Tian Chen’s mindset had completely collapsed at this moment.
What kind of divine being was this guy?
A Dao Body?
Back then, it took him tens of millions of years to cultivate a Dao Body.
Tens of millions of years.
No one could fathom how he endured those years. Truly, thinking back on that time still brought a pang of bitterness.
It was tough.
For cultivation resources alone, he spent ten million years preparing. To forge a Dao Body, one’s physical foundation had to be exceptionally strong, requiring an immense amount of rare materials.
It was an astronomical cost.
The faction he was part of couldn’t bear it, so he had to find his own way.
After laying the physical foundation, he spent another ten million years cultivating his soul.
The hardest part was that, during this time, he had to be cautious, fearing trouble, especially from the Master of the Dao Pen. Whenever someone neared achieving a Dao Body, a mysterious Dao Thunder, the legendary heavenly tribulation, would appear.
To defy the heavens, one had to face the thunder tribulation.
So, during those years of cultivation, he lived every day on edge.
Yet this guy before him was born with a Dao Body.
Damn it.
Tian Chen really wanted to curse.
It was infuriating to compare oneself to others.
…
With his innate Dao Body, Ye Xuan could naturally absorb the power of the Dao Laws.
In the following time, Ye Xuan began frantically absorbing the power of the Dao Laws.
In the starry sky, Ye Xuan sensed the Dao Laws between heaven and earth. At this moment, he felt the presence of the Master of the Dao Pen more clearly.
Dao Laws.
In this vast universe, countless Dao Laws existed, large and small, acting as guardians of the universe, upholding its order.
Now, he truly understood why so many wanted to defy the heavens.
Order meant restraint.
How could these free-spirited top powerhouses tolerate being bound?
Thus, everyone wanted to rise against the heavens.
Of course, some also aimed to replace the Master of the Dao Pen.
In the starry sky, Ye Xuan quietly absorbed the power of the Dao Laws. Countless streams of Dao Law energy poured into his body, and gradually, his body began to tremble. Waves of invisible pressure surged from him, rippling out into the depths of the starry sky.
Nearby, Tian Chen watched.
Everything he witnessed today had shattered his worldview.
So, someone could cultivating like this?
Wasn’t this cheating?
Utterly outrageous.
But after calming down, Tian Chen was mostly shocked.
Why was Ye Xuan so extraordinary?
Who had severed Ye Xuan’s past, present, and future?
Why was Ye Xuan born with a Dao Body?
What was hidden behind Ye Xuan?
The more Tian Chen thought, the more terrifying it seemed.
After a long while, he glanced at Ye Xuan. At that moment, a thought struck him.
Following Ye Xuan might be his chance.
After reaching the Dao Knowledge realm, advancing further was incredibly difficult.
So difficult that he had already lost hope.
Not just him, all the ancient titans had lost hope.
But now, he saw a glimmer of it.
Because once Ye Xuan reached the Dao Knowledge realm, he would surely want to advance further.
For anyone else, Tian Chen would have laughed it off, but Ye Xuan was different. This guy was shrouded in mystery. If Ye Xuan wanted to advance, there might actually be a chance.
At this thought, Tian Chen grew excited.
When he looked at Ye Xuan again, his gaze burned with enthusiasm.
After a long time, Ye Xuan slowly opened his eyes.
A flash of purple light passed through his pupils.
Boom.
Suddenly, the star river within millions of miles began to boil.
The universe trembled at that moment.
Dao Knowledge.
Ye Xuan took a deep breath, feeling his body brimming with immense power.
Boundless power.
The power of Dao patterns, divine power, the power of Dao Laws.
This kind of strength could make one feel invincible.
It was intoxicating.
He also understood why so many wanted to defy the heavens.
At that moment, a thought crossed his mind: What was the Master of the Dao Pen compared to him?
He was getting cocky.
Ye Xuan laughed heartily.
At this, Tian Chen suddenly said, “Young Master Ye, congratulations.”
Young Master Ye.
His address had changed.
Ye Xuan said solemnly, “I’ve only achieved a minor success, right?”
Tian Chen nodded, “Yes.”
Ye Xuan looked at him, “I want to reach major success.”
Tian Chen smiled, “Good. I’ll assist you, Young Master Ye.”
Ye Xuan smiled faintly, “Thank you.”
He was genuinely grateful to Tian Chen. Without his guidance, he wouldn’t have progressed so quickly.
These realms were quite complex.
Hearing Ye Xuan’s words, Tian Chen laughed, “What are you saying, Young Master Ye? We’re on the same side. No need for thanks.”
Ye Xuan: “…”
In the following time, Ye Xuan began cultivating intensely. To save time, he entered the small tower to train.
