Yu Chang Lian was stunned by Zhen Ping Fan’s words. Then, he feigned a cough out of embarrassment before he replied through Voice Transmission, “How despicable of you to judge me like that. Am I, Yu Chang Lian, such a person? Can’t you tell me that I’m doing you a favor? You should be aware that Wanqi Jue is not only short-tempered, but he’s also quite dense. He’s been bragging about his great-great-grandson, Wanqi Hong, a lot. Most importantly, he cares about his reputation a lot. Do you think he’ll be able to stay calm if you say Wanqi Hong is no match for Duan Ling Tian? Moreover, there’s no need for you to wait for the Wanqi clan to bring a prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul over because Wanqi Jue possesses one. Wanqi Jue is not only an intermediate Emperor of Gods, but he has the highest rank among the entourage from the Wanqi clan. Wanqi Jue aside, the strongest among them is only a rudimentary Emperor of Gods. Do you think the others would be able to dissuade him if he’s intent on betting with you? Trust me, this won’t go wrong.” Then, he paused for a moment as though he just remembered something before he added, “It’s best if you don’t tell him that I suggested this. Don’t tell anyone that I told you Wanqi Hong has become an advanced Lord of Gods within 100 years so his cultivation base has yet to stabilize…”

Zhen Ping Fan’s eyes narrowed and glinted upon hearing Yu Chang Lian’s words.

Yu Chang Lian continued to say, “Naturally, this will only work if Duan Ling Tian is confident about defeating Wanqi Hong. Otherwise, it’d be meaningless.”

‘Wanqi Jue…’

The image of a burly old man with a head full of white hair like the mane of a lion appeared in Zhen Ping Fan’s mind. The old man was none other than Wanqi Jue, one of the three Golden Seat Elders of the Wanqi clan and also one of the four intermediate Emperors of Gods in the Wanqi clan. Apart from the three Golden Seat Elders of the Wanqi clan, the clan leader was also an intermediate Emperor of Gods.

‘That old man is here? If I’m not mistaken, his prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul is a spear. It’s not my favorite type of weapon, but once the artifact soul is complete, the weapon can change its form. However, it’s too early for me to think so far. I should ask Duan Ling Tian if he’s confident about defeating Wanqi Hong. After all, my father’s prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul is at stake. If I lose it, he’s not going to let me get away with it,’ Zhen Ping Fan thought to himself, growing calm at the end of his thoughts.

At the same time, Yu Chang Lian had led Duan Ling Tian and the others to a valley filled with many courtyards. This place had been prepared by the Seven Kills Valley for the people from the Pure Yang Sect. There were so many courtyards that they were enough for each person to occupy one.

When Zhen Ping Fan was about to send a message to Duan Ling Tian, Yu Chang Lian said, “Elder Zhen, the Wanqi clan has been arranged to stay in that valley over there.”

Yu Chang Lian pointed in the direction of a valley that was about a mile away from them.

Zhen Ping Fan’s eyes shone brightly as he looked in the direction where Yu Chang Lian pointed.

“Old Yu, if this matter is successful, I’ll….” Zhen Ping fan wanted to reward Yu Chang Lian. After all, if he truly managed to obtain a prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul, he had Yu Chang Lian to thank for it.

Before Zhen Ping Fan finished speaking, Yu Chang Lian said, “No, there’s no need for that. I’ll be grateful as long as you don’t mention my involvement in the matter after you win the prominent divine artifact. Wanqi Jue is short-tempered, and he definitely won’t let me get away with it if he finds out I’m involved. Elder Zhen, you better not betray me!”

A hint of anxiousness could be heard in Yu Chang Lian’s voice nearing the end of his words.

“Of course,” Zhen Ping Fan said as he glanced at Yu Chang Lian from the corners of his eyes. He did not expect Yu Chang Lian would still hold a grudge against Wanqi Jue for slapping him more than 30,000 years ago. In the next moment, chills ran up his spine, and a hint of wariness could be seen in his eyes as he looked at Yu Chang Lian and thought to himself, ‘It’s best not to offend this old man! He’s unforgiving and petty and will likely hold a grudge for the rest of his life…’

30,000 years were nothing for those below the realm of a King of Gods. However, for those above the realm of a King of Gods, time was precious as they strove to grow stronger in preparation for the Heavenly Tribulation, hoping they would survive it.

