When Zhou Yuan's words landed in the giant hall, it immediately drew a wave of stunned gazes. No one had even considered that he would plan on partic.i.p.ating in the cave match.

　　One must know that although the purple sash disciples from both sides were no longer able to partic.i.p.ate, the disciples sent would be the elites of the gold sash. Though Zhou Yuan was also a gold sash disciple, he was after all far too new, and there was still a tremendous gap between him and the older disciples.

　　Zhou Yuan had such a hard time against Lu Feng in the peak selection ceremony, an opponent who was only at the peak fourth layer Alpha-Origin, someone who was not even a true fifth layer.

　　On the other hand, most of the inner mountain gold sash disciples had already stepped into the fifth layer Alpha-Origin stage.

　　While those such as Tong Long and Cao s.h.i.+ were powerful even amongst the fifth layer.

　　As such, many felt that Zhou Yuan basically did not qualifications to partic.i.p.ate in battles at this level. Hence why Cao s.h.i.+ could not help but mock the former after hearing his words.

　　However, Zhou Yuan ignored the mockery and the skeptical gazes, only looking straight at Shen Taiyuan with a calm expression.

　　Shen Taiyuan had likewise been stunned, Zhou Yuan's actions clearly out of his expectations. Soon after, he began to frown. At the end of the day, what he valued in Zhou Yuan was the latter's potential.

　　Zhou Yuan was currently only a second layer Alpha-Origin, and although he had managed to defeat the peak fourth layer Alpha-Origin Lu Feng in the peak selection ceremony, even Lu Feng would not dare to muddle in a fight like this.

　　If any other ordinary disciple had said such words, Shen Taiyuan would have berated him or her long ago. However, Zhou Yuan was after all somewhat different from the rest.

　　Hence, Shen Taiyuan did not rebuke Zhou Yuan's behaviour, and merely said, "Zhou Yuan, you don't have to force yourself. There is no need to compete with others for the time being. Given your talent, you will surely begin to truly stand out after a year or two."

　　Although he did have high hopes of Zhou Yuan, Shen Taiyuan believed that the former had only said those words in the heat of the moment.

　　"In addition… this matter affects the face of our faction, and we cannot afford to make any reckless decisions."

　　Cao s.h.i.+ cooly looked at Zhou Yuan upon hearing this.

　　Zhou Yuan calmly replied, "Teacher Shen, as the saying goes, one should not get a reward one does not deserve. If I do not make any contributions, I will not be able to accept the purple Genesis cave dwelling even if we do end up winning it."