Here in the quiet chamber of the Dingzhen Pavilion.

From the massive alchemy cauldron, nine enormous alien beast skulls spewed great plumes of purplish-green Pure Yang Earth Fire. Fire surged within the crucible, the intense heat coalescing into a substance resembling purple glazed jade. A bronze banana leaf fan, three feet and three inches long, glowed softly within this clear, bright flame, emitting vast showers of sparks and violet energy.

This flame was the finest Pure Yang Earth Fire. Though drawn from beneath Misha Star, its intensity was millions of times greater than the fires of the original universe, almost comparable to the Solar Blazing Flames that Gu Wuchen once commanded. This was simply the natural manifestation of the four fundamental forces—water, earth, fire, and wind—in this universe. How could any energy here not be millions of times stronger than in that previous universe?

The refined purple copper used to forge the bronze banana leaf fan was also of the highest caliber.

The Pure Yang purple copper sand mined from the ten thousand qǐng of Misha Star’s deserts required no further refinement; its properties were equivalent to the Five Elements Essence of the previous universe. After special purification and tempering, the extracted refined purple copper was supremely pure, utterly devoid of impurities. A piece the size of a fingernail weighed as much as a star from the former universe.

The banana leaf fan currently being tempered was as thin as a cicada’s wing, yet its weight was extraordinary. If the beings nurtured in this universe were not naturally robust, immensely powerful, and inherently imbued with potent magical power, how could they possibly lift such a fan?

The fan measured three feet and three inches in length, eight cùn and one lí at its widest point, and six cùn and three lí at its narrowest. One side was inscribed with the characters ‘Yúndàn’ (Light Clouds), and the other with ‘Fēngqīng’ (Gentle Breeze). These four characters coiled like dragons and snakes, and it was impossible to tell how many talismans were imprinted within their strokes.

Beneath the ice-mirror surface of the fan were densely packed, fingernail-sized fragments of the Eight Trigrams Turtle pattern. Each fragment was riddled with minute runes, as small as sesame seeds. Every fire-and-lightning talisman involving Pure Yang True Thunder and Samadhi True Fire that could be found within the Spirit Artifact Sect had surely been branded onto the fan’s surface countless times.

The innumerable fire-and-lightning talismans were organically woven together by the Eight Trigrams Turtle fragments, forming a massive talismanic array.

Every aspect of this Fēngqīng Yúndàn Fan was derived from the ancient texts of the Spirit Artifact Sect. While others might use the basic talismans described in those scriptures—the bricks and mortar—to construct mere huts, Gu Xiechen used them to build an imperial forbidden city.

The difficulty of forging the mold had not increased significantly, but the resulting power and quality of the artifact were unparalleled.

This fan had been cast in its mold and placed in the cauldron for firing while the first few flying swords were being forged. Today was the day it was to be drawn out.

After admiring the Fēngqīng Yúndàn Fan as it slowly rotated in the furnace flames, Gu Wuchen took out three secret Pure Fire attribute ‘Fierce Sand Red Blazing Scorpion’ tail beads from the Dingzhen Pavilion and casually cast a small spell to embed them into the fan handle.

The three dragon’s-eye-sized crimson jewels were arranged in a line along the fan handle, which was cast in a uniform purple-gold, lending the object a sudden air of opulence.

The Fierce Sand Red Blazing Scorpion was a fire-attribute exotic insect unique to Misha Star. Only scorpions that had endured at least ten thousand years of harsh climate could form an inner core bead. The three beads held secret by the Dingzhen Pavilion were the product of over a hundred thousand years of cultivation, already qualifying as extraordinary Spirit Treasure level beads.

Embedding these three beads into the Fēngqīng Yúndàn Fan as array cores not only increased the fan’s power by more than threefold but also supplied an inexhaustible source of energy for the various arrays and restrictions within. Even a cultivator at the Qi Condensation stage could utilize over eighty percent of the fan’s might with the assistance of these three beads.

As long as there was fire-attribute elemental energy present, the scorpion beads could actively draw in external fire to replenish their consumption, and the rate of absorption was several times faster than the speed at which ordinary Void Realm cultivators absorbed Heaven and Earth elemental energy. In certain critical situations, such as when one’s internal true power was depleted, this function could prove life-saving.

With the three beads embedded, the might of this treasured fan immediately ascended to the level of High Grade Human Realm. For a newly ascended artifact refiner like ‘Wai Chenzi,’ achieving this level of artifact was an unprecedented feat on Misha Star.

Unafraid of the excessively fierce earth fire, Gu Xiechen reached into the cauldron and pulled out the Fēngqīng Yúndàn Fan. After a satisfied glance at the treasure fan, which was showering sparks and dispersing violet smoke, Gu Wuchen opened his mouth and casually spat out a stream of Profound Condensing Freezing Qi, quenching the fan from top to bottom.

A rapid series of fine crackling sounds followed. The fire-attribute treasure fan instantly retracted its glow, becoming as still as an ice mirror, leaking not a trace of heat. Waving the fan lightly, Gu Wuchen spent a moment again admiring his work with satisfaction.

This treasured fan was the culmination of all the basic arrays and talismans he had learned from the Spirit Artifact Sect’s texts. Though its raw power was not overwhelming—not yet comparable to some innate magical treasures—in terms of both conception and technique, it was already a masterwork.

