With the little incident of Daochen Monk being teased by the women of Pear Blossom Palace, the region became somewhat quieter.

One day, a piece of news reached the ears of the Heaven’s Pride in the Northern Wilderness.

“Rumor has it that a fierce figure has recently emerged in the Imperial Province, calling himself Daoist Changsheng, and has challenged many top Sacred Grounds.”

“This matter has caused quite a stir. Even though the sects in the Imperial Province tried to cover it up, the commotion was too great to hide.”

“Shangling Observatory suffered the most, losing several core Elders in battle, and they couldn’t do anything to stop Daoist Changsheng from leaving.”

“Such powerful figures are rare in the world!”

With nothing better to do, the people of the Northern Wilderness began discussing the recent events in the Imperial Province.

These words reached Chen Qingyuan’s ears, and he was also surprised, marveling at the numerous powerful figures in the world, even the top Sacred Grounds of the Imperial Province couldn’t dominate everything.

Although he heard the title “Daoist Changsheng,” Chen Qingyuan didn’t think much of it.

There are countless people with the same name in the world, and a Daoist title alone wouldn’t attract much thought.

The topic of Daoist Changsheng didn’t last long. After all, such figures were too distant for the younger generation, unattainable and out of reach.

Soon, the conversation shifted to the Heaven’s Pride of the Imperial Province.

“Rumor has it that the Sword Disciple of the Dongli Sword Sect was born with a Sword Heart. Fifty years ago, he attained enlightenment at the peak of the Snow Mountain, slashing nine thousand miles of snow with a single sword, reaching the half-step Swordless Realm. The awe-inspiring sword intent still lingers.”

“Before I came, I bought a book that records many Heaven’s Pride of the Imperial Province. I think I saw something about the Sword Disciple of Dongli, named Jiang Xun. With a three-foot sword, he disrupted the Dao Hearts of countless peer sword cultivators.”

“I heard that Su Xingyun of Penglai Manor is a madman. If we encounter him, we must stay as far away as possible.”

“Madman? How mad?”

“I heard that Penglai Manor almost expelled him from the sect. If it weren’t for his Master’s protection, his fate would have been tragic. However, despite his madness, his strength can crush countless peers in the Imperial Province. From what I’ve gathered, he is also a sword cultivator, possibly on par with the Sword Disciple of Dongli.”

Where there are people, there is profit to be made.

The booklets in the hands of many cultivators in the Northern Wilderness were written by those with an agenda, specifically sold to forces outside the Imperial Province at a high price. The main point is, many people scramble to buy them, fearing to miss out.

The content of the books is a mix of truth and fiction, hard to verify.

The wild stories recorded in them are mostly fabricated!

For example, tales of certain Holy Sons spending a night with someone, and various gossip that attracts idle chatter.

“A world of great contention!”

Looking at the records of the Heaven’s Pride in the books, many people gazed into the distance, their hearts tightening, and sighed deeply.

Oh vast heavens, why was I born in this era?

Many Heaven’s Pride, although they have come to Baichen Star, know well that their talent and strength have not reached the top level. Being born in such an era, competing with top evildoers, they don’t know if it’s a blessing or a curse.

On the warship, Chen Qingyuan and Zhangsun Fengye were brewing tea and playing chess.

“Brother Chen, if you are at a disadvantage this time, you can’t regret your moves. Otherwise, I will never play chess with you again in this life.”

Before the game, Zhangsun Fengye made a statement.

“How could a person as upright as me regret a move?” Chen Qingyuan said seriously, “Last time, due to various reasons, I had to leave in a hurry and couldn’t finish the game with you. This time, I definitely won’t.”

“Hmph.”

Zhangsun Fengye snorted lightly.

“Among the Heaven’s Pride of the Imperial Province, the one I’m most interested in is that scholar.”

While playing chess, they discussed the evildoers.

