Even Yuan Hong merely saw a shadow flash pass at a speed that made his pupils shrink.
There was no hesitation whatsoever as Yuan Hong immediately shot backwards. The current Zhou Yuan made him feel a dangerous sensation. As such, he no longer dared to look down on the latter like before.
Boom!
However, mere moments after he began to retreat, the air exploded behind him as a blurry figure appeared.
Thump!
Resplendent silver light exploded. Zhou Yuan wielded the Heavenly Yuan Brush, his gaze cold and sharp as a blade as he swung his arms, causing the brush to sweep towards his opponent with dreadful power.
The ground under them was ripped open, revealing a deep, dark crack.
“Genesis Breaker!”
“Million Whale Rune!”
The black brush descended, the terrifying power within causing Yuan Hong’s expression to change drastically.
All the Genesis Qi in his body immediately burst out without reservation.
“Low grade Heaven Genesis technique, Sword Shield!”
Genesis Qi gathered in the wake of his roar, taking the shape of a giant Genesis Qi sword shield in front of him. The shield pulsed with chilling sword Qi, possessing both a strong defence and reflective properties.
Thud!
However, when the falling black brush landed on the shield, a shattering sound seemed to emerge from space itself. Next, everyone saw cracks swiftly grow on the sword shield, before it exploded with a loud bang!
A flash of black descended the moment the shield was shattered, slamming hard into Yuan Hong’s waist.
Thud!
A muffled thud was heard as Yuan Hong vomited a mouthful of blood. His figure was sent hurtling through the air, bouncing several times off the ground as he left a deep thousand foot long trail along the way...
Both the mountain top and outside it was very quiet at this moment.
Countless gazes blankly stared at this scene...
This was the first time Yuan Hong had fallen into a disadvantageous position ever since the start of the chief disciple selection.
It was clear that the situation had finally begun to change at this very moment.
Chapter 472 Everyone Shocked
The mountain top was a mess. A deep, dark crack ran through the middle of the plaza, nearly splitting it into two. At the end of the crack, Yuan Hong’s figure lay amidst a pile of rubble.
It was deathly silent outside the chief disciple peak.
Every gaze could only blankly stare at this scene in shock. Yuan Hong had been so calm and unruffled since the start of the chief disciple selection, and had not been the least disadvantaged even against the trio of Zhou Tai, Lu Yan and Zhang Yan.
In comparison with Zhou Yuan, Yuan Hong had truly seemed invincible.
Hence, when the numerous disciples were shocked to the core at the sight of the seemingly unstoppable Yuan Hong being blown away by a punch from Zhou Yuan.
One must know that Zhou Yuan was being completely overwhelmed by Yuan Hong a short period ago.
But it was this very short period of time in which Zhou Yuan seemed to have undergone a complete metamorphosis.
Who could have anticipated that Zhou Yuan would be able to release such terrifying power?
At Shen Taiyuan’s faction, without even mentioning the ordinary disciples, even Shen Taiyuan himself could not help but be slack jawed, as he stared at this scene in a daze.
Shen Taiyuan had honestly lost all hope when Zhou Tai and the other two had been defeated earlier. After all, although Zhou Yuan was doing pretty well, there was still a substantial gap between him and Yuan Hong.
Hence, Shen Taiyuan had already been prepared for defeat.
He never would have imagined that the situation would suddenly take such an unexpected twist.
A surprise like this had truly caught him a little off guard.
But as the surprise began to pass, Shen Taiyuan could only look towards the glowing silver figure on the mountain top with unequaled gratification, as a rejoicing mood infected his heart.
He was rejoicing his choice of standing his ground against the majority back then to select Zhou Yuan and give him the greatest support possible.
In the very distant future, this choice of his would perhaps become the most successful decision he had made over the years.
While Shen Taiyuan was sighing deeply with emotion, the nearby elder Lu Song was breathing a soft sigh of relief. Though he had already chosen to back down in this chief disciple selection, he still felt his heart stir a little when he saw Zhou Yuan blowing away Yuan Hong.
After all, he too had felt a small desire to recruit Zhou Yuan as his disciple back then, but had ultimately chosen not to fight with Shen Taiyuan such as to maintain a friendly relationship.