Especially since this was a Pure Yang fire-attribute treasure fan, yet externally it betrayed no sign of this, feeling instead cold and chilling, as if it were a profound ice-attribute artifact. This single detail alone increased the Fēngqīng Yúndàn Fan’s practical combat effectiveness by thirty percent.

Imagine fighting an opponent who, upon seeing this fan, prepared defensive artifacts against the cold of profound ice, only to be blasted by Pure Yang Gang Fire and towering thunderbolts erupting from the fan surface. That single miscalculation would surely cause them a significant, if not devastating, disadvantage. “Good fan, excellent fan!” Gu Wuchen chuckled, admiring the treasure without pause.

The preceding one hundred and eight flying swords were mere practice runs, meant only to confuse others. This Fēngqīng Yúndàn Fan truly captured a piece of his heart’s essence. Such a treasure, taken to the original universe, would certainly rank among the top-tier Immortal Artifacts.

He waved the fan a few times, stirring up a cool breeze that dispersed some of the heat in the chamber, when the heavy alloy door of the quiet room suddenly swung open. Wai Qianji, with a gloomy expression, strode in hurriedly. “Chen’er, Zi Ying is here! You should go out and see her.” Wai Qianji’s tone was strange, and his face looked exceptionally grim.

Gu Xiechen feigned a moment of surprise, then burst into laughter. “That fierce woman is here? Huh? Ever since our engagement, she’s never bothered to set foot at the Spirit Artifact Sect’s gate. Why is she here today? Could it be she’s hooked up with some pretty boy and has come here to show off?”

The entire Misha Star was under Gu Wuchen’s divine sense; he knew exactly why Zi Ying had come, how long she’d been here, and everything she’d done. His words were merely an intentional performance.

Hearing Gu Xiechen’s words, Wai Qianji’s face darkened further. He coughed a few times, shook his head, and without even noticing what Gu Xiechen was holding, hurriedly dragged him out. As Gu Xiechen followed Wai Qianji’s brisk pace, he sneered, “Could it be she really brought a pretty boy? Is she here to break the engagement or to extort a sum from us? Hah, that woman has guts!”

Countless Spirit Artifact Sect disciples were bustling about along the way. Hearing Gu Wuchen’s nonsense, every single one rolled their eyes. Some elder-level masters of the sect, flying various artifacts toward the reception hall ‘Purple Qi East Coming Pavilion’ at the mountain gate, almost tumbled from the sky upon hearing Gu Xiechen’s remarks.

Wai Qianji led Gu Xiechen to the Spirit Artifact Sect’s Purple Qi East Coming Pavilion with a series of cold snorts, not waiting for the guards at the entrance to announce them before dragging Gu Xiechen straight inside.

As one of the few major sects on Misha Star, and famously wealthy, the Purple Qi East Coming Pavilion prepared for guests was naturally far beyond comparison with ordinary residences. Every furnishing inside was exquisite and refined; every piece of decoration was a carefully crafted Dharma Artifact or Magical Treasure. Even the tea set used for serving tea was a Low Grade Immortal Artifact integrating heat retention, preservation, and flavor purification.

An ordinary cultivator entering such an unbelievably magnificent place would long ago have sat rigidly and nervously. Yet today, within the Purple Qi East Coming Pavilion, a man in white robes was leaning lazily on the soft couch reserved for guests, his eyes rolled toward the ceiling, treating the myriad of glittering treasures and rare objects scattered about as mere trash.

Wai Lingqi sat stiffly in the main seat to the north of the Purple Qi East Coming Pavilion, his face shadowed as he sipped tea from a purple jade cup inlaid with eight treasures using cloisonné technique. Beside him, on several chairs, Wai Lingqi’s few brothers—Gu Xiechen’s granduncles, who were also the Great Elders of the Spirit Artifact Sect—sat equally gloomy, sipping tea in silence. The room was quiet; not a soul uttered a word.

Beside the white-robed youth leaning back against the soft couch, gazing at the ceiling with a cold smirk, two charming maids, seemingly twelve or thirteen years old, were carefully preparing fragrant tea using a separate tea set. The style of the tea set was clearly different from the one the Pavilion used for guests. The tea leaves being brewed were also not the local Misha Star specialty offered to visitors, but some kind of foreign fragrant tea, shimmering white as snow.

Misha Star was covered in scorching sand, and fire-attribute elemental energy was extremely dense. Consequently, Misha Star’s specialty teas were deep red like fire, brewing into a thick, fragrant liquor capable of nourishing the marrow, strengthening Yang energy, and benefiting the five organs.

But the leaves the two maids were brewing were snow-white, emitting a chilling fragrance that permeated the air, causing the temperature in the Purple Qi East Coming Pavilion to drop noticeably wherever it passed. This ice-attribute tea was clearly an import. This was more than simple condescension.

Arriving as a guest, bringing one's own tea set and tea leaves, was an open declaration that they considered the Spirit Artifact Sect’s own tea ware and leaves inadequate—an undisguised slap in the face to the sect. Yet Wai Lingqi and the Great Elders sat silently; the identity of this white-robed man was self-evident. Wherever one went, one encountered these spoiled scions who relied on their lineage to act recklessly!

Gu Xiechen muttered this to himself, then glanced at the white-robed youth, stifling a laugh. Thank you, thank you, you’ve done me a huge favor. Gu Xiechen had been plotting ways to break the engagement with Zi Ying, and this situation was proving immensely helpful.

