Xiang Tian was tall, his long black hair cascading over his shoulders, only a faint touch of silver tracing the hair at his temples. His face was exquisitely handsome, like carved jade, framed by deep, indifferent obsidian eyes, and lips sharply chiseled, conveying an unusual coldness and composure.

He was currently seated upon the Dragon Throne in the main hall, his hands, clad in golden gauntlets, looked as if they were forged from iron, pressing firmly against the golden dragon-head armrests of the throne.

His presence exuded a heavy calm, his gaze profound. Even in stillness, he radiated an unparalleled, imposing aura, as if all creation bowed beneath him, awaiting his judgment.

The remaining Feng Tian Knights, though wounded and barely conscious from the pain, still stood respectfully attending him on either side, awaiting his command.

These fearless warriors of the battlefield, resourceful and seasoned commanders, now resembled meek sheep cornered by a ravenous wolf! They trembled slightly.

“I did not expect this Star to prove so troublesome,” Xiang Tian stated calmly.

Qilin, Yin Hu, and the others showed signs of panic. They knew that the more placid Xiang Tian’s tone, the more ruthless the ensuing punishment would be.

Only Jin Long, suppressing his fear and the near-fainting agony, bowed low. “Master, that Star and Moon Shadow, plus the two aerial divine beasts, their combined combat strength exceeded twenty million. We didn't even have a chance to fight back!”

Yin Hu also gritted his teeth and stepped forward. “The gap in strength was simply too vast, Master. We did our utmost.”

“I know.” Xiang Tian appeared entirely composed, yet his serene expression and steady eyes sent everyone’s hearts plummeting to the bottom.

Jin Long and Yin Hu could bear it no longer, both dropping to their knees with a thud. “Master, please grant your subordinates another chance, even if it means…”

Xiang Tian sighed, “This defeat is not your fault.” Xiang Tian continued, “After all, the enemy’s power far surpassed yours.”

Jin Long and the others wore expressions of shame and apprehension, yet secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Since the Master said so, he naturally wouldn't pursue their responsibility.

A flicker of wistful emotion crossed Xiang Tian’s dark eyes. “Ying Yue Chen Xing. I never imagined you would still be plotting against me after being gone for so long. Do you truly believe I, Xiang Tian, crave the throne of the Crouching Dragon Estate Master?” His tone, desolate and lonely, seemed to carry an ineffable sorrow, indignation, and helplessness.

He then looked toward the frightened Jin Long and the others seated below, offering a wry smile. “All of you, rise! Your courage and loyalty are beyond doubt. Managing five moves against them was already commendable.” Xiang Tian sighed faintly. “The combined force of those two is certainly not inferior to the original Ying Yue and Chen Xing. There is no shame in being defeated by them.”

Xiang Tian’s words eased the tension for these defeated generals, and they finally stood up.

“Master, there is something we do not understand, and we beg for your guidance,” Jin Long noticed that Xiang Tian was genuinely unangered or accusatory, and his courage grew slightly.

“Ask,” Xiang Tian nodded.

“Why did you say this defeat was part of Ying Yue and Chen Xing’s scheme?” Jin Long hesitated.

“The guardian of the Twin Defense Zone, Moon God, was not arranged by me,” Xiang Tian stated plainly. “Someone tampered with the main computer’s data and forcibly stationed her there. It was then I began to suspect it was Ying Yue’s doing.”

“Since Master already discovered it, why didn’t you eliminate her earlier?” Jin Long asked.

“Do you think I didn’t want to?” Xiang Tian replied helplessly. “But I knew clearly that Ying Yue deliberately left such a massive vulnerability to lure me into the Twin Sacred Temple. As he spoke, Xiang Tian managed a smile laced with melancholy and remembrance. “This woman’s mind is intricate and deviously clever. If she made such an arrangement, she must have prepared thoroughly. The moment I stepped into the Twin Defense Zone, I would inevitably fall into her calculations.”

“Calculations?” Jin Long exclaimed. “Master’s divine power is peerless; how could he fear the scheme of a woman long deceased?” Jin Long and Yin Hu were utterly perplexed.

“Of the original Three Dragon Guards, Ying Yue was renowned throughout the world for her cunning,” Xiang Tian explained. “This woman’s meticulous planning and clever stratagems are beyond your comprehension. I can say with certainty that if I had entered the Twin Sacred Temple, there would have been zero possibility of survival.”

“Did she truly possess such capability?” Yin Hu was greatly astonished.

“Besides her aptitude for planning, Ying Yue’s own combat prowess was superior to most,” Xiang Tian stated. “Among the ultimate techniques she mastered, there was one known as the Domain skill. When she and Chen Xing joined forces, they could unleash this Domain. I believe the Twin Sacred Temple is undoubtedly the Domain created by Ying Yue. Within this Domain, Ying Yue and Chen Xing’s power becomes limitless. If there were gods in this world, then within that Domain, Ying Yue and Chen Xing were living gods.”

“Ah! Living gods,” Jin Long and the others were hearing such a closely guarded secret for the first time.

