46: The competition ends, parting words

The Seventh Ancestor's figure vanished into the spatial rift, and the terrifying pressure that transcended heaven and earth dissipated with him.

However, the entire Hongtian Holy Land plaza remained in a deathly silence.

The scene of Yuan Canglan's earlier provocation, Jiang Shengtian's furious confrontation, and finally the Seventh Ancestor's appearance, scaring away a multitude of powerhouses, was still vivid in everyone's minds.

On the high platform, Jiang Shengtian slowly sat back in the main seat. Just now, for Jiang Chen, he didn't hesitate to fall out with the Tianyuan Divine Dynasty, even preparing for a full-scale war. Recalling it now, a surge of heroic spirit still stirred within his heart.

He glanced at his son, who was dressed in white like snow and had a calm expression, beside him, his eyes filled with pride.

“He truly is my son!”

“Cough.” Jiang Shengtian cleared his throat, and his majestic voice once again resounded across the plaza, pulling everyone's thoughts back.

“This Holy Land Grand Competition has, from this moment, come to a Perfection!”

He stood up, his gaze sweeping over all the Disciples present, his voice booming.

“The final rankings, I believe you all already have a good idea. The champion, Saint Jiang Chen!”

“Second place, True Disciple, Xiao Tiandu!”

“Third place, True Disciple, Song Ningxue!”

“Fourth place, True Disciple, Qing Linghe and Wen Yan, tied!”

As each name was called out, the atmosphere in the plaza finally grew lively again, even though the results were without suspense.

Xiao Tiandu stood silently. He glanced in the direction of the ruined battle platform, then at Jiang Chen's back.

The Battle Intent in his eyes had not extinguished; instead, it held a greater longing for a higher Realm.

He lost, and he lost convinced, but it also allowed him to see the path ahead clearly.

Song Ningxue's expression was complex. She looked at Jiang Chen, then subconsciously glanced at Nangong Mingyue, who was equally beautiful but had a completely different temperament, on the other side of the high platform.

Wen Yan, on the other hand, dramatically unfurled his peach blossom fan and gently fanned himself.

He winked at Jiang Chen's direction, muttering softly, “Tsk tsk, the Saint truly is an Immortal Master who doesn't show his true abilities. From now on, I must cling tightly to this powerful connection. If anyone dares to provoke me again, I'll just invoke the Saint's great name.”

Qing Linghe, standing beside him, heard this and a rare, helpless smile appeared on her usually cold face.

“The competition rewards will be distributed to everyone by the Deacon Hall shortly.”

Jiang Shengtian continued, “I hope you all will guard against arrogance and impatience, cultivate diligently, and bring even greater glory to our Holy Land!”

After he finished his customary remarks, the Disciples receded like a tide, still excitedly discussing everything that had happened today.

Jiang Chen, this name, was destined to become famous among the younger generation of the entire Eastern Domain in the near future!

The guests attending the ceremony also rose to take their leave. Nangong Zhuo, bringing Nangong Mingyue, walked up to Jiang Shengtian.

“Brother Shengtian, today's events truly opened this Nangong's eyes.”

Nangong Zhuo's tone carried a hint of emotion. He glanced at Jiang Chen, his gaze quite complex.

This future son-in-law, whether in terms of Heart-Nature and methods, or talent and strength, was truly a Prodigy.

Marrying his daughter to him, from the perspective of Family interests, was definitely a huge gain.

But from a father's perspective, he was somewhat worried whether his daughter's cool temperament could manage Jiang Chen.

“Brother Nangong is too polite.”

Jiang Shengtian laughed heartily and patted Jiang Chen's shoulder, “Just a little squabble among young people, it's made you all laugh.”

Nangong Zhuo's mouth twitched.

A little squabble?

Do you call crushing Lin Fan, who had fallen into a demonic state, defeating a True Disciple with a single finger, and forcing back a Divine Dynasty Emperor, a little squabble?

