Chapter 783: Nine Regions Conference

"Last... place?" Zhou Yuan looked stiffly at Chi Jing in front of him. At that moment, he felt as if the Ancestral Dragon Lantern was drifting further away.

Chi Jing curled her lips and said, "The Tianyuan Region wasn't originally this bad, but Master disappeared suddenly back then, and for years there have been rumors of his demise."

"This has led to some internal unrest in the Tianyuan Region, with people divided. It's truly troublesome. If the news about Master's whereabouts weren't still uncertain, the Tianyuan Region might have fallen from its position among the Nine Regions after a bit more time..."

"This is also the main reason why Senior Brother has been in secluded cultivation. Only by entering the Saint stage can he stabilize the Tianyuan Region." As she spoke, Chi Jing's expression turned cold, and a palpable, unsettling pressure emanated from her, clearly indicating the immense pressure she had been under for years.

"I recall Master telling me that the Nine Regions Grand Assembly is a trial for the younger generation?" Zhou Yuan mused.

Chi Jing nodded. "The Nine Regions Grand Assembly originally began as an event for exchange. However, leaders from various regions couldn't personally participate, as that would be undignified. Over time, it evolved into a competition for the younger generation, serving as a form of tempering and experience."

"Is the younger generation of the Tianyuan Region really in such a dire state?" Zhou Yuan couldn't help but ask.

"It's not that the younger generation of the Tianyuan Region is incapable, but rather that they are not united."

Chi Jing's brows furrowed. "After Master's disappearance, the Heavenly Spirit Sect became restless. They drew in the Bai Clan and the Profound Crystal Clan, forming the largest faction within the Tianyuan Region."

"Out of the five Grand Elders, they hold three seats. This has given the Heavenly Spirit Sect immense influence within the Tianyuan Region. If it weren't for Master's lingering prestige keeping them from rebelling against the Tianyuan Region, I would suspect they'd want to establish their own independent power."

"As for the outstanding young generation of our Tianyuan Region, they are all gathered in the Four Pavilions: Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain. Currently, among these four, only the Wind Pavilion remains under my control."

"The Fire and Mountain Pavilions are in the hands of the Heavenly Spirit Sect, the Bai Clan, and the Profound Crystal Clan, while the Forest Pavilion is controlled by the Wood Clan."

"Even so, the Heavenly Spirit Sect and their allies have been actively trying to infiltrate and contend for control of the Wind Pavilion, which has led to the Pavilion Master position remaining vacant for years."

Zhou Yuan's brows also furrowed. From this, it seemed the Tianyuan Region was truly plagued by both internal strife and external threats. In such a situation, merely maintaining its position among the Nine Regions was difficult enough; it would indeed be hard to compete with the other eight regions.

"Previously, the Four Pavilions were unified under a Chief Pavilion Master. But ever since Master disappeared, the Tianyuan Region has been in internal disarray, with factions vying for power. No one among the younger generation has emerged as a Chief Pavilion Master who could truly command widespread respect. With such disunity, how can we hope to perform well at the Nine Regions Grand Assembly?" Chi Jing said helplessly.

Zhou Yuan's eyes flickered, and he said in a deep voice, "Regardless, we cannot give up on this Nine Regions Grand Assembly. Since the Four Pavilions are not unified, then we will unify them!"

The Ancestral Dragon Lantern was linked to Yaoyao's life, and Zhou Yuan was absolutely unwilling to give up.

Hearing this, Chi Jing looked at Zhou Yuan with a hint of admiration. Such an unyielding fighting spirit and courage were truly commendable. And since this was a task set by Master, she would naturally give her full support.

"You have courage. In that case, before the Nine Regions Grand Assembly, I believe you should compete for the position of Chief Pavilion Master of the Four Pavilions." Chi Jing nodded, her expression implying it was only natural.

Zhou Yuan paused, then awkwardly asked, "So, how should I go about it?"

"If Master were here, he could make you the Chief Pavilion Master of the Four Pavilions with just a word. But I don't have that kind of prestige. Therefore, you'll need to achieve some accomplishments yourself, and then I can help push things along so that the Heavenly Spirit Sect has nothing to say."

Chi Jing pondered for a moment. "I've already appointed you as the Deputy Pavilion Master of the Wind Pavilion. So, I believe your next task is to first become the Pavilion Master of the Wind Pavilion."

