Azure Origin Patriarch

Cangyuan Palace.

The top-four tournament had ended, and as expected, Fu Chengqin had officially advanced to the finals.

On the arena stage, the two stood facing each other, faint smiles on their faces.

Countless eyes were fixed on them, while many people below whispered among themselves.

"I heard Peng Yu went into seclusion a few days ago. His cultivation has already broken through to the Great Perfection of Qi Refining. Just one more step, and he'll enter Foundation Establishment and join the inner sect."

"Fu Chengqin is in serious trouble. He only got this far through luck. This is as far as he goes."

"Hehe, you're too naive. Or perhaps just too young."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing."

Great Perfection of Qi Refining!

Compared to Peng Yu, Fu Chengqin's cultivation was far behind.

Mid-stage against Great Perfection—he had virtually no chance of winning.

Yet he was not flustered in the slightest.

Though he did not know how he would ultimately secure victory, he had a good father who had already arranged everything.

"Peng Yu."

"Fu Chengqin."

The two announced their names to each other, then began drawing upon spiritual energy.

Gu Yuan fixed his gaze on Peng Yu and found that the man was incredibly fast, his spiritual power abundant, carrying an overwhelming air of suppression.

The air around them exploded continuously as their figures darted across the arena.

Fu Chengqin gradually fell into a disadvantage. Just as Peng Yu seemed about to win, the situation took a sudden turn in the next moment.

The instant Peng Yu touched Fu Chengqin's fist, he was sent flying straight off the arena!

Everything had happened too quickly.

The many outer sect disciples below had not even reacted.

However, the numerous outer sect elders in the stands rose directly from their seats.

Others might not know, but how could they not?

That exchange—no, to be precise, the two had barely even made contact before Peng Yu was sent flying.

It was far too fake!

The Third Elder of the inner sect was here. How were they supposed to explain this?

"The rankings shall stand as they are."

Noticing their expressions, the Third Elder of the inner sect remained impassive.

Upon hearing this, several elders who had been feeling uneasy instantly understood something, and waves surged through their hearts.

So that was it.

They were not fools. Since the Third Elder wanted this, they had to give it to him.

"Yes."

The elder serving as referee slightly bowed.

"The outer sect tournament has concluded. The victor is Fu Chengqin!"

The voice rang throughout the entire arena area, and the outer sect tournament officially came to an end.

As a tournament that had been temporarily arranged, many people did not know what it signified.

The rear mountain of Cangyuan Palace.

The Patriarch's cave residence.

As the forbidden ground of all Cangyuan Palace, no one was qualified to enter without the Patriarch's permission.

Not even the current Palace Master, nor the so-called Supreme Elders.

This was the true core of Cangyuan Palace, its genuine foundation.

From the outside, it was solemn and majestic, surrounded by spiritual energy. It would not be an exaggeration to call it a blessed land.

Inside the cave residence.

A young-looking man lay in a rocking chair, swaying gently back and forth, appearing utterly at ease.

Before him was a luminous screen formed from spiritual energy, displaying all manner of scenes.

"Interesting."

That was right. This man was the Azure Origin Patriarch. Watching those images, he softly uttered those two words.

Then, with another wave of his hand, the rocking chair vanished.

The entire interior of the cave residence abruptly changed.

A mysterious aura rose up. Countless unknown patterns were engraved upon the cave walls, inspiring reverence in all who saw them.

The cave residence's doors silently opened, revealing a man and a woman standing outside.

One was at the mid-stage of Qi Refining, while the other was at the late stage of Foundation Establishment.

"Come in."

The Azure Origin Patriarch's voice slowly fell.

The man and woman trembled slightly, bowed toward the interior, and carefully stepped inside.

As they drew closer step by step, the spiritual energy throughout their bodies stirred. At that moment, they felt as though something had seen straight through them.

From top to bottom, from within to without.

It was as though no secret could be concealed.

"Outer sect disciple Fu Chengqin pays respects to the Patriarch!"

"Inner sect disciple Ren Yanran pays respects to the Patriarch!"

Under the powerful pressure, Fu Chengqin and Ren Yanran did not dare raise their heads and could only bow with lowered eyes.

"Oh, the old fellow is quite young."

Drifting through the cave residence, Gu Yuan had initially been worried that the so-called Azure Origin Patriarch would discover him. Now, it seemed he had overthought it.

But that aura had probably already surpassed the level of Deity Transformation.

"Ren Yanran?"

From the high seat, the Azure Origin Patriarch's voice rang out. He seemed to have ignored Fu Chengqin.

Yet something about his tone struck Gu Yuan as strange.

"This disciple is here."

"Ren Yanran?"

The Azure Origin Patriarch called her name again, and his tone changed once more.

What was he doing?

After circling around the Azure Origin Patriarch to observe him, Gu Yuan was now studying how to make him cultivate himself as well.

A cultivator at this realm would not be so easily fooled.

"Please enlighten me, Patriarch."

Ren Yanran was also utterly confused. Her face was blank as she had no idea what the Patriarch meant.

"Ren Yanran?"

When he called her name for the third time, a trace of amusement entered the Azure Origin Patriarch's voice, though he still appeared rather amiable.

"This disciple..."

Just as Ren Yanran was about to respond again, her entire body exploded.

Her flesh and blood then vaporized and vanished without a trace.

She was dead?

What did that mean?

Why had Ren Yanran suddenly died?

He had acted so quickly?

There was definitely something suspicious going on.

Gu Yuan glanced at where Ren Yanran had just stood, then looked at the Azure Origin Patriarch.

That move just now was not something a Deity Transformation cultivator could accomplish.

[Name: Lin Xiao (Azure Origin Patriarch)]

[Realm: Above Deity Transformation]

[Identity: Patriarch of Cangyuan Palace]

[Current State: Calm]

His current realm was still too low to accurately discern the other party's cultivation.

"Fu Chengqin?"

The Azure Origin Patriarch did not explain why he had killed Ren Yanran. Instead, he called Fu Chengqin's name.

It would have been fine if he had not called him. But once he did, it became a serious matter.

How had Ren Yanran died just now?

She had been called to death.

So now it was his turn?

As a reborn man, this was the first calamity Fu Chengqin had encountered since his rebirth.

"You are quite good. With only mid-stage Qi Refining cultivation, you won first place in the outer sect tournament."

"Since you are first, you shall receive a reward."

"Tell me, what reward do you desire?"

A reward?

Staying alive would already be good enough.

"This disciple does not dare ask for any reward. I only hope to contribute my strength to the prosperity of Cangyuan Palace."

After considering it, Fu Chengqin chose to go against his conscience and said this.

He certainly had thick skin.

"Well said."

The Azure Origin Patriarch's voice was filled with majesty, as though he were praising him.

"Then I shall grant you a fortunate opportunity."

As his words fell, the Azure Origin Patriarch flicked a faint glimmer of light from his finger, which flew directly into the depths of Fu Chengqin's forehead.

With another wave of his hand, he sent Fu Chengqin out of the cave residence.

Everything had happened too quickly.

Fortunately, Gu Yuan had reacted fast enough. At the final moment, he injected the Qi Refining Formula into the Azure Origin Patriarch's mind.

Wealth and honor had to be sought amid danger.