The First Elder, Heavenly Origin Patriarch?
In the very center of that sea of stars, three figures sat cross-legged.
The man in the very center was an elderly man who looked to be in his sixties. He had white hair and beard, a thin face, and wore a faded gray Daoist robe. He simply sat there quietly, yet his body exuded a rhythm that was in harmony with heaven and earth.
To his left stood Daoist Qingyuan. To his right stood Daoist Wuzhen.
Chen Changqing's gaze fell on the old man in the middle, and his heart trembled.
Is this the First Elder, Heavenly Origin Patriarch?
He truly made a breakthrough!
The Dao Resonance that naturally flowed from the Heavenly Origin Patriarch made Chen Changqing's Primordial Spirit tremble. This was not fear, but an instinctive awe that a lower-level life form feels when facing a higher-level life form.
"Disciple Chen Changqing pays respects to Heavenly Origin Patriarch."
Chen Changqing quickly stepped forward and respectfully performed a deep bow.
The Heavenly Origin Patriarch slowly opened his eyes, his gaze falling on Chen Changqing.
Those eyes were deep and calm, as if they could see through all the illusions of the world.
He looked Chen Changqing up and down, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"Rise," said the Heavenly Origin Patriarch gently. "No need for formalities."
Chen Changqing got up as instructed, but dared not look up directly at him, and simply stood with his head down.
A brief silence fell over the hall.
Heavenly Origin Patriarch just stared at Chen Changqing without saying a word.
The feeling of being scrutinized by a supreme being sent a chill down Chen Changqing's spine. He didn't know why the Heavenly Origin Patriarch had summoned him, so he could only force himself to calm down and wait for the other party to speak.
A long time.
The Heavenly Origin Patriarch suddenly smiled.
"Good lad, you have a good temperament." He nodded. "I'm watching you, and you've managed to stay calm and composed. That alone makes you far superior to your master back then."
Daoist Chen Yuan, who was standing to the side, twitched his lips but did not refute.
Heavenly Origin Patriarch stood up and walked to Chen Changqing.
He reached out and placed his hand on Chen Changqing's shoulder.
That hand was thin yet warm, and the power emanating from it through the Daoist robe was steady and profound, carrying an indescribable life force.
"Chen Changqing, do you know why I summoned you here?"
Chen Changqing remained silent for a moment before answering truthfully.
"This disciple suspects it might be related to that Tribulation Immortal Pill."
"Clever." Heavenly Origin Patriarch nodded approvingly. "Indeed, it's because of that pill."
He released his grip, took a step back, and a hint of emotion appeared on his thin, old face.
"I have been stuck at the Tribulation Immortal Eighth Stage Peak for ten thousand years, and my lifespan is nearing its end. I thought there was no possibility of making any further progress in this lifetime."
"It was that Tribulation Immortal Pill you offered that not only gave me a new life, but also allowed me to break through to the Ninth Layer Tribulation Immortal."
The voice of the Heavenly Origin Patriarch became solemn.
"This kindness is too great. So great that I don't know how to repay it."
Chen Changqing bowed deeply.
"You flatter me, Ancestor. I offered the elixir for the sake of Mount Shu. Your breakthrough is a blessing for Mount Shu, and I dare not take credit for it."
"You certainly know how to talk," the Heavenly Origin Patriarch chuckled. "But since I've received your favor, I naturally won't let you suffer any loss."
He turned around and looked at Daoist Qingyuan and Daoist Wuzhen.
"Qingyuan, Wu Zhen, you may leave now. I have something to say to Changqing alone."
Daoist Qingyuan and Daoist Wuzhen exchanged a glance, bowed in unison, and withdrew from this starry sea space.
Inside the hall, only Heavenly Origin Patriarch and Chen Changqing remained.
The atmosphere became subtle.
Chen Changqing had no idea what the Heavenly Origin Patriarch wanted to say to him privately, so he could only wait quietly.
The Heavenly Origin Patriarch stood with his back to him, gazing at the vast, empty sea of stars, and remained silent for a long time.
"Changqing, are you aware of the current situation in Nine Provinces?"
Chen Changqing was slightly taken aback, not expecting that the Heavenly Origin Patriarch would ask this question.
"This disciple is of limited knowledge and understanding, and only knows that while the Nine Provinces appear peaceful on the surface, undercurrents are surging beneath. The Ten Great Demon Sects are stirring, and the Various Great Dynasties are constantly vying for power."
"Well said," Heavenly Origin Patriarch nodded, "But what you know is far from enough."
He turned around, his deep eyes staring directly at Chen Changqing.
"The news of my breakthrough to the Ninth Layer Tribulation Immortal will soon spread throughout the entire Nine Provinces."
"At that time, the eyes of the entire Nine Provinces will be focused on Mount Shu, and on this old man."
"But similarly, the focus will also be on you."
Chen Changqing's heart sank.
He understood what the Heavenly Origin Patriarch meant.
The fact that he offered up the Tribulation Immortal Pill has probably already spread among the higher-ups of Mount Shu. And once the news of Heavenly Origin Patriarch's breakthrough spreads, those who are interested can easily guess the reason.
At that time, he would become the focus of the entire Nine Provinces, with countless eyes watching him, wanting to know the origin of that pill.
"I know you've gained quite a few fortuitous opportunity in the Heavenly Void Secret Realm," Heavenly Origin Patriarch said slowly, "But I won't ask you what exactly you obtained; that's your secret."
However, I must remind you of something.
His voice became serious.
"A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime. Although your current cultivation level is not weak, it is still far from sufficient in the face of the entire Nine Provinces."
"In the days to come, countless eyes will be watching you, and some will even go to great lengths to extract secrets from you."
Chen Changqing's expression turned serious.
He certainly understood this principle.
The moment he offered up the Tribulation Immortal Pill, he was already prepared to bear the consequences.
But he didn't expect the impact of the matter to be so great.
In the vast sea of stars, the voice of the Heavenly Origin Patriarch echoed in the empty space.
Chen Changqing stood still, silently processing the warning from the Heavenly Origin Patriarch.
He knew very well that a breakthrough to the Ninth Layer Tribulation Immortal was enough to shake the entire Nine Provinces. And as the one who offered the pill, he would inevitably become the target of everyone's criticism.
"Disciple understands." Chen Changqing took a deep breath, raised his head, and said with a firm gaze, "However, since disciple has chosen to offer the pills, I am prepared to bear the consequences."
Heavenly Origin Patriarch looked at him, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.
"Good, that's enough."
With a flick of his sleeve, three items suddenly appeared in the void.
The first one is a completely black, palm-sized token. There is a simple "Yuan" character engraved on the token, exuding a profound Daoist charm.
The second item was a Jade Slip about the size of a thumb. The Jade Slip was entirely emerald green, and its interior seemed to be sealed with countless flowing runes.
The third item was a drop of liquid suspended in mid-air, radiating a dazzling Golden Light. The drop of liquid was only the size of a grain of rice, yet it caused Chen Changqing's Nine Primordial Spirits to simultaneously emit a longing hum.
"These three items are my gifts of gratitude to you."
Heavenly Origin Patriarch pointed to the black Token.
"This is the Heavenly Origin Token, a life-saving artifact I personally crafted. Holding this token allows you to summon a Divine Sense avatar of mine in a critical moment."
"This Divine Sense clone possesses thirty percent of my combat power and can exist for a quarter of an hour. Although it's only thirty percent, it's more than enough to deal with ordinary Tribulation Immortal Realm experts."
Chen Changqing's breath hitched.
What does it mean to have Divine Sense clone with 30% of the combat power of a ninth-level Ninth Layer Tribulation Immortal?