Defiance

Shu Yuanchang placed the greatest emphasis on propriety.

Seeing his disciple speak in such a panic, he was immediately displeased. "What are you panicking about?"

The disciple said, "There is someone outside claiming to be Patriarch Boundless."

"What did you say?" All the cultivators were shocked at once.

A sharp light flashed in Shu Yuanchang's eyes. "Such audacity, daring to impersonate our ancestor!"

The disciple stammered, "But... but..."

"But what? Speak!"

The disciple hurriedly said, "That man activated the Blood Character Stele!"

The words struck like a thunderbolt.

The Blood Character Stele had been left behind by Patriarch Boundless himself.

Before the Boundless Immortal Venerable died, he had made preparations. He left behind the Blood Character Stele and told his disciples that if someone activated it in the future, it would mean that he had returned through reincarnation and would once more take up the position of sect leader.

At that time, all the disciples had eagerly awaited the Boundless Immortal Venerable's return to lead them again.

But year after year passed, and several thousand years went by without the Boundless Immortal Venerable ever appearing.

Those disciples who had once craned their necks in anticipation of their patriarch's return had long since lost hope. More importantly, Heaven's Center Church had already weathered its hardest days. The current Heaven's Center Church was one of the Twelve Upper Realms, its status glorious. It no longer needed its patriarch to return and prop up its grandeur.

And now, at such a time, their patriarch had suddenly returned.

All the cultivators were baffled, then turned to look at Shu Yuanchang as one.

Shu Yuanchang's entire face twisted.

Yet he had always prided himself on honoring his masters and respecting the Way, forever saying, "The ancestors once said..." At this moment, he could hardly slap