Zhou Yuan caressed her head as he smiled at Yi Qiushui. “Managing the four pavilions must have been tough on you.”
He was still the chief pavilion master, but had never fulfilled his responsibilities, and instead threw them all to Yi Qiushui. Her diligence in management had allowed the four pavilions to flourish, and was a very influential figure there. There were even a few who began calling her ‘pretty pavilion master’.
With this as a stepping stone, Yi Qiushui might even ascend to become one of the Tianyuan Region elders in the future.
“You’re quite different now.” Yi Qiushui also grinned at him. Zhou Yuan appeared to have undergone a complete metamorphosis. This not only referred to his status and influence, but also his strength.
Zhou Yuan offhandedly said, “No matter how I change, I’ll still be the person you sisters picked up back then.”
Warmth flowed in Yi Qiushui’s heart as her expression grew increasingly gently. Zhou Yuan had not forgotten his past after achieving such high status.
“Let’s go, everyone else is already here. This is the first time I invited guests over.” Zhou Yuan grinned as he led the way.
Yi Yan, Yi Qiushui and Yi Donger followed, walking along the long and pebble path. They ultimately came to a stop before an old wooden house, already able to hear the merrymaking inside.
When they stepped in, they saw a few familiar faces such as Qin Lian, Yi Bingling, Mu Youlan and the others.
It was not a big group, and practically consisted of everyone Zhou Yuan knew in the four pavilions.
Now that the last few guests were here, Zhou Yuan officially announced the start of the banquet. It was not a noisy affair. Most of them casually chatting as they enjoyed the beautiful night scenery, immersing themselves in the relaxed atmosphere.
After three rounds of drinks, Yi Qiushui suddenly approached Zhou Yuan with her cup. Her eyes flickered faintly as she softly asked, “Are you leaving?”
Zhou Yuan was taken aback, staring at Yi Qiushui in surprise.
Yi Qiushui pursed her lips into a small smile. “My woman’s intuition is pretty accurate.”
After some silence, Zhou Yuan replied, “Maybe.”
He was waiting for master Cang Yuan’s summons, before going to awaken Yaoyao. He did not know what would happen and when he would return. This was why he had invited his Tianyuan Region friends over for a gathering.
Yi Qiushui swirled her cup. “You’re going to seek out the one in your heart?”
Zhou Yuan blinked a few times and said, “You know me like the back of your hand.”
Yi Qiushui disdainfully glanced at him. She bit her lip and raised her cup. “I wish you success. Bring her back for us to have a look soon. I’m pretty interested to find out how outstanding the beauty who managed to capture both our grand elder’s heart and soul is.”
Zhou Yuan laughed as he clinked her cup with his own, before downing its contents in a single gulp.
Yi Qiushui also emptied the contents of her cup, displaying her fair and slender neck. She did not know why but the wine tasted particularly bitter at this moment.
Neither party said anymore as they silently watched the cold moon.
Until a certain moment when Zhou Yuan’s expression suddenly changed. Zhuan Zhu’s voice had sounded at his ears, “It’s time, get ready.”
Chapter 1207 Meeting Again
Tianyuan Utopia, a floating stone platform high above the clouds.
When Zhou Yuan arrived, the first thing he saw was Zhuan Zhu standing with his hands behind his back. However, he was somewhat surprised to also find Chi Jing, grand elder Mu Ni, sect master Xuan Kun and three other individuals with the strength of the Nascent Source stage.
One of the three Nascent Source experts was no stranger to Zhou Yuan. It was Yi Yan, who he had been drinking with last night. The other two, however, were a little unfamiliar.
There seemed to be more people than he had expected.
Zhuan Zhu saw the puzzled look on Zhou Yuan and explained with a smile, “These two are elders Zhao Yuefu and Xue Qinglong. Together with elder Yi Yan, they’re the three strongest Nascent Source experts of our Tianyuan Region.”
Zhao Yuefu was an elegant and handsome long-haired man. He revealed a friendly smile at Zhou Yuan.
Xue Qinglong was a graceful lady in azure clothes. She carefully scrutinized Zhou Yuan and said, “Supreme sovereign Zhuan Zhu, didn’t you say that this mission is extremely dangerous and requires at least the perfect Nascent Source stage strength?”