As for the academy’s affairs outside, he left them entirely to An You.
During Ye Xuan’s seclusion, the Guanhua Academy developed rapidly over a few months.
This was because of Dan Chen.
News of Dan Chen inheriting the ancient Dan Sect’s legacy had spread.
Countless alchemists flocked to Guanhua Academy, desperate to join its Dan Academy.
There were so many alchemists that at least tens of thousands knelt daily at Guanhua Academy’s gates, begging to join.
Yet, the three major factions remained oddly silent.
No one interfered.
No one caused trouble.
After emerging from the secret realm, the three factions knew Ye Xuan had a supreme titan by his side.
This ancient titan was someone they didn’t want to provoke.
Moreover, Guanhua Academy was only recruiting students, not seizing resources or territory, so the three factions weren’t overly wary of it.
Ten days later.
Ten days outside, but a hundred years inside the small tower.
Over those hundred years, under Tian Chen’s guidance, Ye Xuan reached the major success stage of the Dao Knowledge realm.
Dao Knowledge, major success.
He could now barely be considered an ancient titan.
An ancient titan.
With his bloodline power, Human Sword Intent, and Qingxuan Sword, his strength far surpassed ordinary ancient titans.
At this moment, Ye Xuan looked at Tian Chen, “Shall we spar?”
Tian Chen nodded, “Sure.”
He wanted to see if Ye Xuan could be invincible within his realm.
The two left the small tower, arriving in a desolate star domain.
Ye Xuan glanced around, a trace of complexity in his eyes.
This was a lifeless star domain, but now, he could see more. Long ago, this place had life, but over time, it became desolate.
Spiritual energy had dried up.
Was the universe’s spiritual energy truly infinite?
Ye Xuan had no answer.
At this, Tian Chen suddenly smiled, “Ebb and flow, it’s normal.”
Ye Xuan smiled, then said, “Let’s begin.”
As his voice fell, he vanished from the spot.
Buzz.
A sword hum suddenly echoed through the starry sky.
Slash.
A sword light tore through the void, slashing toward Tian Chen in the distance.
Tian Chen’s eyes narrowed, filled with solemnity. This time, he didn’t dare underestimate his opponent. He stepped forward and threw a punch.
Boom.
With that punch, a terrifying force surged like a tidal wave.
Head-on clash.
Facing Ye Xuan’s sword, he had no choice but to meet it directly.
Boom.
With a resounding explosion, a burst of sword light erupted. Tian Chen was forced back, retreating tens of thousands of feet.
Ye Xuan didn’t budge a step.
In the distance, Tian Chen stopped, a complex look in his eyes.
He could no longer block Ye Xuan’s sword.
Perhaps Ye Xuan wasn’t invincible in his realm, but he was certainly among the few who could match him.
Another ancient titan was born.
At this, Ye Xuan suddenly said, “Senior Tian Chen, I have a question. You once said that after becoming an ancient titan, you’re monitored. So, you’re being watched now?”
Tian Chen said gravely, “I suppose so.”
Ye Xuan thought for a moment, then said, “You also mentioned there are many restrictions. Does our sparring count as breaking the order?”
Tian Chen nodded, “It does. But the Master of the Dao Pen hasn’t punished us…” He glanced at Ye Xuan, “Probably because of you, Young Master Ye.”
Ye Xuan fell silent.
He looked around. The star domain, spanning tens of millions of miles, was beginning to disintegrate bit by bit due to their earlier clash.
One could say an entire star river was being erased because of their single move.
Before, this place was merely depleted of spiritual energy, not completely dead. In time, it could have revived. But now, this star domain was utterly obliterated.
It would never recover its spiritual energy.
At this thought, Ye Xuan sighed softly, “The greater the power, the greater the responsibility. A true powerhouse isn’t about losing their humanity but restraining their heart, not acting recklessly.”
Boom.
As his words fell, a terrifying aura descended from the heavens. The next moment, the space above Ye Xuan’s head split open, and a pen slowly descended.
Seeing the pen, Ye Xuan froze.
The Dao Pen.
It was the Dao Pen.
Tian Chen, beside him, was equally stunned.
On the pen’s shaft was a clear character: “Dao.”
Coupled with that terrifying yet somewhat familiar aura, Tian Chen confirmed it was the legendary Dao Pen.
Ye Xuan stared at the Dao Pen, silent.
This was the Dao Pen.
And it wasn’t a clone.
It was the real thing.
The Dao Pen floated slowly to Ye Xuan’s side.
Ye Xuan looked at it, “Did your master tell you to follow me?”
The Dao Pen said, “My master said you have a sense of responsibility and told me to follow you for a while.”
Ye Xuan thought for a moment, then asked, “What can you do?”
The Dao Pen: “…”
