Chapter 863: The Final Winner

Outside the Skyflame Cauldron, countless gazes were fixed on the transparent, glass-like colossal cauldron. They, too, witnessed the earth-shattering clash within, and the final outcome left everyone stunned.

No one had anticipated that in this Skyflame Ritual, the Fire Pavilion, which possessed the strongest overall Spirit power, would actually lose to the weakest Wind Pavilion.

"How could this happen?"

"Was the flame unleashed by the Wind Pavilion at the end a Soul Flame? But it was too immense! An ordinary advanced Spirit wouldn't be able to achieve that level."

"The crucial question is why Zhou Yuan was able to transform the spirits of the Wind Pavilion members into Soul Flames... Soul Flames are a hallmark of an advanced Spirit, not something that can be condensed merely by the strength of one's spirit."

"Tsk tsk, this Wind Pavilion Master is quite extraordinary."

"No wonder Elder Xi Jing insisted on changing this Skyflame Ritual to a free-for-all; the Wind Pavilion truly hit the jackpot..."

Countless whispers spread, and some glances subtly shifted towards the highest point outside the Great Flame Mountain. Today's Skyflame Ritual, though seemingly a competition among the four pavilions, was in fact a power struggle between the two elders. What surprised everyone was that the Fire Pavilion, which should have had an overwhelming advantage, ultimately lost. Presumably, Grand Elder Xuankun must be feeling some anger right now.

Under the watchful eyes of countless onlookers, Elder Xi Jing and Grand Elder Xuankun slowly withdrew their gazes from the Skyflame Cauldron, where they sat atop the highest magma fire lotus.

Xi Jing smiled brightly, turning to Grand Elder Xuankun and saying, "It seems this year's Skyflame Ritual calls for my thanks to Grand Elder Xuankun."

Grand Elder Xuankun's aged face showed no ripple of emotion. He said, "It appears Elder Xi Jing has truly found a promising talent."

"However, what is Zhou Yuan's background? Some of the Genesis Arts he possesses are far from ordinary. That earlier technique of transforming numerous spirit powers into Soul Flames must be an incredibly potent Genesis Art, one that would be considered top-tier even in our Tianyuan Region."

"With such a foundation, he doesn't seem like a typical rogue cultivator. I suggest Elder Xi Jing look into him a bit more thoroughly."

Xi Jing casually replied, "Our Tianyuan Region welcomes talents from all directions and never concerns itself with their origins. This is a rule left by my master. As long as Zhou Yuan proves capable, I will employ him. As long as we treat him with sincerity, whatever his background, he will be a part of our Tianyuan Region in the future."

Grand Elder Xuankun said indifferently, "Since Elder Xi Jing is so broad-minded, I naturally have little more to say. Although losing this Skyflame Ritual is embarrassing, it isn't necessarily a bad thing. This will likely make Lu Xiao more vigilant, as the upcoming competition for the Chief Pavilion Master position is the most crucial matter." He turned and cast a deep look at Elder Xi Jing, adding, "The struggle for the Chief Pavilion Master, however, is a true test of individual strength, completely different from this Skyflame Ritual."

Xi Jing chuckled softly, saying, "I believe Zhou Yuan's individual strength will be second to none."

The two exchanged glances, then said no more, slowly withdrawing their gazes. Both had grown accustomed to this overt and covert rivalry over the years. Whether it was for positions on the Elder Council or other important roles, there was always a fair share of scheming and vying for power.

Inside the Skyflame Cauldron.

When the Fire Pavilion's members completely vanished, Zhou Yuan breathed a sigh of relief. He had used all his trump cards, and if the Fire Pavilion had managed to persevere, he would have been truly helpless. After all, no matter how powerful his methods were, there was still a significant overall gap between the Wind Pavilion and the Fire Pavilion. At the same time, Zhou Yuan was somewhat glad he had prepared the "Soul Devouring Genesis Mark" as an extra trump card; otherwise, relying solely on the Soul Lantern Art might not have been enough to turn the tide. After all, the Fire Pavilion had been exceptionally well-prepared this time.

"Pavilion Master is invincible!""Pavilion Master is invincible!"

As Zhou Yuan exhaled, a deafening roar suddenly erupted from the Wind Pavilion's forces below. All the Wind Pavilion members stared at Zhou Yuan with fervent eyes and flushed faces. At that moment, they were clearly incredibly excited. After all, the Wind Pavilion had been suppressed by the Fire Pavilion for too many years. Over these years, the Wind Pavilion members had accumulated an untold amount of suppressed resentment that they couldn't release—not because they didn't want to, but because they dared not and were not powerful enough. But now, under Zhou Yuan's leadership, they had honorably defeated the Fire Pavilion in this Skyflame Ritual! The feeling of release was incredibly satisfying.

