Heavenly Void Grand Tournament Champion! Chen Changqing of Mount Shu!

At the entrance to Mount Shu, the entire Yingxiantai (Welcoming Immortals Terrace Platform) was packed with people.

The morning light shone on the white jade steps, reflecting a soft warmth. Thousands of Mount Shu disciples, dressed in uniform Cyan Daoist Robes, stood in neat rows according to seniority and rank.

Standing at the very front are the people from Evergreen Peak.

Liu Mu had received the message long ago, and before dawn, he led all the disciples of Evergreen Peak who were able to move to Welcoming Immortals Terrace. Qingyang, Shi Tian, Wang Yang, Ran Hua, and Lin Yuan stood in a row, craning their necks and staring intently at the western horizon.

Xiaoqian huddled behind Ran Hua, her translucent body appearing and disappearing in the morning light, her large eyes filled with anxiety.

The two Demon Kings, Black Bear and Mystic Serpent, squatted on either side of the Welcoming Immortals Terrace Gate Guardians, looking more than ten times more energetic than usual.

"They're here!"

Qingyang was the first to spot the shadow of the bronze warship. He jumped up and pointed at the rapidly enlarging black dot on the western horizon.

"It's Master's warship! I see the command flag of Mount Shu!"

The entire Welcoming Immortals Terrace exploded with a deafening roar.

Thousands of disciples cheered in unison, the sound echoing through the peaks of Mount Shu.

The bronze warship broke through the clouds and slowly landed on the open ground in front of the Welcoming Immortals Terrace.

The hatch opened.

Daoist Chen Yuan was the first to emerge, his Whisk draped over his arm, his expression calm. Close behind him was Bai Wuya, a silver spear slung across his shoulder, his white robes fluttering, looking utterly nonchalant. Liu Ye, Liu Ruyan, Jian Zhenzi, Luo Futian ... one after another, they stepped out of the cabin.

The crowd's gaze swept across each person's face before eagerly moving on to the next.

Everyone is waiting for the same person.

The last figure emerged from the hatch.

A blue robe and a long sword.

As Chen Changqing stepped onto the cabin doorway, the morning light shone down from behind him, gilding his silhouette with a golden edge.

His Daoist robe had been changed, and there wasn't a single scar on his body. The Immortal Execution Sword hung at his waist, and he held Wangcai — the Little Black Dog— by the hand in his left hand. With its four legs kicking rapidly, it rushed towards the crowd as soon as it landed.

"Peak Master!"

Qingyang was the first to shout it out.

Immediately afterwards, a deafening roar erupted from the entire Welcoming Immortals Terrace.

"Welcome back in triumph Peak Master!"

"Champion the Heavenly Void Grand Tournament! Chen Changqing of Mount Shu!"

"Peak Master is mighty!"

The disciples of Evergreen Peak were so excited that their faces turned red, and they almost shouted themselves hoarse. Although the disciples of other ranks were more reserved, their eyes were also full of respect and fervor when they looked at Chen Changqing.

The Champion the Heavenly Void Grand Tournament.

In the world of Cultivation World, these four words carry more weight than any title.

Chen Changqing stood in front of the cabin door, his gaze sweeping over the densely packed crowd on the Welcoming Immortals Terrace, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"You're back," he said softly.

Liu Mu strode out from the crowd and bowed in greeting.

"Peak Master, everything is fine on Evergreen Peak, nothing has happened."

"You've worked hard, Elder Liu Mu." Chen Changqing patted him on the shoulder.

Liu Mu's eyes were slightly red. Back then, he was an inconspicuous elder in the Seventh Courtyard of the Outer Sect, and he was the first to bet on Chen Changqing. Now, Evergreen Peak has become the most sought-after peak in Mount Shu, and he, as the "earliest investor," has risen in status, his position within the sect increasing many times over.

Mo Yuan, Old Servant stood at the back of the crowd, not stepping forward, but simply nodding to Chen Changqing from afar.

Chen Changqing returned a glance.

Some things don't need to be said.

