The competition begins

Nangong Bo made his grand entrance, immediately capturing everyone's attention.

He walked with the stride of a Dragon and the bearing of a tiger, his solemn expression exuding majesty.

Accompanying him was the elegant, dignified, and regal Shangguan Yanxi.

She was vibrant and youthful, showing no signs of age, still as energetic and full of Origin Qi as a young girl.

All the guests present stood up to greet them.

Nangong Bo gave a customary welcome speech, thanking everyone for their arrival.

Meanwhile, Chen Ye was already restless, feeling that this person talked too much, why did he keep rambling on?

As he felt annoyed, he suddenly sensed someone looking at him.

Without concealment, they were staring directly at him.

He turned his head and saw a handsome young man looking at him with a slight smile.

Chen Ye felt no malice in his gaze; on the contrary, it was an expression of deep, Elder-like affectionate concern.

After a moment of thought, he walked over and said, "Friend, are we close? Why are you looking at me like that?"

Chen Ying's eyes were red-rimmed, and he said with some emotion, "You resemble a long-lost relative of mine. Perhaps I was mistaken."

He dared not reveal his identity.

Because his departure back then was indeed sudden, so much so that he didn't even have time to say goodbye to his wife and child.

Chen Ying feared that Chen Ye resented him for not fulfilling his responsibilities as a father.

Chen Ye found him somewhat familiar but just couldn't place him.

Hearing him mention a lost relative, he couldn't help but think of himself.

Perhaps it was the bond of blood, an invisible connection between the two, for even after eighty thousand years, they could still feel as if they had known each other forever.

They chatted happily.

Unbeknownst to them, time flew by, and the Grand Competition was about to begin.

"I need to go participate in the Grand Competition. Let's talk more when I have time," Chen Ye said, waving goodbye.

Chen Ying called out to Chen Ye, "Wait a moment."

"What is it?"

"I have a treasure here that I don't need. It was originally prepared for that relative of mine, but I see his shadow in you."

"Perhaps it's fate; I'll give it to you."

Chen Ying smiled and took out an immortal sword. It was crystal clear and pure white, as beautiful as white jade, appearing so slender and elegant.

Chen Ye had seen countless treasures, but such a perfect immortal sword was a first for him.

"This is too valuable; I cannot accept it," he quickly refused.

No matter how Chen Ying explained, Chen Ye would not accept it.

He changed his approach: "How about this, then? Consider this sword something I'm lending to you. You resemble him somewhat, and I want to see what he would look like wielding this sword."

"Just consider it fulfilling a wish of mine."

Hearing this, Chen Ye felt a little more at ease.

He did indeed like this sword very much.

I'm just fulfilling his wish, he thought.

"Alright, then I'll borrow your sword for a bit."

Chen Ying nodded with satisfaction, "Mm, if you can laugh last and win first place, I think the scene will be beautiful."

"I will," Chen Ye said with a smile.

Even without this sword.

...

The meeting of the father and son did not escape Xiao Fan's eyes.

He secretly disdained it.

One party knew the truth but dared not reveal his identity, creating this scene of father and son meeting but not recognizing each other.

"If he doesn't acknowledge him now, he won't have a chance to later."

Having not opened a script for a long time, Xiao Fan, bored, opened Chen Ye's past and future.

[Chen Ye: His father, Chen Ying, is the most outstanding Prodigy of the Primal Devil Clan. His mother, Nangong Qingling, is the favored Prodigy of the Nangong Family. His uncle, Nangong Hengwu, is the leader of one of the main branches of the Nangong Family.]

Goodness, so many identities stacked right from the start.

Quite something.

[The Nangong Family Saint Ancestor and the Saint Demon of the Primal Devil Clan are enemies, sworn rivals. Upon learning that their respective descendants had married, both were displeased and simultaneously sent people to break them apart.]

[During this process, Chen Ye's father left him, his mother was captured and suppressed beneath the Fire God Mountain, enduring daily and nightly scorching flames, and Chen Ye himself fled, drifting from place to place.]

[Chen Ye could not bear to see his mother suffer, so he diligently Cultivated, overcoming countless obstacles, traversing myriad mountains and rivers, living a life on the edge, all for the sake of splitting the mountain to rescue his mother...]

[...]