Beside the white-robed youth sat a slender, elegant girl with deep purple hair and eyes as cool and clear as water; her beauty was absolute. A cloak made of unknown pale purple bird feathers draped over her small frame. Whenever she moved, the scattered feathers shimmered like stars, emitting an incomparably gorgeous light that set her apart as if she were a celestial being from the Ninth Heaven.

The girl tilted her head, gazing at the white-robed man’s exceptionally handsome face. At first glance, her clear eyes showed no emotion, but to Gu Xiechen, beneath the surface of water-like coolness, there burned a fierce, fire-like desire. Tsk, already hooked up! Wai Chenzi, you’re truly unlucky, you’re wearing that green hat quite tightly!

After mocking the Wai Chenzi currently sealed within the Source Yin Profound Pearl, Gu Xiechen adopted the persona of a standard dilettante. With his nose pointed to the sky and eyes rolled back, he swaggered into the Purple Qi East Coming Pavilion and addressed Wai Lingqi, seated in the main position, with feigned impatience. “I told you I was in seclusion! Don’t bother me with trifles; who is responsible if you delay my artifact forging and prevent me from becoming a Grandmaster Refiner? Who will be responsible?”

Wai Lingqi’s tight expression relaxed. He chuckled, “Chen’er, you’ve arrived. Ah... Ying’er is here.”

Wai Qianji walked in without a word and sat down next to Wai Lingqi, assuming the demeanor of a wooden statue, hands resting on his knees, eyes focused forward. However, his eyes occasionally opened and closed, and his peripheral vision flickered toward Zi Ying and the white-robed man, carrying a chilling, sharp glint.

Gu Xiechen seemed to notice Zi Ying only then. He scrutinized her from head to toe with impatience and let out a cold snort. “What are you doing here? Though we are engaged, as the granddaughter of Elder Jianxin, you must maintain some modesty! We shouldn’t meet before the grand wedding!”

Before Zi Ying or the white-robed man could speak, Gu Xiechen said earnestly, “Although cultivators do not fuss over minor etiquette, major proprieties must be observed. If an engaged couple spends all their time together, and something happens that dishonors our lineages—be it the Spirit Artifact Sect or the Heart Sword Sect—it would be a profound disgrace.”

Zi Ying’s fair complexion flushed a purplish red, and the man looked somewhat flustered.

Wai Lingqi, Wai Qianji, and the other Great Elders of the Spirit Artifact Sect nodded repeatedly. Gu Xiechen’s words were righteous and sound; this was indeed the principle. Pre-marital indiscretions by an engaged couple would indeed tarnish both great sects.

Wai Lingqi, capable of leading the Spirit Artifact Sect, was an old fox, cunning and seasoned. He followed Gu Xiechen’s lead, chuckling, “Ying’er is Elder Jianxin’s only granddaughter; how could she do such a thing? Chen’er, what you said was perhaps too much.” Wai Qianji coughed dryly and stated coldly, “Ying’er’s family education is strict, and their principles are firm. Since she is engaged to you, Chen’er, she naturally acts cautiously and abides by the rules of a young woman. She would never do anything to disgrace her lineage. Chen’er, what you said was perhaps excessive!”

Gu Xiechen chuckled a few times, paced deliberately, and walked up to Zi Ying, whose face had grown increasingly strained. He casually cupped his hands toward her. “Hmm, perhaps I spoke poorly. Heh heh, Sister Ying’er, who is this pretty boy? Why did he come to the Spirit Artifact Sect with you?”

Zi Ying stared hard at Gu Xiechen without speaking, her gaze darting quickly to the Fēngqīng Yúndàn Fan in his hand before she disdainfully turned her head away.

The white-robed man, having been lectured by Gu Xiechen, Wai Lingqi, and Wai Qianji, found his fair skin turning somewhat dark. Hearing Gu Wuchen’s question, he quickly straightened his back, raising his head with a mix of reserve and vanity, and sneered coldly, “This Young Sect Master comes from White Venerable Star. The Immortal Lord Taibai is my direct, great-grandfather. I am Immortal Lord Taibai’s direct, great-grandson.”

He paused slightly, then continued with a cold laugh: “The Young Sect Master’s grandfather is Immortal Lord Taibai’s eldest son; the Young Sect Master’s father is Immortal Lord Taibai’s eldest grandson.”

Gu Xiechen didn't wait for the white-robed man to finish before exclaiming with feigned shock, “Could it be that Young Sect Master, you are also Immortal Lord Taibai’s great-eldest-grandson?”

The white-robed man closed his mouth, a breath catching in his throat, and remained silent for a long moment. Zi Ying glared at Gu Xiechen, teeth clenched, her clear, water-like eyes emitting a chilling coldness filled with menacing threat.

Gu Xiechen met Zi Ying’s gaze with cold eyes, a slight curve on his lips. He stepped back a few paces and sat directly opposite Zi Ying.

Crossing his legs, fiddling with the Fēngqīng Yúndàn Fan, Gu Xiechen spoke with a languid air. “Hmm, a great-grandson of Immortal Lord Taibai, truly born into a noble lineage. Not someone like me, from a lowly sect on a small, declining cultivation planet, can compare. Even if you are not the great-eldest-grandson, it is still remarkable!”

