Chapter 286: Chapter 217: Before the Hall of Primal Origin, Paying Respects to the Daoist

"Take your time, Junior Brother. I’ll be going on ahead."

Feng Yuan said no more. With that, he urged his chariot forward, streaking away like a bolt of lightning.

Yuan Xiao was not angered. His gaze shifted, falling upon his attendants, Liu Jing and Shao Guansu.

Both were elites among the Zhen Peak disciples and had always held his deep trust.

Yuan Xiao asked with a faint smile,

"It seems you two have both had dealings with this Daoist?"

Liu Jing’s eyes flickered as he answered softly,

"To answer the True Inheritance, this disciple merely visited Kan Peak to request tutelage, but I returned unsuccessful. The one who truly has a history with the Daoist is Senior Brother Shao."

Shao Guansu cursed Liu Jing inwardly. ’This bastard sure knows how to exploit an opening, using every chance to throw me under the bus.’

He hurriedly took a step forward and bowed.

"This disciple did indeed have some misunderstandings with the Daoist. I already made a special trip to Changming Sky-Lake a few days ago to apologize."

Yuan Xiao seemed curious.

"Did the Daoist summon you for an audience?"

Shao Guansu shook his head.

"The Daoist had just finished gathering the Six Harmonies Great Medicine and condensing the supreme True Qi. He went into seclusion the moment he returned to Changming Sky-Lake, so I was unable to see him."

Yuan Xiao couldn’t help but laugh.

"It seems your apology wasn’t sincere enough. Never mind. If we meet the Daoist later, I’ll put in a good word for you."

Shao Guansu hurriedly bowed even lower.

"Thank you, True Inheritance!"

Yuan Xiao said no more, a contemplative look appearing in his eyes.

’Though I’ve long been away from the sect, cultivating and honing my skills, I understand the situation perfectly. The next step for a True Inheritance is to vie for a seat in the Upper Hall. This is tied to my future advancement and pursuit of the Golden Stage, and cannot be treated lightly in the slightest.’

’If this Daoist truly has the ability and is likely to secure his position as Crown Prince and rule over the Innate Eight Peaks, then I should take the initiative to show goodwill and offer my allegiance.’

’But if the Daoist is all bark and no bite, far inferior to his predecessor Ning Hechu, then rashly rushing to curry favor would be a foolish move.’

’A hundred tales are not worth a single glance.’

Yuan Xiao chuckled lightly.

’I’m rather curious to see the methods of a Daoist who could slay a Foundation Establishment Grand True Master.’

The two True Inheritances of Li Peak and Zhen Peak, their chariots traveling one after the other, passed through the Kun Peak Grotto-Heaven and arrived atop the towering, colossal pillar.

The dense layers of surrounding clouds and mist suddenly dispersed, revealing a vista of countless rivers converging, their waters surging in mighty torrents.

Innumerable Water Veins and earthen qi intertwined, holding aloft a magnificent palace that shimmered with golden light and exuded a stern, imposing aura.

That was Yuanchu Palace.

...

...

In front of Yuanchu Palace stood a middle-aged Daoist wearing a tall cap and a wide sash.

He was the True Inheritance of the Kun Peak Grotto-Heaven. Seeing Feng Yuan and Yuan Xiao descend from the clouds and dismiss their ceremonial transport, he took the initiative to greet them.

"Junior Brother Feng, Junior Brother Yuan, you’ve arrived."

Feng Yuan respectfully performed a Daoist salute.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Xu."

This True Inheritance of Kun Peak was named Xu Changyou. He could be called the most senior among the Eight Peaks True Inheritance and was of the same generation as the previous Daoist, Ning Hechu.

Yuan Xiao was a step slower. Upon arriving at Yuanchu Palace, he too observed all the proper courtesies.

"It’s Senior Brother Xu on duty again today. I still remember when I had just reached the Flying Foundation Establishment Realm, it was you, Senior Brother, who tested my Daoist Techniques."

