However, Yi Qiushui simply glanced coldly at her and no longer paid any attention to her.
Do these people think it is still the same as a month ago?
“Lu Xiao is starting!”
Exclamations suddenly rang out because, after a moment of adjustment, Lu Xiao stomped his feet and rapidly rose up the ladder as though flying. Moreover, his expression was calm and relaxed.
Countless people couldn’t help but marvel when they saw him ascend. He was indeed worthy of being called the leader of the young generation of the Tianyuan Region. The fact that he was able to calmly advance and take the lead under this pressure showed that his Genesis Qi foundation had reached at least 20 million.
After Lu Xiao moved, Han Yuan and Mu Liu also stepped up onto the ladder.
They weren’t as leisurely as Lu Xiao, but they were still able to rush up from time to time after a little pause.
The pavilion masters of the Fire Pavilion, the Mountain Pavilion and the Forest Pavilion had begun to move up the cloud ladder leading to the top of the mountain. Zhou Yuan was the only one who hadn’t moved. Was the Wind Pavilion’s dark horse finally at the end of his rope?
Amidst the countless hopeful, mocking and pitiful gazes, Zhou Yuan finally moved. He lifted his head and curiously studied the ladder. “I can’t use the wind spirit rune or any other objects?”
Through the previous period of adaptation he already knew that if he wanted to climb to the top of the cloud ladder, he had to rely on his own Genesis Qi foundation to counter the pervasive pressure.
And that Genesis Qi foundation had to be at least 20 million Genesis Qi stars!
Zhou Yuan sighed emotionally. If he hadn’t broken through to the advanced Divine Dwelling stage, he really wouldn’t have been able to progress further than the cloud ladder round.
But now, this round wasn’t a problem for him.
Thus, the Genesis Qi within Zhou Yuan’s body pulsed around his body, and a mighty force burst forth. He lifted his feet and moved up the ladder step by step.
His move attracted countless attention.
“Hah, one step at a time? Is he a turtle?” Zuo Ya sneered coldly and turned to look at her senior brother Lu Xiao, who was walking as if flying. How could Zhou Yuan be compared to his calm and relaxed manner?
But her sneer didn’t last long because everyone found that although Zhou Yuan’s steps were slow, they were incredibly steady as if the terrifying pressure didn’t exist. The feeling was like climbing an ordinary mountain.
In an occasion like this, that kind of ordinary climbing posture was enough to make people feel that he wasn’t ordinary.
At the very least, Han Yuan and Mu Lie had to pause every dozens of breaths, but Zhou Yuan’s climbing speed wasn’t slower than theirs, yet he didn’t need to stop once. From this anyone could see the difference in strength between them.
On the cloud ladders, in addition to Zhou Yuan who was calm and relaxed, was Lu Xiao who had also taken the lead.
An uproar broke out. From this scene it was clear that, based on Genesis Qi foundation alone, the wind pavilion master was superior to both Han Yuan and Mu Liu and could even compete with Lu Xiao!
This dark horse was indeed a mystery!
Chapter 876 Riding the Serpent Up
Countless people intently looked at the four ladders leading to the top of the mountain. There, the four figures were steadily climbing higher and higher.
Under such tremendous pressure, the fact that they could maintain their speed and continue to advance was already enough to show that the four candidates’ Genesis Qi foundations were more than 20 million Genesis Qi stars. Otherwise it would have been difficult for them to move an inch.
Of the four people, Lu Xiao’s speed was the fastest as he took the lead. His clothes fluttering in the wind, he swiftly and calmly rose higher and higher.
Behind him were Han Yuan and Mu Liu, who weren’t as leisurely as Lu Xiao and had to pause for a moment every few dozens of breaths.
Many people were looking at the last position, and that was Zhou Yuan.
Although Zhou Yuan was last, no one dared underestimate him because they could see that Zhou Yuan’s pace didn’t slow down once. He steadily climbed one step at a time, and he was fast approaching Han Yuan and Mu Liu.
What did that mean?
It meant that Zhou Yuan was moving up the cloud ladder with ease but wasn’t maintaining a fast speed as clearly as Lu Xiao.