Setting the fan down, Gu Xiechen raised two thumbs high toward Zi Ying. “You’ve climbed to a high branch, impressive! So, you want to break the engagement, right?”

Wai Lingqi let out a heavy snort, and Wai Qianji stamped his foot fiercely. The other elders of the Wai family took a deep breath, their eyes burning with anger. The Wai family of the Spirit Artifact Sect was united and concerted. As the eldest direct grandson, ‘Wai Chenzi’ had enjoyed three thousand favors all centered on him. Now his fiancée came knocking to call off the engagement—this ignited a fire in the bellies of the entire Wai clan. But the white-robed man was the great-grandson of Immortal Lord Taibai!

White Venerable Star was the most powerful cultivation planet in this sector of the cosmos. This sector had only been preserved from the harassment of the two innate deities, Ju Lan God and Jin Bang God, because of the protection afforded by White Venerable Star and Great Fire Star.

Immortal Lord Taibai on White Venerable Star, a mid-grade Grand Unity Golden Immortal, could firmly hold his ground against Ju Lan God, ensuring peace in this region.

Immortal Lord Chi Yan on Great Fire Star, also a mid-grade Grand Unity Golden Immortal, faintly suppressed Jin Bang God, guarding this expanse of space.

Immortal Lord Taibai and Immortal Lord Chi Yan were the supreme overlords of the several hundred cultivation planets in this star field. They had countless relatives, descendants, close friends, and allies, their network covering the entire domain. Even a single family member from their lineage would be untouchable on a minor planet like Misha Star; how much more so the true, direct great-grandson of Immortal Lord Taibai?

Well, he wasn't the great-eldest-grandson, but he was the direct grandson of the main line, a status no less significant than Wai Lingqi’s.

Furthermore, the white-robed man’s cultivation was only one level below Wai Lingqi’s, also a Heavenly Immortal. On Misha Star, a Heavenly Immortal represented the strength of a sector master; even the master of Qing Tian Cliff, the largest sect on Misha Star, was only at the peak of the Heavenly Immortal realm.

If not for the rare genius Elder Jianxin managing to break through to the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, the strength of Misha Star in this star field would be negligible, barely a hair above Lin Ye Star.

It was precisely because of this that Wai Lingqi lacked any confidence facing the white-robed man. Could the Spirit Artifact Sect afford to offend the great-grandson of Immortal Lord Taibai? If they gravely offended the white-robed man today, perhaps Immortal Lord Taibai’s subordinates might come demanding satisfaction tomorrow—that would be inviting trouble.

Therefore, even though Zi Ying and the white-robed man came to break the engagement, injured two Spirit Artifact Sect disciples, and behaved in various ways that amounted to guests bullying the hosts, Wai Lingqi could only swallow his anger and manage a heavy snort.

Casting a cold glance at Wai Lingqi and Wai Qianji, the white-robed man glared at Gu Xiechen and sneered coldly, “Your words are offensive, and I, Bai Cangmu, do not like to hear them. What do you mean by climbing to a high branch? Miss Ying’er and I fell in love at first sight, a bond forged in the blood and chaos of battle. Wai Chenzi, do you understand that?”

Zi Ying sneered from the side, “What does he understand? Does he understand anything other than forging a pile of scrap metal to show off to his shady friends?”

Looking loftily at Gu Xiechen, Zi Ying said coldly, “Wai Chenzi, Cangmu and I have come today to end the engagement.”

Before Gu Xiechen could speak, Zi Ying shouted, “When the True Demons invaded, Cangmu was ordered to lead reinforcements from White Venerable Star to Misha Star. I met him in the Sky Patrol team, and we developed feelings while fighting the True Demons alongside each other... If you are truly a man, agree to the annulment quickly. The husband of my Zi Ying will not be a man who hides at home without a shred of responsibility!”

Gu Xiechen calculated with his fingers. He had forged 108 flying swords; eleven years had passed since the cultivator invasion from Ju Lan God’s territory. Ju Lan God had said the invasion would only last three months; the True Demon invasion must have ended long ago.

Zi Ying coming with a genius demanding annulment meant that for the past decade, she had been wholeheartedly entangled with Bai Cangmu, eventually culminating in illicit affair and intimacy, before finally forcing the issue with the Spirit Artifact Sect. As to who seduced whom, or whether they simply stuck together like mold hitting stinking dung, that was none of his business, Gu Wuchen’s business.

This cuckolding might be shameful, but it was Wai Chenzi’s problem. Why should he, Gu Wuchen, get angry over it?

Head held high, Gu Wuchen adopted the brazen look of a profligate noble and sneered, "How am I lacking in responsibility? How am I lacking in responsibility? If I hadn't been severely injured back then, how could I have withdrawn from the Sky Patrol Team?"

Haughtily pointing a thumb toward his own chest, Gu Wuchen declared proudly, "Fortunately, those True Demons retreated quickly. Otherwise, once my injuries healed and I returned, I would have slaughtered them until rivers ran red with blood and corpses littered the plains—how could I have allowed them to rampage?" Bai Cangmu glanced at Gu Wuchen's smug expression, letting out a few derisive chuckles. He was already weary enough to spare a few more glances at Gu Xechen, but instead, he turned his head to accept the tea offered by the handmaiden and slowly savored the fragrant brew.

