Ye Guan sat cross-legged on the ground inside the tiny pagoda. He was frantically absorbing the strands of Ancestral Origin in the air.

His goal was to reach the Ancestral Realm[1].

For many years, he had been using the Universe Beholdment Skill to absorb spiritual energy in the air. He didn't have any other cultivation methods. However, shockingly, the Universe Beholdment Skill was still effective and relevant, even though his cultivation base was significantly higher than when he first started using it. The Universe Beholdment Skill, which his father and mother created, truly was impressive, and Ye Guan was in awe at the realization.

Ye Guan encountered no issues in his cultivation, as he had the best cultivation method throughout the vast expanse, an unlimited supply of Ancestral Origin, and the tiny pagoda's world, which was extremely conducive to cultivation.

Several years passed just like that, and Ye Guan's aura suddenly surged wildly.

Ye Guan opened his eyes moments later.

"Congratulations," said Little Pagoda.

Ye Guan smiled slightly and muttered, "Ancestral Realm..."

He stood up, and a myriad of swords made out of sword intent burst out of him as his Invincible Sword Intent boiled. The next moment, the Invincible Sword Intent calmed down, and the swords disappeared abruptly.

Boom!

A deafening noise echoed as thousands of swords made out of sword energy manifested a hundred meters away from Ye Guan.

Phantom Edge!

The swords converged at one point, and the powerful force generated shook the world inside the tiny pagoda.

Little Pagoda hurriedly said, "Don't practice in here."

The world inside the tiny pagoda was vast, but it was too weak to withstand Ye Guan's practice.

Ye Guan nodded slightly. He opened his palm, and the swords returned to his hand.

Ye Guan opened his palm and stared at his Invincible Sword Intent. A smile tugged at his lips as he stared at it.

Years of cultivation had allowed him to reach the Ancestral Realm, which significantly enhanced his strength. However, he still needed a fight to stabilize his cultivation base.

A fight!

Ye Guan suddenly remembered that he still had to participate in the Primordial Spirit Clan's grand competition! He wondered how the Wise Master's arrangements were coming along.

Ye Guan was just about to leave the tiny pagoda when he remembered something and took to the sky, landing on a cloud.

Ao Qianqian was sitting cross-legged on the same cloud.

Clearly, Ao Qianqian was trying her best to make a breakthrough as well.

Ye Guan stared deeply at Ao Qianqian and noticed that her aura was obfuscated, making it impossible to sense her presence.

Ye Guan realized that Ao Qianqian was about to make a breakthrough.

Just then, Ye Guan sensed something and left the tiny pagoda. As soon as he stepped out, he saw a woman walking toward him—Qing An.

Qing An walked up to Ye Guan and stared at him. "I knew you would be here."

Ye Guan was a bit surprised. "What's the matter?"

Qing An got straight to the point. "Are you the First God's disciple?"

Ye Guan nodded slightly. "Yes."

Qing An fell silent.

Ye Guan smiled. "Are you here to challenge me?"

Qing An shook her head. "Right now, the geniuses and prodigies of the Primordial Spirit Clan are heading to the Primordial Spirit Temple. They all want to kill you. It's still not too late for you to leave now."

Ye Guan smiled and said, "It's already too late. Even if I leave, they're still going to chase me outside. What do you think?"

"Why did you even reveal your identity?" Qing An asked, sounding confused.

"I want to participate in your Primordial Spirit Clan's internal competition."

Qing An frowned. "Do you want the Primordial Spirit Token, or are you just trying to replicate the First God's feat by defeating the geniuses and prodigies of the Primordial Spirit Land?"

Ye Guan smiled and asked, "Qing An, can you tell me more about the geniuses and prodigies of the Primordial Spirit Clan?"

Naturally, he had no plans to underestimate the prodigies and geniuses of this place.

Qing An looked displeased. "You haven't answered my question."

Ye Guan smiled. "I want the Primordial Spirit Token."

Qing An sighed softly, "I don't know how strong you are, but you can no longer obtain the Primordial Spirit Token."

"What do you mean?" asked Ye Guan, looking puzzled.

"You would have had a chance if you hadn't announced your identity, as the true prodigies were never really interested in the competition. Unfortunately, I'm sure those true prodigies will show up and challenge you. Against them, your chances of obtaining the Primordial Spirit Token are..." Qing An trailed off.

Ye Guan frowned. The Wise Master hadn't told him anything about the so-called "true prodigies."

Was it he's confident in me, or does he have an ulterior motive?

Ye Guan didn't completely trust the Wise Master.

"The geniuses and prodigies of the Primordial Spirit Clan are looking for you right now."

"Yeah, you did say that," Ye Guan replied. He was curious about something, so he decided to ask, "How did you know I was here?"

Qing An calmly replied, "It was just a guess."

Ye Guan was taken aback, and then he shook his head with a smile. He opened his mouth to say something when several terrifying auras appeared in the distance.

The next moment, several figures flew out of the Gate of Purification, heading straight toward them.

Qing An sounded serious as she said, "They're here."

Qing An stared deeply at the figure standing at the helm of the group and said, "That's Qing Ling, one of the three prodigies of the Primordial Spirit Clan."

Ye Guan asked, "Is he one of the strongest members of your clan's younger generation?"