“Everyone, you have free access to this valley until the day you leave. You can stay and cultivate here. If there’s anything you need, please reach out to our members who are patrolling nearby. The Seven Kills Valley welcomes you. The Trading Conference will begin in two weeks. When the time comes, I’ll personally escort all of you to the venue.”

After the Pure Yang Sect’s leaders expressed their gratitude, Yu Chang Lian bade farewell and left with his two disciples.

Before leaving, Dao Wei glared at Duan Ling Tian with a sour expression on his face.

On the contrary, Duan Ling Tian did not care about Dao Wei at all. After all, intermediate Lords of Gods were no threat to him now.

‘What a pity,’ Lan Xi Lin thought to himself as he sighed inwardly. He had expected a duel between Duan Ling Tian and Dao Wei, but it failed to happen.

‘Why was Duan Ling Tian so confident that he’d be able to defeat Dao Wei? He even had the guts to use the old ancestor’s prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul as a stake. Why did the old ancestor trust him so much? Wasn’t he worried that Duan Ling Tian would lose his prominent divine artifact?’

Lan Xi Lin was green with envy as he subconsciously looked at Duan Ling Tian. Although Zhen Yun Feng treated him well, it could not compare to Zhen Yun Feng’s treatment of Duan Ling Tian who had just joined the Pure Yang Sect for a few decades.

After Duan Ling Tian bade farewell to Zhen Ping Fan and the Nirvanic Elder from the Hidden Sword faction, he settled down in one of the courtyards in the valley. Just as he was about to start cultivating, he received a message from Zhen Ping Fan.

“Duan Ling Tian, please come here for a second.”

“Elder Zhen?” Duan Ling Tian was briefly stunned and puzzled by the message. Then, he left his courtyard to look for Zhen Ping Fan, who was staying nearby.

Swoosh!

After Duan Ling Tian arrived, Zhen Ping Fan tossed out a few isolation and noise-canceling Formation compasses that would also prevent others from probing with their Divine Consciousnesses.

Seeing how cautious Zhen Ping Fan was, Duan Ling Tian’s expression turned solemn as he asked, “Elder Zhen, what’s the matter? Is there something I can help you with?”

Zhen Ping Fan smiled as he gestured for Duan Ling Tian to take a seat at the stone table in the front yard before he said, “Your strength must have increased tremendously after you became an intermediate Lord of Gods, right? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been so confident when challenging the three strongest intermediate Lords of Gods in Seven Kills Valley with a prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul on the line.”

Duan Ling Tian smiled wryly before he said, “Elder Zhen, you can be direct with me. However, I’m afraid it’d be impossible for us to get the Seven Kills Valley to agree to the bet. It’s useless even if I defeat the three strongest intermediate Lords of Gods in the Seven Kills Valley since they don’t have the authority to use a prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul as a stake.”

Duan Ling Tian assumed that Zhen Ping Fan was going to ask him to challenge the other two strongest prodigies in the Seven Kills Valley.

Zhen Ping Fan rolled his eyes. “Did you think I was going to ask you to challenge them? Do you think I’m stupid? What’s the use of challenging them if they don’t have a prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul?”

Duan Ling Tian smiled sheepishly. “I thought you were clouded by the thought of obtaining a prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul from the Seven Kills Valley. If that’s not the case, then…” He trailed off as his smile faded away. After a beat, he asked curiously, “What is it, Elder Zhen?”

Zhen Ping Fan took a deep breath as he looked at Duan Ling Tian. Then, he cleared his throat and asked, “Tell me, are you confident about defeating someone who has just become an advanced Lord of Gods less than 100 years ago? Before breaking through, that person was slightly stronger than the three prodigies in Seven Kills Valley, including Dao Wei. Even then, there was a limit to his strength.”

“There’s a limit to his strength?” Duan Ling Tian was suspicious when he saw the ambiguous expression on Zhen Ping Fan’s face and asked, “What was the limit?”

Zhen Ping Fan smiled sheepishly as he said, “It’s not a big deal actually. He managed to beat the strongest prodigy in Seven Kills Valley in ten moves 200 years ago.”