Misunderstanding

Nine Universes King's voice rang out through the void, carrying a trace of amusement.

"Good! Well said!"

Ice Qiong King withdrew the chill surrounding her and gave Fang Yan a long look. For the first time, an unfamiliar emotion appeared in those ice-blue eyes.

It was not anger, but approval.

"You passed."

Ice Qiong King's voice remained cold, but the frost in her tone had melted somewhat.

"Ah... huh?" Fang Yan's laughter came to an abrupt stop.

Nine Universes King clapped his hands and laughed heartily. His clear laughter echoed through the void, and even the usually frosty Ice Qiong King slightly curled her lips.

"What a fine declaration—to devote one's life to the prosperity of the Human Race!"

Silver light flickered in Nine Universes King's eyes as he looked at Fang Yan with undisguised admiration.

"Brother Flame Ruins, this kid of yours has quite the vision."

Flame Ruins King stood in the void, a complicated expression on his wrinkled old face.

He recalled how Fang Yan had spent the past two hundred years hiding atop Sky Pillar Peak, gnawing on fruit. Just moments ago, he had thought the boy was merely trying to squeeze into the Hong Alliance for some wind-element resources.

Had he misunderstood?

This child actually harbored such grand ambitions?

"Yan."

Flame Ruins King spoke, his voice somewhat hoarse.

"This ancestor of yours..."

"There's no need to say more, Ancestor."

Fang Yan turned around. The Wind-Following Wings behind him folded into his body, while the smile on his face was open and sincere.

"I will forever remember your nurturing, Ancestor. Just as I said earlier, once I become a king, I will certainly follow your example and devote my life to the Human Race."

His tone was utterly natural when he said it, and even his eyes were implausibly clear.

What a joke. After struggling through the Gu World for so many years, if Fang Yan could not even smooth over a few ceremonial words, then he might as well have thrown away the wings of the Spring Autumn Cicada.

Crimson Flame King strode forward and slapped Fang Yan on the back. The force was so great that Fang Yan staggered two steps forward.

"Good kid! It's been who knows how many eras since I've seen a junior with this much guts! A ninth-stage World Lord who dared to tangle with Ice Qiong King for ten minutes, and even dared to make such a grand vow before three kings—gutsy! I like you!"

Fang Yan steadied himself with a dry laugh, feeling as though his spine were buzzing.

Nine Universes King watched the scene, the amusement in his eyes deepening.

With a casual wave, he teleported everyone back to Flame Ruins Palace.

Inside the main hall, Nine Universes King did not sit. Instead, he stood in the center with his hands behind his back, his expression turning more solemn.

"Fang Yan, my approval alone is not enough for you to join the Hong Alliance. This matter must ultimately be approved from above. But don't worry, it has an eighty or ninety percent chance of succeeding."

Everyone present understood exactly whom Nine Universes King meant by "above."

Origin.

One of the Human Race's only two universe masters, and the founder of the Virtual Universe Company and the Hong Alliance.

"However..."

Nine Universes King changed the subject, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

"Lord Origin is extremely busy. The Hong Alliance has only recently been established, so he does not yet have time to personally handle matters such as membership reviews. The one truly in charge of this is Chaos Venerable."

Flame Ruins King's brows rose slightly. Clearly, he was no stranger to that name.

Fang Yan's heart gave a violent leap.

Chaos Venerable.

One of the future pillars of the Human Race—Chaos City Leader!

Although he was only a Venerable at this moment, with neither Chaos City nor those fifty-odd Chaos Steles, Fang Yan knew that this man would become the true pillar supporting the heavens for the Human Race.

"I recorded the entire battle between you and Ice Qiong King. That includes your boy's final impassioned speech."

Fang Yan's smile froze for half a second.

What?

He recorded it too?

He had not intended for that speech to be archived!

Fang Yan's mind raced through his earlier performance—six-winged World Lord, seeking blessings for the Human Race, disregarding status and life, following his ancestor's example to devote himself to the Human Race...

It was over, over, over.

This was social death!

If that got played in front of the future Chaos City Leader...

Fang Yan's expression remained as steady as ever, and he even remembered to offer a modest smile.

"You flatter me, Senior Nine Universes. I merely spoke a few heartfelt words. How could they be worthy of being shown to a Venerable?"

"Heartfelt words? What fine heartfelt words!"

Nine Universes King seemed greatly pleased with the phrase.

"Precisely because they are heartfelt words, they should be shown to the Venerable. Do you know what kind of junior Chaos Venerable admires most? One with both talent and breadth of mind!"

Without waiting for Fang Yan to say anything else, Nine Universes King's Virtual Universe assistant sent the recording to Chaos Venerable's email with a thought.

"Alright, the recording has been sent."

Nine Universes King clapped his hands, and Fang Yan's smile completely froze.

Flame Ruins Palace fell silent for a moment. Nine Universes King looked back at Flame Ruins King and changed the topic.

"Brother Flame Ruins, the main purpose of our visit remains to invite you into the Hong Alliance. This matter should not be delayed."

Flame Ruins King nodded, but his gaze remained on Fang Yan.

Looking at this junior who had hidden atop Sky Pillar Peak for two hundred years, an unprecedented warmth welled up in his heart.

So this child had always harbored grand ambitions. It was this ancestor who had been too short-sighted.

"Brother Nine Universes, please."

Flame Ruins King rose and entered the depths of the hall alongside Nine Universes King and Crimson Flame King.

Flame Ruins King slowly emerged from the palace doors, surrounded by a faint red glow and wearing a rare smile.

Nine Universes King and Crimson Flame King followed behind him. Evidently, the business at hand had been settled.

"Ancestor!" The Fang Family disciples in the plaza all saluted in unison.

Flame Ruins King waved for them to rise, then walked step by step toward Fang Yan.

Fang Yan looked at Flame Ruins King's cuff, and his breathing stalled for an instant.

Four stars!

That was a mark possessed only by invincible kings or elementary universe Venerables!

Good grief, the thick thigh was right beside me?

"Yan."

Flame Ruins King spoke. His voice was neither loud nor soft, yet it carried an unprecedented solemnity.

Fang Yan unconsciously straightened his back.

Flame Ruins King raised a hand and placed it on Fang Yan's shoulder. That hand was rough yet warm, and even through the fabric, Fang Yan could feel the surging divine power within a king-level expert.

"For two hundred years, I thought you were timid and afraid of trouble, knowing only how to hide atop Sky Pillar Peak and gnaw fruit."

Flame Ruins King's voice grew hoarser.

"Everyone in the Fang Family, including your father, may have doted on you, but who did not sigh behind your back and say, 'The boy from the Seventh Elder's family is far too cautious'? Today, you have made me see you in a new light."

Fang Yan opened his mouth, unsure what to say for a moment.

No, Ancestor, you actually saw me perfectly clearly...

But Flame Ruins King had clearly become immersed in his own emotions.

"A six-winged World Lord, seeking blessings for the Human Race... Your father could not say those words. No one in the Fang Family could say them. But you did."

Flame Ruins King raised his eyes. The fiery red light outside Flame Ruins Palace reflected in those cloudy old eyes, making them astonishingly bright.

"You are the pride of the Fang Family!"

Fang Yan felt his stomach cramping.