Arriving at the cave at the end of the woods, he saw the Obsidian Jade Dragon with its bloody maw wide open, enjoying a spirit deer it had just hunted.

A huge, plump spirit deer like that was enough for Alex and Aya to eat for a month.

But before the Obsidian Jade Dragon’s bloody maw, it was like a piece of cake. In an instant, it was gnawed until not even the bones and antlers remained.

It had been too long since he last visited, causing the Obsidian Jade Dragon to forget this owner whom it had only met once.

Seeing Alex walking over from a distance, it immediately grabbed a piece of deer meat tightly in its claws, glared at him angrily, and let out a low roar as a warning and threat.

"Oh ho, have not seen you for just a few days, and you have learned to guard your food?"

Facing the warning, Alex fundamentally paid it no mind, still unhurriedly taking a step forward.

The instant he stepped into attack range, the Obsidian Jade Dragon took action.

The twin wings on its back flapped, and its massive body soared into the air, charging at Alex like a cannonball.

However, the next second, it was forcefully repelled back at a speed even faster than a cannonball. Smashing into a massive boulder, it looked at the protective divine dragon meandering and spiraling behind Alex.

Its small eyes were filled with immense terror.

It could not help but gulp down saliva, whimpering weakly. "Awoo, awoo..."

Alex smiled faintly. Waving his hand to retract the protective divine dragon, he slowly walked forward again.

This time, the Obsidian Jade Dragon did not dare bristle or provoke him. It prostrated on the ground, trembling with fear, and extended its head before Alex.

"Mhm, good boy." Alex patted its head, secretly feeling somewhat disappointed.

Originally, he had expected the Obsidian Jade Dragon to fight a few rounds with his protective divine dragon, so he could enjoy watching a battle of two dragons.

But who would have thought it would be so incredibly fragile before it.

He could not blame it, however. The Obsidian Jade Dragon was merely a small dragon at the Enlightenment Realm, whereas the protective divine dragon’s cultivation was on par with his own.

Although both sides looked equally domineering, their strength was completely incomparable. Making the Obsidian Jade Dragon fight the protective divine dragon was no different from making Julian fight himself.

"Come, let me introduce you." Alex set Pearl down from his shoulder, saying with a smile.

"This is Pearl, my new spirit pet, your good brother. Pearl, say hello to him."

"Meow!" Although the other party was hundreds of times larger, Pearl was not afraid in the slightest.

With an agile leap, it landed on top of the Obsidian Jade Dragon’s head and started hopping around playfully.

Being ridden on the head by a Foundation Establishment Realm spirit cat made the Obsidian Jade Dragon feel incomparable humiliation.

But with Alex standing to the side, looking at it with kindness, it had no choice but to suppress its fury, acting like a babysitter as it obediently played with Pearl.

Pearl played for a while, seeming tired, before jumping back onto Alex’s shoulder and lazily yawning.

"Then I will take my leave first." Alex waved his hand cheerfully.

"In a few days, I will come see you again."

Watching Alex turn around and leave calmly as if nothing had happened, the Obsidian Jade Dragon’s expression became incomparably complicated.

Did this fellow specifically run over just to punch me once? The Human Race is truly weird.

After returning, Alex was still overwhelmed with joy. He focused entirely on researching what other effects the Dragon Blood Dark Yellow Saint Body had, unable to tear himself away from this new physique.

It was not until daybreak that Elara came to respectfully call him. "Saint Lord, it is time to prepare to host the Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony."

"Mhm, alright." Alex nodded, immediately stood up, and headed straight for the venue.

It was still early morning, the sky just beginning to glow with hazy light. Guests from all walks of life had already gathered at the venue.

Younger juniors like Julian and Lucas organized the order, ushering them to their seats according to Cedric’s arrangement.

The major sects, dynasties, and Saint Lineage families gathered around their tables, pushing cups and exchanging glasses, chatting and laughing cheerfully.

Alex, however, could not join them. He quietly shuttled through midair, arriving at a cave dwelling at the rear of the venue.

According to convention, the annual Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony would begin punctually at noon.

Before it began, he as Saint Lord had to first privately receive people from certain factions in this small room.

They were either those who had offered exceptionally generous gifts, or those whose relationships with the Hale family were relatively close.

A private audience was a way to show the importance placed on these factions.

Arriving in the cave dwelling, Alex sat on a grand armchair right in the center. He took a communication jade slip from his robes, placed it on the table, then folded his arms and closed his eyes to rest his mind.

The counterpart to this jade slip was with Julian, who was responsible for announcing names.

At this moment, Julian stood outside the venue doors, facing batches of guests and loudly announcing their arrivals.

"The Sun Family Saint Lord, Andrew Sun, brings his wife and his family’s young master to attend the Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony!"

"Presenting a congratulatory gift of thirty thousand spirit stones and five hundred spirit fruits!"

Julian’s sonorous voice not only transmitted clearly throughout the venue, but also reached Alex’s ears through the jade slip.

Alex stood with his arms folded, not even opening his eyes, and said faintly. "Decline."

Receiving his instruction, Julian immediately understood and said respectfully. "Saint Lord Andrew Sun, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to attend my Hale family’s Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony."