“What happened?”

Chen Yan asked.

“An mid-stage Divine Ability cultivator from Sumeru Immortal Sect seized a vein that belongs to our Qingxuan Immortal Sect, and he tied up all the Outer Court disciples inside the mine.”

The Grand Elder spoke slowly and calmly:

“The Grand Elder of Yimao Hall personally went to the vein to confront Sumeru Immortal Sect. At that time, Lang Feng was also near that mine, so he went together to that vein, and then a dispute broke out between the two sides.”

Chen Yan listened quietly to the Grand Elder’s words.

“In the end, all our Qingxuan Immortal Sect’s Outer Court disciples in the mine died, Lang Feng perished, and the Grand Elder of Yimao Hall was gravely injured. But that mid-stage Divine Ability cultivator from Sumeru Immortal Sect didn’t gain much either. All the Sumeru disciples he brought died in the mine, and he himself didn’t profit much at the hands of the Yimao Hall Grand Elder.”

Chen Yan could grasp the Grand Elder’s implied meaning.

In that conflict, Qingxuan Immortal Sect undoubtedly suffered a heavy loss.

Moreover, Lang Feng perished in that dispute.

“I have always had high hopes for you, Chen Yan. Whether in cultivation or in conduct, you have always been steady. In the future, the position of Grand Elder of Yimao Hall will ultimately belong to you.”

The Grand Elder said:

“First, because I trust you. Second, because you are Lang Feng’s direct senior disciple, so there are some things I want to tell you, but on the condition that you must promise not to tell anyone.”

Chen Yan’s expression was solemn:

“I, Chen Yan, swear to heaven and earth, I will never divulge what the Grand Elder tells me today.”

The Grand Elder nodded first, then said:

“Azure Sky True Person has already decided to declare full-scale war on Sumeru Immortal Sect.”

Chen Yan was not surprised; he had already guessed the rough direction events would take.

Sumeru Immortal Sect currently has four Ascended stewards in total, twice the number of Qingxuan Immortal Sect.

But speaking of individual strength, Azure Sky True Person can single-handedly take on two opponents, and with the aid of immortal artifacts he could even take on three.

As for Sky Dome True Person, having been Ascended for twelve thousand years, his strength ranks among the upper half of Ascended True Persons in this domain.

Therefore, although declaring total war on Sumeru Immortal Sect did not guarantee Qingxuan Immortal Sect’s absolute success, the two Ascended stewards Azure Sky True Person and Sky Dome True Person could certainly ensure a safe retreat.

As long as the Ascended stewards remain, Qingxuan Immortal Sect would not fall.

“Declaring full-scale war on Sumeru Immortal Sect means that the vast majority of our sect’s Upper Three Realms cultivators will mobilize to assault Sumeru Immortal Sect’s mountain gates and its various territories—the veins, spirit farmlands, and ferry docks.”

The Grand Elder said:

“At that time, Qingxuan Mountain will be personally guarded by Sky Dome True Person and Elder Xu Heng, while various sudden incidents within the sect will need you middle-ranking elders to handle.”

“Chen Yan understands.”

Upon hearing that, Chen Yan cupped his hands in salute.

The Grand Elder was silent for a moment, as if hesitating over something, then continued:

“Your master’s death was unavoidable. You are now over two hundred years old and a Myriad Transformations cultivator. I hope you understand how the workings of fortune in this world operate.”

“Yes.”

Chen Yan bowed again.

“Dismissed.”

The Grand Elder said.

Chen Yan rose from his chair and left the main hall.

This domain of heaven and earth was about to enter great chaos.

Zuo He, the Ultimate Sage of Heaven’s Extremity, had absolute confidence in his strength; he believed that none of the Ascended True Persons in this world could withstand a single strike from him.

This Sage believed everything was completely under his control.

But would things really go so smoothly?

In the end, the declaration that marked the beginning of this chaos did not come from Qingxuan Immortal Sect.

It came from the sudden, unannounced attack by Bai Lian True Person of Xiaori Immortal Sect on Zhaoyuan Immortal Sect.

...

Chenping Continent, Heavenly Summit Mountain.

Eighty-one hundred and ninety-two years remained until the fall of Chenping Continent.

The Heavenly Summit Mountain Dao Inquiry was still underway.

At this moment, only four people remained competing for the position of Heavenly Summit Mountain champion.

They were: Li Haoran, chief disciple of Kongyuan Mountain of Kongshan Sect;

Shao Yuchen, chief disciple of Weaving Dreams Tower of Mirage Palace;

Chai Xing, chief disciple of Sun Radiance Gate of Star Heaven Sect;

and the swordsman Su Hongzhen, personally recommended by Daomen Xingzou Zhou Jinyun.

On the Daoyan Arena at Heavenly Summit Mountain, the two figures standing on the much-watched arena platform were Li Haoran and Chai Xing.

“Chief Disciple Li, it is an extreme honor for me to be so fortunate as to stand before you.”

Standing across from Li Haoran, the Sun Radiance Gate chief disciple in Star Heaven Sect robes said with a rueful smile.

On his crimson-purple robe were embroidered numerous luminous patterns outlined in gold thread—symbols of the Sun Radiance Gate disciples.

“Chief Disciple Chai, you are too modest. Among contemporary Martial Spring disciples of Star Heaven Sect, no one understands the Great Sun Scorching Sky Technique better than you.”

Li Haoran said with a smile.

Indeed, Chai Xing, the current Sun Radiance Gate chief disciple of Star Heaven Sect, had cultivated the Great Sun Scorching Sky Technique to the utmost limit that a Martial Spring disciple could achieve.

But that was far from enough.

To defeat Li Haoran, merely reaching the limit of what Martial Spring disciples could do was insufficient.

One must surpass that limit.

“Please, Chief Disciple Chai.”

Li Haoran simply stood on the arena and spoke toward Chai Xing.

Chai Xing knew this was a battle he was sure to lose, but he had no intention of holding back.

Because losing to Li Haoran was nothing to be ashamed of.

Chai Xing said no more. A serious look flashed across his eyes, and a ring of golden light began to form around him. As the light enveloped him and grew blinding, a scorching heat began to sweep beyond the arena.

The Great Sun Scorching Sky Technique is the Sun Radiance Gate’s secret supreme yang fire method. For years this technique has competed with Wind Ravine Valley’s Flame Blossom Curse as the world’s second fire technique.

Of course, it had long been acknowledged that the number-one fire method on Chenping Continent was unquestioningly the technique of Lingxiao Temple.

“Blaze! Incinerate!”

With Chai Xing’s two thunderous shouts, the temperature on the arena stepped up another level. Moisture in the air began to evaporate, and waves of heat surged toward Li Haoran.

From the immortal plants beside the Daoyan Arena, a leaf slowly fell, then was swept up by the heat coming from the arena and carried toward the platform.

But as the leaf reached the edge of the platform, it instantly dried, curled, and then burst into flames, turning to ash.