Misunderstanding

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

"Good! Well said!"

Ice Qiong King withdrew the chill surrounding her and gave Fang Yan a deep look. For the first time, a different emotion appeared in those icy 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 halt.

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

"What a fine declaration—to devote an entire life to the prosperity of the Human Race!"

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

"Flame Ruins, the kid from your family 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, munching on fruit. Just moments ago, he had thought the boy was merely racking his brains to join the Hong Alliance for a few wind-element resources.

Had he misunderstood him?

This child actually harbored such great ambitions?

"Yan'er."

Flame Ruins King spoke, his voice somewhat dry.

"This ancestor of yours..."

"Ancestor, there is no need to say more."

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

"I will always remember the care you have shown me, Ancestor. Just as I said earlier, once I reach King-level, I will certainly follow your example and devote my life to the Human Race."

He said it with the utmost naturalness, his gaze so clear it was almost absurd.

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 like this, 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 has been who knows how many eras since I last saw a junior with this much guts! A World Lord Ninth Order who dared to spar with Ice Qiong King for ten minutes, and even dared to make such a grand vow before three King-level powerhouses—gutsy! I like it!"

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

Watching the scene, the smile in Nine Universe King's eyes deepened.

With a wave of one hand, he teleported everyone back to Flame Ruins Palace.

Inside the hall, Nine Universe King did not take a seat. Instead, he stood in the center of the hall with his hands behind his back, his expression turning more serious.

"Fang Yan, my approval alone is not enough for you to join the Hong Alliance. The higher-ups must give the final word. Still, rest assured—there is an eighty to ninety percent chance this will succeed."

Everyone present knew perfectly well who Nine Universe King meant by "the higher-ups."

Origin.

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

"However..."

Nine Universe King shifted the subject, the corners of his mouth rising slightly.

"Lord Origin is busy with countless affairs. The Hong Alliance has only just been established, and he has no time to personally oversee membership reviews. The one truly handling this matter 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 point, without Chaos City or those fifty-odd Chaos Steles, Fang Yan knew that this man would become the true pillar holding up the heavens for the Human Race.

"I have recorded the entirety of your battle with Ice Qiong King. That includes your little speech at the end."

Fang Yan's smile instantly froze for half a second.

What?

It had been recorded too?

He had not planned on preserving that speech for posterity when he said it!

Fang Yan's mind rapidly flashed through his performance just now—Six-Wing World Lord, seeking the welfare of the Human Race, disregarding his own 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 they played it in front of the future Chaos City Leader...

Fang Yan's expression remained as steady as an old dog. He even remembered to smile modestly.

"You flatter me, Senior Nine Universes. I merely spoke from the heart. How could it be worth showing to a Venerable?"

"From the heart? What a fine 'from the heart'!"

Nine Universe King seemed quite pleased with those words.

"Precisely because it came from the heart, the Venerable should see it. Do you know what kind of juniors Chaos Venerable appreciates most? Those with both talent and broad vision!"

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

"Done. The recording has been sent."

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

Flame Ruins Palace fell quiet for a moment before Nine Universe King looked back at Flame Ruins King and changed the subject.

"Flame Ruins, the main purpose of our visit is still to invite you to join 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 on Sky Pillar Peak for the past two hundred years, an unprecedented warmth welled up in his heart.

So this child had always harbored great ambitions. It was this ancestor who had been too shortsighted.

"Nine Universes, this way."

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

Flame Ruins King slowly emerged from the palace doors, his body shrouded in a faint red glow and a rare smile on his face.

Nine Universe King and Crimson Flame King followed behind him. Evidently, the important business had concluded.

"Ancestor!" The Fang Family disciples in the square bowed in unison.

Flame Ruins King waved his hand to signal everyone to rise, then walked step by step toward Fang Yan.

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

Four stars!

This was a mark possessed only by an Invincible King-level powerhouse or a Lower Venerable!

Holy crap, the golden thigh had been right beside me all along?

"Yan'er."

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

Fang Yan instinctively 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 his clothes, Fang Yan could feel the surging divine power within a King-level powerhouse.

"For two hundred years, this old man believed you were timid and afraid of trouble, knowing only how to hide on Sky Pillar Peak and eat 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 privately sigh that 'the boy from the Seventh Elder's family is far too cautious'? Today, you have made this old man see you in a new light."

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

No, Ancestor, you did not misjudge me after all...

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

"'Six-Wing World Lord, seeking the welfare of the Human Race'... your father could not say those words, nor could anyone else in the Fang Family, but you said them."

Flame Ruins King raised his eyes. The fiery red light outside Flame Ruins Palace reflected in those cloudy old eyes, making them shine with startling brilliance.

"You are the pride of the Fang Family!"

Fang Yan felt his stomach cramping.