Xue Qinglong was clearly not someone who would easily be pushed around, and did not hold back in her words. She did not appear to care about Zhou Yuan’s status and his recent popularity.
Zhuan Zhu chuckled inwardly. Xue Qinglong might be a woman, but she was one of the most competitive Nascent Source experts in the Tianyuan Region. Zhou Yuan naturally could not enter her eyes previously as a Heavenly Sun expert, but since he was now at the advanced Nascent Source stage and officially part of the Nascent Source level, Xue Qinglong had naturally started taking notice of him.
Smiling, Chi Jing said, “Zhou Yuan could go toe to toe with the Sacred Race’s advanced Heavenly Sun experts at the intermediate Heavenly Sun stage. Although he is only an advanced Nascent Source expert, I feel that his true strength is no weaker than a perfect Nascent Source expert.”
Xue Qinglong crossed her arms, pushing up a pair of giant peaks, as she nonchalantly said, “The gap between the Nascent Source lesser cultivation realms is far greater than the Heavenly Sun stage.
“However, since supreme sovereign Zhuan Zhu has no complaints, I will naturally have none either.”
She did not have any objections against Zhou Yuan, and had merely been stating a fact earlier. She felt that since Zhuan Zhu had highlighted the dangers of this mission, it did not make sense to bring along a new advanced Nascent Source expert like Zhou Yuan.
Zhou Yuan glanced at the proud Xue Qinglong, but did not argue with her. He turned towards Zhuan Zhu and asked, “Are they coming along?”
Zhuan Zhu nodded. “Things won’t be so easy this time. Not only will I also be heading there personally, we’ll also be dispatching a few others just in case. That’s why even grand elder Mu Ni and sect master Xuan Kun will be tagging along. As for the Tianyuan Region, we’ll be leaving it in grand elder Bian Chang’s hands for the time being.”
Zhou Yuan’s eyes narrowed. From Zhuan Zhu’s words, awakening Yaoyao won’t be as simple or easy as he had imagined.
Was someone going to interfere?
Zhuan Zhu said, “To prevent others from finding our tracks, we can’t bring too many people. That’s why we’ll only be taking the most elite experts.”
Zhou Yuan hesitated briefly before he asked in a low voice, “Is it the Wanzu Region?”
Zhuan Zhu fell a little silent. “I’m afraid they won’t be the only ones.”
He glanced at Zhou Yuan and said, “
Zhou Yuan silently nodded.
Yaoyao’s identity must certainly be frightening if even a Saint like Zhuan Zhu was so cautious about it. However, regardless of her origins, in his heart, she would still be the same Yaoyao that had walked out together with him from the Great Zhou Empire.
They had experienced so much together. Without Yaoyao, Zhou Yuan knew that he would not have achieved everything he had today.
It had not been apparent while Yaoyao was at his side, but after she fell into a deep sleep and he had to struggle alone, Zhou Yuan finally realized how much he actually relied on her support.
The feelings between them were inseverable by anything, and Zhou Yuan would do everything in power to protect these feelings.
Zhou Yuan raised his head and gazed at the starry sky, his eyes filled with determination.
“Get ready.” Zhuan Zhu gave a few more reminders before waving his sleeve. The space before them began to distort, ultimately turning into a spatial door.
Zhuan Zhu flicked his finger and an invisible power spread,
encompassing everyone present.
Zhou Yuan and the others felt as if they lost all connection to the world around them.
After advancing to the Nascent Source stage, Zhou Yuan could clearly feel a greater harmony between him and the surrounding world. However, a casual flick from Zhuan Zhu had instantly severed this wonderful new feeling from the Nascent Source stage.
From this, one could clearly see the power of a Saint.
Before they could do anything else, the spatial door abruptly widened and swallowed them.
...
Zhou Yuan did not know how long space warped around him.
When light finally returned to his eyes, he found himself in an unfamiliar world.
It was a boundless sea of clouds. Mountains towered over the land like giants, their sharp peaks piercing through the cloud sea.
At the very center was an exceptionally majestic mountain. There, Zhou Yuan saw a familiar figure smiling as he looked at them.
Dressed in black robes, an aura as immeasurable as a bottomless pool while also as tall as a mountain, it was Cang Yuan!
