Chapter 534: Seven Peaks Join Forces

A profound silence hung in the air above, everyone visibly stunned by the news of the ten-thousand-foot water beast.

A ten-thousand-foot water beast—its power was absolutely terrifying. Should any single Saint Son encounter it, they would undoubtedly have no choice but to turn and flee; a head-on confrontation would be impossible.

"What's more, the ten-thousand-foot water beast will develop a degree of intelligence, allowing it to command other water beasts. Once it appears, it will undoubtedly encircle and eliminate all our Seven Peaks' disciples. A century ago, during that Origin Pond Festival, the disciples of all seven peaks were wiped out exactly this way," Li Qingchan explained slowly, her gaze fixed on Zhou Yuan and Yao Yao.

"No one anticipated such an unexpected turn of events at this year's Origin Pond Festival..."

"Therefore, to prevent a complete elimination, we've deliberated and concluded that the Seven Peaks must unite. All Saint Sons, in particular, must combine their strength to intercept the ten-thousand-foot water beast."

"This is why we have come."

Zhou Yuan frowned, feeling a headache begin. He was clearly caught off guard by the sudden emergence of this ten-thousand-foot water beast.

Although Zhou Yuan had never seen the so-called ten-thousand-foot water beast, he felt a profound sense of danger. He had personally experienced the might of a thousand-foot water beast, and if a creature of that size was so formidable, a ten-thousand-foot one would be immeasurably more so.

If they weren't careful, their disciples from all peaks might be entirely eliminated by the ten-thousand-foot water beast even before the Origin Pond Festival concluded.

That would truly be a laughingstock.

Kong Sheng's eyes flickered subtly. He stated calmly, "We can certainly intervene, but Sword Cometh Peak has conditions. Firstly, you must immediately release our trapped disciples. Secondly, Sacred Origin Peak must not only return all the plundered Origin Marrow but also provide compensation."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuan immediately chuckled and replied, "Senior Brother Kong Sheng, let's not waste any more words. We might as well continue fighting."

What a joke! Sacred Origin Peak clearly held the upper hand, yet Kong Sheng still had the nerve to propose such terms.

"These are all Saint Sons present. What place does a mere chief like you have to speak?" Zhao Zhu interjected coldly.

Zhou Yuan's expression remained calm. Without wasting any more words on him, he simply waved a hand and commanded, "Tun Tun, attack him."

In the presence of outsiders, Tun Tun still showed deference to Zhou Yuan. It immediately let out a thunderous roar, its massive body shooting forward. Black light gleamed on its sharp claws as it tore through the void, striking forcefully at Zhao Zhu.

Seeing this, Zhao Zhu's expression changed. He formed hand seals, and surging Genesis Qi roared forth, transforming into an incomparably sharp sword shadow that clashed with Tun Tun's claws.

A metallic clang echoed as violent energy fluctuations rippled outwards.

However, the sword shadow was utterly shattered by Tun Tun's single claw. Zhao Zhu's figure flickered backward, evading Tun Tun's attack range, his face a grim mask of anger as he glared at Zhou Yuan.

"Zhou Yuan!" Kong Sheng barked coldly at that moment.

Yao Yao's Genesis Rune brush subtly vibrated, and several Genesis Runes swiftly took shape, swirling around her, poised to strike Kong Sheng at any moment.

For a moment, it seemed as though a full-scale battle was about to erupt between the two sides once more.

"Stop!" Other Saint Sons cried out, attempting to intervene.

Zhou Yuan replied unperturbed, "Senior Brothers and Sisters, aren't you simply aiming to combine the strength of the ten Saint Sons to confront the ten-thousand-foot water beast? It's quite alright; Yao Yao and Tun Tun are perfectly capable of standing in for these two."

Li Qingchan said with a hint of helplessness, "Having two more Saint Sons would naturally increase our chances of victory."

Zhou Yuan calmly stated, "Then I'll trouble all Senior Brothers and Sisters to kindly advise Senior Brother Kong Sheng to open his eyes and assess the current situation. There's no need to repeat those foolish conditions; it's simply embarrassing."

"We can release the remaining Sword Cometh Peak disciples, but that is the extent of our compromise. The Origin Marrow was hard-won by our Sacred Origin Peak disciples, and returning it is out of the question. As for compensation... Sword Cometh Peak relied on its numerical superiority to besiege our Sacred Origin Peak, so this outcome is nothing but their just desserts."

Kong Sheng's eyes blazed with fury as he glared at Zhou Yuan, who met his gaze with an equally cold and unyielding stare.