This discovery was a shock to many people, especially Fang Ao, Zuo Ya and the others of the Fire Pavilion. From the information they knew, although Zhou Yuan had impressive battle achievements, his Genesis Qi foundation was ranked last among all four pavilions masters.
However, the scene before them made them know exactly how wrong they were.
Zuo Ya’s face flushed with anger because she remembered the look in Yi Qiushui’s eyes. Yi Qiushui was clearly looking at her like a fool because she had long known that Zhou Yuan’s strength had once again soared.
“Hmph, what is there to be smug about? No matter how much his strength has improved, would he be stronger than senior brother Lu Xiao?
“There is only one chief pavilion master position. As long as the position falls to senior brother Lu Xiao, Zhou Yuan is still the loser!”
With this thought, Zuo Ya took a deep breath and continued to watch the four ladders.
One hour quickly passed by.
The four figures were already more than halfway up the ladder, where the clouds and mist were fluttering. Everyone could see that as they climbed higher and higher, the pressure that was pouring down from above was becoming more viscous.
If the front half was described as lake water, then the second half was like mud.
It was also in this location that Zhou Yuan passed Han Yuan and Mu Liu, which immediately caused gasps and exclamations of surprise to ripple throughout the audience. The least favoured pavilion master, the wind pavilion master, had actually caught up.
At the same time, Han Yuan’s and Mu Liu’s expressions also changed when they sensed he had passed them. They evidently didn’t expect Zhou Yuan to reach their level after not seeing him for only one month.
Now that countless people were watching, it would be really embarrassing to fall to last place.
Therefore, each of the two took a deep breath. The Genesis Qi within their bodies surged frantically, three Divine Dwelling halos appeared behind them, and their climbing speed rapidly accelerated.
Lu Xiao similarly sensed what was happening. His eyes narrowed when he realised that it was Zhou Yuan behind him, but he very quickly recovered. With a slight shake, three dazzling Divine Dwelling halos emerged behind him.
His speed also skyrocketed.
“You’re all using your full strength?”
Zhou Yuan also noticed the other three’s movements. He knew that the second half of the cloud ladder round would decide who was the strongest and who was the weakest.
So, with a thought, his Divine Dwelling vibrated, and Genesis Qi gushed out from his body, turning into three chaotic-coloured Divine Dwelling halos behind him.
He took a step and directly appeared dozens of steps ahead.
All four figures were now using all their strength on the ladder, their speed soaring tremendously.
In the outside world, countless people were buzzing with excitement, and cheers rang out one after another.
In the void, upon seeing this scene, Mu Ni, Bai Ye and Bian Chang all fixed their eyes on the chaotic halos behind Zhou Yuan with a hint of surprise. “Variant nine upper Divine Dwelling?”
Sect master Xuan Kun smiled. “I don’t know where grand elder Chi Jing found such a person, but he shouldn’t be a simple person given his foundation. I have reminded grand elder Chi Jing before, but she doesn’t seem to care.”
“Sect master Xuan Kun, you already feel that your plan is going to fail, so you are complaining already?” Chi Jing responded indifferently.
Sect mast
er Xuan Kun laughed, “Lu Xiao is in the lead, and his foundation is far superior to the other three’s. How can you say my plan has failed?”
Seeing the two arguing, clan elder Mu Ni interrupted in a soft voice, “The cloud ladder is only to eliminate those with insufficient foundations. Victory or defeat here doesn’t represent much. There is no need to argue.”
Chi Jing and sect master Xuan Kun both quietened, but they still stared at one another. It was only after a good while that they focused their attention back onto the ladders.
The four figures continued to ascend the cloud ladder, their mighty Genesis Qi constantly trembling the void.
Mu Liu and Han Yuan were almost at the same location. Around Mu Liu’s body, shadows of a continuous ancient forest faintly appeared, a sign that his Genesis Qi had been activated to its extreme.
As for Han Yuan, jet-black Genesis Qi pulsed around his body, as if a great demon was being born.
Both continued to move forward with all their strength, trying to catch up with Zhou Yuan, but they soon discovered that this kind of pursuit instead caused the distance between them to widen. Zhou Yuan’s speed had soared to an astonishing level, and he was shaking them off.
