"Go on, child. The Sect Master is waiting for you in the First Forest Under Heaven."

"Alright, Master!"

With that, Chen Changsheng raised his hand, and a longsword appeared floating before him, the sword bringing up a sharp whistling wind.

He quickly stepped onto the sword, formed a sword seal with his fingers, and the longsword shot off toward the First Forest Under Heaven.

In the blink of an eye, Chen Changsheng had already arrived in the First Forest Under Heaven. He put away his sword, and with a respectful expression walked toward the depths of the forest.

At this moment Wang Ye was sitting cross-legged beneath a gigantic tree, his whole body surrounded by a layer of golden light.

"Greetings, Sect Master!"

Chen Changsheng came to stand before Wang Ye, his heart a little uneasy, not knowing why the Sect Master had summoned him.

Hearing this, Wang Ye slowly opened his hands and glanced at Chen Changsheng. Very quickly he could see through Chen Changsheng’s current strength.

This cultivator’s strength hadn’t improved in the slightest these past few months. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

To be precise, this brat’s strength hadn’t improved at all in these past few years.

"Chen Changsheng, what have you been doing every spring these past few years?"

Wang Ye asked.

Back then, Chen Changsheng’s strength had been formidable, with almost no opponents among cultivators of his generation.

Yet now his strength had become bottom of the barrel among the many Disciples of Tianyong Mountain.

"I..."

A trace of shame flashed through Chen Changsheng’s eyes. These past few springs, he hadn’t done anything proper.

All he’d done was fool around in romance.

Seeing that Chen Changsheng found it hard to speak, Wang Ye didn’t intend to blame him. He only said calmly,

"Changsheng, have you ever thought about making this year’s spring different from the springs before?"

"For example, last spring you kept sinking into decadence. This year, let’s not fall anymore—let’s work hard and move forward."

"For example, last spring you kept entangling yourself with certain female cultivators. This year don’t entangle yourself anymore. Let’s push your strength up another level."

"For example, last spring you kept drinking and watching dances. This year, don’t go drinking—give it a real effort."

At this point, Wang Ye stood up, hands clasped behind his back, gazing far off at the sun beyond the forest.

Beams of light were piercing through the dark clouds at this moment, filtering through the lush branches and falling onto the fresh grass. The First Forest Under Heaven was full of vibrant life.

Hearing the Sect Master talk like this, Chen Changsheng was secretly shocked. He hadn’t expected that nothing he did could escape the Sect Master’s eyes.

But the Sect Master was right. After listening to Wang Ye’s words, he felt as if the clouds above his head had dispersed. Yes—couldn’t he make this spring different from the springs of the past?

His once-dim gaze gradually grew bright again.

"Sect Master, I will definitely make this year’s spring different from the springs before."

Chen Changsheng’s eyes were incomparably resolute.

Wang Ye slowly turned his head. Seeing that the decadence-ridden youth’s eyes once again held spirit, he nodded inwardly. It seemed his words had not been in vain.

"Good. In that case, go on behalf of Tianyong Mountain to offer condolences to the Blackwater Alliance."

Upon hearing this, Chen Changsheng’s eyes slowly reddened. He hadn’t expected that even after he’d fallen this far,

the Sect Master would still trust him so much, letting him represent Tianyong Mountain.

He felt as if he’d returned to the past.

In the past, he indeed had the qualifications to represent Tianyong Mountain, clothed in the halo of glory.

"I am honored by the Sect Master’s trust. I will not let you down."

Chen Changsheng dropped to one knee, incomparably moved.

Seeing this, Wang Ye waved his hand, indicating that he should leave.

Chen Changsheng rose to his feet, heroic spirit surging off him, and rode his sword toward the Blackwater Alliance.

Wang Ye, meanwhile, once again immersed himself in cultivation.

...

At the same time—

The Qingyun Sect also received the news that the Leader of the Blackwater Alliance had died.

Tingyu stared at the envelope, falling into silence.

A dozen or so Disciples stood neatly lined up beside him.

