The Divine Radiance Sect was exceptionally lively today. All the well-known Nascent Soul cultivators of Great Shang had arrived one after another. A Nascent Soul at twenty was simply unprecedented in the entire Eastern Lands!

However, whether they actually believed it was another matter entirely. At the moment, a group of True Lords gathered together, discussing animatedly.

Wu Dian sat on a golden chair, one arm resting over its carved lotus while his other bare foot stuck out. His posture was wholly unbefitting of a monk.

His voice was deep and rumbling. "What do y’all think? Did Qi Yuan of the Seven-Colored Peak truly break through to Nascent Soul or not?"

Chayu narrowed her eyes. "Even if it's true, I refuse to believe he did so at twenty years of age. Perhaps some old monster seized his body."

As a mid-stage Nascent Soul, she was the strongest among the Great Shang's independent cultivators aside from the deceased Black Rooster Demon.

"Breaking through at twenty is indeed hard to believe. But with some great opportunity or supreme treasure, it's not impossible," said Madsword, the sect master of the Suspended Mountain Sect.

Since the leader of one of the Three Great Sects had spoken, the rest all nodded.

Wu Dian added, "I've heard that a Violet Palace cultivator died at the Divine Radiance Sect. Perhaps Qi Yuan's breakthrough is related to that."

The True Lords' expressions shifted slightly. The Red Sword Sect had long schemed against Great Shang. They even supported the old emperor, attempting to massacre disciples of various sects within the Celestial Dragon Realm.

Not long ago, a Violet Palace expert from the Red Sword Sect went to the Divine Radiance Sect to cause trouble, only to be slain by a mysterious powerhouse. When that news first spread, everyone was stunned. They had all gone to Ling Tian Pavilion to investigate, and eventually learned that the Divine Radiance Sect incident was connected to the Blood-Clothed Alliance.

At first, none of them knew what the Blood-Clothed Alliance was. Later, they learned that its leader, the Blood-Clothed Sword God, had risen from the Hundred Nations. His daughter had been humiliated by Bright Palace and forced to live in a doghouse. Enraged, he annihilated the Bright Palace, which possessed dozens of Violet Palace cultivators. Rumors later spread that he had slain numerous Venerables, a feat that shook the very heavens.

Qi Yuan was suspected to have deep ties with the Blood-Clothed Sword God. In that case, everything would make sense. Either Qi Yuan had been taken in as his disciple, or he was his offspring. After all, the origins of the Seven-Colored Peak chief disciple were indeed mysterious. Ruan Yixi had dominated the Great Shang for years and rarely left her peak. Yet the moment she went out once, she returned with a disciple. It was hard not to speculate.

"If that's the case, it's easy to understand."

"The Divine Radiance Sect truly has heaven-defying fortune."

"Haa..."

The True Lords let their imaginations run wild. Even if one were to crack open their skulls and drain all the water inside, they would never imagine that Qi Yuan himself was the Blood-Clothed Sword God. That would be too illogical.

"No wonder there are rumors that Qi Yuan calls his master ‘wife.’ Perhaps... hehe."

"The Blood-Clothed Sword God must be in seclusion to become a Yin Spirit. Too busy to care for his son, he found Qi Yuan a child bride."

They were extremely gossipy, wildly filling in the blanks.

"No way?! The stunningly beautiful peak master is actually a child bride!"

"Be careful with your words!"

At that moment, Jiang Lingsu appeared. She wore a dark-blue, flowing immortal dress with layered pleats at the hem, a black belt cinched at her waist. Her appearance was ethereal.

She wore a gloomy expression, one hand resting at her waist. "These True Lords are so stingy. This is all they're giving?"

Though reluctant at first, she took her role as Qi Yuan’s doorkeeper very seriously.

Jiang Ran stood opposite her, dressed plainly, unable to suppress a smile.

"Senior Sister, that's not what you were saying earlier."

Back on the Seven-Colored Peak, Jiang Lingsu had relentlessly complained about her senior brother, calling him unromantic, humiliating her by making her a doorkeeper, and so on.

Jiang Ran smiled teasingly. "You seem to be having fun, even worrying that Senior Brother isn't receiving enough gifts. You really look like a doorkeeper."

Sure enough, Jiang Lingsu blushed until the tips of her ears went red. She straightened her posture, her ample chest swaying slightly as she said righteously, "Well, of course! The more gifts Senior Brother gets, the more I get too!"

Jiang Ran stared enviously at her. From the moment she received a Grade-A evaluation, she had been desperate for Qi Yuan to take her into the Seven-Colored Peak. Ruan Yixi’s mystery captivated her. Moreover, with only two disciples, resources would be plentiful.

Qi Yuan had rejected them all, including her and Jiang Lingsu. Yet Jiang Lingsu had boldly stepped forward and insisted on joining his peak. Now that Qi Yuan had become a True Lord, wouldn't Jiang Lingsu be able to do as she pleased in Great Shang?

From the moment they entered the sect, their fates diverged completely. Jiang Lingsu could criticize the gifts of True Lords behind their backs, whereas Jiang Ran would never dare. How could she not be envious?

Just then, a voice rang out. "Shen Wushen and Shen Zhifeng of the Demonic Desire Sect have arrived!"

All the Nascent Souls perked up. The Demonic Desire Sect’s sudden upheaval had shocked everyone. The Shen Clan had abruptly risen, defeating the Ji Clan. There were also countless speculations for Shen Wushen's identity and origins.

All eyes were drawn to the black-robed, expressionless man. Even though he was merely standing there, everyone felt an aura of invincibility.

Sensing danger, Madsword appeared moved. "He's no ordinary Nascent Soul."

Wu Dian also grew solemn.

All the Nascent Soul cultivators felt as though a storm was approaching.