Chapter 513: Running

As Sect Master Qing Yang’s grand voice resonated between heaven and earth, the ground seemed to tremble violently, and the mist enveloping the Genesis Pool ahead began to recede at a visible pace.

The boundless ocean once again came into view for all the disciples.

The purple-belt disciples remained relatively calm, as they were allowed to enter several times each year. However, the non-purple-belt disciples were incredibly excited and eagerly awaited their turn, as they had previously only been able to watch longingly from outside, lacking the qualifications to enter.

High in the sky, Sect Master Qing Yang observed the now-open Genesis Pool. He suddenly formed hand seals, and immediately, a vast and boundless power descended from the heavens, directly enveloping the entire area.

The ground quaked as if an earth dragon was stirring, and the mountain ranges trembled violently. Faintly, a desolate dragon's roar seemed to echo from deep within the earth.

Many disciples were unsure what was happening, but they could feel terrifying fluctuations beneath their feet.

Zhou Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly. Possessing the Resentful Dragon Poison and having cultivated the Ancestral Dragon Scripture, he was quite familiar with these unusual fluctuations. They contained dragon qi, and if he wasn't mistaken, it was likely the Genesis Dragon Vein located beneath the Cangxuan Sect.

He looked up into the Genesis Pool, sensing a vast power surging into it at that moment.

Boom! Boom!

Within the vast ocean, chaos began to brew. Ten-thousand-foot high waves rolled up, obscuring the sky and sun.

In mere moments, the previously calm Genesis Pool turned incredibly violent. Facing this sight, even the purple-belt disciples’ expressions subtly shifted.

At this moment, the Genesis Pool was undoubtedly far more dangerous than during their usual entries.

Roar! Roar!

As the colossal waves surged, everyone could see countless water beasts howling within the Genesis Pool. Fueled by the surging genesis dragon qi, they continuously emerged and rapidly expanded in size.

Within the boundless Genesis Pool, dangerous auras silently began to rise.

Countless disciples discreetly swallowed. The Genesis Pool at this moment was clearly the most perilous time of the year; however, this danger also presented opportunities.

These water beasts contained Genesis Marrow, which could provide them with a baptism and strengthen their foundation.

With the influx of genesis dragon qi, the Genesis Pool underwent a dramatic transformation. Only then did Sect Master Qing Yang nod in satisfaction. He then waved his sleeve, and a surging tide of genesis qi erupted, sweeping up all the disciples from the Seven Peaks. With a whoosh, they were all instantly transported onto the islands surrounding the Genesis Pool.

As all the disciples from the Seven Peaks entered the arena, Sect Master Qing Yang’s grand voice echoed once more.

“The Genesis Pool Ceremony now begins!”

“Disciples, strive your best!”

On the various islands, the eyes of the disciples from each peak gradually intensified with fervor.

The disciples of Sword Cometh Peak immediately cast hostile gazes towards an island nearby, where hundreds of Shengzhou Peak disciples had gathered.

“Chief Zhou Yuan, what should we do?” The disciples from the two lineages felt their scalps tingle and their heels tremble at the sight of Sword Cometh Peak’s nearly ten thousand disciples. The opponents held too great an advantage; if they were to be encircled now, they would likely be annihilated instantly.

“What to do?”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuan smiled and said, “Of course, we run!”

“All of you, run with all your might! If anyone gets caught, they’ll only have themselves to blame for their bad luck!”

As he finished speaking, he exchanged a glance with Yao Yao. Their figures shot skyward first, immediately pushing their speed to the limit as they swiftly headed towards the depths of the Genesis Pool.

Behind them, Zhou Tai, Zhang Yan, and Lu Yan exchanged glances, then gave a wry smile. Activating their genesis qi, they hastily gave chase.

Seeing this, the other disciples groaned endlessly but dared not say anything. They could only gather all their strength and desperately pursue.

Thus, while disciples from other peaks were still analyzing the situation, the hundreds of Shengzhou Peak disciples had already exerted all their might, fleeing frantically. In the blink of an eye, they vanished from sight.

Their actions left the disciples of the other peaks somewhat dumbfounded.

The disciples of Sword Cometh Peak, in particular, who had been preparing to block Shengzhou Peak’s retreat, stared dumbfounded at the figures vanishing in the distance.

After a moment of stunned silence, the disciples of Sword Cometh Peak suddenly erupted into booming laughter. Some even clutched their stomachs, laughing uncontrollably.

Shengzhou Peak’s actions were simply too ignominious.

They hadn't even begun to act, yet the other side reacted like frightened birds. Even Chief Zhou Yuan led the frantic escape.

Disciples from other peaks couldn't help but shake their heads. Was Shengzhou Peak truly here to make a spectacle of themselves this time?

And Zhou Yuan, whose past achievements were quite impressive, could only choose to flee when facing Sword Cometh Peak this time.

Li Qingchan’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. Watching this scene, she bit her lip lightly and muttered, “That guy, he was so boastful before. Does he really think running away like this will allow him to avoid Sword Cometh Peak?”

This was clearly impossible. Once Sword Cometh Peak also entered the depths of the Genesis Pool and established their foothold, they would inevitably begin to encircle Shengzhou Peak.

Shengzhou Peak’s action was merely to buy some time.

What displeased Li Qingchan most, moreover, was that while Zhou Yuan could lose face himself, he insisted on dragging Yao Yao along!

Over at Sword Cometh Peak, Kong Sheng, Zhao Zhu, and Baili Che were also surprised by Shengzhou Peak’s actions. They immediately remarked mockingly, “This Zhou Yuan is quite decisive.”

In fact, Zhou Yuan leading his disciples in such a shameless, frantic escape was a relatively wise choice, though the cost was an extreme loss of face.

Kong Sheng and the two others watched the direction where Zhou Yuan and his group had fled, their eyes filled with a playful, cat-and-mouse amusement. They weren't worried that Shengzhou Peak could truly escape, viewing their actions as nothing more than a dying struggle.

Kong Sheng and Zhao Zhu looked at Baili Che and nodded.

Baili Che understood. He turned to the many disciples of Sword Cometh Peak and instructed, “For now, there’s no need to pay attention to them. First, head to the depths of the Genesis Pool, secure territory, investigate the movements of the water beasts, and hunt for Genesis Marrow.”

“Senior Brother Baili, are we just going to leave them?” a disciple asked, still feeling unsatisfied.

“What’s the rush?” Baili Che replied with a faint smile. “They can’t escape. Let them help us out a bit first, even if they probably won’t collect much Genesis Marrow themselves.”

The other disciples nodded in agreement.

Baili Che looked up, gazing into the distance with a playful smile on his lips.

“Zhou Yuan, run all you want. Let’s see how long you can keep running…”

In the distance, Zhou Yuan led hundreds of disheartened Shengzhou Peak disciples, running frantically. Seeming to sense the gazes from behind, he subtly tilted his head, a slight curve appearing at the corner of his mouth.

“Sword Cometh Peak…”

“Laugh now, but later, it will be your turn to cry.”