He was now beginning to feel a little regret at that decision back then.
If Zhou Yuan truly succeeded in obtaining the chief disciple seat, Shen Taiyuan’s faction would gain the possibility of becoming the master faction of Saint Genesis Peak. Shen Taiyuan’s status would also rise, surpassing Lu Song’s.
“That old fogey…”
He sighed as he looked towards Shen Taiyuan with envy.
“His foresight is really something.”
Even further away from them, the celebratory atmosphere over Lu Hong’s faction had once again turned to silence, the faces of numerous disciples overwhelmed with shock. This was the first time they had seen Yuan Hong in such a position for so many years.
And the one who had created this scene was merely a newly promoted fourth layer purple sash disciple.
The disciples sneaked quick glances at Lu Hong, only to discover a stormy and somewhat twisted expression on the latter’s old face. He quietly grinded his teeth as he stared at the figure atop the mountain with both alarm and seething rage.
Zhou Yuan had never really entered his eyes. In fact, Lu Hong had not been too worried even when the former defeated Wu Hai and the other four, because there was still Yuan Hong.
In Lu Hong’s opinion, when Zhou Yuan encountered Yuan Hong, he would naturally understand the tremendous gap between them.
When that happened, Yuan Hong would naturally take back all the face they had lost.
But Lu Hong never expected the situation to take such a turn...
The sudden explosion of power from Zhou Yuan had stunned everyone, including Lu Hong.
He took in a deep breath, the sure-win attitude he had from before already beginning to crack a little. Fortunately, the worst scenario had yet to occur.
It would not be so easy for Zhou Yuan to take the chief disciple seat from Yuan Hong.
“Show me just how capable you are!”
Lu Hong gnashed his teeth, an ominous light flashing in his eyes as he stared at the figure on the peak.
…
On the peak, Zhou Tai, Zhang Yan and Lu Yan’s mouths were hanging wide up, the astonishment on their faces not fading even after so long. The sudden turn of events had truly shocked them to their core.
Who could have imagined that Zhou Yuan would send Yuan Hong flying with a punch...
One must know that even the trio's combined efforts earlier had failed to even put a single dent on Yuan Hong. And yet, Zhou Yuan had achieved what they had failed to.
So what did this mean?
It meant that Zhou Yuan’s strength had surpassed their combined might.
The trio had dull, sluggish looks on their faces, especially Lu Yan and Zhang Yan. The two of them had nitpicked on Zhou Yuan the most, and even genuinely felt that he would be a burden in this chief disciple selection.
Never in their wildest dreams would they have imagined that the very person they had looked down on, would actually possess strength that surpassed even the trio’s combined might.
This made their expressions turn extremely complicated.
Zhou Yuan brandished the Heavenly Yuan Brush, its sharp tip pointed towards the ground at an angle as Genesis Qi
pulsed from it.
His tranquil gaze looked towards the glaring deep crack, pausing on the pile of rubble at the very end. Though his earlier attack had been rather swift and fierce, and had made Yuan Hong suffer somewhat, the former could sense that the latter had not sustained any fatal injuries.
This opponent was also unexpectedly difficult for Zhou Yuan.
However, Zhou Yuan also felt that he had nothing to fear. After all, he had succeeded in pulling through the most dire juncture earlier. What’s more, the situation was already beginning to turn.
The newly acquired silver bone stage, plus his Genesis Qi and the Heavenly Yuan Brush made it such that Zhou Yuan’s true battle power was no weaker than Yuan Hong’s peak eighth layer strength.
“You’ve already lost your final chance by choosing not to crush me earlier.”
Iciness surfaced in Zhou Yuan’s eyes. In the next instant, his foot powerfully pushed off the ground, sending his figure shooting forward and appearing above the pile of rubble.
“Are you only able to hide like a mouse now?”
Zhou Yuan let out an icy laugh as he swung the Heavenly Yuan Brush. Dreadful power poured down, instantly turning the countless rocks below to power.
A pitch-black brush fell with unmatched force, causing the surrounding ground to crumble as it darted towards the depths of the crack.
Swish!