"After all, only a Pavilion Master of one of the Four Pavilions is qualified to compete for the Chief Pavilion Master position."

"Currently, besides you, the Wind Pavilion has two other Deputy Pavilion Masters: Chen Beifeng and Ye Bingling. Chen Beifeng was placed there by the Heavenly Spirit Sect, while Ye Bingling is on my side."

"A while ago, I was planning to promote another commander from the Wind Pavilion to Deputy Pavilion Master, but since you're here, it works out perfectly for you."

"Chen Beifeng, Ye Bingling... how strong are they?" Zhou Yuan asked.

"Mo Yuan, whom you defeated, ranked over 500 on the Hunyuan Heaven Divine Dwelling List. Chen Beifeng and Ye Bingling can reach the top 100. In the Tianyuan Region, they are both highly renowned Divine Dwelling prodigies," Chi Jing said after a moment of thought.

"However, you don't need to be too fixated on the rankings on the Divine Dwelling List; they're not absolute."

Zhou Yuan secretly marveled to himself. As expected of Hunyuan Heaven, the greatest of all heavens; even Mo Yuan could only rank over 500. It was truly formidable.

"So, my main competitor will be Chen Beifeng?"

"More or less. However, Ye Bingling is also a proud young woman. If she thinks you're not strong enough, she might not submit to you," Chi Jing said with a smile.

Zhou Yuan nodded calmly. If she wouldn't submit willingly, then he would simply defeat her into submission.

"Tomorrow, you'll officially take up your post in the Wind Pavilion. As long as you can secure the position of Wind Pavilion Master, and then later the Chief Pavilion Master position, unifying the Four Pavilions, only then will we be qualified to compete with the other eight regions at the Nine Regions Grand Assembly."

"So, any problems?" Chi Jing gazed at Zhou Yuan.

Zhou Yuan pondered for a moment, then suddenly raised the Heavenly Yuan Brush in his hand. "The Heavenly Yuan Brush is Master's unique weapon. If I use it in the Tianyuan Region, will people recognize it?"

Chi Jing chuckled lightly. "You don't need to worry too much about that. Countless people in the Tianyuan Region revere Master. So, Master's unique weapon probably isn't very 'unique' anymore. Pen-type weapons have long since become common."

"However, the Heavenly Yuan Brush's nine Genesis Runes are quite special..."

She reached out and took the Heavenly Yuan Brush. Then, her slender hand gently brushed over its mottled surface, and the nine ancient runes instantly disappeared.

"I've concealed them. As long as the brush isn't closely examined by a powerful expert from another Law Domain, it won't be recognized."

Zhou Yuan took it back and examined it. The nine ancient Genesis Runes were merely obscured, not erased, which put his mind at ease. He smiled and said, "Thank you, Senior Sister."

Chi Jing waved her hand. "It's a small matter. It's all for Master's mission."

"Oh, right. Do you need me to arrange accommodation for you?"

Zhou Yuan shook his head. "To avoid speculation, we shouldn't appear too close. So, I'll stay at Elder Yi Yan's place for now."

"Is it because of his pretty granddaughter? Yi Qiushui is quite good; I have high hopes for her," Chi Jing teased, showing a hint of gossip in her tone.

Zhou Yuan helplessly shook his head, continued chatting with Chi Jing for a while, and then finally took his leave.

Chi Jing watched his departing figure, her hand pressed to her chest. A rare sense of joy and exhilaration danced in her eyes, a stark contrast to her usual cold and dominant demeanor.

"Master is fine..."

She felt a great weight lifted off her shoulders. The thing she had worried about most for years had finally settled.

"This junior brother, his character is quite good."

After this initial interaction, Chi Jing had a good impression of Zhou Yuan. However, she wasn't entirely certain if Zhou Yuan could ultimately establish himself in the Wind Pavilion and seize the Pavilion Master position.

After all, the Wind Pavilion gathered many outstanding Divine Dwelling prodigies from the Tianyuan Region, all of whom were unruly and difficult to tame. Otherwise, the Pavilion Master position wouldn't have been vacant for so long.

Nevertheless, she ultimately believed in Zhou Yuan, as becoming Master's third disciple surely meant he possessed exceptional qualities.

"I will help you withstand pressure from other fronts, but within the Wind Pavilion, it will depend on your own abilities, Junior Brother..."

Inside the Golden Hall, Chi Jing's soft murmur echoed.