Dragon Prince Yuan c1-1251

by Translator: Yeow

  “According to the rules, the purple Genesis cave dwelling should go to one of the three that participated. It doesn’t make sense for an outsider to do nothing and yet enjoy the profits.”

  Several disciples secretly nodded in approval at Cao Shi’s words.

  Shen Taiyuan’s expression turned slightly ugly as he said in a low voice, “Are you questioning me?”

  Cao Shi hastily cupped his fists together and said, “Disciple does not dare. We have worked hard for the sake of Saint Genesis Peak, and understand the pressure teacher Shen is facing. Hence, if there really is someone who can become our main pillar of strength, we will naturally give him or her our full support. However, I’m afraid that some people may not be able to share teacher Shen’s heavy burden, and may waste away the hope and expectations of our numerous fellow disciples.”

  His words were full of righteousness, but they secretly hinted that Zhou Yuan had neither the qualifications nor capability.

  Shen Taiyuan’s expression grew darker and darker.

  Just as he was about to berate Cao Shi, another voice suddenly sounded, “Please do not be angry teacher Shen, although junior brother Cao Shi has been rather rash to offend teacher Shen, he does not possess any ill will. It is true that junior brother Zhou Yuan is the champion of the latest peak selection ceremony, but he is ultimately still too inexperienced. If we give him a year or two, he may be able to meet teacher Shen’s expectations, and I’m sure that no one will object then…”

  Shen Taiyuan looked over, only to find that a young man with an earnest expression beside Zhou Tai had spoken.

  His name was Zhang Yan, and was the second seat purple sash disciple, second only to Zhou Tai.

  Zhou Yuan calmly glanced at Zhang Yan. Although the latter’s speech sounded nicer, the hidden meaning within was clear. He was saying that the current Zhou Yuan did not deserve to possess a purple Genesis cave dwelling.

  He was undoubtedly supporting Cao Shi.

  Zhang Yan clearly had some influence over the other disciples. After he spoke, several disciples immediately voiced out their agreement, making the hall become rather noisy for a time.

  Especially when two other purple sash disciples indicated their support, making the opposition grow louder and louder.

  At the back of the hall, Shen Wanjin and the other new disciples had worried looks in their eyes as they gazed at Zhou Yuan’s figure from far away. They had not expected so many disciples to object.

  If this matter was not handled properly, Zhou Yuan’s reputation would be affected.

  However, they also understood that new disciples like them basically did not have any right to speak in such a setting.

  They were not the only ones. Even Shen Taiyuan frowned deeply at this scene.

  He did have the option to over power all opposition with force, but he still had to rely on the Cao Shi trio for the cave match. If their hearts weren’t in it, their chances of victory would turn even more miniscule, practically giving away the purple Genesis cave dwelling for free.

  Shen Taiyuan was silent for a long time, before he slowly turned towards Zhou Yuan and asked, “Zhou Yuan, what do you think?”

  An almost undetectable pleased look rose from the corners of Cao Shi’s mouth when he heard this. Shen Taiyuan was evidently unable to ignore the objection from so many disciples, causing his previous insistence to waver a little.

  Cao Shi’s gaze swept past Zhou Yuan from the corner of his eye as he icily chuckled in his heart.

  This kid was too much of a greenhorn. Did you really believe that you could ignore the rules just because teacher Shen has high hopes of you?

  Swatting you down is as easy as flipping my hand.

  Everything that had happened today was clearly the results of Cao Shi’s handiwork.

  Under the numerous watching gazes, Zhou Yuan’s expression remained calm from start to end.

  Truthfully speaking, though he was indeed a little interested in the purple Genesis cave dwelling, it had not reached the stage where he absolutely needed to have it.

  However, Cao Shi’s hostility and actions made Zhou Yuan frown a little.

  He surmised that the various happenings today were most likely orchestrated by Cao Shi, all for the sake of trying to keep Zhou Yuan down.

  He tilted his head, and glanced at Cao Shi with an icy gaze.

  Upon detecting Zhou Yuan’s gaze, the corner’s of Cao Shi’s lips rose slightly in contempt as he nonchalantly said, Junior brother Zhou Yuan, once should eat one mouthful at a time, or take things step by step. The repercussions of attempting to reach the sky in a single leap are usually far too great.”