"Since the Leader of the Blackwater Alliance has passed away, of course I should go offer my condolences."

Tingyu stood up and, bringing over a dozen elites of the Qingyun Sect, sped toward the Blackwater Palace.

In the Blackwater Palace, a huge coffin rested in the center, with wreaths arranged everywhere.

In front of the coffin, countless Disciples wearing mourning sackcloth knelt on the ground, faces full of grief.

On both sides of the Blackwater Palace, many people were blowing suona horns. The sorrowful atmosphere shrouded the entire Blackwater Palace, even the clouds in the sky were black.

Zhao Daoran stood on behalf of the Blackwater Palace to receive the guests.

Very soon he noticed a stranger, and judging by the man’s clothing, he should be from Tianyong Mountain.

Hmph, that Wang Ye from Tianyong Mountain sure has guts, actually daring to scheme for the position of next Sect Master.

And now that the previous Alliance Hierarch has died, Wang Ye himself hasn’t even come. He sent only some obscure Disciple to offer condolences.

The wings of Tianyong Mountain had really grown hard.

A wicked smile curled on Zhao Daoran’s lips as he watched Chen Changsheng walking in front of the coffin with a bouquet in his hands.

"Leader Qin did a lot for the Blackwater Secret Realm. He deserves the respect of the entire world. Why didn’t your Tianyong Mountain’s Sect Master come personally to offer condolences?"

Zhao Daoran questioned.

Chen Changsheng, hearing this, replied calmly,

"I am the most outstanding Disciple of Tianyong Mountain. With me coming in place of the Sect Master to offer condolences, what’s wrong with that? Besides, our Sect Master is so busy, with so many important matters to handle. Where would he find the time to come offer condolences?"

Seeing that Zhao Daoren was deliberately picking on him, his answer was just as tough.

Ha!

Hearing this, Zhao Daoran burst into loud laughter. This yellow-haired brat was actually Tianyong Mountain’s most prized Disciple.

Today, no matter what, he was going to make this kid lose face and be unable to step down from the stage.

"Hmph, the death of the former Alliance Hierarch isn’t the biggest matter? Have you never heard the saying that the dead are to be respected above all?"

"A tiny Tianyong Mountain, a tiny Wang Ye—what big matters could there possibly be?"

Zhao Daoran’s tone was full of scolding.

Chen Changsheng sneered at this.

"Our Tianyong Mountain was indeed small in the past. But under our new Alliance Leader’s leadership, our strength has advanced by leaps and bounds, no longer what it used to be. Naturally, there are many matters to attend to."

"And what, matters of your Blackwater Alliance are all ’big matters’? Drinking and Dual Cultivation count as big matters too? I’ve heard the cause of Qin Tianba’s death wasn’t exactly glorious—do you want me to say it out loud?"

After Chen Changsheng finished speaking, he cleared his throat.

Before coming to the Blackwater Alliance, he had already anticipated that this Acting Alliance Leader wouldn’t give him any way to save face, so he had prepared thoroughly.

Hearing this, Zhao Daoran’s face flushed red. He hadn’t expected a Disciple of Tianyong Mountain to actually dare talk back.

"Get out. Our Blackwater Alliance does not welcome you."

Zhao Daoran roared in fury, grabbed the sunflower wreath Chen Changsheng had offered, and hurled it out the doors.

At the same time, several cultivators of the Blackwater Alliance walked toward Chen Changsheng to drive him out.

Chen Changsheng looked at the wreath smashed into pieces on the ground, the muscles in his face twitching.

Throwing away the wreath gifted by Tianyong Mountain was the same as slapping Tianyong Mountain in the face.

"I’ll take my leave."

Without looking back, Chen Changsheng left.

Seeing Chen Changsheng disappear from sight, Zhao Daoran tilted his head and whispered a few words into the ear of a certain War God.

As he spoke, his eyes were full of killing intent.

Dragonflame War God nodded to accept the order, and also strode out of the Blackwater Palace.