Chapter 666: Second Holy Son

On the third day after Zhou Yuan returned to the Cangxuan Sect, the Sect Master issued an order: effective immediately, Zhou Yuan, the chief disciple of Saint Origin Peak, was elevated to the position of Saint Son, ranked second.

As expected, this news caused an uproar within the Cangxuan Sect, astonishing many disciples. Such a direct leap to the second rank upon joining the Saint Son list was extremely rare in the sect's history.

However, considering Zhou Yuan's astonishing combat record, many disciples felt relieved. His ability to slay a formidable enemy like Jin Chanzu clearly demonstrated his current strength, indicating that even Kong Sheng and Li Qingchan were now slightly inferior to him.

His current power certainly merited such a high position.

Consequently, even Jianlai Peak, which had previously been at odds with Zhou Yuan, did not voice any opposition. Kong Sheng himself remained silent upon hearing the news and chose to enter seclusion. It was clear that Zhou Yuan's rapid advancement was exerting immense pressure on him.

Previously, he had only considered Chu Qing as his rival.

However, when he witnessed Chu Qing's battle with Jiang Taishen in the Profound Origin Cave Heaven, he realized that Chu Qing's previous refusals to engage in their numerous challenges were likely due to Chu Qing's awareness of the significant gap between them, deliberately avoiding a confrontation.

Reflecting on it now, his repeated challenges seemed somewhat presumptuous. He had drastically underestimated Chu Qing's rate of progress, consistently evaluating him based on outdated perceptions.

And now, not only had Chu Qing pulled even further ahead, but he had also been surpassed by a rising star like Zhou Yuan. This made him acutely aware that if he didn't strive harder in his cultivation, he might not even be able to retain his rank as the third Saint Son in the future.

Inside the cave dwelling.

Zhou Yuan looked at the communication scroll before him, a wave of emotion washing over him. Two years prior, upon entering the Cangxuan Sect, he had seen the Saint Son Monument, committed it to memory, and set it as a relentless goal to pursue.

Back then, the top ten Saint Sons had seemed utterly beyond his reach.

Yet, just two years later, he was not only a Saint Son but had also ascended to the second rank.

This level of progress clearly demonstrated that Zhou Yuan had not wasted his time over the past two years.

"I never thought I'd become a Saint Son..." He smiled faintly, though without much complacency. He casually put away the scroll, knowing that the title of Saint Son was merely an honorary commendation; true strength was what mattered most.

Becoming a Saint Son was not his ultimate objective.

For the title of Saint Son alone couldn't destroy the Great Wu Dynasty or kill King Wu.

He took a deep breath, then proceeded directly to the deepest part of his cave dwelling, settling into a cross-legged position where pure Genesis Qi surged forth. With his eyes slightly closed, he began to visualize the interior of his Qi Manor.

Within his Qi Manor, Genesis Qi stars twinkled, and at the very center, the liquid-like "Heavenly Punisher" Saint Rune flowed slowly, appearing incredibly mysterious.

An ancient aura rose from the "Heavenly Punisher" Saint Rune, and as the Genesis Qi stars in his Qi Manor came into contact with it, they seemed to undergo a form of tempering, becoming increasingly brilliant.

The "Heavenly Punisher" Saint Rune had been stored within the Profound Origin Cave Heaven for countless years, continuously absorbing the Genesis Qi of heaven and earth. Although a significant portion had been used to condense wondrous divine treasures, the remaining reserves were still remarkably vast.

And now, this incomparably pure heaven and earth Genesis Qi was precisely what Zhou Yuan coveted.

As Zhou Yuan's thoughts stirred, the "Heavenly Punisher" Saint Rune within his Qi Manor began to tremble slightly. In the next moment, thick, rolling mist surged forth from it.

This mist was, astonishingly, condensed Genesis Qi from heaven and earth.

The Heavenly Punisher Saint Rune continuously expelled rich Genesis Qi. Soon, the mist began to grow humid, showing signs of liquefaction.

This was a clear indication of the Genesis Qi's extreme purity.

Zhou Yuan's heart burned with anticipation. His invisible spirit energy surged forth, immediately stirring the pervasive mist within his Qi Manor. Wisps of mist rose, visibly gathering and condensing at an accelerated pace...

Approximately a moment later.

The mist there gradually dissipated, replaced by a radiant Genesis Qi star!

A single Genesis Qi star had formed in such a remarkably short period. This incredible cultivation speed made even Zhou Yuan's disciplined heart pound. He could sense that the newly condensed Genesis Qi star was incomparably pure, entirely free of impurities, and truly of the highest quality.

Evidently, the Genesis Qi of heaven and earth contained within the Heavenly Punisher Saint Rune surpassed Zhou Yuan's expectations in its purity.

"I truly wonder what level my Genesis Qi foundation will reach once I've fully absorbed and refined all the heaven and earth Genesis Qi contained within the Heavenly Punisher Saint Rune?"

"Jiang Taishen's Genesis Qi foundation is around 100,000. When I also reach the Ninth Heaven, I should be able to surpass him, right?"

Numerous thoughts flashed through his mind, causing Zhou Yuan's heart to burn with excitement.

Although he had slain Jin Chanzu in the Profound Origin Cave Heaven, he was clearly still at a disadvantage regarding his Genesis Qi foundation. However, if he could achieve a breakthrough this time, Zhou Yuan was confident he would truly catch up to and even surpass Jiang Taishen, Chu Qing, and the others.

Soon, Zhou Yuan discarded all distracting thoughts, focused his mind, and methodically began to absorb and refine all the dense mist continuously surging forth from the Heavenly Punisher Saint Rune.

In the depths of the cave dwelling, Zhou Yuan sat quietly. The surrounding heaven and earth Genesis Qi showed no fluctuations, making him appear as if he were in a deep slumber rather than cultivating.

However, only he knew that the Genesis Qi for this cultivation session was not drawn from the outside world but originated from the Heavenly Punisher Saint Rune within his body.

While he appeared outwardly tranquil at this moment, earth-shattering transformations were unfolding within his Qi Manor.

One Genesis Qi star after another continuously condensed and formed as the mist ascended.

Zhou Yuan's Genesis Qi foundation began to surge wildly, increasing at a truly astonishing rate...

Time quietly flowed by during Zhou Yuan's seclusion.

The fervor sparked by the Profound Origin Cave Heaven gradually subsided. However, anyone could sense that the atmosphere within the Cangxuan Sect had subtly shifted.

While they should have been resting after their great victory, the various Saint Sons had all chosen to enter seclusion. Clearly, facing Zhou Yuan, this formidable newcomer, the older Saint Sons felt the same pressure as Kong Sheng, leaving them no room for complacency.

With the Saint Sons leading the way, other disciples followed suit, and for a period, the cultivation atmosphere within the Cangxuan Sect became exceptionally vigorous.

While a scene of peace unfolded within the Cangxuan Sect, on the extremely distant Cangmang Continent.

From the royal palace of the Great Wu Dynasty, an urgent decree was issued, spreading throughout the entire realm. Subsequently, this long-dormant dynasty began to show signs of unrest; an aura of war seemed to be brewing.

The Great Wu Dynasty, like a fierce tiger, cast its menacing gaze eastward.

There, lay the Great Zhou Dynasty, which they had once supplanted and driven out of the prosperous regions...