Exactly how crazy of a foundation did one require at the Alpha-Origin stage to achieve a Nine Divine Dwelling?
Looks like he still had a ways to go in the Alpha-Origin stage!
However, what he needed to do now was to first calm his heart, and prepare to unseal the main peak.
As Yaoyao gazed upon the now silently thinking Zhou Yuan, the corners of her mouth raised slightly. How could she not tell that he had become a little relaxed after winning the chief disciple seat.
Hence, it was time to give him a knock on the head to make him understand the gap between himself and the Chosens. Only then would he sincerely train with a clear mind.
Chapter 487 Challenging the Main Peak
While the entire Cangxuan Sect was still soaking in the afterglow of the chief disciple selection, the three day deadline quietly arrived.
On this day, Saint Genesis Peak became lively once again.
Because today, Zhou Yuan would be taking on his first task as chief disciple. It was the most important mission of ascending the main peak of Saint Genesis Peak, breaking the seal and reopening its main gates.
Reopening Saint Genesis Peak’s main gates was a goal everyone shared for many years. Generation after generation of disciples and elders had strived towards it, only to end up failing each time.
Only by reopening the main gates and unsealing the main peak would Saint Genesis Peak truly become the seventh peak of the Cangxuan Sect. They would then be able to boldly recruit talented disciples and flourish, instead of declining year after year like now.
Moreover, if Saint Genesis Peak was to fail again this year, sect master will allow the chief disciples of the other six peaks to participate in attempting to unseal the main peak next year.
If one’s own disciples failed to reopen the main peak and had to instead rely on the other peaks, even after being reopened, it would not be a happy occasion for the two factions of Saint Genesis Peak. Hence, they were placing all of their expectations onto Zhou Yuan, hoping that the young miracle worker would once again surprise everyone...
...
Deep in Saint Genesis Peak.
The dilapidated plaza of the majestic misty main peak welcomed its most busy day of the year. Practically every disciple of Saint Genesis Peak was gathered here today.
The disciples from the three factions were split into two groups on the plaza.
Shen Taiyuan and Lu Song’s disciples were clearly much closer due to the wild celebrations over the past few days, even making light chat, before they cast equally hostile gazes opposite them, where Lu Hong’s disciples stood with frosty gazes.
The atmosphere over here was clearly quite gloomy. Their failure in the chief disciple selection had clearly placed them under a tremendous amount of stress.
The Sword Cometh Peak disciples had also grown very critical of them, firmly believing that it was their uselessness that resulted in the Sword Cometh Peak’s huge losses.
The disciples from the other peaks, on the other hand, viewed them with mockery. After all, Lu Hong’s faction had been so full of confidence when they initially transferred to Saint Genesis Peak, and were absolutely certain that the chief disciple position was already in the bag.
But who could have imagined that they would fail in the end?
If one were to look back now, the initial confidence of Lu Hong’s faction would now seem like a joke.
Lu Hong’s expression was rather stormy as his gaze swept across the place, before coming to a pause on a young figure akin to a moon surrounded by the stars, as a look of hatred flashed in his eyes.
“Humph, I’ll let you guys be happy for now!”
“Do you really believe the main peak will be so easy? Zhou Yuan, you may enjoy the cheering now, but the sounds of disappointment will only be even more painful when you fail!”
...
At the very front of the two factions, elder Lu Song smiled as he gazed at Zhou Yuan and said with a sigh, “Zhou Yuan, whether or not our Saint Genesis Peak is reopened will depend on you.”
“You old fellow, you’d better not crush him with your expectations.” Shen Taiyuan glared at elder Lu Song, before saying to Zhou Yuan, “Do your best, and don’t burden yourself with such responsibilities. Although this matter is very important, it should not be shouldered by you alone. There have after all been so many talented disciples who have failed before this, so there’s nothing anyone can say even if you don’t succeed.”