Xu Changyou laughed heartily.

"Junior Brother Yuan, you’re still so frank and open-hearted. You’ve been away from the sect for so many years, I’ve often thought of you. The last few examinations felt quite desolate without you."

As they were talking, another True Inheritance broke through the Kun Peak Grotto-Heaven. A mass of emerald-green qi swept in, like boundless falling leaves rustling down, and in an instant, it landed before the palace.

This person, like Feng Yuan, had not brought any disciples from his peak as attendants. After retracting his Profound Light, he revealed the appearance of a young man in a gray robe, with deep-set eyes and an unremarkable face.

’Junior Brother Zhou of Xun Peak.’

Feng Yuan’s gaze flickered. During the contest between the Eight Peaks back then, he had crossed blades with this more recently promoted True Inheritance from Xun Peak and was left with a very deep impression.

’Junior Brother Zhou Shiyu.’

Yuan Xiao’s expression also changed slightly. At Zhen Peak, where he was from, the master-disciple lineage was dominant, and he himself was a disciple under True Monarch Yuan, who was the leader of that lineage.

On the other hand, Zhou Shiyu of Xun Peak was a pure-blooded descendant of the Zhou Direct Lineage. He was the youngest among all the True Inheritances, but due to his repeated outstanding contributions, he had been granted permission to cultivate three True Skills, and his strength could not be underestimated.

Xu Changyou, ever the smooth operator, said to Zhou Shiyu with a smile,

"Junior Brother Zhou, have you returned from seeking an Opportunity? I heard you’ve already accumulated the grace of three lifetimes. Truly, the new waves of the Hong Shui push the old. Every time I see a genius like you, I feel ashamed of my own inadequacy."

Although Zhou Shiyu was a descendant of the Eight Monarchs, he showed no arrogance at all. He returned the greeting in a gentle voice and then stood silently to the side, saying little.

「Not long after.」

Gu Changling of Gen Peak and Qu Liu’er of Kan Peak arrived together.

Counting Pang Zhongwang of Dui Peak, who had arrived earliest, seven of the Eight Peaks True Inheritance were now present.

"Junior Sister Mei and Junior Brother Wu from the Qian Peak Grotto-Heaven are unable to come, as usual."

Xu Changyou’s gaze swept over the crowd. Each of them stood in distinct groups.

Zhou Shiyu and Pang Zhongwang stood to one side, Gu Changling and Qu Liu’er occupied the middle, while Feng Yuan and Yuan Xiao were on the other side.

He then asked,

"Everyone, shall we enter the palace first, or shall we wait a bit longer for the Daoist?"

This was truly a difficult question to answer. The first to speak was Pang Zhongwang, who had arrived the earliest.

This True Inheritance of Dui Peak had the appearance of a young man. He was dressed in a green shirt, his Daoist topknot secured with an ebony hairpin, and his tone was casual.

"Senior Brother Xu, you know I arrived very early. My legs are tired from standing for so long. Why don’t you let me be the discourteous one and enter the palace first to sit and catch my breath?"

Surprise flashed in Yuan Xiao’s eyes. He had originally thought Zhou Shiyu would be the first to make a move, but he never expected Pang Zhongwang to take the lead.

Although both were descendants of the Eight Monarchs, their statuses were worlds apart.

Pang Zhongwang was merely from a side branch. He only became the True Inheritance of Dui Peak because his predecessor had died during the great examination to conquer a Blessed Land, after which he was pushed into the position by the Pang lineage.

Although he was only at the First Layer of Foundation Establishment, his karmic fortune was profound. He had obtained several Opportunities, consumed heavenly materials and Treasure Medicines, and even had a rare beast acknowledge him as its master. He was someone a True Monarch had personally praised as a "Fortunate One."

While Yuan Xiao was lost in thought, Feng Yuan stepped forward to stop him.