It was an aura that even a perfect beauty like Yaoyao did not possess, because it required the accumulation of experience over the years.
Shen Wanjin secretly said beside Zhou Yuan, “Heh heh, little Yuan bro, that should be the master of Snow Lotus Peak, Liu Lianyi. People call her fairy Lianyi…”
“I’ve heard that when she was younger, she was a famous great beauty of Cangxuan Heaven. From what I can see, she does live up to her reputation.”
“Snow Lotus Peak is also one of the most popular choices in the Cangxuan Sect. Their male disciples are handsome, while their female disciples are heart-stirringly beautiful. With regards to appearance, they are definitely the best in the Cangxuan Sect.”
Shen Wanjin was practically drooling at this point. Soon after, he regretfully said, “However, it’s unfortunate that I won’t be able to enter.”
“Why not?” Zhou Yuan chuckled.
Shen Wanjin touched his fat face as he gloomily said, “This Snow Lotus Peak master of ours only likes good looking people. Looks is number one in her criteria for recruiting disciples, while talent is number two… I’m afraid that someone like me would be kicked off the moment I step into the place.”
Amazement flooded Zhou Yuan’s face, not knowing whether he should laugh or cry. He never imagined a peak master would have such character; recruiting disciples based on their face...
He sighed as he shook his head, before turning his gaze towards the other two lotus platforms. The one next to peak master Lianyi was an elderly white-haired figure. The old man had a pair of white eyebrows that connected in the center, making the expression on his aged face seem somewhat miserable.
Aura rose around the white brow elder, seemingly forming millions of ancient and profound runes. Every rune would make the heart of anyone who saw it beat a little faster.
“His Genesis Rune cultivation… is extremely powerful. Of all the people I’ve seen over the years, his mastery of Genesis Runes is the closest to grandpa Hei’s.” Yaoyao pretty face turned grave as she stared at the white brow elder, while interest flooded her eyes.
From what she could tell, the white brow elder was likely second only to Cang Yuan in Genesis Runes.
Zhou Yuan could not help but be taken aback by her words. He had deeply felt master Cang Yuan’s immeasurable strength before, and never imagined that the white brow elder would receive such an assessment from Yaoyao.
“If I’m not wrong, he should be the master of Spirit Rune Peak, old man Tian Shu.” Said Zhou Yuan in a low voice.
If one were to talk about Genesis Runes, this white brow elder was likely number one in the entire Cangxuan Sect.
“If there’s an opportunity, I do hope that I can ask him for some pointers.” Interest could be heard in Yaoyao’s tone. There were not many things she was interested in, and Genesis Runes were one of them.
However, her standards were impossibly high due to following Cang Yuan for many years, making it very difficult for her to find someone she could treat earnestly.
Zhou Yuan let out a bitter laugh. Given the status of these peak masters, how could any ordinary disciple hope to seek guidance from them.
He shook his head as his gaze shifted towards the third lotus platform. Atop it was a metal tower like figure, an elder that was bare all the way down to the waist. However, the elder’s body was not hunched over like an old man’s. A dark gold luster shined on his skin, light seemingly swirling on it as if it was made from gold. Faint, mysterious patterns could be seen on the surface of his body.
He was also imposingly muscular, practically overshadowing the whtie brow elder beside him. As he crossed his arms across his chest and breathed, theQi and blood in his body seemed to circulate like an unstoppable flood, while rumbling thunder was continuously emitted, pulsing with terrifying power.
If he had not painstakingly restrained it, just the rumbling from the Qi and blood in his body would likely kill all the Alpha-Origin disciples present.
This elder had a different aura from the white brow elder, an aura of unmatched ferocity, as if he was a giant that had walked out from the prehistoric era.
Zhou Yuan wiped away the cold sweet on his brows. This individual was likely the master of Hongya Peak.
Wasn’t this Gu Hongyi’s old ancestor? No wonder she rather die than go to the Hongya peak...
“These three and sect master Qing Yang are the four disciples of patriarch Cang Xuan…” Zhou Yuan’s expression shivered a little as he looked towards the left side of sect master Qing Yang, where the torrential Genesis Qi had also transformed into two lotus platforms.
