Chapter 277 - 167: Meeting Old Friends Again, Renowned Throughout the World

Chapter 277: Chapter 167: Meeting Old Friends Again, Renowned Throughout the World

Master Wuchen’s words struck Master Beardless’s heart like a series of violent thunderclaps.

The true potential of the figure currently standing atop the Holy Ladder was finally revealing the tip of the iceberg. In Jiang Hao, the crowd saw the disposition of a true powerhouse—a Dao Heart that closely leaned toward the Invincible Dao.

It wasn’t just Master Beardless and Master Wuchen. Countless Elders of the Beardless Sect stared at that white-clad figure, their eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

At the pinnacle of the boundless Celestial Universe.

Di Changqing seemed utterly bewildered by the youth’s words.

He wondered, "Is he challenging me directly?"

It had been seven thousand years. Ever since Di Changqing proved his Dao and became a Saint Venerable on Thousand Sects Island, he couldn’t even remember the last time someone dared to clash with him so openly. He had almost forgotten what it felt like. However, what truly shocked him wasn’t the sensation of being challenged. What genuinely horrified the Saint Venerable was the invisible, deep-rooted disposition the youth was slowly cultivating.

He pondered, "A Dao Heart?"

That young man had actually developed a Dao Heart, and it was almost one of ’invincible transformation.’ Coupled with the boy’s talent and potential, Di Changqing finally realized that he had sorely misjudged him back in the Cyan Mist Saint Hall.

He concluded, "This boy absolutely cannot be left alive."

However, they were currently in the second stage of the genius competition. Just as the youth had said, even a Venerable wouldn’t dare strike him down right now.

For a moment, dead silence enveloped the area around the Holy Ladder; it was so quiet one could hear a pin drop.

"This child is bound for greatness."

"With such talent and potential, passing ninety-five steps of the Holy Ladder and possessing a resolute Dao Heart... If given enough time, a new Saint Venerable will inevitably rise on this continent."

"Qin Fan?"

Deep within the Endless Saint Sect, countless ancient figures muttered to themselves. The appearance of that white-clad figure made them feel as though they were glimpsing a corner of the future.

High in the firmament, Di Changqing’s expression twisted into an incredibly ugly scowl. Had it not been for the descent of so many Saint Realm Dharma Aspects, the Evergreen Saint Venerable might have already unleashed his killing intent.

However, as a peerless Saint Venerable, he could effortlessly suppress the murderous urges within his heart. Shifting his attention away from Jiang Hao, he fixed his gaze upon Master Beardless.

"Beardless, I am taking this child with me. It seems there are some misunderstandings between him and myself that perhaps need resolving.

"Rest assured, in exchange for taking him, I will select an unparalleled genius from the Cyan Mist Sect to pass on the Beardless lineage. I won’t let your efforts be in vain.

"The Cyan Mist Sect will properly compensate you and the Beardless Sect."

Having said his piece, Di Changqing didn’t even wait for Master Beardless’s consent. His voice boomed, shaking Yunxiao as he commanded, "Daoist Cultivators of the Cyan Mist Sect, hear my order! Bring Qin Fan back to Cyan Mist and nurture him well."

RUMBLE!!!

As soon as those words left his mouth, several figures shot into the sky from within the Cyan Mist Sect, speeding toward the island housing the Holy Ladder Altar.

Upon the Holy Ladder.

Jiang Hao suddenly raised his eyes, a fleeting trace of absolute resolve flashing through his gaze.

The entirety of Thousand Sects Island was deeply shaken. The Evergreen Saint Venerable was far too overbearing!

However, just as Jiang Hao was preparing to unleash his Spiritual Power to escape, and as he secretly activated the Divine King’s Armor...

The Sect Leader of the Holy Sect—a man who had been meek and submissive on Thousand Sects Island for nearly three thousand years—stood up.

Master Beardless seemed to have made a massive decision. He slowly lifted his head, his stubborn white hair swaying in the wind. For the first time in his life, his aged eyes stared directly at Di Changqing.

"Thank you for your kind intentions, Saint Venerable. However, on that day at Cyan Mist, both you and the Cyan Mist Sect settled any debts owed to the Beardless Sect.

"I appreciate your offer, but the Beardless Sect has long since fallen into decline. I’m afraid we would fail to meet your expectations and only end up ruining a genius of the Cyan Mist Sect in vain.

"Since Junior Brother Qin hasn’t abandoned my incompetent self, my Beardless Sect cannot wrong him either. The conferring ceremony has ended, which means Junior Brother Qin is now the Eldest Senior Brother of the Beardless Sect."

After speaking, Master Beardless bowed deeply toward Di Changqing. Both his tone and actions carried a mix of stubborn defiance and subtle pleading.

Upon hearing this, Di Changqing’s already gloomy face darkened further, twisting into a scowl as if he had just swallowed a fly. Yet, he still maintained the poised bearing of a Saint Venerable, looking down on everything from above.

"Beardless, there is no need to say more. The matter is settled."

Faced with Di Changqing’s invisible coercion and intimidation, a long-dormant string was finally struck within Master Beardless’s heart.

The old man, who had lived his entire life with utmost caution, slowly straightened his slightly hunched back. In that very moment, his figure seemed to grow infinitely taller.

"Disciples of the Beardless Sect, heed my order! Pay your respects to the Eldest Senior Brother of Beardless."

RUMBLE!!!

As his voice fell, a tremor rippled through the area surrounding the Holy Ladder, and hundreds of thousands of Beardless Sect disciples momentarily froze in shock.

But in the very next second, their Sect Leader’s courageous stand seemed to ignite the fiery fervor in every member of the sect. Immediately, they shouted in unison.

"Disciples of the Beardless Sect pay respects to the Eldest Senior Brother!"

"Greetings, Eldest Senior Brother!"

Their resounding voices echoed through Yunxiao and reverberated across the mountain ranges. It was blatantly obvious—Master Beardless was preparing for a head-on clash. For the first time in his life, he was directly confronting Di Changqing.

This scene left even the Evergreen Saint Venerable himself dumbfounded, and a surge of furious anger spontaneously erupted within him.

"HEH... HEHEHEHEHEHE!"

Suddenly, Di Changqing laughed. He laughed out of extreme rage, a sound so chilling it made hearts tremble.

The laughter was laced with mockery, disdain, contempt, and madness. It was as if he had just heard the world’s greatest joke and witnessed the most ridiculous spectacle imaginable.

A tiny, declined Holy Sect that had survived under the thumb of Cyan Mist for thousands of years... was actually daring to straighten its back today?

As his laughter gradually died down, Di Changqing looked down at Master Beardless. His tone brimmed with intimidation as he sneered, "Junior Brother Beardless, could it be that you wish to exchange pointers with your senior brother from another sect?"