Stepping Down from the Position of Supreme Elder

"Don’t think you can trick us with such cheap provocation."

"With so many people here, someone’s test results might just fall short of yours."

"Do you really think this kind of wager is fair to us?" Cao Heng said coldly.

"Oh?"

"Wasn’t it you who claimed that anyone here is stronger than me?"

"That I have no right to be here, no right to even speak with you?"

"And now, suddenly, it’s unfair?"

"But what I’m curious about is… who among you do you think would be the one inferior to me?"

Chen Chang'an’s words caused the expressions of everyone present to darken.

Just moments ago, they had been united, but if this matter wasn’t handled carefully, cracks would inevitably form among them.

"Are you trying to sow discord again?"

"Let me tell you, we won’t fall for it."

"Though we’re reluctant to admit it, if you had no skill at all, you wouldn’t have become the Grand Elder of the Nine Clouds Immortal Sect."

"Don’t you think someone of your status proposing such a wager is… somewhat inappropriate?"

They really had an answer for everything—nothing was acceptable.

However, Chen Chang'an wasn’t angered. After all, everything was unfolding exactly as he had planned.

"Fine. Since you acknowledge my abilities, I won’t bully you."

"But you’ve also repeatedly emphasized my status."

"Wouldn’t a wager that’s too small also be inappropriate?" Chen Chang'an asked.

"First, tell us what you’re betting on. Then we’ll discuss the stakes."

These people were cautious. Without absolute certainty, they weren’t willing to risk an unexpected defeat.

"Then tell me, what would it take for you to be convinced?"

"How about this—let’s set a combat power benchmark."

"If your combat power exceeds 200,000 Stars, we’ll admit defeat."

"How about it?"

200,000 Stars?

Back in the Skypride City of the Profound Heaven Domain, Yun Zhilan, at the peak of the Golden Immortal Realm, had achieved a combat power of 99,999 Stars.

So, 200,000 Stars should correspond to the strength of a Heavenly Immortal.

This was likely their best estimate of Chen Chang'an’s capabilities.

"Grand Elder, 200,000 Stars of combat power is equivalent to a fifth-level Heavenly Immortal’s cultivation."

"Are you confident?" asked a disciple of the Nine Clouds Immortal Sect.

200,000 Stars only equates to a fifth-level Heavenly Immortal?

Isn’t the gap a bit too large?

"But I once saw a peak Golden Immortal with 99,999 Stars of combat power."

"How is it that a fifth-level Heavenly Immortal only doubles that?" Chen Chang'an asked curiously.

"Grand Elder, the person you saw must have been an exceptionally talented genius."

"An ordinary peak Golden Immortal wouldn’t reach such heights."

"Though 99,999 Stars is just one short of 100,000, breaking through that single Star is extremely difficult—it’s a bottleneck."

"Similarly, breaking through from 109,999 to 200,000 Stars is another bottleneck."

"Generally, only those who’ve reached the fifth level of the Heavenly Immortal Realm can surpass 200,000 Stars."

After hearing the disciple’s explanation, Chen Chang'an nodded. It seemed combat power wasn’t as exaggerated as he had imagined.

He had assumed that a Heavenly Immortal’s combat power would approach a million Stars, but now it appeared that reaching the million-Star threshold would require the strength of an Immortal King.

"Then would 300,000 Stars correspond to a peak Heavenly Immortal or a half-step Immortal King?" Chen Chang'an asked.

"It should be a peak Heavenly Immortal. A half-step Immortal King would exceed 300,000 Stars."

"Though for a supreme prodigy, that’s another matter," the disciple replied.

"What?"

"Are you scared now?"

"If you’re afraid, just say so. Don’t worry—we won’t laugh at you."

"Hahahaha!"

"The Grand Elder of the Nine Clouds Immortal Sect, so bold just moments ago, now hesitates at the mention of 200,000 Stars?"

"It’s a bit unfair, really. At the fifth level of the Golden Immortal Realm, even reaching 100,000 Stars would be a stretch. Asking for 200,000 is just cruel."

"Should we lower the requirements for him?"

"What nonsense! Who do you think he is? The Grand Elder of the Nine Clouds Immortal Sect! Are you trying to embarrass him?"

"Hahaha, well said!"

The crowd jeered mercilessly, while the disciples of the Nine Clouds Immortal Sect burned with anger. If not for Chen Chang'an’s presence and his silent signal to remain calm, they would have already lunged at the mockers.

"You’re right."

"Everything you’ve said makes perfect sense."

"Since I am the Grand Elder of the Nine Clouds Immortal Sect, a combat power too low would hardly command respect."

"How about this—300,000!"

"300,000 Stars of combat power. What do you say?"

Huh?

What did he just say?

Chen Chang'an’s words plunged the scene into silence. Did he really just propose 300,000 Stars?

Was he insane?

Did he even understand what he was saying?

"Did you just say what I think you said?"

"300,000 Stars? Are you serious?"

"Do you honestly believe that, at the fifth level of the Golden Immortal Realm, you can reach 300,000 Stars?"

"Are you claiming to be more monstrous than the most legendary prodigies?"

"Hahaha! As expected of the Grand Elder of the Nine Clouds Immortal Sect—such boldness, such audacity!"

"If he’s offering, how can we refuse?"

"Agreed. Let’s go with this."

"I’m in too."

300,000 Stars was an impossibility. Everyone was convinced Chen Chang'an was bluffing—his defeat was all but guaranteed.

Even the disciples of the Nine Clouds Immortal Sect were filled with dread. 300,000 Stars?

Did Chen Chang'an truly possess such power?

A Golden Immortal matching the combat power of a peak Heavenly Immortal?

"Grand Elder, think this through!"

"200,000 is already enough. 300,000… that’s too high."

"Grand Elder, don’t act recklessly!"

The disciples’ pleas only strengthened the others’ confidence. If even his own sect doubted him, what was there to fear?

"My decision is final. There’s no need to persuade me further."

"However!"

"If the penalty for losing is too trivial…"

"It wouldn’t befit the status of a Grand Elder, would it?"

"What do you think?"

"Hahaha, fine. Tell us—what’s the penalty for losing?"

"We won’t argue."

"Good!"

"If I lose, I… will resign as Grand Elder of the Nine Clouds Immortal Sect. How’s that?"

What?

Resign as Grand Elder? That was playing with fire!

"And if we lose, what then?"