Zi Guiying, however, was merciless in her mockery toward Gu Xechen: "Healed and returned? I fear if the True Demons hadn't retreated, you would never have healed and returned, would you? You, Qing Zangfeng, Kusha'er—you are all jokes to the younger generation of Misha Star now. And you still have the audacity to boast like this?"

Wai Lingqi could not stand it any longer. He coughed heavily, his voice low as he snapped, "Enough, Guiying! You are the one breaking the engagement—does Elder Jianxin even know about this? The match between you and Chen'er was settled with Elder Jianxin's approval back then!" Zi Guiying's eyes flickered; she turned her head away and remained silent.

Bai Cangmu chuckled, rising with his teacup. He looked arrogantly down at Wai Lingqi and coldly sneered, "There is no need to disturb the old man about this for the time being. As long as your Spirit Artifact Sect agrees to break the engagement, someone from my Grand White Immortal Sect will certainly come to propose marriage."

Triumphantly, he drained his teacup in one gulp, then narrowed his eyes and smiled, "My great-grandfather was a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, and Elder Jianxin is currently at the cultivation level of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal. Our two families are truly a perfect match. What does the Outer Sect Master think?"

Before Wai Lingqi could speak, Bai Cangmu burst into laughter, "To be frank, for the Spirit Artifact Sect to become in-laws with the Heart Sword Sect—the Spirit Artifact Sect is marrying up, far too high up. But when marrying up, one must see if one possesses the requisite qualifications! So what if your Spirit Artifact Sect has one Golden Immortal? Do you have any more?"

With a deep sigh, Bai Cangmu looked down upon the ashen-faced Wai Lingqi, shaking his head and sighing mockingly, "No, your Spirit Artifact Sect has no expert at the Golden Immortal level. And in the next million years, you will not have any existence at the Grand Unity Golden Immortal level! Guiying is such a peerless beauty—how dare your Spirit Artifact Sect even dream of taking her as a bride?" Zi Guiying pursed her lips, revealing a hint of cold, cruel mockery.

She gazed proudly at Gu Xechen, then turned her head, sweeping a disdainful glance over Wai Lingqi, Wai Qianji, and all the elders of the Spirit Artifact Sect.

Although she herself was only at the Nascent Soul stage, her arrogant gaze and lofty demeanor made one believe she was at least at the peak of the Golden Immortal realm. She clearly held none of these people from the Spirit Artifact Sect in her eyes! After admonishing Wai Lingqi and Wai Qianji, Bai Cangmu turned his attention back to Gu Wuchen.

He let out a few cold laughs, mocking, "As for you, Wai Chenzi—back then on the street, you tried to molest Guiying and failed, only to have both your legs broken! Afterward, your Spirit Artifact Sect sought to curry favor with Elder Jianxin, which is why you proposed marriage with the Heart Sword Sect! Didn't you ever stop to think: are you worthy of Guiying?"

Pointing a finger at every high-ranking member of the Spirit Artifact Sect within the Purple Qi Comes From the East Pavilion, Bai Cangmu roared with laughter, "Is your Spirit Artifact Sect worthy of Guiying?" Crack! The teacup in Wai Lingqi's palm instantly shattered into dust. With a muffled bang, the four jade tiles beneath Wai Qianji's feet dissolved into smoke.

Other Spirit Artifact Sect elders had their seats crack or sink into the ground—it was clear that their inner qi was agitated, their true essence surging, showing they were barely containing their rising fury.

Bai Cangmu was startled, quickly backing up a few steps, and shouted sternly, "What are you doing? Do you still dare to lay hands on us?"

A line of twelve middle-aged cultivators, clad in robes as white as snow and wearing expressionless faces, suddenly rushed into the Purple Qi Comes From the East Pavilion, forming a line to shield Bai Cangmu. These cultivators had been standing in the corridor outside the pavilion entrance; they were Bai Cangmu's personal guards, and they charged in upon hearing the commotion inside. Among the twelve cultivators were two at the early Golden Immortal stage; the other ten were at the peak Heavenly Immortal cultivation.

Wai Lingqi, the strongest among the Spirit Artifact Sect members, was only at the fourth level of the Heavenly Immortal realm, weaker than any of these twelve by more than a hundred times. Among the other elders of the Spirit Artifact Sect, they could barely scrape together eight or nine who possessed Heavenly Immortal cultivation.

In other words, these twelve cultivators combined could easily destroy the foundation of the Spirit Artifact Sect. The disparity in strength between the Misha Star and the Bai Zun Star was too vast!

Wai Lingqi lowered his raised hands. Wai Qianji, who had just started to stand, immediately sat back down. The other elders of the Spirit Artifact Sect exchanged glances, all lowering their heads in humiliation. What choice did they have when they were inferior in strength?

Having their engagement forcibly broken by a young woman who dared to storm their gates, the prestige of the Spirit Artifact Sect was dragged on the ground and trampled repeatedly. But facing the behemoth that was the Grand White Immortal Lord—even if people spat in their faces, what could they do? What recourse did they have?

Blood suddenly dripped from the corner of Wai Lingqi's mouth. He chuckled, then stuck out his tongue and licked the blood back into his mouth, swallowing it down with a gulp. He let out a deep breath, and the bloody stench instantly permeated the Purple Qi Comes From the East Pavilion.