On one of the lotus platforms was a figure wearing a set of simple hemp garments. At closer inspection, one would see a kindly expression on his young and handsome face, his skin glowing like jade.
A mottled stone sword lay across his knees, giving off a faint but terrifying aura.
The Genesis Qi around him faintly vibrated as the cry of a sword rang out from within, as if a sea of swords were hidden around him.
All Zhou Yuan did was look at the handsome youth for a while, when he felt a piercing pain in his eyes, causing him to hurriedly withdraw his gaze.
“This person… should be the master of Sword Cometh Peak.”
Zhou Yuan’s gaze flickered in thought. Gu Hongyi has told him previously that the master of Sword Cometh Peak was once a servant boy under patriarch Cang Xuan. However, the latter now possessed high status in the Cangxuan Sect.
“The final one must be the master of Thunder Prison Peak, the most senior person in the Cangxuan Sect.”
Zhou Yuan looked towards the last figure, only to see that sky in the area was dark, lightning flashing in the clouds as if a lightning dragon was flying within.
On the lotus platform was an elder in black robes with an impassive face. Lightning swam in his eyes as a frightening pressure slowly spread, shaking the space around him.
Zhou Yuan could sense a destructive power in the black robed elder’s body, that seemed to briefly reveal itself before vanishing the next moment.
“The master of Thunder Prison Peak is definitely terrifying.”
Zhou Yuan’s expression had turned grim. The master of Thunder Prison Peak was an old friend of patriarch Cang Xuan. With regards to seniority, even sect master Qing Yang showed respect towards the former.
“Huu.”
Zhou Yuan breathed in deeply, gradually controlling the emotions in his heart. These six figures before his eyes were the six hegemons of the Cangxuan Sect.
Each one wielded immeasurable power. It was no wonder that the Cangxuan Sect had been able to remain amongst the six sacred sects even after patriarch Cang Xuan’s death.
Behind the six hegemons were numerous figures that gave off powerful presences, evidently the powerful experts of the Cangxuan Sect. It seems that the internal department of the Cangxuan Sect also viewed this event with extreme importance.
On the clouds, sect master Qing Yang cast his gaze downwards. It was as if nothing could hide from his gaze as it shined upon every disciple. A single glance from him was seemingly capable of piercing even the netherworld, allowing him to clearly view every aspect of every individual.
Zhou Yuan and Yaoyao seemed to feel sect master Qing Yang’s gaze pause just a little when it swept across them, before continuing on its path.
At the same time, sect master Qing Yang’s grand and loud voice boomed across the area from high above like rumbling thunder.
“The inner mountains are recruiting 9999 disciples this time. A single person per platform. I hope all the disciples will give their all.”
“The top ten will directly become inner mountain gold sash disciples.”
“While the champion will be bestowed a Heaven Genesis technique and a single Genesis Marrow Baptism.”
These words immediately caused the numerous outer mountain disciples below to burst into a frenzy, gaze after gaze beginning to burn as they overflowed with battle intent.
Sect maste
r Qing Yang smiled slightly at this sight, before his powerful voice thundered again,
“Disciples, let the peak selection ceremony begin.”
Chapter 267 The Ceremony Begins
The instant sect master Qing Yang’s words left his mouth, boiling battle intent exploded from the countless outer mountain disciples as burning gaze after gaze looked towards the pyramid made from 9999 stone platforms...
Theses platforms represented the number of people that could become inner mountain disciples, meaning there were only 9999 spots.
In comparison, there were several tens of thousands of outer mountain disciples. In other words, the majority would ultimately be eliminated. It was definitely going to be a highly intense struggle.
To occupy a platform and take a spot for yourself, you would need to experience difficult battle after battle. Only then would the other competitors be too intimidated to challenge you.
The gazes of countless disciples met, sparks flying.
Rumble!
Genesis Qi suddenly erupted. It was as if a fuse was lit, tearing apart the deadlock as countless disciples began to shoot forward a split second later. They swarmed into the sky like locusts, flying towards the many stone platforms floating in the air.
