Qing Zhi was taken aback. She had sensed that Ye Guan's aunt was no ordinary person, but to suggest that she could wipe out the Primordial Spirit Clan seemed a bit too much.

Seeing through Qing Zhi's thoughts, Lou Deyue calmly asked, "Do you think I'm exaggerating?"

Qing Zhi shook her head. "Has the creator of this spacetime reached full divinity?"

Not even someone with ninety percent divinity could wipe out the Primordial Spirit Clan.

Lou Deyue looked at Ye Guan, who was in the distance. "Didn't your Primordial Spirit Clan once believe that the First God couldn't reach full divinity either?"

Qing Zhi fell silent, realizing that this special spacetime was even more terrifying than she had imagined.

Instead of elaborating further, Lou Deyue simply watched Ye Guan and let herself get lost in thought.

Boom!

Not long after, a terrifying aura erupted from Ye Guan's Sword Domain in the distance, causing the entire starry sky to shake.

Qing Zhi's expression became serious. "He's already done it?"

Lou Deyue's eyes showed a hint of complexity. "He understood it within seconds—what a prodigy."

Meanwhile, Ye Guan looked incredibly excited.

He had successfully merged infinite spacetime with his Sword Domain and special spacetime!

Now, if an opponent entered his Sword Domain, they would be suppressed by the Delayed Spacetime and the power of countless spacetimes.

In his Sword Domain, he was almost invincible.

Lou Deyue slowly approached him. "Those who have less than ninety percent divinity are no longer a match for you."

Ye Guan smiled at her. "What about those who do?"

"You'll be no match for them."

Ye Guan fell silent.

"You've seen how strong ninety percent divinity can be," she added.

Ye Guan thought once again of the Past Clan's Clan Leader.

Just thinking of that woman made the sense of invincibility he had disappeared without a trace. After all, she was powerful enough to bring about despair.

Suddenly recalling something, Ye Guan asked, "Miss Lou, have you attained eighty percent divinity?"

Lou Deyue nodded. "Yes, I reached it at twenty-six years old. Countless millennia have passed since then."

Ye Guan froze.

She was certainly a prodigy, yet even she had been stuck at this level for so many years. It was absurd!

"Although it seems like just one more step, this step has stumped countless geniuses and prodigies," Lou Deyue said softly. She then looked at Ye Guan. "I've heard that the First God has a journal that recorded the cultivation methods for each stage of the divine path?"

"That's right. I have it with me."

Lou Deyue simply nodded in response. Although she was very eager to see it, she knew that Ye Guan owed her nothing. Asking for it would be greedy.

At that moment, Qing Zhi, who was standing nearby, suddenly asked, "Young Master Ye, can you show us your Sword Domain once more?"

"Sure."

Ye Guan unleashed his Sword Domain and instantly enveloped the two women with it. His domain was not only filled with his Sword Intent but also the power of the Delayed Spacetime and countless other spacetimes. Hence, it made them feel as if ten thousand mountains were pressing down on them and suffocating them.

Qing Zhi's expression became extremely serious. "Even someone with eighty percent divinity would find it hard to break through your Sword Domain."

Lou Deyue nodded in agreement. "If your cultivation level were a bit higher, you'd likely be able to exert enough Delayed Spacetime power to challenge even a cultivator with ninety percent divinity. However, it goes without saying that such a feat will require a substantial amount of Delayed Spacetime power."

Ye Guan shook his head with a smile. "No rush. We can take it slow."

Lou Deyue nodded slightly.

"Miss Lou, how would you like to study the power of Delayed Spacetime? Would you like to enter the pagoda again?" he asked.

"Having a sword imbued with the power of Delayed Spacetime is all I need, Young Master Ye."

"Alright."

With a gesture, he made a sword imbued with his intent land steadily in front of Lou Deyue.

Lou Deyue picked up the sword and looked at Ye Guan again. "Although your cultivation level is low, your Sword Intent has already gained divinity. Impressive."

Ye Guan was about to respond when Qing Zhi suddenly called him.

"Young Master Ye."

When he turned to her, she said, "I just received news from my brother. The competition has been moved up."

Although taken aback, he just shook his head. "It seems the geniuses and prodigies of the Primordial Spirit Clan are getting impatient."

𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Qing Zhi nodded. She knew that this was an unparalleled opportunity for the geniuses of the Primordial Spirit Clan to make a name for themselves. A once-in-a-lifetime chance to be remembered in history!

"Let's head back, then," Ye Guan said.

Qing Zhi nodded. "Alright."

Ye Guan looked at Lou Deyue. "Farewell, Miss Lou."

He and Qing Zhi then turned and disappeared into the starry sky.

Right after, an old man appeared beside Lou Deyue. Watching the two disappear into the distance, he said, "Miss, if we could obtain that little pagoda..."

