Chapter 668: First Change of Ownership

The fervent discussion sparked by the Xuanxuan Cave gradually quieted down on the Shengzhou Continent. After all, as the focal point of the entire Cangxuan Heaven, the continent saw countless exciting events daily, preventing even a major conflict like the Xuanxuan Cave from holding public attention for an extended period.

However, just as the discussion about the Xuanxuan Cave began to subside, another piece of news emerged, causing a huge shock on the Shengzhou Continent.

Jiang Taishen, ranked first on the Shengzhou Holy Son Ranking, was defeated today by Wu Huang, a disciple of the Sacred Palace. The top spot on the Holy Son Ranking had changed hands!

As soon as this news spread, it immediately ignited the Shengzhou Continent, drawing attention from all forces.

Jiang Taishen's formidable strength had been proven through years of genuine combat. Numerous prodigies within Cangxuan Heaven regarded him with extreme caution, viewing him as a powerful enemy.

For years, only Chu Qing had been able to pose a threat to him; other Holy Sons remained a considerable distance behind.

In the recent Xuanxuan Cave event, despite the Sacred Palace's loss, Jiang Taishen's power remained undeniable. Had Chu Qing not intervened with a mutually damaging approach, the Cangxuan Sect would likely not have gained the advantage so easily.

Therefore, even though the Sacred Palace took a hit from the Cangxuan Sect this time, Jiang Taishen's top ranking on the Holy Son List remained as solid as a mountain, completely unshaken.

But at this very moment, the sudden news of Jiang Taishen's defeat was incredibly abrupt and shocking.

Who was this Wu Huang? How could he possess such strength? To actually defeat Jiang Taishen!

Countless questions arose, but soon, these questions were clarified by information proactively released by the Sacred Palace.

Wu Huang was a disciple personally taken in by the Sacred Origin Palace Master, hailing from the Vast Continent. For many years, he had cultivated in seclusion within the Sacred Palace, never appearing in public. He had now reached the peak of the Ninth Heaven of the Grand Beginning Realm.

Furthermore, the Sacred Palace even recorded the battle between Wu Huang and Jiang Taishen into a Memory Stone, which was then circulated, demonstrating that the fight was fair and legitimate, without any deceit.

Only then were all parties' doubts dispelled, leading to countless exclamations of awe.

This revelation ignited widespread astonishment. Many remarked that the Sacred Palace truly lived up to its name as the strongest grand sect in Cangxuan Heaven, possessing an unfathomable foundation. They noted that Jiang Taishen had held the top spot on the Holy Son Ranking for years, unassailable by numerous sect prodigies, and wondered how strong Wu Huang must be to have defeated him. Some speculated that the Sacred Palace must have held back its full power during the Xuanxuan Cave event, suggesting that if Wu Huang had participated, the Cangxuan Sect would never have taken the lead. A sense of resignation pervaded, with many lamenting that the Sacred Palace's might made it seemingly impossible for the Cangxuan Sect to catch up.

Such discussions resonated among the various forces across the Shengzhou Continent. Confronted by Wu Huang, this even mightier figure from the Sacred Palace, many prodigies felt their ambitions dim, lacking even the courage to aspire to the top spot on the Holy Son Ranking.

This dominant display by the Sacred Palace undoubtedly greatly showcased their current strength and status, inspiring awe and reverence from all sides.

The news of the Holy Son Ranking's top spot changing hands reached the Cangxuan Sect immediately, causing countless disciples to fall silent in disbelief.

Jiang Taishen had once been a great mountain weighing down on all the disciples of the Cangxuan Sect. Yet now, the very person whom the Cangxuan Sect disciples had tirelessly striven to surpass had not been defeated by their own sect, but rather by a disciple of the Sacred Palace.

They hadn't even defeated Jiang Taishen, and now an even stronger Wu Huang had appeared? Could they truly catch up and surpass him?

The disciples of the Cangxuan Sect fell silent. They felt immense reluctance and dissatisfaction, but ultimately succumbed to despondency. Were the Sacred Palace disciples truly that powerful?

If this Wu Huang had participated in the Xuanxuan Cave event earlier, could their Cangxuan Sect have still won?

At this moment, the confidence many disciples had gained from the Xuanxuan Cave event began to waver.

As the disciples remained silent, Sect Master Qingyang summoned the peak masters and Holy Sons from the other peaks, all except Zhou Yuan, who was still in seclusion.

