Chen Qingyuan wore a simple long robe, exuding a refined and scholarly demeanor.

“Junior Sister.”

Seeing Song Ningyan return, Chen Qingyuan was quite pleased, and the trace of worry in his heart dissipated.

For the next half an hour, everyone shared their experiences.

Given Song Ningyan’s talent, it wasn’t surprising that she had received the inheritance of an ancient powerful figure.

“With less than ten years left, for safety’s sake, we shouldn’t act alone.”

At the final moments, accidents are most likely to happen. If one were to encounter a major crisis and lose their life, it would be truly unfortunate.

No one opposed this suggestion.

The more critical the time, the more cautious one must be.

Moreover, Chen Qingyuan and the others had gained significant rewards, so there was no need to take further risks.

“No regrets in making a move, Old Chen, you better not cheat.”

“Nonsense, do I look like someone who cheats?”

“Heh…”

The group stayed on the barren mountain of the barren star, some playing chess, some tasting tea, and others whispering quietly.

Wu Junyan sat cross-legged at the edge of the cliff, letting the cold wind blow against him, making his clothes flutter. He was secretly studying the fragment of the Emperor’s weapon within him, the vertical Dao Mark on his forehead occasionally flickering with supreme mystery.

On the other side, Zhangsun Qian kept her eyes on Wu Junyan’s back, her gaze filled with affection, unwilling to look away. She often whispered with Song Ningyan, sharing her inner thoughts.

Daochen Buddha’s child brewed tea alone, the fragrance spreading, enjoying the moment of tranquility.

Zhangsun Fengye and Chen Qingyuan were engaged in a fierce chess battle, black and white pieces clashing on the board.

“This doesn’t make sense!”

After losing three games in a row, Zhangsun Fengye began to doubt himself, his expression rather strange.

In the past, Chen Qingyuan was no match for Zhangsun Fengye, often regretting his moves or cheating.

Now, Zhangsun Fengye found it difficult to compete, struggling with every step.

“I was letting you win before, understand?”

Chen Qingyuan began to boast, his smile radiant and full of pride.

In the past, his cultivation level was far inferior to Zhangsun Fengye, and controlling the chess pieces with his soul force was quite strenuous. After enduring various hardships and greatly improving his strength, Chen Qingyuan’s chess skills naturally advanced.

“I don’t believe it.”

Zhangsun Fengye refused to accept this.

The more he refused, the harder it was to turn the tide.

In over a dozen consecutive games, Chen Qingyuan remained undefeated, feeling rather lonely.

Seeing Zhangsun Fengye’s frustrated look, Chen Qingyuan patted his shoulder and encouraged him, “Old Feng, it’s okay, let’s keep working hard, we have a long future ahead.”

“Get lost.” Zhangsun Fengye shrugged off his hand, his eyes fixed on the chessboard, gritting his teeth, “You must be cheating, otherwise, how can you always see through the situation before me?”

“Talent, you can’t learn it.”

An unparalleled foundation, do you think it’s a joke?

Chess battles test both the soul and chess skills. Chen Qingyuan used to struggle because his cultivation level lagged too far behind, but now that he’s catching up, his foundational advantage naturally shows.

One day, a guest arrived on the barren star.

Uninvited.

The group’s peaceful life was temporarily disrupted, and they watched the newcomer with serious expressions.

“I am Lu Nanxian, greetings to all Dao Friends.”

The visitor was the most legendary Heaven’s Pride of the Confucian Sect—Lu Nanxian. He wore simple black and white clothes, his long hair tied up, looking like a scholar.

He was once an ordinary scholar, nearing a hundred years old and about to die of old age.

One day, he awakened his spiritual wisdom, entered the Dao through reading, directly crossing the Six Realms of the Physical Body, and reached the Golden Core stage in one thought. Later, his cultivation level advanced by leaps and bounds, becoming so powerful that countless Heaven’s Pride in the Imperial Province dared not compete with him.

“Why is he here?”

The group scrutinized Lu Nanxian, who stood in the void, puzzled.

“Dao Friend Lu, what brings you here?”

Chen Qingyuan stepped forward a few steps, clasping his hands in inquiry.

“To redeem some items.”

Lu Nanxian was polite.

“Redeem items? What do you mean?”

Honestly, Chen Qingyuan had no idea.

“A few years ago, people from the Confucian Sect ambushed you all in secret but were instead completely robbed by you. They deserved it,” Lu Nanxian said calmly, “However, some of the Confucian Sect’s books are quite precious, and I wish to redeem them. I hope Dao Friend Chen can accommodate this.”

“Oh, that matter.” Chen Qingyuan remembered. A few years ago, they were indeed ambushed by a group of scholars, and later took all their belongings: “Wait a moment, I’ll look for them.”

Considering Lu Nanxian’s humble attitude, Chen Qingyuan did not refuse.

One does not hit a smiling face.

Since Chen Qingyuan had too many items, finding a few books among a pile of Heaven and Earth Bags and Xumi Rings was somewhat troublesome.

Half an incense stick’s time later, Chen Qingyuan finally found them, tucked away in a corner of a certain ring.

There were five books in total, with dark blue covers. Chen Qingyuan had browsed through them before; they weren’t any supernatural powers or Dao laws, just ordinary Confucian Sect scriptures.

“Are these the ones?”

Chen Qingyuan held the books, showing them.

“Indeed.” Lu Nanxian’s eyes were fixed on the books, his gaze precious: “I know the Confucian Sect was at fault first and do not hold a grudge against you. Therefore, I am willing to offer resources to exchange for the books.”

In fact, the books themselves were not precious; there were plenty within the Confucian Sect, and they could be printed anytime. However, Lu Nanxian believed that the books of sages were priceless treasures and should be retrieved with all effort, without any thought of abandonment.

Perhaps it was this pure heart that made Lu Nanxian extraordinary.

“Just a few books, no need to be so polite, take them!”

Chen Qingyuan generously handed the books over through the air.

“This… isn’t appropriate!”

Lu Nanxian hesitated to accept, feeling a bit embarrassed.

“There’s nothing inappropriate about it. If Dao Friend Lu insists on paying, I would rather not.”

Chen Qingyuan said.

“In that case, I will shamelessly accept them. Thank you.”

With the conversation reaching this point, Lu Nanxian had no choice but to carefully hold the books in his arms and express his gratitude.

“No need to be polite.”

Chen Qingyuan smiled slightly.

After Lu Nanxian left, the group looked at Chen Qingyuan with strange eyes, as if they had seen a rare species.

Is this really the Chen Qingyuan who plucks feathers from passing geese?

Zhangsun Fengye spoke up, “Old Chen, you didn’t take any benefits, that’s not like you!”

“Short-sighted.” Chen Qingyuan’s lips curled slightly, revealing his thoughts: “Lu Nanxian is the best new blood of the Confucian Sect, and he might become the new leader of the Confucian Sect in the future. Leaving a good impression with a few books might earn a small favor, which is more valuable than many spirit stones.”

“Far-sighted!”

Zhangsun Fengye suddenly understood, giving a thumbs up.

“If we encounter trouble in the Imperial Province in the future, asking him for a small favor shouldn’t be refused.”

Whether or not this small favor would be needed, Chen Qingyuan didn’t know, but it was better to be prepared. Having more friends is always better than having more enemies.

The group’s eyes suddenly changed, as if saying, “As expected of you.”