Chapter 545: Nine Dragons Baptism

A massive pillar of light rose from above the disciples of Saint Genesis Peak, illuminating for hundreds of miles.

The disciples from the seven peaks gazed at the pillar of light, their faces filled with awe. After all, the shock of Saint Genesis Peak claiming first place in this Genesis Pool Festival was far greater than if Azure Mystic Peak had achieved it.

Of course, initially, Azure Mystic Peak held an advantage. However, when Zhou Yuan took out the Genesis Marrow of the Ten Thousand-Foot Water Beast, Saint Genesis Peak began to catch up.

The Genesis Marrow from the Ten Thousand-Foot Water Beast was exceptionally high in quality, and Saint Genesis Peak had nearly five percent of it, which was a significant amount. Therefore, at the last moment, Saint Genesis Peak overtook Azure Mystic Peak, securing the ultimate first place.

Nevertheless, discussing this point was somewhat moot, because strictly speaking, over ninety percent of Saint Genesis Peak's Genesis Marrow contribution could be attributed to Zhou Yuan and Yao Yao.

Without their presence, Saint Genesis Peak would likely have been eliminated by Sword Cometh Peak's wrath the moment they entered the Genesis Pool, let alone achieved first place in the Genesis Pool Festival.

As the disciples throughout the mountains marveled at Saint Genesis Peak's astonishing achievement, Master Qing Yang and others at the highest point gently nodded, observing the scene.

"It was truly not easy for Saint Genesis Peak to achieve such a result. Elder Shen deserves significant credit," Master Qing Yang said with a smile, looking at Elder Shen Taiyuan, who was visibly excited nearby.

Upon hearing this, Shen Taiyuan quickly bowed and, feeling a little ashamed, replied, "This isn't my credit; it's Zhou Yuan's achievement."

He spoke the truth, for ever since Zhou Yuan joined Saint Genesis Peak, although Shen Taiyuan had done his best to provide cultivation resources, Zhou Yuan's progress to this point relied more on his own efforts.

Zhou Yuan rarely sought his guidance, even for Genesis Arts. Sometimes, Shen Taiyuan wished to fulfill his teaching responsibilities but found no opportunity.

Master Qing Yang nodded, saying with some satisfaction, "Initially, I thought it would be a waste of his talent to join Saint Genesis Peak, but I never expected it would turn out to be such a perfect fit."

Shen Taiyuan nodded in agreement. After all, Zhou Yuan was first in the Mountain Selection Ceremony, and with his talent, he would have received considerable attention even if he had joined any of the other six peaks. Yet, no one had anticipated he would ultimately choose Saint Genesis Peak.

"In another month, this year's new disciples will also pass through the Mountain Selection Ceremony. With Saint Genesis Peak achieving such a remarkable result now, I believe we will attract many new disciples," Shen Taiyuan thought with eager anticipation. With Saint Genesis Peak's gates reopened, they needed this kind of publicity to expand their reputation, encouraging new disciples to join and become fresh blood, thereby continuously strengthening Saint Genesis Peak.

It could be said that Zhou Yuan's help in securing first place for Saint Genesis Peak in the Genesis Pool Festival came at a perfect time.

Master Qing Yang gazed at the disciples spread across the mountains, and his grand voice resounded once more: "The rankings are set. Disciples of Sword Cometh Peak shall enjoy the Four-Dragon Baptism, while their Holy Sons and Chief Disciples shall enjoy the Six-Dragon Baptism."

"Spirit Rune Peak, Snow Lotus Peak, Crimson Cliff Peak, Thunder Prison Peak... their disciples shall enjoy the Six-Dragon Baptism, and their Holy Sons and Chief Disciples shall enjoy the Eight-Dragon Baptism."

"Azure Mystic Peak ranks second. Its disciples shall enjoy the Seven-Dragon Baptism, and its Holy Sons and Chief Disciples shall enjoy the Eight-Dragon Baptism."

Each time Master Qing Yang's voice fell silent, disciples from all peaks except Sword Cometh Peak erupted in deafening cheers. For most disciples of these peaks, the Six-Dragon Baptism was an unattainable privilege; even some top purple-belt disciples occasionally needed a stroke of luck to experience it.

As for the Seven-Dragon Baptism, it was not guaranteed even for Chief Disciples; generally, it was the standard for a peak's Holy Son.