Cang Yuan flicked his finger. Space spun around them, and Zhou Yuan and the others found themselves suddenly standing in front of him.
“Greetings supreme sovereign Cang Yuan!” Sect master Xuan Kun, Zhao Yuefu, Xue Qinglong and the others hurriedly bowed, clearly somewhat emotional.
After so many years, they had finally met Cang Yuan again.
“Master! I nearly died missing you!” Chi Jing joyfully ran over and hugged Cang Yuan’s arm. She acted like a completely different person from her usually capable self.
Zhou Yuan observed Cang Yuan. His face looked as old as before, his eyes deep like the starry sky but also glowing with wisdom and vigor. Zhou Yuan took two steps forward and respectfully said, “Master.”
Cang Yuan patted Chi Jing’s hands before smiling at Zhou Yuan, a smile that was happy while also somewhat of a sigh. “Zhou Yuan, you’ve done well. Everything you have done has made me both proud and surprised. It’s been hard on you.”
Zhou Yuan calmly shook his head and said, “I have to thank master for taking care of Yaoyao all these years.”
He raised his head and peered behind the mountain, where a sea of beautiful flowers could be seen. At the center of the flowers was a crystal coffin.
Zhou Yuan’s heart shuddered a little as his feet began to walk forward, crossing the flower sea and arriving in front of the crystal coffin.
He lowered his head and gazed at the familiar face that he had already carved into his soul. The beauty in the coffin was wearing a white dress and had her hands placed atop her abdomen. However, the eyes were as beautiful as the mountains and seas were currently tightly shut.
Zhou Yuan dazedly stared at the familiar face. A great sadness suddenly struck his heart as his eyes turned red little by little.
His eyes turned moist.
He reached out and gently caressed the crystal coffin as he softly mumbled to himself in a hoarse voice, “Sorry, I made you wait for too long.”
Chapter 1208 Yaoyao’s Origin
Chi Jing watched Zhou Yuan standing in the sea flowers. She had never seen him display such emotions over the past few years. The person inside the crystal coffin was clearly very dear to him.
Zhao Yuefu, Xue Qinglong and Yiyan were somewhat puzzled. The atmosphere was rather strange. There were not only two Saint experts but also a mysterious crystal coffin. And what relationship did Zhou Yuan have with the person inside the coffin?
Cang Yuan watched with complicated eyes.
Zhuan Zhu walked over and softly said, “Master, junior brother’s feelings are deep.”
Cang Yuan slowly said, “I never expected this. I was being chased hard by the Sacred Race back then, and had no choice but to temporarily hand Yaoyao over to Zhou Yuan to hide her. Normally speaking, she should not develop feelings for anyone.
“But in the end...she even undid her seal and forced herself into a deep slumber in order to save him.”
Zhuan Zhu sighed. “Love is the most unfathomable word. Even a Saint expert that wields the power to shape the world cannot control a person’s feelings.
“Master, you should tell junior brother about her so he can prepare himself.”
Cang Yuan silently nodded. He glanced at the sky and said, “We won’t be able to avoid trouble when we awaken Yaoyao this time.”
Zhuan Zhu frowned a little. “I was very careful on our way here and made sure to properly wipe away any traces we left. Have we still been found out?”
Cang Yuan said, “Don’t underestimate that old fellow Wan Zu. It is impossible to lose him with your current capabilities. Moreover, he isn’t the only Saint after us. I’m afraid that before you even left, a Saint already laid out billions of sensors in the Tianyuan Region, filling every corner. It is impossibly difficult for you to completely avoid these old foxes.”
Zhuan Zhu chuckled. “It seems there’ll be a battle waiting for us.”
He did not display much fear. Although he was a relatively new Saint and there was definitely a substantial gap between him and a veteran Saint like Wan Zu, at the Saint level, the gap brought by time was not that difficult to overcome.
Once a Saint, everyone was on the same path.
Cang Yuan nodded. “Don’t worry, I’ve also made some preparations of my own. No one will know who will gain the upper hand till the end.”
While he was conversing with Zhuan Zhu, he suddenly saw a beautiful woman slowly approach from the corner of his eye. His expression immediately turned a little rigid as he asked in a low voice, “Why did you bring her?”
