Chapter 999: Cloud Gathering

Zhou Yuan was evidently surprised when Qin Lian, who had initially appeared formidable and aggressive, suddenly uttered such words. He had expected her presence to be a show of support for the Heavenly Spirit Sect's disciples, aiming to diminish his standing as the chief pavilion master.

As Zhou Yuan expressed his surprise, Qin Lian, seemingly aware of his thoughts, raised her sword-like eyebrows slightly and said, "Don't worry, I'm not that petty. If you hadn't single-handedly turned the tide for this generation's Divine Dwelling stage in the Tianyuan Region, they would have been utterly humiliated."

"Compared to such a devastating blow to our reputation, what does it matter if you suppressed this generation of Divine Dwelling cultivators from the Heavenly Spirit Sect? That simply reflects their own uselessness and incompetence."

At this point, her sharp, sword-like gaze once again swept coldly over Lu Xiao and the others.

Zhou Yuan found it difficult to respond to Qin Lian's blunt remarks, managing only a dry chuckle.

"However..."

Qin Lian paused before continuing, "Just because Lu Xiao and the others are useless doesn't mean everyone in our Heavenly Spirit Sect is like that. Furthermore, the Heavenly Sun Ranking is where the true hidden talents lie. I'm quite eager to see if you can make waves in that profound pool once you've entered the Heavenly Sun Ranking."

"Finally, if you intend to participate in this conflict, try to come to the area under my control; I will do my best to look after you."

Zhou Yuan had thoroughly established his reputation at the Nine Regions Grand Assembly, which would undoubtedly attract considerable envy. While such envy might be manageable in ordinary times, during a war, there was no guarantee that Heavenly Sun experts from the five major powers wouldn't seek an opportunity to eliminate him.

Although Zhou Yuan was currently the foremost Divine Dwelling stage cultivator, even if he were to break through to the Heavenly Sun stage, he would still only be in its early phase. Facing veteran late Heavenly Sun stage cultivators—even those not yet on the Heavenly Sun Ranking—would likely present significant danger.

Thus, Qin Lian's words were indeed spoken out of genuine concern for Zhou Yuan.

Responding to Qin Lian's overtures of goodwill, Zhou Yuan smiled and replied, "If I encounter any difficulties then, I will certainly seek assistance from Elder Qin Lian."

Qin Lian stared at Zhou Yuan for a moment, discerning a polite formality in his words. She couldn't help but shake her head inwardly, assuming Zhou Yuan was still harboring the pride of being the top Divine Dwelling cultivator and was unwilling to humble himself. However, he couldn't possibly know how much deeper the waters of the Heavenly Sun stage ran compared to the Divine Dwelling stage.

"So be it. Once this young man experiences some hardship, he will naturally understand that despite his extraordinary talent and his triumph in the Divine Dwelling stage, he will still need to bide his time quietly upon his initial entry into the Heavenly Sun stage. Only when he reaches the late Heavenly Sun stage will he truly be able to showcase his previous splendor."

Thus, Qin Lian said nothing more. She, too, was an exceedingly proud individual, and her goodwill towards Zhou Yuan stemmed solely from his having brought honor to the Tianyuan Region during the Nine Regions Grand Assembly. If he didn't appear to appreciate it, she would naturally cease her efforts.

With a slight tilt of her head, Qin Lian then led her group to the side.

Zhou Yuan also withdrew his gaze, observing the countless figures arriving from all directions on the immense floating island. He sensed the pervasive aura of war, and his lips thinned slightly. In a sense, these individuals were fighting for his ultimate objective.

For only by defeating those five major powers would the Wan Zu Region relinquish the Ancestral Dragon Lamp.

As time progressed, the atmosphere on the floating island became increasingly fervent.

Evidently, renowned Heavenly Sun stage experts continued to arrive, periodically eliciting gasps of admiration.

Among them, Qin Lian was undoubtedly the most dazzling and captivating. The many gazes cast upon her were filled with awe, and even some Soul Embryo stage experts positioned further forward occasionally bestowed appreciative glances.

In the Heavenly Sun stage of the Tianyuan Region today, Qin Lian was clearly the preeminent figure.

Apart from Qin Lian, Zhou Yuan also noticed several other figures with remarkable presence.

His gaze drifted to the right, where a significant number of experts from the Bai Clan had gathered. At the very front stood a white-haired man with a pale complexion, his face perpetually bearing a disquieting smile. A subtle yet astonishing aura of power faintly emanated from him.

