan felt a shiver down his spine. He obediently got up at once and gathered his clothes.

"Hey, boy," Elder Xuan said, "your recent training has yielded considerable results. Although you haven't reached the Silver Bone Realm yet, you're at the very limit of transformation. With a bit more refinement, you should achieve your goal."

Zhou Yuan felt a pang of regret. He hadn't expected that after enduring so much hardship, he still hadn't reached the Silver Bone Realm. The path of external tempering was indeed arduous.

Yao Yao, however, ignored them. She turned and strode away, clearly still quite displeased with Elder Xuan. Zhou Yuan waved to Elder Xuan and quickly followed her.

"Boy, tomorrow is the Chief Disciple competition. Do your best," Elder Xuan said slowly, puffing smoke as he watched Zhou Yuan's retreating back. "Saint Genesis Peak has been closed for many years; it's time for it to see the light of day again."

Zhou Yuan paused, then turned back. "Does Senior hope that I will be the one to open the seal on Saint Genesis Peak?" he asked.

Elder Xuan, however, did not reply. His aged face, appearing and disappearing within the thick smoke, seemed somewhat mysterious. Zhou Yuan didn't ask further. He turned and walked away, but just as he was about to enter the forest, his voice carried back.

"Senior, rest assured," he called, "the Chief Disciple position of Saint Genesis Peak is mine!"

As they gradually disappeared into the distance, Elder Xuan's cloudy gaze watched their retreating figures through the smoke. He then looked up at the main peak, which was perpetually shrouded in clouds and mist.

"So many years have passed," he murmured. "Saint Genesis Peak, it should open its gates again, shouldn't it?"