Chapter 545: The First Dan Yuan

Amid the roaring clamor like mountains surging and seas crashing, a soft jade light spread smoothly across the air, and Chen Hang’s figure slowly emerged, stirring the crowd’s din even louder.

“Taiyi Divine Thunder…”

As Chen Hang was escorted into the Golden Boat by Xue Jing and the other guests, silence suddenly fell over the grand hall.

After a long pause, the head elder of Wenhuang Sect, his face grim, finally shook his head and broke the silence.

“Cultivating Taiyi Divine Thunder is no easy matter; even ordinary Primordial Spirit True Persons struggle to grasp its path, yet he—a Jin Dan—has succeeded in entering it. Truly remarkable.”

The head elder of Wenhuang Sect let out a helpless smile, but out of old friendship, he maintained his composure and was the first to speak to Xun Bing:

“First Junyao, now Chen Hang—Elder Xun, your Yuchen has been producing talent after talent lately!”

With his voice breaking the silence, the hall gradually grew lively again.

Many head elders rose to offer congratulations, smiling warmly; Xun Bing, of course, did not neglect them, promptly returning each bow.

The head elder of Wenhuang Sect was named Yu Ce; he and Yin Wujie’s master were fellow disciples of Wei Yu Daojun.

With this connection, Yu Ce naturally knew Yin Wujie’s background inside and out.

A first-rank Jin Dan, with perfect Inner Landscape, Cosmic Light Divine Water, a Sixth-Level Tai Su Jade Body, and two advanced Great Divine Arts—among them, the world-defining Ten Directions Great Plague Light.

Such cultivation, such abilities—

In any Yang World Great Heaven, Yin Wujie deserved the title of Dao’s outstanding prodigy.

In time, he would surely top all under heaven and surpass even Jing and Han!

Especially earlier, even while holding back, he had decisively defeated Yu Huangshang of the Primordial Demon Sect.

In Yu Ce’s view, even against Junyao or Ji Fakai—the once-in-a-millennium Dao seeds of the last Dan Yuan Assembly—Yin Wujie would not have been inferior!

Yet precisely this time…

After a silent sigh, Yu Ce could only lament that this year’s Dan Yuan Assembly was truly brutal.

Every Dan Yuan True Person who entered was a selection from across the land; even four first-rank Jin Dans appeared—something unimaginable in past years!

Chen Hang, Yin Wujie, Lu Rong, Yu Huangshang, Wei Lingjiang, Zhou Fujia…

In past years, whether Yu Huangshang, Wei Lingjiang, or Zhou Fujia, with their abilities, each could have claimed the Dan Yuan title.

But this time, Lu Rong and Yin Wujie stood firmly in their way.

And both Lu Rong and Yin Wujie were defeated by Chen Hang.

“…”

The moment this thought arose, Yu Ce himself found it absurd, his expression darkening further.

Amid the clamor of congratulations, the head elder of Xuehe Sect appeared lost in thought, equally distracted.

As if sharing an unspoken understanding, Yu Ce glanced at him; after a few breaths, both silently shook their heads.

After a long while, the page boy stationed at the hall’s entrance stepped forward to announce: several gold-robed officers entered, carrying a jade tray, drawing the attention of all Dan Yuan elders.

The jade tray glowed brilliantly, with fine threads of clear and turbid qi hanging down, crowned by a radiant aura of light—anyone could tell it was no ordinary object.

Upon the tray rested nothing but a golden list, inscribed with the names and origins of the top ten Dan Yuan contestants.

The ranking of the top ten was determined first by the number of bronze fish collected.

If two had equal fish, their battle records and performances during the assembly were then considered.

Though the head elders had long since settled their rankings in their minds, clear as mirrors,

the Xudu’s cosmic fortune was no trivial matter—it could not be decided lightly.

After polite refusals, Xun Bing was the first to take the golden list from the tray.

