Ascension of The Unholy Immortal

The old patriarch was silent for a time, fingers tapping once on the zither.

"You were inside longer than anyone else," the patriarch said at last. "And from what I've heard, no one witnessed your breakthrough to the Divine Level."

A glint of suspicion sharpened his gaze. "Tell me… did you wait for the others to leave before making your advance—just to keep it hidden?"

Liang raised an eyebrow, though inwardly, he braced himself. If the old man moved, he was ready to vanish without hesitation.

Yet his voice remained calm, even amused. "Patriarch thinks too much. The timing was convenient, nothing more. No scheming. And as they say… it never hurts to keep a hidden card up your sleeve."

"A hidden card," the old man repeated. "Yes. You strike me as someone who never plays a hand fully revealed."

His gaze flicked to the compass still resting on the moss. "And yet… here you are. Placing that card on the table."

Liang inclined his head slightly. "Some cards must be shown, if only to avoid a war."

Dong Tianlong chuckled, but there was no mirth in it. "A war, is it? Between you and the Dong Clan?"

"No, I wouldn't dare." Liang said calmly. "It's rather between truth and suspicion."

The old man studied him for a long breath, then another. Finally, he exhaled through his nose.

"You remind me of myself… a long time ago. Before I learned that clever men die just as easily as fools."

Then, without warning, he reached forward—not for the compass, but for the zither. His fingers plucked a quick, sharp series of notes, each one laced with subtle spiritual resonance. The formations around the garden shimmered faintly.

"I will not pretend to trust you, Liang Yifei," Dong Tianlong with a heavy voice. "But I will acknowledge your courage. And your boldness."

He nodded deliberately.

"The wedding will proceed. But know this—should even the scent of betrayal reach me…..."

He didn't finish the threat. He didn't need to.

Liang's smile didn't falter. "Understood."

Dong Tianlong waved a dismissive hand. "Go. The wedding preparations await."

As Liang stood and turned to leave.

"And Liang?"

He paused.

"My granddaughter is not a piece on your board. If you harm her, or if I discover your intentions are anything less than honorable…"

Liang paused, still facing away, the archway just a few paces ahead.

For a moment, he said nothing. Then, over his shoulder, his voice emerged:

"I do not play with pieces I cannot afford to lose."

Dong Tianlong's eyes narrowed slightly, watching the retreating figure.

Liang stepped past the final archway with the patriarch's presence faded behind him, so too did the crushing weight of the spiritual pressure. But Liang knew better than to relax.

Every word spoken, every glance exchanged beneath that pine tree felt like a blade pressed against his throat.

Yet, the encounter with the old patriarch was undeniably intriguing.

Liang pondered silently.

The old man was truly one of the top powerhouses in the domain—likely, even a subtle change in his expression would reveal much.

He shook his head.

The old man's domineer was on a completely different level compared to his senior brother, Sun Wu.

Sun Wu had warned him to be cautious around Dong Tianlong. Among the Void Return Realm powerhouses, Dong Tianlong was known as the most cunning and scheming.

It was precisely this cunning that had secured the Dong Clan's current standing.

Beyond the major power clans, there were actually quite a few clans boasting Void Return Realm powerhouses. However, most of these clans were confined to their own regions, unlike the Dong Clan, which was now spread across the entire domain.

Although he didn't like Dong Tianlong tone nor threats but he had to admit, the old man possessed a sharp mind. He'd seen through Liang's superficial motives with surprising ease.

The compass was a gamble, a calculated risk to gauge the patriarch's character and priorities. It seemed to have paid off, at least for now.

His true objective remained shrouded, a secret locked tight within his heart. The secret realm… that was a different matter altogether. What he'd witnessed there, what he'd done there, was a truth he would guard with his life.

Dong Tianlong's suspicions were close to the mark, uncomfortably so. But the old patriarch lacked the crucial pieces to complete the puzzle.

Liang continued on his path, and after a short walk, he arrived before a grand structure. Standing at its entrance were two elderly men clad in flowing white robes.

At the sight of Liang approaching, both men bowed respectfully .

He gave them a brief nod in return, neither slowing his steps nor speaking, and calmly walked past them.

Before long, he arrived at the teleportation hall.

Retrieving a jade token from his sleeve, he slid it into the designated slot, activating the teleportation array with a low hum.

Without sparing a glance behind, Liang stepped into the gate and vanished from sight.

Not long after Liang disappeared into the teleportation gate, the lingering glow of the array pulsed once, then dimmed.

A figure stepped out from behind one of the marble pillars—an old man in white robes with faint silver threads woven along the sleeves. His steps were quiet, but each one landed with the weight of someone who knew this hall better than anyone.

It was Elder Xuo, the man in charge of maintaining the Void Integration Matrix.

He stood before the gate, hands behind his back, and watched the last flickers of spiritual energy fade into the air.

"Heaven Fortune Domain, huh?" he muttered with a small smile.

A short chuckle escaped him as he shook his head. "Is he testing the matrix or just testing us?"

He tapped a finger lightly against the edge of the array, amused.

"If it were me, I'd probably do the same."

His gaze lingered on the gate a moment longer before turning away.

"This Liang…" Elder Xuo smiled faintly, stroking his beard. "He is indeed worthy to become our Dong Clan's son-in-law."

With a satisfied nod, Elder Xuo turned and made his way down the corridor, robes whispering softly behind him as he vanished into the distance.