Zhou Yuan felt a warm feeling in his heart when he heard these words. Shen Taiyuan may normally appear as a strict and inflexible old man, but there was nothing to criticize about him. Even at such a juncture, he was doing his best to ease Zhou Yuan, and make him feel less pressured.
When the hopes of an entire peak was placed on a single person, the pressure felt would surely be as heavy as a mountain.
“Don’t worry teacher Shen, I will naturally give my all.” Zhou Yuan cupped his fists together. Even if he were to disregard how important this matter was to Saint Genesis Peak, Zhou Yuan had prepared and planned a very long time for this, and would not easily allow himself to fail.
Shen Taiyuan reached out and gently patted Zhou Yuan’s shoulders, eyes filled with happiness.
This disciple had brought him many pleasant surprises since joining a year ago, while also allowing him to proudly show his face more and more in the sect.
..
Countless figures were standing on Genesis Qi clouds in the sky above the plaza. If one took a closer look, one would discover that they were the disciples from the other peaks. In the past, not many of these disciples would come to watch, because Saint Genesis Peak declined far too much in the Cangxuan Sect, and the disciples from the other peaks would often even forget the existence of this seventh peak.
However, the current Saint Genesis Peak was clearly somewhat different than before.
Due to Zhou Yuan’s performance in the chief disciples selection, the other disciples no longer dared to underestimate Saint Genesis Peak, which only had three factions. Hence, the number of disciples who came to watch today was much more impressive than usual.
After all, the current Zhou Yuan was quite an famous figure in the Cangxuan Sect, and everything he did naturally drew the attention of others.
Clang!
As more and more disciples arrived, a gong reverberated across the land. Next, all the disciples saw six glowing lotuses descend from the sky as a vast aura spread, rippling the surrounding space.
It was sect master Qing Yang and the other five peak masters.
These six hegemons would appear here every year when the chief disciple challenged the main peak. After all, Saint Genesis Peak had been the place where patriarch Cang Xuan would often lock himself away in secluded cultivation.
“I wonder whether Saint Genesis Peak will be reopened this year.” Sect master Qing Yang gazed at the giant misty mountain as he sighed softly.
The other five fell silent as they stared at the giant peak before them. They could still remember that when patriarch Cang Xuan established the Cangxuan Sect long ago, there had only been a single peak, which was this very peak that still stood before their eyes.
All of them had once cultivated here.
However, due to the passage of time, their teacher, who once taught and led them by example, was now dead, and many many changes had happened in the world around them.
Sect master Qing Yang gently tidied his sleeves as he withdrew his emotions, making them no longer visible. His deep gaze was cast towards the dilapidated plaza below as he said, “Zhou Yuan, you may begin if you’re ready.”
Every gaze converged towards the young figure at this moment.
Under the numerous watching eyes, Zhou Yuan cupped his fists towards sect master Qing Yang and the rest, before slowly walking forward.
Before the large ancient hall stood old Xuan in his simple clothes, holding his bamboo broom. A faint glimmer flashed in his murky eyes as he looked towards Zhou Yuan.
Zhou Yuan chuckled, before he replied with a calm expression, “There is no such thing as absolute confidence, but I will neither be afraid nor retreat in the face of any difficulty.”
Old Xuan nodded. He gaze Zhou Yuan one last deep look, before suddenly swinging the broom his hand..
Whoo whoo!
Wind suddenly rose, and countless gazes watched as a crack was gently torn open in the mist that clothes the main peak all year round.
Inside the crack, one would just barely be able to make out an old mountain path.
However, space also seemed to twist and distort inside.
Old Xuan slowly said, “Go, follow this path…”
Zhou Yuan stared at the ancient mountain path within the mist, as he took in a deep breath and tightly clenched his fists. In the end, all hesitation dissipated from his eyes, replaced by the firm light of determination.
He had come to the Cangxuan Sect and endured tough training for a year. Wasn’t all of it for this very moment...
Therefore, he would not shrink back no matter what kind of challenges awaited him on this path.