Seeing Chen Hang’s name at the very top, he smiled in satisfaction, glanced briefly downward, then passed the list to the man beside him.

“Third?”

Yu Ce took the list, paused briefly on Chen Hang’s name, then saw Yin Wujie listed third, below Lu Rong.

His expression showed no surprise; he merely nodded slightly, signaling his agreement.

Though Yin Wujie had defeated Gu Yi and Pei Zhi, earning two bronze fish, Lu Rong had likewise defeated Wei Lingjiang and Yu Huangshang.

Though both held the same number of fish, Lu Rong’s two battles carried greater weight.

Moreover, before the Transformation Mist dispersed, Lu Rong had fought and easily defeated two veteran Jin Dans—Chang Qingjue and Tang Xuan.

In contrast, Yin Wujie had secluded himself deep in the Great Snow Mountain, harmonizing his qi to adapt to the Cosmic Light Divine Water’s erosion, without engaging in battle.

Cosmic Light Divine Water—

This divine water, personally taught to Yin Wujie by the Kan Li Daoist, had accelerated several cultivation steps, allowing him to master Wenhuang’s Ten Directions Great Plague Light sooner.

But the erosion it brought was troublesome, difficult to expel in a short time; Yin Wujie had to constantly harmonize his internal breath and calm his spirit to prevent it from affecting his state.

In truth, it was precisely to prepare for that final, all-out battle that Yin Wujie had hidden deep in the Great Snow Mountain.

Otherwise, given his nature, he would have confronted Chen Hang and Lu Rong much earlier!

Yet despite enduring slightly longer than Lu Rong against Taiyi Divine Thunder, he still ranked third, behind Lu Rong.

“Aside from the Dan Yuan champion, the others still gain considerable rewards, but for Wujie’s status, these mean little—whether second or third, the difference is negligible.

It’s just a pity… that Xudu Great Elixir…”

Yu Ce’s gaze darkened slightly, thinking silently.

This year’s Dan Yuan Assembly, with Yin Wujie competing, was the best chance Wenhuang disciples had ever had to claim the Xudu Great Elixir.

Yet Yin Wujie had deliberately faced Chen Hang.

When would Wenhuang disciples next have a chance to claim the title?

Yu Ce did not know…

Soon, the golden list passed through the hands of all fourteen head elders; since no one objected to the ranking, it was time to seal it.

But when it reached Liu Fu, head elder of the Primordial Demon Sect,

this elder, who was not aligned with Chen Yushu and had long been subtly at odds with him, suddenly smiled strangely, his gaze fixed on Xun Bing.

“What counsel does Elder Liu offer this time?”

Xun Bing, unsurprised, replied calmly.

“I offer no counsel. Your sect has such a Dao seed—it is truly enviable. But I just recalled a tale, and would like to hear your opinions…”

Dressed in a crimson Dao robe, Liu Fu slowly stroked his beard, speaking with deep implication:

“You all know I began cultivation late—only near sixty years of age did I enter the Dao path, enduring great hardship before finally joining the Primordial Demon Sect.

Before that, I served as a minor official in a small secular kingdom, and in my spare time, I read many ancient texts filled with absurd tales invented by mortals.

One such tale went like this…”

Meeting Xun Bing’s gaze, Liu Fu spoke slowly:

“The book said the dragon was an ancient auspicious beast; keeping one was a great fortune for a clan, bringing blessings to descendants and extending their lineage for generations.

Yet dragons embody the strength of Heaven’s Yang—unyielding and fierce. Like the sun and moon cannot shine together in one sky, forcing two dragons into one clan will inevitably breed conflict; auspiciousness turns to disaster, and future harm is certain.

Fellow Daoists, what do you make of this tale?”

Lu Jie, head elder of Zhongyi, sensed Liu Fu’s hidden meaning and turned his gaze away coolly.

Other elders also understood the subtext—some smiled, others shook their heads, reactions varied.

