Chapter 682: Friend Gathering

The journey back from the Cangxuan Sect to the Boundless Continent was incredibly long. It necessitated traveling through dozens of vast cities to utilize their long-distance teleportation arrays, eventually bridging immense distances to reach their destination.

Consequently, the cities housing these crucial teleportation points were unavoidable stops on Zhou Yuan's path home.

However, these locations had long been occupied by disciples of the Saint Palace, meaning anyone wishing to reach a teleportation point would have to violently fight their way through.

If Zhou Yuan had been alone, despite his vastly increased strength, he was still only in the Alpha Origin Stage. Should he have been engulfed by the sheer numbers of Saint Palace disciples, he would have stood no chance of victory.

Fortunately, he was not alone.

The disciples of the Cangxuan Sect, spearheaded by Zhou Yuan, swept forth in a magnificent surge, effortlessly tearing through the Saint Palace's defenses wherever they went.

Battles raged everywhere.

Zhou Yuan did not linger in the ongoing skirmishes; instead, he led his many disciples through the various teleportation points, pressing forward relentlessly.

Their path was marked by rivers of blood.

Across the Shengzhou Continent, countless factions fixed their gaze upon the unfolding conflict. Witnessing the bloodshot fury with which the disciples of both sects clashed sent shivers down their spines. It was clear that this battle would only intensify the already bitter feud between the Saint Palace and the Cangxuan Sect.

In the major cities, various influential local families hunkered down, not daring to interfere.

While the combatants were merely disciples from the two sects, and their Alpha Origin stage strength might not impress the more powerful figures within these families, everyone understood the profound implications behind the conflict.

With both the Saint Palace and the Cangxuan Sect consumed by intense fury and killing intent, any ill-advised interference that resulted in the death of a disciple from either side would undoubtedly provoke the full, devastating wrath of both sects, reducing the meddling party to ashes.

As the disciples of the Saint Palace and Cangxuan Sect clashed fiercely, in a secluded valley, several figures materialized. The two at the forefront were a small, endearing girl and an exquisite, enchanting woman, identified as Luluo and Zuoqiu Qingyu.

Beside them stood Li Chunjun and Ning Zhan.

"Zhou Yuan is currently leading the Cangxuan Sect disciples in fierce battles against the Saint Palace, fighting their way through each barrier."

Zuoqiu Qingyu gazed at Li Chunjun and Ning Zhan, a playful smile on her lips. "The Sword-Asking Sect and the North Sea Dragon-Suppressing Hall have always maintained neutrality. Do you two really intend to get involved?"

Li Chunjun replied in a hoarse voice, "We cannot represent our sects, but we can represent ourselves. Zhou Yuan is my friend. Even if I come, I might not be of much help, but the decision to come or not is a different matter entirely."

Ning Zhan grinned as well. "I presume you've also received the Seven-Colored Soul-Building Treasures from Zhou Yuan, haven't you? That fellow is so honorable; now that he's embroiled in battle, how could I possibly stand by?"

Zuoqiu Qingyu smiled charmingly. "At least you two have a bit of conscience."

"Has Zhen Xu not arrived?" Luluo asked, her large eyes scanning their surroundings.

Ning Zhan shrugged. "The Cangxuan Sect and the Heavenly Ghost Manor don't have a good relationship. It's probably understandable that he hasn't come, to avoid being discovered and facing punishment later."

Luluo pouted at his words.

"You're not the only ones who received the Seven-Colored Soul-Building Treasures." Just then, a slightly somber and chilling voice echoed, and a dark shadow flickered, landing beside the group.

Luluo looked on in surprise. The newcomer's face was as pale as a ghost, and his eyes were as cold as a snake's. It was none other than Zhen Xu.

"Well, it's quite a surprise to see you show up," Ning Zhan remarked with a smile.

Zhen Xu stood with his hands tucked into his sleeves, his expression indifferent. Ignoring Ning Zhan, he turned to Zuoqiu Qingyu and Luluo. "One hundred li from here lies Lisheng City. It's the final point Zhou Yuan must pass through to return to the Boundless Continent."

"I've covertly scouted the area. It seems the Saint Palace has amassed their strongest disciples there, waiting in ambush, intending to be the final barrier to stop Zhou Yuan."

"Are Jiang Taishen and the others all there?" Zuoqiu Qingyu asked, her pretty face slightly tensing.

Zhen Xu nodded.

"What about Wu Huang?" Li Chunjun asked after a moment of silence.

At the mention of that name, everyone's expressions became complex. In the Saint Remains Realm, Zhou Yuan had destroyed Wu Huang's physical body. Yet, who could have foreseen that mere years later, upon his reappearance, Wu Huang would stand at the apex of the Shengzhou Continent's Saint Son Rankings, far outstripping them all?

"There was no trace of Wu Huang," Zhen Xu stated.

Li Chunjun nodded. "What do we do next?"

Zuoqiu Qingyu smiled charmingly and tapped her spatial pouch, causing several sets of robes to fly towards Li Chunjun and the others. "These are Cangxuan Sect uniforms. We'll put them on, and when Zhou Yuan and his people arrive and engage the Saint Palace, we'll infiltrate the battlefield and discreetly eliminate some Saint Palace disciples."

"While our strength might not significantly alter the outcome, as Li Chunjun said, choosing not to act is one thing, but deciding whether or not to act is entirely another."

Li Chunjun and the others accepted the robes and nodded in agreement.

Ning Zhan patted the robes in his hand. "Honestly, the disciples from both sects, including their respective Saint Sons, are merely supporting characters in this conflict. The true decisive factor will be the clash between Zhou Yuan and Wu Huang."

The others slowly nodded as well, a fact that was likely clear to everyone present.

Despite the fervent, large-scale battles among the disciples, the true victory or defeat of this conflict did not rest with them, but squarely on the shoulders of Zhou Yuan and Wu Huang.

Throughout Cangxuan Heaven, countless powerful gazes were fixed, watching and waiting.

"Can Zhou Yuan defeat Wu Huang?" Luluo asked, a hint of worry in her voice.

They had not yet personally encountered Wu Huang, but they knew of Jiang Taishen's formidable power. The fact that even Jiang Taishen had been defeated by Wu Huang indicated just how terrifyingly strong Wu Huang had become.

"I heard Zhou Yuan defeated the Saint Sons of all six peaks within the Cangxuan Sect, including Chu Qing. His current strength has also reached an extremely formidable level, so even if he faces Wu Huang, he might not necessarily lose," Li Chunjun remarked.

As he spoke, a complex expression flickered across his face. He recalled how his strength had been nearly on par with Wu Huang's back on the Boundless Continent. Now, however, both Wu Huang and Zhou Yuan had surged far ahead of him.

Zuoqiu Qingyu and the others exchanged glances, letting out soft sighs.

"Back in the Saint Remains Realm, the battle between Zhou Yuan and Wu Huang was arguably the central focus for our Boundless Continent."

"Now, however, when they clash once more, it's likely that the entire Shengzhou Continent, and even Cangxuan Heaven itself, will be watching."

Zuoqiu Qingyu and the others raised their eyes, gazing towards the distant horizon, where dark clouds appeared to be rolling in, vast and overwhelming, faintly hinting at the stench of blood permeating the air.

They knew that the impending clash between Zhou Yuan and Wu Huang would likely become the most pivotal battle among Cangxuan Heaven's younger generation in the past century.

The only question was who would emerge victorious from this ultimate confrontation.

More critically, a loss might not simply signify the defeat of an individual; it could even herald the downfall of an entire dynasty.