Chapter 877: Against Han Yuan

Chapter 873: Battle Against Han Yuan

On the plaza, where wisps of white mist drifted, Zhou Yuan calmly stared at Han Yuan. To be honest, there wasn't much personal animosity between them. Although Han Yuan often followed behind Lu Xiao, causing trouble for the Wind Pavilion, Zhou Yuan understood that Han Yuan had few other options. Nevertheless, whatever the reason, since they had met, there was no reason to let him off.

Han Yuan also watched Zhou Yuan, his expression somewhat complex. He sighed, "A few months ago, I thought the Wind Pavilion had just gotten a figurehead leader. I never expected a truly formidable individual to arrive." When Zhou Yuan first arrived to take over as the Wind Pavilion Master, Han Yuan evidently hadn't paid much attention; Zhou Yuan's strength at that time wasn't worth his high regard. But who would have thought that in just half a year, Zhou Yuan would not only solidify his position as the Wind Pavilion Master but also lead the Wind Pavilion to greatly increase its influence? Now, Zhou Yuan's displayed strength even qualified him to contend with Lu Xiao.

"Elder Xi Jing's foresight this time was truly excellent," Han Yuan said softly.

Zhou Yuan's gaze remained calm. "Pavilion Master Han Yuan's decision to switch allegiances back then was truly unwise," he stated. In his opinion, Han Yuan's move to leave the Wind Pavilion and become the Mountain Pavilion Master was quite foolish. Even to Xi Jing, a Divine Dwelling stage pavilion master was insignificant. Regardless, such an act would displease an elder, which, in the long run, was extremely disadvantageous. Unless he could ascend to the Nascent Source stage in the future and gain some influence in the Tianyuan Region through his strength, no one would deepen their animosity with Xi Jing for his sake.

Han Yuan smiled. "I am just a minor rogue cultivator in the Tianyuan Region, with no background and no cultivation resources. I climbed to where I am today step by step, by contending, by seizing, by any means necessary. Do you think I had any choice when caught between the Xuanjing Clan and Elder Xi Jing?" He continued, "When Lady Xi Jing first became an Elder, her influence was weak. If I hadn't thought for myself, I might have perished directly during some mission." There was a hint of bitterness and helplessness in his smile. No one wants to offend a high-ranking elder. Currently, he was somewhat useful, but once he became useless, the Xuanjing Clan might be the first to throw him out to bear Xi Jing's wrath. This was the tragedy of a small figure.

Zhou Yuan remained silent. Indeed, those at the Divine Dwelling stage were insignificant in the eyes of the five Elders. If Xi Jing hadn't been his senior sister, she probably wouldn't have given him so much attention. Being caught in the power struggles of various factions, lacking strong backing inevitably led to disadvantages. Even Zhou Yuan himself had almost fallen into the schemes of Palace Master Xiguang of the Heavenly Spirit Sect. Had it not been for his caution and Senior Sister Xi Jing's constant vigilance, perhaps he, the Wind Pavilion Master, would have quietly perished, and there would be no glory for him now. However, even with that understanding, what needed to be done still had to be done.

Seeing Zhou Yuan's gaze gradually sharpen, Han Yuan said no more. What he had said earlier was not meant as a sign of weakness; as someone who had fought his way up as a rogue cultivator, he was also a person with a strong will. "I presume Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan still holds some resentment towards me. If that's the case, let's have a fight today! To be honest, I'm not without ambition for the Chief Pavilion Master position either. If I defeat you, I will also contend with Lu Xiao this time."

Vast black Genesis Qi erupted from Han Yuan's body, blotting out the sky. The Genesis Qi illuminated the void, revealing countless Genesis Qi stars, roughly twenty million in number. The powerful Genesis Qi pressure, like towering waves, spread out in all directions. Even those outside sensed it, and immediately clicked their tongues in awe, realizing that this Mountain Pavilion Master was indeed no ordinary character. However, facing such Genesis Qi pressure, Zhou Yuan's clothes didn't even ripple. He stood there with a calm expression. Before he had broken through to the late Divine Dwelling stage, he would have truly needed to exert all his strength to contend with an opponent like Han Yuan. But now that he had reached the late Divine Dwelling stage, in terms of pure Genesis Qi reserves, he was even stronger than Han Yuan. Although his lead was only a few hundred thousand Genesis Qi reserves, coupled with the formidable might of the World-Suppressing Heavenly Dragon Qi, if it were only a matter of personal reserves, Zhou Yuan was confident he could easily suppress Han Yuan. Of course, Han Yuan was likely well aware of this. On the previous Cloud Ladder, he had already witnessed Zhou Yuan's current Genesis Qi reserves, so he knew that without resorting to other means, he would not be Zhou Yuan's opponent today.