That was Bai Yu of the Bai Clan, a contemporary of Qin Lian, who was currently ranked fifteenth on the Heavenly Sun Ranking and possessed immense strength.

Not far from Bai Yu, a robust, muscular man stood with his arms crossed. His eyes, like crystals, pulsed with mysterious light. This was Bian Buji of the Xuanjing Clan, ranked nineteenth on the Heavenly Sun Ranking.

Further still, a delicate woman, slender as a willow leaf, with a gentle and captivating demeanor, was Mu Youlan of the Mu Clan, ranked twenty-third on the Heavenly Sun Ranking.

Beyond these four most prominent figures, numerous other Heavenly Sun stage cultivators were present, each exuding a powerful aura. Some of them were likely also ranked. This observation alone was sufficient to show that the Tianyuan Region's underlying strength in the Heavenly Sun stage was indeed far superior to that in the Divine Dwelling stage.

This was quite normal, as many of these Heavenly Sun stage cultivators had emerged before the Tianyuan Region had experienced its full decline.

Under the formidable pressure exerted by these Heavenly Sun stage experts, the numerous Divine Dwelling cultivators on the floating island appeared to tremble, looking small and insignificant.

Although Li Qingyue's earlier words were harsh, they were undeniably true: in a war of this magnitude, Heavenly Sun stage cultivators constituted the primary force for both sides, while Divine Dwelling cultivators could only offer assistance and support.

As Zhou Yuan mused internally, ripples of Genesis Qi appeared in the void. Immediately afterward, five figures stepped out into the air, and the entire world was instantly enveloped in an indescribably majestic aura. Under this influence, the previously bustling floating island instantly fell silent.

Not only the Heavenly Sun stage cultivators but even some Soul Embryo stage elders at the very front adopted solemn expressions and bowed respectfully to the five figures in the air, declaring, "Greetings, five Grand Elders."

On the floating island, countless figures bowed in unison.

"Greetings, Grand Elders!"

These were indeed Xi Jing and the other four Grand Elders.

Xi Jing's gaze swept over the innumerable figures on the floating island. She nodded gently and stated, "Presumably, you are already aware that the Three Mountains Alliance, Scarlet Cloud Sword Sect, Dragon Gu Palace, and the other five major powers have declared war on the Tianyuan Region. As our Tianyuan Region is one of the Nine Regions, such an act of defiance will absolutely not be easily forgiven."

"In this battle, our Tianyuan Region will commit all its strength, making those five major powers pay a heavy price and ensuring that, from this day forward, no one dares to underestimate our Tianyuan Region!"

Countless roars erupted from the floating island.

"Fight with all our might!"

"Fight with all our might!"

However, some individuals displayed expressions of worry. They weren't particularly concerned about the five major powers themselves, but rather held exceptional apprehension and fear toward the Wan Zu Region that stood behind them. Most of these were Soul Embryo stage experts, for only at their level could one truly comprehend the deeper motivations behind this conflict.

Xi Jing's keen eyes observed all of this, then she calmly stated, "Beyond the matter of war, there is another crucial announcement I wish to make to you all."

Under the scrutiny of countless gazes, Xi Jing's slender finger pointed toward Zhou Yuan. "I presume you are all aware," she announced, "that first place in this Nine Regions Grand Assembly was secured by Zhou Yuan, the chief pavilion master of our Four Pavilions."

Many eyes turned toward Zhou Yuan, eliciting quiet exclamations of surprise.

However, some Soul Embryo stage experts remained largely unperturbed, for the first place in the Nine Regions Grand Assembly held no practical significance for the true conflict at hand. In their eyes, it was merely a game for Divine Dwelling stage juniors.

Xi Jing's voice descended from above, resonating in everyone's ears.

"What I wish to announce is that Zhou Yuan possesses another identity... he is the third direct disciple of Grand Venerable Cang Yuan."

When these words were uttered, they landed like a bombshell on the floating island, causing countless eyes to widen in shock.

Incredulity also surged onto the faces of the Soul Embryo stage experts.

Qin Lian, too, turned in astonishment, her lips slightly parted as she gazed at Zhou Yuan's unperturbed expression.

Beside Zhou Yuan, Yi Qiushui, Ye Bingling, Lu Xiao, and others stared at him, equally dumbfounded.

What had they just heard?!

Zhou Yuan, the Grand Venerable's third direct disciple?!