The Challenge from Ye Chen, Master of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion!

"How is that possible?"

"Tianjizi clearly said that although there were twists and turns in this trip, the overall situation was in our hands. Why did such a variable suddenly appear out of nowhere?"

He once obtained a Heavenly Secrets Golden Token from the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion. With this token, he would become the most honored guest of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion. Each time, he could have the master of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion perform a divination for him by paying a small price.

Before coming to the Qingyun Sect, he specifically asked Tianjizi to predict the fortune of his trip.

At that time, Tianjizi only said eight words: "The secrets of heaven are unclear, and unforeseen changes are inevitable."

However, he later added that this variable was not a disaster, and if handled properly, it might just be a false alarm.

Moreover, the divination indicates that the fortune of the Qingyun Ancestor has indeed reached its twilight years, like a candle flickering in the wind.

That's why Ye Chen dared to come and present the bell in such a grand manner.

At this moment, looking at the girl who had amazed everyone with her sword, Ye Chen's original doubts suddenly disappeared.

"I see."

He sneered inwardly, thinking he had seen through the truth.

"The variable that Tianjizi mentioned must be this woman. Her Nine-Aperture Exquisite Sword Heart is indeed a rare variable."

Who would have thought that old man Lu Yuan would be so lucky, to have such a disciple before he died?

"However, now that the variables have emerged, they are no longer a threat."

Even if a Foundation Establishment stage girl has high talent, what big waves can she stir up?

In the power struggle among Nascent Soul cultivators, she was nothing more than a slightly stronger ant.

Having figured this out, Ye Chen's previously wavering mind settled down once again.

He reverted to his arrogant and disdainful attitude.

He turned his head, his gaze sweeping over everyone else, and pierced straight at Gu Qingxue, who was in the main seat.

"Gu Qingxue".

Ye Chen's voice suddenly rang out, carrying a hint of mockery and aggressiveness.

"Seeing the splendor of my Taiyi Sect disciples, and then looking at your Qingyun Sect, which can only rely on a callow little girl to maintain appearances, do you regret your resolute decision to annul the engagement back then?"

These words silenced the entire room once again.

Everyone looked at Gu Qingxue, waiting for her answer.

Ye Chen stepped forward, his aura rising steadily. Although he hadn't fully released the pressure of a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, it still made the surrounding Nascent Soul cultivators feel breathless.

"I am not yet a hundred years old, but I am already in the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm. I possess an innate Dao body and have comprehended nine laws. My future is limitless, and I will surely ascend to the Great Dao of Refining Void in the future."

He pointed at Lu Yuan, who sat silently in the main seat, his tone full of disdain.

"The man you chose is old and nearing the end of his life. Even if he manages to break through to the Nascent Soul stage, it will only be a final burst of energy before he exhausts his last bit of potential."

"Do you really think it's a wise choice to follow such an old man who's half-buried?"

These words were truly scathing.

Not only did it belittle Lu Yuan, it also trampled on Gu Qingxue's judgment.

However, Gu Qingxue's expression remained completely unchanged.

She slowly stood up, her phoenix-tail skirt swaying in the wind, like a blooming purple lotus.

She stared directly at Ye Chen, her beautiful eyes filled only with deep disgust and indifference.

"Ye Chen, you overestimate yourself."

Gu Qingxue's voice was clear and cold, echoing throughout the entire venue.

"I have never regretted my choice back then. Even if I had ten thousand more chances, I would still call off the engagement."

"As for my husband."

She turned her head to look at Lu Yuan, and the coldness in her eyes instantly turned into tenderness and admiration.

"His achievements are beyond the imagination of a frog in a well like you. His future is destined to be high in the sky, a view you can never reach. In his eyes, what you are doing today is nothing more than a clown trying to attract attention."

"you."

Ye Chen was so angry at these words that his face turned ashen and his chest heaved violently.

He had expected to see Gu Qingxue's expression of remorse, but instead he was met with even more utter contempt.

"Okay, very good."

Ye Chen laughed in extreme anger, his eyes filled with an intense, sinister light.

"Since you are so stubborn, then today I will shatter your illusions and let you see with your own eyes how your husband will be trampled under my feet."

Suddenly turning around, Ye Chen found a golden challenge letter in his hand.

"Lu Yuan".

He called him by his name, his voice booming like thunder.

"The grudge of having your wife stolen must be avenged. Today, in front of all the righteous people under heaven, I hereby issue this challenge to you."

He looked at Yan Nantian beside him, cupped his hands and said, "Envoy Yan, please be my witness, I want to fight Lu Yuan fairly."

"That's the wager."

Ye Chen pointed at Gu Qingxue, his eyes filled with a frantic possessiveness.

"If I lose, all grudges will be wiped clean, and the Taiyi Sect will never provoke Qingyun again. If I win, I will take Gu Qingxue with me. She was my fiancée, and today is simply returning her to her rightful owner."

These words shocked everyone present.

Using the head of a sect as a wager, Ye Chen is simply arrogant to the extreme.

Yan Nantian frowned slightly, looked at Lu Yuan, and said in a deep voice, "Fellow Daoist Lu, you may accept this battle or not. With me here today, if the Taiyi Sect dares to act recklessly, the Yuhua Immortal Sect will not stand idly by."

Although he was arrogant, he couldn't stand Ye Chen's bullying behavior.

All eyes were on Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan slowly put down his wine glass, a faint smile curving his lips.

He stood up and patted off non-existent dust from his robes.

"You clown who's jumping around like a tree trunk, since you're so eager to die, why shouldn't I grant your wish?"

He looked at Ye Chen, his eyes indifferent as water.

"However, I am not satisfied with your bet."

"I won, but you're just not going to pursue this further. What kind of bet is that? If you want to fight, then show some sincerity."

"If I win, everything you possess, including the Taiyi Sect's most treasured heirloom, will be left behind."

Upon hearing this, Ye Chen let out a cold laugh.

"What a big appetite! Since you want it, then you can have it."

With a flick of his wrist, an ancient sword radiating a vast starlight appeared in his hand.

A top-grade spiritual treasure, the Taiyi Sword.

This sword was left behind by the founder of the Taiyi Sect. It possesses boundless power and is the only top-grade spiritual treasure in the entire Great Yan Kingdom.

"This is the Taiyi Sword, priceless. I will use this sword as my stake."

As he spoke, Ye Chen threw the Taiyi Sword directly at Yan Nantian.

"Envoy Yan, please keep this sword for now, lest someone reneges on their debt later."

This move once again shocked everyone.

They clashed swords before the battle even began.

This shows that Ye Chen has absolute confidence that even without the help of this high-grade spiritual treasure, he is confident that he can outmaneuver Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan watched this scene, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

"In that case, let's fight."

Lu Yuan took a step forward, and his figure instantly disappeared from the spot.

When it reappeared, it was already high in the sky.

When Nascent Soul cultivators clash, their battles can easily destroy the heavens and the earth.

If the fight were to take place on Changsheng Peak, the entire Qingyun Sect would likely be reduced to ruins with a single move.

Seeing this, Ye Chen also transformed into a streak of starlight and soared into the sky.