Enduring humiliation for three years, seizing the elixir, the treasure, and the holy maiden.

"Su Zhenchuan secluded himself for seventy years and fought fifty major battles, but he didn't catch a single one."

"No merit has been achieved."

The hall fell silent.

Several elders lowered their heads to remove the floating leaves from their teacups.

That makes sense.

In those fifty years, how many people died in the Shattered Star Cluster? Which peak of the Haori Sect didn't lose a few disciples?

Xiao Dingyue's retainers were earned through real battles, and everyone has seen that.

"What Guest Master Xiao said is not without reason."

The old man from Tiandu stroked his beard and stood up, his gray robe impeccably tidied.

"Only when the sect has a clear system of rewards and punishments can it win the respect of its members."

"Otherwise, it will be difficult to convince the public!"

"After all, the elders of this sect hold a transcendent position, although the status of true disciples is no less than that of elders."

"but..."

"That secluded peak is a rare and precious place!"

These words drew nods of agreement from many people.

rational!

But the old man from Tiandu was looking at Elder Xiao as if he were a fool.

It's not because of anything else.

Ultimately, they are not as experienced as I am.

How shrewd is Su Chen?

Giving someone the title of elder or a minor official only elevates their status on the surface.

But the status of a true disciple is already quite high, and they have a leisurely life, able to simply do their own thing.

It would be detrimental to Su Chen to become an elder.

They still have to participate in the great battles to come.

Li Changfeng didn't come this time.

Master Yunmeng held his teacup, smiling without saying a word.

Everyone was waiting for Su Chen to speak.

"I will not defend my military achievements."

"If Elder Xiao thinks I am not worthy, then let's have a match."

"Su lost, Feng conceded."

A low commotion arose in the hall.

Originally, Su Chen was naturally more than happy to resign from the position of elder.

Wouldn't it be better to become a true disciple and focus on cultivation?

But things are different now; I've entered the fusion phase.

If they do not become important combat forces or elders of the sect.

What right do they have to go to the lower realm, and even bring their fellow Daoists up with them?

Therefore, it is now imperative to demonstrate one's strength.

Xiao Dingyue stared at Su Chen for a few moments, then suddenly smiled.

"it is good."

"I'll add one more."

Xiao Dingyue's gaze passed over Su Chen and landed on the light green figure behind the main seat.

"If Su Zhenchuan loses, he will have to publicly admit that his engagement with the Holy Maiden is off."

The hall fell silent.

what's going on?

What does this have to do with the Holy Maiden?

After he said that, everyone was stunned.

Actually, everyone knows perfectly well that this guy was pursuing the saintess before.

However, the marriage between the Holy Maiden and the True Disciple had already been arranged long ago.

It's just that they've been in seclusion for so many years as the true inheritors of their teachings.

Speaking out about this is a matter of face.

This is a fight to the death.

The new elder was unaware of Su Chen's personality.

This guy is a jinx...

...

Xiao Dingyue was certainly not stupid.

There is a whole minor realm between the middle stage of the Fusion Realm and the early stage of the Fusion Realm.

Besides, this man surnamed Su has only been out of seclusion for a few days; how stable can his vital energy be?

By any measure, this is a win.

"Just tell me what you want, Master Su."

"The boundary token in Elder Xiao's hand."

Xiao Dingyue's smile froze instantly.

That day at the Bone Peak Stone Corridor, Su Chen walked a few steps and then turned back to ask this very question.

Zhou Ding was stunned for a long time before answering.

"Before Elder Xiao's sect was destroyed, I heard that he had a boundary token in his possession."

"On the day the family was wiped out, Elder Xiao didn't care about anything else, but he did bring out this thing."

"Not many people in the sect know about this. I only heard Elder Tiandu mention it by chance."

Zhou Ding regretted his words as soon as he finished speaking, fearing that he would cause trouble for himself again.

Su Chen simply patted Zhou Ding on the shoulder without saying anything.

Xiao Dingyue pinched the jade pendant with his fingers.

How did this man surnamed Su know that I possess a boundary decree?

That thing has never been shown to anyone.

