Lu Yin immediately developed a headache. "I swear, I really didn't know until just now, so if you’re able to say no to this, then I’ll do my best to refuse as well."

Xia Taili wiped her eyes and stubbornly retorted, "I don't believe you!"

Lu Yin pursed his lips, not knowing how he could get through to this girl.

Xia Taili stared at Lu Yin and carefully enunciated each word. "Listen carefully—if you really have the guts to marry me, I will castrate you. I’m going to practice my knife skills right now. My Xia family is quite skilled with blades."

She let out a snort before leaping up and fleeing from Hidden Dragon Lake.

Lu Yin's face twitched as he shivered from a sudden chill. He had suddenly recalled the summoned Progenitor Chen of Shang Chi’s Tri-Yang Technique. That summon had wielded a glowing knife in tandem with a technique that was able to interchange reality and illusion and cause people to change directions at will. It had been a chilling combination. True enough, the Xia family really did excel at using knives.

Xia Taili had already known about their arranged marriage, so did that mean that the Celestial Frost Sect also knew about it? No matter how well the White Dragon Clan and Shenwu’s Sky tried to keep this matter hidden, it would be impossible to hide such a monumental decision from the Celestial Frost Sect or the Wang family!

Lu Yin truly had no desire to get married, and he hoped that some sort of falling out would occur between the two families. It would be even better if he was not accepted as the Progenitor’s disciple.

After Shenwu's Sky arrived, the Wang family came next. The second of the four ruling powers to arrive was represented by Wang Si, an elder from the Wang family, and she was accompanied by her granddaughter, Wang Yun.

Grand Elder Ni Huang personally went out to receive Wang Si when she arrived. They were both Semi-Progenitors, and although it was reasonable to say that Wang Si was not from the same generation as Ni Huang, she held a special status. Thus, no one was surprised that Ni Huang personally greeted this particular guest.

The following day, Nong Ya, the patriarch of the Nong family, arrived with Nong Lie. Soon after that, Liu Song, the Liu family’s hunched elder, also arrived.

Liu Song’s arrival also aroused Ni Huang's attention, and the grand elder personally greeted the Liu elder as well.

Next, Mr. Tang from Virtue Archives arrived. He was not a Semi-Progenitor, though his reputation was no worse than one. This was because he was one of the rare individuals who had reached the ultimate realm of domains: the void realm.

"After so many years of not seeing you, senior remains the same as ever." Mr. Tang quickly bowed as soon as he saw Qing Chen. He gave off a scholarly demeanor and had an erudite air about him.

Qing Chen smiled. "Mr. Tang similarly has not changed. I wonder, is that old tree still in the academy? I still remember when you and I drank beneath that tree."

Mr. Tang sighed. "During the massive change back then, the academy was also affected, and the old tree burnt down."

Qing Chen felt somewhat nostalgic. "That’s unfortunate, as drinking under that tree gave off a rather different atmosphere than other places."

Mr. Tang remained casual and relaxed. "Senior, if you would like, you can plant a tree at the academy. When that small tree grows up, you and I will be able to drink under it, and it’ll be just as enjoyable."

"Haha, that sounds good." Qing Chen laughed.

"Naturally."

"Mr. Tang, you are one of the rare masters who have cultivated your domain to the void realm. I wonder, would you be interested in giving some pointers to a junior? The junior I’m referring to has cultivated his domain to the spirit manifestation realm, but he has gotten stuck." Qing Chen abruptly changed the topic.

Mr. Tang's eyes flickered. "I don’t know which junior Senior Qing Chen is referring to. Who is it?"

"Long Qi," Qing Chen replied.

Mr. Tang was surprised. "I’ve heard that Senior Qing Chen holds Long Qi in high regard and that even the commander is interested in the youth. Hearing you speak up for the youth shows just how much you all value him."

Qing Chen nodded and continued on in a serious tone, saying, "Aside from his status in the White Dragon Clan, Long Qi has also captured multiple Redbacks while running the risk of blatantly offending the four ruling powers. On the rear battlefield, he saved tens of millions of people and repaired a defensive sourcebox array—his achievements were so high that he even caught the attention of the Twelve Marquises. This child is the most talented person I have ever encountered."

The supervisor then looked straight at Mr. Tang while saying, "I know that Virtue Archives doesn't care to teach anyone from the four ruling powers, but Long Qi is different."