  “Listen to your senior brother and train properly for a year or two first. By that time, it will probably be easier for you to entertain such thoughts.”

  Zhou Yuan merely smiled without commenting, and said, “According to the rules, I’m currently third seat, while you’re the fourth seat. You should be calling me senior brother instead.”

  Cao Shi’s face twisted as he let out a mocking, icy chuckle.

  Zhou Yuan ignored the former, raising his head as he said, “Teacher Shen, I feel that following the rules may not be a bad thing.”

  Zhang Yan immediately smiled when he heard this and said, “It’s great that junior brother Zhou Yuan thinks so.”

  Shen Taiyuan slowly said, “You intend to give up on the purple Genesis cave dwelling?”

  Cao Shi laughed happily. Looks like Zhou Yuan could not handle the pressure, and knew that he still did not have the qualifications to own a purple Genesis cave dwelling.

  However, Zhou Yuan chuckled as he shook his head. “Didn’t junior brother Cao Shi say earlier that according to the rules, the purple Genesis cave dwelling should be given to one of the three participants?”

  “Since that is the case, I volunteer to participate. Please allow me to become one of the three representatives for the cave match.”

  Since Cao Shi was being so overbearing, Zhou Yuan naturally did not need to show any mercy.

  *Uproar*!

  Zhou Yuan’s words instantly caused the entire hall to explode into noise.

  The smile on Cao Shi’s face turned slightly rigid. Soon after, the mocking look on lips grew even wider as he pointed at Zhou Yuan and said,

  “Zhou Yuan ah Zhou Yuan, you really are cluelessly arrogant!”

  “Do you believe the cave match is the same as the peak selection ceremony?”

  He shook his head and stared at Zhou Yuan with cold eyes.

  “I’ll be blunt, you still do not possess the qualifications to participate in the cave match. You may want to go there and humiliate yourself but we do not!”

  Chapter 290 Match

  When Zhou Yuan’s words landed in the giant hall, it immediately drew a wave of stunned gazes. No one had even considered that he would plan on participating in the cave match.

  One must know that although the purple sash disciples from both sides were no longer able to participate, the disciples sent would be the elites of the gold sash. Though Zhou Yuan was also a gold sash disciple, he was after all far too new, and there was still a tremendous gap between him and the older disciples.

  Zhou Yuan had such a hard time against Lu Feng in the peak selection ceremony, an opponent who was only at the peak fourth layer Alpha-Origin, someone who was not even a true fifth layer.

  On the other hand, most of the inner mountain gold sash disciples had already stepped into the fifth layer Alpha-Origin stage.

  While those such as Tong Long and Cao Shi were powerful even amongst the fifth layer.

  As such, many felt that Zhou Yuan basically did not qualifications to participate in battles at this level. Hence why Cao Shi could not help but mock the former after hearing his words.

  However, Zhou Yuan ignored the mockery and the skeptical gazes, only looking straight at Shen Taiyuan with a calm expression.

  Shen Taiyuan had likewise been stunned, Zhou Yuan’s actions clearly out of his ex
pectations. Soon after, he began to frown. At the end of the day, what he valued in Zhou Yuan was the latter’s potential.

  Zhou Yuan was currently only a second layer Alpha-Origin, and although he had managed to defeat the peak fourth layer Alpha-Origin Lu Feng in the peak selection ceremony, even Lu Feng would not dare to muddle in a fight like this.

  If any other ordinary disciple had said such words, Shen Taiyuan would have berated him or her long ago. However, Zhou Yuan was after all somewhat different from the rest.

  Hence, Shen Taiyuan did not rebuke Zhou Yuan’s behaviour, and merely said, “Zhou Yuan, you don’t have to force yourself. There is no need to compete with others for the time being. Given your talent, you will surely begin to truly stand out after a year or two.”

  Although he did have high hopes of Zhou Yuan, Shen Taiyuan believed that the former had only said those words in the heat of the moment.

  “In addition… this matter affects the face of our faction, and we cannot afford to make any reckless decisions.”

