Chapter 1465: The Enraged Black Dragon Sovereign

After several days of quiet cultivation, Jiang Fan's cultivation had improved significantly.

He emerged from the secret chamber and cupped his hands to Golden Scale Grand Venerable: "Congratulations." He then approached Ling Shu and handed her a spatial storage device.

"It contains Black Profound Ice. Don't be too hasty; absorb it slowly. I look forward to seeing your cultivation succeed."

Ling Shu took the spatial storage device and gently leaned into his embrace. She knew it was time for them to part ways. Her eyes welled up with reluctant tears.

"I'll come back for you as soon as I finish cultivating."

Jiang Fan smiled softly, stroking her smooth long hair, and said, "I'll wait for you." Inside, however, he sighed deeply. He wondered if he would ever wait for Ling Shu's return. This parting might be a permanent farewell.

Liu Li's eyes were also red-rimmed as she said, "Jiang Fan, I forbid you to die at the hands of the ancient giants. Do you hear me?"

Jiang Fan chuckled, "Alright, little Princess Liu Li." This former daughter of the Demon Emperor, the betrothed princess, had finally found her father and a good home. He could finally rest assured.

Kissing Ling Shu's forehead, Jiang Fan gently released her, saying, "Take care." Then he leaped and landed beside Golden Scale Grand Venerable.

Before departing, Golden Scale Grand Venerable cupped his fists to Ice Heart Grand Venerable: "Ice Heart Grand Venerable, please wait for me for half a day. I will return after escorting Jiang Fan and properly thank you. This time, not only did you trouble Ice Heart Grand Venerable to help us resist the creatures of hell, but you also helped me look after Jiang Fan. I am truly ashamed to have delayed you for more than half a month."

Ice Heart Grand Venerable slowly stood up, patted the wrinkles on her skirt, and said calmly: "There's no need for such formalities, Fellow Daoist Golden Scale. My purpose for traveling this time was to gain merit and virtue. When the Myriad Demon Great Continent faced hardship, it was precisely my chance to gain merit and virtue. We each got what we sought. It's just a pity that despite all my busy efforts, I gained no merit."

She looked up at the sky, a helpless expression on her face. The creatures of hell were numerous and powerful, and she had not completely resolved the hidden danger, nor had she gained the faith of the demon race, so merit was out of the question. When her gaze fell upon Jiang Fan, she felt even more helpless: "The one who sought merit gained none. Yet, the one who could not gain merit achieved tremendous accomplishments. Ah, I suppose this is fate." If Jiang Fan were in the Five Decays of Heaven and Man, his great achievements this time would certainly have earned him merit. But he was still only at the Nascent Soul stage.

Jiang Fan looked surprised; it turned out Ice Heart Grand Venerable was also seeking merit. Considering that Grand Venerable Wutong's merit had not yet found a suitable owner, he couldn't help but ponder. In terms of character, Ice Heart Grand Venerable was pure and upright, worthy of being entrusted with merit. However, Jiang Fan still knew too little about her. He needed to understand her more deeply and thoroughly. Why not invite her to be a guest in Taicang Great Continent? But someone of her caliber should be difficult to invite, right?

Jiang Fan, with a try-it-and-see attitude, said, "Senior Ice Heart, if you have free time, why not come with me to Taicang Great Continent? This junior has some matters I'd like to consult you about."

Ice Heart Grand Venerable was slightly stunned. *This fellow is inviting me to be a guest in Taicang Great Continent?* Remembering the 'Telepathic Link Ring' from before, she rejected without hesitation: "I appreciate the kind offer. I have other important matters to attend to."

Jiang Fan shrugged helplessly. *Sigh, I wanted to observe you, to give you merit. If you don't want to be observed, then forget it.*

Golden Scale Grand Venerable, standing nearby, felt a little more comfortable for some reason. Jiang Fan finally got rebuffed by Ice Heart Grand Venerable. Ice Heart Grand Venerable had been so attentive to Jiang Fan before, leading him to believe their relationship was extraordinary. This way, his daughter had one less major rival!

He laughed heartily, "Grand Venerable Golden Scale, just a moment, I'll be right back!" Immediately, he swept Jiang Fan along and teleported away.

