“Grand Elder, there’s no need for such formality. I’ve long heard of the great name of the Martial Heaven Sacred Ground. When Martial Heaven Emperor was still alive, this was once the most prosperous place in the Four Domains of the north,” Second Prince Chen Luo said with a light smile. “This prince has always been busy with affairs, and now, having received Xiaoyuan’s invitation, I thought it right to come and pay a visit. If my presence causes any disturbance, I hope you’ll forgive me.”

From the moment the Second Prince arrived, he lowered himself greatly. His attitude was more than satisfactory.

“No wonder he is the Second Prince of the Star River God-Dynasty. Despite such a noble identity, he’s so humble,” some disciples nearby whispered.

“Yes, if someone could marry this Second Prince, it would truly be like ascending to heaven in one step.”

“Stop dreaming, with your looks he’d be disgusted before you even got near.”

Even Shangguan Lan, standing beside Xu Zimo, had her eyes glowing.

She praised, “This Second Prince of the Star River God-Dynasty really is remarkable.”

“You’ve got such a handsome man beside you but you ignore him, and instead you envy something you can’t even touch,” Xu Zimo sighed softly.

“You are Senior Sister’s man. How could I…” Shangguan Lan gave Xu Zimo a glare.

“No worries, I’m a rather open-hearted person,” Xu Zimo replied.

“He’s the Second Prince of the Star River God-Dynasty, with a chance to become the ruler of the whole empire one day. And you? What are you?” Shangguan Lan retorted. “In this Martial Heaven Sacred Ground, you can only rely on Senior Sister’s face to get by.”

“How much do you really know about the Four Domains?” Xu Zimo asked. “Or rather, about the entire Mortal Ascension Heaven.”

“What are you planning?” Shangguan Lan asked back.

“Have you ever heard of a force called the True Martial Sacred Ground?” Xu Zimo asked again.

“Is that your home?” Shangguan Lan asked, eyeing him. “Did you remember something?”

“I do have some impression,” Xu Zimo replied.

“Never heard of it. The name sounds decent, but it must be some backwater force,” Shangguan Lan replied.

In the Mortal Ascension Heaven, she knew of all the forces with prestige and renown.

Though she hadn’t been to them, their names had spread far and wide.

The True Martial Sacred Ground was definitely not among them.

Which meant, at best, it was a small force like their Martial Heaven Sacred Ground.

Of course, since their Martial Heaven Sacred Ground once had glorious ancestors, perhaps a few might still remember.

…

Other than the Second Prince Chen Luo and Li Xiaoyuan, the Grand Elder’s eyes landed on the veiled woman beside them.

With a smile he asked, “May I know how this young lady should be addressed?”

The woman only cast him a faint glance, without a word.

The Grand Elder stood there awkwardly.

“Please don’t mind her, Grand Elder. She only came along to take a look, you needn’t concern yourself,” Chen Luo quickly explained.

The Grand Elder gratefully seized the excuse and stepped down gracefully.

“Please, all of you come with me. Our Martial Heaven Sacred Ground has already prepared fine courtyards and a feast of spirit delicacies.”

“You’ve worked hard,” the Second Prince said with a wave of his hand.

Not until the group disappeared from view did the crowd start to disperse.

Shangguan Lan sighed, “When will I ever find such a husband?”

“Some people may seem fine on the surface, but you shouldn’t be too enchanted,” Xu Zimo replied.

“Even if he deceived me, I’d still be willing,” Shangguan Lan said stubbornly.

“After all, he’s ranked seventy-sixth on the Heroes Ranking. No matter what, he’s far better than you.”

“Sometimes you shouldn’t be fooled by appearances,” Xu Zimo shook his head and left.

He wanted to first find the True Martial Sacred Ground. If the sect really existed, it could at least serve as a place of belonging.

When he returned to his courtyard, Xia Wanqing wasn’t around, where she’d gone, he didn’t know.

But unexpectedly, he ran into someone else.

Li Xiaoyuan.

The man had come here the very first thing upon returning to the sect.

“What do you want?” Xu Zimo asked.

“Where’s Wanqing?” Li Xiaoyuan demanded.

“Calling her that so affectionately, are you really that close?” Xu Zimo retorted.

“I don’t want to argue with you,” Li Xiaoyuan said flatly. “I want to speak with her alone.”

“Then speak with him,” Xu Zimo waved his hand. With a dragon’s roar, the massive form of the Seven-Winged Demon Dragon tore open the void, descending above them.

“What, what are you doing?” Li Xiaoyuan’s face changed as he looked at Xu Zimo.

He had only just returned to the sect, but the Grand Elder had already briefed him on the situation.

He knew Xu Zimo possessed a Seven-Winged Demon Dragon.

Otherwise, he would never have spoken so calmly to him.

But he hadn’t expected the man to summon the dragon without a word.

“I mean no harm, I only came to catch up,” Li Xiaoyuan replied quickly.

His sword was already unsheathed at his waist, his Paragon Meridian aura surging.

Facing the dragon, whose strength was at the Imperial Meridian realm, his expression grew grave.

The immense pressure made it clear to him he had not the slightest chance of victory.

“It misses you too, wants to catch up,” Xu Zimo said, waving his hand.

The massive body of the Seven-Winged Demon Dragon lunged.

What followed Xu Zimo did not bother to watch, only Li Xiaoyuan’s screams echoed from outside the courtyard.

The dragon hadn’t killed him, but humiliation was unavoidable.

Although Xu Zimo had no feelings for Xia Wanqing, nominally they still shared a bond.

To come brazenly knocking on his door like this, such provocation was something he could not accept.

Now, with nothing pressing to do, Xu Zimo found a lounge chair, reclined in the courtyard, utterly at ease.

For now, his main task was to find the True Martial Sacred Ground, then later liberate the Primordial Demon Cave.

But according to Paimon, the Primordial Demon Cave was guarded by the Heavenly Court and the Ten God Bloodlines.

Forcing entry was impossible.

If he found no leads in the Mortal Ascension Heaven, he’d have to search in other domains.

…

By afternoon, Xia Wanqing returned to the courtyard.

Her expression was dark and unpleasant.

Seeing Xu Zimo so leisurely only made her huff angrily.

“What now? Someone upset you outside so you’ve come here to vent?” Xu Zimo opened his eyes and asked.

“Our marriage has been delayed,” Xia Wanqing replied. “And my appointment as Young Sacred Lord.”

“Someone interfered?” Xu Zimo chuckled. “Let me guess, Li Xiaoyuan? No, he doesn’t have the ability. Then it must be the Second Prince of the Star River God-Dynasty.”

“You’ve seen him?” Xia Wanqing asked in surprise.

“What was the reason?” Xu Zimo nodded.

“The Second Prince said that since our Martial Heaven Sacred Ground will receive a share in the Nine Nights Immortal Sovereign’s Mystic Realm, at such a crucial time, we should focus on the Mystic Realm. Not on the Young Sacred Lord ceremony,” Xia Wanqing explained.

“All that just for a Mystic Realm?” Xu Zimo asked.

“That is no ordinary Mystic Realm. According to the Second Prince, it contains the inheritance of the Nine Nights Immortal Sovereign,” Xia Wanqing nodded.

“The inheritance of the Nine Nights Immortal Sovereign? Wouldn’t it stay with the Nine Nights Holy Lands, why would it be outside?” Xu Zimo asked in surprise.

Why would these forefathers not leave their inheritances to their own descendants?

It made little sense.

“In truth, when our own ancestor, the Martial Heaven Emperor, departed, he also left behind no inheritance,” Xia Wanqing explained.