The Hundred Veins Banquet would commence in ten years, and all factions were preparing to set off immediately.

Those among the Ten Heroes of the Northern Wilderness who came from humble backgrounds had already made contact with some top-tier factions, gaining their protection and avoiding the need to travel alone. After all, hitching a ride and forming good relations with the current Heaven’s Pride was not a bad thing.

An elder from the Song Family found Chen Qingyuan and invited him to join them. However, since Chen Qingyuan had already agreed to travel with Misty Palace, he had to politely decline.

“Girl, if you can make a name for yourself at the Hundred Veins Banquet, many things will become easier,” said Song Xiufeng, the clan leader, with deep meaning in his words.

“Daughter will do her best,” Song Ningyan nodded.

“This is your only chance; you must seize it. However, if you encounter insurmountable difficulties, don’t be reckless. Your life is the most important,” Song Xiufeng advised.

As a father, Song Xiufeng naturally hoped Song Ningyan could live the life she wanted. But as the clan leader, he had to uphold the clan’s rules.

If Song Ningyan achieved something significant, the rule that women couldn’t hold power could be slightly altered, leaving no room for the clan to object.

“Don’t worry, Father. I will definitely come back alive and won’t disgrace the Song Family,” Song Ningyan assured.

Today, Song Ningyan was dressed in a light-colored long dress, looking stunningly beautiful.

“Go on then!” Song Xiufeng, showing rare fatherly affection, said softly.

Under the watchful eyes of the clan members, Song Ningyan boarded the Song Family’s warship.

The young men of the Song Family watched this scene with complex expressions. If they were more capable, they too could go to the Imperial Province to participate in the banquet. Unfortunately, their abilities were lacking, and they had no one to blame but themselves.

“I really envy Sister Yan!” The young women looked on with envy, wishing they could be like Song Ningyan, fighting for the family and living a brilliant life, free from the family’s constraints.

“A bunch of useless brats, get back to your training!” The elders glared angrily at the younger generation watching the excitement, their fury evident.

The youngsters shrank back and hurried to their training rooms, not daring to slack off.

However, some things can’t be achieved through closed-door training alone.

To become a true Heaven’s Pride, one needs talent, exceptional character, and the tempering of life and death—all indispensable.

Misty Palace, above the clouds.

A warship about ten miles long hovered in the air, entirely dark and exquisitely crafted, with seven levels.

More than a dozen elders were accompanying to protect the Dao, along with hundreds of maids and guards.

The strongest among them was a core elder in the Great Vehicle stage, dressed in simple clothes, standing at the bow of the ship, with crane-like hair and a youthful face, exuding an immortal aura.

“Set off!” With the elder’s command, the ship’s prohibition activated, enveloping the entire vessel.

Inside the ship, there were over a hundred exquisite rooms, with ample space for activities.

In a room filled with flowers and plants, Chen Qingyuan and Zhangsun Fengye were playing chess and drinking tea, with several beautiful maids waiting outside.

“You rich kids really know how to enjoy life,” Chen Qingyuan remarked, looking at the luxurious surroundings, which hardly seemed like they were heading into battle.

“That’s not entirely true,” Zhangsun Fengye chuckled softly, “As they say, life is short; enjoy it while you can.”

“Misty Palace is wealthy and powerful, so you can say that. Ordinary people struggle just to survive, let alone enjoy life,” Chen Qingyuan retorted, disliking Zhangsun Fengye’s rich-kid attitude, and began to eat and drink voraciously, devouring all the spiritual fruits brought to him.

“It’s your move,” Zhangsun Fengye reminded after a long while, seeing that Chen Qingyuan hadn’t made a move.

“I’m tired, going to rest,” Chen Qingyuan said, leaving the game unfinished and slipping away.

Zhangsun Fengye was left alone in the room.

After a long silence, he chuckled softly.

“This brat always finds excuses when he’s about to lose. What a rascal,” Zhangsun Fengye shook his head, laughing without anger, only a bit helpless.

“But I like it.”

After a moment, Zhangsun Fengye opened the window beside him, looking at the endless clouds, and opened his folding fan, a slight smile on his lips.

The top factions of the Northern Wilderness had set off, and the other regions were doing the same.

Eastern Land, Tianxu Temple.

In a side hall of the temple, an old monk sat while a young monk stood.

Who was the old monk?

The abbot of the Buddhist Sect of the Eastern Land, a pinnacle Great Vehicle existence. His strength was undoubtedly at the top of the current world.

“Daochen, your only task in going to the Imperial Province for the banquet is to protect Donor Chen Qingyuan,” the old monk said, having already learned that Chen Qingyuan would be heading to the Imperial Province.

“Yes, Master,” Daochen, the Buddha’s child of Tianxu Temple and the old monk’s direct disciple, replied.

Although Daochen didn’t understand the deeper meaning behind his master’s instructions, he didn’t ask further, only remembering it.

“In previous Hundred Veins Banquets, the Eastern Land rarely participated. This time, you’re going alone, and you’ll likely encounter many troubles that you’ll need to handle yourself. Consider it a form of tempering,” the old monk said.

For years, the Buddhist Sect of the Eastern Land had stayed put, avoiding trouble. Now, the old monk had decided to break the old rules and change the sect’s ways.

Having chosen to get involved with Qingzong’s karma, there was no reason to avoid it.

“Yes,” Daochen said, hands clasped together.

“Without entering the mortal world, how can one see through it? This journey will be arduous; return safely,” the old monk said, though worried about Daochen’s safety, he had to let go.

Flowers grown in a greenhouse, no matter how beautiful, can’t withstand the outside world’s storms.

Daochen was to inherit the Buddhist Sect’s will in the future. Without enduring numerous hardships and forging an unparalleled Buddha heart, how could he be qualified?

Thus, Daochen Monk set off from the Eastern Land, traveling alone, without anyone to protect him.

“Amitabha,” countless monks of the Buddhist Sect clasped their hands together, watching Daochen’s departure with solemn expressions.

A gust of wind, from an unknown origin, swept across the five provinces of the great world.

Between the provinces lay extremely chaotic star seas, with disordered laws that could kill an ordinary tribulation-crossing cultivator with a single strand, terrifying indeed.

To travel safely, one needed to use the inter-realm teleportation arrays, a business run by top factions, activated at intervals, with a fee required for entry.

Chen Qingyuan, hitching a ride on Misty Palace’s warship, didn’t have to worry about the journey.

A light autumn rain drizzled down.

In the quiet room, Chen Qingyuan opened the window, watching the raindrops fall on the ship’s barrier, feeling a bit melancholic.

The warship moved swiftly, leaving the Renling Star Domain in just a few days.

Suddenly, Chen Qingyuan’s vision went black as the ship passed through a black hole, now sailing in the vast starry sky.

“In this era of great contention, who can stand at the pinnacle of their peers?” Chen Qingyuan stood with his hands behind his back, his expression serious, his deep eyes filled with an indescribable emotion.

The Hundred Veins Banquet would undoubtedly be an event that shook the world.

Heaven’s Pride from all realms gathering together—what a dazzling sight that would be!