Though the outside world’s legends were inexhaustible, they were ultimately only rumors. There was no evidence in the world for any of it—the flowing of long ages had made it impossible to verify.

“Brother Huaizun, we outsiders know nothing of this matter. But you, as the Crown Prince of the most noble bloodline of the Golden Crow lineage, should know the truth. Are you truly descendants of the Emperor-Sovereign?”

When these words were spoken, not only did the dozen or so people seated here look over—even the great heroes further away were startled, and gaze after gaze swept over. The expanse of heaven and earth grew considerably quieter.

Crown Prince Huaizun shook his head. The golden feathered robes on his body shimmered with brilliant light—as though forged from metal, ringing with a clear, resonant sound. He was naturally not going to acknowledge it.

“The Emperor-Sovereign’s race is known to no one—but it was absolutely not the same as our Golden Crow lineage.” He directly denied it.

In countless legends throughout the world, it was said that the Emperor-Sovereign had been born bearing the will of heaven and earth, absorbing nearly half the essence of nine heavens and ten earths—already supremely powerful at the moment of his birth.

In truth, among the various legends, the proportion that identified the Emperor-Sovereign as human was somewhat greater, for before he had proven his Dao, he had always taken human form.

Moreover, many of his traits had associations with the human race. Yet his innate power at birth was a point that invited suspicion—and thus all manner of secret rumors had arisen.

“Crown Prince Huaizun denies being a descendant of the Emperor-Sovereign, which is only natural. But the legends in the world about the Golden Crow clan being descendants of the Celestial Emperor may not necessarily be false,” Shi Zhongxuan said. Tall and upright, full of heroic spirit, he was extraordinarily valiant. With his pair of stone arms added to this, he possessed a particularly distinctive quality.

“Why?” someone inquired.

“It is said the Emperor-Sovereign served as the Celestial Emperor—as is known to all. When the world speaks of the Celestial Emperor, they think of him. But the Ruthless Man was once also called the Celestial Emperor, as people know. It is for no other reason than that both were simply too powerful—their brilliance unparalleled through all the ages. In truth, does the origin of ‘Celestial Emperor’ truly begin with the Emperor-Sovereign? I think not necessarily.” Shi Zhongxuan shook his head.

Ancient history was shrouded in a layer of mist. The mythological age was extraordinarily remote. In that era there were supreme celestial venerables, invincible chaos constitutions, and the most powerful primordial ancestral veins.

Someone had once put forth a near-absurd hypothesis—that before all of this, there had once been an ancient dynasty, possibly originating from the Desolation Pagoda as its source.

This theory had not been accepted by the world’s mainstream, yet not a few ancient legacy clans believed it to be true.

Why had the Emperor-Sovereign chosen this name? It was because he extracted the key characters from the titles of both “Celestial Emperor” and “the Nine Great Celestial Venerables” and merged them together—demonstrating his supreme and unparalleled status.

“Does my younger brother’s words have any merit?” Shi Zhongxuan asked.

“Such legends are even harder to accept—too remote. As for matters concerning that ancient dynasty, no one in the world can confirm whether they are real. And even if such a thing truly existed, it has nothing to do with our Golden Crow clan,” Crown Prince Huaizun shook his head.

He stated openly that the Golden Crow clan was by no means descended from any Celestial Emperor—all manner of legends were mistaken, with not a trace of connection to them.

“Does the Golden Crow clan truly have a quasi-emperor?” Jiang Yifei spoke, his smile gentle and warm as a spring breeze.

When these words were spoken, the scene immediately fell into dead silence. Not a single person spoke, for the stakes were enormous—and no one had anticipated that the clan master of the Jiang Family, so ethereally transcendent, would be this direct.

Whether it was Feng Huang, Moon Spirit Princess, Shi Zhongxuan, or the others—all fixed their gazes on Crown Prince Huaizun of the Golden Crow clan.

Further away, the crowd’s hearts and spirits trembled even more. Not a sound was made—whether those engaged in discussion or those sipping their tea, all seemed to freeze in place, staring in this direction.

Crown Prince Huaizun’s eyes turned cold and his pupils contracted, fixing his gaze on Jiang Yifei. He said, “It seems everyone here is so very interested in our clan—from our origins all the way to the present, you wish to discuss everything?”

“Brother Huaizun, please do not misunderstand. We have no ill intent—only curiosity, a desire to learn a little more,” someone nearby immediately said, trying to ease the tension, not wishing the atmosphere to become too rigid.

“It is merely an admiration for the quasi-emperor—nothing more.” Jiang Yifei said calmly, and poured himself another cup.

