Chapter 785: Wind and Waves

The thunderous roar of a white lion echoed through the void.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, three figures descended onto the high platform.

Yi Yan's gaze swept across the platform, pausing momentarily on Chen Beifeng and Ye Bingling.

“Greetings, Elder Yi Yan,” Chen Beifeng and Ye Bingling both said, cupping their fists in a respectful salute. Before they had become Pavilion Masters, their status was a level below Yi Yan's.

Yi Yan nodded slightly at the two.

Ye Bingling's beautiful eyes scanned the man and woman behind Yi Yan. After a brief glance at Zhou Yuan, her gaze settled on Yi Qiushui.

“Is *she* the new Deputy Pavilion Master? Though she’s not weak, she’s still far from the qualifications needed for the position.” Ye Bingling furrowed her delicate brows, muttering to herself with a hint of doubt.

Meanwhile, Zhou Yuan's gaze swept across the thousands of young figures before him, each exuding an an extraordinary aura. Such a large gathering of young prodigies made him marvel once again at the unique advantages of Hunyuantian…

“Cough…”

Yi Yan cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention to him. He then smiled faintly and announced, “As you might all know, the Wind Pavilion will be welcoming its third Deputy Pavilion Master today.”

Below, Jin Teng’s smile intensified. He had already noted Zhou Yuan and Yi Qiushui standing behind Yi Yan. He paid little attention to Zhou Yuan, who was only at the intermediate Divine Palace stage, but Yi Qiushui, at the late Divine Palace stage, had caught his eye for a few extra glances.

However, a quick assessment revealed that Yi Qiushui’s Origin Qi foundation was not as strong as his own. Jin Teng quickly dismissed his concerns, knowing that Yi Qiushui did not possess the qualifications to be a Deputy Pavilion Master.

And since it wasn't her, then who else but he, Jin Teng, could be the only suitable candidate?

“Next, allow me to introduce to everyone…”

Yi Yan stroked his beard, then stepped aside, revealing Zhou Yuan behind him.

At this moment, a low murmur of commotion rippled through the square. Many widened their eyes, vaguely sensing something incredible and unsettling.

“This is Zhou Yuan, the Wind Pavilion’s third Deputy Pavilion Master. He has also been personally appointed by Grand Elder Xi Jing.” Yi Yan finished in one breath, without intentionally dragging out the suspense.

The smile on Jin Teng’s face froze and stiffened at this moment.

The commotion in the square also fell silent. Only the howling wind in the sky could be heard.

Ye Bingling’s gaze, with some difficulty, shifted from Yi Qiushui to Zhou Yuan, whom she had initially ignored. At this moment, she felt a sense of absurdity.

An intermediate Divine Palace stage cultivator, becoming the Wind Pavilion's Deputy Pavilion Master?

Chen Beifeng also stared at Zhou Yuan, a smirk of amusement playing on his lips. Was Grand Elder Xi Jing trying to ruin the Wind Pavilion? Was she simply allowing anyone to join?

Zhou Yuan calmly observed the square, which had fallen into an eerie silence. Beside him, a worried expression appeared on Yi Qiushui’s pretty face, as she knew all too well how unruly and rebellious the prodigies of the Wind Pavilion could be.

It seemed Zhou Yuan’s inauguration as Deputy Pavilion Master today would cause quite a stir.

The silence in the square lasted for over ten breaths before erupting into a deafening clamor.

“What kind of joke is this? An intermediate Divine Palace stage cultivator wants to become the Wind Pavilion’s Deputy Pavilion Master?”

“What do you take the Wind Pavilion for?! A garbage dump? This is simply preposterous!”

“This is absolutely not Grand Elder Xi Jing’s command! Someone must be spreading false information!”

“Get out of the Wind Pavilion!”

All the Wind Pavilion members roared in anger. They took immense pride in their identity within the Wind Pavilion, and now, for a pack of unruly, fierce wolves to be led by a mere hound—was this not an insult to them?!

“Has Grand Elder Xi Jing lost her mind?!”

Hearing this, Ye Bingling, standing at the front, instantly bristled, her delicate eyebrows shooting up. She snapped, “How dare you!”

She stomped her jade-like foot forcefully. Instantly, cold Origin Qi spread out from beneath her, roaring as it tore through the crowd behind. With a loud bang, it transformed into countless sharp ice shards, completely encircling one figure.

The man surrounded by ice shards turned pale and dared not move.