Such a touching scene, it almost made Xiao Fan cry.

He couldn't stand such things.

"If I kill Chen Ye, he won't have to suffer if he doesn't see it."

Xiao Fan continued to read.

[Chen Ye Cultivates an Incomplete Manual of the Saintly Way, but the old man within him helps him complete the full Saintly Way, and a perfect kill can seize the Saintly Way within him!]

[Chen Ye wins first place in the Grand Competition, catching the eye of the Nangong Family Saint Ancestor, especially since he possesses the Saintly Way and has the potential to become a Saint.]

[To compensate Chen Ye and win his loyalty to the Nangong Family, the Nangong Family Saint Ancestor shows mercy to Nangong Qingling, curing the fire poison she suffered for years from the scorching flames, and persuades Nangong Bo to abdicate, recommending Nangong Hengwu as the family head.]

To win over a rascal with the potential of a Saint, they're removing my father-in-law from his position as family head?

Although Xiao Fan disliked this old geezer Nangong Bo, he was, after all, Xiao Fan's father-in-law and Xi Meng's father!

He didn't want to see Xi Meng secretly wiping away tears.

There was also another point: Chen Ye possessed a complete Saintly Way!

The so-called Saintly Way is the prerequisite for becoming a Saint.

A Cultivator can only enter the Saint realm after comprehending the Saintly Way.

Of course, comprehending the Saintly Way does not guarantee entry into the Saint realm; there are many other conditions for entering the Saint realm.

But comprehending the Saintly Way is an indispensable part of it.

Furthermore, after the Saint realm, various resources and precious pills only serve as auxiliary aids for improving Cultivation.

Only by comprehending new Saintly Ways can one's Cultivation advance, preventing stagnation.

"Indeed, the later a Child of Destiny appears, the better his foundation."

"Comprehending the Dao is too troublesome; directly seizing it is much more convenient."

Xiao Fan had a complete plan, both for Xi Meng and for himself.

He would stand out when Chen Ye reached his peak and was about to achieve his goal.

Then, with an utterly despairing disparity in strength, he would completely shatter Chen Ye's hopes.

How cruel, he suggested doing it multiple times.

...

Soon, the entertainment-oriented arena martial arts competition began.

Though called entertainment, it was actually an opportunity for the Prodigies of various forces to showcase their strength.

They would also use this opportunity to seek Dao Companions.

The most effective way for forces to unite was through marriage alliances.

To counter the turmoil and uncertainty of the Great Era, marriage alliances were a good method.

On the stage, an Nangong family Elder came out to preside:

"This is not a strict one-on-one, winner-advances, loser-eliminated type of competition."

"Here, if you feel strong enough to defeat all your peers, you can even stay on the stage and accept successive challenges from others."

"Of course, there are generous rewards for the final victor."

"The rewards are: a Fire God Crystal Eye, and the ability to make one request to my Nangong Family."

"This is just a friendly sparring match to determine victory and defeat; lethal blows are strictly prohibited."

"Alright, the stage is yours. We look forward to your performances."

After speaking, the presiding Elder slowly withdrew.

Although most people had heard rumors beforehand about what the rewards would be,

When the rewards were announced, the entire audience still erupted in excitement.

The Fire God Crystal Eye, that was a supreme treasure of the fire attribute.

Refining it could unleash immense power.

If someone Cultivating a Fire God Dharma Body obtained it, they could even develop a Dharma Eye that could see through illusions: the Blazing Flame Dharma Eye!

A single thought could burn through illusions!

But even that was nothing; the "can make one request to the Nangong Family" was the greatest reward.

If one requested the Nangong Family's protection to weather the turmoil of the Great Era, that would undoubtedly be incredibly safe.

In times of chaos, what could be more important than safety?

Chen Ye also stirred upon hearing this; his chance had finally arrived.

The battles on the stage began, with one Prodigy after another stepping up.

Some were full of vigor and stood until the end, while others looked dejected and withdrew regretfully.

Chen Ye remained hidden, patiently waiting.

Just a little longer, he thought. Once a dark horse emerges with a winning streak, I'll go up and defeat him in one blow.

To awe everyone with a massive disparity in strength!

It would save time and effort, and he would have energy left to deal with unexpected changes.

The plan was beautiful.