This scene undoubtedly pushed the atmosphere to a new climax. Zhou Yuan’s ambition wasn’t small. He not only surpassed Mu Liu and Han Yuan but seemed to also be planning to catch up with Lu Xiao, the strongest.
If Lu Xiao was overtaken, it would really be too funny.
“Hmph.”
Lu Xiao, who also noticed the situation, couldn’t help but immediately snort in his heart. Zhou Yuan is indeed arrogant; not only did he overtake Mu Liu and Han Yuan, he wants to use me as his goal as well?
Lu Xiao flicked his sleeves, triggering purple Genesis Qi to fill the area around him. The purple colour was extremely pure, like the purple qi formed when yin and yang converge between heaven and earth. It was a sign that he had activated his Genesis Qi to its peak.
The purple qi wrapped around Lu Xiao’s feet, like purple clouds, and rapidly ascended, carrying Lu Xiao.
In just a few breaths, he had shaken off Zhou Yuan.
This scene drew some pitiful sighs from the outside world.
Zhou Yuan wasn’t dispirited by this sight. Instead, his eyes were filled with eagerness. He knew that the winner and loser had to be decided between him and Lu Xiao in the chief pavilion master battle. In that case, why not start early!
He knew that if they were to compare Genesis Qi, Lu Xiao would indeed be stronger than him. Adding to this, judging from the purity of the purple Genesis Qi, the Genesis Qi he cultivated should be at least the peak of grade 7.
Zhou Yuan’s World Subduing Heavenly Serpent Qi was also grade 7, but based on tyrannical power, he was confident that he could compete with grade-8 Genesis Qi.
This was the tyrannical ability of the Ancestral Dragon Scripture.
Therefore, he might indeed be weaker than Lu Xiao in terms of Genesis Qi cultivation level, but the World Subduing Heavenly Serpent Qi that he cultivated was stronger than Lu Xiao’s Genesis Qi. From the comparison, the two sides were considered equal.
In that case, why do you think you could get rid of me?
Zhou Yuan smiled and formed a hand seal with one hand. Suddenly the cry of a serpent echoed across the world, and azure Genesis Qi covered Zhou Yuan’s body. Vaguely, the silhouette of an azure serpent took shape.
The azure serpent spiraled around as Zhou Yuan took a step forward. At that moment, he seemed to be ascending on a serpent and catching up to Lu Xiao at an astonishing speed.
In the outside world, countless people broke into an earthshaking uproar when they saw Zhou Yuan’s speed skyrocketing as he rapidly chased after Lu Xiao.
No one thought that Zhou Yuan and Lu Xiao would fight with all their strength when the battle for the chief pavilion master position was only at the ladder round.
Chapter 877 Simultaneously Reaching the Summit
Roar!
The roar of the azure serpent could be heard from the ladder.
Stepping on the azure serpent, Zhou Yuan rose as fast as lightning, quickly catching up to Lu Xiao, who was in the lead. Lu Xiao, on the other hand, was completely shrouded in purple qi, shadows flickering beneath his feet.
At this moment, both sides were evidently moving at full speed as though the majestic pressure that was pouring down from above didn’t exist. Such powerful Genesis Qi foundations made many people smack their lips in surprise.
The battle between the two quickly changed as time passed by. Cheers repeatedly rang out, and the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. Everyone found that while Zhou Yuan and Lu Xiao were competing with all their strength, the distance between them was gradually closing!
It undoubtedly set off a huge wave.
No one thought that Zhou Yuan, a new pavilion master, would dare to challenge Lu Xiao, the most experienced pavilion master, on the ladder where one needed to endure purely purely with their Genesis Qi foundation. Moreover, from the looks of it, this challenge didn’t seem to be just arrogance from Zhou Yuan!
As a result, many people buzzed with excitement. After all, the greater the show, the better. They would rather Zhou Yuan fight to the end so at least the chief pavilion master battle would be an exceptionally good show.
Lu Xiao’s face darkened when he heard the cheering voices from the outside world, and there was a hint of anger in the depths of his eyes. He felt as if he were the forest’s beast king being stroked by a little mouse.
He never thought that someone would dare challenge him!
