Chapter 672: First Choice

In the depths of winter, snowflakes drifted down from the sky.

However, within the Cangxuan Sect, the atmosphere was as fervent as a boiling cauldron, melting away the snowflakes that filled the air. Countless disciples of the Cangxuan Sect stood scattered across the grounds; everywhere one looked, there were figures. For this momentous occasion, all disciples had set aside their cultivation, eager to witness it firsthand.

Innumerable gazes, filled with fervent anticipation, were directed towards the Cangxuan Sect. In mid-air, Grand Elder Qingyang, several Peak Masters, and many other elders of the sect were also gathered, their gazes sweeping over the entire Cangxuan Sect.

Under the scrutiny of countless eyes, a cloud of Genesis Qi suddenly ascended from Saint Genesis Peak. Upon the cloud stood two slender figures, a man and a woman—Zhou Yuan and Yaoyao. While Zhou Yuan now possessed a handsome countenance, when it came to overall appearance and presence, Yaoyao's beauty, standing beside him, instantly eclipsed his own. Had Zhou Yuan not been the central figure of today's event, it was likely that every gaze, male or female, would have been completely captivated by Yaoyao.

Yaoyao held Tun Tun in her arms, her slender fingers gently stroking its soft fur. She, too, observed the countless figures within her sight. Such a grand display was truly a first in her two years within the Cangxuan Sect.

The Genesis Qi cloud hovered in the sky, a focal point for countless eyes. Zhou Yuan's gaze swept across the landscape. Six colossal peaks stood towering between heaven and earth. As his eyes fell upon them, six astonishing pillars of Genesis Qi suddenly erupted from the summits of these peaks, piercing the sky. The Genesis Qi pillars pierced the clouds, stirring the very winds and heavens.

Six powerful Genesis Qi fluctuations spread, and the oppressive aura they carried caused many disciples' expressions to shift. They saw six figures quietly seated within those pillars of light. These were the Saint Sons from the Six Peaks, ready to face the challenge:

Cangxuan Peak, Chu Qing.Sword Peak, Kong Sheng.Snow Lotus Peak, Li Qingchan.Hongya Peak, Shang Chunqiu.Thunder Prison Peak, Lu Jingshen.Spirit Rune Peak, Ye Ge.

At this moment, bolstered by the Genesis Qi amplification of their respective peaks, the six Saint Sons' strength had surged to an extraordinary degree. Zhou Yuan also gazed at the figures seated within the six pillars of light, his eyes slightly narrowed. "The strategic enhancement from these peaks is truly significant," he murmured. "No wonder even Senior Brother Chu Qing couldn't complete the full Saint Scramble."

All eyes were fixed on Zhou Yuan in the sky, eager to see which peak he would choose for his first challenge. Under their watchful eyes, Zhou Yuan showed little hesitation. He smiled at Yaoyao and said, "I'm off."

Yaoyao looked at him with bright eyes, tilting her head slightly in thought. "If you return completely victorious," she said, "I'll have a few drinks with you tonight."

Zhou Yuan's eyes lit up. He couldn't help but ask, "Are there any other benefits?"

Yaoyao paused for a moment, then her clear, lake-like eyes began to turn frosty. Her voice was tinged with a slight chill as she said, "It seems this breakthrough has made you rather audacious." Tun Tun, nestled in her arms, also cast a 'death-wish' look at Zhou Yuan. It sensed that if he continued this way, he might not perish at someone else's hands, but rather be directly beaten to death by Yaoyao.

Sensing the biting chill, Zhou Yuan shivered and dared not linger. The next moment, his figure leaped directly from high in the sky, then twisted, plummeting like a meteorite towards the summit of one of the colossal peaks. Many disciples, seeing the figure descend upon that colossal peak, gasped in low surprise: "His first battle is actually against Hongya Peak!"

This came as somewhat of a surprise. Among the six Saint Sons, Ye Ge's challenge was clearly the easiest. However, the Saint Son defending Hongya Peak, Shang Chunqiu, was ranked fourth among the Ten Great Saint Sons, making this a considerably more difficult opponent.

On the highest summit of Hongya Peak, Shang Chunqiu watched with a grave expression as the figure descended from the sky, landing heavily before him. He then rose to his feet. A luster rippled across his physique; blood surged through his veins, and immense power coursed through his flesh and bones. Bolstered by Hongya Peak's Genesis Qi, his strength was now unprecedentedly formidable. Yet, Shang Chunqiu's eyes were filled with apprehension, for Zhou Yuan's seemingly slender body appeared to conceal a power akin to a primeval beast.

"I didn't expect Junior Brother Zhou Yuan to choose my Hongya Peak first," Shang Chunqiu said slowly.

