Wu Junyan looked at Dugu Changkong, who was also in the void, his eyes slightly red. He knelt down on both knees, his voice choked with emotion, “Disciple has brought shame upon you.”

In truth, Wu Junyan did not know Dugu Changkong’s true identity.

He had apprenticed at a young age, spending every day with his master, who was both a teacher and a father figure to him, forming a deep bond.

Later, Dugu Changkong left him with a single sentence before turning and leaving: “When you reach the Tribulation Crossing stage, we shall meet again.”

According to Dugu Changkong’s initial plan, he wanted Wu Junyan to undergo various trials and cultivate until the Tribulation Crossing stage. Then, he would cleanse Wu Junyan’s marrow and bones, imparting all of Qingzong’s lifelong insights to him, nurturing him with utmost care to restore Qingzong’s glory.

Moreover, Dugu Changkong did not intend for Wu Junyan to go to the demon abyss; he only wished to protect the bloodline of Qingzong. He had a personal motive, not wanting Qingzong’s legacy to be severed. As for other matters, they should be borne by the common people.

However, the appearance of Lin Changsheng and Chen Qingyuan changed Dugu Changkong’s plans.

To reunite with his master, Wu Junyan practiced diligently, promising not to use certain special Dao Techniques as his master had instructed.

Although Wu Junyan did not understand the significance of those techniques, he would never disobey his master’s words.

“You’ve done very well.”

Dugu Changkong smiled faintly.

A gentle force lifted Wu Junyan from within the prayer bead barrier.

Yu Chenran, hidden in the distant void, revealed a surprised expression upon seeing the sudden appearance of Dugu Changkong, but quickly returned to normal.

Not long ago, Yu Chenran had discovered Dugu Changkong’s true identity, the former Protecting Elder of Qingzong.

“This should be interesting.”

Yu Chenran still had no intention of revealing himself, watching the scene intently.

The top powerful figures of the thirty-six sects in the Imperial Province all knew of Dugu Changkong from the Linghe Sect, a living fossil who had lived for nearly thirty thousand years, with an extremely high seniority.

“Was Sword Immortal Changgeng’s statement just now true or false?”

The powerful figures harbored great suspicion.

The Sword Immortal claimed that he might not be a match for Dugu Changkong now, which was hard to believe.

“Is the Old Ancestor really that formidable?”

The elders of the Linghe Sect were full of doubt.

“A figure like the Sword Immortal shouldn’t be bluffing. Could it be… Dugu Changkong is really that low-key?”

A person who could rival Sword Immortal Changgeng, yet had not made any earth-shattering moves for tens of thousands of years, seemed strange and terrifying.

Such an ancient figure who could endure and hide his strength must be extremely terrifying.

“Gentlemen, please give me some face and let this matter rest.”

Dugu Changkong, dressed in plain clothes, his sparse white hair rather messy, and his straw sandals with a few specks of mud, seemed to have been tending to his vegetable garden before coming here.

The powerful figures of the Linghe Sect dared not oppose the Old Ancestor and retreated to the distance, watching to see how the situation would develop. They were somewhat puzzled as to why the Old Ancestor claimed Wu Junyan had nothing to do with the Linghe Sect. They would figure it out later.

“Predecessor, it’s a bit of a joke to think a single word from you can settle this matter.”

A powerful figure from an ancient sect with old grievances against the Linghe Sect openly mocked.

“The Emperor’s weapon fragment is of great importance; how can we give it up?”

Someone else expressed their determination to obtain the Emperor’s weapon fragment.

“With all due respect, your face isn’t worth that much.”

Thinking a single word could deter the heroes of the Imperial Province was a joke.

Even if the once world-renowned Sword Immortal Changgeng appeared, they would not give up, let alone an apparently dying Dugu Changkong.

Although the Sword Immortal’s words had frightened the powerful figures, they did not believe Dugu Changkong truly possessed such abilities.

After all, Dugu Changkong was too low-key, and even the high-ranking members of the Linghe Sect rarely saw him take action.

“I do not wish to stain my hands with blood. Please, reconsider.”

Dugu Changkong, who found solace in nature, did not seek power or wealth.

Only when he saw the seeds in his vegetable garden sprout and grow did he find some joy, marveling at the miracle of life.

Upon hearing the news of the Emperor’s weapon’s emergence, Dugu Changkong was somewhat surprised but had no intention of seizing it. However, this fortune belonged to his disciple Wu Junyan, and no one else could take it.

“I am Jiang Nanli from No-Dao Cliff, and I wish to seek guidance from Predecessor Dugu.”

The black-faced old man with a cane had met Dugu Changkong years ago, seeing him working in the mud with a hoe, devoid of any transcendent aura, making it hard to feel any reverence.

The old man with the cane did not believe that a supreme figure would live such a humble life and wanted to test Dugu Changkong’s true strength.

“If I take action, there will be casualties.” Dugu Changkong looked the old man with the cane in the eye, his voice calm, “Are you sure?”

For some reason, the old man’s heart trembled slightly.

A single glance brought an indescribable sense of desolation, making the old man’s body cold and his soul uneasy.

“Of course.”

Having spoken, the old man with the cane could not back down; it would be too humiliating.

“Even if Dugu Changkong is not weak, I am no mortal. A sparring match shouldn’t be a problem.”

The old man with the cane thought to himself, still confident in his own strength.

Any cultivator who could stand at the peak of the Great Vehicle stage was no ordinary person, possessing many life-saving techniques.

With that, Dugu Changkong said no more.

Tap, tap, tap…

Dugu Changkong walked slowly towards the heroes of the Imperial Province in the depths of the starry sky. Each step he took made many people’s hearts sink, the pressure immense.

Clearly, he was a living fossil with one foot in the grave, emaciated and withered, yet how could he exert such pressure?

The powerful figures of various sects felt the pressure, their hands subconsciously tightening, finding it hard to remain calm.

Facing Dugu Changkong directly, the old man with the cane felt several times more pressure than the others, cold sweat appearing on his forehead, his right hand holding the cane trembling slightly.

After a few breaths, the old man with the cane held his breath, controlling his unstable emotions, circulating his spiritual power, and performing Dao Techniques.

“Go!”

The old man with the cane suddenly threw his cane at Dugu Changkong. The cane transformed into an extremely terrifying divine weapon, moving so fast that it was invisible to the naked eye. One could only see a void being pierced, leaving a long trail, the explosion scene particularly horrifying.

At the same time, the old man with the cane used several other trump cards.

With a flip of his hand, a palm-sized furnace appeared, rapidly enlarging in the starry sky, spewing out extreme flames, transforming into hundreds of giant fire dragons, their faces ferocious, the power of the flames capable of burning several stars.

Immediately after, the old man with the cane tightly gripped a black ancient banner, waving it.

Whoosh—

A terrifying storm swept towards Dugu Changkong, as if thousands of skeletons wielding sharp blades appeared in the starry sky, roaring like wild beasts, filled with killing intent.

The storm stirred by the ancient banner increased the power of the extreme flames by several folds, making the bodies of the hundred fire dragons even larger.