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Although Ye Fan possessed the Supreme Immortal Bone, his mortal body was far from capable of bearing its terrifying power once awakened.
That was why he had been desperate to obtain the Nine Yang Mysterious Grass—to temper his body, refine his blood, and forge a vessel worthy of the immortal bone's might.
If he were to recklessly stimulate that power before his body was ready, the consequences would be disastrous. In the best case, he would suffer grievous injuries and be bedridden for years. In the worst, his very foundation would collapse—his Dao destroyed, his future sealed forever.
Jiang Wang knew this truth. And so, in fact, did Ye Fan.
But Li Qingxuan—she did not.
Blinded by Ye Fan's honeyed words and his self-proclaimed destiny, she had long decided that Jiang Wang's strength could never compare. In her heart, Jiang Wang was nothing more than an arrogant foil to Ye Fan's brilliance.
"Fine," she said sharply, her cold eyes glinting. "I'll accept on Brother Ye Fan's behalf! Since you insist on throwing away your life, I won't bother stopping you. But remember—if you lose, it won't just be about a single stalk of Nine Yang Mysterious Grass!"
Jiang Wang's lips curved into a faint, dismissive smile.
"Hmph. Less talk—more action. Let Ye Fan come. Let's see if he even dares to fight me."
Seeing that he refused to back down, Li Qingxuan's sneer deepened. She turned away with a swirl of her robe, her expression laced with contempt.
Inwardly, she had already decided that once Ye Fan defeated Jiang Wang, she would ensure his humiliation was absolute.
She wanted him broken—his Dao heart shattered—until he could no longer grasp the Way. Until the name Jiang Wang became synonymous with failure.
The mere thought thrilled her. Her steps quickened, as if she could already hear his pleas for mercy echoing in the distance.
---
The moment she was gone, a deep, mechanical voice suddenly rang out in Jiang Wang's mind—the sound of the Great Villain System of the Universe.
> [Congratulations to the host for preventing Ye Fan from obtaining the Nine Yang Mysterious Grass.
Ye Fan's Luck Points: –10,000.
Reward: Awakening of the Immortal Bone of Creation.]
"Immortal Bone of Creation?" Jiang Wang's eyes widened.
That was the bone destined to awaken when he reached twenty. Yet now, reborn in this life, the system had triggered it ahead of time!
Joy surged through his veins like divine fire.
He had merely refused to hand Ye Fan the grass, and in return, not only had he robbed his old rival of fortune, he had also awakened his own power in advance.
There would be plenty more chances to fleece Ye Fan and Li Qingxuan in this life.
After all, those two had plundered countless treasures from the Jiang family in his previous life. Now, every debt would be repaid—with interest.
He clenched his fists, eyes blazing with determination.
In this life, there would be no more regret.
He would rewrite his fate. He would walk the path of invincibility.
"System," Jiang Wang commanded, his voice steady. "Awaken the Immortal Bone of Creation."
> [Initiating awakening…]
---
A searing heat flared within his chest. But instead of pain, the fire suffused his body with warmth and comfort—as though divine hands were reshaping his very essence.
The bone had always been within him, waiting. Now, under the system's guidance, its awakening was flawless.
Brilliant golden light erupted from his body, tearing through the roof of his secluded chamber.
Dragons and phoenixes danced in the radiance, ancient runes shimmered across the air, and within those runes, entire miniature worlds rose and collapsed in endless cycles of creation and destruction.
The Immortal Bone of Creation—the bone that commanded the birth of worlds.
Its power was terrifying beyond measure.
The blinding phenomenon swept across the sky, catching the attention of every cultivator within the Jiang Clan's immortal estate.
Streaks of light flashed through the heavens as one mighty figure after another appeared—elders, clan guardians, descendants—each radiating an aura so vast it made space itself tremble.
Within moments, they had all gathered before Jiang Wang's immortal residence, their divine senses locked onto the blinding vision.
Even the entire Changsheng Jiang Clan—one of the most ancient lineages in the fairylands—was blanketed beneath the glow of that golden light.
---
Far beyond their borders, in the Holy Lands and immortal sects scattered throughout the realm, countless eyes turned skyward.
"What is this phenomenon?"
"Such divine light… Is another peerless genius being born?"
"That direction… it's the Changsheng Jiang family! Ha! The Jiang clan is producing yet another prodigy!"
Rumors rippled like thunder through the immortal world.
---
Within the Jiang family estate, one elderly man's eyes blazed as he stared at the sealed palace.
"This aura—it's coming from Jiang Wang's residence!"
