Chapter 546: Another Year's Mountain Selection Ceremony

The Source Marrow Baptism of tens of thousands of disciples became a grand spectacle at the Cangxuan Sect, and it lasted for a considerable time. The sheer number of participants meant it couldn't be completed in one go. Consequently, even the Sword Cometh Peak disciples, who received the lowest level of baptism (the Four-Dragon Baptism), took several days to complete it.

After them, disciples from other peaks gradually finished their baptisms, but by then, nearly ten days had passed. By the time the chief disciples and Holy Sons from all peaks had completed their baptisms, the Source Marrow Baptism had already lasted for a month.

However, it wasn't entirely over. On the Source Marrow Baptism platform, the baptism of one last person remained unfinished: Zhou Yuan, who was undergoing the Nine-Dragon Baptism. The Nine-Dragon Baptism required an enormous amount of pure Genesis Qi, which was why Zhou Yuan took the longest.

While Zhou Yuan remained seated on the baptismal platform, disciples from the various peaks gradually dispersed. Patriarch Qing Yang and the other peak masters also departed, leaving an elder to constantly monitor Zhou Yuan's baptism. As time quietly slipped by, the Cangxuan Sect returned to its usual tranquility. However, whenever disciples from the various peaks mentioned the previous Source Pool Ritual, their gaze invariably drifted towards the Source Pool. There, golden light still shone brightly, and a figure was faintly visible within. At such moments, the many disciples would look on with a mix of envy and awe, engaging in various hushed conversations.

"Chief Disciple Zhou Yuan's baptism is taking an awfully long time, isn't it?"

"Well, it's the Nine-Dragon Baptism. The Cangxuan Sect hasn't seen one in a hundred years, so it's bound to take a while."

"I wonder how much Chief Disciple Zhou Yuan will improve after this Nine-Dragon Baptism?"

"I heard that the chief disciples from other peaks all made significant advancements this time, truly stepping into the Ninth Layer of the Alpha Origin Stage... Of course, their Ninth Layer can't compare to that of the ten Holy Sons in terms of foundational strength."

"Haha, Chief Disciple Baili Che of Sword Cometh Peak has quite a bit to crow about after his breakthrough this time. A few days ago, I vaguely heard a rumor that Chief Disciple Baili Che said if he were to fight Chief Disciple Zhou Yuan again now, the latter would have no chance of winning."

"Tsk, I doubt anyone believes that anymore. If he could beat him once, he can do it again."

Amidst the murmuring of the many disciples, Zhou Yuan's Nine-Dragon Baptism gradually approached two months in duration. After so long, the disciples had grown accustomed to the daily dazzling light emanating from the baptismal platform.

Although Zhou Yuan was deeply immersed in his baptism, the vast Cangxuan Sect did not halt its operations for him. Thus, nearly two months after the Source Pool Ritual concluded, the Cangxuan Sect welcomed a new batch of disciples who had passed the Mountain Selection Ceremony.

On this day, the atmosphere in a massive plaza was buzzing. Countless young figures stood in the center of the plaza, their appearances slightly unseasoned. At this moment, they looked ahead with expressions of excitement and nervousness.

Before them were seven stone platforms, each representing one of the Seven Peaks of Cangxuan. Upon these platforms, the chief disciples of each peak stood proudly, drawing gazes of awe from below. Especially the new disciples who had just passed the Mountain Selection Ceremony, they looked up with admiring eyes at the figures on the platforms, who were surrounded like stars around the moon, revered as if they were towering mountains. Those were the chief disciples of the peaks! They were essentially the goals for their future endeavors.

While these young new disciples looked forward to entering the inner sect, on the platform for Saint Genesis Peak, Zhou Tai and Lu Yan were the ones leading.

"This is really unlucky. For this year's Mountain Selection Ceremony, the Patriarch and the peak masters are only observing from above, and we have to send chief disciples to recruit. But Junior Brother Zhou Yuan is still undergoing his baptism, so where are we supposed to find a chief disciple for Saint Genesis Peak?" Zhou Tai grumbled, looking at the immense, seemingly endless crowd of new disciples in the plaza.

Lu Yan also gave a wry smile. Zhou Yuan clearly couldn't come, and it was even more impossible to get Yao Yao to attend. So, in the end, only the two of them could be there. However, the other six peaks all had chief disciples present, which made their side appear noticeably weaker.

"The Patriarch has decreed that, to ensure fairness, from now on, all disciples who pass the Mountain Selection Ceremony may freely choose their peak here," an elder steward announced as he stepped forward, his resonant voice echoing throughout.

