The Dragon Clan's ancestral grounds were nestled deep within a mountain range.
From above, the range resembled an enormous dragon, coiled among the peaks.
As for the Source of the Dragon Vein — that lay in the heart of a vast desert.
The winds in this desert were savage, a place where raging sand whipped across the land without mercy.
Logically speaking, such a desert should have been devoid of all else. Even if something once stood here, it would have been destroyed by the ferocious sandstorms long ago.
And yet, right at the center of this desert, there stood a single peak.
It rose straight and tall, seemingly forged from yellow earth, yet it was utterly indestructible.
No matter how the sand howled past it, the peak remained completely unscathed.
Its shape was peculiar — it resembled an enormous bone, thrust upside-down into the desert floor.
And now, this strange peak was emanating a faint, ethereal glow.
It made the already extraordinary mountain appear all the more miraculous.
This was the Dragon Clan's Source of the Dragon Vein.
Legend had it that the Dragon Clan had established their domain here precisely because of this place.
Legend also held that if the Source were opened, the power of the Dragon Clan's members would soar.
The problem was, no one knew how to open it.
At this moment, Chu Feng stood amidst the yellow sands before the peak. His body appeared minuscule by comparison, but he was channeling his Heavenly Eyes to observe the structure.
Though he couldn't determine how to activate it, he could sense that something extraordinary lay within.
However, with his current abilities, he couldn't glean much more than that.
"Opening it isn't difficult."
Suddenly, the old Daoist spoke.
The moment these words left his mouth, the expressions of every Dragon Clan member present shifted — shock and joy mingled on their faces.
"Master, are you truly serious?"
The Dragon Clan's patriarch couldn't help but ask, his voice barely concealing his elation.
This was the very thing that had stumped every powerhouse of the Dragon Clan. The old Daoist actually had a way to open it?
If he truly succeeded, the Dragon Clan could very well ascend to an entirely new peak.
"No trouble at all. It's a bit of a hassle, even a little dangerous, but I can manage it."
The old Daoist spoke with complete confidence.
"Master, then we are in your debt. Whatever you need, just say the word, and the entire Dragon Clan will cooperate fully."
"And as for your compensation, we absolutely will not shortchange you."
As the patriarch spoke, he began to describe the rewards they had prepared.
Truthfully, the Dragon Clan wasn't being stingy. The compensation they had assembled was genuinely priceless — of immense weight and value.
But the old Daoist wore an expression of complete disinterest. Finally, he couldn't bear to listen any longer. Before the patriarch could finish listing every last item, he cut in.
"Enough, enough — I have no interest in the compensation you've prepared."
The old Daoist waved his hand dismissively.
"No interest?"
When Chu Feng echoed those words, every Dragon Clan member present stiffened.
After all, the compensation they had prepared was already extraordinarily valuable. For a Spirit World Master in particular, these were treasures among treasures — the very finest that existed.
Any ordinary Spirit World Master would have been unable to resist such an offer.
And yet this man was saying he had no interest?
"Master, then what is it that you desire?"
"Whatever you name, we will prepare it for you."
The patriarch said.
"No need to prepare anything. Just allow this old man and my disciple entry into your Dragon Clan's ancestral grounds. That will suffice."
The old Daoist said.
"Enter the Dragon Clan's ancestral grounds?!"
The moment those words came out, the expressions on every Dragon Clan member's face darkened.
The ancestral grounds were the Dragon Clan's most sacred priority — outsiders were absolutely forbidden from entering.
"Master, might I suggest a different request? The ancestral grounds are closed to all outside our clan. This is a rule set down by our founding ancestor, not something we personally wish to enforce against you."
This time, it wasn't the patriarch who spoke, but Long Duan who stepped forward to explain.
"From what I understand, someone outside the Dragon Clan has entered the ancestral grounds before."
The old Daoist's eyes narrowed.
"So others may enter, but my disciple and I cannot?"
"Is it that the two of us... are not worthy?"