“Five million years have passed. I can now publicly declare that I have reached the fifth-level strength of the Primordial Spirit Palace. With this, I can go to the capital of the Nanyun Kingdom and obtain the complete *Twelve Sacred Forms of Nanyun*,” Dongbo Xueying mused to himself.
He was deeply eager for the complete version, which allowed a Unity Realm cultivator to unleash eight levels of strength and a Chaos Realm cultivator to unleash ten levels.
For others, obtaining it would be a waste, as even most ninth-level Chaos Realm experts were unlikely to achieve such mastery.
But Dongbo Xueying was different. A technique that allowed a Chaos Realm cultivator to unleash ten levels of strength—he *had* to obtain it! He had to admit that even he couldn’t create such a technique at the Chaos Realm. In truth, most Cosmic Deities couldn’t create such a technique either. Those who could were exceedingly rare, even in the Heartworld Continent.
“My son!” A warm voice called out.
Dongbo Xueying turned to see Yingshan Liehu and Rong Xinglan approaching together, with Yingshan Liehu shouting enthusiastically.
Though he had never felt much affection for this father, Dongbo Xueying couldn’t help but admire him. Over the past five million years, Yingshan Liehu had constantly doted on Rong Xinglan, keeping her happy. Even if it was an act, maintaining it for five million years… might as well make it real. At the very least, Rong Xinglan’s feelings for her husband had indeed deepened.
“Father, Mother,” Dongbo Xueying stood up.
“My son, you train too hard. It pains me to see it,” Yingshan Liehu sighed, his words sincere. Nowadays, who didn’t treat him with respect? Why? Because he had an unfathomably talented son—one destined to become a Chaos Realm Marquis! Yingshan Liehu was immensely proud of his son.
Seeing his son constantly in seclusion while he himself indulged in pleasures, Yingshan Liehu genuinely felt heartache. His son was pushing himself too hard.
“Xueying, your father is right. You should go out more, not always be in seclusion,” Rong Xinglan added, her concern genuine.
Five million years.
Her son had never shown interest in a woman!
That wasn’t normal! Did he prefer men? Not that either!
“Alright, alright, I’ll go out. I’ll definitely go out,” Dongbo Xueying said. He *did* plan to leave—specifically, to the distant capital of the Nanyun Kingdom, the largest city, to learn the complete *Twelve Sacred Forms of Nanyun*.
“Don’t lie to me. You’ve said that before, only to go back into seclusion,” Rong Xinglan chided. “Liehu, take Xueying out. Make sure he gets some fresh air.”
“Of course,” Yingshan Liehu nodded eagerly.
Since his son had reached the Unity Realm, his name had spread throughout the Nanyun Kingdom. Many noble families knew of the monstrously talented young master of the Yingshan Clan. Yet, after becoming a Unity Realm expert, Dongbo Xueying had never left the Marquis’s estate. Taking him out now would surely be a grand spectacle.
And Yingshan Liehu *loved* spectacles.
—
Soon, Yingshan Liehu dragged Dongbo Xueying out of the estate, riding in his own extravagantly luxurious carriage. Dongbo Xueying’s carriage was far more modest, but Yingshan Liehu’s was ostentatious—glittering and blinding, forcing countless cultivators on the streets to avert their eyes. It was pulled by a full eight dragon-beasts.
“Father, you’ve changed carriages again?” Dongbo Xueying sat inside, with Yingshan Liehu beside him.
The carriage was spacious, easily accommodating both. Tian Yizhi, nine personal guards, two Blackflow Cloud Howlers, and the maid Yan Yu, along with Yingshan Liehu’s own servants and guards, all rode along.
“Haha, my son is the famous Yingshan Xueying! How could I ride in an ordinary carriage?” Yingshan Liehu winked smugly. “I still owe a lot of cosmic crystals for this one, but I’ll pay it off slowly. Unless, of course, my son wants to help me out?”
Dongbo Xueying stroked the Blackflow Cloud Howler beside him, ignoring his father.
Unfazed, Yingshan Liehu laughed heartily. “Onward! To Mistcloud Pavilion!”
*Roar—!*
The eight dragon-beasts bellowed as the lavish carriage streaked across the sky toward Mistcloud Pavilion.
“Mistcloud Pavilion?” Dongbo Xueying raised an eyebrow. Tian Yizhi, Yan Yu, and even the other guards and servants couldn’t help but glance at Yingshan Liehu.
Taking his son to Mistcloud Pavilion?