As his words fell, countless new disciples in the plaza showed delight in their eyes.

"These new disciples are truly lucky now; they can even choose their peaks freely. In the past, the Patriarch and peak masters would just arbitrarily assign them," Zhou Tai mumbled.

Lu Yan said, "In the past, there were only six peaks, and whatever the other peaks didn't want was simply sent to Saint Genesis Peak. But now that our Saint Genesis Peak has reopened its gate, we naturally can't do that anymore. We also deserve a fair chance to compete for disciples." However, as she spoke, a hint of worry appeared between her brows. "But the other six peaks have such intimidating displays. Besides the Holy Sons not being present, all the chief disciples are here, looking incredibly impressive. Our side's presence is so weak, it's bound to affect the choices of these new disciples." Ultimately, it came down to not having enough prestige!

Hearing this, Zhou Tai could only give a wry smile. There was nothing to be done; after all, their chief disciple, Zhou Yuan, had been in baptism for nearly two months and still hadn't finished...

While they were talking, the thousands of new disciples in the plaza were also constantly discussing amongst themselves.

"Cangxuan Peak is the peak overseen by the Patriarch, and the top Holy Son is also from there. Cultivating on that peak should offer great prospects."

"Cangxuan Peak is powerful, but it's also brimming with talent. Getting cultivation resources there will probably involve intense competition."

"I'm quite interested in Snow Lotus Peak. I heard that Senior Sister Li Qingchan, the most beautiful woman in our Cangxuan Sect, is from that peak."

"If you want to join Snow Lotus Peak, you should first take a look at your own face."

"Sword Cometh Peak isn't bad either; it's currently at its peak."

"Is that Saint Genesis Peak over there? The rumor is that it's where Patriarch Cangxuan usually goes into secluded cultivation."

"I heard Saint Genesis Peak just reopened its gate and doesn't even have a peak master... I'm afraid it doesn't have much of a future."

"That's not right, is it? I heard that Saint Genesis Peak actually came in first place in the Source Pool Ritual recently, and their chief disciple is incredibly formidable."

"Oh? Is that so? Then why isn't that chief disciple here?"

"...I don't know that."

After a flurry of discussions, the many disciples quickly swarmed towards the stone platforms, making the plaza chaotic and noisy.

However, amidst this chaos, Zhou Tai and Lu Yan's expressions were not looking good. The platforms of the other six peaks were overflowing with people, and the atmosphere was fervent, while Saint Genesis Peak's platform had only a sparse few. The occasional disciple who approached didn't seem particularly talented either.

The two exchanged glances, both feeling a sense of dejection. Especially, not far from them was the platform of Sword Cometh Peak. Disciples from Sword Cometh Peak were now looking on with amusement, seemingly enjoying the spectacle. So what if Saint Genesis Peak had fortunately won against Sword Cometh Peak in the Source Pool Ritual? Saint Genesis Peak's foundation was still too weak; it was impossible to compare to Sword Cometh Peak in this kind of situation.

And in the center of their group was a figure surrounded like a moon by stars—Baili Che. At this moment, his aura was even more formidable than two months prior. He had clearly made a genuine breakthrough to the Ninth Layer of the Alpha Origin Stage during his baptism, significantly increasing his strength.

"Heh heh, Chief Disciple Baili, it looks like Saint Genesis Peak won't be recruiting many new disciples today. It's really bad luck, isn't it? In such an important event, their chief disciple can't even show up to hold the fort. How can they compare to our Sword Cometh Peak?" A disciple beside Baili Che chuckled, clearly trying to curry favor.

Baili Che, however, heard this and his expression turned cold. "Are you implying that if Zhou Yuan were to show up, he could change anything?"

The disciple's attempt at flattery backfired, and he immediately felt awkward.

Baili Che's face was gloomy; he was clearly still furious about losing to Zhou Yuan at the Source Pool Ritual. He took a deep breath and said coldly, "I am no longer the same as before. If Zhou Yuan dares to fight me again, I will make him pay back what he owes me from last time!"

The disciple quickly replied, "That's certainly true! Senior Brother Baili has already stepped into the Ninth Layer of the Alpha Origin Stage. In due time, the position of a Holy Son will be within reach. Zhou Yuan's previous victory was nothing but luck."

Baili Che ignored him, glancing at the long queue of new disciples in front of Sword Cometh Peak, then at the deserted area around Saint Genesis Peak. Only then did the suppressed anger in his heart slightly subside.

Hmph, Zhou Yuan, do you think causing a bit of a stir at the Source Pool Ritual can change anything? Saint Genesis Peak is still far from being able to compete with Sword Cometh Peak!