Chapter 781: Wind Pavilion Deputy Leader

"You are now the Vice Pavilion Master of Wind Pavilion!"

When these words echoed through the spacious golden hall, almost everyone froze, staring wide-eyed at the slender figure behind the jade desk. Even Gu Yan's mouth fell open, making him wonder if he had misheard. Wasn't Xi Jing furious just a moment ago? How could there be such a sudden change?!

Behind Gu Yan, Gu Xi's lips trembled uncontrollably. If not for the lingering rationality that reminded him of his surroundings, he might have roared aloud. Shouldn't this insolent young man be directly expelled from the Tianyuan Region? How did he suddenly leap from being a mere member of the Wind Pavilion to its Vice Pavilion Master?! What an immense leap that was!

While Gu Yan and Gu Xi looked utterly aghast, Yi Yan and Yi Qiushui's expressions were no better. Yi Yan, in particular, exclaimed with a touch of panic, "Lord Xi Jing, please don't jest! How can Zhou Yuan become the Vice Pavilion Master of Wind Pavilion!" He assumed Xi Jing was saying the opposite out of extreme anger; otherwise, her sudden change was inexplicable. Yi Qiushui, disregarding any potential offense, whispered, "Lord Xi Jing, Zhou Yuan isn't being ungrateful. It's already an honor for him to be a part of the Wind Pavilion."

Hearing this, Gu Yan and Gu Xi breathed a sigh of relief. They, too, thought Xi Jing might truly be speaking sarcastically due to her anger. However, Zhou Yuan, who was still in the hall, remained unperturbed. After saying those words earlier, he had lowered his gaze, appearing very respectful.

Behind the jade desk, Xi Jing completely ignored Yi Yan or Gu Yan. Her clear, bright eyes were fixed intently on Zhou Yuan, her fingertips scraping deep marks into the tabletop. A moment later, the tumultuous emotions in her heart gradually subsided. She stated calmly, "I am not joking. Zhou Yuan's ability to defeat Mo Yuan at the mid-Divine Palace stage is sufficient proof of his talent, and therefore, he is qualified to become a Vice Pavilion Master."

Yi Yan and Yi Qiushui finally realized Xi Jing wasn't speaking sarcastically. They exchanged bewildered glances, still finding it hard to believe. One must understand that the position of Pavilion Master of the Wind Pavilion was currently vacant, with only two Vice Pavilion Masters serving as the highest authorities. If Zhou Yuan truly became a Vice Pavilion Master, wouldn't that mean he had instantly soared to the top?

Gu Yan's face, however, turned ashen. He said in a deep voice, "Lord Xi Jing, how can an outsider, whose background is unknown, be qualified to become a Vice Pavilion Master of the Wind Pavilion?!"

Xi Jing's eyes remained calm. She said, "If I say he's qualified, then he's qualified."

Gu Yan faltered, his eyes filled with fury. He couldn't understand why Xi Jing had suddenly changed her mind and felt as though he was being toyed with. "'Even Mo Yuan isn't qualified to be a Vice Pavilion Master of the Wind Pavilion,' Gu Yan stated grimly. 'His defeating Mo Yuan proves nothing!'"

"'If I say he is, then he is,' Xi Jing replied, maintaining her cool demeanor."

Gu Yan was enraged, but he also understood Xi Jing's status. She possessed the authority to appoint Vice Pavilion Masters for the Wind Pavilion. He could only say furiously, "Although you are one of the Five Grand Elders, Lord Xi Jing, I will certainly report this matter to the Sect Master!" With that, he flicked his sleeve and turned to leave. The Sect Master he referred to was naturally the Sect Master of the Heavenly Spirit Sect, who was also one of the Five Grand Elders alongside Xi Jing. Gu Xi, his face grim, followed closely behind him, glaring fiercely at Zhou Yuan before he left. Xi Jing didn't even lift her eyes at their departure.

