The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

The Fang Clan held an internal grand tournament every three years. The top fifteen were qualified to join the Hidden Dragon Guards — an elite force receiving abundant cultivation resources, with free access to techniques and weapons of their choosing.

However, newly inducted members were typically sent to train at Shenque Manor, and only upon breaking through to the Celestial Palace Realm would they return. Afterward, they could either venture out to temper themselves or take up duties for the clan.

The Hidden Dragon Guard members who advanced the fastest or made the most contributions could earn the rare opportunity to obtain a Five Elements Body.

Over the years, the Fang Clan's Myriad Treasures Pavilion had expanded across more than thirty provinces. In secret, they acquired countless Five Elements Spiritual Materials, cultivating numerous Five Elements Bodies for the clan.

Currently, the Hidden Dragon Guards numbered 730 members, among whom a staggering 490 possessed the Five Elements Body.

Naturally, with the growing size and talent of the Fang Clan, other special Bodies began to emerge. Yet such naturally occurring constitutions could never match the efficiency of artificial cultivation.

Moreover, the Five Elements Body could evolve into the Divine Five Elements Body. In addition to Fang Luo, Fang Chu, Fang Qiufeng, and Fang Yan, there were now ten others in the clan who had achieved this level.

In terms of cultivation, the earliest members of the Hidden Dragon Guards had once followed Fang Luo in bandit-slaying campaigns. Though their speed of advancement couldn't match that of the Heaven's Mandate children, they had already caught up to the level of top-tier prodigies once listed on the Heaven's Pride Ranking.

If they were placed in any hegemonic power, they'd undoubtedly be honored as Holy Sons and Divine Children.

The only unfortunate part was that, with the decline of many hegemonic powers across Cangzhou, such prodigies had become exceedingly rare. Few could truly rival them anymore.

At present, the most advanced among the Hidden Dragon Guards was Fang Yan, their commander, who had reached the Seventh Layer of the True Saint Realm.

Aside from him, twenty-three others had also stepped into the True Saint Realm. Most of the rest were at the Phenomenal Manifestation or Fusion Realms, while those below the Celestial Palace Realm — about 30% — were still training at Shenque Manor.

Among these twenty-four True Saints, ten possessed the Divine Five Elements Body, ten had the Five Elements Body, and four bore other unique constitutions.

Each had been granted two Sacred Weapons, trained in the sacred arts best suited to them, and even had limited exposure to imperial-level inheritances, attempting to comprehend their mysteries.

More than that — they were all seasoned warriors, having participated in:

Three anti-pirate campaigns at the Sea of Stars,

Two demon-slaying missions in the Southern Domain,

The annihilation of the Hidden Kill assassination organization, and

The destruction of the Primordial Holy Land.

Thus, they had exceptionally rich combat experience, capable of achieving invincibility among peers and even challenging across realms with ease.

This was an immensely powerful force — yet the world still remained unaware. Most outsiders only knew of the clan leader and a few prominent prodigies.

Now that the Flood Dragon List and True Dragon List had been established — with Fang Ting's approval for their participation — their emergence would shock the world, forcing all to truly recognize the Fang Clan's might.

Meanwhile, far away in the Northern Region, upon hearing that the Great Qian Dynasty had created two ranking lists to recruit Cangzhou's young elites, Bai Qingxue, strategist to Little Gray, considered the implications.

She brought the matter to Little Gray, now the Demon Emperor of the demon race.

Little Gray, now in human form as a handsome youth, sat on his throne. At the mention of the Fang Clan, his eyes lit with brilliance.

"Speak."

Lowering her gaze slightly, Bai Qingxue replied softly,

"Your Majesty, typically we demons do not interfere in such human affairs. However, since this concerns the Fang Clan, I believe we should show our support."

After all, if the Fang Clan created these lists and no one showed up, it would be terribly awkward.

This was precisely why Bai Qingxue felt the demon race should send representatives.

Naturally, the Fang Clan had also anticipated this, hence the generous rewards for top-ten list placements.

Little Gray nodded in agreement.

"Makes sense. Approved."

Bai Qingxue's eyes lit up. She volunteered to lead the group to Ascension City herself.

With Little Gray's permission, she carefully selected young talents from the Nine Great Demon Tribes, then led the team across the Starry Sea toward the Eastern Domain.

Years ago, Fang Ting had slain the Flood Dragon King, wiping out the entire Flood Dragon clan — an act that terrified the Northern Region's demon tribes, forcing them to submit. They accepted Fang Ting's rule and supported Little Gray as their emperor.

Thanks to Bai Qingxue's strategies and Little Gray's efforts, the demon tribes had achieved a semblance of control. But to truly unite the Northern Region, Little Gray still needed absolute strength.

Among the nine tribes, only the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan and Skyfire Flame Beasts were genuinely loyal to Little Gray and the Fang Clan.

The other seven tribes, intimidated by Fang Ting's strength, outwardly complied with Little Gray but still harbored doubts — particularly the Mighty Ox Demons and Golden-Winged Tigers, who secretly dreamed of rising again and restoring their dominance.

Now, by Little Gray's order, the tribes each dispatched two young elites:

One below Saint Realm (for the Flood Dragon List),

One above Saint Realm (for the True Dragon List).

Thus, eighteen great demon youths followed Bai Qingxue to Ascension City in support of the new rankings.

En route, they used secret transmissions to communicate behind Bai Qingxue's back.

"What Flood Dragon and True Dragon nonsense — I want to see how many true elites the human race has left."

"It'd be funny if no Fang Clan member made it to the top."

"Unlikely. The Fang Clan does have some powerful prodigies."

"Sure, but their two Immortal Bodies haven't been seen for decades. Fang Luo and the others have gone traveling in other provinces. Right now, the Fang Clan doesn't seem to have any prodigies to hold the line."

"When you put it like that... hmm."

Among the seven tribes, some followed whoever was strongest and didn't participate in the conversation.

Some, like the Ox and Tiger clans, still held grudges and hoped for a comeback — dreaming of a future where their clans could surpass the Fang Clan and reclaim supremacy.

These demon elites flew swiftly. After crossing the Starry Sea, it didn't take long to reach the borders of Great Qian.

As they neared Ascension City, their keen eyes caught sight of the majestic city from afar.

"Hss—this Ascension City really is something else."

"It's my first time seeing such a grand city in all of Cangzhou!"

"No wonder they call it the number one city of Cangzhou — I believe it now."

"Tch. If my tribe were stronger, we could build one even more glorious — the greatest city in all history!"

But even these proud demon youths, who thought themselves peerless, couldn't help but feel dwarfed by the grandeur of Ascension City.

As they stepped into the city, they were stunned by its prosperity.

Though they'd visited many human cities before, they'd never seen one this magnificent.

Their arrogance faded. They grew unusually quiet.

Silently, they followed behind Bai Qingxue, their eyes roaming constantly, their long-held views shattered and reshaped by what they now beheld.