  Cao Shi cooly looked at Zhou Yuan upon hearing this.

  Zhou Yuan calmly replied, “Teacher Shen, as the saying goes, one should not get a reward one does not deserve. If I do not make any contributions, I will not be able to accept the purple Genesis cave dwelling even if we do end up winning it.”

  Cao Shi sneered and said, “At least you still have some self-awareness.”

  Zhou Yuan shot the former an indifferent glance, before continuing, “Teacher Shen must feel that I am not strong enough, but there’s a simple solution. Allow me to have a match with one of the three current representatives. If I somehow win, I will replace him, while if I lose, I will naturally no longer speak of this matter and not entertain any thoughts about the purple Genesis cave dwelling.”

  By this point, Zhou Yuan’s true goal was finally revealed.

  How could he not know that numerous of the more senior disciples looked down on him because he was new. At the same time, they also felt that teacher Shen was being very unfair.

  However, they did not have the courage to raise their objections so publicly like Cao Shi, but the truth was that they refused to acknowledge Zhou Yuan in their hearts.

  If not, Cao Shi would not have managed to garner so much support.

  In such a circumstance, for Zhou Yuan to smoothly keep the purple Genesis cave dwelling in his pocket, he would first need to win over the other disciples. But because he was only a new disciple without any experience, trying to convince them with the potential of the peak selection ceremony champion was clearly an impossible fantasy.

  Therefore, he would use the most direct and effective method.

  No argument could beat the hard truth of reality.

  *Uproar*!

  Sure enough, Zhou Yuan’s words caused another wave of noise to rise in the hall, every disciple dumbstruck once again.

  No one had expected Zhou Yuan to have such charisma. He actually intended to use one of the three participants as an example!

  Was he crazy!

  One must know that Tong Long, Pan Song and Cao Shi were powerful practitioners even amongst the fifth layer Alpha-Origin, strength that far surpassed Lu Feng’s. Where had Zhou Yuan found the courage to suggest facing them in battle?

  Tong Long, Cao Shi and Pan Song were stunned. Soon after, they looked at each other, seeing the amusement in each other’s eyes.

  They too had never expected Zhou Yuan to be so arrogant...

  Just below Shen Taiyuan, Zhou Tai was also quite amazed as he let out a helpless chuckle. Junior brother Zhou Yuan was indeed no kind buddha, and refused to lose out even a little.

  But was a counter attack like this a little too reckless?

  “Hehe, junior brother Zhou Yuan is really something.” Zhang Yan laughed in amusement.

  The other purple sash disciples also chuckled as they nodded. From their appearances, they clearly felt that Zhou Yuan was not using his head. This was practically akin to a calf being unafraid of a tiger. Sure, he had courage, but he lacked self-awareness.

  Shen Taiyuan was both surprised and amazed as he stared at Zhou Yuan. The latter’s suggestion had once again surpassed his expectations. After some silence, he finally said, “You mean to challenge one of the three to see who is most suitable to participate in the cave match?”

  His gaze flickered in thought as he slowly continued, “Are you certain Zhou Yuan? Once I agree, there will be no turning back. If you end up losing, the purple Genesis cave dwelling will truly be out of your reach.”

  Zhou Yuan nodded with a calm face.

  Shen Taiyuan took one deep look at Zhou Yuan, before he ultimately said, “Since that is your decision, we shall do as you suggested. Which the three do you choose as your opponent?”

  Zhou Yuan’s gaze slowly shifted under the numerous watching eyes in the hall, no surprise whatsoever as it ultimately paused on Cao Shi.

  Since Cao Shi was the one who had kicked up such a fuss, he shall be used to establish Zhou Yuan reputation in Saint Genesis Peak.

  Cao Shi was likewise unsurprised. Instead, he grinned as he shook his head towards Tong Long and Pan Song, and jokingly said, “I can’t believe that the day will come where I’m being treated as a soft persimmon.”

  “Ah well, teaching a new junior how to behave is something a senior should do. I shall accept this challenge.”

  His tone indicated that he felt no pressure at all, but was instead ready to toy with Zhou Yuan.