"No," Qing An stared at Ye Guan and explained, "No, the strongest are the two Saints of the Southern Academy; the Three Prodigies are below them."

Ye Guan nodded slightly. "Got it."

Qing An moved a few steps away, creating some distance between herself and Ye Guan to make sure that no one would misunderstand that she was familiar with the latter.

Ye Guan saw that, but he didn't mind it.

Swoosh!

Qing Ling appeared before Ye Guan. Ye Guan looked at him. Qing Ling was wearing a large robe with cloud designs, and his long hair draped over his shoulders. He looked pretty elegant overall.

Qing Ling and the people behind him were all looking at Ye Guan.

A man in black next to Qing Ling looked at Qing An and frowned. "Qing An, why are you here?"

Qing An remained expressionless. "I often train here."

The man in black frowned deeply and said, "I just saw you talking with him."

Qing An's heart tightened upon noticing the hostile gazes of the people next to Qing Ling. It seemed that the Primordial Spirit Clan was treating Ye Guan as an enemy.

Qing An turned to look at Ye Guan and said, "I don't know him."

Ye Guan smiled slightly. "I don't know her, either."

Qing Ling asked said, "So what if you

do

know each other?"

Ye Guan looked at Qing Ling.

"Young Master Ye is a guest of our Primordial Spirit Clan; what's wrong with us getting to know our guests?" Qing Ling said with a smile. He then turned to the man in black beside him and continued, "There's no need to be so hostile to Young Master Ye. The events of the past have nothing to do with him. Besides, the First God defeated our ancestors, and our ancestors had admitted defeat. If our ancestors could accept their defeat, what right do we, their descendants, have to be dissatisfied with their defeat?"

The man in black dared not speak.

Ye Guan was astonished by Qing Ling's personality.

Qing An's expression, however, turned somewhat ugly.

Qing Ling looked at Ye Guan, "Young Master Ye, I came here out of curiosity because you're the First God's disciple."

Ye Guan smiled. "I'm also quite curious about the talents and prodigies of your Primordial Spirit Clan."

Qing Ling suddenly asked, "How about a spar?"

The atmosphere instantly became tense.

Ye Guan smiled at Qing Ling. "I don't mind."

Qing Ling smiled back, "I mean, no offense. I heard that you want to participate in our internal competition. So I thought it would be good to have a spar with you in advance. If you win, you'll be able to avoid many unnecessary challenges. And if I manage to beat you, then you don't have to participate in the competition, which will save you a lot of time as well."

Ye Guan smiled. "Makes sense. Please give me some pointers, then."

Qing Ling looked around and said, "Shall we move elsewhere?"

Ye Guan nodded. "Sure!"

"Follow me, Young Master Ye," Qing Ling said and flew away.

Just as Ye Guan was about to follow him, Qing An suddenly called out, "Young Master Ye!"

𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Ye Guan turned to look at her.

Qing An hesitated briefly before saying, "Earlier, I..."

"I understand," Ye Guan said with a light smile. Then, he turned and transformed into a streak of sword light that disappeared into the starry sky.

Left all alone, Qing An stood quietly in place for a while.

Ye Guan followed Qing Ling and his group to a vast starry square, which stretched thousands of meters in length and width.

A protective light screen surrounded the square.

The two stood on the square, facing each other from a distance. Meanwhile, more and more talented and extraordinary individuals from the Primordial Spirit Clan were making their way to the scene.

Qing Ling stared at Ye Guan and asked, "Ancestral Realm?"

Ye Guan nodded. "Yes."

Qing Ling smiled. "I have attained fifty percent divinity, which means my cultivation base is significantly higher than yours. However, I will not suppress my cultivation base as a sign of respect for your status. Of course, if you need me to do so, then I can suppress my cultivation base."

"No need," Ye Guan replied with a smile.

Fifty percent divinity!

Ye Guan was eager to test himself against a powerful opponent.

"Please give me some pointers," Qing Ling said.

As soon as he finished speaking, he opened his palm, and a black light shot into the sky. The black light transformed into a black armored warrior. The warrior charged at Ye Guan with a saber in hand.

Screech!

A sharp, shrill noise pervaded the arena. The warrior's attack seemed capable of destroying everything.

Ye Guan's eyes narrowed slightly, but his expression remained calm. When the saber was close enough to him, he stretched his hand out and flicked his fingers, sending a ray of sword intent toward the oncoming saber.

Boom!

A terrifying shockwave burst in all directions the moment Ye Guan's sword intent collided with the descending saber.

It seemed that the two were evenly matched, neither side giving the other an inch.

Just then, Qing Ling stepped forward. The space around Ye Guan cracked, and dozens of black blades emerged from the spacetime rifts around him.

However, Qing Ling sensed something, and his expression changed drastically. He clenched his right hand, and a black light burst out of him, creating a protective barrier.

Bang!

Under everyone's gaze, Qing Ling was blasted away.

As soon as he came to a stop, another sword appeared out of nowhere to send him flying once again.

Qing Ling recovered quickly, but before he could make a move, he noticed that a sword was just inches away from his nape.

Defeated in three moves?!

The crowd was silent, utterly stunned by Qing Ling's swift defeat.

1. this is also known as the Ancient Sovereign Realm. Though only the Time River calls it that way ?