“Anyone who dares to insult Grand Elder Xi Jing again will face my wrath!” Ye Bingling’s pretty face was etched with frost as she snapped.

Seeing Ye Bingling’s fury, the many Wind Pavilion members in the square momentarily faltered.

“Deputy Pavilion Master Ye, there’s no need to be angry,” Jin Teng, clad in a golden robe, said slowly, stepping forward. “They were merely momentarily carried away. Of course, we all hold Grand Elder Xi Jing in respect; how would we dare to offend her?”

He glanced at Zhou Yuan on the platform and calmly stated, “However, this matter is indeed quite peculiar. What qualifications does an intermediate Divine Palace stage cultivator truly possess to become the Wind Pavilion’s Deputy Pavilion Master?”

“If this matter reaches the ears of the other three pavilions, I’m afraid our Wind Pavilion will truly become a laughingstock.”

“We certainly don’t want to be unable to hold our heads high in the future.”

On the high platform, Yi Yan frowned. “Although Zhou Yuan is only at the intermediate Divine Palace stage, he defeated Mo Yuan, who is at the late Divine Palace stage. Therefore, do not judge him solely by his cultivation level.”

These words elicited gasps of surprise, and gazes turned to Zhou Yuan, filled with uncertainty and doubt.

Evidently, everyone present knew of Mo Yuan’s reputation. After all, he was on the Divine Palace Ranking, and although his ranking wasn’t high, his strength surpassed that of most people present.

Ye Bingling was also somewhat surprised. To defeat Mo Yuan with only intermediate Divine Palace stage strength—did Zhou Yuan truly possess such capability?

Jin Teng was also stunned for a moment, then his expression turned flat as he said, “Defeat Mo Yuan? That’s indeed quite capable.”

His tone, however, carried a hint of mockery.

“While Mo Yuan’s strength is commendable, he’s hardly a benchmark,” Jin Teng scoffed. “If defeating him were enough to become a Deputy Pavilion Master, then our Wind Pavilion wouldn’t have had only two such positions for all these years.”

Jin Teng himself was also on the Divine Palace Ranking, with a higher rank than Mo Yuan. Zhou Yuan defeating Mo Yuan might shock others, but it hardly fazed him.

Seeing Jin Teng’s deliberate obstruction, Yi Yan’s face darkened. “Are you attempting to refute Grand Elder Xi Jing’s directive?”

Jin Teng’s expression was respectful as he said, “Jin Teng wouldn’t dare. If it weren’t for the sake of Grand Elder Xi Jing’s reputation, why would I say so much?”

“All the younger generation within the Wind Pavilion hold Grand Elder Xi Jing in reverence. We simply don’t wish for any misguided actions to cause widespread resentment, which, in the long run, would not be beneficial for the Wind Pavilion’s development.”

Yi Yan’s old face remained grim, and he was about to speak again when Zhou Yuan slowly stepped forward from the side. He looked directly at Jin Teng and smiled, “Then, what exactly must I do to prove my qualifications for the Deputy Pavilion Master position?”

He had already seen that Jin Teng was pulling out all the stops to obstruct his appointment.

Seeing Zhou Yuan finally step forward, a sarcastic smile touched Jin Teng’s lips. He stated coolly, “Simple. We in the Wind Pavilion acknowledge only strength, not background.”

Zhou Yuan nodded faintly. The next instant, his expression abruptly turned icy, and his gaze sharpened.

Vast and majestic Origin Qi surged directly from within him, as two hazy, gray Divine Palace halos appeared behind him.

He took a step forward.

A mysterious, double-winged light silhouette manifested around his body.

“Grand Profound Holy Spirit Art!”

He spun his palm, and a Sword Pellet materialized.

“Demon-Slaying Sword Pellet Art!”

At this instant, boundless sword qi surged, causing many Wind Pavilion members to blanch slightly.

Buzz!

The sword qi extended, enveloping the Sword Pellet, transforming it into a light sword.

Zhou Yuan, however, did not stop. He swept his palm across the sword’s body, and the World-Suppressing Sky Dragon Qi diffused from him, forming fine, azure dragon scales along the sword’s surface!

The cold glint intensified.

Sword qi filled the heavens and earth.

Zhou Yuan’s eyes, sharp as a sword’s edge, fixed on Jin Teng. With a flick of his sleeve, that chilling sword light pierced through the void amidst countless shocked gazes, heading straight for Jin Teng!

Simultaneously, a cold voice rang out.

“If you can withstand this sword, I'll let you be the Deputy Pavilion Master!”