The Holy Son

Yao Guang Palace.

This ancient hall, personally crafted by the founding patriarch, utilized many rare divine materials, including Nine Heavens Divine Jade and Daluo Silver Essence—substances often used to forge holy artifacts.

Holy light shone pure, and divine might surged vast.

A divine statue, hidden within a shroud of chaotic aura, stood at the very front of the hall. One could not discern its features or form, only perceive a divine presence as deep as the sea.

Holy Lord of Yaoguang Li Daoqing and the Supreme Elders of the various Daoist lineages—sixteen Great Experts in the Immortal Platform Realm in total—all gazed at the young man before them.

Beyond them, no one else was present to witness the ceremony, nor was anyone else needed.

Fang Yang wore white robes embroidered with gold patterns. He wore no other adornments, his expression solemn as he prepared to accept the position of Holy Son.

"From this day forth, you are the Holy Son of this generation of Yao Guang Sacred Land."

Li Daoqing solemnly placed a dragon-shaped jade pendant and a small replica of the Dragon-Patterned Black Gold Cauldron into Fang Yang's hands.

He had not expected Fang Yang to progress so rapidly. To think that in such a short time, he had already become the Yaoguang Holy Son; truly, the younger generation is to be feared.

"This dragon-shaped jade pendant is the token of the Yaoguang Holy Son's identity. With it, you hold the same rank as an Immortal Platform Elder, entitled to the same treatment, including the annual allocation of spirit herbs, precious materials, and Source stones..."

"This replica of the Dragon-Patterned Black Gold Cauldron is a heavy weapon interwoven with Dao and reason. It is a reward for defeating the previous Holy Son, and even if you should lose your position in the future, it will not be reclaimed."

"But I hope that day never comes."

After receiving the two treasures, Fang Yang hung the jade pendant at his waist and held the Dragon-Patterned Black Gold Cauldron in his left hand.

At this moment, no further words were needed.

The position of Holy Son goes to the strong; the weak must step down.

Fang Yang was confident that within the current Yao Guang Sacred Land, no one could threaten his status.

Subsequently, the Supreme Elders of the various lineages put on amiable expressions, engaging Fang Yang in a pleasant exchange.

This was not merely because Fang Yang had inherited the title of Holy Son; in fact, that status accounted for only a small part of their interest.

The title of Yaoguang Holy Son sounded prestigious, but within the Yao Guang Sacred Land, there were already over a dozen Holy Sons waiting for Li Daoqing to abdicate so they could vie for the position of Holy Lord.

Though Fang Yang was strong and gifted, compared to those who had cultivated for over a century—or even nearly a millennium—his chances of becoming the Holy Lord were slim.

If one does not become the Holy Lord, even if Fang Yang grew successfully, he would at most be a peak Great Expert, standing on equal footing with these Supreme Elders.

Is Fang Yang exceptionally talented?

Perhaps he could break through to become a Dao-Severing King?

Setting aside the fact that among the countless geniuses to emerge in the Eastern Wasteland over the past several thousand years, only Jiang Taixu of the Jiang Family had severed the Dao to become a King—earning the title of Divine King and being hailed as the greatest combatant in five millennia—even if Fang Yang did become a Dao-Severing King, how many of these Supreme Elders would still be alive by then?

There was simply no need to curry favor with a mere Holy Son.

It was Fang Yang's identity as a master of Source Technique that was the true reason they looked at him with new eyes.

"Junior Nephew Fang, that Dragon Loach... did you offer it to your master? You certainly should have. Next time you unearth longevity treasures, don't forget to let your Uncle know."

"Junior Nephew, don't listen to this old fellow. He has the nerve to say such things with nothing to offer; he really has a thick skin, doesn't he?"

"I have a piece of Daluo Silver Essence here. It's only the size of a palm, but I hope you won't disdain it, Junior Nephew. If you find longevity herbs in the future, you must give me a fair price!"

"This drop of Dragon Marrow will help you accelerate your cultivation in the Dragon Transformation Realm and build your foundation. Consider it a welcoming gift."

"This bottle of Earth Marrow Fluid..."

The group of Supreme Elders acted like kind old men doting on a junior, forcibly stuffing various treasures into Fang Yang's arms.

He could not refuse, or it would be seen as looking down upon them.

"Many thanks, Uncles."

What else could Fang Yang do? One cannot decline a gift from an elder. Unable to slight them, he could only accept the dozen or so precious items.

"That's more like it."

Watching Fang Yang accept their gifts, the Supreme Elders wore satisfied smiles.

They did not expect the same treatment as Li Daoming, but they at least wanted to be better off than outsiders, ensuring they had priority in trading for longevity treasures.

"Fang Yang, now that you are the Yaoguang Holy Son, there are many things you must consider."

Once the other Supreme Elders had departed, Li Daoqing spoke earnestly, advising Fang Yang on matters requiring his attention.

"Do not spend all your time in cultivation. When you have leisure, you may visit the Holy City or be a guest at other major powers to befriend and spar with the younger generation."

"As the Yaoguang Holy Son, you represent the stance of the Sacred Land to a certain extent, but do not be timid. Go forth and compete with the geniuses of the younger generation; the strong are forged through battle."

"The Divine Body of the Ji Family, the Golden-Winged Little Peng King, the Wanchu Holy Son... they are all geniuses of the age and can serve as opponents to temper yourself."

For a full hour, Li Daoqing meticulously unraveled the complex relationships between the major powers of the Eastern Wasteland, teaching Fang Yang how to distinguish true friends from false ones.

As for enemies?

Yao Guang Sacred Land has no enemies.

"Go. The future of Yao Guang Sacred Land lies in your hands."

Li Daoqing concluded with these words, revealing the high hopes he placed in Fang Yang.

"I shall not fail your expectations, Uncle-Master!"

Fang Yang's voice was resonant and firm.

Holy Son Peak.

The Yaoguang Holy Son... the previous Yaoguang Holy Son knelt on the ground, while a mysterious figure draped in a black robe stood before him.

"You have disappointed me."

"A mere mortal body managed to defeat you so easily? Have the corpses of the Great Experts I gave you all been fed to the dogs?"

The mysterious figure's voice was hoarse, his tone unkind.

"The power of Fang Yang's Yin Yang Tribulation Light is too great, and there is something strange about him. His combat strength is far too transcendent; he is nothing like a mortal body."

"Could it be some hidden, special constitution that has yet to be discovered..."

The former Yaoguang Holy Son showed no panic, respectfully defending himself.

"As a supreme Great Expert, would I be deceived by whether or not Fang Yang is a mortal body?"

"I placed high hopes in you, expecting you to devour the other gu insects and become the successor to the Indestructible Heavenly Art, helping us take complete control of Yao Guang Sacred Land."

"Three years. I give you only three years."

"If you cannot defeat Fang Yang, you will have no value left, Wuming!"

The black-robed figure flicked his sleeves and departed, vanishing without a trace, leaving not a shred of his presence behind.

"Wuming... Heh."

In the empty hall, a frantic and stifled laugh rang out as the former Yaoguang Holy Son struggled to his feet.

When one cannot even decide their own name, what meaning is there to such a life?

To him, the black-robed man was both master and owner.

The man had explicitly stated that once he became the Holy Lord of Yaoguang, he could take the name Yaoguang; until then, he could only be a nameless person, unworthy of having a name.

"Hua Yunfei..."

"I hope you do not disappoint me."

Wuming whispered to himself.

His originally gentle and sunny temperament vanished, replaced by the aura of a man-eating demon crawled out from hell, his eyes gleaming with a predatory light.