The city of Flaming Fire was abuzz with excitement today at the residence of the Marquis of Flaming Fire. News had long spread that Young Master Xueying was returning today!
“Young Master Xueying has already emerged from the teleportation array and will arrive at the residence shortly.”
The news traveled swiftly.
At the entrance of the Marquis’s residence, all the elders had already gathered, including Ying Shan Liehu and Rong Xinglan, eagerly awaiting his arrival. Even the Marquis of Flaming Fire himself had appeared, waiting at the main gate. As for the other members of the household, they had also arrived early to welcome him, among them Ying Shan Zhongfu, the son of Chan Yuyanzhen.
“Liehu, your son is truly extraordinary. I heard he just cleared the sixth level of the Primordial Spirit Palace—and he hasn’t been in the Southcloud Sacred Sect for long.”
“Such comprehension, such talent… truly remarkable. He might even ascend to the rank of King one day. Then our Ying Shan Clan would have two Kings.”
The once-proud elders now chatted warmly with Ying Shan Liehu.
Ying Shan Liehu grinned from ear to ear, his heart brimming with joy and satisfaction from the newfound respect.
“He’s here.”
The surroundings suddenly fell silent as everyone restrained their chatter. In the distance, they saw a handsome young man in white robes and a black-clad man leisurely fanning himself flying toward them, followed by Tian Yizhi, the maid Yan Yu, and two Blackflow Cloud Beasts, among other attendants.
They had all heard of the black-clad man with the fan—the renowned “Senior Zibai” of the Zong Clan, rumored to be a Chaos Realm demonic servant whose status surpassed even that of ordinary Zong Clan elders.
“To have a Chaos Realm demonic servant as a guard… truly befitting of Young Master Xueying.”
“When will I ever have a Chaos Realm demonic servant as my guard? To live such a glorious life would be worth dying for.”
Envious gazes followed them.
—
Dongbo Xueying saw the welcoming crowd at the Marquis’s residence and hurried forward, calling out, “Marquis, Mother, Father.”
“Hahaha, Xueying, you’ve brought great honor to our Ying Shan Clan! Even here in Flaming Fire City, many of my friends have sent messages, saying you’ve cleared the sixth level of the Primordial Spirit Palace!” The Marquis of Flaming Fire laughed heartily, his voice booming with delight. “My old friends say that with your comprehension, you might even ascend to King rank in the future. But don’t let it go to your head—you’re not even at the Chaos Realm yet.”
“Xueying understands,” Dongbo Xueying replied.
“Good.” The Marquis nodded with a smile. “Come, come. A banquet has been prepared in the residence to celebrate your becoming a formal disciple and clearing the sixth level of the Primordial Spirit Palace. To think, I’m not even a disciple of the Southcloud Sacred Sect myself.”
Formal disciples of the Southcloud Sacred Sect were exceedingly rare, especially those from within the nation. Typically, they were either peerless geniuses or Chaos Realm experts of the Void lineage. Of course, someone as powerful as “Old Matriarch Ying Shan” had been invited to become one of the sect’s elders. But someone of the Marquis’s strength wasn’t qualified for such an invitation.
The Southcloud Sacred Sect was, in truth, the nation’s guardian sect, encompassing three Cosmic Gods and numerous Kings among its ranks.
—
While Dongbo Xueying attended the celebratory banquet at the Marquis’s residence, back at the Ying Shan Clan’s ancestral home…
“Whoosh…”
A fierce wind howled across the snowy mountaintop.
Old Matriarch Ying Shan sat cross-legged on a large boulder, her spirit merged with the vast Ying Shan City, breathing as one with it. At this moment, every corner of the city lay within her perception.
“Matriarch, the young master has returned to the residence. Last night, he attended a banquet hosted by Fan Tianchong of the Fan Clan,” the demonic servant Zibai reported, detailing recent events.
“Tell me everything.”
“Yes. At the banquet, a guard challenged the young master…”
Old Matriarch Ying Shan listened intently to Zibai’s account. When she heard of Dongbo Xueying’s combat prowess, a smile crept onto her face. Excellent! He hadn’t relied solely on the Southcloud Saint Body but had demonstrated sufficient mastery of his techniques, even adapting moves from the Twelve Forms of the Southcloud Saint into his footwork. Such comprehension was terrifying—but the more terrifying, the happier she was, for he was a member of the Ying Shan Clan.
“Our Ying Shan Clan has finally produced such a peerless genius,” the Old Matriarch thought joyfully.
Little did she know…
In Dongbo Xueying’s plans, he intended to establish himself as the most prodigious talent in the history of the Southcloud Nation. After all, he didn’t want to constantly suppress his abilities. Still, he had to be cautious—he couldn’t surpass the most monstrous geniuses of the Six Great Ancient Nations.
Throughout the history of the Heart Realm Continent’s Six Great Ancient Nations, some geniuses had emerged whose feats were even more exaggerated than Dongbo Xueying’s. He suspected some of those prodigies might even be reincarnated beings. Thus, he had to temper his display—being the Southcloud Nation’s top genius was enough.
“After the banquet, he asked Fan Tianchong for a favor—to examine a broken treasure spearhead in the Fan Clan’s shop,” Zibai continued.