As the brush descended with terrifying power, a ray of scarlet light suddenly soared out from the pitch-black darkness, and ultimately collided with the brush.
Clang!
A loud and clear sound of metal striking metal echoed.
A frightening shockwave of Genesis Qi unfurled, devastating the surroundings. It was as if the giant plaza had been relentlessly plowed, as cracks continuously appeared on the mountain top.
Some distance away, Zhou Tai, Zhang Yan and Lu Yan were caught in the aftershocks, causing their figures to be swept away as blood spurted from their mouths.
However, they ignored their injuries and focused instead on the clash.
Zhou Yuan’s figure was flung backwards, his feet drawing two long marks on the ground.
He stared to the front, where Yuan Hong’s figure emerged once again from the scattering dust.
His clothes were in tatters and hair a mess, making him cut quite the sorry figure. However, his eyes were currently akin to wild beast’s, filled with savageness and ferocity.
Vigorous Genesis Qi rose around him, causing a tremendous pressure to spread.
The most eye-catching thing, however, was the object he was tightly gripping with both hands, a scarlet-red edgeless broadsword that seemed to tower in front of him.
Intense heat spread from the sword, that was seemingly capable of melting the ground.
Yuan Hong’s hands rested on the pommel of the sword as the surrounding Genesis Qi frantically converged towards him, causing his aura to rise.
Countless gazes looked towards the broadsword in Yuan Hong’s hands, as their pupils shrank slightly .
“Low grade Heaven Genesis Weapon, Heaven Flame Sword!”
Several cries of surprise rang out across the area.
High up in the sky, peak master Lianyi let out an icy chuckle when she saw this, turning towards peak master Ling Jun as she said, “From what I know, that Heaven Flame Sword should belong to Sword Cometh Peak, right?”
Peak master Ling Jun’s eyelids lowered slightly as he nonchalantly replied, “Due to the spectacular ability displayed by Yuan Hong in Sword Cometh Peak, I bestowed this sword to him before he left for Saint Genesis Peak.”
Peak master Lianyi coldly snorted, her tone filled with mockery.
Outside the chief disciple peak, Lu Hong breathed a sigh of relief, before gritting his teeth once more.
“Blasted brat… since you’ve forced Yuan Hong to bring out even the Heaven Flame Sword, you should prepare yourself to pay a very painful price!”
From what he could see, bringing out the Heaven Flame Sword meant that Yuan Hong was finally going to use his true power.
Chapter 473 Desperation
Clang!
A loud and clear ‘clang’ echoed across the mountain top. The Heavenly Yuan Brush in Zhou Yuan’s hands drew a line of dazzling sparks on the ground as he gradually steadied his body.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he stared to the front, where a somewhat ragged looking Yuan Hong stood holding a scarlet-red broadsword.
Wave after wave of Genesis Qi pulsed powerfully from Yuan Hong’s body, causing a grave look to streak across Zhou Yuan’s face.
“Low grade Heaven Genesis Weapon…”
Zhou Yuan was naturally able to sense the Genesis Qi in Yuan Hong’s body steadily rising when he held the sword. It was obviously a real Heaven Genesis Weapon, and nothing like the quasi-Heaven Genesis Weapons used by Wu Hai and the rest before.
A Heaven Genesis Weapon could absorb Genesis Qi from the surroundings to augment the user’s strength. As such, Yuan Hong’s battle power had grown even higher after taking out the Heaven Genesis Weapon.
This was something Zhou Yuan had clearly experienced in their most recent exchange of blows.
In other words, the Yuan Hong was now using his true power.
Under the countless watching gazes, Yuan Hong wielded Heaven Flame as he stared at Zhou Yuan with the feral eyes of a tiger. Wave after wave of Genesis Qi continuously pulsed from the former’s body, rippling space around him.
“I truly never expected that there would actually be a day where I would be forced so far by a fourth layer disciple.” Yuan Hong revealed a set of eerily white teeth, his voice filled with iciness.
There was a sliver of anger in the depths of his eyes. Being pushed so far by Zhou Yuan had clearly made him feel humiliated.