Jiang Chen bowed slightly to Nangong Zhuo, his manners impeccable, “Uncle Nangong overpraises me.”

His gaze passed over Nangong Zhuo and landed on the light blue figure behind him.

Nangong Mingyue was also looking at him, their eyes met.

Her slightly calmed heart began to beat faster again, unwillingly.

Especially when she remembered the destructive rage this man had unleashed for the sake of a tiny, insignificant wound on her shoulder, a tingling sensation spread from the depths of her heart.

“Mingyue, it's time for us to go back.” Nangong Zhuo said.

“Mm.” Nangong Mingyue softly acknowledged, withdrew her gaze, and prepared to turn around.

“Wait a moment.”

Jiang Chen's voice rang out.

He slowly stepped forward, walking in front of Nangong Mingyue.

Their distance was very close, so close that Nangong Mingyue could smell the fresh and pleasant scent on him, mixed with a hint of masculine scent that hadn't completely dissipated after the recent intense battle.

Her cheeks felt a little hot.

“Mingyue, do you still remember our previous bet?” Jiang Chen looked at her, a smile playing on his lips.

Bet?

Nangong Mingyue's heart sank sharply.

Of course, she remembered.

Before the Grand Competition, she had made a bet with Jiang Chen. If he could win the championship in the Grand Competition, she would be at his disposal.

Now that he brought this up, was he trying to... was he trying to break off the engagement?

After all, his current strength was unparalleled among his peers, and with a Quasi-Emperor Old Ancestor backing him, his status and position were no longer what they used to be.

And she was merely a Nascent Soul of the sixth Realm, even needing his protection earlier.

Perhaps he felt that she was no longer worthy of him.

As this thought emerged, Nangong Mingyue felt as if her heart was being fiercely clutched by something, and an inexplicable bitterness and grievance welled up within her.

A hint of panic began to appear in her clear, cold eyes.

She bit her lower lip, trying to make her voice sound calmer.

“I remember.”

“You did it. What do you want?”

She had already prepared herself; as soon as Jiang Chen spoke, she would turn and leave, never letting him see even a hint of her disappointment.

However, Jiang Chen's next words completely surprised her.

“I won.”

Jiang Chen looked at her, the smile on his lips deepening, “So, you are mine.”

He didn't mention anything about the terms of the bet's disposal, nor did he mention breaking off the engagement.

Nangong Mingyue was completely stunned. She looked up, staring blankly at the handsome face before her, momentarily at a loss for how to react.

“Uncle Nangong.”

Jiang Chen turned to look at Nangong Zhuo, who was also a little dazed, his tone returning to humility, “It's getting late today, so I won't keep you. In a few days, after I've dealt with some matters at hand, I will personally visit the Nangong Family to pick up Mingyue.”

Nangong Zhuo regained his senses, looked at Jiang Chen's confident demeanor, then at his daughter's dazed expression, and nodded: “Good, then Mingyue and I will await our nephew's arrival.”

After speaking, he took Nangong Mingyue and a group of Nangong Family Elders onto the spirit boat they had arrived in.

The spirit boat slowly ascended. Nangong Mingyue stood by the railing, watching the increasingly small white figure on the Holy Son Peak below, her heart a mix of emotions.

Just then, a voice, audible only to her, clearly echoed in her mind.

“Get ready, wash up and wait for me.”

Nangong Mingyue's pretty face instantly flushed, red all the way to her earlobes.

This scoundrel! Lecher!

She was filled with shame and indignation, wishing she could rush down immediately to argue with him.

However, the voice sounded again, but its tone became serious.

“Mingyue, I don't like to force women. I want you, willingly, to wear a wedding dress for me.”

“I want you to tell me with your own mouth that you are willing to marry me.”

Nangong Mingyue felt as if her head was about to explode.

She covered her burning cheeks, looking at the Holy Son Peak, which was dimly visible in the clouds, her mind in a chaotic mess.

This man, how could he... how could he be so unreasonable.