Chapter 822: The Clash of Supreme Pavilion Masters

When Xi Jing's voice fell, it was like pouring cold water into a cauldron of hot oil, immediately causing a massive uproar. All four pavilion members were stunned. Even Lu Xiao and Han Yuan froze for a moment before their eyes lit up with wild joy.

"Is the competition for Chief Pavilion Master finally going to begin?!" Lu Xiao's mind reeled. He had coveted the position of Chief Pavilion Master for a long time, but Xi Jing had always used the excuse that the Wind Pavilion lacked a master to postpone the competition, which greatly frustrated him. Yet, who would have thought that at this very moment, Xi Jing would announce the start of the Chief Pavilion Master competition!

Compared to the Chief Pavilion Master's position, what was a mere Wind Pavilion Master? Becoming Chief Pavilion Master meant the entire Four Pavilions would legitimately fall under one's control, rather than just managing a single pavilion as was currently the case. Furthermore, the Chief Pavilion Master's status and benefits within the Tianyuan Region were far beyond what a single pavilion master could hope to rival.

Lu Xiao gazed fervently at the two figures at the highest point. In his estimation, Xi Jing's concession this time was likely a maneuver by Grand Elder Xuankun. After all, Xi Jing's previous reason for obstructing the Chief Pavilion Master competition was the absence of a Wind Pavilion Master. Now that a Wind Pavilion Master had been appointed, that excuse no longer held.

"Lady Xi Jing has likely picked up a sesame seed and dropped a watermelon this time," Lu Xiao sneered inwardly. He had been slightly displeased by Chen Beifeng's defeat earlier, but now it seemed Grand Elder Xuankun's maneuvering was far more potent.

"What's more... the Chief Pavilion Master will even be rewarded with a scroll of Minor Saint Art!" Lu Xiao's eyes glowed with increasing fervor. Although it was termed "Minor," this Saint Art still fundamentally approached the realm of a true Saint Origin Art. Such a high-level art was exceptionally rare, even in Hunyuan Heaven, and was typically only bestowed upon those who had performed great services.

Therefore, it wasn't just those in the Divine Palace stage like them; even powerhouses in the Heavenly Sun stage found it difficult to suppress their immense desire and covetousness when faced with a Minor Saint Art.

At the Wood Pavilion's location, Mu Liu's expression also turned solemn. He sighed, "The Four Pavilions are about to be thrown into turmoil now."

The Chief Pavilion Master's position, coupled with a Minor Saint Art, was a bait so tempting that no one among the Four Pavilions could resist feeling envious.

Compared to such a high-stakes competition, Zhou Yuan's appointment as Wind Pavilion Master today instantly seemed insignificant.

On the Wind Pavilion's side, Ye Bingling and Yi Qiushui were similarly stunned by the shocking news and took a long time to fully comprehend it.

"I can't believe the Chief Pavilion Master position, dormant for so many years, is finally up for competition," Ye Bingling murmured as she slowly came to her senses. She then cast a complex gaze at Zhou Yuan, a bitter smile on her face. "You jinx."

Zhou Yuan smiled. "Isn't this a good thing?"

"Goodness, no," Ye Bingling replied, her delicate brows furrowed. "Lady Xi Jing has always obstructed the Chief Pavilion Master competition in the past because she knew that once it began, the position would almost certainly fall into the hands of the Tianling Sect and their allies. Her sudden concession now must be due to pressure from Grand Elder Xuankun."

Worry etched her face. If Lu Xiao truly became Chief Pavilion Master, then even if Zhou Yuan was the Wind Pavilion Master, he would still be restricted by Lu Xiao. This would likely not bode well for them, especially given the current unpleasantness between the two parties.

Zhou Yuan, upon hearing this, merely smiled. He didn't believe Xi Jing's concession on the Chief Pavilion Master competition was a compromise to Grand Elder Xuankun. Instead, he thought she knew his ambition extended beyond a mere Wind Pavilion Master; the Chief Pavilion Master's position was his ultimate goal.

While Grand Elder Xuankun might indeed have been trying to force her hand, Senior Sister Xi Jing likely had her own intentions, perhaps believing that he, too, had the capability to contend for the Chief Pavilion Master's position.

"Is Senior Sister Xi Jing truly that confident in me...?" Zhou Yuan felt a considerable amount of pressure from Xi Jing's trust and high regard. It seemed he couldn't afford to be complacent just because he had defeated Chen Beifeng this time. As Ye Bingling had pointed out, Chen Beifeng was still significantly behind top contenders like Lu Xiao and Han Yuan.

At the very least, Zhou Yuan understood that if he were to face Lu Xiao right now, his chances of losing would likely outweigh his chances of winning. Admitting this was not shameful. However, this was only *for now*, as Zhou Yuan's potential within the Divine Palace stage was far greater than Lu Xiao's.

Currently, he had only refined and connected five of his nine Divine Palaces. Once he fully connected the remaining four, his Genesis Qi foundation would undoubtedly reach an astonishing level, far surpassing what the current Lu Xiao possessed.

