85: Father and son talk, stepping stone theory

Inside the main hall, as the Elders retreated, the tense atmosphere, tinged with a hint of gunpowder, finally dissipated.

In the vast Holy Lord Hall, only Jiang Chen and Jiang Shengtian, father and son, remained.

Jiang Shengtian waved his hand, setting up a soundproof barrier, completely isolating the entire hall from the outside world.

Jiang Shengtian stepped down from the majestic Holy Lord's throne and walked towards Jiang Chen.

The immense power he had previously exuded, enough to crush the ancient azure sky, completely receded at this moment.

He reached out and patted Jiang Chen's shoulder heavily.

"Good lad, well done."

Jiang Shengtian looked at Jiang Chen, his eyes filled with undisguised approval.

"You're not much worse than your old man was in his youth."

Jiang Chen's expression was calm, with only a faint smile playing on his lips.

"It's alright."

"You rascal, there are no outsiders here, so stop putting on an act for your old man."

Jiang Shengtian waved his hand, motioning for Jiang Chen to sit at a nearby jade table.

He conjured a cup of Enlightenment Tea, imbued with Dao rhyme, and offered it to him.

"Tell me, what exactly happened on this trip?"

"What exactly transpired in the Taiyin Ancient Tomb?"

Although Jiang Shengtian had already learned the general details through Sect intelligence, he preferred to hear it directly from Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen picked up the teacup, took a sip, and the warm tea flowed down his throat, transforming into pure Spiritual Qi that nourished his Divine Soul.

He did not exaggerate, but rather, in a nearly straightforward tone, he concisely narrated his journey to the Ancient Tomb, from meeting Nangong Mingyue, to slaying various Prodigies, to obtaining the chaos dao fruit, and finally, the conflict with Yuan Haotian and others after leaving the Ancient Tomb.

Throughout the entire process, Jiang Chen spoke with an air of nonchalance.

Yet, Jiang Shengtian listened with a surging heart.

"chaos dao fruit..."

Jiang Shengtian murmured these four words.

Even with his state of mind, ripples were stirred within him.

That was a legendary supreme divine object!

It contained a trace of Chaos Origin, capable of transforming a Cultivator, forging a supreme Dao Foundation!

Even a Dao Integration Realm mighty figure like him would covet it!

"Good! Good! Good!"

Jiang Shengtian uttered three 'goods' in a row, the light in his eyes blazing to the extreme.

"As expected of my son!"

"With this item, your cultivation will surely advance further, and your future achievements will be limitless!"

Jiang Shengtian took a deep look at Jiang Chen.

"Everything you've done is excellent."

"The Saint of my Hongtian Holy Land should possess such domineering aura! Whoever dares to be your enemy, kill them! Whoever dares to block your path, destroy them!"

Jiang Shengtian's words were resounding.

He then changed the subject, his expression becoming serious.

"However, the chaos dao fruit's energy is too overbearing; refining it is no small matter. Although you have the Heavenly Demon Body to protect you, you must remember not to be careless."

"This child understands," Jiang Chen nodded.

He naturally knew the dangers involved.

If not for a Heaven-Defying Cultivation Technique like the Dao Yan Heavenly Demon Scripture and the Dao Yan Heavenly Demon Body.

If it were anyone else attempting to forcibly refine the chaos dao fruit, there would only be one outcome.

That would be to have their Physical Body explode from the violent Chaos Qi within, turning into ashes.

"Go on."

Jiang Shengtian stood up and patted Jiang Chen's shoulder again.

"Return to your Holy Son Peak and cultivate in peace."

"Before you emerge from seclusion, you don't need to worry about anything in the outside world."

"Your father will personally act as your Protector, ensuring everything is foolproof!"

Upon hearing this, a warmth flowed through Jiang Chen's heart.

He shook his head.

"Father, there's no need for that."

"I have my own judgment."

Seeing Jiang Chen's confidence, although Jiang Shengtian still felt some worry, he ultimately chose to believe him.

"Very well."

Jiang Shengtian nodded, then changed the topic.

"As for the Tianyuan Dynasty, you don't need to concern yourself with them."

A cold, sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

"If that old fellow Yuan Canglan behaves himself, then let him live a few more days."

"If he truly dares to harbor any ill intentions..."

Jiang Shengtian did not finish the rest of his sentence.

But Jiang Chen understood very well what he meant.

"As for the internal affairs of the Holy Land..."

Jiang Shengtian sneered.

"Some old fogeys have lived too comfortably for too long, their bones have softened, and they've forgotten how my Hongtian Holy Land established itself at the Peak of the Eastern Domain."

"This is a good opportunity to give them a good beating and make them sober up."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chen understood.

"Father, actually, regardless of how the Tianyuan Dynasty reacts, there's no need for them to remain."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shengtian looked at Jiang Chen with interest.

"Oh? How do you mean?"

"An Imperial Dynasty, and even an era, has limited Luck."

Jiang Chen slowly began.

"Since the Tianyuan Dynasty has already fallen out with me, then we should quickly harvest them and turn them into resources for my Hongtian Holy Land to ascend to a higher level."

"My killing of Yuan Haotian this time is just the beginning."

"Every single person in the Tianyuan Dynasty who possesses Luck will be my stepping stone."

Jiang Shengtian's eyes gleamed astonishingly.

He looked at his son as if he were looking at another version of himself.

Perhaps even a future overlord who was more arrogant and ambitious than himself!

"What a stepping stone!"

Jiang Shengtian laughed loudly again.

"Go forth and do it!"

"No matter what happens, your old man, and the entire Hongtian Holy Land, will support you!"

The father and son talked in secret for a long time. Jiang Shengtian unreservedly imparted his insights into the Dao Integration Realm and his analysis of the deep foundations of the various major forces in the Eastern Domain to Jiang Chen.

It wasn't until night fell that Jiang Chen bid farewell and departed.

Watching Jiang Chen's disappearing figure into the night, Jiang Shengtian stood with his hands behind his back, motionless for a long time... Holy Son Peak.

When Jiang Chen returned, he saw Daoist Tian Xuan at the foot of the mountain.

"Still quite obedient."

Jiang Chen smiled at this, not stopping.

After returning to his sleeping quarters, Jiang Chen called out to the Void Realm.

"Jiang Jiu."

Then, space rippled, and Jiang Jiu appeared before him, bowing.

"Saint."

"No need for formalities."

Jiang Chen waved his hand indifferently.

"I will be going into seclusion for a period of time."

"As short as a few months, as long as a year."

Jiang Chen's voice clearly reached everyone's ears.

"During my seclusion, all affairs of the Holy Son Peak will be handled by you entirely."

"Yes, Saint."

Jiang Jiu responded respectfully.

Jiang Chen nodded, said no more, gave a few instructions, then with a flash of his figure, he directly entered the deepest cultivation chamber of the Holy Son Peak.

As the stone door slammed shut, the entire world seemed to fall silent.

Jiang Chen sat cross-legged, his mind sinking into a state of unwavering calm.

He did not immediately take out the chaos dao fruit.

Instead, he first circulated the Dao Yan Heavenly Demon Scripture, adjusting his own state to its absolute Peak.

At the same time, he also began to sort through his gains from this trip to the Taiyin Ancient Tomb.

His greatest gain from the Taiyin Ancient Tomb expedition was undoubtedly the three chaos dao fruits.

Secondly, it was Nangong Mingyue's complete devotion.

Nangong Mingyue, who had obtained the Empress's Legacy and possessed great Luck, was also a significant aid to him.

After adjusting his own state, he muttered to himself.

"Dog System, come out. You've been slacking for so long, it's time to do some work."