Although everyone knew that their victory was due to the trump cards Zhou Yuan had prepared, what did it matter? Zhou Yuan was now their Wind Pavilion Master, and naturally, the entire Wind Pavilion shared in his glory. Thus, Zhou Yuan's standing in the hearts of the Wind Pavilion members had directly soared to a level of nearly fanatical adoration.

Zhou Yuan, seeing their over-the-top excitement, felt a bit helpless. He simply ignored them and turned his gaze towards the Mountain Pavilion's forces in the distance. At this moment, Han Yuan was also frowning as he stared at him, a trace of shock still lingering in his eyes. Clearly, he hadn't fully recovered from the Fire Pavilion's clear defeat.

"Pavilion Master Han Yuan, please release the members of the Forest Pavilion," Zhou Yuan said with a smile.

Han Yuan raised both hands and said, "Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan, this was a grudge between your Wind Pavilion and the Fire Pavilion. Now that it's settled, it has nothing to do with our Mountain Pavilion, does it?" Given the current situation—the Fire Pavilion annihilated—if the Wind Pavilion and Forest Pavilion joined forces, the Mountain Pavilion's fate wouldn't be much better. So, the Mountain Pavilion Master surrendered without hesitation, indicating his submission. "We'll release the Forest Pavilion, and from now on, we'll mind our own business and each collect Sky Sunflame. How does that sound?"

Zhou Yuan gazed at Han Yuan. This straightforward surrender caught him somewhat by surprise. This man was truly perceptive, and it was no wonder he had given up on Elder Sister Xi Jing's attention to join the Mountain Pavilion back then. However, he eventually shook his head and said seriously, "Pavilion Master Han Yuan, this is the path you chose. Therefore, you naturally must pay a price for choosing incorrectly." Now that the situation was under his control, how could he possibly allow the Mountain Pavilion to remain and contend for a share of the Sky Sunflame? After all, if the Fire Pavilion had won, Zhou Yuan wouldn't have believed Han Yuan would offer to let the Forest Pavilion off the hook...

Han Yuan's mouth twitched slightly, and his eyes grew somewhat shadowed. However, before he could reply, the defensive barrier on the mountain where the Forest Pavilion was located suddenly withdrew. A colossal torrent of spirit power surged forth, directly plunging into the Mountain Pavilion's forces, ravaging them like a mighty dragon.

"Mu Qingyan!"

Han Yuan's eyes narrowed with hostility as he coldly looked at the young girl's spirit slowly rising behind him. Behind Mu Qingyan, numerous spirits from the Forest Pavilion also rose, glaring fiercely at the Mountain Pavilion.

"So much nonsense! Didn't you want to fight just now? We'll humor you!" Mu Qingyan sneered, wasting no more words. She directly mobilized the Forest Pavilion's vast spirit power and launched an attack on the Mountain Pavilion.

Han Yuan's face darkened. He waved a hand at Zhao Yin, who immediately activated the Mountain Pavilion's spirit power to meet the attack.

Boom! Boom!

The clash between the two sides instantly shook the heavens and earth, intensely fierce. However, this entanglement didn't last long, as Zhou Yuan had no patience to watch them fight indefinitely. So, he directly activated the Wind Pavilion's spirit power and joined the fray, combining with Mu Qingyan's offensive to surround and thoroughly beat the Mountain Pavilion. Facing the combined might of the Wind and Forest Pavilions, the Mountain Pavilion naturally showed signs of collapse. In just half an incense stick's time, the Mountain Pavilion was completely annihilated.

"Zhou Yuan, Mu Liu, I hope you can still smile during the Chief Pavilion Master competition!" As Han Yuan's spirit became illusory and finally transformed into a pillar of light soaring skyward, his angry and grim voice rang out. However, neither Zhou Yuan nor Mu Liu paid him any mind. The latter even waved at his ascending spirit with a radiant smile.

When both the Fire Pavilion and Mountain Pavilion were completely annihilated, cheers from the Wind Pavilion and Forest Pavilion echoed throughout the Skyflame Cauldron. They knew that the Wind Pavilion and Forest Pavilion would now equally divide all the Sky Sunflame within the Skyflame Cauldron. In this Skyflame Ritual, they had become the ultimate winners.