Zhuan Zhu also sensed Mu Ni’s approach, causing a trace of cheekiness to flash across his eyes. He solemnly replied, “Didn’t we need reliable teammates? Who is more reliable than Aunt Ni?”
Cang Yuan glared at him, obviously knowing he had done this on purpose. He did not dare to linger a second longer and hastily walked into the sea of flowers, heading straight towards Zhou Yuan.
Mu Ni unhurriedly arrived at Zhuan Zhu’s side. She showed no anger as she watched Cang Yuan escape with his tail between his legs, neither did she move to give chase. She merely chuckled softly and said, “I do want to see where he thinks he can hide.”
Her smile was graceful, but annoyance flashed in the depths of her eyes. Evidently, even a Law Domain expert was ultimately still a woman.
Cang Yuan strode into the sea of flowers, eyes fixed on the young figure beside the crystal coffin as he silently arrived beside Zhou Yuan.
The old man and the young man silently stared at the beauty in the coffin.
Zhou Yuan felt an invisible power spread from Cang Yuan’s body, sealing off the nearby space such that no one would be able to eavesdrop on their conversation.
Cang Yuan slowly said, “Zhou Yuan, you should have realized over the years that Yaoyao is different, right?”
Zhou Yuan gave a faint nod. Yaoyao was different not only in terms of her otherworldly beauty. Her presence was also as difficult to grasp as the mist. The most shocking thing, however, was that she never cultivated but was somehow always far stronger than him.
There were too many mysteries behind her.
“Yaoyao’s awakening will not be easy. When the time comes, there will surely be Saints experts who will come to stop it. Not everyone wishes for her to awaken.”
Zhou Yuan frowned. “Why are there Saints who do not wish for Yaoyao to awaken? Who exactly is she?”
Cang Yuan’s voice grew distant and old. “I’m afraid that the implications reach far into the past. You have already met the Sacred Race, what do you think about them?”
“Terrifyingly powerful,” answered Zhou Yuan with a grave expression.
Even the five heavens united could not match the Sacred Race. To be blunt, the Sacred Race definitely had the power to exterminate them all.
“But all you have seen of the Sacred Race is merely the tip of the iceberg.” Cang Yuan indifferently said, “Ho
wever, that is not even the most terrifying thing about them. The most frightening thing about them is that they have...a god. They call Him the Sacred God, and He is the strongest power in the Sacred race.”
“God?!” Zhou Yuan’s pupils shrank. It was a word that brought an indescribable terror. With some difficulty, he finally managed to ask, “Are there really gods in this world?”
“When the Tianyuan World was formed, the first god was born: the Ancestral Dragon. From the Ancestral Dragon came the many races.
“However, the Sacred Race did not come from the Ancestral Dragon. They are creations of their Sacred God.
“His strength surpasses the Saint stage.
“As long as He exists, it will be impossible to destroy the Sacred Race.”
Zhou Yuan’s scalp turned numb. He had never heard of such things before. This was clearly information that ordinary people had no access to.
“First came the Tianyuan World, then the laws that governed it. The Ancestral Dragon was the first god to be born, and is thus known as the First. It is the master of the world, and wields ultimate power.
“The Sacred God was born after the Ancestral Dragon, and is known as the Second. He also possesses unlimited power, but is weaker than the Ancestral Dragon. Thus, he could not become the master of the world and lord over all others.
“The Sacred God could not accept this and coveted the Ancestral Dragon’s power. However, the Ancestral Dragon had already transformed into the many races. Hence, He needed to exterminate all the races and return everything to its original form, recreating the Ancestral Dragon’s power to make Him the First.
Cang Yuan slowly said, “This is the origin of the conflict between the Sacred Race and the all-races.”
Zhou Yuan gasped a little, finally understanding why the Sacred Race hated the all-races without any possibility of reconciliation. They had been created to exterminate the all-races.
Zhou Yuan could not help but ask, “Since the Sacred Race has such an existence, why didn’t He directly exterminate the all-races?”
“Because He is waiting for the Ancestral Dragon’s will to weaken,” answered Cang Yuan. “Ten thousand years ago, he finally found his opportunity and began the world-ending war.
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