Chapter 499: Summit

The next day.

As Zhou Yuan was cultivating in his cave dwelling, a disciple waited at the entrance to deliver a message: "Chief, Master Shen asked me to inform you that a summit will be held on Saint Genesis Peak today. As the Chief Disciple, you should attend."

Zhou Yuan nodded, meeting the disciple's respectful gaze, and then fell into thought.

A summit is a deliberative assembly for each peak, and only the Peak Master has the authority to convene one. Previously, Saint Genesis Peak had not held a summit for countless years. The main reason was the absence of a Peak Master and the Peak Master Seal. Now that the Peak Master Seal had reappeared and Shen Taiyuan had become the acting Peak Master, this summit was the first in many years.

However, Saint Genesis Peak was currently undergoing a major revival, with countless matters requiring attention. Shen Taiyuan himself had been so busy lately that he barely had time to rest. Why would he suddenly convene a summit at this moment? After all, a summit would inevitably involve discussing significant affairs.

Zhou Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly, as if he had guessed something, and a faint smile touched his lips. "Interesting," he murmured. "Master Shen is finally making his move."

On the main peak of Saint Genesis Peak, inside an ancient and imposing deliberation hall, Shen Taiyuan sat at the head of the table. To his left and right sat Elder Lu Song, who wore a smile, and Elder Lu Hong, whose expression was grim. Below the two elders stood several outstanding disciples of Saint Genesis Peak, including Zhou Tai, Zhang Yan, Lu Yan, and Yuan Hong. Zhou Yuan's position was slightly below the two elders but still more prominent than the other disciples, signifying his status as the Chief Disciple.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the hall was somewhat solemn. Elder Lu Hong glanced expressionlessly at Shen Taiyuan, who sat above him. His eye twitched slightly, and deep within his gaze, there was a mix of jealousy and resentment. That position, he felt, should have been his.

"With Saint Genesis Peak's gates reopened and so many tasks at hand, I wonder why Elder Shen has chosen to hold a summit now?" Lu Hong said indifferently. "If there's nothing pressing, this old man has work to do." He deliberately emphasized "Elder Shen," for Shen Taiyuan was currently only an acting Peak Master, not a true one.

Now that Saint Genesis Peak's gates were reopened, many excellent cultivation resources had become available. He intended to seize as many as possible, continuously accumulating resources to strengthen himself. In the long run, he believed he could eventually reclaim the position of the main lineage. After all, no matter what, he still had the backing of Sword Cometh Peak. Although he had failed in this particular struggle, he had been sharply reprimanded by Peak Master Ling Jun. However, the latter also knew that scolding was useless; as long as his lineage remained on Saint Genesis Peak, there would always be an opportunity.

Elder Shen Taiyuan cast a placid glance at him and slowly said, "Indeed, there is a matter of no small importance, and it concerns Elder Lu Hong."

"Oh?" Lu Hong raised an eyebrow.

Shen Taiyuan continued, "When Elder Lu Hong's lineage transferred to Saint Genesis Peak, the primary objective was to help reopen the peak's gates. However, it was Zhou Yuan who ultimately accomplished this task. Therefore, I believe Elder Lu Hong's lineage no longer serves a significant purpose remaining on Saint Genesis Peak. Thus, I hope that starting today, Elder Lu Hong will transfer your lineage back to Sword Cometh Peak."

At these words, the hall fell silent.

Lu Hong's expression suddenly turned severe. He said coldly, "Shen Taiyuan, what did you say? You want to drive my lineage out of Saint Genesis Peak?!"

Shen Taiyuan chuckled faintly. "Not drive out, but invite..."

"Shen Taiyuan, how dare you!" Lu Hong sneered. "My lineage transferred to Saint Genesis Peak by order of Peak Master Ling Jun. Have you reported this matter to Peak Master Ling Jun?" With Saint Genesis Peak's gates reopened and the sealed main peak brought to light, countless coveted cultivation resources were now accessible. This was a prime opportunity to extensively divide resources, so how could Lu Hong possibly agree to withdraw from Saint Genesis Peak now?

Shen Taiyuan's expression remained unruffled. "Now that Saint Genesis Peak has reopened its gates and possesses the Peak Master Seal, matters within Saint Genesis Peak are no longer related to Peak Master Ling Jun. Why would I need to report to him?"

Lu Hong froze. In the past, Shen Taiyuan, merely an elder, would have had no authority to interfere with their lineage. But now, holding the Peak Master Seal, his status was equivalent to that of Peak Master Ling Jun. Naturally, he possessed the right to "invite out" Lu Hong's lineage, which was not originally part of Saint Genesis Peak.

"This old man will absolutely not agree!" Lu Hong gnashed his teeth. "If you insist on acting recklessly, I will report you to the Sect Master! Don't think that just because you're currently the acting Peak Master, you can do whatever you please!"