Amidst the innumerable gazes all around, Zhou Yuan’s figure slowly walked forward and stepped into the mist. As his foot landed on the old mountain path, the mist surged towards him, blocking everyone’s vision.
Chapter 488 The Mountain Trial
“The mountain trial.”
As they watched Zhou Yuan’s figure disappear into the mist, high up in the sky, sect master Qing Yang sighed and said, “The mountain trial is treacherous and unpredictable, while filled with countless dangers. No one knows what kind of test he will encounter…”
“Back when teacher was still in control of the Cangxuan Sect, any disciple that managed to pass the mountain trial would be able to ascend the peak, and receive guidance from him. However, there were rarely any disciples who succeeded even in our golden age.”
“I wonder how Zhou Yuan will fare.”
By the side, old man Bai Mei stroked his long eyebrows as he said, “Due to its location within the seal placed by teacher, even we cannot know what is happening inside. It seems that we can only wait for the Xuan bell to ring.”
“The Xuan bell can sound nine times, and six bells signifies that the participant has passed.”
Patriarch Cang Xuan had placed an ancient bell in the main peak. It would ring when the mountain challenger was done, and give an assessment of the participant.
The best evaluation was naturally nine bells.
However, one would have considered to pass as long as one reached six bells. Even so, generation after generation of chief disciples had failed to reach the sixth bell.
The best had been five bells, which had been a very regrettable result.
The Snow Lotus Peak master Lianyi said with a wide smile, “The little guy seems to be quite lively, and he may be able to reach six bells.”
She cast a glance at the peak master Ling Jun as she spoke, who had been keeping silent from the start. The latter had clearly not been feeling good over the past few days, because a fifth Sword Cometh Peak’s cultivation resources had already begun to be handed over. This was a tremendous loss to Sword Cometh Peak.
Peak master Ling Jun indifferently said, “Six rings of the Xuan bell. Not many have achieved it even in our era.”
His meaning was clear. He did not believe Zhou Yuan would be able to achieve it.
“Weren’t you singing the same tune before the chief disciple selection?” Asked peak master Lianyi as her lips curled.
Peak master Ling Jun’s eyes turned slightly frosty as he coldly snorted.
“We shall wait and see.”
...
Zhou Yuan felt the world around begin to change the instant he stepped into the mist. A split second later, he found himself standing below an old mountain path.
On the two sides of the path was a dense, impenetrable fog. The long stone path reached upwards like a stone dragon, ultimately disappearing into the mist.
When he stood alone at the bottom of the path, Zhou Yuan appeared very very small indeed.
“Is this the mountain trial?”
Mumbled Zhou Yuan to himself as he gazed upon the path.
“The mountain trial is filled with unpredictable danger. Be cautious.”
While Zhou Yuan was observing the old mountain path, an emotionless, robotic voice suddenly echoed.
Zhou Yuan blinked a few times. This voice seemed to be a little familiar. After pondering for a while, he suddenly jerked in surprise. Wasn’t this old Xuan’s voice? However, it didn’t sound as elderly as usual.
Was old Xuan the one who had left this voice when the mountain trial was constructed?
Zhou Yuan secretly chuckled inside, casting away these thoughts as he prepared to take a step forward.
“Remember what you said earlier.”
However, just as he was about to lift his foot, a soft murmur seemed to enter his ears.
Zhou Yuan was a little stunned. This was old Xuan’s voice...
He blinked, but did not say anything. Old Xuan had likely transmitted it in secret.
However, what did he mean?
Zhou Yuan pondered over this for a brief moment, before setting it aside for the time being. He gathered his calm as he gaze swept around, but did not discover anything out of the ordinary.
The mountain path before him seemed to be nothing but ordinary.
But Zhou Yuan knew that this was impossible. Otherwise, the many previous chief disciples of Saint Genesis Peak would not have ultimately failed to reopen it.