“A broken treasure spearhead?” The Old Matriarch was puzzled.
“Yes. The young master seemed particularly fond of it. When he first arrived in the capital, he was drawn to that broken treasure. It’s said to be a remnant from the legendary ‘Redcloud Sovereign,’ a supreme expert from before the First Ancient Nation War. At the time, the shop’s manager refused to let him inspect it closely.”
“This time, the young master examined the spearhead for a full two hours before leaving. The next day, he returned to Flaming Fire City.”
The Old Matriarch frowned. “He was that fond of a broken treasure?”
“Indeed. Among all the treasures in the capital’s market, the spearhead was the one he studied the longest. I believe he even showcased his strength by defeating that guard at the banquet to gain Fan Tianchong’s favor. When Fan Tianchong offered his assistance, the young master immediately asked to see the spearhead.” Having followed Dongbo Xueying closely, Zibai had observed his genuine fascination with the artifact.
“Oh?” The Old Matriarch fell into thought.
—
At the Fan Clan’s shop in the capital’s treasure market…
An elderly woman arrived at the entrance.
“The Matriarch graces us with her presence—what an honor!” A portly old man hurried out to greet her personally. Even among Kings, there were hierarchies, and Old Matriarch Ying Shan stood at the very pinnacle.
“Hmm.” The Old Matriarch nodded and strode inside, heading straight for the third floor.
There, she stood before the floating broken spearhead. Her eyes flickered as she glimpsed scenes from the past—the white-robed youth holding the spearhead for hours the night before. A faint smile touched her lips.
“Is this the broken treasure left by the Redcloud Sovereign?” she asked.
“Yes. Young Master Xueying of your Ying Shan Clan also came to see it,” the portly old man said with a grin.
“Price.”
“Five hundred million universe crystals.” The old man spread five fingers.
“Lowest price.”
“The Matriarch is a valued guest of our Fan Clan. My master has long instructed us not to deceive you. The family’s base price is three hundred million universe crystals—not a sliver less.”
The Old Matriarch nodded slightly.
She knew the Fan Clan’s pricing well. For most treasures, the base price was 80-90% of the listed price. A 60% discount was rare—only for broken artifacts like this.
“Very well. I’ll take it.”
“Excellent! Will you be paying in universe crystals or treasures?”
“Treasures.”
As a powerful expert, the Old Matriarch had accumulated many treasures and materials through her adventures, most of which she had already refined into powerful artifacts for herself. Keeping billions of universe crystals on hand was impractical—only the mightiest Cosmic Gods could afford such extravagance.
With a wave of her hand, she produced a black shuttle-shaped weapon.
The portly old man took it and examined it carefully. “This can be valued at up to two hundred and ten million universe crystals.”
The Old Matriarch frowned slightly and waved her hand again, summoning dozens of rare materials.
After careful appraisal, the old man looked up. “You’re still short twenty million.”
“Still short?”
“When we acquire items, we must resell them. The holding period is uncertain, so our purchase price must be lower than the selling price,” the old man explained with a chuckle.
With another wave, the Old Matriarch produced twenty million universe crystals. She had few unused treasures left—her most valuable possessions were already equipped. But she had managed to scrape together the required sum.
“Perfect.” The old man accepted the payment. “From this moment, the spearhead belongs to the Matriarch.”
He withdrew the treasures and dispelled the artifact’s seals. The spearhead floated toward the Old Matriarch, who caught it with a satisfied smile. Though the cost had been steep—even requiring her to part with her former weapon, the “Flying Cloud Shuttle”—she felt it was worth it.
The Ying Shan Clan rarely produced such a dazzling talent. Had Dongbo Xueying been born into a powerhouse family like the Fan Clan, resources would have been lavished upon him without hesitation.
“I may not compare to those great families, but I must do what I can. With his talent, ascending to King rank should be within his grasp,” the Old Matriarch mused hopefully.
—
Back at the Marquis’s residence in Flaming Fire City, the banquet was in full swing.
The Marquis of Flaming Fire sat at the head of the table, with Dongbo Xueying in the seat of honor to his left. Opposite them sat Chunyu Weiyi, who had come of his own accord.
Suddenly, an elderly woman materialized in the hall. All the elders and family members rose to their feet. The Marquis was the first to stand, stepping forward to bow. “Ancestor.”
“Matriarch,” Chunyu Weiyi also greeted respectfully.
“Ancestor,” Dongbo Xueying echoed, as the hall filled with reverent voices.
Old Matriarch Ying Shan was the foundation of the Ying Shan Clan’s current status.
She smiled as she approached Dongbo Xueying. “Little Xueying, clearing the sixth level of the Primordial Spirit Palace so quickly is impressive. But you must continue cultivating diligently. Having visited the capital, you know how far you still have to go.”
“Xueying understands,” he replied promptly.
“Good.” The Old Matriarch tossed him a storage bracelet. “Focus on your training. I’ll be waiting for the day you ascend to King rank.” With that, she turned and left.
Dongbo Xueying caught the bracelet and probed its contents.
Inside hovered a simple spearhead, its tip sending ripples through the storage space.
“This is…?” He looked up in astonishment, but the Old Matriarch’s figure had already faded into nothingness.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage