Villain: My fate is in my own hands, not in the heavens.

The mess at the Tai Xuan Holy Land spread like wildfire throughout the entire Eastern Wilderness in less than half a day.

Who would have thought that the various holy lands and dynasties that were originally so aggressive in wanting to crush Tai Xuan would not even dare to step into the mountain gate, but instead line up respectfully to enter the hall and pay their respects to a mere young boy?

When the news spread, the cultivators were utterly astonished, until the image from the recording stone became known throughout the streets.

In front of the Tai Xuan Mountain gate, those sect leaders who were usually arrogant and haughty were bowing their heads like shrimps, so no one dared to disbelieve them.

"Holy crap! The Upper Realm really exists? Did this young man fall from the sky?"

"Nonsense! Do you think those old fogies are crazy? Why would they ignore the profound mysteries right in front of them and act like a grandson to some young man?"

"Ascension is as difficult as climbing to heaven, let alone descending to the mortal realm—just who is this person?"

"Don't even mention it, Tai Xuan's luck is incredible, their ancestors' graves are emitting auspicious smoke! But speaking of which, I heard that Tai Xuan has an inner disciple named Ye Chen who made a huge fool of himself?"

In a tavern on the street, a group of monks huddled together, slapping the table and laughing and cursing.

Someone, holding a wine bowl, chimed in, "Hahaha, that's for sure! I heard that Ye Chen, seeing this lord subdue all the forces in the Eastern Wilderness, was so envious he was practically green with envy. He even tried to challenge him, only to be kicked away and nearly killed!"

"Tsk tsk tsk, even a toad trying to eat swan meat is this outrageous! With his skills, he's not even worthy of carrying her shoes!"

The crowd burst into laughter, no one taking it seriously, just something to chat about after dinner. But outside the crowd, a pale-faced, plainly dressed man listened, trembling all over.

He clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking, the wound in his heart still throbbing, his eyes filled with icy hatred, and he muttered through gritted teeth, "Su Qingge, you bitch, how dare you betray me!"

He paused, then his voice turned venomous: "Xie Zheng! I will repay this humiliation a hundredfold one day, making you wish you were dead!"

This person was none other than Ye Chen in disguise. In the present Eastern Wilderness, Xie Zheng's words had forced him into a corner, leaving him no place to hide and forcing him to conceal his true identity.

His purpose in this trip was to use the ancient city's large teleportation array to travel to Zhongzhou.

In his eyes, the Central Plains was more vast and mysterious than the Eastern Wilderness, with dragon veins converging, sects everywhere, and many lineages and families with ties to the Upper Realm—their ancestors were all great figures who ascended to the heavens.

"No matter how powerful Xie Zheng is, can he really control everything all the way to Zhongzhou?" Ye Chen sneered, secretly calculating in his mind.

"Once I join those established families and gain a background from the upper realm, let's see how arrogant you can be then! Both Su Qingge and you will have to kneel before me and repent!"

But then he frowned, wondering to himself, "What's wrong with Master? Ever since the Tai Xuan incident, he's been like a silent gourd. He only helps me when I'm in danger; he doesn't even say a word to me."

He clenched his fists, a sense of unease rising within him: "Could it be that Yan Ji also intends to betray me? No, absolutely not! I can't lose her too!"

This unease was quickly suppressed by the flames of revenge. Ye Chen quickened his pace and hurried toward the teleportation array, afraid of being recognized.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye. In the main hall of the Tai Xuan Holy Land, Xie Zheng leaned against the jade couch, his posture lazy, yet he exuded a cold and imposing aura.

She perfectly embodies the image of Ning Anru Meng and Xie Wei, with a cool demeanor concealing a hint of nonchalant arrogance.

Su Qingge approached carrying a gilded tray, handed over a gold-embossed invitation, and said softly, "Young Master, this is from the Third Prince of the Great Xia Dynasty in Zhongzhou, inviting geniuses from all over the world to come and discuss the Dao."

