Jiang Ruxi quietly crouched down beside his bed.
Then she gently picked up the hand Nan Xunran had left at his side and slowly placed it against her cheek.
Her expression was devout, and countless emotions seemed to flow through her eyes.
"What is it?" Nan Xunran's voice was calm, revealing little emotion.
Jiang Ruxi merely shook her head gently, without making a sound.
Then Nan Xunran's long fingers stirred, lightly touching her cheek.
Jiang Ruxi turned her face slightly and gently rubbed it against Nan Xunran's hand.
"Go to sleep," Nan Xunran said, withdrawing his hand.
Only after a long while did Jiang Ruxi slowly rise and leave.
The next day
Crimson Plume Sacred Land
A startled cry suddenly rang out. "Look! Is that the Thundercloud Chariot?"
Hearing it, everyone looked up, their eyes full of shock.
With the trial opening tomorrow, the disciples of the great clans who had been training away from home had all returned over the past few days. They had seen so many kinds of magical vehicles that they were long past finding them strange.
But only that taboo clan possessed a Thundercloud Chariot.
Someone murmured, "Has that one returned?"
"Only that one's clan has a Thundercloud Chariot."
The void suddenly shattered, and nine massive dragons stretched across the heavens like primordial gods, their forms vast and imposing.
Each of the nine dragons possessed an unimaginably enormous body.
Their scales shimmered with a mysterious light, within which flashes of lightning seemed to flicker, containing the most fundamental power of heaven and earth.
At their head, the dragons held their heads high, their roars shaking the nine heavens. Their voices seemed to contain the sound of chaos from the dawn of heaven and earth.
Black iron chains were bound to the azure dragons' tails, and behind them floated a palace.
The nine dragons slowly pulled the palace through the void, warping and twisting the space wherever they passed.
Lightning flashed and leaped through the distorted space.
The palace was majestic and magnificent, its entire form radiating a dazzling light. Every detail displayed luxury at its finest.
A large character for "Nan" stood out on the palace.
"There's a Nan character! That one has returned!"
"It's the Nan Clan's Thundercloud Chariot!"
"The Holy Son has returned!" Someone shouted, and the crowd instantly erupted.
"Holy Son!"
Everyone called out in unison, their voices full of reverence and anticipation.
"I heard the Holy Son is leading the trial tomorrow!"
"Aaaaaah, that's amazing!"
Some could not contain their joy.
Then a bucket of cold water was thrown over them.
"Wake up. Our cultivation as outer peak disciples is too low. There's no way we can take part in the trial."
A mountain breeze blew gently past, bringing a hint of coolness and cooling everyone's heads somewhat.
As everyone watched, the Thundercloud Chariot slowly entered Azure Luan Valley and vanished from sight.
Sacred Hall
Nan Xunran stepped steadily onto the white jade stairs.
The stairs were built of smooth, white jade and carved with mysterious, intricate patterns. A faint mist drifted around them, dreamlike and illusory.
Just as Nan Xunran stepped onto the stairs, numerous figures flew over and swiftly approached.
They bowed in unison. "Master!"
Nan Xunran nodded slightly and looked at Pei Zimo, who stood at the head of the group. "Zimo, did anything happen while I was away?" he asked slowly.
Pei Zimo was the foremost Dao Child of Crimson Plume Sacred Land. Whenever Nan Xunran was away, he handled the many affairs in his place.
Hearing this, Pei Zimo puffed out his chest slightly, his handsome face showing a trace of barely concealed pride. "Yes, but I handled everything properly," he said slowly.
His expression plainly said he wanted praise.
Seeing this, Nan Xunran could not help chuckling. "How did you handle it? Beat someone up?"
Pei Zimo's face filled with shock, and his eyes widened. "Master, how did you know?" he blurted out.
He was known for his sky-high fighting prowess and had never liked using his head. A complete martial fanatic, he resorted to force whenever something came up. It was simple and brutal, but extremely effective.
For that very reason, no one dared stir up trouble over the matters he had handled, saving Nan Xunran a great deal of worry.
Behind him, Pei Ziheng patted him on the shoulder and said slowly, "Brother, we've been at Master's side for so long. How could he not know us?"
Pei Ziheng was the Third Dao Child of Crimson Plume Sacred Land and Pei Zimo's younger twin brother. Clever and averse to using force, he and his older brother Pei Zimo were polar opposites.
"That's right, Master is the best!" Pei Zimo said, giving him a thumbs-up.
"All right, enough fooling around," Nan Xunran said calmly.
As he spoke, he casually removed his cloak. Seeing this, Pei Ziheng immediately stepped forward and took it from him.
As he took the cloak, Pei Ziheng said, "Master, tomorrow's trial secret realm is the Chaos Tribulation Purgatory."
Nan Xunran raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Why is that secret realm being opened?"
The Chaos Tribulation Purgatory was a purgatory filled with Chaos Power.
Its environment was ever-changing, and countless spatial rifts lay within. A moment's carelessness could sweep one into them, and even a Saint Lord would become lost inside.
It was said that the supreme inheritances of ancient Great Powers lay within those spatial rifts.
For that very reason, countless disciples became lost inside every time the trial opened.
After discussion among the Saint Lords, it had been decided that the Chaos Tribulation Purgatory would open only once every few years.
"The Chaos Tribulation Purgatory opens only once every few years, and it just happens to be our turn," Pei Zimo said, curling his lip.
"Master, you possess the Chaos Divine Body and are not corroded by Chaos Power. Besides, only the Dao Children of the various sacred lands are entering this time, so casualties will also be kept to a minimum," Pei Ziheng analyzed calmly.