…

…

Ji Fakai—

Heir of the Yuecen Ji clan, one of the six true disciples of Yuchen.

He was once, centuries ago, paired with Junyao in fame, personally praised by the current Wuyou Guan’s abbot as “Kun Xiang”!

Wuyou Guan stood in Beihaozhou, its members all moral sages from the Eight Sects and Six Clans.

The famed “Suidan Rankings” originated from Wuyou Guan, personally determined by its immortal elders.

As for Wuyou Guan’s abbot, his status was always extraordinary—even the Northern Pole Immortal had once eagerly taken the position, only stepping down when he found a new interest.

“Kun” means vastness and virtue without bounds; “Xiang” is the visible form, the archetype of things.

The title “Kun Xiang” subtly corresponded to Ji Fakai’s supreme Dharma Form, “The Later Sage’s Radiant Glow,” and also reflected the current abbot’s profound hopes for him.

Though Ji Fakai had lost to Junyao and failed to claim the Yuchen Dao Heir title,

the latter was truly an unprecedented anomaly across the Nine Provinces and Four Seas!

Even when Ji Fakai first emerged, the Yuchen Immortals had placed great hopes on him; when Junyao’s death was announced, many senior elders of great sects had secretly nodded in approval.

Ji Fakai’s defeat by Junyao—within mere moves—was entirely understandable; his performance had far surpassed many other Dao Heirs.

But if that were all,

Chen Hang’s recent display in mastering Taiyi Divine Thunder would not have prompted Elder Liu to deliberately utter this tale.

Yet since returning from Chongyu Heaven, no one knew what insight Ji Fakai had gained from that ancient Buddha relic.

And his performance in Yuchi Heaven… was truly…

Hearing Liu Fu’s veiled words, Xun Bing merely smiled faintly, dismissing them with a wave of his hand:

“You still remember such nonsense after all these years? No wonder you wandered in the mortal world for sixty years, still bound by wealth and status before entering the Dao, unable to even secure a petty secular position.”

Liu Fu’s eyebrows rose.

Before he could speak, the head elder of Taifu Palace, fearing a scene, hurried forward to defuse the tension.

Respectful of this elder’s face, Liu Fu restrained himself, took the seal in hand, and stamped the golden list.

“Please.”

Liu Fu and Xun Bing exchanged glances, both smiling slightly.

Now all fourteen head elders had sealed their approval; the golden list was swiftly carried by the gold-robed officers to the Forty-Nine Lu Shou Palace for Pei Shuyang, the chief judge of the contest, to review.

“Very good.”

After confirming it was correct, Pei Shuyang did not delay; he immediately raised his hand and formed a seal.

In an instant, a thunderous rumble descended from above, as if the dome of heaven above were slowly splitting in two, pouring forth countless streams of strange light.

Colorful clouds and radiant mists swayed unpredictably, elusive and shifting—sometimes scattering like flying feathers, sometimes gathering into brocade.

This grand spectacle immediately drew the attention of all cultivators at Yingji Chuan; many in their eyes betrayed deep envy.

“It’s begun…”

Inside the Golden Boat, Chen Hang casually tucked the scroll Xue Jing had handed him into his sleeve and looked upward.

It was densely packed with tiny script, and the three characters “Ji Fakai” appeared most frequently.

But at this moment, no one here gave it a second thought; inside and outside the Golden Boat, nearly everyone raised their heads in unison.

“The movement of Xu Du…”

Seeing all the cultivators around him focused, Qi Shang sighed softly in his heart.

The moment this commotion erupted at Yingji Chuan, the Eight Sects and Six Clans all sensed it.

Hundreds of thousands of miles away, a faint spiritual light shot forth from the North Pole Garden’s gate, swift as a meteor, darting like a dragon or serpent.

In the blink of an eye, the light crossed countless seas and plunged directly into the back hall of Lushou Palace, into the dew-collecting tray that Pei Shuyang had personally erected the day before.

