Chapter 821: Wind Pavilion Master

"Congratulations to the new Master!"

As Xi Jing's clear voice echoed across the world, countless figures around the lake simultaneously cupped their fists, and a deafening chorus of congratulations erupted. Many gazes converged on Zhou Yuan, curiously observing this new notable who had made a spectacular debut in Tianyuan Cave.

Within the Tianyuan Region, the position of the Wind Pavilion Master was not low; it surpassed that of various State Masters. If one day they were promoted to Grand Pavilion Master, their status would be equivalent to that of an Elder Council member, making them a true high-ranking figure in the Tianyuan Region. This situation was quite rare in the Tianyuan Region because most other Elder Council members were strong practitioners of the Nascent Source stage, formidable figures in any other place. Therefore, the special high position of Grand Master of the Four Pavilions could only emerge from unique departments like the Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain Pavilions, which extensively recruited young prodigies from across the world.

Standing in the void, Zhou Yuan remained unperturbed, cupping his fists and bowing in all directions. Then, his figure descended towards the location of the Wind Pavilion. Ye Bingling, Yi Qiushui, Liu Zhixuan, and many other Wind Pavilion members quickly came forward to greet him.

"Welcome, Master!" they all saluted, their faces showing deep respect. Even the neutral members immediately expressed their loyalty. Clearly, they understood very well who would be in charge of the Wind Pavilion from now on; Chen Beifeng was a thing of the past.

"I never imagined you'd become my superior," Ye Bingling said with a subtle smile on her cold, beautiful face, a hint of emotion in her voice. Two months ago, when Zhou Yuan first arrived at the Wind Pavilion, Ye Bingling probably couldn't have envisioned this scene. At that time, she thought it would be difficult enough for an outsider like Zhou Yuan to gain a foothold in the Wind Pavilion. But who could have imagined that Zhou Yuan would not only establish himself but also seize the position of Pavilion Master!

Zhou Yuan felt a little embarrassed. After all, strictly speaking, he might have blocked Ye Bingling's path and taken her position. Although he had earned it through his own abilities, their relationship was now quite good, making the situation inevitably a bit awkward.

"Ahem, don't worry. When I become the Grand Pavilion Master someday, I'll give this Wind Pavilion Master position to you," Zhou Yuan said.

Upon hearing this, Ye Bingling immediately rolled her eyes playfully. This guy's ambition was too great, wasn't it? He had just become the Wind Pavilion Master and was already coveting the Grand Pavilion Master position, like grasping at straws! Did he really think Lu Xiao, Han Yuan, and Mu Liu, those three Pavilion Masters, were made of clay? In front of those three, Chen Beifeng didn't even have the right to be arrogant.

Over at the Fire Pavilion, Lu Xiao silently gazed at the collapsed plaza in the center of the lake, his expression visibly dark and annoyed. It was the frustration of a painstakingly laid plan falling apart. Chen Beifeng's defeat not only meant the failure of his scheme against Zhou Yuan, but from a broader perspective, it also severed the Tianling Sect's best opportunity to gain influence over the Wind Pavilion.

Despite his inner fury, Lu Xiao ultimately did not lose his composure. Instead, he took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and said in a low voice, "Interesting. I never thought there would be a day when I, Lu Xiao, would be so shortsighted."

Han Yuan, who was nearby, also frowned and said, "With a new Master in the Wind Pavilion, it will likely have some impact on the current structure of the Four Pavilions."

Previously, among the Four Pavilions, the Fire and Mountain Pavilions were allied, the Forest Pavilion was weak, and the Wind Pavilion was utterly disorganized and negligible. This situation allowed the Fire and Mountain Pavilions to dominate the Four Pavilions, holding the strongest influence and benefits. However, with a new Master now in the Wind Pavilion, once Zhou Yuan integrates it, the Wind Pavilion's significance among the Four Pavilions might increase. This, in turn, could harm the interests of their two pavilions.

Hearing this, Lu Xiao said indifferently, "The Wind Pavilion has been disorganized for too long over the years. All the talented prodigies have been poached by our two pavilions. To recover quickly, even Zhou Yuan would likely be powerless. So, there's nothing to fear."

