At the highest seat in the grand hall, a solemn man with overwhelming presence spoke.
Just sitting there, he was like a true dragon coiled in place, gazing down with supreme authority.
“Patriarch, there is indeed no trace of the Little Master. His guardian previously sent a voice transmission saying the Little Master entered Soul-Breaking Cliff.”
When Soul-Breaking Cliff was mentioned, many people in the hall changed expressions.
Dongfang Beichen let out a sigh, helplessness flashing through his eyes.
This era was an unprecedented golden age. Dongfang Beichen had hoped Dongfang Wudao would compete for the Divine Son position.
Because the Divine Son’s status could rival that of the patriarch. Whether it was family protection or resource allocation, everything would tilt heavily in his favor.
What he had not expected was that during a training journey three years ago, Dongfang Wudao fell in love with a woman from an obscure, third-rate small family.
It felt like being stabbed in the back.
“Patriarch, should we wait a bit longer?” an elder asked after seeing the struggle on Dongfang Beichen’s face.
The other elders also nodded.
“No need. Perhaps Wudao simply isn’t suited for the Dongfang family’s Divine Son position. Let’s go. To the Martial Arena.”
After speaking, Dongfang Beichen walked out first.
The elders exchanged glances, all showing the same helplessness.
They could not understand what charm that insignificant small-family woman had to make Dongfang Wudao so obsessed.
At the Martial Arena, Dongfang family members were already seated in the stands.
“The Little Master still hasn’t returned?”
Many Dongfang family members sighed when they failed to see Dongfang Wudao.
“What a pity. I thought we’d get to see the Little Master.”
Some female disciples also looked regretful.
“Yeah. I originally thought we could admire the Little Master’s face this time.”
On the arena platform stood nine disciples.
They were the other nine legacy sequence members of the Dongfang family.
Together with Dongfang Wudao, there should have been ten.
The nine disciples looked at the vacant tenth position, each with different expressions.
“Brother Wudao actually didn’t come back. What’s so good about that fox spirit? After this competition ends, I’m definitely going to see for myself,” Dongfang Le said.
After speaking, she turned her head and noticed Dongfang Qingxin’s expression was not very good.
“Younger Sister Qingxin, are you alright? I really don’t know what Third Grandpa was thinking. He even arranged a marriage for you, and it’s with some poor boy from a remote place. How about I help you kill him?”
“Sister Le, no need. I’ll discuss it with Grandpa. He said before that he has other arrangements.”
“It really feels like the entire Dongfang family is about to drop dead,” Dongfang Le said gloomily.
“Dongfang Le, how can you curse the family like that?”
“This is a woman’s sixth sense.”
“Stop talking. The patriarch is here. The competition is about to begin.”
After Dongfang Cangqiong spoke, Dongfang Le shut her mouth.
Dongfang Qingxin also pulled herself together.
Dongfang Cangqiong’s gaze casually swept toward Dongfang Qingtian, who had been keeping his head lowered.
Dongfang Qingtian also noticed Dongfang Cangqiong’s look. Their eyes met, and he smiled faintly.
Dongfang Beichen sat at the highest seat, looking down at everyone.
Seeing the empty position, he could not help feeling a trace of regret.
“Today is the day our Dongfang family selects the Divine Son. No outsiders were invited. Those people are not worthy to comment on our Dongfang family.”
“The ancestors have deduced that this era is an unprecedented golden age. All kinds of prodigies will emerge endlessly. Even those monstrous geniuses buried in the past may awaken.”
“Every golden age comes with downfall and rise. Massive upheaval is something even hegemonic forces struggle to endure.”
“Our Dongfang family will also be impacted. We need someone to lead the Dongfang family forward.”
“Over recent years, the Dongfang family has competed internally, producing ten legacy sequences. The Divine Son of this era will be born from among you.”
“The Dongfang family’s Divine Son represents our face to the outside world. He is our pride and also our hope.”
“He carries the powerful Fortune of the Dongfang family.”
As Dongfang Beichen spoke, the Dongfang family members held their breath.
Especially the nine legacy sequence disciples. They clenched their fists, their expressions solemn.
The Divine Son was meant to be the most monstrous talent of the younger generation. If defeated by peers, it would be a tremendous blow to the Dongfang family.
That was why the Divine Son position carried an enormous mission.
The Dongfang family elders sat high above, watching the disciples below with equally serious faces.
Even they felt pressure at this moment.
In the shadows, the Dongfang family’s Supreme Elders were also staring at the nine legacy sequences.
“Big Brother, should we ask the ancestor to bring Wudao back?” the Third Supreme Elder asked the First Supreme Elder.
Dongfang Ci’an shook his head.
“Perhaps this is his fate. It cannot be forced. Everyone has their own path.”
“With the golden age arriving, every force will be impacted. Wudao not returning might not necessarily be a bad thing.”
The other Supreme Elders nodded after hearing this.
Meanwhile, within the ancestral land.
Several figures were also looking toward the Martial Arena.
“That little Wudao didn’t come back,” the Ninth Ancestor murmured.
“Even if he returned, he might not necessarily succeed,” the Eighth Ancestor added.
“True. Among the ten legacy sequences, Cangqiong is the strongest.”
“Previously, Wudao had the best chance. But he’s been gone for three years. Who knows how much he’s grown?”
“Is Cangqiong really the strongest?” the Eighth Ancestor asked in return.
The Ninth Ancestor showed a puzzled look after hearing this.
He then glanced over, his brows furrowing.
“That Qingtian seems a bit different.”
“Let’s watch. He might surprise us.”
“I observed him for some time before. That little fellow has quite a few secrets.”
“If I remember correctly, he’s Xiao Jiu’s illegitimate son, right?”
“That’s right. When he was brought back, Xiao Jiu looked down on him, treating him as his own shame. Who would have thought that in just three years he climbed into the legacy sequence.”
“Xiao Jiu is just too utilitarian. This time, we should advise him properly.”
On the Martial Arena.
Dongfang Beichen looked at the nine legacy sequence disciples.
“Next is the moment for you to prove yourselves.”
“The rules of this competition are simple. There are no rules.”
“Use every method available to defeat your opponents.”
“Poison, hidden weapons, alliances, anything goes. The winner is king.”
“Remember, do not treat this as sparring among clansmen. You are all enemies to one another.”
“What you’re fighting for is your future and your Dao.”
“Out in the world, no one cares about humanity, and no one cares whether your methods are dirty or honorable.”
“In the cultivation world, there is no such thing as fairness.”
“Only the living have hope. The dead become stepping stones. No one will mourn you.”
“They only see the victor, the one standing at the top.”
“When you succeed, even despicable methods will be praised as strategic depth.”
“The humiliation you endured will be called tempering.”
“When you succeed, even nonsense you speak makes sense. When you fail, no matter how right you are, it’s just bullshit.”
“Do you remember?”
“We remember.”
“Begin.”
As Dongfang Beichen’s voice fell, the nine legacy sequences each took up a position.
“Looks like I didn’t come back too late.”