Gu Xechen glanced at the silent members of the Spirit Artifact Sect, let out a soft sigh, and slowly picked up his Light Wind and Cloud-Floating Fan.

Standing up, Gu Xechen bowed deeply to Zi Guiying and chuckled lightly, "That is excellent. From today onward, our engagement is over. Let us consider the matter of the marriage contract settled... However, does Elder Jianxin really know that you came here to break the engagement?" Zi Guiying's expression suddenly changed, and Bai Cangmu's face also turned ugly.

Gu Xechen sighed faintly, "Wai Chenzi is unworthy, but I also know what kind of person Elder Jianxin is. Heart Sword Sect, Heart Sword Sect—Clarity of Sword Heart; the most important character is 'Heart.' Does anyone in the world not know that Elder Jianxin is the most steadfast in keeping his promises? If he learns that you, Zi Guiying, personally came here to propose breaking the engagement, even injuring my Spirit Artifact Sect members and threatening my grandfather and father... Heh heh!"

Zi Guiying’s body trembled, and Bai Cangmu’s rampant arrogance vanished. The two exchanged a swift glance but found each other frowning deeply, without any clear countermeasure.

Wai Lingqi suddenly laughed, "Guiying, you were just joking, right? I suddenly remembered as well—how could Elder Jianxin ever do something like actively breaking an engagement? Moreover, he is currently in seclusion stabilizing his realm. Heh heh, when did you ever see him, and get his consent?" Zi Guiying’s expression turned icy, while a vicious murderous intent suddenly flashed across Bai Cangmu's handsome face. Gu Xechen waved the Light Wind and Cloud-Floating Fan, saying lightly, "Don't even think about murderous intent! That's right, we cannot afford to offend the Grand White Immortal Sect, and we cannot handle the people surrounding you, Bai Cangmu. But this is the sacred ground of our Spirit Artifact Sect's mountain gate. Do not forget that besides artifact refining, our Spirit Artifact Sect also has minor accomplishments in the art of formations and restrictions."

Glancing coldly at Zi Guiying and Bai Cangmu, Gu Wuchen threatened sternly, "And do not forget that the founding ancestor of our Spirit Artifact Sect was also a formidable figure at the Grand Unity Golden Immortal level. If the True Demons hadn't attacked, and if several generations of our sect's experts hadn't suffered calamity, would our Spirit Artifact Sect have fallen to this state?"

He pointed around the Purple Qi Comes From the East Pavilion, sending out several streaks of spiritual light to activate the surrounding restrictions of the pavilion. Ripples like water waves suddenly lit up the surrounding void, and a massive oppressive force swept in from all directions.

This pressure was utterly severe and murderous. Even the two Golden Immortals brought by Bai Cangmu couldn't help but change expression; they hurriedly retreated to Bai Cangmu’s side, with faint glows of magic treasures already appearing in their hands, poised to strike at any moment, lest Gu Xechen suddenly attack them with the restrictions.

Gu Xechen said coldly, "Although heroes do not boast of past glory, our Spirit Artifact Sect is now merely a third-rate sect. But our ancestors were glorious too! The restrictions of the entire Spirit Artifact Sect can hold off even a Grand Unity Golden Immortal for a while, let alone you Golden Immortals?"

Lifting his head proudly, Gu Xechen pointed at Bai Cangmu and said, "Put away that look that clearly intends to silence me by killing! If you dare to act, I dare to act! Since it's death either way, today I will kill you first, and then properly enjoy this vicious woman for three days and three nights—rape her first, then kill her; kill her, then rape her; rape her, then kill her again! If your Grand White Immortal Sect won't let us go, do you think I’ll let you go?"

Without allowing Bai Cangmu or Zi Guiying to reply, Gu Xechen suddenly raised the Light Wind and Cloud-Floating Fan, channeling all the true essence a cultivator at the early Nascent Soul stage possessed into the fan handle, and savagely swept it toward one of the Golden Immortals beside Bai Cangmu. Wai Lingqi suddenly realized, chuckling softly, "Chen'er has actually formed a Nascent Soul! Wai Qianji exclaimed in pleasant surprise, "Formed a Nascent Soul? Chen'er hasn't even reached a hundred years old yet!"

Zi Guiying cried out in horror, "You formed a Nascent Soul? With your aptitude and the effort you put in daily, how could you possibly form a Nascent Soul?"

Wai Lingqi, Wai Qianji, and the others of the Spirit Artifact Sect were simply overjoyed for Gu Xechen, while Zi Guiying was filled with frustration on top of her shock. Among the younger generation cultivators on Misha Star, her innate talent was actually not the best, but due to being an illegitimate daughter, her inferiority complex fueled an extreme arrogance, causing her to cultivate desperately until she surpassed her peers, reaching the Nascent Soul stage while others were still grappling with the Golden Core stage.

But now, Gu Xechen, in the guise of Wuchenzi, suddenly displaying Nascent Soul cultivation was like a heavy blow landing squarely on Zi Guiying’s heart, causing a jumble of sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy feelings to churn within her, ultimately solidifying into a thick current of jealousy and resentment. "Why should he also form a Nascent Soul? Why? Why can he form a Nascent Soul besides me?" Clenching her fists, Zi Guiying now regarded Gu Xechen as an irreconcilable mortal enemy!

A coward who didn't even dare to fulfill the duties of the Sky Patrol Team—and he actually formed a Nascent Soul! What a suicidal, rotten man!

