Celestial Refining Divine Scripture

You may choose any one second-rank immortal treasure from the Yang Family!

Yang Xiao will ask Yang Yuan for help and promise Ye Qingchen a single chance for assistance that does not violate principles.

The value of a second-rank immortal treasure needs no explanation.

The real prize, though, is a favor from Yang Yuan.

Though Yang Yuan is still at the Late Stage of True Immortal, he’s been in seclusion since returning two months ago and will soon break through to the Celestial Immortal Realm.

With his strength and background, that favor is far more precious than any second-rank immortal treasure.

If trouble arises, Yang Yuan may not even need to act—just his presence would be enough to deter most threats.

Ye Qingchen had once been provoked by Yang Yuan, unwilling to be left behind.

But now, such temptation was impossible to resist.

And in return, he needed to deal with Xu Yang.

Ye Qingchen took a deep breath, made his decision with little hesitation.

He strode toward Xu Yang.

Seeing this, the onlookers erupted in an uproar.

What is Ye Qingchen doing?

Is he about to make a move?

Yang Xiao’s lips curled into a mocking smile as he watched Xu Yang.

"Ungrateful wretch!"

"Maybe my cultivation’s lacking, but I have plenty of ways to put people in their place."

Xu Yang opened his eyes once more, hearing the noise all around. His brows furrowed as Ye Qingchen approached.

Dressed in black robes, immortal fire runes intertwined like seeds.

Seed Disciple!

Ye Qingchen came closer, smiled faintly, then suddenly bent his hand, making a grasping gesture through the air.

Xu Yang’s expression shifted. He instinctively straightened up, immortal energy surging, but Ye Qingchen made no move to attack.

Instead, before him, an ancient scroll unfurled.

He tapped his fingers several times, inscribing ancient symbols of runic power onto it.

"That’s... a challenge letter!"

"Hiss, Ye Qingchen is actually issuing a challenge letter to a newcomer."

"A challenge issued to an ordinary disciple by a Seed Disciple cannot be refused once confirmed!"

"So ruthless!"

The crowd was speechless with shock.

Xu Yang heard everything clearly—a challenge letter?

A Seed Disciple’s challenge can’t be refused?

Damn it!

His face darkened, body instinctively tensing up to strike back.

But facing Ye Qingchen’s playful gaze, he instantly curbed the impulse.

If he struck first, he’d be even more at a disadvantage.

Thoughts racing, Ye Qingchen raised his Seed Disciple Identity Token and, in a flash, stamped it onto the scroll, leaving a striking brand.

Whoosh!

Immortal light burst forth; the scroll slowly unfurled, casting immortal fire’s shifting shadows and releasing an imposing, solemn aura for everyone to see.

"The challenge is set!"

"As an Inner Sect Disciple, you have no right to refuse!"

Ye Qingchen said coolly, "Come with me to the battle platform for a duel."

As his words fell, silence swept the crowd.

The look in everyone’s eyes was odd.

Though Ye Qingchen’s actions were bullying, no one dared to say a word.

Especially recalling Yang Xiao and Ye Qingchen’s whispered communication earlier—it was clear they’d struck a deal.

To deal with a first-rank Immortal Soldier, they had a Seed Disciple forcibly issue a challenge; such a thing had never happened at Black Fire Immortal Mountain.

But even this first-rank Immortal Soldier was truly extraordinary!

With only first-rank Immortal Soldier cultivation, he’d placed second in the third trial of the Fire Demon Cavern—unheard of!

Everyone was deeply curious—just how strong was Xu Yang?

"Poor bastard."

"Such potential, yet doesn’t know when to bend—offended Yang Xiao."

"Even if he makes it through this, life won’t be easy for him. Might even fall in some remote place, never to be heard of again."

...

"Refuse, and you’ll be locked up in the Law Enforcement Hall for half a month as punishment!"

"Half a month? You’ll totally miss the newcomer tournament!"

Seeing Xu Yang hesitate for so long, Ye Qingchen grinned.

Miss the newcomer tournament?

That would be a huge loss, no doubt.

Xu Yang’s face kept shifting, seeing Yang Xiao’s smug expression—his gaze turned icy and cold.

Ye Qingchen, late-stage True Immortal and a Seed Disciple—his strength was indisputable, bound to be overwhelming!

Xu Yang’s current power was at the Hundredfold Tempering, not weak, but in a real fight, he’d most likely be no match for Ye Qingchen.

