In one region of the starry sky, a considerable number of people had gathered, around a hundred in total. They were cultivators from the three major realms of Great Ability, Heavenly King, and Saint, but without exception, they were all uniformly from the younger generation, each possessing extraordinary talent.
These were the outstanding young prodigies of the current era from the Cangtian Divine Sect. Their purpose was simple: to witness the grand spectacle of the supreme powerhouses of the heavens contending for the Supreme Secret Treasure.
Being able to personally witness these supreme powerhouses, including the strongest talents from the Supreme Ancient Domain and beyond, struggle for the Supreme Secret Treasure was, in a sense, an opportunity for these young Heaven's Prides. Observing battles of this level often allowed them to gain many insights, resolving many problems on their own cultivation paths.
The hundred or so Heaven's Prides of the Cangtian Divine Sect were led by four individuals, who were also the most outstanding four prodigies of the sect's current younger generation.
Each of these four prodigies possessed peerless talent, absolute standouts among the younger generation. Each possessed the bearing of a Divine King and were the future pillars of the Cangtian Divine Sect, even having the qualifications to lead the sect to greater heights of glory.
However, they were also rivals and competitors, vying for the future position of authority within the Cangtian Divine Sect.
One of them was none other than Zi Cangyu.
Seven years had passed. His right arm had long since regenerated. Now, his purple hair flowed loosely, his figure tall and imposing, his expression resolute and solemn. His martial will was extremely firm, giving the other three prodigies a faint sense of oppression.
Among the four prodigies, Zi Cangyu was the youngest, yet he was faintly the most powerful. Therefore, the other three felt pressured and, sharing a common enemy, consciously united to target him, unwilling to let him ultimately become the one in power.
Sensing the faint hostility from the other three, Zi Cangyu's expression remained placid, paying them no heed.
Ever since witnessing Ye Chen's might seven years ago, Zi Cangyu had severed his own arm and entered seclusion to break through to a higher martial realm.
Now, having succeeded and emerged, his pursuit of the martial realm was even stronger. He had long lost the fervor he once had for the mere position of authority within the Cangtian Divine Sect, viewing it with indifference. Thus, he also lacked the desire to contend with the other three.
His gaze had long since shifted to the lofty peak of the Great Dao.
On the other side, Xuan Qiong was also among the numerous Heaven's Prides of the Cangtian Divine Sect. He was surrounded by several women of varying charms and beauties, all with quite good temperaments, which pleased him greatly.
However, when he looked towards the distant, graceful, and increasingly coldly beautiful and ethereal young woman in red, a trace of imperceptible gloom flashed across his gentle, jade-like face. He remembered that arrogant fellow he had encountered years ago at the Heavenly Palace Divine Hall. If not for him, that junior sister who had grown increasingly stunningly beautiful over the years would have long been his to enjoy.
Every time he thought of this, Xuan Qiong would feel intense rage, wishing he could drag that troublemaker from back then out and teach him a proper lesson.
However, after leaving back then, he had waited for a long time within the Heavenly Palace Divine Hall but never saw that person appear again. Even sending people to wait yielded no results.
Suddenly, as if sensing something in his heart, his gaze swept outside the Imperial Star, and he froze.
Because Xuan Qiong had discovered that fellow who had humiliated him years ago, and he also saw those two peerlessly beautiful women. Their beauty was such that it could stun time itself, unforgettable to this day. He often recalled them in his dreams, wishing he could possess them.
Unfortunately, after parting back then, he never had another chance to see them. He never expected to have the opportunity to see them again now, and more importantly, to see that detestable fellow.
That fellow was currently embracing those two peerless beauties, one on each side, causing the flames of jealousy within Xuan Qiong's heart to surge.
A gloomy smile appeared at the corner of Xuan Qiong's mouth. This time, no matter what, he would have his revenge...
Whoosh— Whoosh—
Whoosh—
At this moment, Shen Rong and the others finally arrived, nodding towards Ye Chen. Ye Chen also nodded and said, "Let's go."
"Hold on!"
But at this moment, a voice suddenly rang out, causing Ye Chen and the others to look over. They saw a group of people rushing over. Seeing the person at the forefront, they were slightly taken aback. It was none other than Xuan Qiong, with whom they had clashed years ago at the Heavenly Palace Divine Hall.
Ye Chen naturally remembered the incident from back then. He never expected that before he could even seek out Xuan Qiong for revenge, Xuan Qiong would come knocking on his own.
Before Ye Chen could even speak, they saw the elegantly dressed Xuan Qiong suddenly bow respectfully to the three handsome and outstanding prodigies beside him and say, "Eldest Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother, Third Senior Brother, it was precisely this person who insulted our Cangtian Divine Sect years ago, saying that the three senior brothers were nothing but clay chickens and pottery dogs, easily defeated."
Ye Chen and the others were slightly stunned. However, the three leaders among the hundred or so people exuded a particularly imposing sense of majesty and were extraordinarily powerful, far surpassing the others. They now looked at Ye Chen with extremely stern expressions. One of them said, "Fellow Daoist, is what Xuan Qiong said true?"
Ye Chen had no desire to explain any of this, nor had he ever said such words. Seeing these people's aggressive approach, he slightly frowned, not wishing to get entangled. He said indifferently, "Nonsense. I never said such things."
One of them, clad in golden brocade robes like an emperor, stood with his hands behind his back, exuding an air of arrogance. He looked down with majesty and said sternly, "Are you truly saying you never uttered those words?"
"No."
But Xuan Qiong sneered, "How could you not have said it? I clearly heard it that day. You, this arrogant fellow, looked down upon the four Heaven's Chosen Sons of our Cangtian Divine Sect. Now that they are before you, you dare not admit it. Truly a cowardly scoundrel."