Seeing Gu Xechen make his move, Bai Cangmu hurriedly shrank back. Gu Wuchen's displayed cultivation was only at the Nascent Soul stage, but the laws of this universe were strange; a Nascent Soul cultivator wielding a superior immortal artifact could pose a fatal threat even to Heavenly Immortals and Golden Immortals. Being overly fond of his life, he dared not confront Gu Xechen directly.

The two Golden Immortals coldly snorted, looking disdainfully at the Light Wind and Cloud-Floating Fan in Gu Wuchen's hand, which emitted a faint, watery ripple like an ice mirror. Simultaneously, they conjured a wisp of ashen dust, transforming it into a cloud of gray mist that shielded their bodies.

This sand and dust appeared coarse, but it was actually a compound of wood and earth attributes—the resin of the Suoluo Divine Wood unique to Bai Zun Star, mixed with the 'Heavenly Wind Unmoving Dust Sand,' forged into a defensive magic treasure, most adept at restraining all gentle-attribute artifacts like profound ice, frost, and gale forces.

But as Gu Wuchen moved his wrist, what erupted from the Light Wind and Cloud-Floating Fan was not a gale or profound ice, but a ferocious scarlet fire-thunder.

The sound of thunder suddenly rang out, shaking the Purple Qi Comes From the East Pavilion violently. Blazing firelight shot toward the sky, activating the pavilion's active defensive formation. Strange lights and brilliant colors flashed all around, trapping Gu Xechen and the two Golden Immortals within.

The two Golden Immortals were terrified. They never dreamed that the artifact in Gu Xechen's hand, which shimmered with icy light, was actually a fire-thunder attributed exotic treasure.

The lightning struck the gray mist, instantly shattering the Heavenly Wind Unmoving Dust Sand. The essence of the Divine Wood refined from the Suoluo Divine Wood resin was ignited by a wisp of the Earth Core Pure Yang True Fire contained within the lightning, and it immediately burned fiercely. Despite their Golden Immortal cultivation, the two were caught completely off guard by Gu Xechen.

Their defensive artifact instantly burst into a ball of fire enveloping their bodies. The chaotic thunder-fire bombarded them from all sides, blasting the two of them flying.

Wai Lingqi, Wai Qianji, and the others all jumped up. Wai Lingqi cried out in joy, "A Human Realm high-grade immortal artifact! Chen'er, did you refine this yourself?"

Gu Xechen exhaled a puff of hot air, weakly tossing the Light Wind and Cloud-Floating Fan in front of Wai Lingqi, and sneered, "If I didn't refine it, who did? But it's just a piece of broken scrap metal for my good-for-nothing friends to show off with. What's the big fuss about?" Zi Guiying’s face instantly turned ashen—Gu Xechen was using her own words against her!

Bai Cangmu's expression grew even uglier. The two Golden Immortals he brought were caught off guard by Gu Xechen. Their defensive artifact offered no protection and was instead completely incinerated by the Pure Yang True Fire. The two were now sprawled on the ground, their hair burned clean off, their flesh scorched and raw, with a virulent heat toxin infecting their internal organs, causing them to writhe in pain and groan incessantly. The two Golden Immortals had suffered a significant setback today and were incapable of fighting again anytime soon! Gu Xechen's strike was akin to an ambush; he had injured two great Golden Immortals using the most unscrupulous means.

But the Light Wind and Cloud-Floating Fan in his hand was genuinely a supreme treasure—a Human Realm high-grade magic artifact!

It was actually refined by 'Wai Chenzi,' that infamous profligate noble? And he was already at the Nascent Soul cultivation? Outside the Purple Qi Comes From the East Pavilion, terrifying restriction formations were still operational—restrictions that could even withstand a Grand Unity Golden Immortal!

Furthermore, Gu Wuchen's ruthless injury of two Golden Immortals proved he had thrown caution to the wind and was completely unrestrained! If he could injure two Golden Immortals, he could injure Bai Cangmu, and perhaps, just as he threatened, kill Bai Cangmu without caring about the consequences, dragging them all down together!

Bai Cangmu, who had just been so haughty, suddenly deflated. His arrogance completely gone, he slowly sat back down in the guest seat, forcing himself to stabilize his spirit and coldly stating, "Good, good, good... Wai Chenzi, Guiying underestimated you. I misjudged you. What skill, what might, what fierce spirit... What are you trying to say?"

Gu Xechen crossed his legs and returned to his previous seat. He glanced at Wai Lingqi, Wai Qianji, and the others who were ecstatically examining the Light Wind and Cloud-Floating Fan, and said nonchalantly, "What do I want to say? It’s simple. In principle, I agree to cooperate with you. We'll just say that my personality and this vicious woman Zi Guiying didn't match, so we amicably negotiated the dissolution of the engagement!"

He chuckled a few times, "That way, Elder Jianxin won't have anything to say, and you will achieve what you desire."

Zi Guiying sneered coldly, "But after all, you came here demanding we break the engagement. And after this amicable dissolution, our Spirit Artifact Sect will lose a powerful backer at the Grand Unity Golden Immortal level—our losses are catastrophic!" "What do you want?" Bai Cangmu immediately understood the implication behind Gu Xechen's words.