He muttered to himself for a while. In the end, he lifted his foot and stepped forward, fully vigilant.
A foot landed on the stone steps, but nothing happened. After a brief hesitation, Zhou Yuan continued to advance.
However, there was only silence around him after several dozen steps, no activity at all.
“Is the mountain trial broken?” Mumbled Zhou Yuan in bewilderment.
However, the instant his voice rang out, Zhou Yuan’s pupils abruptly shrank. At this very moment he had indeed felt that something was wrong.
But the wrongness was not from the outside, but instead from inside his body.
He could feel a Genesis Qi star in his Qi Dwelling dim somewhat, as if some Genesis Qi had stealthily disappeared.
It was not being consumed or depleted, but as if some unknown entity had devoured it, causing it to be lost forever...
“What is going on?!”
Shock thundered through Zhou Yuan’s heart, his expression fluctuating rapidly as he stared at the extremely quiet old stone path before him. The latter now made him feel a heart-palpitating strangeness.
He raised his head and gazed at the path that snaked into the mist.
“Could it be… am I supposed to reach the end before my Genesis Qi disappears?” Zhou Yuan’s eyes flickered in thought. Soon after, he took in a deep breath. Hesitating here was pointless. He needed to first find out what kind of test this mountain trial was giving him.
After making his decision, Zhou Yuan cast away his hesitation and boldly stepped forward, advancing step after step on the long stone path.
With each step he crossed, Zhou Yuan could clearly feel shining star after star in his Qi Dwelling dim one after another, before ultimately disappearing into nothingness.
Disappear, not deplete.
The Genesis Qi that spread from his body weakened little by little.
Zhou Yuan’s expression was rigid as still water, tightly clenching his hands, while feeling a mix of negative emotions inside. No one would be able to calm, while helplessly feeling the Genesis Qi in one’s body strangely disappear.
After all, every drop had been the fruits of his effort.
As his Genesis Qi disappeared bit by bit, Zhou Yuan’s pace grew faster and faster.
Nearly an incense stick of time later.
A sliver of paleness
had already appeared on Zhou Yuan’s face. More than half of the four thousand stars in his Qi Dwelling had already disappeared...
In such a bizarre situation, anyone with lesser mental fortitude would have already lost himself to panic and fear.
Huu.
Zhou Yuan took in a deep breath of air. The mountain trial’s reputation was well-deserved indeed. It was a fearfully strange test.
“Another hundred stars…”
Zhou Yuan pursed his lips, an unreadable look in his eyes as he stared at the winding path that reached into the mist. In the face of such a situation, even he felt his heart begin to tremble at this moment.
He was not certain if he would be able to reach the end before all his Genesis Qi disappeared.
Moreover, his greatest worry was that… even if he did manage to walk to the end, would it be over?
In the face of this incomparably bizarre mountain trial, unease began to surge out in Zhou Yuan’s heart.
Chapter 489 Strength of Heart
The winding stone dragon like mountain path stood alone in this misty land. Thick fog swirled around it, impossible to see through, making everything appear strange and mysterious.
At this current time, a lone figure was slowly climbing the long mountain path.
This figure naturally belonged to Zhou Yuan.
His face was currently deathly pale, nearly devoid of blood. The Genesis Qi around him had become extremely feeble, because the originally four thousand brightly shining Genesis Qi stars in his Qi Dwelling was now reduced to the final three hundred...
All his years of hard work to cultivate his Genesis Qi had now strangely disappeared.
If one was unable to differentiate between reality and illusion at this moment, such a situation would be extremely terrifying.
Anyone else with a less steady heart and mind would have collapsed long ago, unable to advance.
However, Zhou Yuan did not stop. He tightly gritted his teeth, his unwavering gaze fixed to the front. He had already come so far, wouldn’t he have suffered for nothing if he were to shrink back now?
“Will three hundred Genesis Qi stars last me till the end?”
Dragon Prince Yuan c1-1251 Page 265
