The ancient star of Yanchang was shrouded in a gloomy mist that seemed to seep into everyone’s hearts.

With the great battle approaching, no one could remain completely calm. Waves of anxiety stirred within them, each lost in their own thoughts.

At the foot of a desolate mountain, Zhangsun Fengye and Daochen Buddha’s child sat on wooden chairs, sipping tea and conversing.

“Old Chen, I wonder if he can hold his ground.”

Zhangsun Fengye was deeply worried, his brows furrowed, unable to ease his mind.

“Since Donor Chen dared to accept the challenge, he must have a plan. There’s no need to worry.”

Daochen Buddha’s child had great faith in Chen Qingyuan, his expression serene.

Even if Chen Qingyuan were to face defeat and his life was in danger, Buddha’s child would step in, shouldering all the difficulties.

Buddha’s child attended the Hundred Veins Banquet with only one purpose—not to seize fortune but to protect Chen Qingyuan’s Dao. At critical moments, he was prepared to sacrifice his life.

Though Buddha’s child still didn’t understand the deeper meaning behind the abbot’s command, he never doubted the abbot’s decisions and followed them unconditionally.

“Fu Dongliu is no simple character. How can I not worry?”

Zhangsun Fengye glanced at Fu Dongliu standing high above, feeling a powerful aura that made his soul tremble.

The aura of the number one in the Western Border was indeed extraordinary.

Even though Zhangsun Fengye was hailed as the leader of the Ten Heroes of the Northern Wilderness, he wasn’t confident he could fight Fu Dongliu to a draw. As for winning, the chances were slim.

“The tea has cooled.”

Among those present, only Daochen Buddha’s child remained calm, sipping his tea and waiting for the Hundred Veins Banquet to end.

He brewed a fresh pot of tea and continued savoring it.

Buddha’s child wasn’t too worried about Chen Qingyuan. His mind was preoccupied with the abbot’s entanglement with the Holy Lord of Pear Blossom Palace, eager to understand the specifics of their karma.

According to Wang Shutong, the abbot was a heartless man, breaking his promises and leaving the Holy Lord of Pear Blossom Palace waiting for years without even meeting her once.

“Sigh…”

The more he thought about it, the more troubled he became. Buddha’s child couldn’t help but sigh deeply.

“What’s wrong?”

Zhangsun Fengye noticed Buddha’s child’s distress and asked softly.

“Nothing.”

Buddha’s child shook his head, unwilling to elaborate.

Seeing this, Zhangsun Fengye didn’t press further, gazing into the distance with a heavy heart.

Days passed, and the date of the duel drew nearer.

In a secluded chamber, Chen Qingyuan had hoped to break through to the peak of the Elemental Infant stage in one go, but his body required too much energy, and time was running out.

“Well, let’s stop here!”

Chen Qingyuan had to halt his cultivation, ceasing to absorb the power of the spirit stones.

He collected all the spirit stones around him into his Xumi Ring but remained seated in meditation.

With a few months left, he wanted to stabilize the immense spiritual power within him, ensuring no hidden dangers remained in his body.

Throughout the ancient star of Yanchang, palaces and watchtowers appeared.

Each palace was unique, resplendent and grand.

The watchtowers, transformed from spiritual treasures, were extremely sturdy and about a hundred feet tall.

To better observe the battle, the Heaven’s Pride from various realms had made early preparations, awaiting the day.

In the void, rows of jade chairs were arranged, with the evildoers from the top sects of the Imperial Province sitting side by side, and the Heaven’s Pride from each sect standing behind them, creating a spectacular scene.

From left to right were the evildoer Shen Yuan from Shangling Observatory, Wan Ling from Star-Plucking Tower, Li Shangqing from Penglai Manor, Jiang Xun from Dongli Sword Sect, Ye Xuan from No-Dao Cliff, and others.

Most of the evildoers from the Imperial Province had arrived, not wanting to miss this great battle.

“Feng Chen, I heard you went to the Western Border two hundred years ago and got beaten up by Fu Dongliu. Is that true?”

Su Xingyun from Penglai Manor, though not the Holy Son of his sect, was undoubtedly powerful enough to sit in the front row with the other evildoers.

If not for Su Xingyun’s unruly nature, he would have secured the position of Holy Son of Penglai Manor.

“Hmph!”

Feng Chen from Qianchen Sect glanced at Su Xingyun, snorted coldly, and remained silent.

This bastard always brought up the most unpleasant topics.

If he were confident in defeating Su Xingyun, Feng Chen would have already made a move instead of ignoring him.

“To be honest, Fu Dongliu is indeed a monster. Many here aren’t his match.”

Su Xingyun, dressed in simple cloth, sat slanted with one foot on the stool, a mischievous smile on his face.

“Can you beat Fu Dongliu?”

Someone, displeased with Su Xingyun’s attitude, retorted.

“I haven’t fought him, so I don’t know,” Su Xingyun replied honestly. “But when I’m in better shape, I’ll definitely challenge him.”

“……”

Everyone was speechless.

Are you waiting to be in better shape?

Clearly, you’re waiting to go even crazier.

Su Xingyun was an oddball. When in a good mood, he could go years without killing, letting anyone bully him while he responded with a smile, doing good deeds and helping the poor like a living Buddha.

When in a bad mood, even stray dogs sleeping by the roadside would get slapped, let alone those who angered him.

And then there was his frenzied state.

In this state, his strength would surge significantly, becoming nearly invincible in the same realm.

Years ago, the Holy Son of Penglai Manor, Li Shangqing, had accidentally provoked the frenzied Su Xingyun and was chased for a long time, with several bones broken.

Whenever he recalled it, the Holy Son of Penglai Manor shuddered, not wanting to experience it again.

This is an illness that needs treatment!

Everyone chose to stay silent, unwilling to engage further with Su Xingyun.

They had all heard of Su Xingyun’s exploits and knew he was a complete madman, best kept at a distance to avoid injury.

For some unknown reason, since Su Xingyun joined the Hundred Veins Banquet, he hadn’t found that optimal state.

“Must be because he didn’t sleep well.”

Su Xingyun glanced at the nearby evildoers, already marking a few targets for a future beating.

Time passed, and the day of the duel finally arrived.

Everyone scanned the surroundings but didn’t see Chen Qingyuan.

The Heaven’s Pride of the Eighteen Veins of the Western Border had grown impatient after waiting for so long.

As the appointed day arrived, and still no sign of Chen Qingyuan, a few couldn’t help but grumble, “Could it be that Chen Qingyuan is scared?”

“Ten years is enough time for him to find a place to hide.”

Some even began to maliciously speculate.

“Chen Qingyuan is a Heaven’s Pride of this era. He wouldn’t do such a thing. Let’s wait a bit longer; there’s no rush.”

As long as the day hadn’t ended, it wouldn’t count as Chen Qingyuan breaking his promise.

The Heaven’s Pride of the Western Border clearly harbored some malice towards Chen Qingyuan with their remarks.

From the east of the ancient star of Yanchang, a wave of energy rippled.

The cultivators sensed it and immediately turned to look.

Chen Qingyuan appeared, arriving as promised.