In the discussion hall, Sect Master Qingyang slowly said, "The Sacred Palace chose this moment to suddenly reveal Wu Huang, who defeated Jiang Taishen. It seems they intend to counteract the negative impact of their previous defeat at the Xuanxuan Cave."

Peak Master Lingjun of Sword-Coming Peak frowned and said, "This matter will significantly affect the morale of our Cangxuan Sect disciples. It cannot be underestimated."

Peak Master Lianyi's eyebrows furrowed as she exclaimed, "This is a truly despicable psychological tactic by the Sacred Palace! They've been secretly manipulating things within their sect; who knows what tricks they've pulled?"

Peak Master Leijun of Thunder Prison Peak spoke up, "I've seen the circulated Memory Stone. Wu Huang's strength is indeed extraordinary; he is likely stronger than Jiang Taishen."

Below, Holy Sons like Chu Qing, Kong Sheng, and Li Qingchan also showed grave expressions. They knew Jiang Taishen's prowess best, and if even he had fallen to Wu Huang, just how strong was this person?

Li Qingchan's delicate brows furrowed slightly as she asked, "Where did this Wu Huang come from? I've never heard of him before."

Sect Master Qingyang replied, "This person also hails from the Vast Continent. In fact, he's an old acquaintance of Zhou Yuan."

"Another one from the Vast Continent?"

Li Qingchan and the others exchanged glances. How could such a small continent produce so many formidable figures in just the past year or two?

What surprised them even more was that Wu Huang, who had suddenly risen to prominence, was actually an acquaintance of Zhou Yuan?

Sect Master Qingyang explained, "Back in the Saint Remains Domain on the Vast Continent, Zhou Yuan and Wu Huang fought a life-or-death battle. Zhou Yuan ultimately destroyed Wu Huang's physical body, but his soul was taken away by the Sacred Palace. It now appears the Sacred Palace Master must have recreated his physical body."

Li Qingchan and the others looked astonished, clearly not having expected such a history between Zhou Yuan and Wu Huang.

Sect Master Qingyang's eyes were deep in thought. Recreating Wu Huang's physical body must have come at a considerable cost. Why would the Sacred Origin Palace Master help Wu Huang to such an extent? Was it truly just because he valued Wu Huang's talent and potential?

He secretly shook his head. Having reached their level, they had witnessed far too much. So-called geniuses might shine brightly for a time, but no one could truly know how far they would ultimately go.

Guided by a certain intuition, Sect Master Qingyang vaguely sensed that the Sacred Origin Palace Master seemed to be plotting something.

Sect Master Qingyang pondered but found no clear answers, so he could only temporarily set it aside. Besides the news of the Holy Son Ranking's top spot changing hands, he had other information.

Namely, on the Vast Continent, the Great Wu Dynasty seemed to be preparing to declare war on the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Given his status, two small dynasties on a remote continent wouldn't usually warrant his attention. However, this situation was slightly different. If one considered it carefully, Wu Huang, now the top-ranked Holy Son, hailed from that Great Wu Dynasty.

And Zhou Yuan, from their Cangxuan Sect, originated from the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Now, Wu Huang had just appeared and taken the top spot on the Holy Son Ranking, immediately followed by the Great Wu Dynasty's declaration of war on the Great Zhou... It seemed the Sacred Origin Palace Master's shadow might be behind these events.

Was this an attempt to recover from their loss in the Xuanxuan Cave event?

Sect Master Qingyang's eyes flickered slightly, then he said, "Send word to Zhou Yuan; have him temporarily halt his seclusion. There are matters we need to discuss."

A disciple acknowledged the order and was about to leave.

However, Sect Master Qingyang immediately waved his hand, stopping the disciple. He looked up towards the distant Sacred Source Peak, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, and let out a soft chuckle.

"It seems it won't be necessary," he said.

The instant his words fell, Li Qingchan and the others in the hall immediately sensed a violent and powerful surge of Genesis Qi erupting from the distant Sacred Source Peak.

A brilliant pillar of Genesis Qi shot straight into the sky, vast and magnificent.

Within that pillar of Genesis Qi, a slender young figure soared into the sky, his long roar echoing like thunder between heaven and earth.

Witnessing that scene, Li Qingchan and the others were all startled, then moved.

It was Zhou Yuan...

That fellow had actually broken through again!