“Grandfather, I’m sorry,” Xia Wanqing said with shame. “I lied to you, actually he was someone I found to put on an act just for the position of Young Sacred Lord.”

“Do you think grandfather couldn’t tell?” The old man chuckled softly.

“But you’re at the age for marriage. Can’t a fake play turn into something real? I think that man isn’t bad.”

“Grandfather, what are you saying,” Xia Wanqing snorted coldly.

“If you keep talking nonsense, I won’t bother with you anymore.”

“Grandfather doesn’t have much time left. Do you really want to spend the rest of your life alone holding up this great sect, enduring all the schemes and betrayals?” the old man said.

“Grandfather, you’ll be fine,” Xia Wanqing replied quickly. “I’ll go to the Star River God-Dynasty and beg for medicine for you.”

“Listen to grandfather first. Do you know why I agreed to let him go through the three trials?” the old man asked.

Xia Wanqing gently shook her head.

“If he had passed all three trials perfectly, I would instead be worried that you wouldn’t be able to control him in the future. If he couldn’t pass even one trial, then he’d hardly be someone to rely on.”

The old man explained.

“So the best result would be two victories and one loss. He’s just a mortal, but he has courage and wit. Now that he also has that demon dragon, I believe that when you become Sacred Lord in the future, some of the elders in the sect won’t dare be too arrogant.”

As he said this, the old man coughed a few more times.

He continued, “When you become Young Sacred Lord, you must start cultivating your own power, your own trusted faction. All these old guys must be replaced, otherwise your position as Sacred Lord won’t be secure. Do not show a woman’s soft heart. Grandfather came this far by doing the same.”

“I understand, grandfather,” Xia Wanqing said with a heavy heart.

“Go on,” the old man waved his hand. “Life and death are part of being human, don’t dwell on it too much.”

………

After the trial ended, several elders hurriedly left, perhaps to discuss countermeasures.

But that youth named Mo Du instead latched onto Xu Zimo.

“Brother Xu, can you teach me your beast-taming method? Just spreading that domineering aura made the demon dragon submit like a dog.”

“No special method, just personal charm,” Xu Zimo replied.

“Brother Xu, you’re not treating me like a true brother,” Mo Du said.

“You think meeting once makes us brothers?” Xu Zimo laughed. “If that’s the case, Brother Mo Du must have brothers spread all across the world.”

The two chatted along the way, until they reached Spirit Herb Mountain. Since men were not allowed there, Mo Du finally left.

When Xu Zimo returned to the courtyard, Xia Wanqing seemed to be waiting for him.

She wore a long dress of white and red, her long hair carefully combed, her makeup delicately applied.

Her bright eyes seemed to shine with color.

“Thank you for today,” Xia Wanqing said with a smile.

“It’s nothing, I just got lucky,” Xu Zimo waved his hand.

“That black dragon inexplicably felt close to me. Being handsome really is troublesome.”

“Three days later, grandfather will hold a grand ceremony to announce me as Young Sacred Lord. He’ll also announce our marriage,” Xia Wanqing said softly, lowering her head.

“You don’t actually want to marry me, do you?” Xu Zimo asked. “I might have to leave before long.”

“Where are you going?” Xia Wanqing’s expression changed and she quickly asked.

“Your background still hasn’t been found, why not just stay here in Martial Heaven Sacred Ground?”

“I want to travel more in this Mortal Ascension Heaven,” Xu Zimo said with a smile.

“You think Martial Heaven Sacred Ground is too small,” Xia Wanqing said. “But the outside is extremely dangerous, how could an ordinary person like you survive?”

“Don’t I have the Seven-Winged Demon Dragon? It’ll come with me,” Xu Zimo said.

“That’s true,” Xia Wanqing nodded lightly. Then she suddenly said, “I’m not feeling well. You’ve been busy all day too, go rest early.”

Watching her figure as she went into her room, Xu Zimo stroked his chin.

“This girl… could she really be interested in me?”

………

In the days that followed, Xu Zimo and Xia Wanqing returned to how they were before.

When they met, they only exchanged a few words before parting.

But disciples they encountered had already started calling him ‘son-in-law’.

Until one morning, Xu Zimo walked out of his courtyard and noticed the outside of Martial Heaven Sacred Ground was unusually lively.

Several elders had also gathered at the gate.

It looked like they were welcoming someone.

Xu Zimo didn’t know many people in the sect, but he spotted Shangguan Lan in the crowd. So he asked, “What are you all doing?”

Shangguan Lan turned and glanced at him, “So it’s son-in-law. Our sect’s Prime Descendant, Li Xiaoyuan, is returning today.”

“You all make such a grand scene, even the elders came, just for him?” Xu Zimo said in surprise.

Was Li Xiaoyuan’s status in Martial Heaven Sacred Ground that high?

“Not entirely. Li Xiaoyuan is good friends with the Second Prince of the Star River God-Dynasty. This time he’s returning with the Second Prince,” Shangguan Lan explained with a smile.

“The elders are mainly here to welcome the Second Prince.”

Xu Zimo nodded in understanding.

As for the Star River God-Dynasty, though not the strongest in the Four Domains, compared to Martial Heaven Sacred Ground, which only occupied a corner, they were more than enough.

Especially the Second Prince of the Star River God-Dynasty, an absolute noble guest, with the qualifications to compete for the throne.

“Boring,” Xu Zimo yawned, preparing to leave.

“Where are you going?” Shangguan Lan asked.

“To my room, I’m not interested in them,” Xu Zimo said.

“Don’t you want to at least know your rival in love in advance?” Shangguan Lan teased.

“Li Xiaoyuan has been pursuing Senior Sister Xia for a long time. I doubt he’ll give up so easily.”

Xu Zimo just smiled. Before he could reply, a surprised shout came from the front of the crowd.

“They’re here, they’re here!”

“Look, that must be the Second Prince of the Star River God-Dynasty.”

“Why are there three people? Who’s that woman in the middle?”

The crowd buzzed with discussion, while several elders stood at the very front of the line.

Xu Zimo glanced casually ahead.

At the far end of his vision, three warhorses slowly came down from the Sovereign Mountains.

On the left and right were two brown horses, while in the middle was a snow-white one.

The man on the left should be the Second Prince.

He wore a golden robe, his brows naturally carrying a bit of authority.

A blue hair crown tied up his long hair, his eyes steady but full of pressure.

The man on the right should be Li Xiaoyuan.

He wore Martial Heaven Sacred Ground’s distinct green robe, with a long spear strapped to his back.

At his waist hung a wine gourd.

His appearance wasn’t bad, and he was chatting and laughing with the woman beside him.

As for the woman, her face was covered with a light veil, making it impossible to see her clearly.

She wore a long skirt of white gauze that fluttered with the wind.

Her presence carried a natural air of lightness.

“The Grand Elder of Martial Heaven Sacred Ground welcomes the Second Prince to our sect as a guest.”

The Grand Elder spoke with a broad smile, his face glowing with pride.

After all, Li Xiaoyuan was his grandson, so naturally, his face shone with honor.