The Imperial City, at the third quarter of Shen Hour (around 3:45 PM).

　　Having made his decision, Chen Yuan wasted no time. After instructing Ouyang Zhi, he swiftly left the Divine Capital and headed towards Clear Lake, forty li south of the city.

　　Located approximately forty li from the south of the city, the lake, though not exceptionally large, was quite famous. A river ran through it, connecting it to the Imperial City, making it an excellent place for literati and refined scholars to compose poetry, appreciate the moon, and engage in leisurely conversations.

　　Poets had even left behind widely acclaimed verses there. However, Chen Yuan, focused on his cultivation, had never visited this place.

　　With Chen Yuan's speed, it only took him a quarter of an hour to reach this place from the Imperial City, seeing the famous lake in Central Plains.

　　The lake was not considered large because there were many larger lakes in the world. In reality, its area was not small. At least, at a glance, it was filled with shimmering waves, stretching endlessly.

　　It was now You Hour (around 5:00-7:00 PM), about a bit past five in the afternoon. The setting sun had already cast some afterglow, illuminating half the sky in red, creating fire clouds.

　　The people on both banks of Clear Lake were sparsely dispersing. Chen Yuan thought for a moment and spent ten taels of silver to buy a small boat. Without needing to row, propelled by Yuan Qi, it moved at a steady pace towards the center of the lake.

　　Looking from afar, it was quite poetic.

　　The small boat moved leisurely. Chen Yuan observed his surroundings. After about a moment, feeling that he had reached the center of Clear Lake, he stopped, put his hands behind his back, and said faintly:

　　"Which fellow Daoist invited this Marquis for a meeting? This Marquis has arrived. Why not show yourself?"

　　His voice was not loud, but it spread throughout a radius of three thousand feet around the center of Clear Lake, exuding a strong sense of confidence. However, with Chen Yuan's current cultivation and trump cards, he indeed had the qualifications.

　　If the other party truly harbored hostility towards him, anyone below the True Lord realm would die!

　　Even if a True Lord came in person, he would still have the power to fight.

　　About ten breaths of time passed. The lake water a hundred feet to Chen Yuan's left front began to stir, rippling as if a large fish was about to break out of the water.

　　Chen Yuan's gaze was deep, and a hint of almost imperceptible azure light flashed in his eyes.

　　He wanted to see if the person was his Child of Destiny. If it really was, then his cultivation might surge in a short period of time.

　　"Very good, Chen Yuan. You arrived as scheduled. This seat is very satisfied."

　　A deep male voice came from the lake. A water dragon shot out of the lake with a "bang," hovering in the air for a while before plunging back into the lake, forming a path.

　　A middle-aged man wearing a black robe walked out of the lake step by step, walking on the water. The lake water on both sides flowed backward, forming a vacuum.

　　His whole body exuded an extremely strong imposing manner, but he did not have the Dao aura of a Yang God True Lord.

　　According to his estimation, his strength was definitely not below the four Divine Envoys of the Sky Surveying Department.

　　This also meant that this person was very likely a peak Refining Spirit powerhouse.

　　However, it didn't matter. As long as it wasn't a True Lord in person, he could deal with it.

　　Finally, the middle-aged man in black stopped forty feet away from Chen Yuan.

　　Unfamiliar, very unfamiliar!

　　This was definitely the first time Chen Yuan had seen this person. He had never seen his appearance before, but for some reason, a strange connection enveloped him, as if he was related to this person.

　　"Who is Your Excellency? Why did you invite this Marquis here?"

　　While Chen Yuan was asking, he was also sizing up the man, a hint of almost imperceptible azure light flashing in his eyes. Then, he was overjoyed.

　　Because he saw the rich azure light on this person.

　　That was... Destiny!

　　It... finally came again!

　　His previous premonition was not wrong. It was really accurate. It really was a guy with destiny.

　　Sometimes, a man's sixth sense is also very accurate.

　　"This Marquis?" The black-clothed man snorted coldly, a touch of anger appearing in his eyes, and said solemnly:

　　"It's just that you were fortunate enough to gain the favor of the Sima family and were granted a marquis title. Now you dare to call yourself This Marquis openly. Humph, do you know who This Seat is?"

　　Chen Yuan frowned. He had already asked who the person was, but he didn't answer directly and instead asked him a rhetorical question.

　　It was simply a bit of a problem:

　　"Then who exactly are you? Why don't you announce your name?"

　　Chen Yuan asked indifferently.

　　This middle-aged man with a dignified face and bright eyes, since he possessed destiny, he would definitely have to die. He would not give him a chance to live.

　　But if he could know the person's background, it would naturally be better.