“You *have* to experience it,” Yingshan Liehu declared. “My son has never been, right? It’s the grandest pleasure house in Flamerise City. After five million years of cultivation, it’s time you saw everything.”
Dongbo Xueying chuckled but said nothing more.
*Whoosh—*
“Is that… Young Master Xueying?”
“Blackflow Cloud Howlers… That must be him!”
“That lucky Yingshan Liehu is bringing Xueying out?”
Whispers followed them wherever they went. Some well-informed onlookers recognized Yingshan Xueying.
Listening to the murmurs, Yingshan Liehu grinned wider. *This* was the life.
—
Soon, they arrived at Mistcloud Pavilion.
“Lord Liehu!” The attendants rushed forward, familiar with Yingshan Liehu’s visits—but then they saw the white-robed, jade-like youth beside him.
The handsome young man exuded an aura so refined it made their hearts tremble.
“Young Master Xueying?” They gaped in shock.
“Young Master Xueying is here!”
“Quick! Inform everyone!”
The news spread like wildfire through Mistcloud Pavilion. This was no small matter. Though Mistcloud Pavilion was prestigious, Yingshan Xueying’s status was beyond compare—a future Chaos Realm Marquis, ranking among the top three most influential figures in Flamerise City! Even the master of the Nanyun Sacred Hall, Chunyu Weiyi, wouldn’t dare slight him. After all, Chunyu Weiyi only held his position due to his family’s influence; he himself was merely a Unity Realm expert. Who would dare disrespect someone destined for marquishood?
“After waiting for millennia, my eyes are sore—but finally, Young Master Xueying graces us!” The plump Chunyu Feng, the pavilion master, rushed forward like a gust of wind, his enthusiasm overwhelming.
“Chunyu Feng, since my son is here today, all expenses are on you,” Yingshan Liehu declared boldly.
“Of course, of course! My treat!” Chunyu Feng’s chubby cheeks trembled with laughter.
Dongbo Xueying exchanged a few polite words before being ushered by Chunyu Feng into a grand hall. Under the pavilion master’s arrangements, a procession of mesmerizingly beautiful women—each untouched by men—began their dance and song.
—
Elsewhere in the vast hall, scions of noble families lounged about. One such young master tossed a pouch of cosmic crystals to a stoic armored woman before him.
“Follow me, and you won’t be mistreated. Here, take this first.”
The woman caught the pouch, her heart pounding. She had finally secured patronage under a noble scion. Her future—and her children’s cultivation resources—were now assured.
“Congratulations, young master, on acquiring such a formidable female retainer,” the surrounding beauties fawned.
The noble scion laughed—until his eyes landed on the hall’s entrance.
Chunyu Feng led the way, obsequious as ever, followed by the boisterous Yingshan Liehu. Behind him walked a white-robed youth of peerless grace, flanked by two Blackflow Cloud Howlers and a cold-eyed elder in gray robes.
“Young Master Xueying?!”
The noble scion nearly jumped out of his seat, hurriedly straightening his posture.
“Be careful. Don’t offend that white-robed youth,” he whispered urgently to his servants. If any of them caused trouble, *he* would suffer the consequences.
“Master, who is he?” a favored maid asked softly.
The female retainer was equally curious. The entire hall had quieted, the usually arrogant noble scions suddenly subdued.
“That’s Young Master Xueying. Unlike us—who just idle around—he’s destined to become a marquis.”
The maid, servants, and retainer immediately understood. The legendary Yingshan Xueying had arrived.
Amidst Chunyu Feng’s flattery and the noble scions’ eager greetings, Dongbo Xueying and his father took the hall’s central seats to enjoy the performance.
—
Deep within Mistcloud Pavilion’s sprawling grounds, in a secluded residence…
The burly assassin Qian Ganxue had been waiting here for five million years. His mission: kill Yingshan Xueying. But Xueying never left the estate. Had the boy forgotten how to live?
“Lord Qian! Young Master Xueying is *here*—in Mistcloud Pavilion!”
A subordinate’s frantic message shattered his thoughts.
*What?!*
Qian Ganxue’s heart raced.
*He’s out. And right here.*
“I must act immediately.” His mind whirled. This was his only chance. If Xueying returned to the estate, who knew when he’d emerge again?
*Stay calm. This assassination must succeed.* His gaze turned icy. Failure meant a gruesome death.
No matter how urgent, he had to plan meticulously.
Fortunately, his preparations were thorough. After a moment of focused thought, he began issuing orders.
The operation was about to begin.
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