Yang Tiangyang of the Zhenyuan Palace inexplicably sent over four treasure chests and sought reconciliation with the Six Paths Sect. The elders were shocked, attributing this change to Ye Chen's influence. After the Zhenyuan Palace disciples left, the Six Paths Sect elders marveled at Ye Chen's talent and strength, considering him a blessing to their sect. Sect Master Wu ordered the treasure chests opened, revealing numerous valuable artifacts and rare spiritual materials, solidifying Ye Chen's respected position within the sect. Meanwhile, news of the reconciliation spread, sparking debate among disciples.
With a "Ching," Ye Chen extended two fingers, capturing the Spiritual Talisman. The information within was instantly understood.
It was a Communication Talisman from Wu Duan Cang, summoning Ye Chen to Six Paths Peak. Despite the late hour, Ye Chen couldn't refuse the sect master's summons. He casually crushed the talisman, its fragments dissolving into starlight that dispersed into the night.
"Senior brother, what happened?" Liu Yunmiao, having sensed the disturbance, ceased his cultivation and looked at Ye Chen with surprise.
"The sect master has summoned me. I must go," Ye Chen replied with a faint smile, gesturing for Liu Yunmiao to resume his training. Then, Ye Chen ascended into the sky.
Not long after, Ye Chen reached Six Paths Peak. The peak's formation parted, revealing a passage that Ye Chen entered, proceeding directly to the main hall.
Within the hall, Wu Duan Cang sat at a table, awaiting his arrival.
"Sect master," Ye Chen announced his presence with a bow, silently contemplating the reason for the summons. This meeting, however, aligned with Ye Chen's own intentions. He intended to ask Wu Duan Cang for the other half of the Sacred Origin Heart, and the summons provided the perfect opportunity.
Wu Duan Cang observed Ye Chen with growing satisfaction. His demeanor, coupled with his heaven-defying spiritual root, marked him as an exceptional talent.
"Ye Chen," Wu Duan Cang began, his voice calm, "I called you here today to discuss a few matters."
"Please, go ahead," Ye Chen responded, his brow slightly raised in curiosity at the sect master's serious expression.
"The Six Paths Sect once had numerous adversaries. Even now, with our sect in decline, those enemies still hold significant influence. Therefore, caution is paramount. As the sect's Chief Disciple, your potential is immense, and you must remain especially vigilant," Wu Duan Cang advised gravely.
"Should those old foes detect even the slightest sign of the Six Paths Sect's resurgence, they will undoubtedly attempt to eradicate both you and the entire sect!"
Wu Duan Cang's expression darkened as he recalled the sect's powerful enemies from its former glory. Their current restraint was only due to the formidable strength of some of the sect's elders and the allies of Grandmaster Xiao Shuihan. However, Ye Chen's recent feat of defeating Feng Yusi, a celebrated genius from Yue Hun Domain, could very well attract their attention.
Consequently, Ye Chen needed to exercise extreme prudence and avoid unnecessary ostentation. The greater the talent, the more precarious the position.
"The world is never short of outstanding talents; what it lacks are those who can endure until the very end," Wu Duan Cang stated, his gaze fixed earnestly on Ye Chen.
"I understand," Ye Chen replied with a slight nod. He was well aware of the nature of the threats facing the Six Paths Sect. Yet, compared to the adversaries he had faced in a previous life, these seemed less daunting. Still, he recognized the need for caution in his current nascent stage.
Turning back to Wu Duan Cang, Ye Chen spoke, "Sect master, I have already retrieved the other half of the Sacred Origin Heart from Zhenyuan Palace. Now, I wish to obtain the Six Paths Sect's Sacred Origin Heart; it is of utmost importance to me."
Wu Duan Cang's eyes widened in surprise. "The other half of the Sacred Origin Heart? Yang Tiangyang was willing to give it to you?"
"It belongs to the Six Paths Sect, so why wouldn't he give it to me?" Ye Chen offered a faint smile, providing no further explanation.
However, Wu Duan Cang understood that the situation was far more complex than Ye Chen let on. Yang Tiangyang's willingness to make such sacrifices, including the Sacred Origin Heart and the Heavenly Saint Treasure Box, could only stem from Ye Chen's extraordinary capabilities.