　　It would also be good to guard against the forces behind this man from retaliating against him.

　　With the power that Senior Moro had given him, Chen Yuan also sensed that this person's true strength could be dealt with, so he was not in a hurry to kill him.

　　This was confidence, a strong confidence from strength.

　　Of course, confidence was confidence, but Chen Yuan was not careless. He was also scanning the changes around him to see if this person had any accomplices lying in ambush.

　　But it seemed unlikely that there would be accomplices. After all, no matter what, even if his reputation in the Jianghu was great, he was still only a True Man martial artist who had just entered the Transformation Yang realm.

　　Coming with a peak Refining Spirit guy was already enough to look up to him; there was no need for more.

　　"This Seat is Xiang Qianfeng."

　　The black-robed man said coldly.

　　And when Chen Yuan heard this name, his pupils suddenly shrank, his brows furrowed, and he said in a low voice:

　　"Xiang Qianfeng!"

　　"Hmm, have you heard of This Seat's name?"

　　Xiang Qianfeng narrowed his eyes.

　　"Are you from the Xiang family?!"

　　Although it was a question, Chen Yuan was somewhat certain. It was really that this name had to make him think more. He knew that his cheap old man was named Xiang Qianqiu, the former Chu Crown Prince.

　　This person only differed from him by one character, making it impossible for him not to think more.

　　"That's right, This Seat is an elder of the Xiang clan's royal family."

　　A cold light appeared in Xiang Qianfeng's eyes.

　　"The Xiang clan's royal family, even though the kingdom is destroyed, you still dare to call yourselves the royal family?" Chen Yuan sneered. Although he himself was also of the Xiang family's bloodline, he had never identified with it.

　　Especially after learning that Xiang Qianqiu wanted to kill him, it was even more so.

　　In this life, he was Chen Yuan, and he would always be Chen Yuan.

　　"Bastard, are you seeking death?"

　　Seeing Chen Yuan insult the Xiang family, Xiang Qianfeng's anger grew even stronger.

　　"What is your relationship with Xiang Qianqiu? Did he send you to kill me?" Chen Yuan's eyes flashed with cold light, and a strong killing intent emanated from his body.

　　"He actually knows the clan leader." Xiang Qianfeng frowned, then nodded and said:

　　"That's right, if you dare to provoke the Xiang family, you will be hunted down by the entire Xiang clan!"

　　"As expected!"

　　At this moment, Chen Yuan calmed down instead. He originally had no expectations, so how could there be any disappointment? Xiang Qianqiu, when his strength is sufficient, he will definitely extract your soul and refine it.

　　He thought silently in his heart.

　　"Xiang Lingtian was This Seat's son, and you actually dared to cut off his head and offer it to the Sima family. Today, This Seat will use the same method to cut off your head, kill all your relatives and friends, to pay tribute to Lingtian's spirit in heaven!"

　　Xiang Qianfeng's black robe moved without wind, and a dignified voice slowly sounded.

　　"Xiang Lingtian was a piece of trash, and you old thing are also a piece of trash, but you are quite destined with me. Xiang Lingtian helped me get a marquis title, and you... will also help This Marquis to sit on the position of Heaven-Rank Divine Envoy!"

　　Now, Jingtai intends to suppress him. It would be difficult to obtain this position without marriage, but it would be different if he cut off the head of this Xiang family elder. With the spread of numerous merits, Jingtai would never be able to suppress him again.

　　He must give the officials below an explanation.

　　This father and son are really his good fortune.

　　Thinking of this, Chen Yuan's mouth slightly curved, as if with some contempt.

　　"Arrogant and conceited, you are just a mere Nascent Soul, how dare you be so arrogant?" Xiang Qianfeng didn't understand where this kid's confidence came from. It was simply nonsensical.

　　"You are just a mere Refining Spirit, what qualifications do you have to be certain that you can kill me?"

　　Chen Yuan sneered.

　　"Killing you is as easy as flipping my hand."

　　Xiang Qianfeng laughed loudly. With a thought, rays of light lit up in the void within a thousand feet, and the Clear Lake below also surged. Dozens of water dragons rose into the sky, sealing off all of Chen Yuan's retreats.

　　"Hmph!

　　For you, This Seat has been planning for a long time. With this great formation here, you will surely die today. This Seat previously thought that you were cautious and might bring several Sky Surveying Department Divine Envoys to assist you. In that case, This Seat would not have shown himself today. But the surrounding void is without fluctuations, and you came alone.

　　In this way, aren't you seeking death?"

　　The reason why he didn't answer Chen Yuan's question at the first time was because he was investigating the movements in the surrounding void, confirming that no one was nearby before he was relieved to show himself.