Yuan Hong had never once viewed Zhou Yuan as a threat. Even though the latter had achieved several impressive battle accomplishments, Yuan Hong had always looked at him like a senior looking at a newcomer.
However, he would never have imagined that this newcomer he often overlooked or neglected, would actually force him into such a miserable state in the chief disciple selection.
This was clearly something that Yuan Hong could not accept.
Hence, he needed to display true power that would let Zhou Yuan understand the gap between them.
The feral look in Yuan Hong’s eyes grew more and more ferocious. In the next instant, berserk Genesis Qi exploded from his body, as his figure suddenly appeared high in the sky.
Genesis Qi surged out, pouring into the Heaven Flame Sword in his hand. Everyone could see its originally scarlet-red blade grow brighter and brighter.
A terrifying head spread from within, causing even the space around it to distort a little.
“Flame Light!”
Yuan Hong’s roar was akin to thunder. His hands formed a seal as the Heaven Flame Sword transformed into a flash of scarlet light as it shot forth. Scarlet-red waves of fire churned around it, as if it was falling from the sky while dragging along a sea of fire, quick as rushing thunder as it viciously chopped downwards at Zhou Yuan below.
Swoosh!
Patches of forest on the chief disciple peak began to burn, and even the boulders started to melt.
The expressions of countless disciples changed at the sight of this attack.
After being augmented by the power of a Heaven Genesis Weapon, Yuan Hong had obviously become even more frightening.
No one knew if Zhou Yuan would be able to withstand such a terrifying attack...
Zhou Yuan stood on the ground, the stone floor beneath his feet slowly turning scarlet-red. He lifted his head as the sea of fire rapidly grew in his eyes.
Huu.
He took a deep breath. Though his expression was grave, not the slightest trace of fear could be seen.
Yuan Hong had brought out even his hidden Heaven Genesis Weapon, and clearly no longer dared to hold anything back. Since this was the case, the subsequent struggle would be a test of their true
skills.
However, no matter what, Zhou Yuan was absolutely not going to yield the chief disciple position to Yuan Hong today!
Boom!
A cold glint flashed in Zhou Yuan’s eyes as he slammed his foot into boiling hot scarlet-red ground, causing it to crumble. His figure turned into a wisp of smoke as it rose into the air.
His hands tightly gripped the Heavenly Yuan Brush as Genesis Qi star after star in his Qi Dwelling began to light up. Genesis Qi endlessly surged out, flooding his four limbs and skeleton.
“Jade skin stage!”
His skin began to give off a jade glow.
“Silver bone stage!”
Silver light emerged from his bones.
Zhou Yuan pushed the little Mythic Saint Body to its limits at this very moment.
Physical power and Genesis Qi gathered, allowing every swing of his fist and feet to be accompanied by an explosion of terrifying power.
Rumble!
The Heavenly Yuan Brush dashed towards the sky, bringing with it Zhou Yuan’s strongest power as it collided with the scarlet light and sea of flames.
Clang!
The two Genesis Weapons smashed into each other, causing a loud ‘clang’ to sound. A ripple that could be seen with the naked eye swept outwards, as faint cracks appeared in the surrounding space.
Zhou Yuan’s figure was forced back, but he managed to stabilize his body with a jerk of the brush.
The scarlet light also forced back, the sea of fire scattered as the light transformed back into a sword and orbited around Yuan Hong.
Neither side had gained the upper hand in the ferocious clash.
Zhou Yuan and Yuan Hong’s gazes met in the air, iciness flickering in their eyes. In the next instant, the Heaven Flame Sword roared forth once more, scarlet light sweeping across the land as it transformed into countless sword shadows that began to attack Zhou Yuan.
In response to Yuan Hong’s aggressive offensive, Zhou Yuan howled at the sky, brandishing the brush as he shot forward to meet the attacks head-on.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Genesis Qi clashed in the sky above the mountain top like thunder, sending out wave after wave of destruction.
Yuan Hong controlled the Heaven Flame Sword with his Genesis Qi, sending it cutting through the air along with waves of fire. Scarlet-red sword shadows transformed into frightening attack after attack, like the relentless rage of a fire god.
Dragon Prince Yuan c1-1251 Page 257