The few others who had been with Xuan Qiong back then quickly nodded in agreement, indicating it was true.
Immediately, the expressions of the numerous young Heaven's Prides of the Cangtian Divine Sect turned ugly, and they glared angrily at Ye Chen and the others.
Ye Chen's expression darkened slightly. Without needing to be told, he knew it must be Xuan Qiong provoking and sowing discord. Otherwise, these people would certainly not be looking for trouble with him.
He swept a glance at Xuan Qiong and said coldly, "I originally intended to let you off, but since you are so despicable, don't blame me for showing no mercy!"
Xuan Qiong, however, sneered, "With several senior brothers of the Cangtian Divine Sect here, how can you, a mere Fivefold Heaven Heavenly King, possibly kill me?"
"Fivefold Heaven Heavenly King?"
Hearing this, Di Wushuang, Shen Rong, and the others couldn't help but smile, looking at Xuan Qiong and his group. However, no matter how one looked at it, their smiles seemed full of mockery.
"Show no mercy? Today, this seat will see how you, a mere Heavenly King, will show no mercy."
The majestic prodigy clad in golden brocade robes snorted coldly, like an emperor of an ancient kingdom. He extended a finger forward. At its tip, a miniature world manifested, containing a nation within, as if holding millions of living beings and armies of thousands, carrying a powerful military battle intent as it blasted towards Ye Chen.
But before Ye Chen could counter, a figure thunderously interposed itself before the majestic prodigy. Without a word, it swung a fist to collide with the attack.
Boom—
A terrifying collision erupted, tearing through the starry sky. However, the figure did not retreat in the slightest. It transformed into a tall figure with flowing purple hair—it was none other than Zi Cangyu.
The majestic prodigy, resembling a monarch, staggered back seven or eight steps before steadying himself. He glared furiously at Zi Cangyu and shouted, "Zi Cangyu, what is the meaning of this? You dare to help someone who insults our Cangtian Divine Sect? Are you planning to betray the sect?"
With one sentence, he pinned the big hat of 'betraying the Cangtian Divine Sect' on Zi Cangyu, attempting to frame him with the grave crime of sect betrayal.
Ye Chen and the others also looked at Zi Cangyu, seemingly somewhat puzzled by his actions.
Xuan Qiong and the others were also greatly shocked. Why had Zi Cangyu suddenly made a move now?
Zi Cangyu paid no heed to the words of the hostile prodigy. He turned to face Ye Chen and performed a deep bow. "This junior, Zi Cangyu, pays his respects to Senior."
"Senior!?"
These words immediately caused all the Heaven's Prides and prodigies of the Cangtian Divine Sect to stare wide-eyed in shock. Even the three hostile Heaven's Chosen Sons were no exception. Xuan Qiong and the others were even more terrified and horrified.
What did this mean?
Ye Chen nodded and said, "We meet again. You are indeed not bad, having broken through."
Zi Cangyu became even more respectful. "This junior thanks Senior for the guidance given that day, which allowed me to break through my confusion, sever the barriers in my heart, and step into the eighth level of the Cangtian Divine Body."
"The eighth level of the Cangtian Divine Body Art!?"
The three Heaven's Chosen Sons were greatly shocked.
"Indeed, it is the eighth level!"
Zi Cangyu stated. Without concealing his Cangtian Divine Body, vast purple blood qi manifested, filling the starry sky with majestic presence, accompanied by intense pressure that forced the three prodigies to stagger back several steps. They exchanged glances, all filled with profound shock.
They knew that all three of them were at the peak of the seventh level of the Cangtian Divine Body Art. Although they were only a step away from the eighth level, they understood better than anyone how difficult it was to truly take that step. They had spent nearly a century without truly crossing that threshold.
Yet Zi Cangyu had actually achieved the eighth level Cangtian Divine Body. This meant he possessed invincible combat power capable of sweeping through all the prodigies within the sect.
And the one who had guided Zi Cangyu to achieve the eighth level of the Cangtian Divine Body Art was actually this young Heaven's Pride before them, who was accused of insulting the Cangtian Divine Sect?
The three Heaven's Chosen Sons were no ordinary individuals. In an instant, they understood that all of this was Xuan Qiong's doing. They immediately glared furiously at Xuan Qiong, their icy gazes causing Xuan Qiong and his few companions to shiver from head to toe.
Xuan Qiong could never have imagined that this seemingly Fivefold Heaven Heavenly King, this cowardly junior who only dared to set foot on a first-level Dark Gold Dao Star, was actually the Senior who had guided Zi Cangyu to achieve the eighth level of the Cangtian Divine Body Art.
Now, his heart was filled with nothing but boundless terror.
The three prodigies hurriedly bowed respectfully to Ye Chen. "Senior, the three of us were deceived by Xuan Qiong and those few scoundrels, which led us to offend you. We beg Senior to be magnanimous and forgive our offense."
Ye Chen nodded, also unwilling to cause trouble at this moment. However, when he looked at Xuan Qiong and the others, the coldness in his eyes did not diminish in the slightest.
The three prodigies naturally understood Ye Chen's meaning. They exchanged glances, nodding imperceptibly. Then, the majestic prodigy turned and shouted, "Xuan Qiong, you are utterly audacious! Not only did you insult Senior, but you also falsely accused him, keeping our Cangtian Divine Sect in the dark and nearly causing us to take action, almost bringing catastrophic disaster upon our sect. You deserve death!"
"Senior Brother, no, I—"
Boom—
Xuan Qiong wanted to explain, but the majestic prodigy was a decisive individual. A great hand pressed down, the laws of a Great Ability cultivator surging forth. Without another word, he directly killed Xuan Qiong.