“If that is the case, why did she ultimately lose to you, Master?” Jin Long asked.

“Although the Domain is powerful, she couldn't manage it alone. Back then, Chen Xing was unwilling to ally with her against me, which is why Ying Yue became impatient, challenged me alone, and was defeated by me,” Xiang Tian recalled. “However, even in defeat, this woman would have left behind a contingency plan. That contingency was her instigating Chen Xing to set up the Domain within the Twin Sacred Temple. Even though they have been deceased for over thirty thousand years, the effect of the Domain does not vanish with their disappearance. Therefore, once I entered it, escape from their scheme would have been impossible.”

“So that’s how it is,” Jin Long said. “No wonder anyone who attempted to enter the Domain for so many years was killed. But why did that Star enter the Domain, emerge completely unscathed, and even bring out the Moon God who guarded the Twin Sacred Temple?”

“That is the terrifying aspect of Ying Yue,” Xiang Tian said slowly. “Initially, I assumed the flaw Ying Yue intentionally left was bait for me, so for thirty thousand years I never took a single step inside. Yet, I was constantly seeking ways to dismantle the Twin Sacred Domain, though I never succeeded. Over the years, while I couldn't destroy the Domain, I also found no evidence of Ying Yue’s other subsequent plans, and I gradually relaxed my vigilance regarding the Twin Sacred Temple. After all, no matter how strong her Domain was, if it couldn't move, it couldn't harm me as long as I didn't enter. But when this young man named Star entered, not only did he emerge alive, but he brought out the guardian within—that was when I knew Ying Yue’s follow-up plan had finally been activated.”

“You mean Star and Moon Ying were arranged by Ying Yue to deal with you?” Jin Long suddenly realized.

“Exactly,” Xiang Tian confirmed. “Ying Yue likely anticipated I wouldn’t easily risk entering the Twin Sacred Temple, so she left this surprise tactic, launching an active assault. The reason the technology of Ying Yue’s faction and Chen Xing’s faction can advance so rapidly now is likely due to the data Star brought back from his previous entry into the Twin Sacred Temple.”

“This woman’s plan links up one layer after another,” Xiang Tian murmured, filled with emotion. “Though she failed to defeat me back then, she severely wounded me. Later, the realization hitting Chen Xing, he also challenged me regardless of the cost. While I ultimately defeated him too, those two battles against these two great masters inflicted irreparable harm upon me. I am confined to the boundaries of the Crouching Dragon Estate for life, otherwise, I would not have stood idly by while Ying Yue’s and Chen Xing’s factions flourished externally for over thirty thousand years.”

“Now we understand,” Jin Long and the others finally grasped the sequence of events and also understood why Xiang Tian had never stepped foot outside the Crouching Dragon Estate for so many years.

“However, I believe this must be her final gambit,” Xiang Tian concluded. “By eliminating Star and Moon Ying, her plan will be utterly crushed.”

“How does the Master intend to respond?” Yin Hu inquired.

“Although I cannot leave the Crouching Dragon Estate,” Xiang Tian said, “if they deliver themselves to my doorstep, that is another matter entirely.”

“Does the Master intend to fight personally?” Qilin exclaimed in shock.

“Is there a better alternative?” Xiang Tian countered.

“……” The assembled group was momentarily stunned. Indeed, apart from Xiang Tian, no one else could confront the combined might of Star and Moon Ying.

“You may all withdraw,” Perhaps having revealed secrets buried for ages, a look of relieved ease settled upon Xiang Tian’s face.

“Yes!” Jin Long, Yin Hu, and the others respectfully exited the hall.

The vast hall instantly fell silent.

Xiang Tian, seated upon the Dragon Throne, appeared exceptionally lonely and desolate. The expression in his profound eyes shifted with unpredictable shadows.

“Thirty thousand years,” Xiang Tian seemed to muse, or perhaps whisper to someone unseen. “I have lived long enough. If it weren't for the future of my Wolong clan, why would I shoulder the infamy of disloyalty and rebellion? Why can’t even you two, my closest comrades-in-arms, understand my painstaking efforts? Is living confined in this great desert, awaiting final destruction, the destiny you accept? Have I been wrong, or have you? Is the Wolong clan truly destined to be abandoned by the gods? Why, Ying Yue, when you had clearly deciphered the defect in the gene segments, did you still destroy all the research results? Why would you rather watch the Wolong clan perish than allow them the space to survive on the Mafa Continent? Is the sin of my Wolong clan truly so unforgivable that we are denied even the right to exist and evolve?”

Xiang Tian’s desolate and lonely gaze gradually darkened into despair, but then a spark of unusual brilliance and resolve flashed within it.

“No, I will not give up now. I will prove that my choice, Xiang Tian’s actions, are correct. Only I can bring the Wolong clan the hope to continue surviving and evolving,” Xiang Tian muttered to himself. “Now that a maternal body sample exists, if I can capture Star, I can fulfill the aspiration held for over thirty thousand years. The Wolong clan will henceforth become the masters of the Continent, the truly perfect race! The Mafa Continent will sooner or later be within the grasp of my Wolong clan!”