Chapter 514: Preparation

Chapter 512

On the boundless Source Pool, the water shimmered, and occasionally, vast forms of water beasts glided beneath the surface, creating violent ripples and stirring up huge waves.

Hundreds of figures streaked rapidly through the sky, their gazes constantly scanning their surroundings.

These figures were, naturally, the disciples of Saint Source Peak.

Zhou Yuan and Yaoyao were at the very front of the group.

After entering the Source Pool, their first action was to head directly towards its deeper parts, without making any stops along the way.

As they continued forward, Zhou Yuan and Yaoyao were also searching for a suitable place to settle, as they intended to establish a base there to construct the vast Misty Heaven Barrier.

The other disciples of Saint Source Peak were unaware of their plans, so they could only follow along silently, utterly bewildered.

After searching for about an hour, they finally identified an island with suitable terrain. Zhou Yuan then waved his hand, leading the descent, and hundreds of figures landed on the island.

“This will be our temporary base from now on,” Zhou Yuan said with a smile to Zhou Tai and the other disciples, looking around with considerable satisfaction.

Zhou Tai, Zhang Yan, and Lu Yan exchanged wry glances. “Chief,” they asked, “do we have any plans for what’s next?”

Their Saint Source Peak was indeed too weak; a mere few hundred people were simply negligible compared to the other peaks. Moreover, they had offended Sword Cometh Peak. Once Sword Cometh Peak was free to search for them, they wouldn’t be able to hide for long.

At that time, they would not only find it impossible to escape, but would also have to surrender all the Source Marrow they had painstakingly acquired.

The morale of Saint Source Peak was evidently extremely low at this moment.

Zhou Yuan heard this, smiled, and said, “If you trust me, there’s no need to ask further. I have my own way of dealing with Sword Cometh Peak.”

The hundreds of Saint Source Peak disciples before him fell silent for a moment, conflicted. Although Zhou Yuan always achieved unexpected results, this time, the situation couldn't be changed by a single person's strength alone. After all, Sword Cometh Peak was indeed a formidable power to them.

“Since the Chief has said so, of course, we’ll believe him. Otherwise, do we have any other path to take?” a voice suddenly emerged from the struggling crowd.

These words indeed drew some agreement. Truly, in the current situation, Saint Source Peak was at an extreme disadvantage. What more could go wrong? Since Zhou Yuan had spoken this way, they naturally preferred to believe that what he said was true.

Thus, the silence was broken, and many disciples spoke up one after another, expressing their belief.

Zhou Yuan smiled slightly, seeing that he had appeased the many unconfident disciples. His gaze subtly swept across the crowd; he recognized the voice that had spoken earlier — it could only be Shen Wanjin.

However, at such a moment when everyone was struggling, such words were precisely what was needed to guide them.

Now, he and Yaoyao had to begin setting up the Misty Heaven Barrier and didn't have much energy to lead everyone. If they didn't reassure the disciples, this place might completely lose its will to fight even before Sword Cometh Peak arrived.

Without the assistance of these Saint Source Peak disciples, even if the Misty Heaven Barrier was successfully set up, it would likely be impossible to capture all of Sword Cometh Peak in one fell swoop.

Zhou Yuan looked at Zhou Tai and the other two. “Senior Brother Zhou Tai,” he said, “the three of you will now lead the disciples to hunt water beasts in the water. Yaoyao and I need to make some preparations.”

Zhou Tai and the other two felt some doubt upon hearing this. After all, Zhou Yuan and Yaoyao were the strongest; leading the group to hunt water beasts should be their task, so why would it be handed to them? Nevertheless, they ultimately nodded and agreed.

Zhou Yuan also noticed their confusion but did not explain too clearly. Among the hundreds of Saint Source Peak disciples, no one could guarantee that some hadn't already been bought over by Sword Cometh Peak. If the news leaked, the Misty Heaven Barrier would lose its effectiveness.

If the Misty Heaven Barrier failed, they would truly be at their wits’ end when facing Sword Cometh Peak’s nearly ten thousand disciples.

“When you hunt water beasts, you can take Tun Tun with you,” Yaoyao said, tossing Tun Tun from her embrace. “With it, even if you encounter a water beast a thousand zhang in size, you can deal with it.”

Zhou Tai and the others breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. They knew Tun Tun’s strength; even Zhao Zhu had been injured by it that day, and its combat power was truly terrifying. With it accompanying them, their hunting efficiency and safety would surely be somewhat guaranteed.

After everything was arranged, Zhou Yuan and Yaoyao wasted no more time. Their figures moved, and they vanished within the island.

With the departure of their two strongest members, the disciples stirred for a while. Zhou Tai, Zhang Yan, and Lu Yan exchanged glances, shaking their heads with wry smiles.

They didn't know what Zhou Yuan and Yaoyao intended to do, but from their perspective, it seemed that no matter what, Saint Source Peak would find it difficult to rival Sword Cometh Peak.

As top purple-belt disciples, they were more aware of Sword Cometh Peak’s power than ordinary disciples.

But given the current situation, they had no other choice. They could only believe that Zhou Yuan truly had a plan; otherwise, Saint Source Peak would suffer a great loss of face this time.

“Everyone, rest for a while first,” Zhou Tai said in a deep voice, his gaze sweeping around. “Once you’ve recovered, form teams of ten, go into the water in sequence, and hunt water beasts. If you encounter any trouble, immediately send a signal.”

“Yes!”

The hundreds of disciples responded, though their voices lacked vigor. Clearly, Zhou Yuan and Yaoyao’s departure still had some impact.

While the disciples of Saint Source Peak began preparing to hunt water beasts, deep within the island, Zhou Yuan and Yaoyao stood on a hilltop.

“It seems they don’t have much faith in us,” Zhou Yuan said with a helpless smile. How could he not see the apprehension and doubt in the eyes of the many Saint Source Peak disciples? He figured that if it weren’t for his past achievements as the chief disciple, their morale would probably have already collapsed, or they would have openly questioned him.

“Why are you sighing over nothing?” Yaoyao said indifferently, sweeping her beautiful eyes over him. “To expect a few hundred people to fight nearly ten thousand, and for them to believe you based on a few words, that would be too foolish. If you want people to believe you, wait until the plan succeeds,” she added.

Yaoyao raised her jade-like hand, and several jade slips flew towards Zhou Yuan. “These are the parts of the Misty Heaven Barrier that you are responsible for,” she said. “Leave the rest to me; you will assist from the side.”

“Starting now?” Zhou Yuan asked, catching the jade slips.

“Yes, but not here,” Yaoyao said slowly.

Zhou Yuan was startled and asked in surprise, “Not here?”

“Setting up this barrier will take six days, and there can be no slightest error in between,” Yaoyao explained. “Although Sword Cometh Peak may not have time to search for us right now, we cannot take any risks. The other disciples of Saint Source Peak staying here can distract Sword Cometh Peak’s attention. As for the location to set up the barrier, I will choose a new one.”

Zhou Yuan pondered for a moment and slowly nodded. Yaoyao’s method was indeed much more reliable, as they needed some time to prepare to face Sword Cometh Peak’s army.

“Then let’s go; we need to make the most of our time.”

Zhou Yuan took a deep breath, and his gaze gradually sharpened.

“I can’t wait to fully prepare this grand gift for Sword Cometh Peak.”