Chapter 57: Yan Ji’s Worries; The Rift Between Master and Disciple

The news of the Immemorial Sacred Mountains’ humiliation at the Lin Family estate spread like wildfire across the Central State.

Creatures who usually walked with their noses in the air had been slapped in the face—literally and metaphorically—and sent packing in disgrace.

The incident became the hottest topic in every teahouse and tavern.

Although the specifics of the confrontation remained a mystery, one fact was undeniable: even the mighty Sacred Mountains were nothing in front of the Young Lord from the Upper Realm.

Gu Changge’s background was terrifying beyond measure.

The purple-clad girl who claimed to be Ye Chen’s cousin also attracted significant attention. Some whispered that her origins were even more frightening than the Sacred Mountains themselves.

However, few believed these rumors. Eyewitnesses outside the Lin estate had seen her leave with an icy, ugly expression. Clearly, she had hit a wall.

Most agreed: she was likely from the Upper Realm too, but even she had to bow before Young Master Gu.

Three days passed in a flash.

The “Heavenly Pride Discourse Conference” in Chongyue Ancient City began as scheduled.

Important figures and successors from Holy Lands and Imperial Dynasties gathered, making the city livelier than ever. Many came with ulterior motives, hoping to catch a glimpse of the legendary Young Lord.

They were disappointed.

Although the Lin Family sent disciples to participate, Gu Changge was nowhere to be seen. Even the high platform reserved for VIPs remained empty of his presence.

Countless cultivators sighed in regret. They had no qualification to visit the Lin estate, so this had been their only chance to see the face of heaven.

Gu Changge, naturally, had zero interest in such a low-level gathering.

He had already left the city, accompanied only by Elder Ming. They were heading toward the border between the Central Heavenly Domain and the Eight Domains.

Since Ye Chen’s aura was pinging from that direction, the entrance to the Tianyuan Ancient Secret Realm had to be there.

The time for its opening was imminent.

…

Border of the Central Heavenly Domain. A remote, desolate town.

This region was usually a wasteland, dominated by rugged mountain ranges and ancient forests. Cultivators rarely set foot here.

But now, the sky was busy. Rainbows streaked across the horizon as cultivators flew on artifacts or rode fierce beasts. The air buzzed with activity.

“A few days ago, a pillar of divine light shot into the sky here. Auspicious clouds stretched for 3,000 miles!”

“They say a Divine Treasure has appeared. No wonder so many factions are swarming the place.”

A man with an ordinary face and a resolute expression walked through the dusty streets, listening to the chatter.

“It seems the entrance recorded in the remnant page has opened,” he muttered to himself.

“I have collected all the map fragments. The Tianyuan Ancient Secret Realm is full of dangers, but with the key left by Senior Tianyuan, I can walk through it like flat ground.”

“Let them come. Without the map, they won’t even find the core area…”

To an observer, he seemed to be talking to himself. In reality, he was communicating with the spirit in his ring.

This was Ye Chen.

Over the past few months, while hunting for map fragments, his cultivation had skyrocketed. He had broken through from the late Soul Palace Realm to the peak of the Transcendent Realm, even touching the threshold of the Great Power Realm.

Such speed was monstrous. If ordinary cultivators knew, they would cough up blood in envy.

Of course, to Gu Changge, this was just standard “Child of Providence” cheat mechanics.

Ye Chen, however, wasn’t satisfied.

“It’s too slow,” he gritted his teeth. “Even with all these fortuitous encounters, the gap between me and Gu Changge feels insurmountable.”

“Only by obtaining the inheritance of the Tianyuan Ancient Secret Realm can I kill him…”

“And that bitch, Su Qingge…”

Hatred flamed in his eyes.

He had thought long and hard. Gu Changge was too strong to fight head-on right now. But Ye Chen had faced impossible odds before. Every time, he turned danger into safety and emerged stronger.

This time would be no different. The Tianyuan Ancient Secret Realm was his opportunity. It was prepared for him.

Inside the ring, Yan Ji sat in the void, swinging her legs boredly.

She heard Ye Chen’s muttering but said nothing. Her pale red eyes stared into the emptiness, looking nothing like the wise master Ye Chen imagined.

She had watched his cultivation soar. His speed terrified even her—it surpassed many geniuses of the Upper Realm’s great sects.

Yet, she remained silent.

Previously, she believed revenge against Gu Changge was impossible. Even with the Tianyuan inheritance, the gap in background was too vast. Gu Changge casually handed out Spirit Gathering Pills like candy; his clan likely had Quasi-Supremes guarding the door.

So, she had stopped trying to persuade Ye Chen. Let him hate. It wouldn’t change the outcome.

But now… her thoughts were shifting. With Ye Chen’s unnatural growth rate, maybe he really could create a miracle.

Strangely, this thought made her worry for Gu Changge.

Why do I care?

Perhaps because I took his pill…

Or perhaps because of his sincerity in the dungeon.

He could have killed Ye Chen then. He could have forcibly taken the ring. He did neither.

He had shown her respect. He possessed the bearing of someone destined for greatness.

Yan Ji felt conflicted.

She was a remnant soul from the Upper Realm. Ye Chen had found her ring and nourished her with spiritual energy for years, allowing her to awaken. For that, she owed him.

Her awakening had drained his cultivation, turning a genius into a “waste” and causing his fiancé to leave him. She felt guilty for that.

So she taught him, guided him, and tried to lead him down the right path.

But Ye Chen’s recent behavior… it disappointed her.

He couldn’t distinguish good from bad. His mind was warped by jealousy. He had even accused her—his master—of wanting to climb the social ladder by siding with Gu Changge.

If she really wanted that, why would she still be here, stuck in a ring with a brat?

Compared to Ye Chen, Gu Changge was superior in every way. Yet she stayed, honoring her debt of gratitude.

Ye Chen didn’t understand. He thought she was pitying him.

It chilled her heart.

Yan Ji knew a rift had formed between master and disciple. And the problem wasn’t hers.