Upon hearing this, Shen Wenyan laughed heartily.

"Since Princess Mingyue has said so, let’s settle it that way!"

"Then... greetings, Mr. Shen!" Jiang Ning cupped his hands, not bothered by the manner of address any longer.

"Good!" Shen Wenyan nodded emphatically and then said, "Brother Jiang, Princess Mingyue, please take a seat and have breakfast. The three of us shall then visit Wang Wenzong and ask him to come out of seclusion!"

"Alright!" Both Jiang Ning and Ji Mingyue nodded.

...

After breakfast.

The heavy snow had already stopped last night.

Although it was not a clear sky at the moment, the weather was clear and bright.

Shen Wenyan led Jiang Ning and Ji Mingyue once again to the courtyard with three entrances and exits.

Knock, knock, knock—

Then, Shen Wenyan stepped forward and knocked on the door himself.

A moment later.

With the sound of the latch dropping, the door slowly opened.

What appeared before the three was a child who looked about ten years old.

The child’s face was rosy, and despite wearing little clothing in the dead of winter, steam was rising from his head.

Seeing the child appear, Jiang Ning’s expression showed a slight surprise.

"Such vigorous yang energy!"

Shen Wenyan nodded, speaking only in a voice that Jiang Ning could hear: "A natural child’s body, with yang energy accumulating too early, has already formed the Three Yang Absolute Veins!"

"Please follow me, the old master has been waiting inside for a long time!" The child, seeing Jiang Ning and Ji Mingyue, gave the two unfamiliar faces a glance, then stepped aside.

The three then nodded and stepped over the threshold of the mansion.

After passing through another door, they saw a square courtyard.

In the center of the courtyard.

An elderly man with silver hair sat straddling a stool, wearing a short jacket, his exposed arms thin as twigs, skin clinging to bone.

Yet in the harsh cold, where water would freeze into ice, the old man wore only a short jacket, showing no signs of feeling the chill.

Jiang Ning’s gaze fell on the spear in the old man’s hand.

The old man held an oilcloth, incessantly wiping the spearhead until it gleamed like a mirror, reflecting every nuance.

As Jiang Ning and the others approached, the old man seemed unaware, continuing to lower his head and polish the spearhead in his hand.

Looking at the elder in the courtyard, Jiang Ning knew this was the Nine River Dragon—Wang Wenzong.

Ranked third among the Eighteen Dragon Heads.

Formerly with the surname Dragon Wen, after an upheaval, he chose to retire, changing Dragon to Wang, acknowledging his ancestry.

In the vast Thirty-six Prefectures of the Nine Provinces, this person was also a renowned figure.

At first glance, seeing Wang Wenzong’s emaciated frame, he thought this Nine River Dragon Wang Wenzong was not as formidable as in his youth.

But on second glance, he overturned this judgment.

For Wang Wenzong, although appearing frail, like an old man,

the area around where he sat had silently melted away the accumulated snow.

From several yards away, he could feel the blazing fire emanating from Wang Wenzong.

The internal did not match the external appearance.

"Wang Wenzong’s physical strength must be impressive!" Looking at the elder polishing the spearhead, Jiang Ning silently mused.

At this moment.

Wang Wenzong stood up, casually placing the oilcloth aside, then grasped the middle of the spear, using the butt end as a staff.

As the butt of the spear gently touched the ground, Jiang Ning’s feet suddenly trembled.

But he saw the stone beneath Wang Wenzong’s feet remained intact, unaffected by the force.

"Such a masterful display of power control!" he thought to himself in awe.

In just their first meeting, Wang Wenzong continually reshaped his impression.

At this moment, he saw that this Nine River Dragon Wang Wenzong was truly deserving of his reputation.

Among the Second Grade Great Grandmasters, perhaps he indeed possessed the credentials to contend with a First-grade.

"Who are these two?" Wang Wenzong’s sharp gaze fell on Jiang Ning, his tone puzzled.

"This is Dongling Marquis Jiang Ning, and also the Zeshan State Patrol Envoy!" Shen Wenyan raised his hand towards Jiang Ning, introducing him to Wang Wenzong.

Upon hearing this, Wang Wenzong’s gaze immediately focused on Jiang Ning, his expression somewhat surprised.

"So you are the prodigy acclaimed as the first in eight hundred years!"

