Chen Qingyuan had spent five years in arduous cultivation, consuming countless resources, and finally, the spiritual energy stored in his body had reached its limit.

“Buzz—”

The surface of his Dao body began to ripple with Dao marks, spreading out layer by layer.

A powerful force surged from within him as he opened his eyes.

His cultivation level had broken through to the late Elemental Infant stage!

The foundation of a Saint-grade Three-Dan Pill required a hundred times more spiritual energy than others at the same realm, making the breakthrough exceedingly difficult.

Although his cultivation level had risen a notch, Chen Qingyuan did not dare to relax and continued his cultivation.

He was about to engage in a battle with the top young talent of the Western Border, and he couldn’t afford to be careless; he had to give it his all.

With five years left, Chen Qingyuan wanted to see if he could take another step forward.

“Continue.”

Chen Qingyuan closed his eyes again, took out thousands of top-grade spirit stones, and began to meditate.

In the ancient world, within the starry sky where the Emperor’s weapon fragments lay.

Back then, all the Heaven’s Pride who entered the barrier of the Emperor’s weapon fragments were expelled, except for one person.

That person was Wu Junyan, one of the Ten Heroes of the Northern Wilderness.

Wu Junyan had passed the numerous tests of the Emperor’s weapon laws and appeared in a mystical space that resembled chaos.

Around him, fragmented chaotic laws permeated the air. Any strand of these laws could suppress a peak Great Vehicle cultivator, making them extremely terrifying.

He stood still, not daring to move.

Wu Junyan wore a deep blue robe, his long hair fastened with a wooden hairpin, dressed simply. He glanced around, his pupils finally focusing on a point, his expression solemn, his soul suffocating.

A black dot appeared ahead, slowly drifting towards him.

It was undetectable by divine sense, visible only to the naked eye.

After a moment, Wu Junyan saw the true form of the black dot—it was a fragment of the Emperor’s weapon.

“Whoosh—”

Before Wu Junyan could react, the fragment shot towards his forehead, its speed increasing.

Instinctively, Wu Junyan wanted to dodge and defend, but found his body sealed by a force, unable to move even a finger.

Watching the fragment approach, Wu Junyan thought he was doomed, feeling a deep sorrow.

In an instant, the fragment pierced Wu Junyan’s forehead and entered his body.

Strangely, there was no wound on his forehead, only a black vertical mark appeared.

“Swish—”

Wu Junyan felt an overwhelming fatigue, his eyelids drooping uncontrollably. Just like that, his physical body fell into a deep sleep, and his consciousness entered a peculiar place.

Wu Junyan had gained the recognition of an Emperor’s weapon fragment, a monumental fortune that might lead to inheriting the legacy of Ancient Emperor Taiwei.

“Boom!”

Outside, a massive tremor erupted in the depths of the starry sky.

The illusions of the Emperor’s weapon barrier vanished, and the dense fog dissipated.

Nearby cultivators, hearing the intense tremor, rushed to the starry sky or used treasures to investigate.

Soon, many cultivators saw a person floating in the starry sky, greatly astonished.

“Who is that?”

“He seems to be surrounded by an ancient law barrier, akin to the Emperor’s weapon fragment.”

“Could it be that he has gained the recognition of the Emperor’s weapon fragment?”

“He looks familiar, like Wu Junyan from the Northern Wilderness, who once had a conflict with the Star-Plucking Tower.”

More and more people gathered, identifying Wu Junyan’s background.

Some tried to investigate up close but were repelled by an ancient law.

With no other choice, the crowd could only observe from a distance, unable to change the situation.

Through their speculations, the cultivators were convinced that Wu Junyan had gained the recognition of an ancient Emperor’s weapon, feeling immense envy and jealousy.

In the current world, no Emperor’s weapon had ever appeared.

Even a fragment of an Emperor’s weapon was far more valuable than a sacred weapon, capable of being the treasure of a top sacred ground.

Wu Junyan was communicating with the laws of the Emperor’s weapon fragment. Only by accepting the baptism of these laws could he qualify to wield the fragment in the future.

However, this scene was witnessed by many, meaning Wu Junyan could not hide this fortune.

Once Wu Junyan awakened and lost the protection of the ancient law barrier, he would face unimaginable danger.

Robbery and murder were commonplace.

Not to mention his peers, even the old fellows would be unable to suppress their deep-seated greed. If it came to that, no matter how exceptional Wu Junyan was, he couldn’t withstand the methods of a group of old monsters.

“Above the Great Vehicle is the Emperor, an existence that transcends all beings. Even a fragment of such a powerful figure’s weapon is incredibly precious and invaluable.”

Many Heaven’s Pride rushed over upon hearing the news, their eyes flickering with ripples. Once Wu Junyan lost the protection of the ancient laws, they would definitely make a move to seize it.

“The events in the ancient world will surely shake the Imperial Province and even the entire world once they spread.”

Outside, a group of old fellows were discussing the Dao and sipping tea, unaware of the situation inside the ancient world. If they knew about the Emperor’s weapon fragment, few would be able to remain calm.

“A common man is innocent, but treasuring a jade ring becomes a crime.”

If Wu Junyan’s fortune wasn’t so great, it would merely be a competition among peers, not a big problem. However, the fortune was too immense, involving the path above the Great Vehicle, making the situation different.

“I’ve looked into Wu Junyan. He’s from a small family in the Northern Wilderness, with no background to speak of. His luck is indeed extraordinary to gain the recognition of an Emperor’s weapon. Unfortunately, he won’t be able to keep this astonishing fortune.”

In the eyes of various evildoers, Wu Junyan’s fate was already sealed, a fleeting moment of brilliance.

If Wu Junyan was sensible, he might still keep his life. If he remained unyielding, he would surely die.

Wu Junyan was in a peculiar state, completely unaware of the outside world. He didn’t know that his fortune of obtaining the Emperor’s weapon fragment had been exposed to everyone.

However, even if Wu Junyan knew it would bring endless trouble, he wouldn’t fear or retreat.

If he feared death, he wouldn’t be Wu Junyan, nor would he have gained the recognition of the Emperor’s weapon.

When soldiers come, he will face them; when water rises, he will build a dam.

There was nothing to fear.

On the ancient star of Yanchang, more than a dozen arenas were set up in the void.

In recent years, the number of Heaven’s Pride challenging each other had increased, turning this place into the core area of the Hundred Veins Banquet, bustling with activity.

“Buddha’s child from the Eastern Land, how old are you this year? Would you like to enjoy flowers and wine with your sister?”

A group of female disciples from the Pear Blossom Palace of the Southern Region often teased Daochen Buddha’s child, their laughter crisp and melodious like the song of a yellow warbler.

Daochen Buddha’s child sat cross-legged on the ground, eyes closed, chanting sutras.

Faced with the teasing and seduction of the women, Buddha’s child remained calm and unmoved.

“How boring.”

The Pear Blossom Palace and the Buddhist Sect of the Eastern Land had old grievances. The women’s purpose was simple: to make Daochen Buddha’s child look foolish.