I tricked you into thinking you had the makings of an emperor, but you actually did it?

On this day, the first ancestor of the Jiang family celebrated his 3,000th birthday as scheduled. The birthday banquet was held at Hengyu Mountain, the highest mountain in the Jiang family's territory.

Named after the great emperor who once came from the Jiang family, it is one of the Jiang family's most important locations.

From afar, the mountain soars into the clouds, with its peaks overlapping, majestic and magnificent.

Starting at dawn, cloud ships from various factions began to anchor in the sky.

For this birthday celebration, the Jiang family did not invite all the forces in the Northern Region, but only the first-class forces of the two neighboring states of Tiancang Prefecture, as well as forces with close ties.

Among the top-tier powers are the Tianlan Dynasty, Qingxu Sect, and Lingxiao Island.

The most unique is Lingxiao Island. Strictly speaking, it does not belong to the Northern Region forces. It is located on the sea and dominates a certain sea area.

The current clan chief's wife was once a saintess of Lingxiao Island.

When Jiang Tianxing was young, he went out to patrol the sea and abducted a holy maiden, almost causing a major battle between the two sides.

The leader of Lingxiao Island personally visited the Jiang family to take his disciple back, but Jiang Tianxing had already gotten the saintess pregnant, so the matter was dropped.

"The Holy Maiden of Lingxiao Island has arrived!"

As the host of Hengyu Mountain shouted loudly, a beautiful woman gracefully came out to greet them.

She wore a magnificent brocade dress, the silk threads shimmering delicately in the sunlight.

Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, and her bright eyes shone with intelligence and maternal tenderness.

It was Qin Qing, the clan chief's wife. Seeing her family members arrive, she couldn't hide her joy.

"Your surname is Yu? You're the eldest brother's daughter?"

"Yes, Auntie, my name is Yu Siqing."

The holy maiden of Lingxiao Island was dressed in a simple yet mysterious black outfit.

The fabric clung tightly to her slender figure, outlining her delicate yet powerful curves.

Her long hair was as black as ink, casually draped over her shoulders, with a few strands fluttering gently in the breeze.

Her face was exquisitely beautiful, her eyebrows were like sharp swords slightly raised, and her eyes were deep and cold, like stars in a cold night.

"Yu Siqing..."

Qin Qing was taken aback, wondering why her senior brother had named his daughter this way. Didn't her sister-in-law have any objections?

“Aunt, I am an orphan.” Yu Siqing seemed to be able to see through her thoughts.

Qin Qing suddenly realized what was going on, took Yu Siqing's small hand, and affectionately led her into Hengyu Mountain.

A vast open space on the mountain was beautifully decorated, with magnificent brocade curtains swaying gently in the breeze. The auspicious patterns embroidered on them seemed to come alive, shimmering with a mysterious light.

Rows of enormous white jade tables, their warm luster exuding an air of nobility, were laden with delicacies. Exquisite porcelain vessels held various celestial nectars and wines, their aromas filling the air and making mouths water.

Musicians played beautiful melodies on the side, and the melodious tunes echoed through the mountains.

Yu Siqing seemed to be entering the inland for the first time, trying her best to maintain the image of a saintess, but her eyes were curiously observing.

Taiqing led her to his seat and introduced her to Jiang Tianxing: "This is Senior Brother Yu's daughter, the current Holy Maiden of Lingxiao Island."

"Oh? Senior Brother Yu and I haven't seen each other for many years. Back then, we ventured out to sea together, hunting monsters. The scenes of our youth are still vivid in my mind," Jiang Tianxing said with a light laugh.

"Uncle, my father always talks about you when he's drunk."

But none of those were kind words; they accused you of being an inhuman child and stealing someone else's love.

"Ahem, what's your name, my dear nephew?" Jiang Tianxing seemed to realize this.

"Yu Siqing".

“…Ahem, a good name. You and Senior Brother Yu look very similar,” Jiang Tianxing said.

“Uncle, I was adopted by my father,” Yu Siqing said.

"..."