But this battle—there seemed to be no escape!

"What a tactic!"

Xu Yang gave a chilling laugh, suddenly reaching his hand toward the challenge letter.

Ye Qingchen and Yang Xiao couldn’t hide their brilliant smiles at the scene.

With the challenge accepted, everything would be settled!

But just as Xu Yang was about to grab the scroll, a howling gale suddenly swept down from the sky.

Swoosh!

The challenge letter flew up, landing beside Ye Qingchen.

This sudden development stunned everyone.

Xu Yang froze, instinctively looking up.

Somehow, a figure had appeared above them.

Chi Ning!

"Hmph!"

A cold snort, like thunder shaking the hall.

The crowd snapped back to their senses, faces draining of color at the sight of Chi Ning.

Even Yang Xiao and Ye Qingchen’s expressions changed dramatically.

"Steward Chi Ning!"

Ye Qingchen clasped his fists in salute.

While a Seed Disciple’s status rivaled that of an Inner Sect Steward,

A Steward was still a Steward, with superior cultivation; no Seed Disciple dared slight an Inner Sect Steward.

Chi Ning glanced at Xu Yang, then fixed a frosty gaze on Ye Qingchen. "A dignified Seed Disciple, bullying a newcomer—one who’s only a first-rank Immortal Soldier at that—and you’d force a challenge upon him."

"Spread word of this, and the sect’s face will be utterly lost because of you."

Ye Qingchen’s face was ashen.

Chi Ning had clearly come to stand up for Xu Yang.

"Destroy the challenge letter." Chi Ning ordered coldly.

Ye Qingchen frowned deeply, about to speak, but Yang Xiao jumped in first. "Steward Chi Ning, the challenge is issued—Xu Yang cannot refuse; that is sect law!"

"Sect law?"

"What a sect law!"

Chi Ning’s eyes grew icy. "No wonder you’re Yang Yuan’s little brother—running wild in the sect, do you really think the Yang Family owns this place?"

Hearing this, Yang Xiao’s face turned crimson; he swallowed hard instinctively.

He dared not shoulder such blame.

"Steward, I..."

"Enough."

Chi Ning’s face was impatient. He said coldly, "Do you really want me to call for a Golden Immortal?"

Golden Immortal?

Ye Qingchen and Yang Xiao’s eyes widened in unison.

"Golden Immortal?"

"What does that mean?"

"Hiss—can it be, has a Golden Immortal taken an interest in Xu Yang?"

"Very possible. Xu Yang’s potential even surpasses Duan Tianyang’s by several times—it’s not surprising a Golden Immortal would notice him!"

"I knew it—no wonder Steward Chi Ning suddenly intervened so forcefully. The root of the issue is here."

...

Golden Immortal!

Yang Xiao’s face went deathly pale; his mind blanked out.

Xu Yang has a Golden Immortal backing him?

If this matter spreads among the sect’s powerhouses, the Yang Family will face their wrath, won’t they?

Ye Qingchen was even more numb all over.

If a Golden Immortal got involved... even if the challenge held, Ye Qingchen’s reputation would be utterly destroyed.

Even as a Seed Disciple, he’d earn the disdain of countless experts in the sect!

For a dignified Seed Disciple to curry favor with the Yang Family?

To win their favor, he’d stoop to such shameless acts against a promising sect disciple?

What would become of him then?

Ye Qingchen broke out in a cold sweat; promises of treasures and Yang Yuan’s favor disintegrated in an instant.

Boom!

Without hesitation, he punched at the challenge letter.

Bam!

The challenge letter shattered into pieces.

"Steward Chi Ning, this disciple takes his leave!"

Ye Qingchen clasped fists in salute and fled.

Yang Xiao was filled with dread and anxiety, terrified the Yang Family would be implicated and his elder brother would reprimand him.

Xu Yang stared at Chi Ning in a daze—he never thought this crisis would be resolved so easily.

Chi Ning’s intervention.

Summon a Golden Immortal?

No way.

Could the Golden Immortal be the Elder Hong Wei his Master mentioned?

Xu Yang’s expression turned odd; he dared not even meet Chi Ning’s gaze.

In the end, he’d performed well, satisfied the other party, and then the other would arrive wanting to take him as a disciple—only to find Xu Yang had already joined Dan Feng...

Just thinking about it left him exasperated.

Helping out, but only to let someone else reap the reward!

The more outstanding Xu Yang became, the more frustrated Elder Hong Wei would probably be.