Therefore, Han Yuan extended both palms. On the backs of his hands, two ancient light patterns, one yellow and one red, slowly emerged: the Mountain Spirit Rune and the Fire Spirit Rune! As these two Genesis Runes appeared, Han Yuan's Genesis Qi fluctuations instantly surged, and the countless Genesis Qi stars rapidly swelled to twenty-six million! Countless observers outside were secretly astonished. Some who were also in the late Divine Dwelling stage smiled bitterly to themselves; though they were in the same realm, they couldn't even reach half of Han Yuan's level. No wonder he could become the Mountain Pavilion Master while they could only cheer from the sidelines.

Zhou Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly, but his expression remained largely calm. Twenty-six million Genesis Qi reserves might awe others, but not him. Han Yuan stared at Zhou Yuan and smiled. "Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan must have also condensed two Genesis Runes, right? I heard they were the Wind Spirit Rune and the Fire Spirit Rune?" He added, "So I know that trying to decide a winner against Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan with just two Genesis Runes would probably be wishful thinking."

Seeing Han Yuan's demeanor, Zhou Yuan became somewhat interested. He said softly, "It seems Pavilion Master Han Yuan has more up his sleeve. If so, then unleash everything. Otherwise, twenty-six million won't be enough to suppress me." Currently, his own Genesis Qi reserves stood at twenty-one million Genesis Qi stars. With the addition of two complete Wind Spirit Runes and Fire Spirit Runes, his Genesis Qi strength could reach twenty-eight million. Therefore, he had no fear of Han Yuan's twenty-six million. However, Han Yuan should also be aware of this, yet he remained so confident, which suggested he must still have something hidden.

Han Yuan smiled. "It's not really any other preparation. It's just that I don't have many cultivation resources. Since I'm in the Four Pavilions and have a cultivation treasure like the Four Spirits Return-to-Origin Tower, naturally, I'd cling to it tightly." He continued, "I followed Lu Xiao, diligently working without complaint, all for the sake of getting more Origin Return Coins... Originally, I intended to save this for a fight with Lu Xiao, but I didn't expect Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan to surpass me. Now, I have no choice but to reveal this long-hidden trump card."

As Han Yuan's laughter faded, a green, ancient Genesis Rune slowly emerged on his brow. When this Genesis Rune appeared, the Genesis Qi fluctuations erupting from Han Yuan's body surged wildly once more, ultimately reaching over twenty-nine million! Zhou Yuan's pupils sharply contracted at that moment. His gaze was fixed on the Genesis Rune on Han Yuan's brow. That was the Wood Spirit Rune! This Han Yuan had, unknowingly, condensed three ancient Genesis Runes!

"Pavilion Master Han Yuan has truly hidden his strength well. I doubt even Lu Xiao expected this," Zhou Yuan said slowly. Who would have thought that among the four Pavilion Masters, the one who had condensed the most ancient Genesis Runes was not the most dazzling Lu Xiao, nor the shockingly powerful Zhou Yuan, but rather the unassuming Mountain Pavilion Master, Han Yuan, who had always stood behind Lu Xiao! This guy was truly too cunning. Zhou Yuan understood perfectly that if he hadn't unexpectedly risen this time, Han Yuan's trump card would have been prepared for Lu Xiao. Though Han Yuan usually acted subserviently before Lu Xiao, willing to obey his commands, it was clear he had his own plans in secret. Although Zhou Yuan didn't know why Han Yuan was able to condense three complete Genesis Runes before Lu Xiao, this guy truly should not be underestimated.

Zhou Yuan took a deep breath, clenched his fists, and a green dragon's roar echoed as vast Genesis Qi surged forth, transforming into countless Genesis Qi stars—twenty-one million! On the backs of his hands, the Wind Spirit Rune and the Fire Spirit Rune shone simultaneously. His Genesis Qi surged by seven million! Ultimately, his Genesis Qi strength reached twenty-eight million! This deeply hidden Mountain Pavilion Master before him was worth his full effort.