Zhou Yuan smiled at Shang Chunqiu. If he were to name the one Genesis Art among the Cangxuan Six Arts that most intrigued him, the answer was singular: the Profound Saint Body! The Minor Profound Saint Body he cultivated was a simplified version, derived from the true Profound Saint Body. Thus, when it came to body cultivation, he and Shang Chunqiu shared a common lineage. Of course, the latter possessed the genuine Profound Saint Body, which was far more profound and intricate than his own Minor Profound Saint Body. If Zhou Yuan could obtain the Profound Saint Body, he would be able to cultivate it naturally, as he already possessed significant proficiency in this particular art. While he would still need to dedicate time to study and comprehend the other five arts, even if he obtained them, the Profound Saint Body could enhance his combat power with the greatest speed. This was precisely why he had chosen Hongya Peak as his first challenge.

"Senior Brother Shang, please guide me," Zhou Yuan said.

Shang Chunqiu's expression was grave. Without a word, a deep rumble of surging blood Qi emanated from his body, and the solid bluestone beneath his feet began to crack. His skin shimmered with a jade-like luster, appearing crystalline and translucent. Deep beneath the jade-like skin, silver light erupted from his bones, within which faint starlight flickered.

The genuine Profound Saint Body also possessed three stages, though their names differed slightly from the Minor Profound Saint Body's Jade Skin, Silver Bone, and Golden Blood. They were known as Profound Jade Skin, Star Silver Bone, and Crimson Gold Blood. From the names alone, it was evident that the Profound Saint Body cultivated by Shang Chunqiu was far more profound and intricate than Zhou Yuan's Minor Profound Saint Body. Naturally, the difference was not merely in names, but also in their inherent power.

Visible waves of air, like a relentless tide, erupted one after another from Shang Chunqiu's body. At this moment, his face was slightly contorted, and the power within him surged wildly. Although that power was already exceedingly formidable, Shang Chunqiu knew it wasn't enough!

A beast-like roar suddenly erupted from Shang Chunqiu's mouth. His body swelled perceptibly, and the bluestone beneath his feet instantly crumbled into dust. Countless eyes gathered there witnessed that at this moment, deep within Shang Chunqiu's body, the silver light intensified to its peak, giving birth to a golden radiance. Within that golden light, there was also a crimson glow, akin to alchemy forged in fire!

Witnessing this scene, the Hongya Peak disciples were ecstatic, exclaiming, "Senior Brother Shang has broken through the Profound Saint Body to the Crimson Gold Blood stage!" Bolstered by Hongya Peak's heaven-and-earth Genesis Qi, Shang Chunqiu had finally taken a step he had long delayed, advancing into the third stage of the Profound Saint Body: Crimson Gold Blood!

At this moment, Shang Chunqiu appeared as a giant bathed in golden blood, his eyes glinting with a crimson-gold radiance. He locked his gaze on Zhou Yuan. The next moment, he stomped his foot, and the ground cracked. His figure then transformed into a streak of light, charging forward with overwhelming momentum.

"Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, take my punch!" Shang Chunqiu roared like thunder, a veritable god of war. He unleashed a punch, and the air before him exploded, violently tearing a deep gully into the ground. That single punch was powerful enough to shatter mountains.

Zhou Yuan stood his ground, watching the streaking light rapidly enlarge in his pupils. The sheer force of it made his hair whip around him. However, he made no attempt to dodge. He took a deep breath, his expression serene. Within his Qi Palace, 180,000 Genesis Qi stars surged, unleashing an unprecedentedly vast current of Genesis Qi that flowed through his body. In that instant, the power erupting from within him caused even Zhou Yuan to feel a tremor in his own heart.

Could 180,000 Genesis Qi stars truly be this formidable?

Boom!

He gazed at the roaring Shang Chunqiu charging towards him, then clenched his fist and launched a punch. The two men's fists then collided ferociously, under the gaze of countless trembling eyes. It was as if heavenly thunder and earthly fire had erupted simultaneously.

Boom! Boom!

Visible shockwaves swept outwards, the surrounding ground continuously collapsing, and massive cracks spread like lightning. All eyes then fixed intently on the two figures locked in collision. The two colliding figures seemed to freeze for an instant. Then, to everyone's utter dismay, the fiercely charging Shang Chunqiu's body suddenly shuddered. A mouthful of fresh blood directly spurted from his mouth, and blood, like mist, erupted from his ruptured pores on his arm. His body was sent hurtling backward, his feet tearing long gouges into the ground. He flew beyond the peak's summit, finally crashing heavily into a mountain wall. Rocks tumbled down as his body became deeply embedded in the rock face.

All the disciples of the Cangxuan Sect watched this scene, dumbfounded. The next moment, collective gasps of disbelief rose and fell throughout the crowd. No one had expected that Shang Chunqiu, with his astonishing momentum, would be defeated by Zhou Yuan in such a devastating, overwhelming manner with just one move.

Countless awestruck gazes landed on the young figure atop the mountain, still holding the posture of a launched punch. As their expressions shifted, a profound sense of reverence emerged.

Had Zhou Yuan truly become this powerful?