Mr. Tang smiled in reply. "If the commander values the youth enough to accept him as a disciple, then this junior naturally understands. After Long Qi has worshiped his ancestors, and time permitting, then this junior will happily offer some advice. Of course, he can also visit Virtue Archives."

"Very well, it's settled then," Qing Chen said with a smile.

Mr. Tang smiled as though everything was as it should be.

Qing Chen really did regard Lu Yin very highly, and that had only increased after the commander had said that he wished to take the youth as his disciple. Qing Chen had thus come to view Lu Yin as his junior, and the older man had clearly seen how the four ruling powers’ actions completely disgusted Lu Yin. This reassured Qing Chen, and he had let go of any possible concerns regarding Lu Yin’s background as a member of the White Dragon Clan. If that were not the case, then it would have been impossible for Qing Chen to speak up for Lu Yin like this no matter how impressive he thought the youth was.

Qing Chen had always felt that Lu Yin would bring about major changes to the Perennial World in the future.

Countless people from both the Middle Realm and the Higher Realm gathered at Dragon Mountain, and even individuals who did not normally qualify to set foot on Dragon Mountain had unexpectedly received the opportunity to enter.

The White Dragon Clan intended to take full advantage of Long Qi’s status to improve their image, and Long Ke even wanted to use Lu Yin to stabilize the main family’s position within the clan.

No fewer than twenty Envoys had arrived, and there were also several powerful Semi-Progenitors.

When Lu Yin heard this news, he could not help but think that there were more than enough experts had gathered at Dragon Mountain to destroy the entire Fifth Mainland, likely without any issues.

The scheduled day for Lu Yin to worship the ancestors drew closer and closer. Then, finally, the Celestial Frost Sect arrived.

The Celestial Frost Sect was represented by Sect Master Bai Teng, Elder Xi Zi, and an Elder Shi.

Many of the people already at Dragon Mountain were shocked when they heard that Elder Shi was attending the ceremony. They were not surprised due to Elder Shi’s impressive strength, but rather because he was famous for being too persistent.

Elder Shi, whose full name was Shi Xin,1 was a powerhouse who had only passed his first tribulation. It had been an excessive amount since that tribulation, but he still had not attempted his next breakthrough yet. It was not because he would struggle to overcome his next stellular tribulation, but rather because he was unwilling to complete his breakthrough.

"Long ago, Shi Xin cultivated his battle force all the way to aurelian force, and he relied on that to cross realms and fight against Envoys. He’s even comparable to the Seven Heroes from back then, but unfortunately, he failed when challenging them. However, he has always maintained his promise from back then to never breakthrough again. Even though the Celestial Frost Sect’s master has ordered Elder Shi to complete his breakthrough, he still refuses. He was even punished and imprisoned for his disobedience. I never expected him to attend this ceremony,” said an old man as he watched the Celestial Frost Sect’s group enter Dragon Mountain.

Everyone around the old man heard his words, though some admired Elder Shi while others mocked him.

"Even though he’s only a single tribulation Envoy, there is no one in the entire Perennial World at that cultivation realm who is his opponent. Even though the Celestial Frost Sect’s Junior Progenitor was powerful enough to challenge Envoys with a higher cultivation, he has never challenged Elder Shi. This is because Elder Shi is invincible within his realm," another person said.

"Aurelian force is truly rare. Very few people cultivate battle force, and even fewer are ever able to cultivate it to aurelian force."

"It’s such a pity that an amazing genius was buried alongside the Seven Heroes."

"By the way, which one of the seven managed to defeat him?"

"The rumors say that it was the seventh hero."

…

The moment the people from the Celestial Frost Sect arrived at Dragon Mountain, they dismissed Long Ke, who had greeted them on behalf of the White Dragon Clan. Then, they immediately went to see the people from Shenwu's Sky.

"Princess Taili, please tell us once again what you saw at the Forgotten Ruins." Bai Teng and Elder Xi Zi both stared at Xia Taili. Their faces clearly showed that they would not leave unless she spoke.

Next to Xia Taili was Xia Xing.

"How many times has this princess told you this? You already asked me this when we first left the Dominion Realm! What else do you do other than repeat the same questions?" Xia Taili was already very upset and in a bad mood. So when Bai Teng showed up to force her to answer questions, she had instantly lost her temper.