This was something even Han Yuan and Mu Liu didn’t dare to do!
What angered and surprised him the most was that the distance between Zhou Yuan and him was constantly shortening. If this continued, it would be possible for Zhou Yuan to catch up.
“That guy’s Genesis Qi foundation shouldn't be as strong as mine, but that azure serpent qi is extremely strange.” Lu Xiao fumed. He felt that the azure serpent qi emitted a mysterious and domineering intent and that its power was in no way inferior to his purple qi.
And evidently, Zhou Yuan relied on the tyrannical power of the azure serpent qi to make up for the differences between them and quickly catch up.
“Never mind, I’m almost there anyway.” Lu Xiao drew a deep breath. In truth, one’s Genesis Qi foundation wasn’t of much significance in a battle if the difference in foundation wasn’t huge. The outcome of the battle would depend on other means and skills, and Lu Xiao naturally had great confidence in his other means.
Therefore, there was no need to think too deeply about Zhou Yuan’s qi. After he climbed to the summit, he would naturally have the chance to teach him a lesson.
With this thought in mind, Lu Xiao no longer paid any attention to Zhou Yuan, who was quickly catching up behind him. He planned to climb to the summit before Zhou Yuan came.
But when Zhou Yuan saw Lu Xiao making his way to the summit, he naturally understood Lu Xiao's plan. Since he had started to catch up, how could he let Lu Xiao reach the summit of the mountain first? Although the ladder round had little to do with the chief pavilion master battle, Zhou Yuan understood that it was a process of gathering momentum.
The momentum of the person who reaches the top first would soar to the peak, and their state would reach a near-perfect level, which would undoubtedly benefit them in the upcoming battle.
Zhou Yuan had never underestimated Lu Xiao before because he knew that Lu Xiao was a very difficult opponent. This was the reason that he had to fight!
If he didn’t fight, Lu Xiao would take all opportunities and benefits.
Zhou Yuan wasn’t stupid, and he naturally knew he couldn’t give in.
He took a deep breath, folded one hand in a hand seal and operated the World Subduing Heavenly Serpent Qi without reservation.
Roar!
The deafening roar of an azure serpent resounded across the area, accompanied by a mysterious majesty. Azure qi began to gather around Zhou
Yuan’s body, forming the silhouette of an azure serpent before rising into the sky like a dragon.
As he stepped on the azure serpent’s shadow, Zhou Yuan’s speed suddenly skyrocketed!
Swoosh!
There seemed to be an azure light streaking across the endless ladder.
In the outside world, suddenly there were countless gasps of astonishment. Such a speed was exceptionally amazing in ordinary times—not to mention, wasn’t it under such mighty pressure?!
At this speed, the distance between Zhou Yuan and Lu Xiao was rapidly getting closer.
In just a few breaths, the two were only dozens of steps away from each other.
Lu Xiao’s pupils also abruptly shrank. He knew that this was Zhou Yuan’s last attack. He frantically activated the Genesis Qi within his body, and the purple qi around him became increasingly intense. A shadow formed at his feet and his figure sped up towards the summit.
Countless gazes were fixed on the two crazy figures, and cheers rang out like a tsunami. As for Han Yuan and Mu Liu, very few people paid any attention to them. It was clear that they had both became background characters.
The purple and azure qi whizzed, and the distance between the two men constantly shortened.
Fifty steps, thirty steps, ten steps.
And when the two were only ten steps away from each other, the mountain summit was already less than a dozen feet away.
Lu Xiao even seemed to be able to hear the whistling wind, which seemed to make him increasingly annoyed. But at this moment, he had already activated his Genesis Qi to its peak and his speed had reached its limit.
He peered ahead. The summit of the mountain was getting closer and closer, and within a few breaths, he would reach the mountain summit!
As long as he was the first to step onto the top, Zhou Yuan’s effort would all be in vain!
After three seconds, Zhou Yuan's figure was only two steps behind Lu Xiao!
The cheering noises in the outside world almost froze. Everybody stared unblinkingly at the two figures and held their breath. No one thought that the competition to climb the ladder first would be so thrilling!
Dragon Prince Yuan c1-1251 Page 460