“I’ve heard of him.” A gleam flashed in Zhangsun Fengye’s eyes as he continued, “It’s said that the scholar was originally a mortal, reading books since childhood, and at the age of over ninety, when he was about to die of old age, he suddenly had an epiphany and crossed the Fleshly Body Realm in one day, directly reaching the Golden Core stage.”

The scholar is a legendary figure in the Imperial Province, a mortal who had an epiphany, a rarity in tens of thousands of years.

“Now, he is just over four hundred years old and is already an outer court teacher of the Confucian Sect. Given time, he is expected to reach the pinnacle of the Confucian Dao.”

Chen Qingyuan continued.

“I also want to meet such a person.”

Entering the Dao through reading is indeed a legend.

There was a hint of anticipation in Zhangsun Fengye’s eyes.

The scholar’s name, with a little inquiry, could be known as Lu Nanxian. He is sure to make a mark in the future and will meet Chen Qingyuan and others.

About an hour later, the chess game reached its latter half, with Zhangsun Fengye pushing Chen Qingyuan into a desperate situation, victory in sight.

“The game isn’t over yet, Brother Zhangsun, don’t celebrate too early.”

Chen Qingyuan didn’t make any excuses to leave, continuing to play for the first time.

As the game progressed, Zhangsun Fengye’s face grew increasingly grim.

Snap!

After a dozen more rounds of fierce play, Chen Qingyuan revealed a smug smile.

“How could this be?”

Zhangsun Fengye never expected to lose this game, staring in disbelief.

“You were careless.”

Chen Qingyuan hummed a tune, holding a teacup, and slowly walked to the edge of the warship, gazing at the starry sky, admiring the splendid scene of countless stars.

He took a sip of tea, finding it exceptionally sweet and delicious.

The chessboard and pieces were extraordinary, containing profound Daoist truths. Playing more could strengthen the soul and cultivate the mind.

“Never losing is quite lonely.”

Chen Qingyuan sighed, deliberately saying such words with a half-smile.

“Doesn’t count, let’s play again!”

Zhangsun Fengye rolled up his sleeves, unwilling to concede.

Thus, the two began another game.

Time slipped through their fingers, and in just two years, it passed in the blink of an eye.

Two years later, the laws around Baichen Star underwent significant changes.

A strange gale blew from the depths of Baichen Star, sweeping across the corners of the starry sky, dispersing the laws surrounding the star’s surface.

“The time has come!”

Seeing this, everyone exclaimed in surprise.

The once-in-ten-thousand-years Hundred Veins Banquet made it impossible for anyone to remain absolutely calm. Even the old fellows sitting in the Immortal Mansions couldn’t help but show a long-awaited look.

As the laws retreated, a beam of light surged from a corner of Baichen Star, piercing through the nine heavens, reaching the end of the starry sky.

The azure light appeared, and the ancient secrets opened!

A powerful figure activated the Aurora Treasure Mirror, projecting the scenes from the depths of Baichen Star, allowing the Dao Friends in the Immortal Mansions to watch together.

“What fortunes await us in the ancient secret realm?”

The Heaven’s Pride of the Pear Blossom Palace of the Southern Region and dozens of top forces, the Eighteen Veins of the Western Border, and the Sacred Grounds of the Northern Wilderness all held their breath, their gazes converging on the direction of the azure light.

“The path of the Great Dao is paved with bones. How many will return alive after entering the secret realm this time?”

Chen Qingyuan glanced around. Once inside the ancient secret realm, not only were there unknown dangers, but the Heaven’s Pride from various forces would also fight due to interests or personal grudges.

“If half of them survive, it would be a good result.”

Zhangsun Fengye had specifically investigated this. When he said this, his eyes were solemn, and a trace of worry appeared between his brows.

Half an hour later, the barriers and prohibitions around Baichen Star were completely lifted.

This meant the Hundred Veins Banquet had officially begun. After some preparation, everyone could step into the ancient secret realm.

The Heaven’s Pride from all realms, their blood boiling, had been eagerly anticipating this moment.