Chapter 996: The Third Direct Disciple

Xi Jing returned through space using her Law Domain, heading directly and at top speed to the Tianyuan Cave Dwelling.

The moment she arrived back at the Tianyuan Cave Dwelling, Xi Jing released all the members of the Four Pavilions from her Law Domain. Standing high in the air, she gazed at the vast and immense cave dwelling, where countless figures moved back and forth, presenting a scene of prosperity and strength.

"Tianyuan Cave Dwelling, from this moment, seal all teleportation points! All Divine Dwelling, Heavenly Sun, and Nascent Source stage cultivators, immediately cease all secluded cultivation and await orders!" Xi Jing's cold voice resonated throughout the heavens and earth.

This announcement caused an uproar throughout the entire Tianyuan Cave Dwelling. Countless astonished and questioning gazes turned towards Xi Jing in the void, clearly unaware of the sudden intent behind her drastic actions.

However, Xi Jing offered no further explanations for the time being. Once her orders were issued, various elders naturally began to carry them out.

In an instant, the entire Tianyuan Cave Dwelling descended into a state of bustling activity and preparation for war.

After immediately issuing the command for war preparations, Xi Jing's figure flickered, appearing in a grand hall. Inside, there was a round table, around which sat four figures—the other four Grand Elders of the Tianyuan Region.

Sect Master Xuankun of the Heavenly Spirit Sect was the first to look at Xi Jing, asking in a deep voice, "What exactly is going on? Why would the five top factions suddenly declare war on our Tianyuan Region?"

They had received Xi Jing's message just moments before.

Grand Elder Mu Ni of the Mu Clan, Clan Leader Bai Ye of the Bai Clan, and Clan Leader Bian Chang of the Mysterious Crystal Clan also looked on with grave expressions.

Xi Jing stated calmly, "Zhou Yuan defeated Zhao Mushen and claimed first place at the Nine Regions Grand Assembly."

At these words, Sect Master Xuankun and the other three were stunned. They couldn't help but exclaim, "Zhou Yuan took first place?"

They found it somewhat unbelievable. Although they knew Zhou Yuan possessed exceptional talent, they never imagined he could actually defeat Zhao Mushen.

Xi Jing continued, "However, you should also understand that this is merely a minor trigger. The true reason is the decree of that Grand Exalt from the Myriad Ancestors Region. Only he could compel the five top factions to risk offending the Tianyuan Region."

Sect Master Xuankun and the three Grand Elders' expressions darkened slightly. They had, of course, long known about the Myriad Ancestors Grand Exalt's disapproval of their Tianyuan Region. The primary reason for the Tianyuan Region's continuous decline over the years was precisely that Grand Exalt.

"This is truly outrageous!" Even the usually good-tempered Grand Elder Mu Ni couldn't help but say coldly.

Sect Master Xuankun, frowning deeply, slowly said, "But Grand Elder Xi Jing, you are too impetuous. Our Tianyuan Region lacks a Grand Exalt to preside over it, so we should tolerate things whenever possible. Why must we immediately accept this war?"

He was slightly displeased, believing Xi Jing was still too young and hot-headed. If it had been him, he might not have given Zhao Xianxun an excuse to act.

Mu Ni said calmly, "Sect Master Xuankun, in the past, when facing some of the Myriad Ancestors Region's clandestine schemes, such as supporting the rise of the Three Mountains Alliance, you always chose to settle matters peacefully. But what was the outcome? Did the Three Mountains Alliance show any gratitude? Now that they have grown stronger, they didn't hesitate to bite us first."

"For years, the Myriad Ancestors Grand Exalt has been plotting. Do you truly believe that by enduring like a cowering tortoise, his prepared blade won't eventually fall upon us?"

Sect Master Xuankun's expression flickered, and he ultimately fell silent.

"Haha, one can hardly blame Sect Master Xuankun for this," Clan Leader Bai Ye of the Bai Clan said with a chuckle. "At the end of the day, our Tianyuan Region simply lacks a Grand Exalt to oversee it..."

Clan Leader Bian Chang of the Mysterious Crystal Clan said indifferently, "However, Grand Elder Mu Ni is also right. This is not something we can avoid by hiding. Since those five top factions want to be someone else's blade, then our Tianyuan Region naturally cannot be afraid. Otherwise, we would truly become the laughingstock of the Hunyuan Heaven."

Sect Master Xuankun finally nodded as well, stating gravely, "Since the other side has declared war, our Tianyuan Region certainly cannot show weakness. If they wish to fight, our Tianyuan Region will fight to the very end!"