　　"Why need others to help to kill you? The people of the Xiang family are indeed as arrogant as always. Why don't you use your brain to think about it? This Marquis still dares to show up in the face of unknown dangers. Don't I have any support?"

　　"Hmm? What other methods do you have?"

　　Xiang Qianfeng looked at Chen Yuan's confident appearance and couldn't figure out the details of this person for a moment.

　　Chen Yuan smiled and didn't answer Xiang Qianfeng's words immediately. Instead, he stretched out his index finger and gently tapped his forehead. In an instant, a deep and eerie Demonic Mark quickly condensed.

　　Then, the aura around his body also began to skyrocket.

　　The purple Nascent Soul in the Spirit Platform was now also stained with a trace of Demonic Qi.

　　Chen Yuan opened his arms and smiled faintly:

　　"Killing you is as easy as flipping my hand."

　　In the next moment, endless Demonic Flames rose from Chen Yuan's body. In a short while, they enveloped the world within a thousand feet. The terrifying Demonic Flames were burning, and the void rippled.

　　"Sizzle..."

　　The Clear Lake water below was also evaporating at a speed visible to the naked eye.

　　Burning the heavens and boiling the sea!

　　"Damn it!"

　　Sensing the terrifying changes around him, Xiang Qianfeng was terrified, and his great formation was almost instantly broken. His face suddenly changed drastically.

　　......

　　......

　　Divine Capital.

　　In a certain deserted small courtyard in the north of the city, a young man in a green shirt crossed the courtyard wall, stepped on the dust formed by the fallen leaves on the ground, and opened the door of a room.

　　The dust inside also rose with it.

　　After the dust settled, the young man in the green shirt looked back, quickly closed the door, and his body flashed with light. In an instant, he changed his appearance.

　　Wearing the official uniform of the Sky Surveying Department, with deep eyes, if the officials of the Sky Surveying Department were here, they would be greatly surprised, because he was the newly appointed Grand Commander, Xiao Jing!

　　Xiao Jing closed his eyes, pondered for a moment, and his divine sense swept across the entire small courtyard. A breeze blew, and he instantly opened his eyes and bowed in one direction:

　　"Xiao Jing greets my Lord!"

　　"Good, you are already the Grand Commander of the Sky Surveying Department."

　　In front of him, the void rippled, and a blurred human face slowly appeared.

　　"Thank you for your cultivation, my Lord!"

　　Xiao Jing's face was calm, without any arrogance.

　　"How is Chen Yuan?"

　　The blurred face asked.

　　"Returning to my Lord, this subordinate has recommended Chen Yuan to Jingtai, but the palace seems to have temporarily suppressed this matter. There may be changes in the matter of the Heaven-Rank Divine Envoy."

　　"Hehe..." The blurred face sneered:

　　"Jingtai wants to use Pingyang and the Dao Oath to completely restrain Chen Yuan, and he already understands this point and will not agree to this marriage. It is normal for Jingtai to suppress it."

　　"Then the matter of the Heaven-Rank Divine Envoy?" Xiao Jing frowned.

　　"Chen Yuan will have a chance."

　　"What do you mean by this, my Lord?"

　　"Chen Yuan has made great contributions, and he is the only candidate for the Heaven-Rank Divine Envoy of the Sky Surveying Department today. As long as he is given a breakthrough point, even Jingtai cannot suppress him too much, which will damage the imperial court's face."

　　"This..."

　　Xiao Jing was still confused and didn't quite understand what his Lord meant.

　　"The head of an Xiang family elder should be enough to make him go further." The blurred face was Chen Yuan's cheap father, the current Xiang clan leader, Xiang Qianqiu!

　　Xiao Jing's face changed slightly:

　　"The head of an Xiang family elder?"

　　"It's Xiang Qianfeng. Chen Yuan brought back Xiang Lingtian's head to the Imperial City. He intends to kill him to vent his anger and pay tribute to his good son's spirit in heaven."

　　"Chen Yuan is probably not Xiang Qianfeng's opponent now. Should this subordinate help him?" In Xiao Jing's opinion, no matter how strong Chen Yuan was, he could not be Xiang Qianfeng's opponent at the peak of the Refining Spirit realm.

　　It would be difficult to survive, let alone use his head to go further.

　　"No need. Chen Yuan is not as simple as he appears. They should have already started fighting now. I don't know if it's over yet."

　　"It's enough to disrupt Xiang Qianfeng's plan. Responding hastily, This Seat is sure that he can't kill Chen Yuan and will have his divine blood extracted by him, and his cultivation will increase again."

　　Xiang Qianqiu sneered.