It was indeed a spectacular sight.
“Go! Today will be the day we show our might!”
Lu Feng let out an icy laugh as his cold gaze swept towards the nearby Zhou Yuan. With a wave of his sleeve, vigorous Genesis Qi erupted, and Lu Feng took the lead to dash into the sky.
Behind him, Yang Xiu, Qin Zhen and other powerful Shengzhou disciples also shot forth, closely following behind. Their menacing aura made it such that no one dared to obstruct them.
“Everyone, let’s go too!”
Zhou Yuan took in a deep breath as he gazed upon the sky full of glowing figures, burning battle intent rising from the depths of his eyes.
Zhao Kun, Song Wanxi, Qiao Xiu and the rest heavily nodded with equally excited gazes.
After three months of bitter training, it was finally time for them to show their worth.
Rumble!
With a surge of Genesis Qi, their figures also shot forth, the dozen gathered figures also pretty eye-catching.
In a short span of a dozen breaths, numerous figures landed on the lowest stone platforms. However, with the exception of a tiny handful, most did not linger for even a second, instead using the platform as a foothold to propel their bodies forward again, heading towards the higher platforms.
Everyone knew that the higher the platform, the better one would be able to show one’s abilities. The rankings would also be different, enabling one to receive better treatment in the future.
Hence, everyone wanted to climb as high as they could instead of dwelling at the bottom of the pyramid.
Of course, not everyone had the courage. Disciples that were satisfied as long as they could become an inner mountain disciple stayed behind, standing at the center of the stone platforms, indicating their determination to vie for it.
Anyone that was also interested in competing would step onto the same stone platform and begin the fight to decide who would ultimately have the right to occupy it.
Hence, in a short few minutes, bouts of berserk Genesis Qi were already exploding on many stone platforms, the figures within engaged in battle.
The world around them was filled by the sounds of Genesis Qi clashing.
On the Genesis Qi clouds high above, numerous gazes were cast down, watching the Genesis Qi clashes on the stone platforms.
Sect master Qing Yang gazed at the five individuals around him as he smiled and said, “I wonder who will end up as the champion.”
On his left, the youthful looking Sword Cometh Peak master, Ling Jun, whose face gave off a healthy jade like glow, let out a gentle chuckle as he said, "I've heard that the Lu clan's Lu Feng has been recognized as the head of the ten great outer mountain disciples. If nothing unexpected happens, he should be the greatest contender for first place."
On sect master Qing Yang's left, the Snow Lotus Peak master Liu Lianyi's long and narrow phoenix eyes swept over as she said with an implicative tone, "I've heard Lu Feng has already received much attention from peak master Ling Jun. I believe he will likely join the Sword Cometh Peak after the ceremony, right? The Sword Cometh Peak has managed to snatch quite a number of excellent seedlings over the years."
Sect master Ling Jun smiled slightly. "My Sword Cometh Peak has relatively weaker foundations after all, giving me no choice but to recruit more disciples. We're still far from being able to match the Cangxuan Peak."
Sect master Qing Yang smiled and said, "The Sword Cometh Peak's current accomplishments cannot be separated from peak master Ling Jun's efforts."
"The Cangxuan Sect is teacher's life blood after all. I naturally want to do my part." Said peak master Ling Jun with a smile.
Upon hearing these words, sect master Qing Yang continued to smile faintly, while the Snow Lotus Peak master Liu Lianyi's eyes narrowed slightly without anyone's notice.
It this moment, a figure suddenly stepped forward from behind sect master Qing Yang and respectfully reported, "Sect master, though it is true that Lu Feng's chances are great, there is someone that should be able to compete with him."
If one looked over, one would discover that the person who had spoken was the one who had brought Zhou Yuan to the Cangxuan Sect, Mu Wuji.
"Oh?" Sect master Qing Yang chuckled upon hearing this. "Is it the one from the Hongya Peak master's clan?"
Upon hearing sect master Qing Yang's words, the Hongya Peak master Gu Tianhong’s lips cracked open as he laughed, before he said in a booming voice, “That little lass is quite talented, but she is still lacking a little compared to Lu Feng. If they fought, her chances at winning will not be high.”