Watching them disappear into the distance, Ice Heart Grand Venerable sat down again. But suddenly, she opened her eyes, a strange look spreading within them: "Oh no. I was originally planning to go to Taicang Great Continent to find the Ancient Desolation Token. Now that I've rejected Jiang Fan's invitation, how awkward would it be if I went to Taicang Great Continent and happened to run into him?" Thinking of this, she secretly regretted rejecting him too soon.

After pondering for a moment, she returned to her usual calm. "It's fine. Taicang Great Continent is so vast; how easy is it to run into Jiang Fan? Besides, I just need to secretly find the person with the Ancient Desolation Token. How would Jiang Fan know I came to Taicang Great Continent?"

Meanwhile, Golden Scale Grand Venerable escorted Jiang Fan away from Spirit Serpent Mountain. In an instant, behind them was only an endless primeval forest. At his speed, the Imperial Observatory, which Jiang Fan would take five or six days to reach, could be reached by him in half a day. And this was still Golden Scale Grand Venerable holding back his movement technique, wary of a sneak attack from Black Dragon Grand Venerable.

Just as they were leaving the vicinity of Spirit Serpent Mountain, the sky suddenly darkened. A colossal tail crushed through space, carving out streaks of void cracks, and lashed fiercely towards the two.

Golden Scale Grand Venerable, instead of anger, smiled in delight: "I thought you would strike from further away. It seems you couldn't wait any longer!" As soon as they left Spirit Serpent Mountain's range, with Ice Heart Grand Venerable gone, Black Dragon Grand Venerable couldn't wait to make his move. His desire to kill Jiang Fan was far stronger than imaginable.

Golden Scale Grand Venerable laughed loudly, released Jiang Fan, and a colossal shadow of a soaring serpent emerged behind him, shooting skyward. In an instant, terrifying explosions swept in all directions. The colossal black tail was blasted away, and golden blood splattered across the air. A voice of shock and disbelief echoed from the sky.

"You... you've also undergone ancestral awakening? That's impossible!" Black Dragon Grand Venerable revealed himself, his face filled with incredulity. He had only achieved ancestral awakening by relying on the mysterious crystal mine from outside the heavens, gaining immense fortune. How could Golden Scale Grand Venerable achieve it?

Just then, he saw Jiang Fan. Recalling that Jiang Fan had gained the opportunity to capture the ancestral blood of myriad spirits, he was instantly filled with both shock and rage.

"Little beast! It's you again!" Without a doubt, Jiang Fan had captured the ancestral blood of myriad spirits and given it to Golden Scale Grand Venerable. This was why Golden Scale Grand Venerable's bloodline power had dramatically increased! How furious he was! This brat had lost his Black Lotus of Salvation, stolen his treasures, and even helped his great enemy achieve ancestral awakening!

"You deserve to die!!!" Black Dragon Grand Venerable roared, the divine halo behind him vibrating, unleashing a terrifying domain. Jiang Fan had experienced that domain before. It was a formidable and ominous domain that could turn people into puppets!

Fortunately, Golden Scale Grand Venerable was no longer as he was; his entire body glowed with golden light, like a blazing sun, evaporating the pervasive domain. "Black Dragon, your days of lawlessness are over!" Golden Scale Grand Venerable raised his hand and waved, and countless golden snakes shot out. Black Dragon Grand Venerable retaliated with continuous roars.

The two Grand Venerables engaged in battle once more, after their last encounter in the interlayer world. Unlike last time when Golden Scale Grand Venerable was at a disadvantage, this time, Golden Scale Grand Venerable held the upper hand! Black Dragon Grand Venerable was suppressed, retreating step by step!

What further alarmed Black Dragon Grand Venerable was that Ice Heart Grand Venerable's aura was rapidly approaching from the direction of Spirit Serpent Mountain. She had detected the astounding fluctuations here and was rushing over quickly.

Black Dragon Grand Venerable was both anxious and furious. He glared at Jiang Fan, who was safe on the ground, his eyes revealing immense murderous intent. "Do you think Golden Scale Grand Venerable can protect you?"