Moon Spirit Princess was strikingly beautiful, her radiance enough to dim the sun and moon. A hint of apology crossed her bright, fair face as she said, “Crown Prince Huaizun, if you would rather not speak of it, then let it be. We only asked out of curiosity—a quasi-emperor is rare and extraordinary, after all, naturally inspiring awe.”

Crown Prince Huaizun nodded. To everyone’s surprise, he spoke plainly and directly, confirming that their clan did indeed have an emperor-figure—this was no exaggeration—and even revealed its origins.

“What? It is not Prince Tianzhao who became the quasi-emperor, but the old quasi-emperor from the past who has not died?” A cry of disbelief rang out from the distance, shock unconcealed.

“Who is Tianzhao? And what is this about an old quasi-emperor?” That part of the grounds burst into commotion, with many people confused.

These races had come from ten thousand realms across all the heavens. Some clans were neighbors with the ancient domain of the Fire Mulberry Star and knew much about that clan.

“They would not say it themselves—but we know as well. Speaking it plainly is merely to give an impression of sincerity.” Someone laughed coldly.

“Fellow Daoist, please speak clearly.” Many people pressed urgently.

And at the stone table on the raised terrace before them, Jiang Yifei, Feng Huang, Shi Zhongxuan, Moon Spirit Princess, and the others all stared unblinkingly at Crown Prince Huaizun, inviting him to elaborate.

“In the past, the Golden Crow clan was extraordinarily powerful. The Fire Mulberry Star reached the pinnacle of its splendor. That clan produced ten princes—and the worst among them had reached the Saint realm.” Someone in the distance whispered, relating the truth.

And according to rumors, those ten princes were still in their prime and ascending.

“A single family producing ten sons, none of whom had yet reached their peak—yet even the weakest was already a saint? How unimaginably powerful!” The crowd exclaimed.

“The entire star of Fire Mulberry is Golden Crow—with few members of other races. Having many saints is understandable, yet one family producing ten sons this powerful is still rare. But it is also possible to understand, for their father is a quasi-emperor.”

In the distance, Ye Fan had been very calm throughout—but when he heard these words, his heart lurched, and his mind went to a bloody incident on the other shore of the starry sky.

“Later, for reasons unknown, the ten sons of the Golden Crow clan set forth together on an expedition to an ancient stellar domain. Unfortunately, with all their divine powers, they were still no match for what they encountered there—almost all of them perished. In the end, only one prince survived and returned. His name was Tianzhao.”

Ye Fan sighed inwardly. It was indeed that bloody incident—the ten sons of the Golden Crow clan had wrought havoc in ancient China, only to be shot and killed one by one by Hou Yi, with only one escaping: Tianzhao.

Later, the quasi-emperor of that clan, in his fury, personally descended upon ancient China. Sadly, Hou Yi—a paragon of his era—though possessing cultivation that reached to the heavens, standing at the peak of the great saint realm and nearly taking that decisive step beyond—was ultimately felled there too, his blood staining the boundless great earth.

It was a pity that in that era, though ancient China had a handful of quasi-emperors, all had long since departed—there was no one who could stand up for Hou Yi, to protect his life. A generation’s paragon thus perished young, heroic brilliance extinguished before its time.

This bloody incident was unknown to those present, and the Golden Crow clan would naturally not speak of it in detail—hardly anyone here knew the great name of Hou Yi.

Crown Prince Huaizun spoke with calm composure. “Tianzhao is my grandfather. He has not yet taken that step. As for the great emperor spoken of in the world—that is my great-grandfather.”

The crowd erupted in uproar. Some had known this—but the vast majority had never heard of it. Now, with his direct personal confirmation, all changed countenance, and a chill ran through their hearts.

Many people had assumed it was Tianzhao who had broken through to that realm. No one had imagined that the so-called quasi-emperor was still that old emperor—who on earth could know how many years he had lived? Still alive and undying to this day—this was truly shocking beyond words.

Only Ye Fan laughed coldly to himself in secret. Tianzhao wanting to become a quasi-emperor? Was that not a joke? He had once been hunted down by Hou Yi until he fled in terror, his gallbladder nearly bursting with fear. Had it not been for his nine brothers fighting to the last with all their strength, how would he ever have had the chance to escape?

“When will the Golden Crow clan’s emperor arrive?” Shi Zhongxuan asked. Truly, there was a quasi-emperor—and moreover an invincible figure of the older generation. This was cause for wariness.

“My great-grandfather has encountered some difficulties and will not be able to come here in the short term,” Tianzhao said. Yet even this was enough—now that matters had been stated so plainly, even if the old quasi-emperor of that clan did not appear, no one would dare move against the Golden Crow clan. Seeking provocation would be pure suicide, bound to be reckoned with in time.