Gu Xechen looked deeply at Bai Cangmu: "After the engagement is broken, you must swear upon your Origin Soul that you will not use any means to calculate against our Spirit Artifact Sect!" This was a fair prerequisite, and Bai Cangmu smiled with a bit of smug satisfaction.

It seemed 'Wai Chenzi' still feared the vast power of the Grand White Immortal Sect and dared not oppose him! Swearing not to calculate against the Spirit Artifact Sect, Bai Cangmu naturally agreed to this demand. He didn't truly value the Spirit Artifact Sect.

Gu Xechen nodded. He smiled, "Then, I request the Young Master swear first! Well, swear that after today's matters are amicably resolved, the Young Master will absolutely not use any means, nor approach anyone to deal with our Spirit Artifact Sect!"

Gu Wuchen coughed a few times obsequiously, "The Grand White Immortal Lord's prestige is vast, and the Grand White Immortal Sect is truly immensely powerful. Our Spirit Artifact Sect only wishes for self-preservation!"

Having been flattered a few times by Gu Xechen, Bai Cangmu burst into loud laughter. You know fear? You know reverence? You know not to provoke the Grand White Immortal Sect? You know the man behind the Young Master is the Grand White Immortal Lord?

Heh, Bai Cangmu felt quite pleased with himself; that feeling of superiority, looking down on all living beings, returned!

Therefore, he immediately swore the Origin Soul Vow, promising never to calculate against the Spirit Artifact Sect by any means or through any method in the future. Otherwise, he would surely have his soul scattered, and the Grand White Immortal Sect would suffer endless retribution.

When it came to swearing, Bai Cangmu was truly an honest, dutiful child. He rapidly added many venomous oaths, including several malicious retributions that even Gu Xechen hadn't thought of. Zi Guiying became anxious and cried out loudly, "The matter isn't settled yet, why are you in such a hurry to swear?"

Bai Cangmu was stunned, but all the steps for swearing the Origin Soul Vow were already complete. The oath was sealed!

Zi Guiying and Bai Cangmu were both dumbfounded. Why had Bai Cangmu suddenly become so foolish? Why swear before the matter was finalized?

Pity this pair; neither noticed the fleeting demonic light that flashed in Gu Xechen's eyes. With the Original Heavenly Demon seated within, a little bit of verbal suggestion made it hardly difficult for Bai Cangmu to commit a slightly absurd act, right?

Gu Xechen clapped and laughed loudly, suddenly jumping up and proclaiming, "Then that's wonderful! Zi Guiying was originally my **woman, and now she’s going to be yours. You must compensate me for my spiritual loss, loss of reputation, and loss of bed comfort!"

He pulled out a jade piece, concentrated, wrote a lengthy text inside, and then tossed it to Bai Cangmu.

"My demands are not excessive. Prepare all these materials for me, and Zi Guiying is yours! My Spirit Artifact Sect will immediately release news that my personality and Zi Guiying’s didn't match, and thus we amicably negotiated the engagement dissolution. You get your happiness, and I get my peace!"

"If you do not meet my demands, if you do not send me these materials, I will immediately go to the Heart Sword Sect and beat the drum to lodge a complaint, saying that you, Zi Guiying, used your power to bully our Spirit Artifact Sect into pursuing the marriage! Heh heh, let's see how Elder Jianxin deals with you!" "Bai Cangmu, don't even think about revenge! You just swore an Origin Soul Vow! If you dare to make the slightest move, beware of your soul scattering!"

The crestfallen Bai Cangmu snatched the jade piece and scanned it with his divine sense. Instantly, his entire body shuddered, and he almost cried out!

Too greedy, too avaricious! The materials Gu Xechen demanded were enough to empty Bai Cangmu's entire fortune, and perhaps even require tapping into the secret vaults of the Grand White Immortal Sect to satisfy Gu Xechen's outrageous demands!

One hundred thousand, seven thousand, nine hundred and eighty-eight types of materials—every single one was a "Divine Grade" or "Immortal Grade" material in the cultivation world of this universe, and the required quantity of each material was enough to make an ordinary cultivator faint on the spot!

Bai Cangmu stared intensely at Gu Wuchen and shouted fiercely, "Such a huge demand—aren't you afraid of choking to death?" Gu Xechen smiled, shaking his head, "You've already sworn the Origin Soul Vow, what am I afraid of?" Bai Cangmu’s body trembled, and he collapsed onto the soft couch. Zi Guiying, her face ashen, snatched the jade piece, scanned it with her divine sense, and immediately went limp as well.

Wai Lingqi and Wai Qianji, not understanding what was happening, snatched the jade piece and scanned it. They both stumbled back a few steps, their mouths wide open simultaneously.

Gu Xechen chuckled, cupped his hands toward the crowd, and suddenly threw his head back and burst into uproarious laughter.

Before the laughter faded, a gentle voice suddenly resonated throughout the Spirit Artifact Sect's mountain gate.

"I am Bai Muwei, requesting an audience with the Spirit Artifact Sect Master!"

Bai Muwei, father of Bai Cangmu, the Grand Elder of External Affairs for the Taibai Immortal Sect. Tonight, the Chinese Men's Football team kicks off their first match in the Asian Cup—should I watch or not? Should I watch or not? Should I watch or not?

It’s such a dilemma! If they win, it’ll be a suspense-horror film; if they lose, it’ll turn into a Korean kimchi drama. So, should I watch? C