"Foolish!" Lou Deyue glared coldly at the old man beside her. "Are you blind? What makes you think we can just take it?"

The old man lowered his head slightly, not daring to speak.

"Greed beyond one's capability is foolishness." She then closed her eyes slowly. "If he joins us, the revival of the Shen Zhi Civilization will be..."

The elder dared not speak again.

...

Ye Guan and Qing Zhi returned to the Primordial Spirit Clan and headed toward the Primordial Spirit Temple. Along the way, Primordial Spirit Clan members stopped to stare at them. Some were simply curious, while others showed hostility.

Ye Guan suddenly stopped and smiled at Qing Zhi. "I'll be proceeding alone from here."

Qing Zhi met his gaze. "Are you afraid of implicating me?"

Ye Guan nodded. He had noticed that some Primordial Spirit Clan members were looking at Qing Zhi with unkind eyes. Their clan was extremely xenophobic.

Qing Zhi shook her head. "I don't mind."

Ye Guan wanted to say something, but Qing Zhi glared at him. "Don't be so fussy! Let's go!"

She grabbed Ye Guan's arm and walked away.

Ye Guan shook his head with a smile. "Alright!"

Soon, the two arrived at the Primordial Spirit Temple.

The Wise Master was already waiting for them.

"I'm sure you're already aware of it, Young Master Ye," the Wise Master said, "but the internal competition has been moved up. If you have no objections, we can start tomorrow."

"I'm fine with it," Ye Guan replied.

"Since you defeated Qing Ling, one of the Three Heroes, your opponents will be two saints."

Ye Guan smiled. "I'll be facing the strongest already?"

The Wise Master nodded.

"That works. It saves time."

The Wise Master smiled. "Our Primordial Spirit Clan shares the same sentiment."

"Will it be a fair fight?"

Wise Master nodded. “Of course. All divine artifacts are allowed, though.”

“Alright.”

Since he was on their territory, he naturally had to follow their rules.

“Please rest for now, Young Master Ye. Tomorrow, someone will escort you to the competition site.”

Ye Guan nodded and then left with Qing Zhi.

The Wise Master watched them depart in silence for a moment before turning away.

Meanwhile, countless talents and prodigies from the Primordial Spirit Clan gathered at the Primordial Spirit Ancient City, not wanting to miss this duel. To them, Ye Guan’s arrival was a direct challenge.

Their clan was more united than ever thanks to their desire to reclaim their honor.

...

Ye Guan stood at the edge of a cliff of a mountaintop with his eyes closed, enjoying the refreshing breeze. Beside him was Qing Zhi.

Qing Zhi turned to him. “Are you looking forward to the battle, Young Master Ye?”

"I am."

Qing Zhi smiled. “Tomorrow’s opponents will be either the Saint or the Saintess. They won’t disappoint you.”

Ye Guan laughed. "I hope so.”

Qing Zhi was about to say something but suddenly hesitated.

Ye Guan smiled at her. "If you have something in your mind, just say it.”

“Well, traditionally, divine artifacts are not permitted in our internal competitions because they often have lethal power. This time, however, the Wise Master has mentioned that they are allowed. You should be extra cautious.”

"Thank you for warning me."

Qing Zhi opened her hand. A green bracelet then slowly floated toward Ye Guan.

“What’s this?” he asked, puzzled.

Qing Zhi smiled. “That's the Divine Moon Bracelet, a gift from Lou Deyue. It contains a special power. Keep it for protection.”

Ye Guan shook his head. “Qing Zhi, I can’t accept this.”

Qing Zhi frowned. “Why not?”

“If your clan members find out you gave me a divine artifact, do you know what would happen to you?”

Qing Zhi fell silent.

“I understand your kindness and the predicament you’re in, so don't worry about me. This is between me and the Primordial Spirit Clan. I can assure you that no matter how they treat me, I will treat them the same.”

Qing Zhi didn't know what to say. She knew that if the Saint and Saintess fought honorably, Ye Guan would too. However, if they harbored murderous intent, so would he.

Will this become a battle to the death?

Qing Zhi looked at the horizon, worry apparent in her eyes. To the Primordial Spirit Clan, this was certainly a matter of life and death.

The Primordial Spirit Clan couldn’t afford to lose this battle. Being defeated here would mean an indelible shame, not just personally but for the entire clan. They would do whatever it took to win.

Qing Zhi turned back to Ye Guan but didn't say anything else. Despite being friends with Ye Guan, deep down, she hoped the Primordial Spirit Clan would win. After all, she was a member of it too. When it came to the larger issues, she would unhesitatingly side with her people.

However, she also didn’t want Ye Guan to die.

Will the Primordial Spirit Clan truly fight Ye Guan fairly?