Chapter 504: List

Half a month after the chief disciple competition concluded, the initial stir caused by the reopening of Saint Genesis Peak's gates gradually subsided. However, within this vast sect, exciting events continually emerged, capturing the attention of countless disciples, much like the approaching Genesis Pool Festival.

The Genesis Pool Festival is particularly unique within the Cangxuan Sect because it's not an individual competition. Instead, it's a contest where the seven peaks compete against each other as collective units. Evidently, the sect's high-ranking officials designed it this way to foster greater competition among the peaks, enabling them to feel pressure, strive for improvement, and develop in a healthy manner. Because the Genesis Pool Festival involves all disciples from the seven peaks, it is arguably the largest event among the various undertakings within the Cangxuan Sect. Moreover, it is also the competition that most deeply impacts the morale of countless disciples.

After all, in the past, whether it was the Purple Ribbon Selection or the chief disciple competition, only a tiny fraction of elite disciples truly benefited, while the vast majority could only watch with envious eyes. The Genesis Pool Festival, however, is different. All disciples from the seven peaks can participate, and by contributing their strength, they can directly influence their peak's final performance. This undoubtedly fostered a strong sense of involvement among numerous disciples. Therefore, if you were to ask most ordinary disciples what event in the Cangxuan Sect they most anticipated, it would undoubtedly be the Genesis Pool Festival.

Consequently, disciples from all peaks within the Cangxuan Sect intensified their training and constantly sought information about other peaks, understanding that they would be rivals during the Genesis Pool Festival. Various pieces of information circulated within the sect, but the most attention-grabbing was Sword Cometh Peak's undisguised and intense hostility, directed squarely at Saint Genesis Peak, which had only recently reopened its gates.

Disciples from other peaks were not surprised by the pervasive resentment and hostility emanating from Sword Cometh Peak. Everyone was aware that the Lu Hong lineage of Sword Cometh Peak had failed to secure the chief disciple position for Saint Genesis Peak, resulting in a substantial loss of cultivation resources. Moreover, the Lu Hong lineage had been directly sent back to Sword Cometh Peak by Elder Shen Taiyuan, who exercised his authority as acting peak master, further disgracing Sword Cometh Peak. Given all these circumstances, it was no wonder Sword Cometh Peak was seething with resentment.

Sword Cometh Peak made no attempt to hide its intentions, clearly planning to use the Genesis Pool Festival to thoroughly humiliate Saint Genesis Peak and vent its considerable frustration. In response, disciples from all peaks expressed sympathy for Saint Genesis Peak. However, their sympathy went only so far. After all, during the Genesis Pool Festival, everyone was a competitor, and a fierce confrontation between Sword Cometh Peak and Saint Genesis Peak was, for other peaks, a beneficial development. Nevertheless, in the eyes of most disciples, Saint Genesis Peak posed no threat at all to Sword Cometh Peak. Even with Zhou Yuan as its chief disciple, Saint Genesis Peak was still vastly outmatched compared to Sword Cometh Peak's powerful lineup.

Even the Sect Master and other high-ranking officials were aware of Sword Cometh Peak's resentment and felt somewhat helpless. They had secretly advised Peak Master Lingjun, but he completely shrugged off their concerns, stating it was merely the disciples' personal feelings and that, as peak master, he could not force them. This was clearly Peak Master Lingjun's pretense, but even Sect Master Qingyang was helpless. Sword Cometh Peak had indeed suffered significant losses, and their resentment was considerable. As the party that had benefited from the situation, if Peak Master Lingjun refused to listen to their advice, they truly had no recourse.

Amidst all this buzz, the lists of disciples from each peak participating in the Genesis Pool Festival were successively submitted and then publicly announced. As expected from the lists of each peak, Saint Genesis Peak's situation was utterly dismal; the total number of participating disciples from their entire peak didn't even exceed five hundred, failing to reach one-tenth of what other peaks had. However, one slight surprise was the appearance of Zhou Xiaoyao's name on Saint Genesis Peak's disciple list. This piqued the interest of many, as Yaoyao was quite unique in the current Cangxuan Sect: she was the only one who, despite not holding the title of a Saint Son, possessed the strength of one. Her participation in Saint Genesis Peak's Genesis Pool Festival would indeed significantly bolster their strength.

"I wondered why Zhou Yuan had so much confidence earlier," Baili Che mused, looking at the list in his hand within a courtyard on Sword Cometh Peak. He then smiled, though his expression was tinged with sarcasm. "So he managed to invite her?"

Kong Sheng and Zhao Zhu sat before him, both having reviewed the list. Zhao Zhu frowned slightly, remarking, "This Zhou Xiaoyao is quite troublesome."

Kong Sheng calmly stated, "Last year, in the Genesis Pool, she thwarted my plans once. Her strength is indeed impressive. Although her Genesis Qi is weak, her mastery of Genesis Runes is probably superior even to Ye Ge's."

Zhao Zhu slowly added, "If she participates, we'll also need to be wary of the little beast accompanying her." He was, of course, referring to Tuntun. He had briefly crossed paths with Tuntun before and knew that this seemingly adorable little beast, which appeared to do nothing but eat all day, actually possessed terrifying strength.

Baili Che also dropped his sarcastic smirk directed at Zhou Yuan and stated, "If that's the case, Saint Genesis Peak would effectively gain two extra Saint Sons for free."

Kong Sheng's handsome face remained impassive as he said, "Saint Genesis Peak's foundation is too weak. With only a few hundred disciples, even if Zhou Xiaoyao lends her assistance, what could it possibly change? That Zhou Yuan is still too naive in his thinking." He looked at Zhao Zhu and asked, "During the Genesis Pool Festival, if that mysterious little beast joins the fight, can Junior Brother Zhao Zhu stop it?"

Zhao Zhu nodded with a sneer. "It's just a little beast. Last time, I was simply caught off guard. This time, if it dares to show up again, I'll pluck out all its fur!"

Kong Sheng smiled faintly and said, "In that case, I will take care of Zhou Xiaoyao. She ruined my plans in the Genesis Pool before, and I've always remembered that. This time, she'll have to pay it back."

"Does Senior Brother Kong Sheng have confidence?" Zhao Zhu pondered, "That Zhou Xiaoyao is truly a bit unfathomable to me."

Kong Sheng chuckled lightly, "Don't worry, almost all her methods involve Genesis Runes, and I will naturally be prepared for that." Hearing this, Zhao Zhu finally felt relieved.

Kong Sheng's gaze then shifted to Baili Che. "In Saint Genesis Peak," he said, "as long as Zhou Xiaoyao and the little beast are contained, the rest are mere trifles. At that point, how we vent Sword Cometh Peak's resentment will be up to you."

Baili Che smiled and nodded gently. He understood that Kong Sheng was, in fact, referring to Zhou Yuan. "Senior Brother, please rest assured," he said. "At that time, I will make sure this junior brother understands that his 'chief disciple' title, which is full of inflated claims, probably won't hold much weight in our Cangxuan Sect. Heh, I'd like to see if, after this newly appointed chief disciple suffers a crushing defeat, the disciples of Saint Genesis Peak will still support him so enthusiastically. At that point, perhaps he'll become the most humiliated chief disciple in the history of our Cangxuan Sect?"