In the eyes of many, Chen Qingyuan was the easiest target, a soft persimmon. They were unaware of his powerful background and the sealed-off information, so naturally, they didn’t know about Chen Qingyuan’s battle achievements.

People’s impression of Chen Qingyuan was still stuck a century ago.

Back then, Chen Qingyuan had just emerged from the Sky Abyss. It was said that he found the Ghost Doctor and repaired his foundation, and his notable battle achievement was defeating Qin Yutang, the Young Sect Master of the Heavenly Jade Sect.

Later, Chen Qingyuan was supposed to fight Wu Junyan, another member of the Ten Heroes, but he disappeared without a trace.

Now, hearing news of Chen Qingyuan again, people were both surprised and thrilled, traveling millions of miles to come. Some came to watch the excitement, while others wanted to step on Chen Qingyuan to make a name for themselves.

On the fifth day of Chen Qingyuan’s challenge, the first opponent arrived.

“My name is Yang Qian, here to seek guidance.”

Yang Qian hovered in the air, dressed in black, holding a long halberd, exuding a heroic aura. As he spoke, a wave of late Elemental Infant Realm cultivation spread out, making him a rare Heaven’s Pride among his peers.

“Make your move!”

Chen Qingyuan had never heard of this name, probably someone who had emerged in recent years.

“Here I come!”

With a polite remark, Yang Qian made his move.

He came today solely to make a name for himself.

Riding on the fame of the Ten Heroes of the Northern Wilderness to rise to prominence would surely shake the Northern Wilderness.

The idea was good, but unrealistic.

Swish!

The sharp halberd aimed straight for Chen Qingyuan’s brow.

“Buzz”

A sword named Yulan, a low-quality holy sword, suddenly appeared in Chen Qingyuan’s right hand.

“Clang”

With a slight exertion, Chen Qingyuan swung his sword, blocking Yang Qian’s attack and altering the trajectory of the halberd.

Yang Qian immediately changed his stance, attacking from the side.

“Zing…”

A sword hum echoed, and the trace of the Yulan sword was elusive, ghostly appearing on Yang Qian’s left side, leaving a deep wound on his left arm.

If Yang Qian hadn’t dodged in time, his arm would have been severed.

In just a few moves, Yang Qian fell into a disadvantage, feeling nervous and unsure of what to do.

He clearly sensed an early Elemental Infant Realm cultivation wave, so why was the burst of strength so powerful?

Yang Qian couldn’t figure it out no matter how hard he thought.

After more than ten moves, Yang Qian couldn’t hold on any longer and had to admit defeat.

“Stop! I concede.”

If the fight continued, Yang Qian feared for his life.

“Thank you for letting me win.”

Chen Qingyuan returned to the clouds, overlooking the desolate land below, and slowly closed his eyes to rest.

Yang Qian, embarrassed by his defeat, turned and left.

A few days later, the second opponent arrived.

A young man named Li Shan, tall and broad-shouldered, wielding a wolf-tooth club.

This battle lasted about thirty moves before Chen Qingyuan defeated him.

As time passed, thousands of young cultivators appeared on the once desolate Xianchang Star. They had heard of the recent battles and were astonished by Chen Qingyuan’s displayed strength.

“Although Chen Qingyuan has resumed his cultivation, his strength is not to be underestimated, probably not weaker than before.”

“If you can’t even beat someone like Yang Qian, there’s no need to challenge Chen Qingyuan. I heard Yang Qian used all his skills and still lost to Chen Qingyuan in just a few dozen moves.”

“There are countless Heaven’s Prides in the Northern Wilderness; someone will surely suppress Chen Qingyuan and take his place among the Ten Heroes.”

The Ten Heroes of the Northern Wilderness rarely set up challenges like this.

Only before the Hundred Veins Banquet does the Academy secretly guide such events. In other times, they do not interfere.

Because Chen Qingyuan was seen as weak in the eyes of the common people, the most young challengers came, hoping to seize this opportunity to reach the peak of their generation and dominate the Northern Wilderness.

The quietest place was probably the territory of Zhangsun Fengye.

Even though Zhangsun Fengye had made his intentions clear, no one dared to trouble him.

“Chen Qingyuan, you finally decided to show yourself.”

In the Star Domain of Moxu, at the Holy Mountain of the Morning Sparrow.

A young man in blue brocade, the Holy Son of the Morning Sparrow, named Yan Qianling.

Yan Qianling had another identity, a former member of the Ten Heroes of the Northern Wilderness.

About a century ago, the Academy revised the list of the Ten Heroes, removing Yan Qianling and several others, replacing them with new evildoers.

What puzzled the common people was that Chen Qingyuan, who was clearly already crippled, was still listed as one of the Ten Heroes, causing a great uproar and widespread dissent.

Last time, when Yan Qianling wanted to trouble Chen Qingyuan, he was stopped by Wu Junyan and couldn’t succeed.

This time, Yan Qianling was determined to prove himself and reclaim his position among the Ten Heroes.

After months of battles, more than fifty peers had fallen to Chen Qingyuan.

The onlookers, witnessing Chen Qingyuan’s strength firsthand, were greatly shocked, often exclaiming in surprise.

They never expected that Chen Qingyuan, who had resumed cultivation, could become so strong in such a short time.

“No wonder it’s him!”

Many cultivators who had been defeated by Chen Qingyuan before and now sighed in admiration.

“He truly deserves the title of one of the Ten Heroes.”

Seeing Chen Qingyuan’s overwhelming victories, everyone was convinced.

“What a powerful wave of cultivation, who’s here?”

A ghostly figure swiftly approached from the depths of the star sea, landing on Xianchang Star.

“The Holy Son of the Morning Sparrow!”

Many recognized the newcomer’s identity and whispered in surprise.

Even though Yan Qianling was no longer one of the Ten Heroes, his strength was still formidable and not to be underestimated. Among his peers, Yan Qianling held high prestige.

“Chen Qingyuan, I thought you would hide forever.”

Yan Qianling’s eyes were sharp, his words laced with barbs.

The two stood in the air, thousands of meters apart, staring at each other.

“If you want to fight me, go ahead.”

Chen Qingyuan understood Yan Qianling’s intentions well, wanting to use him as a stepping stone, not a good person.

Moreover, not a worthy opponent.

If Yan Qianling truly had ambition, why hadn’t he challenged the other Ten Heroes over the years, but instead waited for Chen Qingyuan to appear?

The reason was simple: Yan Qianling lacked the courage.

Deep down, besides Chen Qingyuan, none of the Ten Heroes of the Northern Wilderness were easy targets. If he rashly challenged the other Heaven’s Prides, he might lose and thus lose his dignity.

He only dared to relentlessly pursue the weak but didn’t dare to wield his blade against the strong.

Chen Qingyuan looked down on Yan Qianling from the bottom of his heart, not considering him a true opponent.

Perhaps Yan Qianling had countless excuses, not wanting to do anything uncertain. But his actions showed he was a bully who feared the strong.

“Today, I will reclaim my lost dignity.”

Yan Qianling whispered, his eyes flashing with determination, locking onto Chen Qingyuan’s position, ready to strike.

Chen Qingyuan remained silent, his expression serious.

Although Yan Qianling lacked an unbreakable Dao Heart, his strength was indeed not weak and needed to be taken seriously.