As dawn broke, golden rays spilled from the clouds, illuminating the Divine Son Palace's jade platform.
Inside the hall, two graceful figures slowly awoke.
Shen Luowan's eyelashes trembled slightly, and as she opened her eyes, she felt her Divine Soul clear and her spiritual platform empty, as if on the verge of a Breakthrough.
She was stunned for a moment, then a shock ran through her, and she quickly checked her body.
Her breathing was steady, her clothes tidy, with no unusual signs, only a faint, lingering fragrance in her Divine Soul, as if last night had been nothing more than a long, peaceful dream.
Beside her, Xu Manman also slowly came to, gently rubbing her temples, her face flushed, but her eyes full of confusion: "Last night... were we drugged?"
Shen Luowan pondered in silence, her eyes reflecting a myriad of thoughts.
Although she had been wary of last night's events, she had to admit that the tranquility of the Divine Soul brought by that hint of intoxication was indeed extraordinary.
Just then, light footsteps sounded from outside the main hall, and Hong Yan pushed the door open, smiling demurely as she whispered: "The Divine Son has awoken. Please, two Fairies, wash and change. Afterward, we will proceed to the Divine Son's Coming-of-Age Ceremony together."
Xu Manman blinked, a little bewildered: "He didn't take advantage of the situation?"
Shen Luowan also frowned in thought... The Divine Son of the Jiang Clan's Coming-of-Age Ceremony was grandly held within the Jiang Clan's main hall, the "Grand Void Heavenly Palace."
The main hall stood ninety thousand feet tall, with layers of buildings, surrounded by nine layers of Heavenly Palaces suspended in the air, gleaming with precious light, Dao sounds like tides, vast as if the Immortal Realm had descended.
Inside the main hall, colorful lights shimmered, immortal music played, countless exotic flowers and plants bloomed with dazzling radiance, and the air was filled with rich Spiritual Qi.
Today, most of the high-ranking officials from the Myriad Domains of the Heavens gathered here, with representatives from various ancient clans, Immortal Dynasties, and Imperial Dynasties coming to observe the ceremony.
When Jiang Ye appeared at the Coming-of-Age Ceremony hall with Shen Luowan and Xu Manman, the entire Jiang Clan's mountain gate was shaken.
However, in this magnificent scene of immortal music and auspicious aura, Xu Qiye, seated in a corner, had a face so dark it looked like it could drip water.
Shen Luowan and Xu Manman had, astonishingly, not left the Divine Son Palace all night!
The surrounding guests also engaged in lively discussions, with whispers never ceasing.
"Have you heard? The Second Princess of the Divine Firmament Immortal Dynasty and Young Miss Xu from the Xu Family both stayed overnight at the Divine Son Palace!"
"They didn't come out all night! In this... hehe, I'm afraid something indescribable happened!"
"That Divine Son Jiang is truly charming and handsome. Not only is his talent Heaven-Defying, but even such peerless beauties cannot resist his charisma!"
These gossipy whispers, like sharp knives, fiercely pierced Xu Qiye's heart.
Shen Luowan, his proud patron, and Xu Manman, the only soft spot in his heart, had both... stayed overnight in Jiang Ye's bedchamber?
Rage burned fiercely in his chest, and the flames of jealousy almost consumed his rationality.
He clenched his fists, his knuckles white, his eyes bloodshot.
"Damn it! Damn it!" Xu Qiye roared in his heart, feeling an unprecedented humiliation.
Jiang Ye not only made him feel that things were not going smoothly.
Now, he had also "defiled" the two women he treasured.
On the other hand, Xu Tairan's face was beaming, a look of satisfaction on him.
He looked at Xu Manman, who walked out from beside Jiang Ye, his eyes full of relief.
Although he wasn't sure what had happened inside the Divine Son Palace, the fact that the two women stayed overnight at least indicated that Jiang Ye was not opposed to the marriage alliance.
Jiang Ye stood with his hands behind his back, walking to the center, calmly surveying the entire scene, his golden eyes swirling like stars, all Daos converging into one.
"Today, Jiang Ye comes of age, bowing to Heaven, to ancestors, and to the Dao."
Bells chimed through the Nine Heavens in the Heavenly Palace, divine light streamed in myriad rays, Nine Heavens Divine Fire burned across the dome, and billions of spiritual talismans condensed in the Void Realm, forming a ten-thousand-mile cloud Dragon circling the hall.
