Chapter 573: Encountering a Hundred Flowers

"Is this the Six-Colored Treasure Land you mentioned?"

On a hilltop, Gu Hongyi shielded her eyes with a small hand, looking at the ancient mountain range stretching out before them. The mountains were shrouded in mist, which subtly shimmered with brilliant colors. From within the mountain range, continuous roars echoed, carrying violent Genesis Qi fluctuations.

Gu Hongyi's bright eyes turned to Zhou Yuan, filled with inquiry. After rescuing Jin Zhang and the others, they had followed Zhou Yuan's guidance, traveling east until they reached this location. According to Zhou Yuan, there should be a Six-Colored Treasure Land here.

"This place is indeed quite dangerous." Jin Zhang, standing nearby, also looked at the misty, sprawling mountains with a slightly grave expression. Being proficient in Genesis Runes, his spirit was not weak, and his perception far surpassed that of ordinary people. Thus, he could vaguely sense numerous dangerous Genesis Qi fluctuations within the mountain range.

"How could a place capable of nurturing a Six-Colored Treasure Land be simple?" Zhou Yuan was not particularly surprised by this. He stared at the pervasive mist, frowning slightly, and said, "However, this mist is somewhat peculiar; it can actually interfere with spiritual perception..."

This was troublesome. If they couldn't perceive their surroundings, blindly venturing in would be like entering a dark room blindfolded, which was extremely disadvantageous for them.

Jin Zhang also gazed at the somewhat dazzling mist. After a long moment, he suddenly remarked, "The mist here seems to be gradually thinning." Zhou Yuan nodded gently, clearly having noticed it as well.

He pondered for a moment, then said, "Let's set up camp here first, observe for a while, and then make our plans." He did not rashly charge into the mountain forest. After all, he was not alone; since he had brought two teams here, he was naturally responsible for their safety. Moreover, even he faintly sensed a dangerous aura emanating from this ancient mountain range.

Gu Hongyi nodded slightly and then gave out orders. At this time, the two Cangxuan Sect teams were gathered, totaling over a hundred people. It was quite a large group, and as they spread out, the hilltop became quite lively.

Zhou Yuan and Jin Zhang stood at the highest point, observing the subtle changes in the mist. They observed for an entire day.

After a full day of observation, Zhou Yuan and Jin Zhang finally confirmed that the colorful mist indeed showed signs of thinning, and as it thinned, spiritual perception gradually became effective.

Zhou Yuan let out a sigh of relief and said, "It seems we'll need to wait a few more days until the mist here is most suitable for entry." Jin Zhang nodded but then hesitated, adding, "However, if we keep waiting like this, others might notice our presence..."

"It can't be hidden forever." Zhou Yuan took a more open-minded approach. He gazed into the depths of the dim mountain forest and said, "Besides, if others venture in, they can help us share the burden." There were many dangerous auras within this ancient mountain range, and Zhou Yuan didn't actually mind if someone else drew their attention.

Upon hearing this, Jin Zhang smiled and nodded. Just as the two were chatting and laughing, Zhou Yuan's expression suddenly shifted. His eyes narrowed as he looked at the distant sky and said, "Someone's coming, and it's quite a large group!"

Jin Zhang's expression changed upon hearing this. His spiritual energy pulsed from between his brows, sending out invisible waves. The surrounding Cangxuan Sect disciples, receiving this spiritual transmission, quickly gathered together, ready for action.

"Could it be people from the Sacred Palace?" Gu Hongyi, Zhou Tai, and Lu Yan quickly approached Zhou Yuan and asked. "Very likely. With such a large group, and two individuals among them having extremely strong Genesis Qi fluctuations, they are clearly not ordinary. Such a lineup, in this region, most likely belongs to the Sacred Palace," Zhou Yuan said, his expression turning grim.

Gu Hongyi and the others felt a chill, and said no more. If Sacred Palace members appeared here, a fierce confrontation between the two sides was inevitable. The hundreds of Cangxuan Sect figures all fixed their gaze on the distance, their Genesis Qi surging, ready to act at any moment.

Under their watchful gazes, the space in the distance soon rippled, and large clusters of Genesis Qi clouds descended from the sky, with numerous figures vaguely visible within them. However, as they approached the area, they also detected the concentrated Genesis Qi fluctuations nearby. Immediately, a shout suddenly rang out: "Who's there?!"