Among the Ten Holy Sons of the Azure Mystic Sect, only a handful could currently receive the Eight-Dragon Baptism. Therefore, this time, when the Holy Sons learned they could enjoy the Eight-Dragon Baptism, they were quite satisfied.

They knew that their ability to receive the Eight-Dragon Baptism this time was likely due to their acquisition of some Genesis Marrow from the Ten Thousand-Foot Water Beast.

"Saint Genesis Peak ranks first, and its disciples shall enjoy the Seven-Dragon Baptism..."

Saint Genesis Peak's Genesis Marrow ranking had only slightly surpassed Azure Mystic Peak, so their Genesis Marrow Baptism entitlement was identical to Azure Mystic Peak's disciples, without exceeding it.

However, not a single Saint Genesis Peak disciple showed disappointment. Instead, they cheered with ecstatic joy. Even top purple-belt disciples like Zhou Tai and Lu Yan could barely contain their excitement.

This was because they had never experienced the Seven-Dragon Baptism before.

"Long live the Chief Disciple! Long live Yao Yao!"

In their excitement, all the Saint Genesis Peak disciples cheered loudly, the atmosphere fervent, as they clearly understood who was responsible for their Seven-Dragon Baptism this time.

Disciples from other peaks looked on with some envy, as the Seven-Dragon Baptism was somewhat beyond their reach too.

Master Qing Yang smiled, his gaze finally resting on Zhou Yuan. His grand voice proclaimed, "Zhou Yuan, as Saint Genesis Peak's Chief Disciple, your contributions are invaluable. Furthermore, you rendered great service in hunting the Ten Thousand-Foot Water Beast, acquiring the largest share of Genesis Marrow. According to our assessment, in this Genesis Pool Festival, you shall enjoy..."

"The Nine-Dragon Baptism!"

As those final words fell, a tremendous uproar erupted throughout the heavens and earth. Countless fervent gazes fixed upon Zhou Yuan's figure, their eyes filled with desire and yearning.

Even some Holy Sons showed envy in their eyes.

The Nine-Dragon Baptism!

That was the pinnacle of Genesis Marrow Baptisms. Not only had no Holy Son of this generation yet reached it, but even in the past century, no Holy Son had achieved this level.

No one had expected that the first person in a hundred years to attain the Nine-Dragon Baptism would not be a Holy Son, but merely a Chief Disciple...

And, moreover, the Chief Disciple of Saint Genesis Peak!

Under the gaze of the multitude, Zhou Yuan's heart rippled slightly. Although he had somewhat anticipated this, he still found it difficult to remain completely calm when Master Qing Yang made the announcement.

He had already experienced the Eight-Dragon Baptism shortly after entering Saint Genesis Peak, so he understood the effects of a Genesis Marrow Baptism very well. If he could now experience the Nine-Dragon Baptism, it would undoubtedly allow him to make significant further progress.

His strength had been continuously improving during his more than a year at the Azure Mystic Sect.

And the distance between him and King Wu of Great Wu was gradually closing.

Zhou Yuan took a deep breath. He raised his head, looking towards an extremely distant direction—that was where the vast wilderness lay. He knew that there, his father, the king, was mustering the full might of their kingdom, enduring immense pressure, to confront and resist the powerful Great Wu Dynasty, buying him time.

"Father King... wait for me. When I return to Great Zhou, I will fulfill my promise. Everything that King Wu took from our Great Zhou, I will reclaim!"

Zhou Yuan slowly clenched his fist, his gaze resolute.

At the highest point, as Master Qing Yang's announcement completely settled, he waved his sleeve. Immediately, an boundless power descended. All the disciples vanished into thin air at that moment, reappearing on the colossal baptism platform floating above the Genesis Pool.

The baptism platform was shaped like a pyramid; the higher one was positioned, the greater the baptism one received.

Zhou Yuan sat cross-legged at the very top, his gaze sweeping down to an endless sea of figures below.

RUMBLE!

The Genesis Qi between heaven and earth violently boiled at this moment.

Endless mysterious aura descended from the sky, making the world hazy. Within it, faint dragon roars could be heard.

Zhou Yuan looked up at the sky, where dragon phantoms descended, bringing pure and magnificent power.

He slowly closed his eyes, beginning to enjoy the Azure Mystic Sect's first Nine-Dragon Baptism in a century.