The white-haired elder wore a simple white robe.

His voice sounded ancient, yet it was full of vigor.

Combined with his crystalline, snow-white hair, he had the distinct bearing of an Immortal.

Now, his deep-set eyes were fixed on Li Chang’an as he spoke.

Although his voice was devoid of worldly emotion, it still made the hearts of every member of the Great Zhou Royal Family present sink.

Li Chang’an stared back at the elder, his gaze filled with scrutiny.

He was gauging the difference in their combat strength.

Once he determined that the man’s power was about what he’d expected, he spoke slowly. "And who might you be? Why should I kneel just for seeing you?"

Before the elder could even react to his words, Emperor Wu of Zhou and Li Lin were already on the verge of tears from fright.

Emperor Wu of Zhou was drenched in sweat, his face pale as he stammered, "Venerable Ancestor, please quell your anger! This is my worthless, monstrous son! Chang’an, this is the ancestor who founded our Great Zhou! Kneel at once!"

As he spoke, he rose to his feet and reached out to force Li Chang’an’s shoulder down.

But what was Li Chang’an’s current Realm?

He merely twitched his shoulder, causing Emperor Wu of Zhou to grab at nothing but air.

Li Lin was dumbfounded. Seeing this, he couldn’t help but whisper, "Kid, have you lost your mind? The Venerable Ancestor is an Immortal! He’s here to bestow Immortal Skills upon us..."

Li Chang’an pursed his lips, ignoring him as well.

Seeing this, the white-robed elder raised his eyebrows in surprise. He looked Li Chang’an up and down a few times before speaking. "Interesting. In all these years, this is the first time I’ve seen a junior of Great Zhou dare to be so defiant in my presence!"

Li Chang’an sneered. "Heh. And this is the first time I’ve seen a Cultivator who needs the fresh blood of young boys and girls as a catalyst to appear. You’re a disgrace to all Cultivators!"

Upon hearing this, the white-robed elder finally gave Li Chang’an a serious look. He narrowed his eyes. "What do you want?"

Li Chang’an wasted no words. "I don’t want anything. I just want to tell you, and everyone you represent, that from now on, this continent is under my protection!"

As his voice rang out...

The entire ritual platform erupted in an uproar.

Clearly, no one had expected the current Crown Prince to speak so brazenly to his own ancestor during the rites at the Ancestral Temple.

The white-robed elder was so angry he almost laughed.

He never imagined that after a lifetime of Cultivation, he would nearly lose his composure over a junior. "Very good. Li Lin, I put you in charge of watching this place. Are you just freeloading? You’re letting any riff-raff cause trouble... Or do you share his opinion?"

At the white-robed elder’s question...

More and more sweat beaded on Li Lin’s forehead. After a long pause, he stammered, "Venerable Ancestor, please, let me explain. The boy, Chang’an... he wasn’t like this before..."

He wanted to explain.

But the white-robed elder had no intention of listening. He waved a dismissive hand. "Forget it. You’re nearing the end of your lifespan, aren’t you? Today, I brought you two Lifespan Extension Pills, and the Immortal Technique you’ve coveted for hundreds of years..."

Here, the white-robed elder’s voice paused, then turned abruptly sinister. "Eliminate this traitorous cur. Otherwise, there will be no need for the Great Zhou to exist any longer!"

At these words, Li Lin couldn’t help but swallow hard. His eyes darted from the Elixirs in the elder’s hand to the unmoving Li Chang’an behind him.

To be honest, with such a monumental prize right before him, it would be a lie to say he wasn’t the least bit tempted.

But Li Lin didn’t move. Instead, he gave a bitter smile. "Venerable Ancestor, as much as I’d like to act, I’m afraid I’m truly no match for this boy. In all of Great Zhou, I doubt anyone is his match..."

Li Lin had never crossed swords with Li Chang’an.

But he knew just how terrifyingly fast Li Chang’an was growing.

His voice faltered for a moment. He turned his gaze back to Li Chang’an, his tone complex. "Perhaps it would be better if you dealt with him yourself, Venerable Ancestor!"

The white-robed elder was visibly stunned by his words.

He glanced at Li Lin, then back at Li Chang’an, his voice seething with rage. "What? Are you all truly planning to rebel against the heavens?"

Seeing the torrential rage on his face...

Other members of the Imperial Family immediately rushed forward—some scared out of their wits, others desperate to prove their loyalty and worth by taking Li Chang’an down.

They intended to execute Li Chang’an on the spot.

Li Chang’an merely sneered in response.

As they closed in, Li Chang’an casually drew the Celestial Emperor’s Sword from Emperor Wu of Zhou’s hip and promptly beheaded them.

He killed nearly ten people on the spot, and the once-raucous Ancestral Temple finally fell silent.

All eyes were on Li Chang’an, who stood on the high platform with a murderous expression. No one dared to utter another word.

Li Chang’an casually slid the longsword back into its sheath at the hip of the trembling Emperor Wu of Zhou. He raised his eyes to the white-robed elder once more. "Now, am I going to have to tell you to scram, or will you do it yourself?"

The man was undoubtedly a Cultivator.

But this was merely an incarnation.

According to Li Chang’an’s assessment, an incarnation formed using the fresh blood of children as a catalyst wouldn’t have much combat power—at most, less than a third, perhaps even only a quarter, of the main body’s strength.

Li Chang’an didn’t know if the real body couldn’t come or simply couldn’t be bothered, but it didn’t change the fact that he now held the absolute advantage.

The white-robed elder looked at him, then glanced at the others, who were all too frightened to make a sound.

Wisps of fury finally appeared on his once-serene and benevolent face.