Mu Wuji also chuckled and said, “Gu Hongyi’s does have astonishing talent. If given more time, no one would be her match in the peak selection ceremony. However, the one I’m referring to is not her, but… a little fellow called Zhou Yuan.”
He pointed towards a certain spot below as the hegemons gazes followed. They saw Zhou Yuan leading a group of disciples as they climbed to higher platforms.
A short distance ahead, was Lu Feng and gang.
One look was all it took. Anyone could see that these two groups were the elites amongst this batch of outer mountain disciples.
“This little one only has the strength of the first layer Alpha-Origin. How did he make so many people submit to him?” Snow Lotus Peak master Liu Lianyi’s tone was one of interest.
“His Spirit is not weak and should have reached the Corporeal stage. No wonder.”
However, she soon sensed the strength of Zhou Yuan’s Spirit.
The white brow elder also looked down, a trace of interest appearing on his seemingly miserable looking face. “His Spirit talent is not bad, he should be pretty decent in Genesis Runes.”
Mu Wuji said, “Zhou Yuan comes from the Cangmang Continent, where he distinguished himself in the Saint Remains Domain and obtained the patriarch’s Saint blood baptism.”
These words immediately caused the eyes of the six hegemons to widen a little. Soon after, all of them fell silent.
Sect master Qing Yang slowly said, “Teacher’s body split into many parts when he died, falling onto various locations in Cangxuan Heaven to form numerous Saint Remains Domain. However, only a small handful have managed to obtain his Saint blood baptism. It seems that Zhou Yuan should have some ability.”
The Hongya Peak master Gu Hongtian’s five fingers tightly clenched, space shattering around his hand. His expression was stormy as an icy voice filled with rage sounded, “Those Sacred Palace bastards!”
They naturally knew that patriarch Cang Xuan’s death back then was very likely linked to Sacred Palace.
However, the current Sacred Palace was steadily rising in power, and there was also the terrifying Sacred Race behind them. Hence, even the Cangxuan Sect could o
nly bury their hatred deep in their hearts.
The air around Liu Lianyi and the white brow elder also turned much colder.
In the end, sect master Qing Yang waved his hand and said in a low voice, “Think about the big picture.”
“Humph!”
Fury flashed in the eyes of Liu Lianyin as she let out an icy snort. She looked as if she wanted to say something, but ultimately resisted the urge. However, her soul-stirringly beautiful face was clearly covered in frost.
The white brow elder lowered his gaze and remained silent.
The Sword Cometh Peak master Ling Jun sighed softly.
The Thunder Prison Peak master remained expressionless.
Sect master Qing Yang chuckled, consoling everyone two more times, before casting his gaze to the numerous stone platforms below. Amongst the innumerable figures, Zhou Yuan and the dozen he led rapidly ascended the pyramid.
Sect master Qing Yang concentrated on the youthful figure as he said in a soft voice, “Let us see whether this little one will be able to give us a pleasant surprise…”
Chapter 268 Fight for the Top
9999 stone platforms were gathered in the shape of a pyramid as they floated in the sky, dazzling brilliantly when the rays of the sun shined upon them.
Boom! Boom!
At this current moment, berserk Genesis Qi violently pulsed from numerous platforms.
One would see a swarm of glowing figures continuously leaping upwards, jumping from platform to platform as they climbed.
There were pretty much no other rules for this peak selection ceremony. At the center of each stone platform was a mat. As long as someone could sit on it without being disturbed for an incense stick of time, the stone platform would close, restricting anyone else from entering. When this happened, it would mean that the platform had been occupied.
Any means could be used to achieve this.
Therefore, when someone powerful appeared on a stone platform, others might gang up on this individual, making the situation extremely chaotic.
Swish! Swish!
Zhou Yuan, Song Wanxi, Zhao Kun and the rest stuck close together as stone platform after stone platform rapidly passed by under their feet, their figures never lingering even for a second.
Dragon Prince Yuan c1-1251 Page 147