An hour later, the three Supreme Great Ancestors sat side by side in the big residence for the Ni family's great ancestors.

He Liangce entered from the outside with steady footsteps and a face that looked like jade. Even when he was presenting himself before three Supreme Great Ancestors, he did not panic at all.

Ni Jingshen and the other great ancestors nodded and praised, 'Sure enough, he's a clever child from the He family—this behavior of his alone is enough to show how unordinary he is.

He Liangce greeted respectfully with a deep bow, "Greetings, Great Ancestors."

"You have a letter from Brother He? Hand it over," Ni Jingshen instructed with a nod.

He Liangce retrieved the letter without hurry, but before he could present it to the great ancestors, a strong wind wrapped up the letter and blew it away.

The young master looked up as he was taken aback. When he realized that Ni Jingshen was the one who took the letter away through telekinesis, he could not help but look surprised.

Among the Ni family's Three Great Ancestors, Ni Jingshen was known for being experienced and prudent, so what he just did was unusual.

Ni Jingshen took the letter at once, but he subconsciously paused when he sensed He Liangce's gaze. Being a Supreme Great Ancestor, he was extremely sensitive to looks from outsiders, hence he quickly sensed the strange look from He Liangce.

The great ancestor flushed and cleared his throat before he opened the letter.

Since he had just come out of comprehending the integration of Heaven and man, he, including his mental state, was still in an unsteady state.

After all, instead of fathoming the state through his years of power, Ni Jingshen was forcefully pushed into it by Ou Yangming. Besides, the great ancestor was not gifted like Big Yellow, who could directly communicate with Ou Yangming through their consciousness.

Therefore, once Ni Jingshen left the state of the integration of Heaven and man, it was inevitable for his spirit to be slightly defective, and he was doing things as he wished.

Ni Jingshen read the letter by just browsing through for a brief moment. His face suddenly changed as he questioned, "You want to marry Yinghong from our clan?"

"Yes, please fulfill my wish, senior," He Liangce answered and bowed again.

"No way!" Ni Jingshen uttered without any hesitation. "That's impossible. You may leave!"

He Liangce looked at the great ancestor in shock because he did not expect to be rejected so easily.

Nonetheless, he had no idea that the situation would have been entirely different if he had arrived a day earlier.

He Liangce bowed and voiced out after a moment of hesitation, "Senior, according to the promise between our clans in the past…"

"I don't care about the promise." Ni Jingtong glared and said, "We're not going to agree to this no matter what!"

He Liangce opened his mouth. He suddenly felt like he could not reason with someone who had a completely different view from him, which was unreasonable.

The young master was puzzled, but he knew Ou Yangming must have done something to influence the great ancestors, or they would not have turned him down so resolutely.

Ni Xuetian furrowed his eyebrows and suggested, "Uncles, how about we hear him out first?"

"Xuetian, do you not understand our standpoint? Don't forget, you gained something too!" Ni Jingtong shook his head.

He was displeased with Ni Xuetian's attitude because Ou Yangming had truly made a huge contribution. Ni Jingtong and Ni Jingshen apprehended the way of nature and arrived at the doorstep to the integration of Heaven and man. Although their foundation was still not solid enough, the door was already opened for them.

As long as the brothers cultivated for a year or so, they would become Supreme Great Ancestors who really perceived the integration of Heaven and man.

It seemed like nothing they did would be enough to repay Ou Yangming for the favor.

Moreover, Ni Xuetian acquired a magic military saber!

It was a generous gift that was enough to move anyone.

The three great ancestors knew very well why Ou Yangming spared no effort in helping them.

They benefited tremendously because of Ou Yangming, so if they became ungrateful by marrying Ni Yinghong to someone else, even if other people said nothing about it, how could they live with it?

Ni Xuetian smiled bitterly. "Uncles, I remember it very well, but it was the wish of our deceased ancestor…"

"The wish of our deceased ancestor? No, impossible!" Ni Jingshen suddenly stood up with fearsome eyes, but the other great ancestors, who knew him very well, noticed an intense cold-intent from the depth of his eyes.

A hint of fear could also be seen.

Ni Jingtong gasped and looked at He Liangce with a grave expression on his face.

"It isn't mentioned in this letter…" Ni Jingshen stopped abruptly and mumbled, "Yes, it can't be mentioned in the letter…"

Ni Xuetian cleared his throat and asked, "Liangce, are you aware of the real relationship between our clans?"

He Liangce answered loudly, "My clan has been staying in Linlang County for a long time while yours has been keeping watch in Changlong County. Everyone thinks our clans are only friendly on the surface but a deep friendship was already built between our clans by our first ancestors from the first generation. In fact, the great ancestors from both sides are as close as brothers."

Ni Xuetian could not help but laugh. "That's right, looks like you already know the truth. Ah, based on your current age and cultivation base, it's not surprising that you know. This was also why we didn't say anything when you wanted to walk the Testimony Path."

"Thank you for being so generous, great ancestors." He Liangce bowed.

"You've only seen Yinghong once, am I right? Why do you suddenly want to marry her?" Ni Xuetian asked with a smile.

