Chapter 618: Chi Lei, Chai Ying

Countless astonished gazes from across the land fixed on the young figure slowly emerging from the shadow of the mountain wall. When they finally got a clear look at him, their expressions turned remarkably complex.

“Who is that? A hidden trump card of the Cangxuan Sect?”

“Pfft, what trump card? That guy is named Zhou Yuan. He’s the chief disciple of Saint Origin Peak in the Cangxuan Sect.”

“A mere chief disciple… dares to show his face in a situation like this? Does he want to die faster?”

“I heard this Zhou Yuan has good strength and performed exceptionally well in the Mysterious Origin Cave Heaven this time.”

“That depends on who his opponents are… Right now, there are two Saint Sons from the Sacred Palace here. With his strength, recklessly interfering is simply courting death…”

Everyone present whispered amongst themselves, their expressions somewhat odd. It was clear they all believed that in this situation, a chief disciple suddenly getting involved was truly a bit comical.

“Well, your friend has quite a lot of guts,” Gong Wan said, shading her eyes with a delicate hand as she gazed at the figure. Then she lightly pursed her red lips at Zuoqiu Qingyu and Luluo, who were beside her.

The other Saintesses of the Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace also nodded slightly. They had heard of Zhou Yuan before, but now it seemed he wasn't quite aware of his own limitations. In this situation, a chief disciple rashly interfering would only bring humiliation upon himself and needlessly disgrace the Cangxuan Sect.

Zuoqiu Qingyu and Luluo exchanged glances, a hint of worry appearing in their beautiful eyes. They had both witnessed Zhou Yuan’s strength, which among the chief disciples of various sects, was almost unrivalled. However, at the current level of engagement, only Saint Sons were capable of intervening. While Zhou Yuan’s strength was indeed formidable, the gap between him and a Saint Son could not be bridged so easily, could it?

“Zhou Yuan… Zhou Yuan must be trying to buy time,” Luluo thought for a moment and explained. “Two Saint Sons from the Sacred Palace have intruded, and Zhao Zhu alone couldn’t possibly stop them. If he can just hold them off for a while, perhaps Zhao Zhu will be able to defeat that Saint Son.”

Gong Wan rested a hand on her smooth, jade-like chin and smiled faintly. “That’s not a bad idea, but you’ve got one thing wrong. Chi Lei ranks twelfth among the Sacred Palace’s sixteen Saint Sons, while Zhao Zhu is the last among the Cangxuan Sect’s ten Saint Sons…”

“So, I’m afraid that even if Zhou Yuan desperately tries to hold on, they will both ultimately fall in despair.”

Upon hearing this, Luluo’s large eyes showed a deeper worry, and she became speechless.

“In the current situation, the Cangxuan Sect is already at a disadvantage. Next, it’s up to Chu Qing to decide what sacrifices he’s willing to make…” Gong Wan said with a hint of regret.

The choices would involve abandoning exclusive claim to this seven-colored treasure ground and allowing the Sacred Palace to take a share. However, given the Sacred Palace’s domineering nature, they would likely push for more. If that were to happen, the Cangxuan Sect would suffer an even greater loss of face. After all, not long ago, the Sacred Palace had also opened up a seven-colored treasure ground, but the final outcome was that no other sect managed to gain even the slightest advantage from it. Comparing the two, the disparity in power was immediately obvious.

Above the valley entrance.

Zhao Zhu looked at the emerging Zhou Yuan, his expression shifting slightly, and he angrily shouted, “Get out of here! This isn’t a place for you to interfere!”

Although he had always found Zhou Yuan displeasing in every way, in the current situation, if Zhou Yuan were to be killed by Chai Ying, it would be very bad news for the Cangxuan Sect.

Seeing this, Chai Ying chuckled lightly and said, “Since he’s decided to play the hero and step out, how can he possibly shrink back now?”

“Chi Lei, Zhao Zhu is yours.” Chai Ying waved his hand, then, with a smile, he advanced towards Zhou Yuan. The Genesis Qi rising from his body became increasingly violent at this moment. A faint killing intent permeated the air.

Zhao Zhu’s face darkened when he saw this. He was about to make a move, but before he could do anything, he felt a powerful Genesis Qi attack surge towards him, accompanied by a series of sonic booms. Zhao Zhu dared not be negligent. With a flick of his sleeve, sharp sword qi howled forth, defending against the enveloping Genesis Qi attack. He stared ahead with clouded eyes, seeing Chi Lei grin at him. “Zhao Zhu, stay put. Otherwise, you’ll be the only one suffering today.”

Zhao Zhu took a deep breath and said coldly, “Then come and try me!”

The moment his words fell, he shot forward like an arrow, sword light whistling. He directly launched an attack at Chi Lei. In the current situation, he couldn't afford to worry about Zhou Yuan. He could only hope the boy was lucky enough not to be killed in a few moves. He would do his best to fight Chi Lei here, to see if he could find an opportunity to win and then come to Zhou Yuan’s aid.

“Haha, I’ve long wanted to experience the Sword Genesis Qi of the Cangxuan Sect’s Sword-Coming Peak!” Seeing this, Chi Lei let out a loud laugh. Genesis Qi rumbled in his palms like muffled thunder. The next moment, he too surged forward with torrents of Genesis Qi, colliding directly with Zhao Zhu.

Boom! Boom!

The two sides clashed, and the area above the valley entrance grew intense.

While Genesis Qi raged in the distance, Chai Ying slowly approached Zhou Yuan. A playful smile played on his lips as he walked step by step, exuding immense power. A sense of oppression radiated outwards. If it had been any ordinary chief disciple, this level of imposing power would likely have been enough to force them to their knees without him even needing to lift a finger.

Clearly, Chai Ying intended to deal with Zhou Yuan in the most humiliating way possible, under the gaze of all the various sects.

Zhou Yuan stood his ground. He naturally felt the immense pressure surging from all directions. Under that pressure, even the air grew stagnant. Zhou Yuan’s eyes narrowed slightly. He glanced at Chai Ying, who was approaching step by step, and understood the latter’s intention. This fellow clearly intended to use Genesis Qi pressure to make him unable to bear it and simply kneel.

Chai Ying’s Genesis Qi was indeed powerful and vast. If it were any other chief disciple, they likely wouldn't be able to endure.

But unfortunately…

Zhou Yuan was not among them.

Zhou Yuan’s expression remained calm. Golden Genesis Qi slowly rose from his body at this moment, like golden flames, and his flesh and blood also began to vibrate. That powerful external pressure gradually receded at this very moment. His Genesis Qi foundation was indeed inferior to Chai Ying’s, but he also possessed the power of his physical body. With both combined, Chai Ying’s attempt to force him to his knees with mere Genesis Qi pressure was utterly delusional.

Zhou Yuan’s body remained as straight as a spear.

Chai Ying’s footsteps halted. He stared at Zhou Yuan in surprise, evidently not expecting the latter to be completely unaffected by his Genesis Qi pressure.

“Heh heh, this is quite interesting. No wonder you had the guts to step out and play the hero.” Chai Ying smiled faintly and said, “Originally, I just wanted you to kneel, and that would be enough. But it seems I might have to do it myself. Tell me, after I break both your legs, will you still be able to stand straight?”

By the end of his sentence, his eyes had turned abruptly cold and menacing.

The next moment, astonishing black-gold Genesis Qi surged upwards from the top of his head, its might shaking the heavens. Behind him, constellations of stars spread out. At this moment, Chai Ying’s aura was overwhelming. He looked down at Zhou Yuan with disdain, his arms crossed over his chest. He grinned, revealing a sinister set of white teeth.