After Gu Yan and Gu Xi left, Yi Yan and Yi Qiushui exchanged glances. They didn't understand why Xi Jing suddenly favored Zhou Yuan so much, but ultimately, it was a good thing.

"Zhou Yuan, quickly thank Lord Xi Jing," Yi Yan prompted.

Zhou Yuan nodded and respectfully said, "Thank you, Lord."

Xi Jing's gaze remained on Zhou Yuan, then she said to Yi Yan and Yi Qiushui, "You two may leave first. I have something to discuss with Zhou Yuan."

Yi Yan and Yi Qiushui could see the confusion in each other's eyes, but they dared not delay. After bowing, they turned and exited the golden hall. Outside the golden hall, Yi Yan's face was filled with disbelief as he continuously shook his head, clearly still pondering the previous events.

"Why would Lord Xi Jing give Zhou Yuan a Vice Pavilion Master position?" Yi Qiushui couldn't help but ask. The status of a Wind Pavilion Master was equivalent to an Elder like Yi Yan, and a Vice Pavilion Master wasn't far behind. If Zhou Yuan were a strong practitioner at the Nascent Soul stage, Yi Yan wouldn't find such treatment strange. But Zhou Yuan was only at the mid-Divine Palace stage! In all these years, when had such a thing ever happened?

Yi Yan couldn't help but whisper, "Could it be... that Lord Xi Jing has taken a liking to Zhou Yuan?"

Yi Qiushui's pretty face flushed, and she said indignantly, "Grandpa, you're so shameless! What nonsense are you spouting? Lord Xi Jing is such an eminent figure, her standards are incredibly high. How could she possibly fancy... I'm not saying Zhou Yuan isn't good, but it's just impossible!" Yi Yan gave an awkward laugh, feeling a little guilty as he glanced back at the golden hall. If those words reached Xi Jing's ears, he would likely be in trouble. So, he could only keep shaking his head, finally saying, "In that case, perhaps Lord Xi Jing just wants to show Gu Yan a thing or two. After all, their Heavenly Spirit Sect has caused Lord Xi Jing no small amount of trouble."

Yi Qiushui nodded. That was the only plausible reason, though for Zhou Yuan, it was like a windfall from heaven.

"All dark guards, withdraw." Inside the golden hall, after Yi Yan and the others had left, Xi Jing spoke again, her voice calm. Subtle ripples of Genesis Qi appeared within the hall, then quietly vanished. Zhou Yuan could sense that the watchful gazes hidden in the shadows had also disappeared. This made him quietly breathe a sigh of relief.

He lifted his head, but then froze. Xi Jing's figure had appeared before him like a ghost, her eyes fixed on him without a single blink. At the same time, Zhou Yuan could perceive an indescribable sense of oppression slowly emanating from Xi Jing.

"You, where did you learn the Primordial Chaos Grinding Mill Visualization method?" Xi Jing asked slowly. The moment Zhou Yuan had secretly activated the Primordial Chaos Grinding Mill Visualization method earlier, Xi Jing had sensed it. That fluctuation was too familiar, because she, too, had cultivated it...

Under Xi Jing's gaze, the space around Zhou Yuan solidified, all escape routes blocked. At this moment, even if he wanted to detonate his Divine Palace, he would likely be unable to do so. However, his expression remained calm. He said, "Besides Master, is there anyone else who can teach the Primordial Chaos Grinding Mill Visualization method?"

Xi Jing's expression trembled. She said, word by word, "You mean, Master gave this to you?"

"What proof do you have?!"

"Isn't the Primordial Chaos Grinding Mill Visualization method enough?" Zhou Yuan asked.

"Not enough yet."

Zhou Yuan thought for a moment, then extended his palm. Genesis light flickered in his palm, and the next moment, an ancient, mottled black brush appeared in his hand. Xi Jing stared at the incredibly familiar black brush. With a trembling finger, she gently touched it. Zhou Yuan could see moisture gathering in her clear, bright eyes, finally turning into tears that flowed down from the corners of her eyes. She murmured, her voice trembling.

"Heavenly Origin Brush..."