But the conversation had already reached this point, and everyone in the hall was watching.

If you retreat now, you can forget about ever holding your head high in the Haori Sect again.

No problem.

No matter how much you know, it's useless if you can't win.

"I agree."

Su Chen cupped his hands in greeting and sat back down in the seat by the palace gate.

A mountain peak, a marriage contract, a boundary decree.

Su put it up, and Xiao Dingyue wanted everything.

What Xiao Dingyue brought up happened to be exactly what Su needed most right now.

This deal is done.

...

The night breeze from the remote peak carried a chill, causing the spirit lamp outside the cave to flicker.

Lu Yao was tidying up the tea set in the side room when the outer barrier suddenly trembled.

Before anyone could announce it, a figure in light blue rushed in.

Lin Zhiya hadn't even straightened the ties of her Taoist robe properly; the collar was askew, revealing a section of her slender, white neck.

Her earlobes were bright red, whether from anger or the night wind, I couldn't tell.

"Su Chen!"

This was the first time Lin Zhiya had addressed him by his name directly to his face.

"Why should the true disciple gamble with this saintess's marriage contract?"

Su Chen sat cross-legged on the futon, adjusting his breathing.

He didn't even lift his eyelids.

"Because Su won't lose."

"Won't lose?"

Lin Zhiya laughed in anger, her voice trembling.

"Xiao Dingyue is a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator who has been killing in the Shattered Star Cluster for fifty years, while a true disciple only broke through a few days ago?"

Su Chen didn't reply.

Lin Zhiya clenched her fists and spun around twice, her embroidered shoes making a clattering sound on the bluestone ground.

Seventy years.

This holy maiden has stood on the cliff edge of the main peak countless times, turned down two marriage proposals, and told her master in front of him that she had been waiting all along.

But what if we really lose...

Lin Zhiya dared not think any further.

Lu Yao peeked into the doorway of the side room, then quietly retreated back inside, closing the door behind her.

Lin Zhiya was so angry that she trembled all over and turned to leave.

Reaching the entrance of the cave, he placed his hand on the door frame.

The wind blew in from outside, causing the hem of her skirt to cling to her calves, outlining a slender line.

Lin Zhiya stood at the door for a long time.

In the end, he turned back and plopped down on the futon opposite Su Chen.

He didn't say a word.

Su Chen closed his eyes, and the Taiyi Treasure Record circulated through the heavens and earth one cycle after another.

Lin Zhiya stayed with her.

I dozed off twice, but I would lower my head slightly, then suddenly lift it up again, rub my eyes, and sit up again.

The oil in the lamp burned out, and no one went to add more.

As the sky began to lighten with the first hint of dawn, Lin Zhiya stood up.

My legs went numb from sitting, so I held onto the corner of the table for a while to recover.

"Even if I lose, I will not admit defeat."

He left after saying that, and this time he never looked back.

Su Chen opened his eyes, watched the figure leave the cave, and his lips twitched.

...

The main peak's martial arts arena is where disciples from all generations have fought.

The audience was packed with people.

No one wants to miss such an opportunity.

Watch as two powerful beings combine their powers to battle.

This is much more interesting than the battle between good and evil.

After all, in the war between good and evil, it's always those cannon fodder disciples who fight each other.

Elders in the Integration Stage rarely risk their lives.

This is especially true during the Mahayana period...

Therefore, in the great war between the righteous and the demonic, we have rarely seen life-and-death battles between cultivators at the Integration stage.

Xiao Dingyue went on stage first.

With a flick of his black robe, the spiritual pressure of a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator immediately spread out.

The spiritual pressure was as solid as an iron wall, causing the disciples in the front row below the stage to take a half step back.

Calm, substantial, without a trace of pretense.

This was forged through countless battles and bloodshed amidst the shattered star clusters.

Su Chen landed on the stage, his blue robe swaying gently in the wind.

"please."

Xiao Dingyue didn't hold back and slapped him across the face.

Before the palm strike even arrived, the surrounding spiritual energy had already been drained, and the bluestone on the tabletop cracked inch by inch.

...