Bai Teng grew furious, and he looked over at Xia Xing. "Old Xia, is this how your Shenwu’s Sky raises your children?"

Before Xia Xing could even respond, Xia Taili leaped up with a grin. "You just did this princess a favor! Because of what you just said, this princess won’t say anything more!"

"You!" Bai Teng was enraged.

Elder Xi Zi felt his head throbbing with pain. He had heard of Xia Taili's unruly reputation before, and he knew that it would be impossible to force the matter. He quickly grabbed Bai Teng before saying to Xia Xing, "Sect Master Xia, please forgive me, but Shaohong's death is not only a loss for my Celestial Frost Sect, but also a true loss for the entire Perennial World. He had a high chance of becoming a Progenitor in the future, but he died just like that! We must receive an explanation to give to the Perennial World.

"Our Progenitors are the strongest protection that our Perennial World has to offer."

Xia Xing nodded. "You elders are correct, but Taili has also already told you everything that she knows. She has spared no details at all, covering everything from the moment she first arrived at the Forgotten Ruins to when she left. She has not left anything out, and I cannot ask her to keep repeating herself for you."

Elder Xi Zi stared at Xia Taili, but the girl just snorted, deliberately antagonizing the elders. She was already upset, so no one should even think of pushing her around at this time.

Elder Xi Zi glanced past Xia Taili towards a young man standing in the corner. This young man had been present since they had first arrived, and he had maintained a respectful expression. If he were some ordinary disciple, he would have left long ago, but he had not.

"Might I ask who the disciple that Sect Master Xia has brought here is? Has this old man heard of him before?" Elder Xi Zi asked as he stared at the young man in the corner.

The young man met Elder Xi Zi's eyes and showed a faint smile before slowly bowing. "Luo Zhong greets the seniors from the Celestial Frost Sect."

Xia Xing explained, "This is a new disciple of Shenwu's Sky. His talent is quite decent, so I brought him along with me for training, though I haven’t made much progress with him. You elders have not heard of him before."

Xia Taili rolled her eyes. "That's not necessarily true. These old guys might be more aware about my Shenwu's Sky than even you, Father."

Xia Xing’s voice dropped low. "Taili, don't be rude."

Elder Xi Zi still did not become angry, though Bai Teng waved a hand. "Uncultured brat."

He then left.

Elder Xi Zi politely dismissed himself.

Xia Xing stared at Bai Teng's back with contempt. The sect master was nothing more than a puppet for someone else, so he was not worth his concern.

Some time later, Xia Taili walked away from the people from the Celestial Frost Sect, already in a much better mood. She glanced behind. "Luo Zhong, let’s go. Come train with this princess again."

"Yes, Princess." Luo Zhong's expression remained indifferent. HIs face was calm and had a slight smile that made people feel very comfortable. He was a calm youth who remained stubbornly respectful at all times, and he was also extremely talented in regards to cultivation. In just one year, he had risen up through the ranks of Shenwu's Sky’s disciples until he was personally recognized by Sect Master Xia Xing.

After following Xia Taili away, Luo Zhong suddenly glanced over towards Hidden Dragon Lake and silently thought within his heart, Brother Lu, we will meet again.

After the people from the Celestial Frost Sect left Shenwu's Sky’s quarters, they went to visit the Nong family, only to find that Nong Sanniang had not come to the Higher Realm. Nong Lie was the only youth accompanying Nong Ya, so the elders from the Celestial Frost Sect could only leave in frustration. They also wanted to speak with Long Qi, but the White Dragon Clan did not allow them to do so.

Lu Yin quietly waited on the island in Hidden Dragon Lake. Soon, ten days passed. High up in the sky, at a point where the altitude distorted one’s sight, Dragon Mountain radiated a powerful light that shone throughout the entire Higher Realm. The day for Long Qi to worship the ancestors had finally come.

This ceremony on Dragon Mountain was a major event, as it was related to the prosperity of one of the four ruling powers of the Higher Realm, which meant that Dragon Mountain had become the focus of countless eyes.

On this day, Lu Yin changed into the unique clothes needed for worshiping the ancestors of the White Dragon Clan and then solemnly entered the Ancestral Dragon Altar that lay at the center of Dragon Mountain.

[1] Name means Iron Heart. ☜

Translated By: OMA

Edited By: Neshi/Nyxnox

TLC'ed By: OMA