After speaking, he shook his head: "A pity! So young, with such a promising future, yet drawing too much attention, falling victim to the Curse Killing Skill of the Immortal!"

Jiang Ning gave a faint smile.

Then, Wang Wenzong’s eyes swept over Ji Mingyue beside Jiang Ning.

"This is the Seventeenth Princess of the Imperial Family!" Shen Wenyan added.

Wang Wenzong nodded: "I’ve heard of her, the young girl deeply infatuated with the lad, causing quite a commotion!"

Ji Mingyue gave a shallow smile: "You jest, Elder!"

Wang Wenzong shook his head: "Such a beauty, a pity she’ll be a widow, not to mention born in an unfavorable era; being a princess in the tumultuous times isn’t a good status!"

After saying that, he lifted the spear in his hand.

"Let’s go! We must hurry to Wolong Ridge; if we’re late, it’ll be too late!"

"Absolutely!!" Shen Wenyan nodded, sensing the battle intent emanating from Wang Wenzong, his heart calmed immediately.

Though the Yingtian Alliance was strong with several Great Grandmasters,

he was not lacking either.

Counting Jiang Ning, there were three.

And even Wang Wenzong alone was equivalent to several.

"Remember your promise to me!" Wang Wenzong said faintly as he brushed past Shen Wenyan.

...

Wolong Ridge.

Located a hundred and fifty miles outside Guangning City.

The residence of Zhuge Manor.

Through the struggles of several generations of the Zhuge family over more than a century, the present Zhuge family has reached unprecedented prosperity.

The entire family consists of over seven hundred members, with four Third Grade Blood Exchange Realm Grandmasters, one of whom is even a top-tier Grandmaster.

The recent turmoil caused the Zhuge family to lose a Grandmaster, severely depleting their Primordial Energy.

But with three remaining Grandmasters, the Zhuge family remains a top-tier clan in Guangning Prefecture.

Yet today, the vast Zhuge family seemed under a vast cloud, suppressing all spirits.

In the main hall of Zhuge Manor, the current Family Head Zhuge Qingsong sat stoically in the main seat, his expression grim as iron.

He was waiting, waiting for the news to arrive.

Beside him, only two remaining Third Grade Grandmaster tribal elders, along with other important family members.

At this moment, a layer of gloom covered everyone’s face.

"Family Head," an elder with a lean face and long beard spoke, his voice somewhat hoarse: "Yingtian Alliance’s final ultimatum is at noon, now only one more 2 hours, yet still no news from Shen Wenyan. Ji Mingzhou’s actions have recently been ruthless, leaving no survivors when he acts. Should there be no external assistance... it’s difficult to reconcile peacefully."

"Is Lie’er properly settled now?" Zhuge Qingsong asked: "Though it seems like Yingtian Alliance was provoked by Lie’er, in reality, it’s Ji Mingzhou seizing an opportunity. Lie’er’s talent is the hope of the Zhuge family, this ember must be preserved."

"Already settled!" the elder nodded, then added: "The collateral branches have been dismissed, now only over five hundred people remain in the manor."

Hearing this, Zhuge Qingsong nodded: "That’s good. No matter what, as long as Lie’er survives, the hope of the Zhuge family survives. The inconspicuous collateral branches have been sent away to preserve the family’s ember! A hundred years from now, once Lie’er fully emerges, the Zhuge family could regain its former glory."

"Has the Family Head made up his mind?" At that moment, another elder asked.

Zhuge Qingsong’s gaze swept over the two nearby Grandmaster Realm elders, who both had their eyes slightly closed, seemingly meditating, as if uninvolved.

Zhuge Qingsong declared resolutely: "The Zhuge family may face annihilation, their blood may flow, but integrity cannot be destroyed!"

At this moment.

Caw——

A crane’s cry pierced the sky.

As it sounded.

The previously closed-eyed elders suddenly opened their eyes, their gazes intense, seemingly peering through the walls to the sky outside.

"Is that... the call of the Imperial Shadow Crane?!!" an elder also immediately recognized the crane’s cry.

"It seems help has arrived!" Zhuge Qingsong’s face immediately showed a relieved expression, then he stood up: "Fellow elders, accompany me to welcome the distinguished guests."

"Yes, Family Head!!" they all responded unanimously, then stood up.