　　The reason why he urged Xiang Qianfeng so strictly was to make him give up other plans and take the initiative to act rashly. Everything was in the plan.

　　He had been observing Chen Yuan for a long time. From his growth trajectory, it could be seen that there should still be a force behind him helping him grow. A peak Refining Spirit is absolutely unable to kill him.

　　"This subordinate understands."

　　Xiao Jing's face straightened.

　　It was only some time ago, when Chen Yuan was dormant and dying in Liang Prefecture, that he learned his true identity from Xiang Qianqiu's mouth. At first, he couldn't believe that he was actually his Lord's once missing only son.

　　And he rose again with another identity.

　　As expected of the Xiang family's offspring.

　　"After Chen Yuan kills Xiang Qianfeng, you still need to help him ascend to the position of Heaven-Rank Divine Envoy."

　　"My Lord, rest assured that as long as Chen Yuan can return with this great achievement, this subordinate will have the confidence to help him ascend to a high position, but I don't know how to arrange him in the future."

　　Xiao Jing stared at the blurred face and said.

　　"This kid has a very opinionated personality and will definitely find a way to be enfeoffed and sent out. Hmm... the north is not suitable. See if you can help him be assigned to the south and give him time to cultivate."

　　"If not, then so be it. Be careful not to let him notice your identity."

　　Xiang Qianqiu felt that with Chen Yuan's personality, once he knew about the events of that year, he might commit patricide. Although he was not afraid, Xiao Jing was an important chess piece that he had cultivated for many years and must not be lost because of this.

　　"My Lord, rest assured that this subordinate will do his best and will not be too obvious."

　　"Good, tell me about the distribution of the Sky Surveying Department's forces in the south..."

　　Xiang Qianqiu knew that after a hundred years of development, the Sky Surveying Department's forces were not simply distributed in various states and counties. They had also buried some hidden chess pieces in the world.

　　These chess pieces might be unfavorable to the Xiang family in the future and must be guarded against in advance.

　　"This subordinate has just taken over the Sky Surveying Department and only knows part of it. In Qingzhou..." Xiao Jing solemnly told everything he knew, without any concealment.

　　After all, he was always a member of the Xiang family.

　　Decades after the fall of the previous dynasty, Xiang Qianqiu began to plan step by step, killing and wounding countless chess pieces, before arranging him under Gu Tianqiong.

　　After that, he secretly gave him resources and helped him solve some opponents.

　　After more than a hundred years of growth, he finally grew into an important minister of the imperial court. It was also he who acted as an internal response, minimizing the losses of the Xiang family.

　　Now that the opportunity came and Jingtai took back power, he naturally became the Grand Commander of the Sky Surveying Department.

　　Of course, in another identity, he had also been subdued by Jingtai and was regarded as his confidant. Otherwise, this position of Grand Commander would not have fallen on him.

　　......

　　......

　　Center of Clear Lake.

　　Terrifying and deep Demonic Flames covered the sky and enveloped the area within a thousand feet. The lake water was evaporating at a speed visible to the naked eye. Xiang Qianfeng, whose face changed drastically, realized that something was wrong and wanted to escape.

　　But Chen Yuan would not give this Child of Destiny a chance.

　　Just as he was about to take action, terrifying Demonic Flames enveloped him. Even if he tried his best, he could only delay it, watching helplessly as the Demonic Flames gradually devoured him.

　　The powerful pressure was brought not only to Xiang Qianfeng. After Moro helped him resist the pressure, the pressure of this power fell on him.

　　Causing his bones to creak and his Qi and blood to surge.

　　The veins on his arms bulged, and the Dao, Buddha, and Demonic cultivation methods were operating simultaneously. The power of his body skyrocketed, but it was still not enough. With a thought, the Xiang family's divine blood deep in his bloodline was mobilized, and ancient divine patterns enveloped his body.

　　He looked down at Xiang Qianfeng, who was desperately resisting the Demonic Flames, with red eyes.

　　Today, he would kill a Refining Spirit and seize destiny!

　　The hot and strange temperature quickly burned Xiang Qianfeng's clothes, and even his body-protecting Yuan Qi was being annihilated at a speed visible to the naked eye. He turned his head and glanced at Chen Yuan, just in time to see the ancient patterns condensing on his body.

　　He was stunned for a moment.

　　Because he had seen this kind of divine pattern. It was a bloodline divine pattern unique to the Xiang family, exactly the same as the one on his body. No, to be precise, it was several times deeper than his.

　　Almost instantly, Xiang Qianfeng understood some things, his eyes widened, and he was somewhat unwilling.

　　He roared:

　　"Xiang Qianqiu... You deserve to die!"