“Where are we heading?”

Zhangsun Fengye still didn’t know the destination of this journey.

“Heading north, seeking fortune. Along the way, we can check on Old Wu’s situation and find Junior Sister Song and Miss Zhangsun.”

Chen Qingyuan had already made plans.

“Alright.”

With a goal in mind, the group set off together.

Traversing the starry sea was somewhat dull.

On the way, Chen Qingyuan pondered a question.

The third agreement with the Red-Dressed Girl—to suppress the other Ten Heroes of the Northern Wilderness.

In other words, Chen Qingyuan had to become the acknowledged number one among his peers in the Northern Wilderness.

Although many years had passed, Chen Qingyuan had never forgotten this agreement.

For some reason, he often missed the days spent in Sky Abyss recently.

Chen Qingyuan snapped out of his thoughts, shivered, and muttered to himself, “Do I have a masochistic tendency?”

How about having a fight with Zhangsun Fengye now?

After thinking for a long time, Chen Qingyuan decided it wasn’t the right time. He would wait until he broke through to the Divine Transformation Realm; by then, his strength would be greater, and the fight would be more satisfying.

With Chen Qingyuan’s current strength, combined with the power of the Silver Spear, he should be able to defeat Zhangsun Fengye. After all, even Fu Dongliu, the number one in the Western Border, had lost to him and hadn’t forced Chen Qingyuan to use the foundation of his Saint-grade Three-Dan Pill.

If Zhangsun Fengye went all out, his strength would at most be equal to Fu Dongliu, perhaps even slightly inferior.

The reason Chen Qingyuan was waiting was to avoid any mistakes and to ensure he could crush Zhangsun Fengye one-sidedly. Why not?

Although Zhangsun Fengye’s strength was also improving, it certainly wasn’t as fast as Chen Qingyuan’s.

The fundamental reason was simple: Chen Qingyuan’s supreme foundation was no joke. Every breakthrough in realm brought a significant increase in strength.

“Why do you keep looking at me?”

Zhangsun Fengye noticed Chen Qingyuan’s occasional glances and felt a bit uneasy, so he asked.

“Nothing.” Chen Qingyuan grinned brightly.

For some reason, seeing Chen Qingyuan’s smile made Zhangsun Fengye’s body tremble, and his unease grew stronger.

This brat is definitely up to something.

Zhangsun Fengye thought, but he didn’t know the specifics.

“Amitabha.”

Perhaps Daochen Buddha’s child saw through Chen Qingyuan’s intentions. He clasped his hands together and chanted, casting a sympathetic glance at Zhangsun Fengye.

I couldn’t beat you before, but that might change in the future.

A gentleman’s fight can wait for any time.

Chen Qingyuan hadn’t forgotten the agreement with the Red-Dressed Girl; he was just waiting for the right moment.

After all, the Red-Dressed Girl hadn’t set a time limit, so there was no rush.

If Zhangsun Fengye knew what Chen Qingyuan was thinking, he would surely regret it deeply. He should have beaten Chen Qingyuan up when he hadn’t grown strong yet, to ease his own heart.

That time during the sparring at the Song Family of the Ancient Clan was a perfect opportunity.

Unfortunately, Zhangsun Fengye insisted on a fair fight at the same realm, which ended in a draw.

In the endless years to come, Zhangsun Fengye might look back and give himself a couple of slaps, filled with regret.

“If you don’t bully me, I’ll bully you.”

This wasn’t craftiness; it was just how brothers interacted.

Don’t forget, Zhangsun Fengye’s second personality often spoke up, challenging Chen Qingyuan to kill him if he had the guts.

How could Chen Qingyuan forget such a request? He didn’t have the ability before, but he would definitely satisfy Zhangsun Fengye’s second personality in the future.

Brother, you’ve asked for it, how can I not oblige?

Chen Qingyuan thought, the smile on his lips lingering for a long time.

That eerie feeling of coldness on his back often disturbed Zhangsun Fengye, making him feel uneasy all over.

After some time, the group arrived at the core area of the Ancient World.

In the desolate and cold starry sky, they could see ancient stars moving along specific trajectories, with colorful star rivers connecting countless stars.

In the depths of the starry sky, there was a massive barrier.

Inside the barrier, Wu Junyan lay flat, wrapped in many ancient laws, appearing extremely mysterious.

Due to the barrier’s obstruction, those around could only observe from a distance, unable to get close.

“There are quite a few people around, probably eyeing Old Wu.”

Chen Qingyuan scanned the starry sky several times. Although he didn’t see many figures, he could vaguely sense the fluctuations of laws in the void, indicating that many powerful figures of the same generation were hiding with ill intentions.

“An Emperor’s weapon fragment is something no one can ignore. Once such an item appears, it will undoubtedly change the world’s situation, making people realize that there is a path beyond the Great Vehicle. And the broken Emperor’s weapon still contains the Great Emperor’s Dao Mark, offering a slim chance for someone to find the way forward.”

Zhangsun Fengye said solemnly.

“Indeed.” Chen Qingyuan was worried about this. After the Hundred Veins Banquet, it would be difficult to escape back to the Northern Wilderness: “Those old fellows won’t be able to sit still by then.”

“The day is approaching quickly. What… what will you do?”

Zhangsun Fengye had thought about this many times but had never made a choice. Seeing Wu Junyan in a mysterious state today, he decided to ask for an answer.

“He is my brother; we will face it together.”

Chen Qingyuan said without hesitation.

Hearing this, Zhangsun Fengye felt complicated emotions—both joy and worry. Joy because he hadn’t misjudged Chen Qingyuan, who was a companion worth befriending; worry because if Chen Qingyuan was willing to face danger with Wu Junyan, what should he do?

Joining in would be a life-or-death situation.

Not joining would mean returning to the Northern Wilderness safely but with an uneasy heart.

With the foundation of Misty Palace, it couldn’t possibly withstand the terrifying tide of the Imperial Province.

After hesitating for a long time, Zhangsun Fengye gritted his teeth and asked seriously, “Brother Chen, if I encountered such trouble, what would you do?”

“The same.”

Chen Qingyuan looked into Zhangsun Fengye’s eyes for a few breaths and said solemnly.

The next moment, Zhangsun Fengye, who had been tense, suddenly laughed.

“Forget it, I’ll risk my life to accompany a gentleman and follow you to the end!”

Perhaps from that moment, Zhangsun Fengye regarded Chen Qingyuan as a confidant he could entrust his life to.

“Aren’t you afraid of being implicated?” Chen Qingyuan was surprised. He didn’t expect Zhangsun Fengye to plan to face the pressure from the Imperial Province and other forces together. This was no joke; it could easily end in disaster: “Think it through; one wrong move and you’re dead.”

“What is there to fear? It’s just a life.”

In this world, it’s rare to find a confidant.

Having found one, why not risk your life to accompany him?

“Forgive this monk for being blunt, but if those top-tier powerful figures make a move, young people like Donor Zhangsun and this monk will be of no use, no matter how many come.”

The Buddha’s child broke the atmosphere of camaraderie.

“……”

Chen Qingyuan and Zhangsun Fengye opened their mouths but had no rebuttal.

He made a good point, but why did we feel like hitting him?

Buddha’s child, since you’re so good at talking, why don’t you say more?

The two of them rolled their eyes in unison and remained silent.

After half an hour, the barrier in the depths of the starry sky suddenly changed, and Wu Junyan, lying in the center, slowly opened his eyes.