The voice was clear and melodious, like a lark's song. Zhou Yuan and the others were momentarily stunned by the sound, then Zhou Yuan waved his hand to stop his eager disciples.

At that moment, the numerous Genesis Qi clouds dispersed, and on a distant hilltop, over a hundred figures appeared. When these figures became clear, the many Cangxuan Sect disciples on this side instantly widened their eyes. This was because the large group that appeared consisted entirely of beautiful young women.

The Cangxuan Sect side comprised mostly male disciples. After enduring half a month of hardship in this dangerous place, seeing so many beautiful girls suddenly appear before them, they couldn't help but let out some playful jeers.

"It's people from the Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace," Jin Zhang said, looking at the graceful figures with some astonishment. On the Shengzhou Continent, the Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace was unique; wherever they went, they were a group of charming women. However, anyone who underestimated them simply because they were women would likely pay a heavy price. The Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace did not rely on beauty alone to become one of the six major sects.

"It seems this Six-Colored Treasure Land isn't much of a secret," Zhou Yuan sighed. The Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace's presence here clearly indicated they had also received news of the treasure land.

At this moment, the beautiful eyes of the Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace disciples in the distance also turned towards them. "So it's the Cangxuan Sect," said a tall, graceful figure at the forefront of the Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace group, her bright eyes looking over with a frosty gaze. She huffed coldly, "Were you planning to attack us earlier?"

The graceful figure had a slender, well-proportioned physique, and her oval face held a hint of pride.

"Just a misunderstanding," Zhou Yuan said, cupping his hands. The woman before him was indeed beautiful, but he harbored no particular thoughts, so his expression remained calm, showing no excessive enthusiasm due to her looks.

The woman clearly noticed Zhou Yuan's composure. Her willow-like eyebrows furrowed slightly, and she said displeasedly, "I am Zhao Ru, the chief disciple of the Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace. Does your Cangxuan Sect not have a chief disciple here? What sense does it make to send a seventh-layer disciple to speak with me?"

Her tone indicated displeasure, feeling that the Cangxuan Sect sending a seventh-layer disciple to speak with her was an act of great disrespect.

When Gu Hongyi saw the woman giving Zhou Yuan attitude, her eyebrows shot up, ready to retort. Jin Zhang, however, quickly intervened, saying, "So it's Junior Sister Zhao Ru. Haha, I am Jin Zhang, the chief disciple of Spirit Pattern Peak. This is Zhou Yuan. He is no ordinary disciple; he is also the chief disciple of Saint Genesis Peak of our Cangxuan Sect."

Zhao Ru was stunned upon hearing this, but she didn't soften her stance much, still retorting, "Is that the utterly declined Saint Genesis Peak? Your Cangxuan Sect is quite strange, to actually let someone at the seventh layer be a chief disciple. Is a chief disciple so worthless in your eyes?"

At her words, even Jin Zhang's brows furrowed.

Before he could speak, a woman in green robes beside Zhao Ru suddenly pulled her aside. She was a beauty with an oval face and a gentle demeanor. She first offered an apologetic smile to Zhou Yuan and said, "I am Tang Xiaoyan, the chief disciple of the Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace. Junior Sister Zhao Ru was quite offensive earlier; I hope the senior brothers of the Cangxuan Sect will not mind."

Zhou Yuan and Jin Zhang exchanged glances, then cupped their fists, indicating it was fine.

However, after Zhao Ru's previous attitude, they no longer felt like having a deep conversation, and the atmosphere between the two sides became somewhat awkward.

Just as Zhou Yuan was about to let Jin Zhang handle the interaction, a fair and delicate little face suddenly popped out from among the Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace disciples. Her long green hair looked vibrant, and her pair of dark, large eyes stared directly in Zhou Yuan's direction, then a look of surprise burst forth in them.

"Zhou Yuan! Zhou Yuan! Is that you?!"

On her small head, a small ice-blue bird hopped up, chirping.

Hearing the call, Zhou Yuan was also startled. He cast his gaze over, and when he saw that familiar small face, a look of joyful surprise couldn't help but appear in his eyes.

"Luluo?!"