Li Qingchan paused in thought, then looked at Kong Sheng and said, "Senior Brother Kong Sheng, the Origin Pond Festival isn't over yet. The lost Origin Marrow can still be hunted. Our other five peaks can offer you some compensation, provided, of course, that you fully cooperate with us to combat the ten-thousand-foot water beast."

Ye Ge also offered a slight smile. "Senior Brother Kong Sheng," he began, "this demonstrates our sincerity. Furthermore, this matter concerns all disciples. If, in the end, everyone is eliminated because of Sword Cometh Peak, then the resentment from all peaks will undoubtedly fall upon Sword Cometh Peak. That would truly be inviting widespread public anger."

Kong Sheng's expression turned grim. "Junior Brother Ye Ge," he retorted, "are you threatening me?"

Ye Ge shook his head, smiling. "That is simply the reality, Senior Brother Kong Sheng should be well aware of it."

Kong Sheng fell silent, his heart heavy with suppressed indignation. He had never imagined that their siege on Sacred Origin Peak would ultimately force Sword Cometh Peak into such a desperate predicament.

He knew Ye Ge spoke the truth. If their Sword Cometh Peak was indeed responsible for the total annihilation of all Seven Peaks, then under the collective wrath, it was easy to imagine how unwelcome their disciples would be in the future.

Kong Sheng's thoughts churned. Finally, he took a deep breath, suppressing the resentment in his heart, and a voice burst forth from between his clenched teeth: "Release them!"

Zhou Yuan offered a faint smile and nodded towards Yao Yao.

Yao Yao's Genesis Rune brush subtly twitched, and numerous Genesis Runes whistled downwards, landing within the Illusionary Sky Barrier. The barrier immediately began to tremble, then gradually faded away.

As the Illusionary Sky Barrier dissipated, the trapped Sword Cometh Peak disciples scrambled upwards, looking quite disheveled.

However, the number of Sword Cometh Peak disciples at this point was less than a thousand.

Witnessing such heavy losses, both Kong Sheng and Zhao Zhu's faces involuntarily twitched. The other Saint Sons secretly clicked their tongues, their gazes lingering on Zhou Yuan and Yao Yao.

These two were truly ruthless, having directly eliminated thousands of Sword Cometh Peak disciples...

Regardless, the tension between the two sides had finally been defused for now.

Li Qingchan let out a slight sigh of relief. "As long as we can unite," she said, "though the ten-thousand-foot water beast is formidable, it's not necessarily unbeatable."

"Of course..." Her voice paused, and her beautiful eyes suddenly turned to Chu Qing beside her. "I also hope Senior Brother Chu Qing won't slack off any further."

Chu Qing was momentarily stunned upon hearing this. Then, his handsome, brow-less face became serious as he declared righteously, "Junior Sister Qingchan, I must solemnly state here once again: I have never slacked off. In every single battle, I have given my absolute best. If you continue to slander me like this, Junior Brother Lu Jingshen of Thunder Prison Peak is also present, and I will report your defamatory behavior to him."

However, in response to his impassioned defense, the other Saint Sons merely offered polite smiles, their eyes clearly conveying, "I'll believe that when pigs fly."

Only one girl in green robes, with delicate features and exceptionally fair skin, appearing quite petite and elegant, bit her red lips and whispered, "I believe Senior Brother Chu Qing."

She was another Saint Son from Azure Mystic Peak, named Su Xiu.

Chu Qing looked gratefully at Su Xiu. "Junior Sister Su Xiu has such good discernment," he said. "Truly worthy of being one of us from Azure Mystic Peak."

Su Xiu's fair face flushed faintly, and she shyly lowered her head, not daring to meet Chu Qing's gaze.

Li Qingchan cast a helpless glance at Su Xiu, fully aware of her feelings for Chu Qing. She shook her head, then her beautiful eyes swept over the group. "Since that's the case," she stated, "let's each direct our disciples to converge at one location. We can then begin to strategize on how to confront the ten-thousand-foot water beast."

"This time, we must work together wholeheartedly. Otherwise, the fate of the Seven Peaks disciples a century ago will serve as our grim cautionary tale."

"If none of us wish for future Azure Mystic Sect disciples to cite our failure as a negative example every time they attend the Origin Pond Festival, then we must exert our utmost effort this time."

At the thought of such a scenario, all the Saint Sons couldn't help but shiver, then nodded vigorously.

This time, the ten-thousand-foot water beast must die!