The lively atmosphere on the Welcoming Immortals Terrace lasted for almost half an hour. Elders from various peaks and Sequence Holy Son came forward to offer their congratulations, some sincerely and some just for show. Chen Changqing responded to each one, neither arrogant nor humble, striking the perfect balance.

Only after the crowd gradually dispersed did Chen Changqing lead the core disciples of Evergreen Peak back to their own territory.

Evergreen Peak.

The courtyard halfway up the Main Peak was exactly the same as when he left. The chess game he hadn't finished before he left still sat on the Stone Table, the black and white pieces scattered about, covered with a thin layer of dust.

Under the old pine tree in the courtyard, the Black Bear and the Mystic Serpent had already returned ahead of time, standing guard on either side of the entrance like two guardian Gate Guardians.

Chen Changqing pushed open the door to the main hall, and a familiar Spiritual Qi rushed towards him.

He stood on the threshold and took a deep breath.

The concentration of Spiritual Qi in Mount Shu far exceeds that of the outside world, Evergreen Peak even possesses a top-grade Spirit Vein, making cultivation twice as effective with half the effort.

"It's good that you're back." Chen Changqing muttered to himself, walked to the Meditation Cushion, and sat down cross-legged.

He closed his eyes and began to review all the gains he had made in this Heavenly Void Grand Tournament.

The AFK Panel quietly appeared in my Sea of Consciousness.

With a balance of nearly five million AFK Points, the all-around enhancement brought by the Nine Great Red-Gold Primordial Spirits, the terrifying precision of Divine Sense covering three thousand miles, and the practical verification of the fourth move of the Immortal Execution Sword Technique, "Dao Reversal"...

Each of these items alone would be enough to drive Cultivators of the same level mad with envy.

But Chen Changqing knew in his heart that this was not enough.

In the battle at the Netherworld Trench, he only lasted less than ten breaths against the combined might of six Heavenly Monarch. If it weren't for the timely arrival of True Lord Qingxiao, white banners would already be hanging on the Welcoming Immortals Terrace today.

"I need to speed up my cultivation."

Just as he was about to activate the Targeted Breakthrough Mode of the AFK System, a familiar footstep sound suddenly came from outside the courtyard.

Unhurried and composed.

It was Daoist Chen Yuan.

Chen Changqing opened his eyes, got up, and went out to greet them.

Daoist Chen Yuan stood at the courtyard gate, his Whisk draped over his arm, his expression somewhat subtle.

"Master?" Chen Changqing was slightly taken aback. "Why are you here? I thought you had gone back to the Sect Master's Hall to handle sect affairs."

Daoist Chen Yuan glanced at him, opened his mouth, then closed it again.

"Come with me."

Where to go?

"The back mountain." Daoist Chen Yuan paused, his tone carrying a seriousness Chen Changqing had never heard before, "Your grandmaster wants to see you."

Chen Changqing's pupils contracted slightly.

Grandmaster Daoist Wuzhen, the Pillar of Stability of Mount Shu, Tribulation Immortal First Stage.

Normally, even Daoist Chen Yuan has to send an invitation in advance if he wants to see him, so why is he taking the initiative to see me today?

A strange premonition swept through Chen Changqing's mind.

The entrance to the forbidden area on the back mountain of Mount Shu.

Two heavy stone doors slowly opened under the Law Power of Daoist Chen Yuan, emitting a deep hum. The Spiritual Qi overflowing from the cracks in the doors was so dense that it was almost condensed into liquid, and it felt cool and refreshing on the face.

Chen Changqing followed behind Daoist Chen Yuan, walking along a path paved with bluestone into the depths of the mountain.

The walls on both sides of the passageway were covered with ancient runes, each emitting a faint glow. Chen Changqing recognized these runes; they were part of the High Antiquity Mountain Protection Array of Mount Shu, and any one of them would be priceless.

"Master," Chen Changqing asked as he walked, "What does Grandmaster want with me? Could you please give me a hint first?"

Daoist Chen Yuan didn't stop walking, nor did he turn his head.

You'll see when you get there.