In fact, during past cycles of reincarnation, as a marginal outer sect disciple, Chen Yan simply wouldn't have cared about things like the Dao Inquiry Assembly of Chenping Continent or the Heavenly Summit Mountain Dao Inquiry.
Because they had nothing to do with him.
During Chen Yan's first lifetime, at the time the Dao Inquiry Assembly of Chenping Continent was being held, he was merely a Body Forging Realm cultivator.
The only Martial Spring Realm cultivators he could possibly come into contact with were the outer sect stewards.
And even that couldn't really be called contact.
It was more like a chance encounter.
And whenever Chen Yan encountered those outer sect stewards, he had to stand respectfully to the side, bow with clasped hands, and remain that way until the steward had walked far away.
To Chen Yan, who was just a marginal disciple back then, an outer sect steward was an incredibly significant figure.
For such an insignificant Chen Yan, something like the Heavenly Summit Mountain Dao Inquiry was far too distant.
Chen Yan only happened to hear someone mention the final results of that Heavenly Summit Mountain Dao Inquiry.
If not for him, the list of Dao Inquirers from Kongshan Sect for that Heavenly Summit Mountain Dao Inquiry should have been Chu Xiyao, Qin Yue, and Lin Xinyang.
Similarly, if not for him, that Dao Inquiry Assembly of Chenping Continent would have proceeded smoothly, and Qin Yue would not have died on Heavenly Summit Mountain.
Qin Yue ultimately lost to Qin Qingyu during the Heavenly Summit Mountain Dao Inquiry.
Then Lin Xinyang also lost to Qin Qingyu.
The final battle was Chu Xiyao versus Qin Qingyu.
As for the final outcome, it's already known.
Qin Qingyu achieved a one-versus-three sweep, defeating all three of Kongshan Sect's Dao Inquirers single-handedly.
It was precisely because of this that the name Qin Qingyu nearly became a nightmare for Kongshan Sect.
This matter spread like wildfire within the sect.
Many outer sect disciples were even so indignant about it that they clamored to challenge Qin Qingyu to single combat to restore Kongshan Sect's reputation.
That's why Chen Yan knew the ultimate outcome of that Heavenly Summit Mountain Dao Inquiry.
From this perspective, the reason Qin Yue died during that Dao Inquiry Assembly of Chenping Continent was entirely because of him.
Not only that, Huo Mu's fate, and Heavenly Summit Mountain being enveloped by a barrier, were also because of Chen Yan.
"Is this the butterfly effect?"
Chen Yan sighed with a bitter smile.
Then, he took the draw results for the next round of the Heavenly Summit Mountain Dao Inquiry.
On the matchup chart, the name of Chen Yan's next opponent was clearly written:
Qin Qingyu.
...
On the central arena platform of Daoyan Arena.
Chen Yan, wearing a pure white Daoist robe with gilded cloud crane patterns on the sleeves and the "Kongyuan Chief Disciple" token hanging at his waist, stood on the eastern side of the platform.
On the western side of the platform stood the gentle and elegant young woman, Qin Qingyu, dressed in a light green gauze skirt, her face also veiled with a matching light green veil.
Chen Yan felt no particular pressure about this fight.
Because he never intended to win from the start.
Just as Lin Qifeng and Yue Chi had advised him, Chen Yan himself held the same view.
Winning against a few disciples from ordinary sects was enough.
When encountering disciples from the Five Great Sects, one should lose when it's time to lose, and avoid being too ostentatious.
Otherwise, as Chu Xiyao had said, he might attract the attention of those who shouldn't be watching.
Moreover, his opponent this round was Qin Qingyu, recognized as the number one Martial Spring Realm cultivator of the current generation on Chenping Continent.
"Chief Disciple Chen."
Qin Qingyu curtsied towards Chen Yan's direction and said:
"Yesterday, watching Chief Disciple Chen's battle with that Beiyuan Sect disciple truly broadened this humble girl's horizons."
"It doesn't compare to even a fraction of Chief Disciple Qin's grace."
Chen Yan returned the courtesy with a bow.
"This humble girl must admit that among all the Dao Inquirers at this Heavenly Summit Mountain Dao Inquiry, Chief Disciple Chen's performance is the only one worthy of this humble girl's respect as an opponent."
Qin Qingyu said.
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire arena fell silent.
For most cultivators present, this statement meant little.
But for prodigies like Chu Xiyao, Yi Liang, and Huang Jing, Qin Qingyu's words felt especially sharp.
Are you saying the only heroes in the world are you and Chen Yan?
How arrogant!
Although Qin Qingyu had the strength and the capital to say such things.
It still felt excessively arrogant to many!
While everyone was stunned into silence, only the Moon Void Sect leader, Hu Tianyuan, on the viewing stand, smiled and nodded slightly.
He understood his disciple's temperament very well.
She always said exactly what she meant, without embellishment.
Since she said Chen Yan was the only opponent on the field worthy of her respect, it meant Qin Qingyu truly believed that.
But Chen Yan, hearing Qin Qingyu's words, was genuinely startled, cold sweat nearly trickling down the back of his neck.
Her words undoubtedly placed him directly on the grill over hot coals.
"Chief Disciple Qin praises me too highly."
Chen Yan hurriedly said.
"To express my respect for Chief Disciple Chen, during this duel, I will suppress my cultivation to the early Martial Spring Realm."
Qin Qingyu said:
"Only then will the duel between us be considered fair."
Only at this moment did Chen Yan and the spectating crowd finally understand Qin Qingyu's true intention.
It must be known that Qin Qingyu had always positioned herself as the number one Martial Spring Realm cultivator of the current generation on Chenping Continent.
Until Chen Yan suddenly emerged yesterday.
Before this, the peers compared to Qin Qingyu were Chu Xiyao, Yi Liang, Huang Jing, and others.
These individuals were all at the peak Martial Spring Realm, the same as Qin Qingyu.
But now, among these names, there was an additional Chen Yan, who was only at the early Martial Spring Realm.
If Qin Qingyu, with her peak Martial Spring Realm cultivation, crushed Chen Yan, who ostensibly only had early Martial Spring Realm cultivation, then based on Chen Yan's performance yesterday in defeating Ye Xiu, a certain narrative might emerge:
That Qin Qingyu's victory was not honorable, and if Chen Yan were also at the peak Martial Spring Realm, he might not necessarily lose to Qin Qingyu.
Or, if Chen Yan were at the peak Martial Spring Realm and Qin Qingyu were only at the early Martial Spring Realm, then Chen Yan would certainly be able to crush Qin Qingyu.
Qin Qingyu wanted to be the undisputed number one Martial Spring Realm cultivator of Chenping Continent.
Then she had to silence all critics.
Defeating Chen Yan while suppressing her cultivation to the early Martial Spring Realm was undoubtedly the best method.
This way, no one could ever again compare anyone else to her.
"Agreed."
Chen Yan agreed.
He truly did not want to win this duel.
The empty fame gained from defeating Qin Qingyu held no benefit for Chen Yan.
However, Chen Yan also didn't plan to lose this match casually.
He also wanted to test and see exactly what level this so-called number one Martial Spring Realm cultivator of Chenping Continent, Qin Qingyu, was at.
"Chief Disciple Qin, please."
Since the other party had already made such a significant concession, if Chen Yan were to attack first, that would be rather shameless.
Therefore, Chen Yan decided to let Qin Qingyu make the first move.