"Slick-tongued bastard. Is this how you tricked her?"

Ye Ying sat across from Zhang Luan, popping a bitter chocolate square into her mouth. Her icy demeanor utterly clashed with the casual snack.

"I just want to be the Holy Son. I didn’t trick her—I saved her life. She’d be dead otherwise."

Zhang Luan shrugged. Truth was truth. Whether Ye Ying believed him? Not his problem.

"I’m grateful you saved the Holy Maiden. But I oppose your ascension as Holy Son. Yet doctrine forbids my veto—only the Holy Maiden may choose. You’ve won her heart. I cannot change that. Just... treat her well."

Zhang Luan merely arched a brow. He hadn’t lifted a finger to "win" Nan Fenghua’s heart. Didn’t matter. He *would* be Holy Son. If she refused? He had ways to make her agree.

Sensing his resolve, shadows deepened on Ye Ying’s face. She dissolved the barrier around Nan Fenghua, her voice softening:

"Holy Maiden... are you certain you wish *this* man as Holy Son? You... understand what the title entails, right? Don’t rush. Regret waits at the end of hasty choices."

She pinned her last hope on her mistress’s sudden clarity. In vain.

"Of course! Zhang Luan-ge saved me. Why shouldn’t he be Holy Son? Besides—" Nan Fenghua beamed, "—didn’t you say the Temple hasn’t had a Holy Son in ages? Perfect timing!"

Ye Ying surrendered. She nodded silently, chewing her chocolate. Doctrine bound her. If the Holy Maiden chose this path, Ye Ying would no longer obey her.

News of the Holy Son’s arrival swept through Akamana City. Citizens prayed he’d lead them to greater prosperity.

Everything flowed effortlessly. In barely ten minutes, Zhang Luan became the nominal Holy Son—granted equal status and power to Nan Fenghua.

He canceled the lavish coronation ceremony. Ye Ying raised no objection; doctrine permitted it.

Would Goddess Akamana mind an unexpected Holy Son?

No matter. The Goddess of Blessings bore another title:

*The Most Forbearing Deity*. Meaning, essentially, she never got angry.

Outside the hall, Zhang Luan beckoned a squad of silver-armored warriors. Guardians of Akamana Temple. Fresh from battling the Mighty Roar Cathedral in the Ancient Forest.

Their leader, a grizzled veteran, was flanked by youths barely eighteen. Fury smoldered in their eyes.

"You resent me, don’t you?" Zhang Luan smirked. Had they not stood on sacred ground, blades would’ve already flashed toward him.

Why wouldn’t they resent him? They’d bled on the frontlines—only to return and find a stranger named Holy Son? The one who "saved" the Holy Maiden?

What did that make their sacrifice?

Wasted effort?

The old warrior stayed silent. The youths held no such restraint.

"Yeah! Who the hell are you to be Holy Son? I won’t accept it!"

"Me neither!"

Shouts shattered the hall’s tranquility.

The veteran whirled, bellowing: "SILENCE! He is the Holy Son! What does doctrine command? DISMISS!"

Teeth gritted, the youths refused to move. This pretty-faced boy? Holy Son material? Unthinkable.

"Not accepting it?" Zhang Luan’s grin widened. "Perfect. I’ll beat acceptance into you."

Rage snapped their last thread of control. Swords hissed from scabbards as they charged.

The veteran drew his blade—not at Zhang Luan, but to block the youths.

"LEAVE! Do not disturb the Holy Son’s rest!"

A shockwave of raw aura exploded outward, hurling the warriors backward. Only one boy remained standing, trembling but defiant.

Zhang Luan clapped slowly, studying the youth. *Lin Jiu. Future Ghost Rakshasa. Last Guardian of Akamana. So he joined the Temple this early?*

The veteran frowned, stepping to shove Lin Jiu away—only to freeze as an iron grip clamped his shoulder. His eyes narrowed. *An Esper... with this strength? This new Holy Son isn’t ordinary.*

Lin Jiu glared at Zhang Luan, fury burning in his gaze. He’d joined the Temple to serve the Holy Maiden. Now some stranger stole her favor? Unforgivable.

"Good spirit," Zhang Luan said. "Challenge me. I’ll fight until you kneel. And if you win?" He leaned in, voice dropping. "The Holy Son title is yours. Rumor says it comes with the Holy Maiden’s hand in marriage."

Lin Jiu’s eyes widened. *Marriage?* The words struck his deepest longing. Defeat this man... become Holy Son... claim the Holy Maiden? Impossible to refuse.

"Swear it!"

"Sworn."

"THEN COME!"

As Lin Jiu leveled his sword, a system prompt flashed in Zhang Luan’s mind:

[**Rank D Quest Triggered: [Duel]**

**Objective:** Defeat all challengers

**Reward:** Scaled to completion]

Zhang Luan drew the Azure Righteous Sword. It hovered mid-air, humming with energy. Before any signal, Lin Jiu lunged.

**Target Analyzed:**

**Name:** Lin Jiu

**Race:** Human

**Level:** 13

**HP:** 8,000

**Aura:** 1,500

**Class:** Vanguard Ranger

**Talent:** None

**Skills:** [Unstoppable Charge] [Multi-Slash] [Mountain Shatter]

**Gear:** Standard-issue Greatsword

"[UNSTOPPABLE CHARGE]!"

Zhang Luan sidestepped. The floating sword sliced Lin Jiu’s arm—a shallow cut. Yet its 10% suppression effect locked his joints. He crashed to the stones, struggling to rise, disbelief flooding his face. *How? Even against the instructor, a scratch wouldn’t pin me like this!*

*Trickery. Must be trickery!*

The thought of this fraud marrying the Holy Maiden ignited fresh rage. With a roar, he charged again.

"[UNSTOPPABLE CHARGE]!"

Zhang Luan didn’t dodge. Hope flared on Lin Jiu’s face. He raised his greatsword high—aiming to cleave Zhang Luan’s skull.

At the last instant, Zhang Luan stepped *into* the strike. Steel whistled past his ear. A flash of cold light followed.

A piercing scream tore through the air.