Half an hour later—
ROAR!!!
A wild dragon roar echoed across the Jiang Clan's divine mountain.
Three scarlet flood dragons tore through the sky, dragging a golden palace behind them like a divine chariot.
The blood-like aura spilled out in waves, sweeping across a hundred miles like a rolling tide.
All factions across the Jiang Clan looked up in shock.
Three Scarlet Blood Dragons?!
These were ancient beasts with traces of true dragon blood—feral and violent, impossible to tame unless by top-tier powerhouses.
Who was returning?
Who had the power to control three Scarlet Blood Dragons?!
The dragons coiled high in the sky as the majestic palace doors opened.
Two elderly figures in servant attire stepped forward, their posture humble—yet they naturally exuded Earth Profound Realm auras.
Earth Profound… as servants?!
The crowd gasped.
Outside the Jiang Clan, Earth Profound cultivators were lords of their own domains.
Even within a Long-Life Clan like the Jiang, only elders were qualified to command Earth Profound experts as attendants!
Just who… was inside that palace?
Then—
A young man stepped out.
Golden jade robe. Folding fan in hand. Immortal essence dancing around him. Every step exuded divine grace, as if he carried the laws of heaven and earth.
"Qian Kun Young Lord?!"
Shocked voices rang out.
Jiang Qiankun — one of the Four Young Lords — had returned.
Three years ago, he left the clan to temper himself, and since then, not a single word. Many had assumed him dead.
But now, he had returned.
And… he looked divine.
Floating in midair, Jiang Qiankun swept his gaze across the clan's peaks, and finally landed his eyes on Jiang Xuan's faction.
He smiled faintly and said:
"I, Jiang Qiankun, am now a core disciple of Yin-Yang Holy Land. My cultivation has reached Spirit Transformation Peak."
"I return to the clan today for one reason—"
"To seize the title of Young Clan Lord!"
"Even if Jiang Xuan is marrying into the Desolate Heaven Sacred Sect, I will not retreat half a step."
"What's mine—no one can take away!"
The moment these words rang out, the clan erupted in shock.
Yin-Yang Holy Land?!
The ancient, mysterious, supreme sect of the world.
It was said to predate even the Long-Life Clans, ruling the realm in the era before time was counted, when all sects bowed and gods knelt before it.
He became their core disciple?!
Spirit Transformation Peak?!
Every other faction's hope dimmed.
With that background, bloodline power, and cultivation… who could challenge him?
On another peak, Jiang Minghao walked out calmly, divine energy coiling around his form.
His aura had clearly grown stronger these past few days.
Beside him, an elder from his faction frowned. "First Jiang Xuan and the Sacred Sect... now Jiang Bei returns, and even Jiang Qiankun reappears with Yin-Yang backing…"
"This trial won't be easy. If necessary, withdraw."
Jiang Minghao smiled.
"The trial judges bloodline, cultivation, and Dao foundation. Background means nothing."
"Qiankun? A hollow shell. Chased power too fast—his foundation is weak."
"The one who worries me…"
He paused. "...is the one who triggered the Ancestral Shrine."
"85% bloodline purity. That's not easy to ignore."
"Still—"
Jiang Minghao's smile widened, his aura calm and steady.
"I fear no one."
He had recently mastered a high-grade secret art, boosting his bloodline to 75%, matching Jiang Xuan's.
His cultivation had reached Spirit Transformation Level Six.
He had every confidence he would win.
News of the Ancestral Grounds Trial quickly reached Jiang Xuan.
"So it's time to settle this…"
Ten years of power struggle between the Four Young Lords…
Now it would finally end.
Just then, a clan attendant walked in.
"Young Lord, a letter from the Sacred Sect's Saintess."
Jiang Xuan raised an eyebrow and opened it.
A divine glow erupted from the letter, transforming into a message.
"A fragment of a lost world has surfaced in the Desolate Sacred Sect's territory. According to our God-Master's divination, it is the remnants of a True God's relic."
"There may be cursed beasts, ancient legacies, and even the path to godhood."
"Most notably… the aura of the World Tree has been detected."
"Only a few factions know of this. I humbly invite Jiang Xuan to join me. All treasures will be yours. If you find the World Tree's seed, it will be gifted to you."
Jiang Xuan: "???"
Didn't I already reject the marriage proposal?
Why is she being so nice?
"Something's off…"
He muttered, narrowing his eyes.
"No one gives away divine treasures for free…"
"This Saintess isn't trying to court me, right?"
Without hesitation, he replied with just two words:
"Not going."
[You have broken another fate script.]
[Reward: Enhanced breakthrough comprehension. When advancing to Spirit Transformation Realm, you will gain profound enlightenment.]
[Bonus: You have refused the Saintess twice. Gained a random draw.]
Jiang Xuan blinked.
Wait, this counts as breaking a script?
And I get another draw?!
"This Sacred Sect Saintess is basically a walking reward bag…"
He laughed.
"Fine, let's roll."
[Drawing… Congratulations!]
[You've obtained a key to the entrance of a True God's Relic hidden within the Mystic Light World Fragment.]
[Bonus Message: The entrance lies within the Desolate Sacred Sect's domain.]
A flash of white light.
A dark, ancient token appeared in Jiang Xuan's hand, engraved with a terrifying dragon head.
Even a quick glance made his heart freeze.
...What the hell?!
He stared at the token in disbelief.
Is my cheat… broken?!
Why do I feel like this isn't a reward—
But a trap?!