Although there were usually arguments and disagreements among the Grand Elders, they all understood that in the face of such an external war, they would either prosper together or fall together.

Xi Jing nodded expressionlessly, saying, "How this war will be fought will be discussed by the Elder Council. I have already issued a conscription order; all Divine Dwelling, Heavenly Sun, and Nascent Source cultivators within our Tianyuan Region are now prepared for battle."

As she spoke, an aura of war arose. With the Divine Dwelling, Heavenly Sun, and Nascent Source cultivators of an entire region mobilized, one could imagine the immense scale.

This time, however, Sect Master Xuankun and the others did not object. They understood that the combined declaration of war by five top factions against the Tianyuan Region was no minor skirmish. A storm of blood and gore was inevitably about to erupt, and countless individuals from both sides would likely perish.

This was war, incredibly cruel.

Xi Jing's gaze swept around, then she said, "There's one more thing..."

She raised a hand, and a Law Domain rippled open behind her. From it emerged a tall, young figure, who was none other than Zhou Yuan.

"Zhou Yuan?" Sect Master Xuankun frowned slightly, staring indifferently at the newcomer.

Sect Master Xuankun evidently still harbored some prejudice against Zhou Yuan. After all, Zhou Yuan's appearance had disrupted his previous plans and had also suppressed all Divine Dwelling cultivators of the Heavenly Spirit Sect's generation.

"Grand Elder Xi Jing, this is an Elder Council meeting. Even the various elders are not qualified to enter. Why have you brought him here? Are there no longer any rules?" Sect Master Xuankun asked with an authoritative, low voice.

Clan Leader Bai Ye also said calmly, "Although Zhou Yuan deserves credit for claiming first place at the Nine Regions Grand Assembly, there will be a time for merits and rewards. Grand Elder Xi Jing bringing him here is indeed not in line with the rules."

Clan Leader Bian Chang remained silent, his expression indifferent. He merely glanced at Zhou Yuan before retracting his gaze, as the disparity in their statuses was too great.

Xi Jing's tone was calm as she said, "Here, I wish to inform everyone of Zhou Yuan's true identity."

She spoke each word distinctly: "Zhou Yuan is qualified to be here because he is Master's third personal disciple."

The air flowing within the hall seemed to freeze at that instant.

Sect Master Xuankun's somewhat hunched body suddenly straightened. His expression flickering, he looked at Zhou Yuan and asked, "Grand Exalt Cang Yuan's third personal disciple? Grand Elder Xi Jing, are you joking with us?!"

Clan Leader Bai Ye and Clan Leader Bian Chang also stared at Zhou Yuan, their eyes flickering with shock, completely abandoning their previous indifferent demeanor.

Xi Jing glanced at Zhou Yuan, who nodded slightly. A spiritual light flickered between his brows, and the next moment, a faint, ancient, primordial millstone seemed to slowly rotate behind him, emanating an ancient and vast sound.

Staring at the primordial millstone, the pupils of Sect Master Xuankun and the other two slightly contracted.

"The Primordial Millstone Visualization Technique?!"

Sect Master Xuankun spoke with some difficulty. They naturally recognized this supreme soul-forging technique, created by Grand Exalt Cang Yuan.

In this world, only Grand Exalt Cang Yuan's personal disciples could cultivate it.

Zhou Yuan gripped his hand, and the mottled black brush appeared, its ancient Genesis Runes slowly flickering.

"The Heavenly Yuan Brush..."

Clan Leader Bai Ye and Clan Leader Bian Chang both had their eyebrows twitch.

This truly couldn't be faked, because no one could forcefully obtain the Primordial Millstone Visualization Technique and the Heavenly Yuan Brush from Cang Yuan.

Sect Master Xuankun and the other two exchanged glances, their expressions complex. Sect Master Xuankun, in particular, had a truly captivating look on his face. Who could have imagined that this young man, who had repeatedly thwarted his schemes and greatly angered him, would turn out to be Grand Exalt Cang Yuan's personal disciple?!

In that case, according to the rules set by Grand Exalt Cang Yuan, Zhou Yuan, currently at the peak of the Divine Dwelling stage, would actually be able to sit as their equal, becoming the Tianyuan Region's sixth Grand Elder?!

At the thought of such a scenario, even with Sect Master Xuankun's composure, he felt a momentary sense of suffocation.

This was simply... unbelievable!