Since the battle between Chen Qingyuan and Fu Dongliu, the ancient star of Yanchang has become even more lively than before.

The rivalry among the Heaven’s Pride of the same generation takes place under this starry sky. Whether it’s for resources or personal grudges, battles happen frequently.

Those willing to pay the management fees can have Daochen Buddha’s child and Zhangsun Fengye oversee the fights according to the rules, ensuring that only victory or defeat is determined, without causing fatalities.

Cultivators who refuse to offer spirit stones often cause deaths, leading to sect conflicts and creating a highly tense situation.

In short, the contention at the Hundred Veins Banquet has become increasingly fierce. Even those Heaven’s Pride who were once famous can barely make a splash here, struggling to protect their own lives and acting with extreme caution.

Although the Hundred Veins Banquet is bustling, the Heaven’s Pride of the Eighteen Veins of the Western Border have been very low-key recently, rarely heard in conflicts and seldom seen.

It seems Fu Dongliu’s defeat has made the people of the Western Border keep their heads down, not daring to cause trouble for the time being.

Several months later, Chen Qingyuan’s injuries had mostly healed, and he donned a clean, white robe.

Releasing the prohibitions around him, Chen Qingyuan appeared before the crowd.

“Dao Friend Chen has emerged!”

Cultivators staying on the ancient star of Yanchang rushed over upon hearing the news, eager to witness the spectacle.

One man had suppressed the heroes of the Western Border to the point they couldn’t lift their heads. Those who hadn’t witnessed that battle regretted it deeply, wishing they had seen it in person.

The event had passed, and everyone just wanted to see what Chen Qingyuan, now standing at the pinnacle of his generation, looked like.

“His thighs aren’t even as thick as my arms. He looks like a frail scholar. Can he really possess the strength to crush his peers?”

A burly man with a tiger’s back and a bear’s waist stood out in the crowd, muttering as he saw Chen Qingyuan.

“Idiot, what do you know?”

Some nearby women overheard and immediately retorted.

“Dao Friend Chen does look like a scholar, with no strength to bind a chicken. I’m not wrong.”

The burly man, though insulted, didn’t get angry and retorted.

“A jade-faced scholar, yet his hands hold the power of the universe. Unlike you, simple-minded and strong-limbed.”

The women nodded in agreement.

“……”

A group of young talents wisely kept their distance from the burly man to avoid being caught in the crossfire.

At the top of a barren mountain, Chen Qingyuan, dressed in white, sat on a wooden chair, chatting and brewing tea with Buddha’s child and Zhangsun Fengye.

Ignoring the gazes from afar, Chen Qingyuan waved his sleeve, sealing the surroundings to prevent their conversation from being overheard.

The table was filled with the aroma of brewing tea, its fragrance wafting through the air.

“Has anything happened recently?”

Chen Qingyuan had been in seclusion for ten years. After emerging, he fought Fu Dongliu and then went back into seclusion to heal, unaware of the changes in the ancient world.

“Old Wu has some news.”

Zhangsun Fengye took a sip of tea.

“Tell me in detail.”

Chen Qingyuan said.

“I heard that Old Wu has been recognized by an Emperor’s weapon fragment…”

Zhangsun Fengye then shared all the information he knew with Chen Qingyuan.

After a moment, Chen Qingyuan understood Wu Junyan’s situation and frowned slightly.

An Emperor’s weapon fragment would tempt anyone. This matter had already blown up and couldn’t be covered up. Once the Hundred Veins Banquet ended, the old fellows outside wouldn’t miss such a heaven-shaking fortune.

Thinking of this, Chen Qingyuan began to worry about Wu Junyan.

If it came to a critical moment, Chen Qingyuan couldn’t abandon Wu Junyan and leave alone. They were close friends, and abandoning a friend would leave him uneasy for life.

“Sigh! What a headache.”

Chen Qingyuan sighed softly, starting to ponder the next steps.

However, Chen Qingyuan wasn’t too worried because he carried a prayer bead and a life-saving talisman given by the Red-Dressed Girl.

If it came to a life-and-death moment, these means would be enough to protect himself and Wu Junyan, buying enough time to contact the elders of the Academy and escape safely back to the Northern Wilderness.

“Old Wu, if it really comes to that, you owe me a huge favor for life.”

Chen Qingyuan muttered to himself.

After drinking a pot of tea, Chen Qingyuan changed the topic: “Any news about Junior Sister Song and Miss Zhangsun?”

“None.”

Years ago, they had all entered the illusion of the Emperor’s weapon fragment together, but were forced to separate due to different exit times.

During this period, Zhangsun Fengye had repeatedly inquired about the whereabouts of Song Ningyan and Zhangsun Qian, but to no avail.

“I observe that the two female donors are blessed individuals and won’t encounter any danger. Don’t worry too much.”

Daochen Buddha’s child offered his opinion.

“Buddha’s child, you can read fortunes too?”

Zhangsun Fengye and Zhangsun Qian shared a pair of heart-linked jade pendants. If one of them lost their life, the pendant would shatter. Since the pendant was intact, Zhangsun Fengye had no need to worry.

“A little.” Buddha’s child replied.

“How about reading mine?”

Zhangsun Fengye was very curious.

“Hard to say.” Buddha’s child looked deeply at Zhangsun Fengye and shook his head.

Between good and evil, one can become a Buddha or a demon.

Hearing this, Zhangsun Fengye wisely refrained from asking further.

“What about Brother Chen?”

Zhangsun Fengye turned his attention to Chen Qingyuan.

“Immeasurably noble.”

Buddha’s child replied truthfully.

“……” Zhangsun Fengye opened his mouth but had nothing to say.

My fortune is “hard to say,” while Chen Qingyuan’s is “immeasurably noble.” Is the gap really that big?

Chen Qingyuan didn’t believe in fortune-telling and didn’t take it seriously, smiling slightly.

As they continued chatting, a figure suddenly appeared nearby.

“Who’s here?”

Chen Qingyuan and the others put down their teacups and turned to look.

A woman in a deep blue long dress, wearing a veil, with eyebrows like a painting, appeared. She had a neat bun with a jade hairpin inlaid with small pearls.

Her slender waist and graceful figure were captivating.

She bowed slightly to Chen Qingyuan, her eyes showing a hint of softness.

“Do you have any business, Miss?”

Chen Qingyuan lifted the barrier around them and asked.

“I am Su Xiaowan, a true disciple of Pear Blossom Palace.” The blue-dressed woman’s voice was as melodious as a yellow warbler’s song, as soothing as a babbling brook. “It was an honor to witness Young Master Chen’s prowess earlier.”

What does she mean?

Chen Qingyuan felt a strange sensation.

Daochen Buddha’s child and Zhangsun Fengye, sitting nearby, relaxed slightly, curious about the intentions of this Pear Blossom Palace disciple.

“Miss Su, what do you wish to say? If there’s something, please speak plainly.”

Chen Qingyuan said softly.

Su Xiaowan took a deep breath to maintain her elegant posture and stay calm.

Then, she mustered her courage and expressed her feelings: “I wish to become your Dao Companion, Young Master. Please consider it seriously.”

“What?”

Chen Qingyuan was stunned.

The two behind him were equally shocked, their eyes wide open. Even Buddha’s child, with his composed nature, was taken aback, his expression changing noticeably.

The women of today are truly bold.

The surrounding cultivators showed surprised expressions. To propose becoming Dao Companions to Chen Qingyuan in front of everyone, this woman was no ordinary person!