Xie Zheng raised his eyes, glanced at the invitation, raised an eyebrow, and said with disdain, "Geniuses from the lower realms? They think they're worthy of my attention? They could be crushed with a single finger. It's pointless."

As he spoke, he turned his head to look at Su Qingge, a mischievous glint in his eyes: "Compared to this, teasing you every day is much more interesting."

Su Qingge's cheeks flushed slightly, but she wasn't annoyed. She delicately peeled a spirit crystal grape and held it to his lips.

He patiently explained, "Young Master, the Great Xia Dynasty is no ordinary dynasty. Its former emperor was said to have ascended to the Upper Realm, possessing extremely profound knowledge and abilities. The Third Prince himself is also exceptionally talented; his birth resounded for three thousand miles, making him very famous in the Central Plains."

Xie Zheng opened his mouth to catch the grape, chewed it a couple of times, and casually asked, "The Great Xia Dynasty? Central Plains?"

He paused, then suddenly sat up straight, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes: "That's right, we've been in the Eastern Wilderness for too long, it's getting boring, it's time to change our map."

Su Qingge was taken aback for a moment, then asked, "Does Young Master intend to go to Zhongzhou? Three days from now, all the geniuses from the holy lands and dynasties of the Eastern Wilderness will depart together. Will Young Master go with them?"

Xie Zheng lightly tapped the armrest of the jade couch with his fingertips, pondered for a moment, and then slowly nodded.

A barely perceptible smile played on his lips as he secretly plotted: Ye Chen, that leek, has probably escaped to Zhongzhou by now. It's really not used to not having him around to cut me a couple of times.

Moreover, he suddenly remembered something.

It seems that Elder Ming's family is located in the Central Continent of this realm.

Thirty thousand years ago, Elder Ming broke through the void from Zhongzhou and ascended to the upper realm.

"Perfect timing, let's also take a look at Elder Ming's hometown," Xie Zheng stood up, his tone carrying a hint of casualness, yet also an undeniable air of authority.

"We'll depart on time in three days. As for those prodigies... let them make up the numbers."

Su Qingge quickly agreed, "Yes, young master, I'll make the arrangements right away."

Xie Zheng watched her retreating figure, a smile flashing in his eyes. He thought to himself: Ye Chen, see you in Zhongzhou. This time, let's see where you can run to. Leeks should be leeks; don't even think about escaping.

Elder Ming comes from the Azure Heaven Realm, which is the lower realm where Xie Zheng is currently staying.

The Old Man of the Underworld never mentioned this to him. It was the original owner who found out about it when he was investigating in the lower realm, which is why he was willing to let the Old Man of the Underworld follow him.

Xie Zheng was able to suddenly recall this matter entirely thanks to Su Qingge's mention of Zhongzhou earlier. With Elder Ming's status as an ascended being, handling matters in Zhongzhou would definitely save a lot of trouble.

"Then, young master, I will go down and make the arrangements right away." Su Qingge bowed slightly, her tone respectful yet efficient.

Xie Zheng raised his eyelids slightly and nodded lightly: "Go ahead, but don't mess it up." He truly trusted Su Qingge's work, even more than he trusted his own.

After Su Qingge's figure disappeared outside the hall, Xie Zheng tapped the edge of the table with his fingertips and spoke to the empty hall, his tone casual yet certain: "Elder Ming, thirty thousand years ago, you ascended from Zhongzhou, didn't you?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a slight ripple appeared in the void, and the figure of Elder Ming slowly appeared, bowing his head.

His posture was extremely humble: "In reply to your question, young master, this old servant ascended from the Central Continent of the Azure Sky Realm thirty thousand years ago."

He paused, a hint of regret on his face: "When I first arrived in the Upper Realm, I was completely clueless and knew nothing. I never imagined that I would be captured by a major sect in the Upper Realm and forced to work as a laborer, digging in the mines every day. It almost broke my bones."