The ancient phantom of the Jiang Clan's Imperial Ancestor emerged, wielding divine authority, and the ceremonial music of the firmament resounded for thirty thousand miles!
Representatives from Various Great Dao Lineages, ancient clans, and Imperial Dynasties stepped forward, presenting congratulatory gifts.
Subsequently, representatives from Various Great Dao Lineages stepped forward, presenting meticulously prepared congratulatory gifts with respectful bows.
"The Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect, with the Heavenly Sword Sect's Supreme treasure, the Immortal-Slaying Sword, congratulates Divine Son Jiang on his Coming-of-Age Ceremony!"
"The Holy Master of the Myriad Ancient Holy Land, with the Myriad Ancient Holy Land's Legacy, the Incomplete Manual of the Myriad Ancient Undying Technique, congratulates Divine Son Jiang on his Coming-of-Age Ceremony!"
"The Supreme of the Yao Race, with a cub of the Yao Race's Divine Beast 'Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox,' congratulates Divine Son Jiang on his Coming-of-Age Ceremony!"
...One after another, astonishing rare treasures from the Myriad Domains of the Heavens were presented. Each one was enough to incite countless forces to fight and contend, yet now they were respectfully placed before Jiang Ye, merely to win a trace of his favor.
Jiang Ye's expression remained unchanged; he seemed indifferent to these congratulatory gifts, merely nodding slightly, signaling the maidservants to accept them.
His demeanor was calm, as if these Supreme treasures were nothing more than ordinary worldly objects to him.
After a complex and lengthy ceremony, the Divine Son of the Jiang Clan's Coming-of-Age Ceremony finally concluded.
【Ding! The Protagonist of Destiny, Xu Qiye, developed a rift with Shen Luowan and Xu Manman, consumed by jealousy, his Luck value decreased by 3000 points!】
【Villain Value + 3000!】
"This Xu Qiye is truly a great leek..."
"Even Shen Lian can't compare..."
"Next... will be Xu Qiye's downfall."
However, just as Jiang Ye was about to get up and make arrangements, a familiar voice transmission echoed from the Void Realm:
"Ye'er, come to the ancestral land."
His eyes flickered, his steps paused, then he turned and stepped into the Void Realm... The Jiang Clan's ancestral land.
This place was shrouded year-round in Chaos Qi and immortal mists, with countless array patterns flowing across the sky, like the pulsating of ancient divine veins, awe-inspiring to the mind.
It had existed since the creation of Heaven and Earth, its divine radiance never fading.
As Jiang Ye walked into it, the surroundings immediately fell into dead silence.
As Jiang Ye stepped into the ancestral land, a familiar aura enveloped him.
"Good son, come quickly and let your mother see you."
A peerlessly graceful figure emerged from the immortal mist, her eyes filled with an unbreakable tenderness and doting affection.
"Today's Coming-of-Age Ceremony had quite a few Divine Maidens and Saintesses from Various Great Dao Lineages. Did you find anyone you like?" Su Hongye's tone was light, with a hint of teasing: "Tell your mother, and your mother will propose marriage for you! Which force dares to disagree, your mother will destroy them!"
Jiang Ye's mouth twitched, his eyes full of helplessness.
His own mother was truly a ruthless person.
He lightly coughed and said: "Mother, please don't interfere with such matters, but that Xu Manman from the Xu Family is not bad."
"Oh? From the Xu Family?"
Su Hongye's eyes flickered, showing a playful expression.
"The Xu Family has been quite obedient lately, but that little bastard Xu Qiye has caused you a lot of trouble... Since you fancy Xu Manman, then your mother will go propose marriage for you."
She paused, her smile deepening: "However, if the Xu Family wants to marry her off, they must show some sincerity. If the dowry isn't sufficient... your mother will personally retrieve it for you."
Jiang Ye sighed: "Mother, I just said that girl is not bad, I didn't say I definitely want to marry her."
Su Hongye, however, was persistent, glancing at him sideways: "You said 'not bad,' so that means you fancy her! Your mother understands."
Jiang Ye: "..."
As Su Hongye spoke, she took out a delicate, palm-sized jade plate from her sleeve and handed it to Jiang Ye.
The jade plate was ancient and profound, its surface covered with dense, ancient runes, flowing with the radiance of Chaos.
"Ye'er, this is the Coming-of-Age Ceremony gift your mother prepared for you," Su Hongye's voice was gentle, carrying a hint of anticipation.