Another elder gasped. "Could it be that the boy has awakened a supreme physique? If that's the case, with his talent, he may very well suppress this entire generation!"
A booming laugh echoed through the air, shaking the heavens themselves.
"Hahaha! My son, Jiang Wang, truly possesses the makings of an emperor!"
The one who spoke was Jiang Xundao, Patriarch of the Jiang family—and Jiang Wang's father. His face was alight with both pride and awe.
But beside him, a gray-haired elder stepped forward, his expression solemn.
"Patriarch, if the Son of Immortality's talent is so extraordinary, then his future wife must be equally exceptional. A woman from an ordinary clan—no matter how gifted in dual cultivation—would only insult his status."
Another elder nodded. "The Son of Immortality's consort must be a woman from the Divine Realm, at least."
At their words, Jiang Xundao's smile faltered.
His wife—Jiang Wang's mother—had been forced to leave shortly after their son's birth, pressured by forces too great to defy.
He sighed deeply. "I know the girl from the Li family isn't worthy of my son. But since Wang'er favors her, it isn't right for me to interfere—at least not yet."
"Still," said another elder, "once he steps beyond our gates again, we should persuade him. After all, a man destined for the heavens cannot be shackled by mortal attachments."
Jiang Xundao nodded slowly. "Perhaps. When this awakening ends, we'll speak of it again. For now, let us celebrate—this omen heralds the rise of our clan!"
---
The celestial phenomenon lasted three full hours before finally fading.
Inside the chamber, Jiang Wang opened his eyes. His pupils gleamed gold; his very blood shimmered like molten sunlight. Beneath his skin, translucent bones glowed like carved jade.
A sense of incomparable power pulsed within him.
The Immortal Bone of Creation has reforged my body, he thought, clenching his fist. My foundation is unshakable. My every realm will reach perfection.
Just as he was preparing to probe deeper into this newfound strength, a voice thundered outside:
> "Wang'er! Have you awakened? Come out and let your father see you!"
That voice—deep, commanding, and familiar—struck him like a blade to the heart.
In his previous life, after the destruction of the Jiang family, his father had perished. For a thousand years since, he had never heard that voice again.
His throat tightened. His eyes burned. But he forced the tears back, steadied his breath, and stepped out of the Immortal Palace.
Outside, the elders and patriarchs of the Jiang family stood waiting, their gazes fixed upon him.
Jiang Wang bowed deeply. "Your son greets Father, and the honored elders."
Though emotion threatened to betray him, he kept his expression composed. He would tell no one of his rebirth—not yet. His vengeance, his redemption, would be carved by his own hands.
"Hahaha! Good, good!" Jiang Xundao's laughter rumbled like thunder. "Wang'er, tell me—what constitution have you awakened?"
"Father," Jiang Wang said calmly, "your son has awakened the Immortal Bone of Creation. It has fully merged with my body."
For a moment, silence reigned. Then gasps erupted all around.
"Immortal Bone of Creation?!"
"Impossible! That bone hasn't appeared in ten thousand years!"
Even Jiang Xundao's composure broke. His eyes shone with disbelief, then overwhelming pride. "Truly, my son is destined for greatness! The heavens themselves favor the Jiang bloodline!"
The clan elders exchanged awed glances.
In the fairylands, physiques were ranked—Fairy Bone, Dao Bone, Immortal Bone, and the legendary Supreme Bone.
Ye Fan's Supreme Bone had made him the Son of Heaven's Pride. A cultivator with a Dao Bone could easily become the Saint Son or Saintess of any great sect.
But an Immortal Bone—that was something no one in ten millennia had witnessed.
"Gods bless our Jiang clan!" cried one elder. "With this child, our family's glory shall pierce the heavens themselves!"
Jiang Xundao could only nod, his heart swelling with joy. But amid the elation, a thought stirred within him. His smile faded slightly.
"Wang'er," he said at last, his tone more serious. "You've awakened a divine bone unseen in ages. Your talent is peerless. That girl from the Li family… she is no longer worthy of you. Listen to your father—end that engagement at once."
Jiang Wang met his father's eyes, his expression calm.
"Don't worry, Father. I intend to visit the Li family soon—to annul the betrothal myself."
For a moment, Jiang Xundao nodded in satisfaction. Then realization dawned.
"Wait… what did you just say?"
Jiang Wang smiled faintly.
"Father, I am willing to cancel the engagement."
---
That smile was calm—but within his heart burned the cold fire of a man reborn.
In this life, Ye Fan would crawl. Li Qingxuan would kneel.
And the name Jiang Wang would shake the heavens once more.