Everyone couldn’t help but think of the Holy Body of the human race—he had killed so many Golden Crow powerhouses. Could he escape retribution in the future? Even with imperial weapons in his possession, it was impossible to be on guard every single moment.

Without question, a tremendous upheaval lay ahead in the future!

“Miss Feng Huang is an unparalleled genius of this generation, a woman of extraordinary talent. From childhood she was already capable of creating formidable secret arts, and not long ago she broke the enigma of her clan’s ancestral stele and its immortal scripture. Would she be willing to enlighten us on the matter?” Someone spoke up. They were very curious about the Wind Clan’s stone stele and wished to know what it recorded.

“It is merely a scripture. Everyone here comes from ten thousand realms across all the heavens—which among you has not mastered techniques that seize the creative forces of heaven and earth?” Feng Huang said with an air of serene detachment.

Everyone understood that ancient scriptures were the greatest of secrets—no clan would ever reveal them. There was no point asking.

Even so, Feng Huang described some of the circumstances, stating that it was a dragon stele engraved with characters in the shape of human heads and serpent bodies—left behind by an ancient celestial venerable.

In the distance, Ye Fan furrowed his brow. Human-head, serpent-body characters… a dragon stele—he thought of the ancient Chinese figure Fu Xi. Could it be that, like Laozi, he had left a reincarnation seal and reappeared in the world?

Would the prophecy of Lingbao Celestial Venerable truly come to pass?!

“Princess Feng Huang is truly a heaven-sent genius—a riddle that no sage of any previous generation could break, yet she has solved it. To witness an immortal scripture emerge into the world—what immense fortune,” Shi Zhongxuan said.

“The Wind Clan princess is truly an extraordinary woman of this generation—few can stand at her shoulder.” Many people offered their flattery.

As the gathering conversed and debated, speaking of ancient matters and Daoist traditions, before long a slender young woman walked over from the distance—incomparably elegant, her full head of water-blue hair streaming in the wind, bright eyes gentle and expressive, like a spirit being—yet within her otherworldly transcendence there was also a peerless aura of might.

“This is the Heaven Woman of Huo Lin Cave—she has returned from beyond the domain. Her current cultivation is unfathomably profound.”

“The true youngest daughter of an ancient emperor—appearing in this great age and bearing infinite expectations placed upon her. Naturally, among her brothers and sisters, she stands out as the most exceptional.”

Everyone discussed this with reverence.

“Heroes of our generation are gathered here—almost all have come. How delightful.” Shi Zhongxuan rose to his feet and smiled at Huo Lin’er.

“That is not quite right. Several exceptionally formidable people have left and are no longer in the Northern Dipper,” Huo Lin’er smiled. Her eyes swept about—heaven and earth lost their luster—her appearance was unparalleled and in no way inferior to Moon Spirit Princess.

Shi Zhongxuan slapped his forehead. “I nearly forgot. I had heard of the Northern Dipper’s exceptional talents—truly worthy of its name as the Star Where Emperors Are Buried. In the past there was Yao Guang, there was the Zhong Emperor, and I have also heard of the Holy Emperor’s Son and Huang Xu Dao—such heroes. A pity none can be met today.”

Huo Lin’er gave a light laugh. “There is one other remarkable figure you have forgotten—he has already returned and is in the Eastern Wasteland, very likely at this very gathering.”

When these words were heard, everyone immediately changed expression. They thought at once of who it must be. When speaking of the younger generation, how could one possibly overlook that person? Their weight was sufficient to make the heavens tilt!

“True enough—he is very strong,” Shi Zhongxuan said mildly. His expression was markedly different from before.

“How is it that Ye Fan, the Holy Body of the human race, has not come?” The powerful figures of all races in the distance began to discuss this.

Crown Prince Huaizun, on hearing this name, changed countenance at once—but in the end his emotions subsided once more, and he sat silently.

Moon Spirit Princess also felt a stirring in her heart, a flash in her eyes. Back in those days in the immortal pool of the Qinling Mountains, her clan had deployed the Nine Li Divine Map and nearly killed Ye Fan.

Feng Huang’s expression also shifted with a hint of emotion. So much had happened in the past. Looking back upon it now, it was as though it had all been a dream. The words she had spoken back then were too harsh—yet today, even producing a single quasi-emperor seemed this difficult!

The gathering was clamorous. The mention of Ye Fan naturally set all the great heroes talking at once, for his reputation was simply too immense.

It was at this very moment that an ancient war chariot rolled slowly into view—dilapidated and worn, bearing the marks of time, obviously a relic of great antiquity.