As the spiritual light descended, a layer of ethereal mist immediately appeared atop the dew-collecting tray.

It seemed both within all things and beyond them, awaiting refinement and solidification…

“Ha! My North Pole was first—what about you, Yucheng—”

The North Pole Immortal chuckled at the sight.

Before he could finish, three more spiritual lights flashed from Dongmi Province—Yucheng, Chiming, and Huzhao—illuminating the sky in sequence.

It was as if some grand curtain were slowly being drawn open!

In less than half a stick of incense, each of the Eight Sects and Six Clans sent forth a radiant light that crossed the sea from the horizon, one after another, falling into the dew-collecting tray in the back hall.

Shen Yu, Yin Jing, Xue He, Jiuzhen, Wen Huang—

Each time a spiritual light moved, the heavens and earth between seemed to slowly evolve the primordial image of clear and turbid qi, yin and yang beyond prediction, gods and spirits unaware of its nature!

Rolling essence of creation surged forward, lingering long without dissipating, leaving countless cultivators along the way awestruck; at Yingji Chuan, celestial flowers rained down and earth-born sweet springs welled up, as if it were a realm beyond the mortal world!

Inside the Zhongyi Sword Sect, Minqiu Daojun, a short Daoist clad in green brocade robes, suddenly turned his face dark and grim.

“That old bastard still has black water in his belly… damn it, I won’t let this go!”

He glared fiercely toward Xiao Ming Daze, his hand repeatedly reaching for the peachwood branch at his waist, furious.

Finally, after being soothed by the laughter and counsel of the Zhongyi Elders, though he mentally cursed Tong Xuan a thousand times and longed to spit in his old face, he reluctantly waved his hand, summoning a spiritual light to rise from deep within Zhongyi’s mountain gate.

And after Zhongyi’s spiritual light appeared,

After a long pause, light finally shone from Nan Chan Province, likewise heading toward Yingji Chuan.

“What did the Ancestor do? Why is Minqiu Daojun glaring at me? This is truly undeserved misfortune.”

The North Pole Immortal, now aware of the truth, was laughing uncontrollably beside him.

Pei Shuyang noticed a distant, displeased gaze falling upon him; he smiled and bowed respectfully toward Zhongyi, then, seeing all fourteen sects were present, decisively waved his hand and ordered in a deep voice:

“Zhenghong 23,061st year, the First Person of Dan Yuan…”

At these words, the towering divine generals outside the hall immediately pounded their drums with all their might, relaying the message layer by layer, shouting in unison:

“Zhenghong 23,061st year, the First Person of Dan Yuan…”

Strings of music rose from the left and right halls, grand and solemn court melodies; a golden talisman first emerged from Pei Shuyang’s hand and, amid the cultivators’ eager anticipation, slowly descended from the clouds.

Chen Hang stepped forward.

It was precisely when the sun illuminated Fusang, bathing all in white light, illuminating both above and below the clouds, rendering heaven and earth transparent.

The proclamation echoed in rolling, overlapping waves, now resounding across mountains and seas, rebounding as if countless voices roared in unison, shaking the heavens!

Zhenghong 23,061st year, the First Person of Dan Yuan!

Chen Hang felt a rare moment of daze.

Though the world was roaring with noise, he suddenly felt silence around his ears, hearing only the whisper of wind, slowly traveling from an immeasurable distance, piercing through mountains and crossing seas.

“…”

Chen Hang lowered his eyelids slightly; after a moment of silence, he reached out and seized the golden talisman as it neared his body.

When he raised his eyes again, his gaze blazed with sharp brilliance—his edge fully revealed!

Before all eyes, Chen Hang laughed once, straightened his posture, and bowed deeply with solemnity:

“Chen Hang is here!”

As soon as he spoke, the silence around his ears shattered like a dam.

A tidal wave of sound surged from all directions!