Jiang Tianxing was speechless. He glanced silently at Qin Qing, who was smiling slightly beside him, and knew that his wife was deliberately trying to make a fool of him.

"Cousin Jiang Ming?"

Yu Siqing broke the awkward silence by asking why there were no other people her age at the table.

"He is cultivating outside and is currently in seclusion," Qin Qing said.

Shadow Li Yingyi died in the Taiyi Treasure Vault. Although Jiang Tianxing had left a backup plan and other shadows, there was no need to make any more arrangements after the incident at the Dragon Slaying Platform.

Jiang Tianxing also didn't want Shen Ming to witness someone else becoming a god.

"I wonder what cultivation level my cousin Jiang Ming is at now?" Yu Siqing asked curiously.

She had a comparative mindset; back then, Qin Qing was pregnant with this very person, which is why she left Lingxiao Island without hesitation.

"Fourth level of the Yuantai Realm," Qin Qing said.

Yu Siqing seemed to be deep in thought. At the age of sixteen, he was at the fourth level of the Yuantai Realm, neither high nor low. He just didn't know how many Golden Platforms he had.

At this moment, the aura of the Sovereign Realm enveloped this open area.

The true mastermind of the birthday banquet, the first ancestor of the Jiang family, made his appearance.

Everyone stopped talking and stood up to greet them.

The First Ancestor wore a solemn crimson robe, embroidered with simple and auspicious patterns in gold thread.

The aura of the Dominator Realm caused the surrounding air to freeze.

"Wishing the First Ancestor a happy 3000th birthday!"

The Jiang family and their guests unanimously offered their congratulations.

The First Ancestor slightly raised his chin, clearly enjoying the moment as an elder.

"Thank you all for taking the time to be here. Life is short and time flies. I have lived to this day, three thousand years have passed, which is truly a great joy in life."

After the First Ancestor finished speaking, the guests from all sides sat down, while the various branches of the Jiang family remained standing, waiting to present their gifts.

The guests' gifts had already been accepted upon arrival; now it was the family's turn.

"First Ancestor, this is the Nirvana Golden Pill, the Nine Dragon Pill!"

Jiang Changkong of the Seventh Meridian spoke first, presenting a generous gift. Today, he was dressed in his finest attire, wearing a solemn and dignified long robe and a crown that reached the heavens.

"Nine Dragon Pill! A golden pill that can extend lifespan! It seems the rumors are true. Jiang Changkong is truly going to become a divine son today!"

The guest who heard the wind couldn't help but think of it.

"Have a heart."

The First Ancestor understood immediately and accepted the Nine Dragon Pill.

"First Ancestor, this is a Yang Yuan Stone, a token of Yan Xue's goodwill."

Jiang Yanxue from the third lineage stood up immediately afterward, and after presenting her gift, she couldn't help but look smugly at Jiang Churan.

With Jiang Ming absent today, the younger disciples of the main branch are led by Jiang Churan.

Jiang Churan's expression was stern, and her eyes were firm.

Under the expectant gazes of many, she announced loudly, "First Ancestor, the gift Chu Ran wishes to present is... the Hetu Luoshu!!"

These words caused a stir throughout the Jiang family, and an uproar ensued.

The Hetu and Luoshu are not treasures, but sacred objects of the Jiang family.

These past few days, the Tiancang River has been behaving very abnormally, with the flood season arriving early and the water level approaching its highest point, which has already attracted the attention of the Jiang family's senior management.

Jiang Churan's sudden offer to present the Hetu and Luoshu was baffling.

The higher-ups of the Third and Seventh Meridians exchanged frequent glances, their eyes revealing a hint of unease.

“Chu Ran, this is no laughing matter,” the First Ancestor said.

"The First Ancestor, Chu Ran, is real."

As soon as Jiang Churan finished speaking, a huge black shadow appeared, blotting out the sky.

Everyone looked up in astonishment and saw a huge black dragon circling in the sky.

This black dragon has a massive body, and its black scales shimmer with a mysterious glow under the faint sunlight, as if they were made of the hardest obsidian.

"Isn't that the Water Spirit of Tianshui Palace? Has it transformed into a dragon?!"