Shen Taiyuan retrieved a scroll of golden brocade from his sleeve. "There's no need to trouble yourself with reporting," he said. "Because I've already reported this matter to the Sect Master, and the Sect Master has already approved your lineage's relocation back to Sword Cometh Peak." With a lift of his hand, the brocade scroll floated out and landed before Lu Hong.

Lu Hong snatched it, unrolled it, and quickly scanned its contents. His face turned pale. He looked up, glaring furiously at Shen Taiyuan, and roared, "Shen Taiyuan, you are utterly ruthless!"

Shen Taiyuan remained expressionless.

Lu Hong took a deep breath and said coldly, "Shen Taiyuan, Saint Genesis Peak currently only has three lineages. If ours also relocates, then only your two lineages will remain. The Genesis Pool Festival is almost here. Without our lineage, does Saint Genesis Peak intend to lose all face at the festival?" He then turned his gaze coldly toward Zhou Yuan below, scoffing, "Do you honestly expect this Chief Disciple to lead your two lineages to achieve anything significant at the Genesis Pool Festival? In my opinion, without my lineage, they probably won't even last a day at the Genesis Pool Festival!"

The disciples from the other two lineages, including Zhou Tai and Lu Yan, glared angrily. They clearly detected the contempt in Lu Hong's words. Zhou Yuan also raised his eyes, glancing at Lu Hong, but remained silent.

"That is not for you to worry about," Shen Taiyuan said calmly, waving his hand. "The Sect Master's decree has been given to you; this matter is already settled. I expect your lineage to vacate Saint Genesis Peak and return to Sword Cometh Peak within three days."

Lu Hong's eyes were bloodshot with rage. If they were driven out of Saint Genesis Peak like this, they would truly lose all opportunities. Moreover, such a disgraceful retreat would make them an object of ridicule even upon returning to Sword Cometh Peak. After all, they had utterly failed in their mission.

The immense fury churning within him made Lu Hong's head spin. He couldn't fathom how a perfectly good situation had deteriorated so completely over the past year. "It's all because of that damned brat!" Lu Hong gnashed his teeth, his gaze at Zhou Yuan turning vicious.

Ultimately, however, he dared not act. He could only take two deep breaths, then looked at Shen Taiyuan and said chillingly, "Shen Taiyuan, you will regret this. Saint Genesis Peak is bound to lose all face at this Genesis Pool Festival. We'll see how you, the acting Peak Master, explain yourself then!"

With those words, he lingered no longer. Rising abruptly, he swept his sleeves and departed. His lineage's disciples silently followed, looking somewhat dispirited.

With Elder Lu Hong's lineage gone, the hall was quiet for a moment. Then, the disciples of the remaining two lineages exchanged glances and suddenly erupted in enthusiastic cheers, making the hall reverberate. Lu Hong's lineage had always been at odds with the other two lineages on Saint Genesis Peak, almost like fire and water. Now that they had finally been driven away, Saint Genesis Peak could at last expect peace.

At the head of the table, Elder Shen Taiyuan coughed, quieting the cheers. With a stern sweep of his gaze, everyone present instinctively recoiled. Shen Taiyuan's gaze returned to Zhou Yuan, softening slightly as he slowly said, "Zhou Yuan, as the Chief Disciple of Saint Genesis Peak, you have a responsibility to lead the peak's disciples to secure a share of the opportunities at the upcoming Genesis Pool Festival. I knew that Lu Hong's lineage remaining on Saint Genesis Peak and participating in the Genesis Pool Festival would be a hidden danger, so I have now resolved it for you. Whether the disciples of our two Saint Genesis Peak lineages can achieve success at this Genesis Pool Festival might well depend on you."

Zhou Yuan's expression subtly tightened. He was well aware that Lu Hong's lineage remaining on Saint Genesis Peak would affect his ability as Chief Disciple to control the overall situation. However, as Chief Disciple, he couldn't openly voice his concerns, and he hadn't expected Shen Taiyuan to actively resolve the issue for him. Furthermore, by doing this, Shen Taiyuan would undoubtedly offend Peak Master Ling Jun, clearly taking on immense pressure.

In the great hall, disciples like Zhou Tai, Zhang Yan, and Lu Yan also looked at Zhou Yuan. They cupped their fists, bowed, and said, "For this Genesis Pool Festival, we will rely on the Chief Disciple." After the competition for the Chief Disciple position, Zhou Yuan's prestige on Saint Genesis Peak had clearly reached its peak. With the exception of Lu Hong's lineage, the other two lineages now looked to him as their leader and were willing to follow his commands.

Seeing this, Zhou Yuan's expression also became solemn. He cupped his fists towards everyone and took a deep breath. "I will do my utmost," he declared.