Of course, potential alone couldn't immediately translate into strength to bridge the current gap between them. Therefore, he couldn't afford to slack off during the next four months. If he were to slip up and lose when the time came, he would truly feel he had let Senior Sister Xi Jing down.

Furthermore, Zhou Yuan had a keen interest in the Minor Saint Art that was to be awarded.

Though he currently possessed several high-grade Heavenly Origin Arts, he had never before come into contact with a Saint Origin Art. He knew that any Saint Origin Art held unimaginable power, and mastering one would lead to a tremendous increase in personal strength.

Although he possessed the Seven Arts of Cangxuan, mastering all seven to their peak could potentially allow them to merge and form a true Saint Origin Art. However, the difficulty of this was immense. So far, the only ones Zhou Yuan could truly claim to have mastered were the Supreme Profound Sacred Spirit Art and the Profound Sacred Body.

Even the Demon-Slaying Sword Pellet Art still required further refinement, not to mention the other high-grade Heavenly Origin Arts he hadn't even begun to cultivate.

One day, when he succeeded in merging all seven arts, that would be a true Saint Origin Art, incomparable to a mere Minor Saint Art.

At the highest point, Xi Jing's gaze drifted, her wine-red hair gently swaying in the breeze. Her eyes swept over to Zhou Yuan's location, and as their gazes met, a knowing smile passed between them.

"Everyone, train diligently for the Chief Pavilion Master competition four months from now," Xi Jing announced, her gaze sweeping over the crowd. "Compared to today's events, *that* will truly be a momentous occasion for my Tianyuan Region." Her voice reverberated throughout the area.

"As you command, Lady!" Countless individuals bowed in unison, their respectful voices echoing through the air.

Xi Jing nodded subtly. In such a public setting, she couldn't show too much favoritism towards Zhou Yuan. After all, given her status, even if Zhou Yuan became Wind Pavilion Master, a significant gap in their positions remained. With a wave of her hand, her slender, delicate form shimmered and vanished into thin air.

As Xi Jing departed, Grand Elder Xuankun's figure also subtly dissipated. Just before vanishing, his gaze seemed to briefly flicker towards Zhou Yuan's location.

The departure of the two Grand Elders caused the faint oppressive aura that had enveloped the area to lift, and countless individuals secretly exhaled in relief.

Yi Qiushui looked at Zhou Yuan with a charming smile and playfully asked, "Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan, since you've won today, aren't you planning to host a banquet for your fellow brethren?"

Zhou Yuan glanced at the numerous Wind Pavilion members around him, all looking at him eagerly. He knew Yi Qiushui was hinting that this was the perfect moment to win over their loyalty. He didn't refuse, simply nodding with a smile. "Tonight, at the Wind Drink Pavilion, we won't return until we're thoroughly drunk."

Hearing this, the surrounding Wind Pavilion members immediately cheered, their excitement palpable.

However, just as the atmosphere among them grew lively, a figure suddenly stepped through the air. Everyone looked to see Wang Chen, the Deputy Pavilion Master of the Fire Pavilion.

Ye Bingling's delicate brows furrowed slightly. "Deputy Pavilion Master Wang Chen, is there something you need?" she asked coolly.

Wang Chen remained expressionless, then cupped his hands toward Zhou Yuan, offering a stiff, insincere smile. "Congratulations, Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan." It was clear he was deeply displeased, especially since he had previously approached Zhou Yuan with a condescending attitude, yet now Zhou Yuan's status had surpassed his own.

"I've come to inform Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan that since the Wind Pavilion now has a master, we hope you won't be absent from the Four Pavilion Masters' meeting in three days," Wang Chen stated blandly. "After all, our Pavilion Master Lu Xiao has always presided over the Pavilion Masters' meetings."

His words carried a hint of arrogance, suggesting that in Wang Chen's view, there was still a vast disparity between Zhou Yuan, the Wind Pavilion Master, and Lu Xiao.

Zhou Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly. "A Four Pavilion Masters' meeting? As far as I know, that should only be presided over by the Chief Pavilion Master, correct?" Lu Xiao was truly presumptuous, extending his influence too far for someone who was merely the Fire Pavilion Master.

Upon hearing this, a sneer touched Wang Chen's lips. "Does it make a difference?" he drawled leisurely. "It's only a matter of time." With that, he added, "The message has been delivered. I'll take my leave."

With his words, he turned and departed without another word.

"The Fire Pavilion is far too arrogant!" "They're simply looking down on us!" The other Wind Pavilion members expressed their indignation at Wang Chen's blatant disrespect towards Zhou Yuan.

Zhou Yuan, however, calmly waved his hand. "Don't let a fly spoil your mood. Come, let's go celebrate."

As the cheers erupted once more, Zhou Yuan's eyes subtly narrowed as he gazed in the direction Wang Chen had departed.

This Pavilion Masters' meeting felt rather ominous. He certainly wouldn't miss it, but when the time came, he would truly have to contend with Lu Xiao.