Chapter 851: Chapter 850: The Three Titans of Seven Stars Peak
Elder Peak, Central Hall.
At the break of dawn, silhouettes gradually arrived outside the Central Hall.
Today is the day of the conferring ceremony.
It’s called a conferring ceremony.
But unlike the usual issuance of a decree to prove one’s status, it requires passing an assessment. This assessment occurs once every three years, and only those who pass can become Elders of the Taotian Palace.
If not passed, they remain merely ’Elder Candidates’!
Ye Qingchen stood with his hands behind his back, looking forward.
His gaze drifted over the crowd and landed on the Central Hall. This dark cyan palace, grand and mystical, shrouded in mist and rain, emanated an ancient and profound aura, appearing very mysterious.
He could vaguely feel that this hall contained a terrifying presence.
It even.
Gave him a sense of unease!
"Is the conferring ceremony taking place here?"
Ye Qingchen slightly frowned.
On the square.
The crowd continued to grow.
Numerous Earth Immortals made their entrance one by one.
Even.
Some Half-Step Earth Immortals from the Seven Peaks also arrived upon hearing the news. During such grand events, the sects turned a blind eye, allowing them to enter Elder Peak to witness the conferring ceremony.
Suddenly.
An uproar erupted outside Elder Peak.
"The three giants of Seven Stars Peak are here?"
"Isn’t that Jian Chen? He actually returned? Three years ago, he missed the conferring ceremony due to traveling outside. Otherwise, he should have become an Elder back then!"
"In these three years, Jian Chen’s aura has grown even stronger!"
As the crowd parted.
A young man carrying a heavy sword walked into the square clad in battle attire. Though he was a Sword Cultivator, he lacked the ethereal demeanor typically associated with them, instead resembling a ferocious beast with glistening fangs, exuding a fierce aura!
He gave off a terrifying oppressive feeling!
Two people followed behind him, one with a long blade at his waist and dressed in a black robe. The other was Bai Yujing, who had previously clashed with Ye Qingchen in Yingxian Tower; his nose blue and swollen, clearly showing that Lu Xingzhou personally went to Heaven-Shocking Peak to retrieve him from Su Moran.
As the three entered, Bai Yujing immediately spotted Ye Qingchen.
He whispered a few words into Jian Chen’s ear.
"Hmm?"
In an instant.
Jian Chen narrowed his eyes, his cold gaze falling directly on Ye Qingchen.
"Are you Ye Qingchen?"
His voice was icy as he strode forward, each step like a beast’s tread. Though slow, it carried an unparalleled pressure.
Boom!
A commotion erupted among the crowd.
"What’s going on? Why is Jian Chen picking on an unknown nobody?"
"An unknown nobody?"
Someone chuckled coldly, mocking, "You’ve been isolated for too long to know the recent news. This Ye Qingchen recently slew three giants of Void Peak, nearly a hundred Half-Step Earth Immortals!"
"So it’s him?"
"I heard that Bai Yujing clashed with him in Lintian City, got slapped away, and was detained by Su Moran. In the end, Lu Xingzhou personally went to negotiate his release!"
...
People talked, some with glee, some with grim expressions.
Ye Qingchen’s fame soared after the battle at Void Peak, quickly becoming widespread. Many Earth Immortals from Void Peak were eager, waiting for an opportunity during the conferring assessment to teach Ye Qingchen a lesson.
Unexpectedly, before they could make a move, Jian Chen had already sought him out.
"Indeed, it’s me!" Ye Qingchen lifted his head and said.
As expected, Jian Chen had already reached Ye Qingchen, speaking coldly, "Don’t you know that attacking Bai Yujing is an affront to our Seven Stars Peak? How do you plan to settle this account?"
"He’s doomed!"
Many secretly shook their heads.
Unlike Bai Yujing, Jian Chen’s strength was naturally more formidable. Three years ago, he was already eligible for the conferring. But he missed it while away, so it was postponed until today.
Among the Elder Candidates, he was considered among the top tier.
At this moment.
Everyone’s eyes turned to Ye Qingchen, eager to see how he would respond.
"Respect is earned, not given!" Ye Qingchen said expressionlessly, casting a cold glance at Bai Yujing, "If you’re outmatched, you should just stay put instead of coming out to make a fool of yourself!"
As Ye Qingchen spoke, the entire venue was shocked.
Everyone took a sharp breath, staring at him in disbelief.
Do you know what you’re saying? Do you realize whom you’re speaking to? You’re facing Jian Chen of Seven Stars Peak, but with such an overbearing demeanor, it’s clear he’s no easy person to deal with.
The Elder Candidates of Void Peak all smirked coldly at Ye Qingchen.
’This kid is downright reckless, daring to offend Seven Stars Peak as well!’ they thought.
The men from Celestial Moon Peak were similarly full of sarcasm.
They were already displeased with Ye Qingchen, and now witnessing him antagonizing another formidable faction filled them with schadenfreude.
Others were equally stunned by the scene, jaws agape.
"Wow, this kid is even more audacious than I imagined!"
"Now that we tally it up, he’s previously offended Void Peak, made enemies at the life-and-death battle with Celestial Moon Peak, and now openly mocks Seven Stars Peak. Does he plan to antagonize all Seven Peaks of Taotian Palace?"
Jian Chen was visibly enraged, squinting with a faint hint of killing intent in his eyes:
"You dare speak to me like this?"
"Don’t think I’ll fear you just because Su Moran supports you!"
"I’ve dealt with so many reckless guys who think they have some fortuitous encounter!"
"Oh really?" Ye Qingchen’s expression turned cold. "Bai Yujing said the same, yet he couldn’t withstand a single strike from me. I wonder how many moves you can withstand?"
Upon hearing this, Jian Chen laughed furiously.
Witnessing this, many shook their heads in silence. Even those who previously sympathized with Ye Qingchen now shook their heads. Such arrogance seemed to be courting death!
It is known.
To reach the pinnacle requires one to adapt to circumstances. A person must be flexible to be considered a true man.
"Ye Qingchen, I’ll give you a chance. If you kneel and apologize now, I’ll spare you!" Jian Chen squinted, his gaze sinister as he squeezed the words through clenched teeth.
However, Ye Qingchen remained unfazed, coldly responding:
"In that case, I’ll give you a chance too!"
"If you kneel and apologize, I might spare you!"
As he said this.
Jian Chen’s expression drastically changed, his eyes almost spitting fire.
All around, the Elder Candidates from the Seven Peaks were shocked. Many covered their mouths, looking at Ye Qingchen in utter disbelief, utterly unable to fathom where Ye Qingchen found the audacity to say such words!
Many others watched Ye Qingchen with cold expressions, their eyes gazing at him as if he were already a dead man.
Who was Jian Chen?
How could you easily provoke him?
Sure enough, in a rage, Jian Chen shouted and was about to attack.
"Ye Qingchen, I want you dead!"
However.
Just then, suddenly, between the distant mountain peaks, clouds swirled, fierce winds rose, the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi surged wildly, and at the same time, overwhelming pressure swept in from several directions without any warning.
The Supreme Elders!
Have arrived!