"Moreover, to shake up the current structure of the Four Pavilions, a new Master probably doesn't have enough ability."

Although Zhou Yuan's victory over Chen Beifeng was quite spectacular, to people of Lu Xiao's caliber, it was merely a good show. After witnessing Zhou Yuan's strength today, Lu Xiao might pay a bit more attention to him, but to speak of apprehension or fear would truly be an overstatement.

Han Yuan also nodded slightly and smiled, "Then let's hope this new Wind Pavilion Master will be sensible."

As the area around the lake buzzed with activity, high above, Sect Master Xuankun's eyes gleamed as he slowly stood up and said, "Elder Xi Jing, since the Wind Pavilion now has a new Master, the competition for the Grand Master of the Four Pavilions should also be put on the agenda."

"In the past, you always used the Wind Pavilion having no Master as a reason to postpone it. Now, you can't possibly keep refusing, can you? If so, the other three Elders probably wouldn't agree either."

Sect Master Xuankun's expression was calm, showing no disappointment over the Tianling Sect's failure to gain influence over the Wind Pavilion this time. Instead, he immediately shifted his target to a grander objective. As long as the position of Grand Master was controlled by their Tianling Sect, they could gradually gain control over all Four Pavilions in the future.

Xi Jing glanced at Sect Master Xuankun, naturally seeing through his schemes. She scoffed, but this time, instead of refuting him, she nodded slightly and said, "Then let's schedule it for eight months from now."

While Xuankun and his allies coveted the position of Grand Master of the Four Pavilions, so did she. Previously, she had opposed it because she knew that if the competition began, the position would inevitably fall into the hands of the Tianling Sect. But now it was different; Zhou Yuan's appearance had given Xi Jing some hope. Although Zhou Yuan might currently have some gap compared to Lu Xiao and Han Yuan, she believed that with some time, it would be hard to say who was stronger; after all, he was the disciple chosen by her master.

Seeing Xi Jing agree so readily, even Sect Master Xuankun, with his composure, was slightly taken aback. Immediately, his profound eyes subtly scanned Zhou Yuan's distant figure below. Could Xi Jing have agreed so readily because she was relying on the new Wind Pavilion Master? However, while Zhou Yuan certainly had some ability, how could he compare to Lu Xiao and Han Yuan?

A suspicious thought crossed his mind, and Sect Master Xuankun said calmly, "Eight months might be too long. I heard that other regions are already discussing arrangements for the Nine Regions Grand Assembly, and no one is certain when it will be scheduled. Therefore, it would be best to complete the Grand Master competition within two months, which would also give the newly appointed Grand Master time to integrate the Four Pavilions." Although he didn't know what Xi Jing intended, the old fox Xuankun still didn't plan to let her have her way.

Xi Jing shook her head and said, "Two months is too rushed. Let's make it four months from now." She stared at Sect Master Xuankun, smiling faintly, "Sect Master Xuankun, aren't you being a bit too impatient?"

Sect Master Xuankun chuckled softly and said, "This old man is not in a hurry; I just don't want to risk running out of time and our Tianyuan Region ending up last again in the Nine Regions Grand Assembly. That would be quite a disgrace to the Grand Sovereign."

"However, since Elder Xi Jing has put it that way, let's set it for four months from now." He ultimately conceded slightly, as cutting Xi Jing's initial proposed time in half was still a gain.

Thus, after their exchange, they finalized the time. Finally, Xi Jing stepped forward, her gaze sweeping over the entire scene, and her clear voice once again resonated in everyone's ears.

"The Wind Pavilion Master has now been decided, but the position of Grand Master of the Four Pavilions has been vacant for a long time. Therefore, after discussions with the other four Elders, the competition for the Grand Master will commence four months from now, in preparation for the upcoming Nine Regions Grand Assembly."

"And for this Grand Master competition, the ultimate victor will be granted a scroll... containing a Minor Saint Art."

These words seemed simple and light, yet when they fell, the previously noisy world instantly fell silent. A few seconds later, an overwhelming uproar erupted, as if it would overturn heaven and earth. That excitement far surpassed the earlier commotion when Zhou Yuan secured the Wind Pavilion Master position.