Wu Duan Cang's eyes gleamed, and he couldn't help but inquire, "May I see the other half of the Sacred Origin Heart?"
Without hesitation, Ye Chen produced the Sacred Origin Heart.
Instantly, a surge of resplendent Divine Might filled the hall, bathing everything in a magnificent, golden radiance. The half of the Sacred Origin Heart hovered in mid-air, spinning gently.
"Indeed, it is the Sacred Origin Heart," Wu Duan Cang confirmed, his voice filled with awe.
Upon witnessing this portion of the Sacred Origin Heart, Wu Duan Cang couldn’t help but let out a sigh of awe, his hand extending to make contact. Instantly, a formidable pressure descended, causing Wu Duan Cang’s expression to shift slightly.
"Sect Master, the Sacred Origin Heart holds immense significance for me, and I earnestly hope you will grant this wish," Ye Chen spoke once more.
"However..." Hearing Ye Chen’s plea, Wu Duan Cang showed hesitation. The Sacred Origin Heart was a treasure of great importance, safeguarded by the Six Paths Sect for countless years; it could not be readily passed to Ye Chen.
Noticing Wu Duan Cang’s wavering, Ye Chen's brow furrowed. In the subsequent moment, he directly presented the Six Paths Order.
A surge of majestic Hongmeng Aura erupted, the formidable Great Yuan Qi began to circulate, and the Six Paths Order emanated an endless aura of authority, still bearing the lingering essence of Xiao Shuihan.
The very instant Wu Duan Cang laid eyes upon the Six Paths Order, his countenance transformed dramatically. He stared at Ye Chen with utter disbelief before immediately kneeling without a second thought.
"The current Sect Master of the Six Paths Sect pays respects to the Six Paths Order."
"Sect Master, please rise," Ye Chen responded, subsequently retrieving the Six Paths Order and assisting Wu Duan Cang to his feet. He explained that his reason for revealing the order was to establish his true identity and to assuage Wu Duan Cang’s lingering doubts.
Ye Chen was acutely aware that despite his designation as the Six Paths Sect’s Chief Disciple, he had not been part of the sect for a considerable duration, thus making it difficult to earn Wu Duan Cang’s complete trust.
In such circumstances, it would prove challenging for Ye Chen to have Wu Duan Cang willingly hand over the other half of the Sacred Origin Heart.
However, the presentation of the Six Paths Order altered the situation significantly. It symbolized the esteemed Grandmaster’s endorsement, indicating that anyone possessing it was undoubtedly someone Xiao Shuihan held in high regard. With Ye Chen now holding the Six Paths Order, Wu Duan Cang’s need for suspicion was eliminated.
"Ye Chen… does Grand Elder Zhou Jiu Tong already know that you are the holder of the Six Paths Order?" At this precise moment, having been helped up by Ye Chen, Wu Duan Cang inquired, a multitude of questions swirling within him, feeling as though he had been kept in the dark.
"Yes," Ye Chen replied truthfully, without any hesitation.
"I knew it!" Wu Duan Cang’s eyes widened with sudden understanding. He looked at Ye Chen with a hint of vexation, exclaiming, "No wonder the Grand Elder placed such immense trust in you, even allowing you to venture to Zhenyuan Palace without concern. It all makes sense now."
"Please do not trouble yourself, Sect Master. Although I possess the Six Paths Order, my genuine intention was never to wield it. Today’s purpose was solely to alleviate your concerns."
"No, how could I possibly blame you?" Wu Duan Cang shook his head, his gaze fixed intently on Ye Chen. "Your possession of the Six Paths Order might very well be a predestined opportunity for the Six Paths Sect. With you, perhaps we can truly ascend to become the Foremost Sect in the Outer Realm."
As he uttered these words, Wu Duan Cang’s thoughts turned back to Ye Chen’s desire for the Sacred Origin Heart, and a profound sense of embarrassment washed over him.
"However, what you seek, the other half of the Sacred Origin Heart, may prove to be unattainable. It is not that I am unwilling to bestow it upon you, but rather that it is genuinely impossible to retrieve..."