He Liangce's face turned dark as he responded, "I'm forced to do this."

"Oh? Tell us about it." Ni Xuetian kept a smile on his face, but his eyes showed otherwise.

Instead of explaining to the great ancestors, He Liangce inhaled deeply.

At that instant, an extremely frightening aura, which was similar to countless shining spears and armored horses, gushed out from the young master's body. Also, his face reddened a little while his clothes fluttered in the wind like they were going to be torn at any time.

"Iron Blood Loyal Heart, sacrificing for a noble cause!" Ni Jingshen's face took on a ghastly expression as he expressed word by word.

He Liangce's threatening aura did not last for long. After Ni Jingshen spoke, the young master's body slowly returned to its normal state as if nothing happened.

Nevertheless, the Ni family's Three Great Ancestors turned pale.

"Is it really going to appear there soon?" Ni Jingshen muttered.

He Liangce replied to him seriously, "I have no idea either, but according to my great ancestor's calculations, it won't be far from now."

Ni Jingshen fell silent for a long time before he sighed and said, "The Wu Dynasty has nine counties where the dynasty ruler keeps watch in the canter while the eight other counties guard the different directions. Hehe, the test that takes place every hundred years is happening again soon."

"Ninety years," Ni Xuetian commented, "This time, the test is brought forward by a whole decade."

Ni Jingtong shook his head and remarked, "The difference of a decade is very normal. I heard that the test in 500 was delayed by two whole decades."

He Liangce bowed and said, "I've delivered the message, so please fulfill my wish."

The three great ancestors exchanged glances as they were troubled.

At last, Ni Jingshen gritted his teeth and explained, "Liangce, it's not that we can't bear to let go of Yinghong nor is it because the Ni family's children aren't willing to sacrifice. But, ah… Her heart already belongs to someone else, so the Loyal Heart Secret Technique that you cultivate can't be improved through her."

Ni Xuetian nodded in agreement and suggested, "That's right. Liangce, the Ni family has many other great ladies, so you may choose another one, and we'll train her well so that she meets your requirements."

He Liangce sighed. "Great Ancestors, I've asked around and have met a few other outstanding ladies, but there's only one person who moved my heart."

The great ancestors looked at each other with bitter smiles and knew how heavy-hearted they were.

"I'm aware that Young Lady Yinghong and Ou Yangming have feelings for each other, but…" He Liangce noted and added with a high spirit, "I'm confident that I stand a chance if we have a fair fight."

"Xuetian, what do you think?" Ni Jingshen suddenly asked with bright eyes.

Ni Xuetian pondered for a while before he answered, "Uncle, didn't Ou Yangming ask for the bamboo forest's address? You might as well give it to him."

"Are you asking him to head there himself or…" Ni Jingshen immediately asked.

"Of course Liangce and Yinghong will be going there with him." Ni Xuetian sighed.

Ni Jingshen and Ni Jingtong looked at each other. Even though they felt sorry for Ou Yangming, when they thought about their ancestor's last words, they subconsciously sighed as they were lost for words.

If Ou Yangming and Ni Yinghong were born a decade earlier, the great ancestors would be happy to match them together. However, did the great ancestors even have the right to choose now?

"Fine. Liangce, we'll give you a chance too, but you'll have to decide the outcome by yourselves." Ni Jingshen was helpless.

He Liangce grinned. "Thank you, Great Ancestors."

His voice was deep yet powerful, and he sounded incredibly confident.

The great ancestors shook their heads because they did not know if the arrangement was a blessing or a curse.

Ou Yangming and Ni Yinghong arrived at the great ancestors' courtyard the next morning. When they saw He Liangce, who was standing in front of the great ancestors, they were taken aback.

Ni Yinghong was clueless, but Ou Yangming knew very well why the young master had come, thus he was on guard.

Ni Xuetian and the other great ancestors were embarrassed when they saw Ou Yangming.

"Great Ancestors, why did you summon us here?" Ni Yinghong approached Ni Jingshen with a sweet smile.

"Yinghong, I've already told He Liangce about the strange bamboo forest that I told Lil' Friend Ou yesterday." Ni Jingshen smiled bitterly, then he said after a pause, "Now, I'd like the three of you to enter the immense forest to find that bamboo forest. The immense forest is exceptionally dangerous, and a half-spirit beast is probably guarding the odd bamboo forest, so you must be careful."

Ni Yinghong was dumbfounded, but she quickly agreed.

She could not figure out why the three great ancestors made such an arrangement, but she would not doubt their intention.

Once the three of them left, Ni Jingtong shook his head and expressed, "We've let Lil' Friend Ou down by doing this…"

"I know, but in the face of such a crucial matter, we can't care about his grace."

"Ah, Lil' Friend Ou's is inferior to Liangce in terms of strength. Do you think…"

"No," Ni Jingshen said without any hesitation, "Since he cultivated Iron Blood Loyal Heart, he's certainly not a despicable person, so you don't have to worry about that."

The great ancestors fell silent and sighed.