  Numerous disciples softly laughed around him.

  Shen Taiyuan slowly said, “Since that is the case, the match between the two of you shall be held five days later. The victor shall be allowed to become one of the three participants for the cave match.”

  Shen Taiyuan’s gaze paused on Zhou Yuan’s figure. He had still decided to give Zhou Yuan more time, because from a certain point of view, he hoped that Zhou Yuan would really be able to create a miracle. If that happened, it would mean that Zhou Yuan truly did possess the potential that would enable him to stand against the masses.

  However, if Zhou Yuan were to lose, Shen Taiyuan would not be able to stop himself from feeling disappointed, because it meant that Zhou Yuan’s was merely reckless, and someone with such character could never be destined for greater things.

  Shen Taiyuan slowly withdrew his gaze as he sighed softly inside.

  “Zhou Yuan, I hope that you do not disappoint me…”

  Chapter 291 Chosens Challenge

  In the wake of Zhou Yuan and Cao Shi’s match being settled, the atmosphere in the hall changed once again, numerous gazes filled with pity as they constantly glanced towards Zhou Yuan.

  It was obvious that almost no one believed Zhou Yuan would be able to beat Cao Shi. The latter was after all a true-blue fifth layer Alpha-Origin.

  In fact, some of the disciples even felt that due to being unable to bear the pressure of so many people objecting to him, Zhou Yuan had intentionally found an excuse for him to gracefully leave the stage.

  This idea made several disciples secretly nod their heads in approval. At least this new disciple was still somewhat tactful, and understood that a purple Genesis cave dwelling was still out of his reach.

  At the highest point of the hall, Shen Taiyuan coughed softly, drawing back the gazes of the numerous disciples. His expression had returned to its usual stern state as his gaze swept around the hall. “Many new disciples have joined us, and all of us will be of the same group in the future. I hope that we can look out for each other.”

  After saying a few more stereotypical welcoming words, Shen Taiyuan said, “Everyone who has joined the inner mountains is allowed to select a Genesis Qi cultivation method.”

  “Black sash disciples may choose low tier grade 5 Genesis Qi cultivation methods.”

  “Gold sash disciples may choose high tier grade 5 Genesis Qi cultivation methods.”

  “While purple sash disciples may choose grade 6 Genesis Qi cultivation methods.”

  The numerous ne
w disciples exploded into noise, each disciple wide-eyed as excitement filled their faces.

  They had come to the Cangxuan Sect because it possessed better and higher tier Genesis Qi cultivation methods and techniques. These were the most valuable, because they would enable them to cultivate higher grade Genesis Qi.

  “As expected of the Cangxuan Sect.” Zhou Yuan could not help but praise inside. In the Great Zhou Empire, a grade 4 Genesis Qi cultivation method was already considered the best of the best, while a grade 5 Genesis Qi cultivation method would be considered an ultimate treasure even in the more powerful empires and great clans.

  The majority of the new disciples here were only cultivating grade 4 Genesis Qi.

  Now that they were finally able to obtain higher ranked cultivation methods in the inner mountains, how could they not be excited and overwhelmed with emotion.

  In contrast, Zhou Yuan was not interested in the Genessi Qi cultivation methods, because the Ancestral Dragon Scripture he practiced was far too tyrannical. Once one was on this road, one would no longer be able to change to another cultivation method.

  Of course, it was also because his Omni Python was already a grade 6 Genesis Qi.

  Moreover, Zhou Yuan could feel that his Omni Python Qi was top tier even amongst the other grade 6 Genesis Qi.

  If one were to talk about quality, Zhou Yuan believed that none of the purple sash disciples had better Genesis Qi than him.

  And if he really wanted to find someone who could compete in Genesis Qi quality, even in the entire Cangxuan Sect, it was likely that only the ten great Chosens would be able to put up a fight.

  Of course, it must be noted that the quality of one’s Genesis Qi was only one of the factors that contributed to one’s strength, so the person with the best Genesis Qi may not necessarily be the strongest.

  But at the very least, it was an advantage.

  While all the other disciples were bubbling with excitement, Zhou Yuan’s expression remained cool and collected.