Chapter 460 - 157: Trampling Dignity and Face Underfoot, Rushing to Immortal Ascension Island, What Does That Make Her?

This courtyard covered a vast area. The towering gateway was as grand as two small mountains, and deep within, beyond the pavilions, lay a spacious Ancient Battle Platform.

The platform was marred by the marks of blades, spears, swords, and halberds, and the high stage was engraved with powerful arrays.

Chained to Bronze Pillars that stood straight as celestial columns were powerful Fierce Beasts, one after another.

Each Fierce Beast exuded a ferocious aura. Their eyes were crimson and they were shrouded in a brilliant glow, some breathing fire, others spitting lightning.

Surrounding the Ancient Battle Platform were various beautiful sights, including Bihu Lake and lush gardens.

Atop the high platform, Jiang Lan, dressed in spotless white robes, stood with his hands behind his back, quietly looking down upon the group of young Venerable Venerables below.

Behind him, You’Er stood silently with her hands at her sides. If one didn’t look closely, they might have mistaken her for a shadow.

Ao Yin of the Dragon-man Race, Kong Xuan of the Peacock Race, Jin Ming of the Golden Crow Race, Yuan Kong of the Demon Ape Race, and Xiang Xiao of the Sea God Race—the five of them had been brought here to meet Jiang Lan, as arranged by the steward of the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

For the moment, however, no one spoke. They were all discreetly sizing up Jiang Lan—their future master.

They were all young Venerable Venerables who had swept through their generation undefeated. They were proud, arrogant, and believed themselves second to none. Their strength had even reached the Sixth Realm, the Divine Power Realm.

Across the entire Celestial Central Province, precious few in the younger generation could compare to them. Countless efforts and resources from their respective races had been poured into each and every one of them.

Wary of the power of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, they had chosen to accept the decree of the Jade Talisman and follow Jiang Lan. But that didn’t mean they were willing to serve him as their master.

On their way to the Imperial Capital, the five of them had discussed a plan: they would serve him temporarily while secretly looking for a way out.

Back when Prime Minister Jiang Lintian had subjugated their races, he had signed agreements with them. One clause stated that all merits would be rewarded. If their contributions were great enough, they could even make certain requests.

If the Prime Minister unilaterally tore up the agreement and insisted on binding them for life, then they would have no choice but to resist.

"You are all truly exceptional, proud and arrogant, unwilling to bow your heads. I imagine you are all quite reluctant to submit and serve me."

"However, I have always been a reasonable person and never one to bully others with my authority. So today, I will give you a chance."

"If any of you can withstand a single palm strike from me, not only will I not punish you, but I will also send you back to your race, safe and sound. Furthermore, I will grant you one request."

"What do you all think of this?"

Jiang Lan, who seemed to have been observing them all along, suddenly spoke.

A curious smile played on his lips as his gaze swept over the five of them one by one.

Upon hearing this, the five were stunned. Their expressions shifted slightly, but being no ordinary people, they didn’t let their emotions show. They simply found Jiang Lan’s words hard to believe.

’Could such a good offer actually exist?’

’Or does he plan to rely on some artifact? How else could he make such a boast?’

’After all, in the entire younger generation of the Celestial Central Province, no one had ever dared to speak to them like this. It was the very height of arrogance and audacity.’

’Or had Jiang Lan come across some great opportunities, allowing his cultivation to soar, and now he thought that young Venerable Venerables like them were easy targets he could push around at will?’

Numerous thoughts flashed through their minds.

But none of them spoke. They just scoffed inwardly, thinking Jiang Lan was far too arrogant and was underestimating them.

Jiang Lan knew exactly what they were thinking, but he didn’t mind. After all, to be called a young Venerable Venerable meant they had their own pride. They wouldn’t easily submit to another.

Making them submit willingly was clearly impossible.

However, he had no such intention. He was just looking for a few suitable tools who could handle things for him—and who could be easily controlled.

These people all had families and loved ones behind them, which meant they had vulnerabilities.

People like that were easier to control and wouldn’t dare to betray him lightly.

"Are your words true, Young Master?"

It was Kong Xuan who spoke up. Her features were fair and delicate on her oval face, and her hair flowed like a waterfall. Dressed in a colorful gown, her eyes seemed to radiate a five-colored divine light.

"Of course," Jiang Lan replied with a smile.

Kong Xuan glanced at the others beside her, but none of them reacted, remaining silent.

She had been eager to try, but now she could only suppress the urge, unwilling to be the first to step forward.

Jiang Lan shook his head slightly.

His gaze swept over them once more before landing on one person in particular.

"Ao Yin, I’ve heard your younger brother, Ao Xu, speak of you. He said that in the past several thousand years of the Dragon-man Race, you are the one with the purest bloodline, closest to returning to your ancestral form. In the future, you even have a hope of breaking into the Ninth Realm and achieving the Saint Realm."

"That is why you’ve always been dissatisfied with having to follow me."

"But I am broad-minded and magnanimous, so I don’t care about your petty schemes. Forcing you to follow me now is an opportunity—for you and for the races that stand behind you."

"In the future, you may no longer be worthy of it."

Ao Yin wore silver armor, over which she had draped a crimson, blood-red cloak. Her face was as perfect as a painting, her features like porcelain, her skin whiter than snow. A waterfall of silver hair was tied back in a ponytail, and she stood far taller than the others.

She had always been proud and untamable, looking down on everyone. Whether in the eyes of her own people or outsiders, she was seen as impossibly arrogant.

But today, hearing Jiang Lan’s casual, understated words, she finally understood the meaning of true arrogance—an arrogance that far surpassed her own.