Chapter 470: Silver Bone Realm

The massive Genesis Qi sword-shadow burst apart as Zhou Yuan abruptly clenched his hand. The rampant sword qi raged outwards, tearing deep gouges into the surrounding ground.

Yet, Zhou Yuan stood unmoving amidst the swirling sword qi.

His body was still covered in blood, giving him a disheveled appearance, but his back was gradually straightening. A formidable ripple of power seemed to be slowly emanating from within him.

Deep within his flesh, a silver light shimmered faintly.

Zhou Yuan seemed different now…

The sight of him crushing the sword-shadow with a single palm drew countless gazes from outside Chief Peak, immediately eliciting an uproar. Many disciples were dumbfounded, their eyes wide with disbelief.

They couldn't understand why Zhou Yuan, who had been almost completely suppressed moments earlier, would suddenly unleash such power.

From their perception, Zhou Yuan's Genesis Qi hadn't significantly increased, so where did this power originate?

Only the six formidable figures observing from high in the sky let out soft gasps of surprise.

Peak Master Gu of Hongya Peak was the first to speak, his voice filled with astonishment: "This power… it's physical strength. That boy… he's actually reached the Silver Bone stage?"

The second stage of their Hongya Peak's "Profound Saint Physique" is known as "Heavenly Silver Bone." The external cultivation technique Zhou Yuan practiced was derived from this, and while its intricacy naturally couldn't compare to the true "Heavenly Silver Bone," its formidable strength was undeniable.

"Tsk tsk, for this boy to cultivate to the Silver Bone stage in such a short time, he's simply a genius at external cultivation!" Peak Master Gu praised effusively, his gaze filled with admiration as he looked at the blood-covered figure atop the peak.

He knew well the difficulty of external cultivation techniques, and the one Zhou Yuan practiced, being derived from the "Profound Saint Physique," was even harder to master.

At Hongya Peak, only Shang Chunqiu had successfully cultivated the "Heavenly Silver Bone."

Arch-Sect Master Qingyang slowly nodded as well. "He hadn't reached the Silver Bone stage before this," he said. "If I'm not mistaken, he deliberately used his physical body to withstand Yuan Hong's repeated fierce blows as a tempering method, pushing his body to its limits to achieve a breakthrough."

He exclaimed in admiration, "Such courage and decisiveness are truly astonishing."

The other peak masters, with the exception of Peak Master Lingjun, all nodded slightly. For a disciple to accomplish this was indeed quite remarkable.

Peak Master Lianyi glanced at Peak Master Lingjun, whose brows were slightly furrowed and who no longer appeared as composed as before. She smiled faintly and remarked, "It seems this situation is truly about to shift, isn't it?"

Peak Master Lingjun took a deep breath, his handsome, youthful face remaining calm. "It's still too early to say that," he stated. "A physical breakthrough heavily depletes vitality. Zhou Yuan likely doesn't have much strength left at this moment."

However, anyone could discern that he no longer completely disregarded Zhou Yuan as he had at the start.

Today's Chief Disciple competition for Shengxuan Peak, it seemed, was only truly beginning now.

Atop the peak, under the gaze of countless onlookers.

Yuan Hong's expression was grim as he stared at the blood-soaked figure. Zhou Yuan's sudden outburst of astonishing power had likewise caught him off guard.

This unforeseen turn of events, slipping beyond his control, ignited a surge of anger within him.

At the same time, he was perplexed: how could Zhou Yuan, whom he had previously suppressed to the point of being unable to retaliate, suddenly be able to withstand his attacks?

What exactly had this guy done?

Not far away, Lu Yan, Zhou Tai, and Zhang Yan likewise watched the scene with bewildered uncertainty.

Meanwhile, Zhou Yuan wiped away the blood from the corner of his mouth, silver light swirling deep in his pupils. He looked up towards Yuan Hong, stretched his body, and a crackling sound emanated from within him.

A faint emerald-green light shimmered, and a warm, vital energy radiated outwards, rapidly replenishing the depleted vitality within Zhou Yuan.

"Looks like you're surprised?" Zhou Yuan grinned, revealing his stark white teeth.

Yuan Hong's eyes narrowed slightly, and he sneered, "Playing tricks!"

"I'll see if that confidence of yours is just a facade!"

He stomped his foot abruptly, and surging Genesis Qi immediately rose, coalescing directly before him into ten enormous sword-shadows. Each sword-shadow radiated astonishingly sharp sword qi.

The ten sword-shadows shot skyward, then plunged down, connecting end to end. Their combined might was truly earth-shattering.

Clearly, Yuan Hong was now truly enraged and no longer intended to toy with him.

The ten sword-shadows rapidly magnified in Zhou Yuan's eyes. He looked up and took a deep breath. Inside his body, silver light began to emanate from his bones. If one were to peel back his flesh at this moment, they would find Zhou Yuan's bones were as wondrous as if forged from silver.